Southbound for Summer

 Something happened when we returned from Ohio. All of a sudden it was summer and hot and humid as hell. We knew it was coming but this was a shock. Now whenever we go outside it's like getting a punch right in the face and in the gut that takes your breath away. Our original plan was to high tale it out of Mazatlan and slowly make our way down to Puerto Vallarta visiting some of our favorite anchorages but the more we thought about not having air conditioning 24/7 the more we thought we would just slow down and enjoy Mazatlan and being at a marina a bit longer. 

The first day back was dedicated to rest, relaxation and recovery from our long journey home from Ohio. But the second day May 25th we decided to be tourists and took an Uber to the melacon and had lunch at Pata Salada where the boat manager told us was good. It of course was hot as well and I thought we were nuts to leave the air conditioning but the melacon was a must see. The restaurant was full of locals and lots of live music playing full blast right in front of us. The food was good and after we strolled down the melacon cooking in the sun before hopping in an Uber back to the boat.

Lunch at Pata Salada

Live Music 

Mazatlan Beach 

The Melacon 

Sunset at the Marina 

The next couple days we did some last minute things like provisioning for what I hoped would be the last 30 day menu for awhile. Jeff bravely walked to the Euro Bakery which was highly recommended to us for breakfast and got some good bread he brought back to the boat. We strolled to El Cid in the heat once again and sat by the pool having a beer and remembering our time there in December. 

Memorial day just didn't feel quite the same down here. Nobody cared and Jeff and I talked about how in the midwest where we both grew up it was always the kick off to summer. The day he and his family opened up the pool and when we opened up the family cottage on Indian Lake. It always used to feel so exciting. As an adult it was a day off from teaching and exciting as we neared the end of the school year. In Mazatlan we walked to the tostadaria one last time for lunch and then had some beer and bbq'd burgers and corn on the cob for dinner. We made our own Memorial Day. 

Jeff at the Euro Bakery 

Avocado Toast Breakfast 

Full Band on the Bow

Lunch at the Tostadaria on Memorial Day 

Finally on May 30th we decided it was time to unplug from power and start making our way south to our summer home in Puerto Vallarta. We didn't get very far though only to the anchorage in the commercial port of Mazatlan. Still here. We took our time getting the 9.8 miles to the anchorage in order to make some water and dump the head while still running the a.c. We had to ease into this transition. The anchorage was full of boats, mostly sailboats and lots of party boats going in and out. We watched a Carnival Cruise ship leave port and I counted down the minutes until it was time to run the generator for the night and could turn on our a.c. It was 87 degrees in the salon and it felt every bit of it. 

Mazatlan From The Water

Restaurant Where we Had Lunch 

Approaching the Port 

Sunset at Anchor 

The next day was the entire reason we came to this anchorage. Jeff wanted to take the hike up the hill at the anchorage and see the view. Last time we anchored here we didn't do it and today was our day. As you can imagine it was hot as hell and unlike the pacific northwest there are no trees here providing shade as you hike. Instead we rely on our big sombrero hats to hide us best as possible. I'm not sure how long the hike up the hill was but at the top before we went on the crystal bridge there were benches next to a building covered with shade. We sat for awhile and caught our breath, let our sweat dry a bit and just appreciate the effort we exuded and soaked in the view. 

The entire time we were waiting in line for the crystal bridge I wasn't sure if I would go on it or not. I have a enormous fear of heights. So much so that once in London when touring St. Paul's Cathedral and having to walk down see through steps I froze and had a full on panic attack. That's when I learned I had a fear of heights. Today I tried not to think to much about it and as we waited our turns I noticed there was a thin green strip along the outer edge of the bridge that was attached to steel beam all the way down and not completely open to the ground. So I figured if I just snuck my way along the green edge, never looking down and only out I might have a chance. As we made our way onto the bridge that's exactly what I did. I held on with two hands the entire time never leaving my green strip as Jeff told me the entire crowd waiting was watching and laughing at me. I didn't care. I knew that if I was going to have this experience I had to do it my way. As we made our way to the end of bridge Jeff swung around towards me and we got our picture. Slowly I slithered my way back and Jeff and I were both proud. 

Anchorage From the Hike 

Making our Way Uphill 

Anchorage 

View From the Top 

The Crystal Bridge 

Wide Open to the Ground 

View From the Bridge 

Holding on For Dear Life 

Crystal Bridge 

Walking Back Down 

Dilapidated Dingy Dock 

The Hike 

The next morning at 0530 we set out on our 99 mile cruise to what is my favorite anchorage in Mexico so far - Isla Isabela. We have been here two times already, once for pleasure and once as a good stopping point as we made our way north from Bandaras Bay. The cruise was uneventful and we passed tons of sea turtles swimming along. Due to predominantly southwest swells we decided to try the east anchorage for the first time. I was looking forward to something new at the island we have been to twice already. As we approached we saw a sailboat also in the east anchorage who thankfully wasn't in our spot. At 5:30pm we dropped the hook, turned on the gen and blasted the a.c. It was great to be back. 

Spotted Isla Isabela 

Making Our Approach 

Pinacles of the East Anchorage 

Anchored Behind Pinacles for Sunset 

Our first full day at Isla Isabela we took slow enjoying our morning coffee and lazing around in p.j's until we transitioned into swimsuits for the day. Even though it was hot there was a nice ocean breeze that seemed to cool things down a bit more then when closer to land. As the day heated up we took turns launching ourselves into the ocean and enjoying our wide open views as the sailboat from the night before was gone before we work up. Unlike the south anchorage which we always have gone to the east side other then the pinacles was wide open to the ocean and your view went as far as your eyes could see with nothing in the way. The mainland wasn't visible and you felt very free in the great wide open. As the day progressed we read, played cards and continued swimming until it was time to turn on the generator for the night and make dinner. It was a wonderful day. 

Morning 

Sunsetting 

Moon Rise 

We kept a close eye on the weather not really having a plan as to how long we would stay at the island but everyday looked the same - southwest swells and west winds which put us in a great position. Little did we know just how good it was until we lowered the dingy and attempted to go hike in the south anchorage and visit the birds. As we made our way towards the island and turned towards the south anchorage we saw huge breaking waves rolling into the entire anchorage and with wide eyes we quickly aborted our plan and high tailed it back to the boat. I guess there would be no hiking for us. As we made our way back to the boat the seas laid down and once again we were back in calm water that was our east anchorage. We were both a little disappointed to not hike next to the birds but were thankful and overwhelmed by how great protection we were getting. Dingy raised, bathing suits back on and Ipads in hand we repeated our perfect day from the day before. 

Sunset on the Pinacles

By our forth day at Isla Isabel and no walk for Jeff I could tell he was getting antsy. I hate to compare him to a dog that needs to be walked frequently but sometimes the description fits. We spent the day much the same as the previous three days with the addition of some exercise and laundry for me. The birds continued to be magnificent overhead and lots of time was dedicated to gazing at them. As the day progressed the talk of departure the next day started not only due to antsyness on Jeff's part but the swells from the southwest were continuing to build and in the next few days would be 7-8 feet and that didn't seem like something we wanted to mess around with so reluctantly I agreed to an a.m. departure. 

Human Spotting on Land 

Rollers Wrapping around the Island 

Sunset 

Magnificent Frigate Bird 

Full Moon Rise 

Sadly at 0600 we up-anchored and made our way to the mainland and Bandaras Bay where we planned to spend hurricane season (June-November) before making our way further south. The cruise was long and hot but otherwise uneventful and brought us turtles, dolphins, brown boobies and flying fish. We decided to anchor out in La Cruz since we had already been to the marina and boy was that a mistake. From the time we arrived at 6pm until we finally called it quits and headed into the marina at 10am we rolled like crazy nonstop. We had less roll in the middle of the ocean at Isla Isabela and both couldn't take it one more second. So without hesitation after breakfast the next morning we made our way into the marina at La Cruz. We made our rounds to the marina office and then to the port captains office and in our basin Jeff bought some freshly caught shrimp and tuna at the fish market. 

Full Moon in the Morning 

Sea Turtle 

Frigate Bird 

Fish Market 

Since we had previously been to La Cruz and it wasn't one of my favorite places I was somewhat reluctant to leave the boat. Jeff had ice cream in mind so we set out to walk around a bit. We stumbled upon a swap meet that was happening on one of downtown streets where I got a few produce items and eventually we made it to the vegan ice cream shop where Jeff got two scoops. Back at the boat we decided to walk up to the marina restaurant Peska that Jeff always wanted to try. It was sticky and hot and the restaurant was open offering little to no breeze. But even so we had a nice time and drank some wine to cheers a successful Mexico cruising season. In the morning we would make our way to Puerto Vallarta before settling in at Paradise Village. 

Church in La Cruz

Dinner at Peska 

Jeff's Dinner 

View From Dinner