07/08/2011, oh and a story it is!
| Summer in the Sea of Cortez 2011 |
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Comments [10]
07/06/2011, heading for La Paz
The last time we tried this crossing it resulted in 3 months in Mazatlan making transmission repairs and then two work trips to the States, so as we prepare to pull anchor at Deer Island we are hoping for a little better luck. The weather report looks ok, with only a storm system in Southern Mexico having just a 20% chance of hurricane formation. We would like to use our new found sailing skills to save on diesel costs, but I've always said I would take a flat motor trip over a rolly and uncomfortable sail any time and that still holds true.
It's been over a year since we last visited La Paz and we are really looking forward to spending some time there anchored in the Bay and exploring all the great Taco stands that people have been emailing me about. What we will like most during this time or year will be the absence of the cruising hoards. Most sane people have their boats tucked away in storage during this time of year. The La Paz morning net won't take an hour, the VHF radio won't constantly barking, and the Magote anchorage won't be crowded with boats all seeing how close they can anchor to the Marina de La Paz dingy dock or worse, how close than can anchor to you.
At this time of year the Dorado are think in the warm waters, so we hope to be sick of eating the fresh fish by the time we reach La Paz.
The above photo is the view of the Mazatlan Malacon from the anchorage of Deer Island. I'm sure we will see this view again....
| Summer in the Sea of Cortez 2011 |
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07/03/2011, 1 hour and I’ve seen enough
I remember those 14 days we spent in Mazatlan last August and in those brief two weeks I knew summering in Mazatlan wasn't an option for the crew of THIRD DAY. Having grown up in Bakersfield, the heat doesn't bother me but unlike the dry heat of Baja, the Humidity of mainland Mexico make you appreciate the definition of "Heat Index". After spending 30 hours in La Paz, when I stepped off the air conditioned bus and into the heat/humidity of Mazatlan, I nearly threw-up. I was hungry, but the heat/humidity kept me from wanting a taco...and that was the last straw. It was then and there I made it my single minded goal to get out of here and over to La Paz as soon as possible. Within 10 minutes of being back on the boat, I sent Lori and Amy out for a quick last provisioning run and tomorrow we will head out to the Deer Island anchorage to make water, clean the boat bottom and propeller, hank on the mizzen sail, and ready the boat to cross the Sea. When we get hot, we will be able to just jump over the side of the boat and cool off and then get back to work. Poor Cortez is lying on the marble table tops trying to stay cool and if there was room for me, I would join him.
All in all the overnight ferry ride and bus trips to Mazatlan were easy and classic Mexico. Families and lots of young kids were all sleeping in the halls and floors of the lounge area in a scene much more familiar in Europe than in the United States. Just as I finally dozed off to sleep I was jolted awake by the body vibrating sounds of 1AM Mexican Karaoke. Beer was flowing and it was then that I realized my chances of getting any sleep in the middle of the Disco was zero, so I walked around and found myself a nice quite unused hallway corner and went to sleep using my sweatshirt as a pillow. I'll most likely be sleeping tonight out on deck even if it rains, in fact, I may like a little rain to wash off the salt sweat from my sticky body. Did I mention that I have an AC unit waiting for me in our car parked in La Paz?
| Summer in the Sea of Cortez 2011 |
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