Trading presents for Presence

We have spent a few Christmases, now, away from the traditional celebrations: no gifts, no shopping, no xmas tree, no fruitcake :). While there are sad aspects to this, such as being apart from most of our family, there is a wonderful Presence that comes, in the absence of presents and apart from traditions. This year, Jim, Laura, Ryan, and I truly had no plan, as Kimmy and Randy arrive on the 27th and we agreed to wait to share our Christmas meal with them. How we spent the days of the 24th and 25th was truly spontaneous, based on the waves, the wind, and moment-to-moment decision-making.

We ended up back in Chacala, the place where Ryan and I were married, because it is one of our very favorite places in Mexico. On the day of the 24th, Ryan and I surfed small, mushy waves, which gave me an opportunity to begin rebuilding my confidence on the surfboard (this I truly consider a “gift”). For dinner, we went into town and ate at our favorite local taco stand, off plates covered in plastic. Potted poinsettias on each table gave festivity to the simple setting. This morning, I made chai instead of black tea, and we sat in the cockpit, listening to the “country Christmas” channel on Sirius radio. Remarkable: we haven’t listened to enough Christmas music this season to be sick of it! When we were sufficiently warm, Ryan and I swam into shore and had a blast body-surfing in the shore-pound--this happens to be one of Ryan’s favorite things to do--and simply swimming while pelicans dove all around us for their breakfast. By late morning we had made a loose plan for the next 24 hours that suited everyone’s fancy, pulled the anchor, and enjoyed breakfast as we sailed south from Chacala toward Punta Mita. In each moment, we simply were in the moment, present with each other and our surroundings.

It is an interesting way to spend the Christmas holiday, on a sailboat, in a tropical setting. Generally, travelling by sailboat is a great lesson in being present in the Now. As we sail, there is nothing else we have to do but take note of our surroundings—the great blue ocean, the breezes blowing across our sails, the coastline—this is how we discover all the marvels around us. The wonders just emerge out of each present moment. Our attention to the sea reveals numerous whales, dolphins, birds, and helps us avoid the occasional fishing net :). Our attention to the air teaches us when to raise or lower sails, how to trim them for optimal sailing, and how to appreciate soaring, vicariously, through the birds. Our attention to those around us reminds us of why we love each other.

I am grateful to the holiday we call Christmas because it seems to be a day when people come together and are Present with one another and their surroundings, especially after all the days of deferred excitement that generally lead up to it. I am grateful for my time aboard Brainstorm because it is teaching us to live with that Presence all the time.

This morning I devoted an hour, or more, of my Presence to those I love who are not physically here with me. What this means in my language is that I devoted my whole being to sending you Reiki, love, light, and a reminder that you are divine. I hope you received this humble gift, and I hope you share it with those in your Presence.
Love, Jessica and Ryan

Look! Whales! (What a gift!)

Winter Solstice

Hello friends and family. Thank you, again, for being interested in our whereabouts.


We spent the winter solstice in the Marina La Cruz, and marked that celestial transition by saying goodbye to Tyler and hello to Laura and Jim. While we haven't noticed much of a change in the length of the days down here, we want to remind all our friends who are farther north of the equator that the days are now getting longer! Cheers to that.

Sunset in Punta de Mita, dedicated to Grandpa Went

The last few days have been somewhat uneventful for us, but not for our buddy Grandpa Went Lambert, who celebrated his 95th birthday on the 20th. In honor of his greatness, we have posted a few photos that show our appreciation of him. Happy Birthday, Went!

Here he is, in all his Glory!

Like I said, there is not much that is new to report today (except, Wow! I think I've made some Blog layout breakthroughs!). Stay tuned for a Christmas check-in, which will, hopefully, contain news of me finally overcoming my jitters about surfing, among other breakthroughs.

Lots of love to you all,

Jess and Ryan

P.S. Tyler and Harry should both know that Captain Ryan has called upon both of you, in his sleep, to uphold your duties as First Mate. I only hope he can learn to navigate the ship without you...

Artes y Olas

Here we are, again, in Marina La Cruz. We left for the "weekend" to investigate a new surf spot on the south side of Banderas Bay. Since arriving in Banderas Bay, we have been in the north-western part, so this recent trip required that we sail straight across the bay, which takes approximately 3 hours, depending on the wind. The coast over there is different, primarily because it is steeper, which makes for more difficult anchoring (the ocean floor is over 300 feet down, even just 100 feet off the shore). The place we had scoped out had a shelf that allowed for anchoring, but not much shelter from wind and swell. It was fun, perusing the shoreline, looking for this place called Quimixto, which we had read about and heard about. When we found it, we also found a beautiful, steep, and fast wave. Lucky for us, there was another swell arriving from the northwest, so Ryan and Tyler had an excellent day of surf. As for me, I opted out because it was just too advanced for me and my longboard. While I have been a little disgruntled, at times during this trip, trying to face my jitters about surfing, my day on the beach in Quimixto was one of my best days yet. It was truly awesome to watch those waves peeling onto that shelf. I am finally getting into some art, and that day pulled out my watercolors. What I created is posted above: a view of Banderas Bay, the wave, and the granite point at the east edge of the beach. While I was there, I also saw a Panga (small boat) try to land on a small piece of beach (between a granite headlands and granite boulders), during this huge swell. Even with 6 or 7 Mexican men trying to keep this boat off the rocks, the whitewater surging in from the waves smashed the boat into the rocks, turning it sideways and filling it with water. It was quite a drama that unfolded before me, there on the rocks. Through that experience, I found an opportunity to befriend a couple of the local surfers and practice speaking spanish. Generally, recently, I have found many opportunities to practice speaking spanish, and am enjoying the increased knowledge that comes with practice. Quiero aprender mas!!

I have also been experimenting a bit more with photography, which might explain some of the photos I've chosen to post here this time. Every time I find a suitable subject, I take about 30 pictures of it, changing the settings to try to get the light how I want it. I have come up with some decent ones, and am still experimenting.

This evening, Jim and Laura rejoined us. We are, of course, glad to set off on another set of adventures with them. On the flip side, our friend Tyler returns to Montana tomorrow, which marks the end of the fabulous trip we have had with our friends. While we are sad to see him go, we know he will find more good times everywhere he roams, so we're not too worried about his re-entry into life in the states.

That's all for now. We will check in next time there is something new to report.

Lots of love to you and "yours" (ha! whatever that means...)

Jess and Ryan