It's been almost two weeks now since we boarded Gitana and started clearing the decks. Greg has made it through his exhaustion and is getting his second wind as his muscles get back into shape. Me - my muscles are slowing coming back. Climbing up and down the ladder isn't a challenge anymore and my biceps are getting used to hauling up 40 lb bags and water jugs by rope. I can tie a bowline in my sleep now.
We have had some beautiful blue-sky days. Today is 72 deg and light clouds.
Marina Seca is very well run and kept extremely clean. Every pair of boats shares a power pedestal and each has its only water faucet which delivers potable water. We have a large area behind the boat for storage and it is kept cleaned and raked.
The Marina Seca parking lot is very nicely landscaped.
Our view to the south off the stern.
Our afternoon view to the east.
The first few days we ate all of our meals in restaurants. One of our favorites is Evie's, home of San Carlos' best lemonada. There is a restaurant and bar upstairs where we had some terrific ribs ( pop: 1 bartender/chef, 1 bar patron and us ).
Our first breakfast was at Evie's
Barracuda Bob's is a cruisers' favorite. It's located next to the marina, the manager (owner?) speaks English and the prices are great. It's very busy in the morning and always very welcoming. Gotta love the parking and artwork.
Greg hadn't had coffee in a couple of days (can't find a grinder) and was looking a little glum. B. Bob's fixed that. Bagel and cream cheese was 25 pesos ($2) and burrito breakfast wrap was 60 pesos ($4.90). This was a lot less than eating at the hotel.
Barracuda Bob's operates a very nice and clean launderia next door which also provides Internet.
Last Wednesday I wanted to wash a lot of canvas and discovered the B. Bob's was closed so I hunted down another launderia that I had noticed in town. That was an interesting experience. The attendant, who was very busy ironing some one's laundry, didn't speak English but communicated that I could do my own washing and drying and pay her when I was done. Instead of 30 pesos ($2.50) per load it was 35 pesos (I thought the US laundries were expensive). There were several different washer models and it took me a while to figure them all out.
Once we got the boat somewhat sorted out and inventoried we headed out to shop. We were buying most things locally since we couldn't fit much in the car. There are several medium sized "supermerchados" near Marina Seca. The Sante Fe supermercado is actually within walking distance. The markets are very well organized and kept very clean. Every market has something slightly different - consequently we had to visit just about every store in town to get our "basics". Fortunately, Santa Fe has a very good selection of wines and liquors (our bar is better than it was in WA). A drinkable bottle of wine is less than $8 and tequila is CHEAP! Actually, I did get a bottle of Vino Tinto from Spain for $4 and it was fine with my chicken mole (the best I've ever made - I have to say). 
Frutas y Verduras (fruits & vegetables) look good and are priced reasonably. This could be a produce section in any number of US stores. The dairy section is interesting. Yogurt comes in bright colors packed in big bags. The meat section would take some people aback. Big frozen blocks of meat sit in front of the meat counter. The trays of chicken feet give me the creeps.
After the food was stowed we had to venture further out to find tools and kitchen utensils. I could not understand how a civilized culture could feed itself without the aid of a spatula or a whisk (I can't do everything with just the 20+ knives that we found on the boat)!
On the the why to Guaymas (pronounced Y mas) we came up behind a group of caballeros.
A Home Depot has opened in Guaymas. We found a few items here; the store has less than the ones in the US. I found it extremely interesting that the parking lot was a permeable surface - grass under the cars. Sometimes Mexico is ahead of the US in innovations.
As much as I hate it, we were forced to shop at Walmart. At least I was contributing something to the Mexican economy so I was able to sleep that night. An Auto Zone provided the freon and gauges that Greg needed to service our fridge. A very large Ley supermercado in a newer shopping center made my little heart sing when I finally found my whisk and spatulas.
At this point Greg has installed the new roller furling and the new boom. Gitana was finally relieved of about 100 lbs of Mexican dirt and now we start paying attention to smaller details.
Gitana gets her new hailing port.
Now for family matters.
Cinnamon has his own friends and fans so no blog would be complete with mentioning his activities. He has adjusted very nicely.
He has been busy checking the sail inventory and investigating every nook and cranny for any stowaways. He is much more curious about the great outdoors and he frequently walks the deck or calls down to us from the top of the ladder if we are working below. He has accepted the new bathroom facility we provided between the qtr berth and the companionway steps. His sleeping preference has not been made clear to us as yet. He has been trying numerous alternatives. 
His favorite spot (as usual) when we aren't in it, is the bed.
On our way south we visited with our family and I wanted to share some pics (forgive me, I'm a grandma). We finally had an opportunity to visit with Greg's older son Paul and his family.
Paul and Renee's three children: Aislin, Bryann and Coen.
It was really nice to experience a little bit of Christmas. Bryann and Gunner posed for me by the Christmas tree.
I had lots of doggie moments while staying in Roseville, CA.
Merry Christmas to all our friends and sailing buddies.
We will toast you on Christmas Eve.
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