La Cruz

We've been here in La Cruz now for a few days, first anchored out in non-rolly conditions, then we found out that the marina was a really good deal and moved to a slip.  Big difference from Cabo, $125. for one night there vs. $25. here, and actually better accommodations here.  The marina was built in 2007, so very new, and a ship yard, yacht club, laundry, fish market are all nearby.  It's officially called Marina Riviera Nayarit.  I love being anchored, the freedom of no neighbors is nice, yet everything is a dinghy ride away. 
   We have joined the morning net on the VHF and found a group here who are sponsoring a charity race series, and we couldn't resist.  It had three legs, one to our marina from where ever in the bay you were; then from La Cruz to Punta Mita, spend the night, then back to Nuevo Vallarta today.  We did the La Cruz leg, and of course... we did very well.  We were the smallest boat of 19 boats and came in 4th to finish.  The boats beating us were quite a bit longer, (42'-53') which means faster(we're 35').  And, we were two handing vs full crews of folks.  Not competitive at all :)  The charity is for the local schools, the American school here is one of the sponsors, they have a sailing team and help support the locals. 
  We went to dinner at Philo's, a local tradition here, it had live music and pizza just like home.  Kind of a treat for me, I'm missing burgers, pizza and yogurt.  The food has been great though, last night we had fajitas which were to die for, and two days ago I ordered what I thought was a burger, and it turned out to be a chicken sandwich on a bun, very delicious.  Of course the ambiance was part of it, we were sitting near the marina in the shade of a palm tree sipping diet cokes, or coke light as it's called here.  I thought of Susie at Philo's, they played some Stones music which was very well done.  There is one older guy who plays the washboard, complete with cow bells, cymbals and the metal fingered gloves.  He was the best part for me.
   I think we are going to leave here for the marina at Nuevo Vallarta on Sunday, and see a bit of the main town.  We can take a bus into Puerto Vallarta for 5 pesos or something.
   The town here is traditional cobbled stone streets, or dirt, with small tiendas or stores lining them.  These are mixed in with living accommodations, so you have to be careful not to walk into someones house.  The local market is on Sunday, which we missed last week, but it also supports the local schools and disadvantaged.   
   There are some English Labradors here, just like Penny's, she'd be in heaven.  Someone obviously brought a pair down and they've been multiplying...  Last night there was a group on our panga who had a Portuguese Water dog, and it lived on a J 160 sailboat.  It wasn't too thrilled about the leap from the bouncing panga to the bouncing boat, so one gentleman grabbed it and threw it aboard.  I'm so glad for Shelly and that our dogs have a safe and happy home!  Woody would want air conditioning.