Work!

Well, I think the blogging is going to slow down a bit. Karin is already flying again, and I'll probably start working this weekend. It will take a little while to get the sailing kitty healthy again, but it is good to see friends. We a have a list of projects around the house, and on the boat, that will keep us busy for a while!
 The sewing machine is being repaired; we bought 16 yds. of marine vinyl to make new cushion covers for the boat. After that, we'll start looking at getting a watermaker, and re-plumbing our fresh water system. Our favorite; and.... and,.. and!

Scottsdale

We are finally in the house in Scottsdale! We made our first trip back to the boat yesterday; she has been bombarded by seagulls, but other than that, everything was o.k. We needed to get some things off the boat; clothes, pots and pans, the TV, and other things to make life on land a little more comfortable.

Back to our crossing from Refugio! Whew! That was exciting; about a half an hour out of the anchorage, we set sail, and boom! Fish on! We caught a beautiful Yellowtail; we still have alot of fish, so, it was his lucky day. The sailing was good, but, the predicted southeasterlies were more from the south, and the swell was slightly southwest, making for a rolly start. The wind increased, so we furled the genoa, and put in the first reef on the mainsail. Now the swell was increasing, with large breaking whitecaps; Karin suggested we go for the second reef. I agreed. With lifevest and safety harness on, I went forward to put in the reef. The conditions were getting rough, but, I thought we were doing all the right things. Karin was wondering if we should turn back; that didn't seem like a good option, as we would have to bash against the wind and seas for several hours.
 As I completed the reef, and headed aft, I looked at Karin on the wheel, with a six foot wave behind her; and surfing across the wave, was a large shark! I wish I had a picture!
A few minutes, or hours, passed, and the conditions weren't getting any better. As we descended into a trough, we did a small accidental jibe. Unfortunately, it was enough to foul the mainsail on the rigging. We're done! Start the motor, drop the sails,and ride it out, the rest of the way to Rocky Point. Motoring was less stressful, but still uncomfortable. Things were crashing in the cabin, it was difficult to stay on course, and it was getting dark. It was going to be a long night! We had planned our trip to arrive at high tide, but we were going too fast. After reducing the throttle, to adjust our arrival time; we decided  that we would just have to anchor outside of the harbor, in the dark!
 A few hours later, we headed into the harbor. Our slip wasn't ready, so we aimed for the first open one we saw. My least graceful docking so far. I bumped the dock, just enough to break the pvc water line, and send a plume of water flying into the air. Oh well, we made it!

We got the dogs off the boat and headed for a hotel. Air conditioning! A few days of rest, some good meals, and walking the dogs. ( Gypsy has made a miraculous recovery!?)

A few trips to the boat to get her ready for marina life, and we'll be on our way to Arizona. Now, she's tied up for the summer, and we'll be making trips down to day sail, and make improvements for the next leg of the journey!

Puerto Refugio to Puerto Penasco

Internet has been a challenge lately! We did have an exciting crossing; the forecast winds were 13-19. Weighing anchor for the last time in a while, we thought we were set for the 104 mile crossing. A few hours later we were rolling through 3 to 6 foot, breaking chop, with a solid 25 knot wind. No pictures from that part, but Refugio was  fantastic! People gave us a 30 lb. Yellowtail, sashimi, and Karin's Sushi rolls!

More on the crossing once we get settled in Scottsdale and internet.  Anyone want a house in a great location near old town in Scottsdale?  It's for sale!

Eloy, Arizona

It's been a while since the last post. Due to an unexpected downturn  with Gypsie's health; we came back early. Flyin Sideways is safely tied up in Rocky Point, and we're back in Arizona to start getting ready for the next chapter.... Panama, and Costa Rica by March!? We'll see.....

Puerto Penasco it is!

Karin wrote:

The next day (June 18) I headed out with the Toyota to Rocky Point. (we get much grief from other cruisers for not calling it Puerto Penasco, but we're from Arizona and it's Rocky Point...sorry.) I was thrilled to see Sonora doing so well.  Lots of infrastructure being built, new roads, lots of farming, alot more gas stations and Santa Ana was booming with new stores and new buildings. So nice to see after 30 years of driving this road. They are growing grapes,olive trees and carrots down here all over the place! No more mile after mile of barren land. Desalinization has been a great step for Mexico.

Getting in to Rocky Point it was the same ol' place that I have always loved. I went straight to Mary's for a margarita and shrimp ceviche.  I sat next to the kitchen at the same table I have always sat, even though they have expanded to a huge deck upstairs where everyone goes for the view. While sitting there I noticed a woman watching t.v. in the corner. It was the same woman I have seen in there since I started coming here. I asked her if she was Mary. She said yes and we started a conversation, she practicing her english and me practicing my spanish and having fun correcting each other and talking about life in general. I wish I would have taken some photos but the margaritas had taken effect.

Found the marina where we are going to leave the boat and parked the car in their protected lot, and got a hotel room.  The next morning I awoke to cable t.v. and started to watch the Today show.  The announcement was "In our next segment we will be discussing whether or not to wave at other bikers / joggers and the implications!"  T.V. off.....Walter Cronkite must be turning in his grave.  I love our no media/marketing boat life.

Back in Guaymas and ready to get back out to the sea.

Guaymas

Things change. Our plan was o.k., but at the last minute, Karin found out that she didn't need to be on the ferry with the car, they would unload it and we could pick it up! That evening we cast off for Guaymas; just south of San Carlos. We had a beautiful night motoring and the Milky Way was incredible, We also saw some great shooting stars! Our watches were 3 hrs., and they passed without incident; except, at about 2 in the morning. Karin woke me from a very sound sleep, to inform me that our Radar reflector had come off, and was dragging along side the boat. Luckily, it didn't go into the prop, and I recovered it using a boathook. Whew!

Sunrise, and we're a couple of hours from Guaymas. Later in the morning, we saw several whales, and I saw a  7 ft. Sailfish launch itself out of the water three times. Awesome! Then, a Pelican swooped over the cockpit, did a 270, and landed on our dinghy. That was cool, he stayed there, posing and preening, enjoying a break. We had to see what Jack would do, so we approached slowly, and.... they just stared at each other. Jack didn't bark; I think he was too confused.

Getting into the harbor in Guaymas is tricky. There are several small islands on the approach, with shoals and rocks to avoid. This is the 2nd largest port on the west coast of Mexico. Some cargo ships were at the dock as we entered, and made our way to the marina.

Karin got us checked in, and picked up the car from the ferry. Then we packed up the dogs and took a drive to San Carlos. Karin has been going there for years, and we've been there together, so it was familiar.

Close to Marina Real, is the Soggy Peso Bar. We asked the waiter if it was o.k. to bring in the dogs. Fine, no problem. Gypsy walks in, and poohs right there! We always have a bag, so , no problem... we relaxed, had a margarita, and some ceviche, We're always trying to figure out our  "plan"; what we've learned, is that things just work out how they will!

We have a plan!

For now at least.  I (Karin) am going to take the Toyota on the ferry to San Carlos tomorrow night.  Joe is going to singlehand the boat 74 miles to San Carlos and I will then continue on with the car to Rocky Point and find a marina, leave the car and take a bus back to San Carlos. We will set off island exploring until the middle of July and then park the boat in Rocky Point and head back to the house in Scottsdale to put it up for sale. In Sept. we'll. return to the boat and head towards Costa Rica. Whew!