Linda writes:
We don't have too much to tell you other than we had a great trip down here [Mazatlan to Puerta Vallarta], in between weather systems. Other boats were not so lucky including the tragedy on board Forte. We knew John and Ceyla very well, we met them 3 years ago in La Paz. He was knocked overboard when the preventer came loose on the boom and it swung around and hit him violently and overboard he went. The conditions were extremely rough, they were rounding Cabo Corrientes at the time. She threw him life rings, lifelines and other stuff as well as calling for help on the VHF, but was unable to control their 32 ft. aluminum boat. It ran aground on the rocky shore. She was also washed overboard but made it to the beach, shocked and traumatized. She sustained a broken rib and numerous cuts and bruises.

The cruisers here have rallied and continue to raise money to help her so far I think it is around $1500.00. John's body has been recovered by the Mexican Navy with his wallet intact (including money) so Ceyla is able to begin the reconstruction of their paperwork (credit cars, ATM stuff and passports). The U.S. Consul has also been a marvelous help. She is staying with the assistant U.S. Consul. Two other cruisers and I went to see her the day after she was washed ashore. We just put our arms around her and hugged her and tried to comfort her. We also gave her $200.00  for emergencies. She lost everything. As of this moment her daughter is on her way from Spain and her mother from Guatemala. There will be a memorial service and then I think she plans to have him cremated and his ashes scattered. Then I think she will go back to San Diego.