Staying connected to the internet has been a little troublesome at the marina. We decide to invest in a WiFi antenna to boost our signal. It worked great, and we have a video posted to show the results. We are also waiting on our new Bimini Top to be installed this week and the final repairs to our water maker before we set sail for warmer weather.

A trip to Ensenada isn't complete without a stop at La Guerrerense. Anthony Bourdain famously said it was the best food cart in the word. I'm no connoisseur, but it was damn good. I encourage everyone to check this place out if you're in town. It was a little tricky to figure out, but some careful observation guided us along. You order your food and then eat, if you're hungry walk back up and order a little more. Even though it's a street cart, you don't pay until you're finished eating! Buen Provecho!

Made it to Ensenada just after sunset (we WILL NOT be doing that again), the marina is very hard to find at night. No worries though, we were tied up in our slip by 6pm. Spent Saturday morning checking in with the authorities are we are good to go with visa's for 180 days. Happy New Year's Eve to all!

The time has finally arrived, we are departing this morning for Mexico. Wish us luck, more updates to follow!

Just finished installing three new 245ah AGM batteries for our trip. This will give us plenty of power and the solar panels should top us off every day, no generator needed.

Remember that old Corona commercial ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElCct7U34bM ) where they put X-mas lights in a palm tree? I've been wanting to decorate my sailboat for Christmas ever since, but I just didn't have the boat yet. That all ends today! May your Holliday Wishes come true as well!

Today was my last day at work. I'm no longer "Working on the Railroad, all the livelong day". Thank you to all who have mentored me throughout my career. I carry with me the memories of all my past and present co-workers who have laughed, cried, suffered and triumphed while performing some of the most challenging tasks in the world. From 8 feet of snow in Buffalo, New York to sweltering heat in Atlanta, I wouldn't trade a minute of it. 

All of our Rigging is tuned and ready to go, thank you Robbie Blackwood! Unfortunately, while replacing the Boom-Vang tube, we discovered a broken inner spring. Not sure what could have caused it, but a new one is on the way and we will replace soon!

New lettering was finished this week, many thanks to my son Justin for designing the logo! The renaming ceremony will be soon. We must ensure not to anger King Neptune or Poseidon. The ritual of a renaming ceremony for a new boat name is intended to purge the old boat name from the Ledger of the Deep and from the memory of Poseidon and Neptune. Legend says that the unluckiest ships are those who have defied the nautical gods by changing their names improperly.

There are five necessary steps in the important ceremony of renaming a boat:

1. Invocation and blessing. Call upon the gods of the sea to favor the vessel with their blessing.
2. Expression of gratitude. Offer thanks to the gods for protection of the vessel in the past. Toast the old boat name and prior boat names.
3. Supplication and de-naming. Request the nautical gods to erase all records of the previous boat name. All appearances of the boat name is removed from the vessel and an offering of wine is poured into the sea from east to west.
4. Rededication and renaming. A rededication to the gods of the sea is made for the vessel’s new name.
5. Libation. The remaining wine is shared with the gods and distinguished guests on the bow of the vessel.

During the renaming ceremony red wine is typically used because it symbolizes the blood of a virgin (which used to be sacrificed). Urine is sometimes used in certain cultures to wash away any trace of the old boat name and to clean wounds of the “soul” of the boat that was captured by the new owner.

Sailors may also want to include gods of the wind in their ceremony – Boreas of the North Wind, Zephyrus of the West Wind, Eurus of the East Wind and Notus of the South Wind.

Fair winds and following seas,

Keith