SailingKnitter

Boca de Tomatlan is a little village on the end of the busline (and road) running south around Banderas Bay. We picked up the local bus in Puerto Vallarta (50cents) and rode along the jungle cliffs by the sea for about a half hour. This south coast of the bay is sparsely populated, especially compared to the north shore where the condominium craze is in full swing.

The river runs down out of the jungle here into a small cove. Up the river is where the ecotourism trips to see the jungle canopy take place. We sat on the beach and enjoyed a fresh fish lunch, knit, and just relaxed in the steamy quiet. I had a commitment to finish up some socks for Socks for Soldiers so was happy to be able to sit and knit.

What a change from the cruising season last winter!! Everything now is bright green from the daily thunderstorms, and of course the humidity is high. But, as we keep telling each other, it's no worse than a summer day in Atlanta, Georgia and we survived many years of those!

There are very few tourists in the Puerto Vallarta / Banderas Bay area these summer months. Those that are here are Mexicans that have come down to the sea from the interior regions and higher altitudes. But the kids went back to school last month so the hotels and beachs are deserted.


Most of the Boca de Tomatlan villagers live on the far side of the river so they have to walk across this cable & wood slat swaying bridge to get to "town". Like so many other structures here in Mexico, this bridge was a little marginal - gaps between the boards, loose boards, thin & rotted boards, and who knows how reliable the cable structure is and there's a rushing river below. Oh well, we went for it anyway. Here's a pic of Jonesy picking his way back across to safety. As usual, there were a couple of Mexican dogs hanging out on the bridge. These dogs actually lifted
their heads and LOOKED at us. I've gotten used to most dogs just laying out on the sidewalk or street looking dead.
Too soon it was time to get back on the bus and head back to the boat before the

evening thunderstorm arrived.

Potluck Thursdays are one of the highlights of "cruising" (or lack thereof due to the hurricane threat) life here in the marina during the summer months. It's a chance to get out of hiding on your air-conditioned boat and chatting with fellow cruisers and a few folks who live in the condos at the marina. Usually there is a slight breeze by 6pm so the gathering takes place under the palapa hut by the jetty. There's always plenty of food - and save room for dessert!

Finished the leisure socks for SFS - made from two different balls of Opal sock yarn, one gray varigated, and a touch of red/white/and blue at the top of the cuff.

I'm focused these days on finishing up some of my many "works-in-progress". Having joined the new Ravelry website where I posted photos and descriptions of my unfinished projects. This has really brought it to my attention just how many of these forlorn, neglected knitting objects I have hiding in various secret spots on the boat.

Coconuts love to gather around our boat after the storms. Every day the marina workers scoop out the debris between our boat and the dock finger. After the coconuts fall from the trees, they get washed down the river from the heavy rains. Our marina is at the mouth of a river/estuary system so the coconuts float downstream, then get caught on our slip which is at a dead-end of the dock system.