MAZATLAN

December 3, 2009

We did it! We crossed the Sea of Cortez. This crossing took us about 42 hours. We slowed way down and took the sails in around midnight as we had to delay our approach until daylight. This is typical when pulling into a new port as one never knows what may lurk close to shore. Speaking of………………… we were sailing ever so quietly and slowly into Mazatlan on November 30th (the morning of Steve’s birthday roughly 6:00am, and it was dark) and suddenly Steve heard a rather large splash. As I arrived in the cock pit we both witnessed a huge spouting whale with a rather intimidating growl sound. We should have turned on the motor (this is what THEY say) or at least music to let them know we were in their playground but ohhhhhhhhhhhh noooooooooooo we heard and saw a few more swashes and thankfully avoided a collision. There is definitely whale paranoia amongst the fleet (okay, mostly with the women). But seriously, you should make noise as their neuro-receptor sensors (just Google it, or call Ali) are different than that of the dolphin. It was a freaky event for both of us, exciting nonetheless. We are in the Mazatlan Marina, dock 4, slip 23 and for those of you interested in finances we are paying about $23 a night, that is with the baja haha discount and if we pay for four nights we get three for free. So much to Steve’s dismay we will stay an entire week before departing to Isla Isabela. Steve likes to keep going and I am one that likes to stop, relax, stay awhile, socialize, cook, eat and enjoy the new surroundings. Steve is taking very good care of me as he knows traveling is tough on my equilibrium. I did not get sick crossing the SOC but it was touch and go at times and hey, we are in no hurry to get anywhere. Therefore, Sunday morning the 6th we will push off again. Steve would like to get to Zihuantanejo for Christmas but I’m not sure we will sail that quickly. Apparently the anchorages between here and Z-town are absolutely divine and my plan is to enjoy, snorkel, fish and RELAX. Today we will pick up our new hammock that we special ordered from a local (cotton seat and nylon handles) and I need to purchase a few kitchen utensils such as a cheese grater and a juice squeezer. Our laundry is being done for a mere 45 pesos folded and all, and I do miss the simple act of a one flush toilet. We are walking several miles every day and our diet includes lots of shrimp here in the shrimp capital of the world. We are still traveling with new found friends on the Rosenante and are never bored or lonely. Thanksgiving was a tough day for me as I missed all of you and was sick. I was also irritated because there is a pumpkin shortage over here and I couldn’t even make a pie……we had to have Kahlua and ice-cream instead. I know, you feel sorry for us! We haven’t had any visitors yet but I did get to spend a few hours with Susie Webster, my sister-n-law who is a flight attendant for Alaska Airlines. We are thinking about a short vacation to the mainland in January to visit our parents and family……….but would much rather you all come visit us here in sunny Mexico. The above photo is of Steve caught in a squall while crossing the SOC, our first rain since we left Seattle on October 15th).