Log #43, Carried Away
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Updated December 15th
Exploring Farther Afield
Betsy and Richard, part-time cruisers who worked in Seattle last summer,
returned to San Carlos driving their 1991 Caravan. Their current
cruising plan, however, has them visiting Central America, so they put the van up for sale.
Unfortunately for us, Mike at the Captain's Club beat us to the punch and got first dibs on the van.
Not to be deterred, I rode my bike over to the Captain's Club, put on a pathetic face, and
proceded to negotiate. I must admit, negotiating wasn't my idea; Richard suggested it. Since
Mike already had a vehicle, Richard felt that we had the greater need. That's the story I
pitched to Mike...and he agreed!
Taking possession has been a long time coming. We didn't want to jerk Qayak's transportation out
from under them while they prepared for their voyage, but we were itchin' for those keys.
Stinky winds and seas have been keeping boats in the bay, but finally Betsy and Richard
decided it was time to leave the dock and give up the van. Sniveling all the way,
they snapped the following picture as Stan drove away from the marina (posted on their
blog).
Stan driving away from Marina San Carlos.
Our first van outing was all the way to the Plaza Hotel (4 miles) for a Christmas concert.
The concert was advertised as a celebration of the season with "traditional Negro spirituals."
Was I ever jazzed, ready to rock and clap and sing along.
What we found at the Plaza was not what we expected. Switching gears, we enjoyed a
virtuoso performance by harpist Dr. Carrol McLaughlin and soprano (almost Dr.) Shana Thomas,
both from the University of Arizona. A fine, sedate offering.
Carrol McLaughlin (thnx to
www.azharpexperience.com for the pic).
This was our first experience out in the land-based, norte americano community -
mostly snowbirds just returned from points north.
Stan and I felt a bit out of place and a bit uncomfortable. Shouldn't have, I suppose; the
dress was cruiser casual, we were comfortable with that; and the crowd was retiree gray, we
were certainly comfortable with that. It was the all-white crowd that surprised us
- the only people of color in attendance were the singer and the help.
Different strokes....vivan las diferencias! Stan and I, however, prefer to
head a bit further off the
beaten track. This weekend it's Alamos to see what part of the Mexican experience
that community has to offer.
