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.

Waiting for favourable winds

Yesterday Capitain Bob decided that we would stay in La Cruz another day.  That made me happy as there is a wonderful Sunday market here. We have already been out for a super breakfast, wandered through the market and now we are back doing the things we need to do before we leave. 
This afternoon we will check the weather again and see if the weather conditions are mellowing.
Yesterday was a fine day here with lots of sun.  Then in the late afternoon we had a cool north wind...flannel pyjama time again.  Today is overcast and muggy, and hot.
The winds have died down completely here in La Cruz so I am hoping that the seas will be calming down as well.
Ya  Yas restaurant has become a favourite haunt of ours.  The lady who runs it is such an upbeat person, and of course the food is consistently very good.  There is a black lab (young dog) in the restaurant and he and Patches play together very nicely.  Oh yes and Patches is healing nicely. 
I am happy to say that we have had no events since we arrived on Wednesday.  I know it makes for a boring blog but it certainly adds to my well being.
If we are off tomorrow I may not be able to blog until we get to Mazatlan.  That could be 4 or 5 days.

Relaxing in la Cruz

When the winds came up yesterday I was so happy to be in a marina.  The wind was howling but all we felt was a little rocking motion.
The last few days have been quiet for us.  There are always little jobs to be done and we do some every day.  The auto pilot seems to be working again.  Bob has checked it out before with the same results.  Following the wires is a problem as they seem to be secreted away somewhere above the ceiling.
Yesterday we walked further along a main street and came across some neat restaurants.  The Octopus Garden has lots of ambiance.  We didnt try the food but the coffee was good.  We have walked by Ya Yas Restaurant many times so we stopped there for breakfast and what a great breakfast it was.  The owner was most pleasant...we will go back.
Today we are making plans to leave tomorrow if the winds have died down enough.  Bob is off getting diesel and I will finish shopping this afternoon and start making sandwiches.  Our plan is to go to Chacala and stay for 2 nights (if it is not too rolly).  On Tuesday morning we hope to start the last leg of our trip to Mazatlan.  Of course it all depends on the weather!!!

The Good, The Ugly and The Bad

The Good, The Ugly and The Bad Monday morning we were off to Chamela. It was sunny and the forecast suggested that we had a window of 3 days in which to get to La Cruz. Monday was such a good day as we SAILED! Yes we did, and at about 6 knots!! What a difference when we sail. For one thing it is so quiet. I did not realize how much the engine noise gets on my nerves. Secondly the boat is so smooth. Even if the swell is big the boat moves along so easily. We arrived in Chamela in record time. It took us 6.5 hr. Now of course the day could not be perfect. The surf was roaring in Chamela. Off we go to shore and Bob once more got us in and out without any spills. We walked to the village to get some supplies, had a lovely seafood meal and back to the boat. From the time I woke up in Tenacatita I had been feeling off, and by the time we were walking in Chamela I was feeling dizzy and feverish. I just thought it was the weather. Back on the boat we had some wine. Here I made a huge error. I thought Bob was planning to stay 2 nights in Chamela but I was wrong. After drinking (no I was not anywhere close to over drinking), I realize that we have to leave Chamela on Tuesday to get through our weather window. Up at 6 on Tuesday and off to the beach with Patches. I am not feeling well and really annoyed at myself for drinking anything. When we sail I do not like to tempt fate by adding alcohol effects to all other effects. So this was the beginning of 'The Ugly'. When we are close to shore, I sit on the pontoon and grab Patches. (I carry him like a suitcase as his life jacket has a handle.) I unthinkingly put my legs in the water to get ready to jump. That slows us down and causes the dinghy to veer. I do not notice that as I am intent upon jumping as I see a big wave hurtling toward us. I jump but the water is not knee deep but armpit deep. Down I go as does Patches, but we bob up like corks and I start sprinting for shore. Yes we made it but I really didnt want to swim at 7 am. Bob also gets the dinghy to shore without mishap. We make another exit off the beach without any further mishaps. Then we are off by 8:30 am. Can you believe this? In the same spot where we ran into that gale last year, we once more hit big seas and the winds go up to 28 knots and a few gusts of 32. Water everywhere so Patches and I go below. He is crazed ...I think the noise frightens him and he gets queazy. Well I was very queasy and came close to vomiting. Meanwhile Bob is trying his best to get us out of this mess. I was so glad when he made the turn to Ipala. We got there at 9:30 pm (13 hours) and in normal conditions would have been there 3 hr earlier. Getting into Ipala in the dark was interesting but we did it. What relief to be there out of the tossing sea and winds. After a very light meal, we were in bed and I was asleep in minutes. Bob did not sleep well even though he was exhausted. Oh yes I forgot that our auto pilot quit working so Bob hand steered for about 5 hr. Wednesday morning we are up at 6 and have the dog to shore at 7 am. He had gone 24 hr without a pee but seemed fine. He drank no water on Tues until we arrived in Ipala. Now our 'Bad' day. I was ready for worse weather than Tues as the forecast for Tuesday did not show winds of more than about 10 knots..and we had checked 3 different marine forecasts. I had all our storm gear out and everything battened down. Bob stayed close to shore and although the seas were big, they were not that ugly. Around Cabo we had winds of about 28, but all in all it was not a bad time...certainly not as bad as Tuesday. Once into Banderas Bay, we had favourable winds and once more we sailed. This time we kept the engine running as we wanted to be in the marina for the night. And we were as we arrived at about 5 pm. Another surprise timewise as we left Ipala at 8:30. We were hoping to get to La Cruz by 7 so arriving 2 hr early was a gift. Oh yes and a fan belt blew just after we got into Banderas Bay. We were sitting quite at ease talking and suddenly the 'siren' rings. This is an indicator that the engine is overheating. As the water exhaust was working we checked elsewhere and sure enough the belt was broken. Bob fixed that in minutes and we were off again. On this leg of our journey I have been doing some steering. Steering a boat is like herding a pig. You turn and sometime later the boat turns but then in my case I have over steered so then back I go. The faster the boat is going the easier it is to steer, but I steer when it is going slowly as Bob is doing something...like overhauling the engine enroute....of course I am joking!! When we arrived in the marina, Bob started to turn into the wrong slip, as it was a starboard tie up, and we had been told that we had a starboard tie up. Then he realized that it was not our slip number, so when he turned into our slip it was not our usual graceful entrance. There was no one from the marina to grab ropes, but 2 lovely young women came to our rescue and kept us from hitting the dock. I was frantically trying to get a rope free to throw and finally did. Bob is doing the same at the stern, but all turned out well thanks to those to women. Then it was off to shower and eat. While I was showering Bob took Patches for a walk. There is an Akita dog on our dock. He jumped off his boat and attacked Patches. Bob grabbed the dog by the collar and threw him in the water. Then Bob had to rescue the dog as the dog was threatening to drown before his eyes. Poor Patches. Bob said this dog was gnawing away on Patches. Bob didnt find any wounds but later when I checked him he had a bite on his neck and there was blood. The woman was very apologetic but why the dog is not tied up is the question. The last time we were here he jumped off the boat to go after Patches but we cut him off. So how have your last 3 days gone for you?

Sunshine is back

February 12, 2012
Last night I woke up at about 3:30 am to see the beautiful moon peaking out from the clouds!!
This morning it was quite overcast but by noon we could see that this system was almost gone.  Tomorrow we will head for Chamela.  Apparently the seas are quite big but we should have a south wind...I will believe that when I see it.
This afternoon we went in to join all the festivities on the beach.  There are about 24 boats here now and there was a big turnout for bocce ball and volleyball.
Getting in and out was a bit tricky as the surf is bigger and the waves come rolling in close together.  Going in we ended up surfing right onto the beach.  I was ready to jump when a wave picked us up and took us right on shore.  How lucky was that!  Going out was a bit different.  I belly flopped into the dinghy and Bob was too busy laughing at me, missed seeing a wave,  so we all got wet, but the dinghy wasn't swamped.  Another successful day!
Yesterday when we took Patches into shore at about 6 pm it was bucketing with rain.  Although we wore rain gear, we were still very wet when we returned to the boat.
As our solar panels had not been doing much (cloud and rain), Bob started the engine.   After about 10 minutes, we heard a change in the engine sound.  Yes,  once again a pipe fitting  broke (water cooled engine) and the pump was pumping water into the boat.  After Bob realized what the problem was, all I could say was how happy I was that it had happened here in the bay, and not while we were out crashing through the waves.  Bob was able to fix the problem this morning so we hope it will get us to Chamela where we can probably find a new part to have as a spare.  If not we hope to get to La Cruz, without a further break.
I slept really well last night.   Last year when these things happened I could never sleep for worrying.
Certainly there is some anxiety but nothing more than I normally have on the boat.
All our clothes are dry now and the boat has been aired again.  Yesterday we had to have all the ports closed so it smelled a bit like a wet dog in here last night.  One day of sun and we are back to normal.
Sorry about the lack of photos but the internet is so slow here that to upload a photo takes forever...hence no photos.
If you want to see where we are I have put our location on the map.  If you choose the satellite version you can see sailboats in the boat.

Raindrops keep falling

Feb.  11, 2012

Lest you think that we are having too much fun, let me tell you about the past 2 days.  The rain started on Wednesday night and more or less has not let up...it is now Saturday.
Yesterday we took a panga into La Manzanilla as we needed provisions.  Our panga arrived at 10 am and I sent him away as it was raining and blowing.  In that kind of wind we do not like to leave the boat unattended.  Rigo came back at noon and all was okay...wind gone and a let up in the rain.  By 4 pm when we returned the rain had started again but it was light.
At about 7 pm, we put on our swim suits and took Patches to shore.  Believe it or not, when wet and in the wind it can be quite chilly!!
This morning there was a lull in the rain and in we went with Patches only to be caught in a downpour.  I looked upon that as a free shower.  Today I have been collecting rain water, as we always are frugal with our water as you never know how long you will be without a means of getting water.
There is a front hanging around us, and I think much of Mexico which has given us all this rain.  Apparently it is to rain tomorrow as well.  Right now it looks as if we may be here in Tenacatita until Tues or Wednesday.  The trip around Cabo Corrientes can be debacle so we want what looks to be good conditions.  It looks as if the winds may calm their by Thursday but only time will tell.
Being on the boat in the rain is less than charming.  The boat itself is comfortable but there is only so much or should I say little space.  We have done alot of reading today!!  And of course nothing dries.  Everything we wore this am as well as our towels are outside getting wetter but that cannot be helped.
On the other hand better here than trying to sail/motor in the rain.  Then we would be really wet and cold.
So really I should not complain as we are comfortable.
Again what a change from last year as we never had rain to speak of during our 2 months in the boat.

Beached Beluga Syndrome

Feb. 8,2012
Our trip in and out, by dinghy,  on Monday had its moments.  Going in, our little dinghy motor could not keep up with the wave we were on...so we had another wave (smallish) hit the dinghy.  At that moment I was half out of the dinghy, and was knocked back into the  dinghy.  Bob jumped out, the dog was trying to launch himself and I was wallowing in the bottom of the dinghy.  But in the scheme of things it went well as the boat wasn't swamped, and we were fine. 
After a lovely lunch and walk, we were off back to the DeannaB.  I had a new plan for getting into the dinghy, in so far as I would help Bob take the dinghy out, and 'jump' into the dinghy.  NO.  I jumped (and went nowhere), wallowed and finally Bob dragged me into the boat where I did a belly flop, and that is what I call 'The Beached Beluga Syndrome'.  We made it out just fine after that.
After this I do what Bob says!  Yesterday I followed his instructions and we made an exemplary landing and a smooth take off. 
This year we have many pelicans in Tenacatita Bay.  Yesterday one was very near our boat and stayed for about an hour. I was able to get a close look at him.  His beak had a yellow spot at the tip and orange markings on the side.  How beautiful!  I was talking to him/her and it actually looked at me.  I do think it wanted something to eat.
Yesterday it cleared and last night we had another 'full moon' made even more beautiful by fluffy clouds pink in the dying sunlight.
This morning early I woke to chain rattles.  We had seen the dolphins so I was at ease with the rattles. 
The clearing weather yesterday brought in some cool weather last night.   At about 4 am I awoke and grabbed for my blanket.  There was a chilly north wind blowing.  We don't have a thermometer on the boat so I never know what the temperature is.  I am sure that I think it is chillier than it is.
Time to go take the dog to shore.  More tomorrow.

Heading North

Feb 1 -5, 2012
Wow..no blog for almost a week.  What can I say?  Busy.
We had a great time in Barra but yesterday we were more than ready to head back to Tenacatita.  The lagoon is beautful but it is a lagoon.  This year for some unknown reason there were many dead fish which did not add to the ambience.
So what did we do last week?  We made a trip to Melaque and found some great hardware stores..important for boat people to know.  The Sands Hotel welcomes boaters.  You can tie up at the Sands and use their facilities.  On Sat night they have a ribs night.  The food was pleasant but I must say  that Lynda and Mike's rib dinner (on their trawler) was infinitely better!
Now we are back in Tenacatita and content to be here.  The water is lovely so on those hot afternoons (every pm now) we can swim in clean water.   Our trip here yesterday was good but the swells were quite large.  Of course the wind came when we were about 20 min from anchoring...no sailing.
After we arrived, I made breakfast and went for a nap.  For some reason I was awake at 4 am and never got back to sleep....anxiety or who knows?  The 2 hr nap restored me.  We stayed on the boat except for taking Patches in to the dog beach.  We were all happy to be on the clean sand again.  Patches had a good run and we were not covered in sticky black mud (Lagoons are like that.).
Last night we sat in the cockpit enjoying the evening.  There were no mosquitoes to speak of which added to the enjoyment.  And the moon over the bay ...full or almost full moon made for one of those skies that cause people to wax poetic.  There was a bit more rocking compared to Barra but not enough to cause a problem.
Patches has a new nemesis.  It may be that he is just developing into a 'crabby old dog'.   The bay is now replete with pelicans. ( As an aside pelicans can be beautiful.  The ones we are seeing have a white head with a  burgundy neck and grey body.  Perfect colour scheme.)   Patches is unnerved by the pelicans diving around the boat, and one splashed him yesterday.  I was below and heard Patches skidding along the deck..I waited for his splash when he hit the water, but he managed to stop before going overboard. 
This afternoon we will dinghy in for a late lunch.  The surf is up here so who knows what surprises our landing will hand us.  Apparently some boaters made a bad landing yesterday and of course there was an audience.  Never fails.
More on our landing at a later date.