La Ventana Again

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In La Ventana

Got to La Ventana yesterday mid-day. Somewhere in northern La Paz (big city 1/2 hour from LV), the back door to Dave's trailer fell off and things fell out. Fortunately we spotted a truck driver who was about to cart off the trailer door. He signaled to us since we were obviously looking for things and gave it to us. None of his other belongings, including a main gear bag that had sailing and foiling gear/hardware, were found. People must have grabbed them soon after they fell out. Oh well. Dave has friends with replacement gear in LV. Said good bye to Hai in La Paz.

It's been a day now since getting here. My camp is all set up including our shaded outside living area and my sail/board barn made from tarps and old windsurf masts. It all seems to work well, and the living area is very pleasant. We even have a view of the water.

So nice to reconnect with friends that have dropped by our camp including Tom Hedman. He, with 2 kite foilers, sailed around Ceralvo Island. It's about 7 miles to get the island from the campground beach. They had a support boat and logged 110 miles for the trip in 6 hours. Top speed 29mph, ave speed 16 mph. On his 71st birthday he hydrofoil-windsurfed 71 miles, jibing 71 times. I asked him if he made all his jibes. He said yes and never got his hair wet.

Then there's Bill who I like to play music with, Louis from Quebec who only sails one brand/model of 80s era windsurf boards (Bick Electric Rock) and wears armored pants since he's been skewered by flying needle fish twice while sailing. The other Tom who's a retired chiropractor who gives adjustments by the beach and plays uke, former neighbors Janet and Peter, Rich who I've snorkelled with, Chris the singer/musician, and various other Quebec folks. Nice to meet and greet in French.

Major improvements to the campground include HOT SHOWERS and cell phone coverage in the campground. The showers are a game changer. Lots of people here bring their own on-demand water heaters for their own showers. No need now.

Met some new people including my neighbor Jon (pronounced Yon). He's a retired anesthesiologist who drove all the way from Anchorage, AK! We had a long talk about the sorry state of how Medicare is becoming a failed system (docs not accepting patients, reimbursement amounts to providers not warranting billing). Interesting folks here.

Will shop tomorrow, the produce stand, the fish store and the general store. Not supposed to really blow again till Tuesday or Wednesday. This after 9 days of good wind just before we arrived. So it goes.

Our campsite.

Scenes of other peoples' camps.

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