Ruby Princess Cruise

We were home one day after the November 28 evacuation, in time to get ready for our 7 day cruise on the Ruby Princess, starting December 1.  Actually, we had packed for both the evacuation and the cruise, in case we couldn’t come back home.  That was a hectic packing day!!  The cruise had been planned for several months, as I said to celebrate Jim’s 75th BD.  There were going to be 12 of us, including Jim’s sister and husband and his cousin, Dale ( who also turned 75 early in the fall) and wife and some friends.  Dale and Diana had to drop out because she was undergoing chemo for breast cancer.  Then sister JoAnn got pneumonia and was in the hospital right before the cruise.  Finally our good travel friends and neighbors, Peggy and Craig, couldn’t go because he was terribly sick.  He ended up in the hospital in ICU a couple of days after the cruise started.  He is still in the hospital, but out of ICU; they can’t diagnose him!  We are really worried about him.  JoAnn is better, but Diana is still undergoing chemo.

So, the cruise was to be a really joyous celebration with family and friends, but it seemed to have a shadow hanging over it.  Then added to that, the bad news from home described in my previous blog post:  Mud/Debris flow.  We had paid for an upgrade to a Premium suite, really nice, so we enjoyed that.  And despite the bad news, we stayed healthy and had some fun times with the 4 friends (Maddy and John and Joyce and Jana) who went with us; plus Cruise Critic contacts.

Very large balcony

We had 2 separate rooms

We could look into the Bridge!

We just enjoyed the ship!

Also large sitting area

In Mazatlan, we got off the ship, but just as far as the bar at the port.  Had some great Margaritas and listened to music and watched dancers.  Heard a new song (not Mexican) that is a hoot.  “Alice” by Smokey.  You can get it on YouTube, I won’t attach because there is a curse word.  Really funny, anyway.

Family of dancers

Jim buying beers at the port bar

Another selfie at the bar

We had set up a tour in Puerto Vallarta with our friend and fun tour guide, Azael (AZ).  He drove one van with 10 of us and 9 others were with his co-worker, Hector.  We did our usual itinerary of spots to visit south of town, especially enjoying drinks and food at Chico’s Paradise.  Everyone really enjoyed the day and said it was the highlight of the cruise.  Good to see AZ again.

All of the 19 in vans in PV with AZ

With AZ at viewpoint

Enjoying Margaritas and food

More of the gang at Chico’s Paradise

Joan and Chris climbed out on rocks

Joan took this photo

Us at Viewpoint

We have done this 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise many times, but we always enjoy the ship and our time in Puerta Vallarta.  If anyone is going to PV, we will be glad to give info on contacting AZ.   He has many other tours available, speaks good English, is fun, and not hard to look at!  Hasta la vista!

 

Evacuations and Mud/Debris Flow

Our community has been busy preparing for the rainy season.  Large sandbags and K-rails were installed and a very deep catch basin was dug out above us in the canyon.  We had meetings and all were warned regarding how deadly Mud and Debris flow can be.  We put regular sized sandbags behind our patio as did some others.

Jim at Krails and sandbags

Digging out the Catch Basin

 

We have been evacuated twice due to rain and the danger of mud and debris flow because of the scorched canyon above us.  On November 28, we had a mandatory evacuation for 2 days.  We stayed in a nearby hotel and got back in to our home for only one day before our cruise.  The catch basin was filled and mud/debris flowed down the creek bed, but was contained.

This Catch Basin was totally full

The maintenance crew hurriedly tried to dig out the catch basin and prepare for the next rain, but the muck was so heavy and full of water.  The rain came too quickly.

We left on our cruise (more on that later) December 1.  This was planned months in advance for Jim’s 75th Birthday.  While on the cruise we got the warnings, No. 1 is Get ready, No. 2  is “Should Go” or Voluntary evacuation and No. 3 is “Must Go” or Mandatory Evacuation.  No. 2 and 3 were only 2.5 hours apart on December  6.  Many did not leave since the previous evacuation seemed unnecessary.   However, that time, the rain came down harder and faster; our rain gauge gathered 4 inches in less than 24 hours.  Those who stayed behind witnessed and heard a horrific “flow”; it sounded like a roaring freight train.  We saw videos and photos while on the cruise and have seen the devastation after the fact since we’ve been home, December 8.

Our home was spared and no lives were lost.  However, the muck invaded many parts of our community, including patios and homes.  It washed a foot bridge and one K-rail (they weigh 4 tons) away.  Farm animals were washed down from homes above us.  Many were saved, but others are missing.  We are still all cleaning up patios, road and common areas.  Two of our tennis courts were coated in at least 2 feet of mud.

One home inundated and creek crossing

Rain and flooded creek

Animal in debris

Muddy Pickleball court

K-rails and sand bags covered in debris

Creek flow after rain

Flood plain instead of creek

This was a creek bed

Jim washing PB courts with Fire Hose

Deep mud in creek

Digging out the catch basin

Debris/mud pile from Catch basin

Mud on neighbor’s patio

Tennis courts covered The creek bed is larger with berms

The creek bed is larger with berms

We continue to clean up and get ready for the next rain.  Big hopes for softer rain.  Our best to all.