Searching, Searching

Spent the morning looking for 0 rings to seal various stuff, and also needed a diesel fuel can so off we go in search of a Napa.




Found one, and they had just what we needed at excellent prices. While there, a lady came in and sold the guys behind the counter tamales. I was very interested, as it was lunch time. I assumed they would be puerco (pork) which Marcus does not eat, but we were in luck, she had pollo and chili verde. They were the best tamales we had ever eaten!! Talk about a full service Napa!!




Later that day, we called for fuel delivery and were informed the pump was broken and they couldn't deliver fuel to us. Welcome to Mexico. We could either spend 4 hours heading north to a fuel dock, or find a place that sells diesel and carry it back to the boat. Hoping to leave tomorrow morning, we decide to head to the nearest diesel sales place. You would think the gas stations would sell it, but nope.

We had a map, and an assurance it was only about 15 min walk. We borrowed a cart and headed out. Up one block and down another, nothing we could find looked right, we asked one person then another. Apparently no one in Mexico is aware the the state owned gas stations do not sell diesel, I think it might be a state secret.




After a frustrating hour of 2 steps forward and 3 back; some uphill; we walked past a fire station. Ahah! They MUST know where it is! Sure enough, just 1 1/2 blocks away we were successfull. I tell you every little thing is an adventure in Mexico.




We will be making one more trip in the morning, with a couple of our cruiser friends in tow.




It was a frustrating afternoon, but we were invited to happy hour with our new friends, and ended on a wonderful note.

Marni, Mike, Marcus, Randall, Cyndi, Steve and Lodi

Cruisers haircut and Can you "SPOT" me?

Three years ago, we sailed on a charter boat "Western Grace" with John and Joanne from Monterey to Cabo San Lucas. In the 3 days it took to get to Ensenada, our first stop, I found my shoulder length hair to be a bit of a pain. I threw caution aside, and through a local recomendation found a hairdresser and had my hair cut. Keep in mind there is a major language barrier, Estella spoke no english, and I spoke little spanish. I was a little nervous, but she did a great job and I was very happy with her skills, as well as my new hair.

So 3 years later, I am determined to find her again, and start my cruising life with "new hair". It took quite a bit of walking, but we were successfull!! Once again, I love my hair. If I lived here, she would be my hairdresser! Did I mention, it was less than $5? Ya gotta love Mexico.

Also, want to let you know you can follow us on our travels with "SPOT" it is a great tool to locate us, and we have a means of contacting someone should we have an urgent need or even an emergency.

I cannot get the link to work, but see Karen's comment below, SHE has the right link!!

Off to find a hardware store!

Pictures, we have pictures!

Where am I going to put all this stuff? Marcus up the mast, we had to build a replacement spreader (the cross piece above Marcus)

Here is Gypsy Moon while preparing to go, looks like a marine garage sale, and this right next to $100K and up yachts!!

Ensanada at last

Finally made it to Mexico!!
Tuesday got up at 4am, but still managed to get a late start, 6:30 or 7am. Monday it was sunny and warm with a nice breeze that would have made a very nice start to the trip. However, we were not ready Monday. Tuesday brought overcast skys and no wind, however the seas were fairly flat, and after an hour or so of feeling "iffy", I got my sea legs back.

Mid morning we took a reading, and we had crossed the border!! FINALLY!! We were very happy that although we took a shortcut, we had indeed made it.

Early afternoon, it became clear, that we were not going to arrive before nightfall and we really didn't want to arrive in Ensenada after dark. We decided to stop in to the Puerto Marina Salina just north of Salsipuedes. We looked and looked, and I was getting discouraged, tired, and was not looking forward to another 4 hours and navigating the Ensenada entrance at night. Finally found them, but alas, no room at the inn.

So on we go, I crawl into the v-berth and promptly fall asleep. When I woke up, we were in the Bahia Todos los Santos, yahoo!! Arrival was a little exciting.

Our first attempt at pulling into a berth I realized that the dock on the left of where we were heading had no planks!! I could not see the dock we were heading for on the other side, but sure didn't want to pull in and have no dock to jump on. Last minute, I'm saying REVERSE! It was hair raising, but at that moment I saw someone on the docks behind us and I realized he was waiting for us. So around we came, and pulled in, it was not very gracefull, but there was nosplintering wood or blood, so a success in my book.

It is good to be here, and we are taking an extra day to rest up.

Second To The Last Goodby

So looks like Tue. is our departure date. More to come!

My How Time Flies

We are working full time preparing to leave. Still looking for an outboard, getting a little anxious!!


Marcus reactivated the watermaker and it works!! That will be a great thing in the Sea of Cortez, which is pretty desolate with places to stop in for water being few and far between.

We went to Downwind Marine today, they have a "Cruisers raft up" on Wedsnday mornings and we met a couple that are heading south also. There are 3 boats "buddy boating" which means they travel in the same direction at about the same time. It is really nice to have someone close by to chat with, and help each other out if needed. I think it gives family and friends a little more peace of mind as well.

They are planing on leaving Sunday, which is our goal as well. Hope we can all go together.

More to come!

Dinghy Days

Yahoo!! We have a dinghy! Now I won't have to swim to shore every time we find a cool spot to explore!

Seriously, a dinghy is like having a car to a cruiser, it makes life so much easier. Getting to town, bringing home the groceries, heading out for social engagement. It is a must.

It is older, but in good condition and the price was right. The seat was missing, so Greg, former owner, supplied a beautiful oak plank, planed the edges and delivered it to our marina. Nice guy! I'm sure our dinghy will not be the nicest, but we will have the most beautiful seat!