We headed out for the Islands and just as we turned the corner to leave the bay it happened. Cruisers say La Paz has a bungee attached to all the cruisers boats so they have to always return to La Paz. I am starting to believe this way of thought. We were all stocked up and ready to leave for good. Now you ask what happened. Gabby went below to do the routine engine room check and she eminently shuttled "dad there is water spraying all over the engine". Lew and I looked at each other with a confused look and then powered down the engine. Lew went below to investigate the water problem. Low and behold, water was pouring out of our water heater and splashing onto the engine. We shut off the water pleasure and turned off the water heater right away. The girls ran for the bilge pumps and went to work pumping the water out of the bilge. As the girls were pumping the bilge we powered up and headed for Mushroom Rock anchorage. As soon as we arrived, Lew started taking the water heater out and investigating the system. Sure enough, the water heater tank had rusted all the way through. We hoisted it onto the deck and wrapped it in a bag, then secured it to the rail.

Lew and I sat in the cockpit and thought about what we were going to do next. Do we continue on our way without hot water or do we turn back for La Paz and investigate into getting a new system. That night we decided to continue on our way. But as many cruisers know plans are always subject to change. I like to say it is written in sand and last as long as the tide. The next day a big storm came down from the North East. We were rocking and rolling way too much for comfort. We pulled anchor and headed for a calmer bay.

The seas had kicked up to 7 to 8 feet with 30 Knt. winds. It was a very bumpy and wet ride across the sea to the closest Island. We pulled into San Gabriel where we would be protected from this Nor'easter that had blown in. At first we were the only ones in the bay. As we sat in our cockpit we watched sailboat after sailboat heading our way for protection. We can see them fighting their way through the rough seas. They were rocking from side to side and taking water over the bow. It was quite the sight. The smaller boats were having the most trouble, their crew on deck in foul weather gear and getting totally soaked. As soon as they hit the bay the echo of anchor chains dropping was everywhere. We even watched a cruise ship heading for our anchorage. The passengers were on deck chumming the water as the ship plowed through the waves. All the boats made it safely and settled in for the blow.

We had no hot water to take a much needed shower after getting salted from the wet ride over. The bay was calm so we decided to jump in with a bar of soap and have at it. We had no choice the flies were starting to circle. The water in the sea hasn't had time to warm up yet so it was a cold dip in and right away out. The solar shower bag on deck didn't provide much warmth. It hadn't had time to warm up yet but it was enough to wash the salt off with. The winds were still very strong so our wet bodies were even colder. The decision was made right then, we need a hot water heater. I am not camping, I want a hot shower! After the blow we headed back to La Paz. Remember I said La Paz has a bungee attached to the cruisers.

Well we pulled into the La Paz anchorage and then headed over to Lopez Marine. They had one heater on stock but it was only 6 gallons. This will not work with 3 girls on board. We put in an order for a 12 gallon tank but it would not arrive until the following Monday. Because it would not be available for a week we could stay and spend more money in town or head out for a week and wait it out. Well we decided to head out and go sailing. The weather was perfect, now we are back at Mushroom rock anchorage. If a blow comes in, we will head over to San Gabriel and start the whole cycle of running for cover all over again. Tomorrow Lew and Rosie plan on diving with the hookah and cleaning the boat bottom. Well at least that is the plan. But as I said before it is only written in sand. So goes the life of a cruiser. We write in sand and go with the tide.