Livin’ on a boat in Mazatlan...

Yes, here we are; still. The winds continue... some days less, most days more. The seas go on and on and on... and still we wait.

Now, you might think crossing from Mazatlan to La Paz sounds pretty simple... but let me tell you... it's not really. The course is pretty simple, but the preparation and the doing are something quite different. And so, for now, we are just "livin' on a boat in Mazatlan" as the days roll on.

It's not all bad mind you. In fact, life here is pretty sweet. We wake at about 0700 and make coffee, like you would. Then we check out all the available, and credible, weather forecasts... and make copious notes for future reference. By the time that's done we sit by the VHF radio for the morning net (Channel 72 at 0800). This is when we check in with all the other boats, and listen to yet another weather forecast, and collect all kinds of information... from what's happening nearby to what's coming up. There's the (once a month) Art Walk and numerous musical events about town. Then on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday... the veggie man (red pick-up with mounds of fresh fruits and vegetables) and the fish man (white van filled with fresh fish and camarones ) come to the nearby parking lot and, if you're lucky... the donut guy comes by at the same time... OMG they're delicious.

And of course there is Spanish lessons by the pool at 1100 and Happy Hours from 1300-1400 (at the beach across the way), 1400-1500 (at the pool nearest to the docks), and 1500-1600 (at the quiet pool with the hot tub... our personal favourite... furthest from the docks but near the point with a good view of the ocean). Sigh... it's hard to keep up with it all.

Then there's domestic chores...like lugging the laundry to Alexandria, a delightful woman who runs a lavenderia three blocks away. She greets us with a big smile and hugs and then does the best job, ever, on our sack of laundry. There's also grocery shopping which requires an eleven peso bus ride, a wandering of the Soriano aisles, and a taxi ride back (not so bad really). The hardest part is stripping all the packaging off upon arrival home (no corregated cardboard allowed on board).

We also have a list of chores and projects that, as the time wears on, is becoming shorter and less critical... but there's always something to do if you're bored. But, hey, who has time to be bored.

With the winds and currents mis-behaving, we've kept busy helping boats come in. The newbies don't have a good understanding of the forces they're up against and there's nothing like a runaway sailboat to test your metal as it goes out of its way to miss the dock and/or confound it's skipper who's trying to slide it serenely into a slip. We're there to help when we can and, otherwise, we have no trouble keeping ourselves busy.

Strangest thing happened today though. We realized we actually had time to down tools and kick back and spend some time with our books. Seems like once you give up trying to keep to a schedule or serious plan, life gets simpler...

So, for now, we live life on this boat in Mazatlan... and we bide our time... waiting for the 'green light' to head across to La Paz.

Hope your plans are unfolding as you intended... adios for now.... from our Mazatlan residence... sigh.    CJ

Posted by: Carolyn (via Kathy's Google mail profile)

Rocking Horse Alley... out there. Glad we’re not...

Hello all, it's been some time since I've written. Not that I haven't had news to impart; of course not. But mostly, since an hour after we arrived, we've been busy with paperwork, mechanical repairs... and, even an upgrade in the form of stainless steel railings at the cockpit (which, I must admit, look splendiferous).

And then... there's our friends Mother Nature, or the wind Gods, or just plain luck... that we cruisers must negotiate with, beg somewhat and, in the end, find buckets of patience so as to wait for the merest hint of a smile in our direction. Such is our case today.

We are close to ready to proceed (you are never really ready... you just 'go' when it's time). But, as is the case when there's almost too many sources of information, we spend each morning scanning the myriad of weather info available - looking for the ones more closely associated with our intended course. Oh for the days when you just squinted up into the sky, sucked your thumb and stuck it up into the wind, closed one eye, stood on the opposite foot.... and declared it safe to leave. Aargh; life must have been much simpler then. Today, with digital, projected, model-based, etc., etc., weather forecasts.... it's almost impossible to know when it's safe to go. Some say (I may have offered the advice myself) "just keep reading 'till ya find one ya like... and go with that." Today, I'm still reading, waiting for one where the large swells are farther apart than 5 seconds. Been there, done that; not volunteering for more.

But, like I always say, there are much worse places to be stuck than lovely Marina El Cid. We will be ready... and we will leave... when it's the right time to do so. Until then, know we are safe and hoping you are all warm and cosy and staying safe. Heard there's a cold snap in southern BC. Brrr!!

So for now, adios me amigos. Go well and be safe. CJ

PS: If the weather predictions are more than half correct, we may be here for another week. Time will tell.

Posted by: Carolyn (via Kathy's Google mail profile)

Mazatlan....

Hola amigos,

After 26 hours of wind and seas on the nose, and surviving the most fishing vessels we've ever seen yet, we are safe and secure in Marina El Cid. It seemed as if every apparatus in Mexico that could float was out fishing the waters the whole way from Matanchen to just north of Isla Isabel. The good news is we only encountered two long lines and were able to slide over them... all the rest were fishing shorter nets held near to their pangas... for those, lonely, fishermen... we'd coast up to their panga, wake the fisherman who was sleeping under a tarp, and accept his advice on how to safely avoid his net. They were pretty happy with us for caring enough to do that. Further north, as the net fishermen diminished, the shrimpers took over in droves; but at least they were large, well lit, and contained their nets around their vessels.

We also enjoyed numerous sightings of whales blowing and a fantastic display of breaching and huge fin slapping. Oh, and of course... there were the stars. My God how they could spill across the heavens...so thick it made finding the usual constellations difficult.

While the trip wasn't the most comfortable we've ever had... it did put us at Mazatlan's doorstep right on time. Exactly 26 hours after we'd left Matanchen (0900), we slid quietly through the entrance to the Mazatlan estuary, home of El Cid Marina, Marina Mazatlan, Fonatur Marina and the Isla Marina. Luckily for us... the dredge hadn't started working yet (which cuts off entrance to the estuary without regard to current or standing waves at the entrance.. (and we'd missed slack tide by about 2 hours), and there were no catamarans (carriers of vast numbers of tourists intent on a day at the beach... with promises of whale sightings and easy to use sanitarios) blocking our way. We made it in after slack tide but before the ebb was too strong. Our friends were waiting for us at the dock and we slid handily into B16 at Marina El Cid.

For now, we will focus on a few repairs that are needed, and on continuing our journey to La Paz once the repairs are completed and the weather Gods open the gate. Fairly high winds are predicted for the next week... so that may work out quite well. Time will tell.

For now we are content... and enjoying the familiar haunts of Mazatlan (couldn't resist a dinner tonight that came with "all the margueritas you can drink" :-) Tomorrow we will refocus and get SSpirit ready for her next several months.

Hope all is well with each of you. Adios for now... CJ

Posted by: Carolyn (via Kathy's Google mail profile)

Matanchen Bay

Just a quick note to say we are well. Have decided to enjoy a couple days in Matanchen Bay while some gusty winds between here and Mazatlan settle down a bit. All is well here. Enjoying the peace and quiet and beautiful sunsets. Hope all is well with each of you. CJ

Posted by: Carolyn (via Kathy's Google mail profile)

Finally....

Yup, the day has finally arrived... we are heading on our way. There is so much left to do and see... we are delighted! Visits with friends, new and old in Puerto Vallarta, have been great and we will miss them. But it's time for us to get moving and set some new routes into our chart plotter.

We'll be in touch as and when we can. Know we are safe (always cautious) and living every day. We hope you are too. TTFN (tatafornow). CJ

PS didn't get a chance to send this before we left... but leave we did :-). Officials all arrived; some on time and one not. But, by 1130 hrs. We were on our way. Have pulled in to Punta de Mita to collect ourselves before carrying on. More news later. For now, know we are well and enjoying ourselves. Saw no less than ten whales while crossing Banderas Bay, some quite close to the boat, and several moms and calves.

Posted by: Carolyn (via Kathy's Google mail profile)