Finally aboard in La Paz

Although we purchased our boat in December, it took several weeks of preparation in Arizona before we were ready to come down and actually move aboard.

Breakfast in Mulege Saturday morning

We left Mulege in the morning and came into La Paz on a late Saturday afternoon. There she was, waiting for us, the vessel Avalon. Hard to believe that she was now ours... and just a bit intimidating. We found the keys hidden where the broker said they would be, and quickly began unloading our items onto the vessel. The last stretch of road out of Gonzaga Bay had filled the back of the Bronco with dust and most of the items had an inch of dirt on them that had to be dusted off and cleaned before they could be unpacked - making an already long day a bit longer. But, there were awesome showers available at the marina and as soon as I had the last box on board, I grabbed a towel and went to wash away the remaining road dirt. Have I mentioned how great showers are?

The marina was all blue skies and 80 degrees with a soft sound of Mariachi music drifting across the water from the beach cantina down the road. Perfectly cliche. We walked down to  Rancho Viejo for great dinner for five and then came back and quickly fell asleep.

The next day, we went to the Mega store down the street and got our food provisions for the week. The kids especially love the bakery where you grab a tray and tongs and place all kinds of sugary goodness onto your tray for the bakery lady to wrap and tag for you.

With provisions on board, we begin the arduous task of getting to know Avalon and all of her systems.  We are also anxious to rename her, but that will have to wait until the new name stickers arrive from the US.

The systems on Avalon are plenty. Battery banks and alternators, control panels, solar and wind generators, water makers, auto pilot and gps, radar and rigging....aaarrrgh. It is overwhelming, but you just need to dive in and start tackling a system at a time.

Avalon in her slip

We had arrived on the 8th, and by the 13th, the time had come to take her out and escape the chores and planning that could only be done with the internet and power hookups at the marina. We headed north to the tip of La Paz Bay and the Isla Espiritu Santo. No wind, but we created a breeze under power, and with Tecates in hand, we watched the water flowing beneath us and the landscape pass slowly by.