Back in Mazatlan

February 25, 2012

Yahoo...back in Mazatlan!!
Here is the upadate.
We left La Cruz for Chacala on Monday, Feb. 20.  Bob was not feeling well but I didn't know that until we were going ashore in Chacala.  He seemed a bit grumpy and when I commented on his 'state of mind', he told me that he still wasn't feeling well.  Ashore it seemed that Patches was also having a grumpy moment as well.  Apparently he tried to attack a dog (I was probably in the bathroom at the time) so Bob gave Patches a few swats, and was ready to return to the boat, but we managed to have a meal without further ado.
What a sunset we saw!  It just seemed to get better and better.  Yes I will upload those photos soon.
Darkness arrived at about 7 and we were in bed at that time.  Bob slept until about 7 am but I was wide awake at about 4.  This sleep was necessary as we were getting prepared for our overnight junket to Mazatlan.
Next morning we were off at about 8 am.  I was prepared ..having made many sandwiches and potato salad.  All our storm gear and mustangs vests were close at hand.
The morning was windless, and the seas were glassy.  Off we roared at a record breaking 6 knots which is about 6.5 miles/hr.   About 4 hr later the wind started blowing from the northwest.  That was expected and of course we were heading north.  For some hours we were able to use the wind but then it changed direction enough to slow us down to about 4 knots.  I hate hate watching the eta go from 18 hr to 22 hr...it is so disheartening. 
Oh yes the autopilot had its moments again.  Bob was about to have a nap when for seemingly no reason it turned itself off.  As Bob was feeling very tired, this put him in a worse frame of mind.  I don't blame him for not trusting me to deal with the cantankerous auto pilot, but I do feel that I can steer a course now...not all that straight but good enough.  He stayed on deck and tried to nap.   Then I had a nap.  Of course the autopilot kept on working for hours.  Finally Bob did go below  and hey all was well.  He managed to get about 2 hr of sleep in 24 and I did the same.
The winds calmed at about 9 pm and there was little traffic near us.  Every few hr the wind would start up again but usually stayed about 12 knots which was fine.
At about 4 am I made scrambled eggs.  After Bob had had a few mouthfuls he was almost sick.  Once again I had thought he was feeling better but I guess not.  Here is what Bob ate during that sail:  many sandwiched, potato salad and chicken, an apple, 2 snickers bars, a light beer and a light coke.  That in itself when you think about it, is enough to make a person sick.
10 am found us at Stone Island.  We just could not go on to the marina (another 2 hr or so depending on seas).  Patches had his trip ashore (27 hr without a bathroom break doesn't seem to bother him.) and we had a huge breakfast.  Back at the boat I crashed and slept for 4 hr.  When I awoke the wind was howling, so our dinghy trip to shore was a bit wet.  What we couldn't believe was how cold the water was.   Brrr.
Once more we were in bed by 7 pm, and up and off to the marina by 7 am.
The trip to the marina was fast as there was no wind and very little swell.  Upon arrival we made a great landing, only to find out that I had goofed.  Instead of reserving Dock 6 slip 7, I had reversed them.  The harbour master would not allow us to stay in the slip that our boat has been in for about 10 years,  so off we went to Dock 7 slip 6.  Bob was cranky to say the least so our second landing was a little on the rough side.  But, I threw my rope just fine, I want you to know.   We were happy to have made our first landing at our old slip as we were able to see all the Dock 6ers, and say hello.  That felt good.  Dock 6 rules!!
Bob then returned to the office to pay and asked if we could move back to Dock 6 when one of the boats left (supposedly on Wednesday).  Lo and behold, it seemed that there was a slip open on Dock 6.  So off we went back to Dock 6, slip 10.   We made 3 dockings in about 3 hours.  Good practice I guess.
We spent the day catching up on Dock 6 news, and of course doing all the stuff one has to do after 24 + hr of having done nothing in the line of cleaning.
That evening we had a wonderful time with Corinne and Brian.  Much laughter and much wine.  All good.
Last night we attended the nightly Safety Meeting on Dock 6.  There was a nice array of appetizers and once again lots of laughs.
Good to be home.