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Mainland
Mexico
February
3rd 2006
La
Paz to Mazatlan: 23°16.15’N
Lat. and 106°27.46’W Lon.
The
time had come to say adios to the baja. Our journey continues as we make
preparations to cross the Sea of Cortez. We filled up with diesel and
water. Having stowed our provisions securely, Moorea and crew put La Paz behind at 09:30. The wind was light with flat seas so sailing was lovely. After
listening to the weather forecast from Don on “Summer Passage”, we decided to
sail straight through to Mazatlan, a two night passage. His prediction was
15 knots for the next couple of days followed by light and variable winds.
Crossing over to the mainland I could feel the humidity in the air, Baja was
much dryer. But with the humidity came a much greener landscape, complete
with palm trees. The crossing took 2 days and 9 hours. We arrived just at
sunset to Marina Mazatlan. With the boat tied up La Kelly and I headed for
the nearest T.V. screen to catch the 3rd and 4th
quarter of the Superbowl. Unfortunately the Seahawks lost, although it was
still great to see them make it so far. Normally you would not find us at a
marina, but we didn’t like our anchoring option (too far from shore).
Moorage rates become less the longer you stay, so we ended up staying the
week for just about $100.00 U.S.D. During our stay at the marina we would
catch the bus to old town and shop for gifts and groceries. On La Kelly’s
birthday we hiked to the highest manned lighthouse in the world (nice view of
the water and city).
February
12th 2006
Marina
Mazatlan to Deer Island: 23°13.91’N Lat. and 106°27.61’W Lon.
A
small island located just a few miles from the dock helped us to untie the
dock lines that get so comfortable being used. With the wind being light we
motored the short distance to the anchorage next to a few fishing boats. Our
spot was a little rolly so it took us awhile to get used to the movement
again. After two nights we decided to continue south.
February
14th 2006
Deer Island to Isla Isabela: 21°54.03’N Lat. and 105°53.5’W Lon.
La
Kelly and I took two hour shifts through the night to reach the next island.
We had a great sail for  the first 25 nautical miles and then
“Johnny” powered us the rest of the way to Isla Isabela. On our way to the
island we noticed many whales breaching in the water, I thought that one was
going to hit the boat he was so close! Dropping the hook behind two high
rock spires we noticed that we had the anchorage to ourselves. After putting
the sail kit on our Walker Bay the Kelly’s tacked to shore. The smell of
guano was potent after the clean clear ocean air. On the island we hiked
from one side to the other. The bird population was astounding; if you tried
not to see a bird you would be unsuccessful. Frigates and Blue Footed
Boobies predominately. Our timing was great; we were able to witness the
mating dance of the boobies (quite cool). With many sneezes and running
noses it was time to fly from this wonderful island ourselves.
February
16th 2006
Isla
Isabela to San Blas: 21°30.97’N Lat. and 105°14.51’W Lon.
Sailing
off of the hook, Moorea headed S.E. with full sail. We watched the sunset
and prepared  ourselves for another round of night
watch. The following day the wind abated, so we motored the last three hours
in order to try and make anchorage before the sunset again. We didn’t make
it. Turning on our radar and putting La Kelly on bow watch we carefully made
our way into the wide open Matenchen Bay. On the screen I could see five
other boats anchored, so we motored next to them and dropped the CQR. It is
always stressful coming in at night, but we slept like babies. La and I
caught a bus to the town of San Blas, which lays a number of miles from the
anchorage. We loved this little town, with its street venders, the town
square and the super friendly people.
February
19th 2006
San
Blas to Jaltemba: 21°02.79’N Lat. and 105°16.24’W Lon.
Leaving
the no-seeums behind or as some call them “flying teeth” we were relieved to
finally be rid of these little beasts. The wind was very light, so we set
the spinnaker and made our way to Jaltemba. At this anchorage we didn’t even
get off of the boat. We just stayed the night anchored just behind a little
island.
February
20th 2006
Jaltemba
to La Cruz: 20°44.61’N Lat. and 105°22.62’W Lon.
Sailing
to La Cruz in Banderas Bay was wonderful, the wind started light with calm
seas and later built  to 16-18 knots. The anchorage at La Cruz
is basically exposed to all winds except northern, so the daily afternoon
winds would whip the waves up and then die. Our boat would then get sideways
to the waves and that makes for a very rolly anchorage. Aside from that we
enjoyed the town of La Cruz. One day I was walking with my outboard gas tank
towards the nearest station (about 2 miles). When I saw a gentleman in a
water truck parked by the side of the road, needing water myself I inquired
how much? He told me and then asked If I was going to the fuel station. I
said si and he gestured for me to get in! We drove to the station together
in the water truck, and then drove me all of the way back to the beach.
Still needing the water I hired a local panga to ferry the water to our
boat. The water guy came along and helped put the water in our tanks! The
water only cost $1.70 per 5 gallons of purified water. While at La Cruz we
would take the bus ($1.40) and go to Puerto Vallarta. We enjoyed the old
town with the shops and just walking the malecon.
Our
friend Cyndi came to spend an entire week with us, we had a blast. We took
the boat to Punta  Mita for the beach, the islands for
snorkeling, and Yelapa for a waterfall hike. On our way to Yelapa it all
started with Cyndi losing her glasses and then our canvas saltwater bucket
went over the side. We turned around to pick up our B.O.B. (bucket over
board). The only problem was I forgot that I was trailing a fishing line
(oops). Sure enough the propeller was fouled with the line and my lure.
Having put on my snorkel gear we realized that the water was completely thick
with jellyfish. Cutting the lure and line free only a few stings were
inflicted while in the water. With the wind up we set sail and “Monty” due
south. Shortly after that we noticed a crazy bee that would not leave. As
it turned out we had hundreds of them! The ladies ran below and I ran to the
bow of the boat, because they had taken over the cockpit. Donning protective
clothing in the 80° heat the sweat began to pour. It was war, us against
them. Now all three of us were on the bow with the boat sailing  itself towards shore! We
made our stand with fly swatters and rolled magazines. When the bees would
fly to the front we would smash them. Every once in awhile we would advance
to the stern but they would drive us back to the bow. After about an hour
and a half we had control of the boat. The tally La Kelly=3 bee stings,
Cyndi=1 and El Kelly=0. Don’t ask me how; usually I’m the only one that gets
stung. The anchorage at Yelapa was not good, so the ladies went to shore and
hiked to the waterfall alone while I stood anchor watch and vacuumed dead bee
carcasses. The trip back from Yelapa the same day was exciting as well.
First we had a booby that kept trying to land on our sensitive mast head
instruments and then our engine temperature buzzer went off. The bird we
were able to shoo off and the temp was up because we had so much growth on
our propeller. We anchored in the dark back at La Cruz and we were happy to
be there in one piece. The following day we had to go to the airport and say
goodbye to Cyndi (we were both sad to see her go).
The
other guests that we had were my Grandmother, two Aunts and their friends.
La Kelly and I were  making final preparations for the Pacific Ocean crossing, so we were staying at the Marina Vallarta. It was perfect timing
for a visit since they had plans for many months to visit P.V. We took them
all out for a perfect day sail on Banderas Bay. I was thrilled to see my
Grandmother, Aunt Joan, Aunt Roxy, and to meet their friends Deb and Debbie.
After the sail we all went back to the hotel for a swim in a fantastic pool
with everyone including my Grandmother’s friend Juanita (it is her time
share). That night they treated us to a shrimp dinner back at the marina
(yum)! It was great to see you guys, visit anytime anywhere. The rest of
our time was spent working on the boat and provisioning with food for the
long passage to come.
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