Ok, so where did we leave each other?
Oh, yeah, I was enjoying a free salt water spa day while you all were reading in some sort of other comfort trying to wrap your head around why I do this thing? Well I can't attest to the other ocean sailors out there but for me, it's a means of getting from A to B with some adventure along the way. So there. Now you get me.
Let's continue, I promise, no more drama but you gotta admit it makes for good content!

After chilling in Chamela (a nice anchorage with decent protection) I watched a few days slip by doing literally nothing but reading books, cooking, swimming, paddle boarding...shit man, I didn't even launch the dingy! Never went to town...just what the doctor ordered. I could feel Wades Aweigh doing the same, appreciating me letting her just swing in the breeze, serving shade protection to tons of little fishies from the big fishies, alas there were some of the smaller tribe that never lived to bite another day but so goes the cycle of life. Even with my diligence with spin fishing, changing lures, times to fish, throwing chum in the water (read: moldy bread) I could not get even one of the bigger fishies interested in my expensive lures. Oh, you just wait, your day is coming!

It's always fun waving & shouting spanish to the Panga fishermen as they zoom by me late afternoon, headed out for the evening bite, some of whom don't return until the following morning. What a tough way to make a living, respect! On the 3rd day Manuel came by and stopped long enough to hold up a HUGE snapper. "Hey Penon! you want in Pescado Grande?". (a big fish). I'm like, "Sorry bro, just me, not enough freezer space!" I gave him a cold bottle of water and fist bumped him anyway, not to see him again as I left the following morning.

0800 coffee is on. I review my charts and decide the 15 mile passage to Melaque is nothing to get my undies in a bunch about so have a lazy morning. Up anchor at 11:00 and motor sail my way south as the wind is not at the right angle and my batteries need charging, solar & wind turbines not keeping up with my refrigeration and freezer needs. Trip is just as pleasant as can be, the nasty mean ocean of late is just nice and welcoming, just as I planned. Warm sea breeze holds my perspiration at bay as I use a wet washcloth on my face and head for climate control. It's 85 and clear, sea is a cottony cobalt blue that defies any color scheme you would see in a paint store, a custom blanket of deep blue ocean complemented by an equally intense blue sky laced with whispers of cotton candy clouds. I am humbled to be here, right now, right this moment; I deep breathe it all in...not wanting to let it go, it's magical.

My deep thoughts of this majesty I'm in the middle of were broken my a HUGE tail...SPLASH SPLASH SPLASH! 3 whales a mere 100' off my bow are playing. I never tire of seeing the ocean mammals at play, truly breathtaking. Then, a turtle, then dolphins...my bunk mates have returned. Eagerly I try to keep in step with both, but they are too fast and uninterested in me this day. I bid them farewell and go on my merry way.

We pulled into Melaque mid afternoon, to my surprise only one other boat! And what a boat! An aluminum 80' expedition style sailboat, grand, commanding vessel...oh yes sir...you watch...I will get on that bad boy one way or another!

Next day I see an inflatable heading right for me, nice fellow says, "Hi neighbor! I'm Gary.". We chat for a bit and he invites me over for a tour of their boat....what did I just say about "you watch?" Yup....show and tell time!!
Later that day I was headed ashore (yes, needed supplies) and stopped by. Gary & Linda are full time cruisers and very welcoming. I got the full tour including engine room while Linda puttered around. It was a magnificent ship, everything supersized and well thought out. The boat was built for high lattitudes and did the arctic many years ago. Kewl!

On my last day ashore I met Lou Lou from Quebec who was staying for 6 months in a condo. After a massive happy hour Margarita (see pic!!) she invited Dave & I to stop by her lake cabin on our way to Nova Scotia (oops, spoiler alert) this summer on a big moto adventure. People are so nice...all you gotta do is say hello!

The following day I departed for Carrizal, my current pit stop. It's my Dads favorite anchorage in Mexico and one of my top 3. More later on this 3 day stay. Super stoked to get to Zihuatenejo and pick up my Broski! Let the games begin!!!

Washed the boat from stem to stern today to remove the 20# of dried salt from the storm. Tomorrow is organized down below and then i'm off...just shy of 200nm ahead.