After way too much fun in San Jose Del Cabo it was time to throw lines and continue on. Around 0945 we made our way out of San Jose and turned the corner north into the Sea of Cortez towards Los Frailes anchorage. Right when you think you know how to read the weather a day like today comes along and teaches you more lessons. While the wind wasn't that bad between 6-23mph and the waves only 3-4 feet for some reason we neglected to look at the period of the waves and found ourselves in rough chop the entire four and a half hours and it was really uncomfortable. We were so disappointed in ourselves for not paying closer attention. Lesson learned. Again. When we arrived at the anchorage the wind continued to howl and the anchorage itself was a bit rolly. We decided that we would just stay on the boat and made dinner watched shows and went to bed rolling the entire time.
Los Frailes Anchorage
We were rocked to bed and throughout the night like babies and when we woke up the wind and waves continued so we decided to stay a second day at Frailes. There is nothing on shore so we didn't need to launch the dink but settled in to a day of chores, watching football, reading and playing cards. It was nice to be on the hook and away from the marina on our own. After so many days on a dock surrounded by people and city and hustle and bustle we love the quiet and seclusion of an anchorage.
Sunset at Los Frailes
Finally after the two day blow the wind and waves calmed down and at 12pm we up-anchored and set out for our 22 hour cruise across the Sea of Cortez to Mazatlan on the mainland. The Ipad had football on which entertained us the entire day and we settled into our shifts of preference. Sometime during the day we had a stowaway show up on the rail and he kept us company for over an hour making his way back and forth on the rail and trying to bite it occasionally. Between the bird and football the time felt like it flew by. Sometime during my 2:30a.m and 5:30a.m shift I spotted a couple boats on radar and by their names assumed they were freighters, one coming across the bow and the other behind me. I kept a close eye on distance via AIS and I felt comfortable navigating on my own. At some point I hear, "Tidings of Joy" which of course wakes up Jeff and I answer the call. One of the freighters saw me on AIS and noticed we would be passing at .8th of a mile which I confirmed and he asked that I please make it a mile. No matter to me I slowed down giving even more room between us and watched as he crossed or bow and shortly the other astern. Poor Jeff couldn't get back to sleep after that but I guess another lesson learned- freighters like a mile in the dark. Got it.
Our Stowaway
Football Entertainment
Finally the sun rose and around 11:45a.m. we made our way into the channel leading to El Cid Marina. The channel is extremely shallow. We saw 6 feet at one point and the poor broken down dredge tided along the side of the channel that desperately needs to be fix. When we called the marina for our slip assignment they were reluctant to tell us but instead told us to tie up at the fuel dock and come into the office. Tired and a little cranky from the overnighter we followed instructions. The current was ripping at the dock and it took a little bit for Jeff to get her maneuvered over enough for me to get off and tie up. We made our way to the office where we finally learned why they wanted us to come in. The entire marina is shallow and they don't seem to know exactly how much depth is each slip rather go off of past intel of previous boats who either went aground or did well in that particular slip. The office girl did not know where to put us and called the guy from the fuel dock asking about this slip or that then giving us a choice where to go. We had no clue and just didn't want to touch the bottom. After lots of discussion and back and forth we were assigned a 100 foot long slip on B dock where several other American boats were docked. They assured us we should have plenty of water and we made our way there. Thankfully three Americans came out to help us (and I will never say this because normally I loath help docking) as the current continued to rip pushing us off of the dock but with the three of them we quickly got secured just to find .8feet under the keel. Yes point 8 not 8. This was very unsettling because as the week progressed we saw negative low tides would be happening. We were uptight and this was not the arrival or the celebratory feeling we had anticipated. Not exactly sure what else to do I added and tightened lines we set up shop per the usual the decided not to worry about it for now just to observe. We walked the resort grounds checking out the pools, restaurants, spa and finally settling down by one of the pool bars for some margaritas and lunch. A nice reward after a long crossing and anxious arrival.
Sunset Underway
Approaching Mazatlan
El Cid Marina
Channel into El Cid
Walking the Grounds
Tidings of Joy From Resort
View from our 100 Slip
We really enjoyed sleeping in and being in our bed after the crossing. It just feels so much more comfortable. We took our time and had a very slow morning but then started our prep for our trip to Ohio the next day. I started on laundry before getting my nails done in the spa and suddenly everything felt a little compressed. The negative low tides began and a sailboat on the end tie was aground and started listing to port. Needless to say the owner wasn't happy and planed an early departure with the high tide the next morning.
Aground at the Marina
Listing to Port at the Slip
The next two days we would spend making our way back to Ohio for Christmas. We left on the 21st of December and arrived in Ohio on the 22nd. Three flights later my parents were in Detroit to get us. Luckily our flight landed early and we got in before the horrible blizzard which stuck the midwest. We enjoyed having the entire day with my parents and that night was the infamous cousin's night at Jason's house and it was great kicking off the holiday with just the cousins.
Security Line Mazatlan
Me & Jason
Cousins Night
A little Chilly
Christmas in Lima
Christmas Eve Dinner at Grandmas House
Christmas Day at Home
Most of Grandmas Grandkids
Euchre Game
Friends Dinner
Flying Back to Mazatlan
On December 28th we arrived back in Mazatlan and after a 30 minute cab ride we were back on the boat. It was a long haul and we were exhausted. We unpacked and napped, showered, made dinner and went to bed early.
December 29th felt like our first day in Mazatlan. We had nowhere to go and nothing to do. Jeff said he just wanted to spend a lazy day by the pool doing nothing and that's what we did. First we took the free water taxi across the fairway to the island which had the resorts beach club on it. We checked things out then took a hot walk around the streets. Sweaty and tired we plopped down at the pool for reading, relaxing and swimming. Another quiet night on the boat.
El Cid Marina
El Cid Beach Club Walk
Jetty into Harbor
Pool Invader
The next day it was time to explore and see new parts of Mazatlan that is after a quick fresh foods provision at Wal-Mart. I thought Wal-Mart should be similar to the U.S. and have some familiar items and a good selection of Vegan products. Nope. The one thing it did have in common with Wal-Marts of the U.S. is that it was a crowded nightmare. I don't know if it's because it was the day before New Years Eve or just Wal-Mart in general but it was shoulder to shoulder people in every isle and section of the store. I finally had it and lost my mind on Jeff then we got out of there. Once back on the boat I gathered myself and got it together and we hopped in an Uber to explore Old Town and the big open air marcado. Our driver told us the luncherias on the second floor had great food and to make sure to eat there. The market itself sold everything from chickens and cow to veggies, clothes, souvenirs and candy. It was huge and crowded and we wove our way through the isles and finally upstairs to the luncherias. There was restaurant after restaurant packed full of locals and not a gringo in site. Finally Jeff settled on one that was crowded and looked good. We got a lot of looks but the staff was more then friendly. Jeff had a whole fried fish and beans and rice and I just had beans and rice and tortillas. Surprisingly for all the time we have spent in Mexico over the years this was the first place that made me feel uncomfortable. I don't like being the only gringo and getting looked at. I didn't like seeing our waiter eat food from his hands while waiting at the line for ours to be ready. I didn't like a whole table of people looking directly at me and smiling as if we were some anomaly. Jeff sensed my discomfort and ate quicker then usual. After our lunch experience we strolled over to the archeological museum which had only a small collection and then over to the plaza Machado which was a cute square lined with shops and restaurants. Overall it was a really nice day and fun to see parts of Mazatlan we hadn't seen in the past.
Having Lunch at the Luncheria
Luncherias in a Row
Marcado
Downtown Cathedral
Archeological Museum
Downtown Mazatlan Beach
The Plaza
The next day was New Years Eve and knowing we had a big night ahead we decided to take it easy during the day. We would get some boat chores done. I did a little blogging. There was a lot of reading and we both took naps too. By 7pm we both started getting ready and looked forward to the big gala the resort was putting on. Luckily we had some clothes on board that still fit and would be appropriate for the party as well. 8pm came and we made our way off the boat, me slower the Jeff cause my 5 inch heels weren't exactly boat shoes. We rode the water taxi over to the beach club with several other party goers mostly families and made our way to the party. There was a line as we approached the door and as we entered a photographer with lots of New Years Eve props met us and snapped our photos getting us in the party mood. We made our way to our table where two other Americans were already sitting. We purposely chose this table not only for its proximity to the band and the bathrooms but also knowing there would be two other people we could converse with. The couple was from Philly and as the drinks flowed so did the conversation. As the night progressed our table began to fill in first with a Mexican family a couple, their parents and their cute little boy who looked to be around 3 years old. Then finally a couple sat next to me. Everyone was friendly and smiley. The five course meal was delicious and I was happy they made me my own vegan version of the menu. The bar was open and the band was great mixing both American and Mexican music together. When the band took a break a group of about 10 dancers came out and filled the floor. One couple did flips and dips and got into all kinds of uncomfortable looking positions and was gazed on with amazement. Then as it approached midnight we were handed our traditional sack of green grapes (a good luck tradition in Mexico), a glass of champagne and headed out to the beach to watch the gorgeous fireworks display. It felt magical and such a special way to bring in the new year. We cheersed, kissed, wished our neighbors a happy new year and made a b-line for the water taxi. Back at the boat we had our traditional night cap and gossiped about the party and the people and made the experience more our own. So happy to be back at the boat shoeless and ready to take on the new year and the next stop in our adventure.
New Years Eve Party
New Years Eve Party Room
Our Table
The Dancers
Our Table Mates From Philly
Midnight Fireworks
As most people probably did we spent new years day horizontal watching football. Jeff made his famous pizza for dinner and we started thinking about what was coming next after Mazatlan. We decided to extend one extra day so we could take full advantage of the facilities one more time. January 2nd we went back to the beach club and got a cabana and two chairs in the sand and watched the water coming in and out. It was pretty quiet and we read our books and soaked in the last bits of El Cid. Jeff ordered fish tacos for lunch then we made our way back to the boat. Later that afternoon we launched the dink. Plenty of room in our large 100 foot slip and took a slow cruise up the bay towards the other marinas and then into this winding maze of channels that went on forever. There were gorgeous homes and a golf course and this whole hidden world we never knew about. It was a great capper to a wonderful stay in Mazatlan.
Dingy Ride
Cruising Down the Channel
Mariachi Band on a Boat
Sunset at El Cid
