The "cruisers' shrine" is a tree and surrounding area on a beach in an anchorage called San Juanico. For years cruisers have visited and left artistic momentous of their existences and trips, the earliest we could find dating back to 1988. We brought along various craft items, paints, string, and pieces of wood and made our own creation. Our sign is about 12"x16" displaying 'TIOGA” and all our names, “5-03' (May 2003). Our Canadian Flag and Calgary in the top right corner. Joel added a miniature Tioga in the bottom corner complete with Canadian flag and Gerrit colored a shell to leave for Boomerang, our dinghy.
 |
| Our shrine to Tioga. |
We chose to hang our creation deep in the tree for maximum protection from the elements.
 |
| Our Tioga shrine in the back of the tree. |
Joel brought the sailboat he made along for the day and had fun while the shrines were being created.
San Juanico was also a great spot to snorkel and marvel at the abundant sea life, as well as the opportunity to practice spear fishing techniques. A lot of time was spent with John and Nia from s/v Jovita, a great young couple who's overall knowledge of sea life far surpassed ours. They both turned out to be great role models for Joel and Gerrit on numerous occasions. Here, John displays his 'trigger fish' and Nia shows off her 'hog fish'. Both tasted excellent later that day roasted by fire on the beach.
 |
| John and Nia from s/v Jovita |
9:07pm - Saturday, May 24, 2003 - It's dark out!
This is a neat picture, if only to show you how we have to get around down here from time to time. A group of us - three boats' worth in two dinghies - went out for supper at a restaurante in a nearby bay. After supper, we all zoom home to our anchorage a bay or two south in the pitch dark. It was a nice evening out, with both water and air temperature around 85F. And the conversation was hilarious!
Monday, May 26, 2003 - A Big Bug on an outing to the Town of Mulege
How about this Mexican bug? We were exploring the town of Mulege's sites when our friends' daughter, Rhianon, spotted this doozy. It's not a cockroach, but we didn't quite get the name when we asked a local.
 |
| Now that's a bug! |
Monday, May 26, 2003 - Mulege Prison
In the town of Mulege we visited a unique prison, now decommissioned, where many of the prisoners were allowed to leave the confines of their cells and go to work everyday in the town below. At 6pm every evening a conch shell was blown to signal the inmates to return to the prison for the night. When the prisoners were done their prison terms, many of them choose to settle in Mulege having already established lengthy roots! This picture is of the inner section of the prison, where the hard-cases were kept. Two solitary confinement cells are on the left.
 |
| Some beautiful color in this dismal place. |
These "hard-case" prisoners managed to escape and two of them succeeded in stowing away on TIOGA. They are now holding us hostage and are threatening to keep it that way for at least another 10 to 15 years!!
 |
| Do these look like hardened criminals? |
Tuesday May 27, 2003 - Cave painting tour
The crews of s/v's Jovita, Atalanta and Tioga jump in Salvador the guide's van for a day tour to the site of cave paintings by the Cochimi Indians dated 3500 BC. Along the way into the desert along washboard roads bound for the Trinidad Ranch, Salvador stops and shows us various plants, trees, and cacti of the desert, including how to identify them and their various purposes. Some cacti hold the key to life - water - while a single drip of sap from another tree could kill you in the refuge of its shade! As is with all things in life, be careful of your choices!!
 |
| Great time on this van guided tour. |
Upon arrival, we hike a short distance though the arroyos and canyons to the cave paintings site. Three different Indian groups painted on the walls over time, some on top of the existing paintings. Pictured were fish, deer, hunters, frogs and even hand prints. The Indians showed the missionaries the whereabouts of the cave paintings, who documented their existence and location. Tragically, the majority of the Indians where wiped out by disease introduced by the Europeans.
 |
| Cave paintings. |
Sunday, June 1, 2003 - A relaxed day on the move ... 11:10am - whales!
Today we planned to make it to the town of Santa Rosalia, not far away but with plenty to see and do along the way. We had heard via VHF radio that morning that whales were in the area and as we traveled north paralleling Isla San Marcos, we found ourselves surrounded. We are told that this one is probably a blue whale due to the amount of its body that shows out of the water when it surfaces. We stop the boat and shut everything down and just drift in order to watch these amazing animals and listen to them blow when they surface. At one point, this whale surfaces right next to Tioga (within 10m)!
 |
| There she blows....whales about. |
1:33pm ... Swimming at the Rock Arch with crew from S/V Atlanta
We had heard of a neat spot to swim, and the day's plan was to stop and find it. The spot is unique as it is surrounded by cliffs except for a small entrance - a rock arch - that we have to take the dinghy through and under, ducking our heads to pass clearly! Once inside, there is a nice rock beach to relax on plus small rocks for the kids to jump off of and swim. Excellent spot.
 |
| Private secluded beach all to ourselves. |
Just outside the entrance, we see some locals jumping into the water from about 30 feet up! Chris and Michael (from s/v Atlanta) decide to attempt it….brave or what?
 |
| This was higher than it looks.. |
6:23pm - Santa Rosalia
Finally, we arrive at the little marina in Santa Rosalia.
 |
| Such a quaint little marina. |
And no sooner do we get our lines tied when we are boarded by the Mexican Navy doing a random inspection. They were very friendly despite the size of the guns they were packing! Apparently, only the sergeant gets ammunition as the Navy can't afford to give it out to the juniors (the kids). Well, it was a busy day, but it's not over yet. Off we go into town to find out about Santa Rosalia's famous hot dogs!
 |
| Santa Rosalia welcoming party. |
Monday, June 9, 2003 - Graduation and Book Burning Ceremony at Bahia San Pedro
Gerrit and Joel have a ball burning their school books from the past year. 'The best day of my life!' Gerrit jokingly proclaims.
 |
| Ritual of burning school books at year end. |
The evening came complete with graduation certificates for our guys and the girls from s/v Atlanta to officially end our school year.
 |
| Another school year done! |
Saturday, June 28, 2003 - Marina Real, San Carlos
The last two weeks has been a ton of work getting Tioga ready to sit out the hurricane season, She has been thoroughly cleaned inside and out and striped of everything from flag and sails to running rigging for protection against the sun's harsh rays and summer's strong winds.
 |
| Joel helps take the Canadian flag down for the season. |
Tioga floats peacefully in her resting spot for the next four months.
 |
| We hope she sits peacefully till our return. |
Chris has also been to and returned from Tucson, Arizona with a motor home for our next excellent adventure. Here we host some fellow cruisers in Tioga II...how many kids can fit in the top bunk?
 |
| Last night with some fellow cruising kids |
3:37 pm - Saturday, June 28, 2003 - TIOGA II is mobile!
With everything loaded, we are ready to roll. It has been a while since we have traveled via wheels. We start out at 5 m.p.h. and joke about that being the speed we came down the coast at. Once underway on the highway, we find 55 m.p.h. real fast!! We are all very excited for this next leg of our adventure. Stay tuned...
 |
| Tioga II ready to roll. |
Join us in Log 12 as we make our way home to Canada. Yeah!
