Butterflies, Family, and a New Trannie

El Jefe means "The Boss"
I wonder which of us it refers to?

A few weeks ago, we reported that our transmission had packed it in, but that we were adjusting plans to see Mexico’s famous Monarch Butterfly migration and host a visit from Andy, Lorraine and Clark. Since then there have been developments on all three of these happenings, all positive.

First, the transmission. Our engine consultants—Larry, the parts manager at Coastal in Seattle; Mark, our engine mechanic in Seattle for thirty years; Steve, our sailing friend for forty years and all-around boat genius; and Greg, the Volvo dealer in Puerto Vallarta—ALL said that as long as we were replacing the transmission and lower unit, we should also replace the (older but working perfectly fine)

Mariposa Monarca

diesel engine. It seems that one is dollars ahead by buying a transmission and an engine as a package deal. Also, they said that there might be a market for our used engine, but of course, there are no guarantees. So, we now have a transmission AND a diesel engine coming from Tennessee to Puerto Vallarta.

Which left us with the minor challenge of delivering our engine-less sailboat 150 miles from Tentacatitas to Barra de Navidad to Puerto Vallarta. The first 14-mile leg from Tentacatitas to Barra was a glorious spinnaker romp, one of our best sails in Mexico. The next one, returning to Tentacatitas, began with difficulty in

Millions of Butterflies

negotiating the narrow entrance from Barra with an underpowered dinghy pushing us into a stiff head wind, but once clear of the entrance, we had a delightful beat and close reach on to Tentacatitas. The remaining legs to Chemela (29 miles), Ipala (51 miles) and on into PV (45 miles) were a mix of fun sailing and (mostly) being towed by our angels, Steve and Peggy on Flyer. We coasted into our slip in PV yesterday and are certainly relieved to be tied up where Schatzi can be hauled out of the water and the engine re-power done.

Now for the fun stuff. Every year, from December through February, millions of Monarch Butterflies flutter from Southern Canada and northern US to the tops of the interior

Steve and his Butterfly

mountains in Mexico. Imagine yourself in one of those butterfly cages at the zoo with a few dozen butterflies flying about. Now remove the cage, mosey on up to 10,500’ elevation and add a million or so butterflies--and you can experience this most incredible gathering. Scientists are baffled why or how they do it, but every year they come, filling the air, covering the trees and meeting up with other butterflies to make little butterflies. It is right up there with an African safari for a jaw dropping experience. The drive to the butterfly reserve was long (9 1/2 hours), but seeing the high Central Mexican plateau and the authentic rural Mexican pueblos simply added to the adventure.

The Morning Net Controller

Then a week later, our son Andy and his family of Lorraine and Clark, came and stayed at the hotel next to our marina. Swimming, tennis, snorkeling, soaking up the Mexican culture—it was all great. One the fun moments came on the boater’s morning net. Each morning, the boaters listen in on VHF channel 22 to hear boating news, announcements, weather and so forth. Our radio net is led by a volunteer net controller. On the day Roger did the net, no one stepped up to be the controller for the following day. So…nine-year old Clark became the guest controller for the day. He did magnificently and was the hit of the boating community! Perhaps there is a future in radio for the lad??

This brings us back to PV, where we hope to get the new engine/transmission installed this

Andy, Lorraine and Clark

week. Greg is confident he can get the job done and we are ever so hopeful that the job will go smoothly. Break a plate and wish us luck and we will tell you how it goes in our next posting.

Roger, Lynne, and Salty

You can reach us at 206-755-4193 or email rdwerner47@gmail.com