Captain Ron and the M/V Argo

My adventures in La Paz and Baja would never have come about had it not been for Captain Ron Miller. A Captain with over 40 years of experience Ron has made my time in Baja more than I could have ever imagined. Ron has lived aboard Argo for 17 years and shared Argo with me twice for 18 of the last 30 months. Despite my friends wondering why I would want to go back aboard Argo when she has 'tried to kill' me 'twice', I can only say that no matter what the circumstances, I knew Ron could handle any emergency. And he proved that during two instances that I felt were most definitely life threatening emergencies. His knowledge and skill prevented potentially devastating outcomes. During our 77 days in the Sea of Cortez in the summer of 2007 we experienced engine failure and started drifting toward very dangerous rocks. Ron kept Argo from going aground on those treacherous shores and we were rescued by Jim (Sun Hunter) and towed to Santa Rosalia and later back to La Paz, over 25o miles.
This past summer we had a blown water exchanger that allowed approximately 1500 gallons of salt water from the Sea of Cortez to enter the engine room. The water destroyed or damaged the engine, transmission as well as all the electronics for Argo. Water filled the bilges and started filling the v-berth. I had visions of sinking and either drowning in the Sea or being eaten by the shark I got a quick glimpse of when this emergency came about. But instead of Argo sinking, Ron was able to stop the inflow of water, obtain emergency assistance and pumps from Sea-tacean and a tow back to La Paz by a passing sport fishing boat.

I cannot imagine what would have happened with someone not possessing Ron's deep knowledge and understanding of boats and motors and all things to do with cruising in the Sea of Cortez.

Argo's Saloon

The upper photo shows the saloon, yeah, SALOON, as in old west bars, saloon. The photo is looking from the galley aft to Ron's stateroom. On the right is shown the dining room table, work table, computer table, crosswork puzzle work area, or whatever is needed for a work space. There is a doorway on each side. The left side has a nice comfortable chair sitting almost under the air conditioner. Attached to the ceiling are a number of rods and reels as well as a really wicked looking gaff.

The lower photo is the saloon looking forward from Ron's stateroom entrance. The table and seats is to the left and the comfortable chair would be on the right. In the photo you can see part of the v-berth which is down 3 steps and on the other side of the galley and forward head. On this level you can see the large windows overlooking the marina. To the right is the lower helm and navigation station. The radio which is never turned off sits above here. When cruising we don't use this helm much, preferring to be at the helm on the flybridge--up top. To the left in the photo is seen a nice little bookcase/bar area. There is also a Sirius radio and a TV which I have never seen turned on. The large bottle seen on the floor is a garafon which is what we use for our drinking water--5 gallon bottles of purified water. Almost hidden by the table is a squareish metal box which is our ice maker. No plumbing required. We manually fill it with water every 3 or 4 days and it continuously makes half sized ice cubes. Wonderful.

In the second photo the floor area that is relatively clear is actually the 2 hatches that cover the engine room below. Together they cover a space of about 4x5 feet.

Argo's Galley

If you would take Argo's interior and divide it into 3 almost equal sections, the forward most 1/3 would include the v-berth, the forward head (bathroom) and the galley, or kitchen. The galley is almost entirely Ron's domain, though I do fix my own breakfast (yogurt before yoga, oatmeal afterwards) and lunch (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches). Then Ron works his magic and produces gourmet meals each evening. Using a microwave, a convection oven, crockpot, George Foreman grill and large electric skillet he creates meals that I have devoured with such an appetite that I am constantly in need of larger clothes. No kidding -- unfortuneately.

Ron does all the important cooking, but I do help--I do the cleaning up!

Welcome to the V-Berth

Welcome to the v-berth which is 'my' room. The v-berth is the area of the boat just under the bow and is indeed in the shape of a V. This room originally held 4 bunks but Ron removed the upper one on the starboard side and I am so glad that he did. I can raise up without worrying about hitting my head. The two bunks on port side hold all my 'stuff'. The upper berth is holding my painting of 'Las Casitas Bonitas' by Frank Hills as well as my shower bag and a small rolling suitcase that holds mostly my journal and other paperwork. The lower berth holds all kinds of odds and ends. My suitcase doubles as a large drawer. I have a tray table that holds tea bags, vitamins and supplements, etc. The halogen light over the bed gets hours of workout every day/night. It's an excellent place to read. I also have a closet or hanging locker that holds mostly my shirts. I have two areas of 'bookshelf' in my room. One next to my pillows on the lower portside bunk and a smaller one that hangs from the mahogany slats on the starboard side. Under each lower bunk is also cabinets where we store canned goods, paper supplies, my tennies, extra engine oil, etc. etc. There is no wasted space on a boat.

The floor space in this room measures about 4 feet from the doorway to where the two lower berths meet and is about 3 feet wide at the doorway--not much space to have to keep clean!

Argo on a Clear Day

The past weekend was glorious and lucky cruisers all over the La Paz area headed out to sea. We didn't go but having boats out opened up slips and allowed me to have a better shot at taking photos--and I took a bunch!! Not unusual. This is a shot of Argo in her home slip 321 at the Marina de La Paz. Argo is a 50 foot boat, or trawler. The bimini is an awning which usually covers the flybridge but is still down and will remain so until the threat of a hurricane is over for the season-soon. We use the ladder on the dock to get to the door. The dinghy sits atop Ron's stateroom. The cockpit is in the far back. The flybridge is the area on the top of the boat. The bow, or most forward area shown sits above the galley, or kitchen, and the forward head, or bathroom as well as the v-berth which is 'my' room.

Anastasia

Last Friday evening Ron and I went to 'The Art Shop' where our friend Frank Hills had the opening of an exhibit of his watercolors along with two other artists, Mario Fonseca and at Solem. What an incredible exhibit of incredible talent!
Also at the exhibit was my friend Anastasia shown at the right next to one of Frank's paintings. Anastasia has been in La Paz for almost 2 months now. She is originally is from St. Petersberg, Russia and is on her own to see the world!! She has a lot of courage and determination for someone of her tender age of 22. She is much admired by the cruising community who have come to know and care about her. She really is a very fine young woman! You go Girl!!

Sunset in Paradise, also known as La Paz

One of the benefits of living in La Paz, or Paradise as so many cruisers call it, is the beautiful sunsets that happen so very frequently. This shot was taken not long after Hurricane Rick dodged La Paz and brought only a good downpour of rain.