Another great day here in Isla Marina. We started out the first part of our day with a chat with Neill but sadly no breakfast at the red place as it's Sunday and no net (you know when it's Sunday at least). Weather reports are looking good for the run north with southerlies coming (we don't much care if it's east or west as long as it's south) and possible departure on Tuesday. With that in mind, we've decided to add a couple more days stay here in the marina instead of going back to the old harbor (8 + miles south of here just to have to come back up again).
Then we moved on to filtering out a jerry can of diesel which got salt water in it (another story from another project day.....suffice it to say that Jim had to fish out a semi-full jerry can with the top open out of the drink). Twice through the water filter and twice through the baja filter....best diesel to be found anywhere!
A little more quick caulking on the port toe rail (temporary leakage protection).....
And then it was time for the horseshoe competition! Last Sunday, I somehow, with my partner Melissa of Tortue, managed to acquire the championship title after beating the guys! How that happened, I just don't know since I haven't thrown any shoes in quite a few years.....maybe not since the Ventura cruiser gathering at Prisoners sooooo long ago.
Did we retain our titles? Oh jeez no! The guys were on fire today, especially Neill! Jim seemed to get in the groove and was nailing ringers as well. Lots of people showed up at the palapa tonight and lots of challengers but Neill remained the champ all nite long.
We also met up with Mark of Charlotte Ann who we contacted in La Cruz. We had to find out who the Charlotte Ann was since our Char Ann is based on Charlette (my mom) and Ann (Jim's mom). Turn's out Mark's is his mom as well. What a cosmic meeting! We would have bet serious money that our boat name was pretty darn unique and here we have a Charlotte Ann hailing Char Ann! Funny huh?
Briefly chatted with Eva on South Trail. Doesn't look good for us to hook up this season as they are in San Blas awaiting the same weather window as us. Guess we'll just have to have lots of extra visit time next season! And it appears we may miss out on visiting with Rick & Karen on Eyes to the World unless they catch up to us in the Sea as they are in La Cruz right now. What can we say......looks like our timing was just off this year!
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Hi everyone! Well, we've been in Mazatlan for a couple of weeks so far with hopes to leave Tuesday (keeping our fingers crossed for favorable winds). We have been busy getting the fuel injection pump rebuilt, other motor cleanup/service while we were at it, some caulking (for leaks) while we were tied up and lots of socializing, of course!
We spent the first week in the old harbor anchorage, attended a boater potluck and swapped adventures and stories and watched the cruise ships and ferries go by. We hiked up the 477ft climb to the lighthouse and enjoyed the view.
Then Neill with his connections, was able to snag us a slip for a week (at least) at his marina so we could do repairs. We've had wonderful breakfasts at the red place and enjoyed Neill's company and met lots of his neighbors (we even lucked out on St. Patty's Day and enjoyed the corned beef and cabbage potluck on his dock). We've even had some time to throw horseshoes a couple of times at the palapa (but Jim has to build us a pit back in NY so we can play (and win) for beers next season).
Now with the engine back together, most of the oil out of the bilge and food restocked, we'll be going back to the old harbor until we get a window for decent winds to get back across to the Baja side.
Sorry that the log has gotten very thin.....just can't keep it up without daily internet time so I'm doing major consolidating. We've been getting great pics and videos from Jim's kids and we've been able to chat with the family more than usual. Being in one spot makes that a lot easier!
This morning reminded us of Ventura. We woke up and saw we were fogged in. Now someone told us that besides no rain in Mexico winters there wouldn't be any fog either......liar, liar pants on fire!
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We said bye to Lucy & Jim on Passage II as we left Chacala. Unfortunately, WindRyder did not make it up so we didn't get to see Mike & Julie from Slow Ride who came to visit from Ventura. Then we missed Craig and Eva on South Trail as they were leaving Mantanchen Bay headed to Chacala and points south as we were heading north to Mazatlan. Got to at least say hi on the radio as we passed each other and we did show up on Craig's new radar (goody).
A bit windy and waves a bit choppy but it was supposed to go calm especially near land so we kept at it. Got past Isla Isabella and just a bit farther north and the wind just did not let up all night long. We made 5 miles in 5 hours! So with that calculation (we still had 70 some miles to go), we were not going to have enough fuel to get to Mazatlan and decided to turn around (with our tails between our legs) and head back (more than 40 miles) to San Blas/Mantanchen Bay (otherwise known as 'bugville'). To say we were tired was putting it mildly and we kept hoping we were just having a bad dream that we were in Mantanchen and not Mazatlan. Oh well....
So we spent a couple of days in Mantanchen then moved into the estuary to get fuel. Fuel dock was full so we had to tie up at the marina's fuel dock (and pay 13% tax on the fuel--yippee).
We anchored in the estuary again for a few days, met some new people, reaquainted ourselves with some of the familiar faces from last time, and shared Norm stories we'd heard since we left. Made a few trips into town for provisions and just to walk about. Enjoyed the unusual sights on the river.
Bugs, oh the bugs.....bit up again and scratching all the time. But waiting for a better weather window than last time. And we got it about 6 days after the first try.
Made the second Mazatlan trip with no problems, low to no winds and a few friends within hailing distance the whole time (Andanzas had pulled into the Bay the night before and left a few hours after us the same day).
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Jim & Lucy on Passage II just pulled into Chacala after overnighting from Mazatlan. So we're back together again!
Question is.....will they sleep now or are we getting together for cocktails? We think sleep so it might be breakfast instead.
Just so everyone coming to Chacala knows, the bugs are worse than the first time we were here. So everyone get lots of repellent!
And, the roads are under construction! They are working hard through the piles of sand, stone and concrete. Lots of digging, shoveling, and pounding going on but town is still nice!
Ensueno is here as well! It's a Newport bay ! It's good to see Ralph & Joanna again. Thanks to Ralph for having a spair alternator aboard....we owe them big time! (Our other one did not seem to be working).
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Hi everyone! We're in Chacala again this time heading north. We're over 2 months behind in blogs due to site malfunctions and unavailable internet service. Don't know I'll get it updated. We are having a good time, lots to report to everyone when we get home.
We are heading north hoping to hook up with former Ventura West neighbors -SouthTrail, Sea Oak, Passage II, Wind Ryder with visitors Slow Ride and Andanzas - before going into the Sea of Cortez. Then to find a home for the boat for the summer while we go back home to NY.
Here's a picture of the last fish we caught and threw back. Anyone know what it is? It's tuna family I figure except it has teeth. Maybe Sierra?
Til then, everyone take care.
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Just a quick hop from La Cruz to the edge of Banderas Bay. Had a nice day sailing with lots of whales to watch. As we left La Cruz we actually sailed against one of the racer boats (couldn't keep up with them too long but we did race against them for just a bit -- as you can see in the pic)
Just enjoyed the day and the one night anchorage (music provided by the palapas on shore and the waves provided by the pangas and excursion boats going by).
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