12/08/2012, Marina La Cruz
Left Isla Isabel at about 10:00am. It was a little early but it was doze on the boat or sail. I decided to see what it would be like to sail instead of motor for a change. I hoisted all sails in about 8 knots of wind to sail at about 4 knots. I dropped both fishing lines in the water but didn't even get a strike. The sail was relaxing, music, calm seas, and very comfortable 80 degree weather. Anne Marie was behind me about a half mile and all was right in the pacific. I had a couple of slow moving dolphins come and visit just before sunset. They must have been bored. It was kinda strange, as they would hang out at the cockpit area aft instead of the bow as most dolphins do. I was sure one of them was trying to communicate with me as he would turn sideways and stare at me. I believe Julie sent him to make sure I was ok and when I nodded at him he broke the surface (I think he smiled), made a clicking sound and went away. The stars came out and again were visible all the way to the horizon. Absolutely beautiful night. For some reason I was not tired and watched "Sliders" most of the night. Morning came just about the same time it always did "just about dawn". I rounded Punta Mita and headed down the coast of Banderas Bay to La Cruz. I called them on "16" and got a slip assignment (B9-21) and made my way thru the La Cruz anchorage. I am currently here until Monday morning when I will take a spot at the anchorage just outside of the marina breakwaters.
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Comments [1]
12/08/2012, 20 miles off the coast of Mazatlan
Had a great time in Mazatlan but its time to move on so I can see Julie. The next destination is Isla Isabel. Isla Isabel is a small volcanic island about 15 miles off the west coast of Mexico, about 90 miles south of Mazatlan and 70 miles north of Banderas Bay. The island is less than half a mile wide and about three-quarters of a mile in length. It was made a National Park in the 1980s, and it has been called the "Galapagos" of Mexico. Isla Isabel is a major breeding and nesting area for frigate birds brown boobies and blue-footed boobies, which are all very tame. I left Isla Marina Golden Resort at about 11:00am for a 20 hour sail to the island. It was calm and a 7 knot wind blowing. Once I finally found the channel I needed to enter the pacific ocean I was ok. About an hour after leaving I caught two 10 lb Skip Jacks at the same time. One on my tuna pole and one on my hand-line. I didn't have the camera ready and since Skip Jacks are bad eating, I released them. You have to trust me that they were 20 lbs each (that's what I said above right?). I caught up to Jim and Sandy on Anne Marie at about dusk. The night sail was beautiful. I have never seen stars that go all the way to the sea's horizon. I slept on and off (an hour at a time). Very easy crossing.
Isla Isabel is a rugged beautiful island. The south anchorage is touted as an anchor eater, with rock pinnacles and even a 40 foot sunken sailboat in the middle of the anchorage. I think they just say that to keep people away. There were rock that make the anchor ache with loud groans that keep me awake but it didn't eat my anchor. Before I left Mazatlan I made a new anchor snubber and an anchor trip line just in case. Didn't need either. I hiked to the top of the island with Jim and Sandy passing iguanas (counted at least 30), nesting frigate birds and boobies (both blue footed and yellow footed). Thousands and thousands of frigates were circling looking for suitable nests and nesting straw. It was mating season and the male frigates would inflate their red necks to the size of a bowling ball to attract females (see pictures in the gallery). I cleaned the bottom of the boat with the hookah and installed a new prop zinc. I also snorkeled with Jim in a great cove with many different colored fish. Sandy was worried about the black tip sharks but we didn't see any. One of the nights Jim and Sandy fixed spaghetti and brought it to slowride to watch a movie (Fool's Gold). I stayed three days and left about 10:00am (some day I don't remember which as the days of the week mean anything anymore). An incredible experience, I hope to see many more islands like that to share with Julie.
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11/25/2012, mazatlan
Lisa and Andrew can to Mazatlan to share Thanksgiving with me. We had a great time. Kareoke at the Palapa, Thanksgiving dinner at Christy's with the cruisers, walking the streets of OldTown Mazatlan, buying huge tiger shrimp on the streest, BBQing bacon wrapped shrimp, drinking lots of beer and having a great time. Lisa was a real trooper as she was attacked by no-see-ums the first night and suffered the little bites and itching. The last night they were here they rented the Villa for a cool, restfull sleep. It was very nice. A good chance to get out of the 86 degree 92% humidity and get some laundry done too. Thanks Lisa and Andrew..... Good times....
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