After laundry, provisioning (Costco trip), and refueling we set our sights on Mazatlan. Cabo is a very busy harbor due to sport fishing. Many boats are for hire and leaving the port can be like trying to get on the freeway during rush hour in LA. Needless to say tensions were running high. Debbie and I managed to maneuver Sosiego out of the slip and past the extremely expensive yachts while moving into the fishing boat and sightseeing traffic without any untoward contact. Once out of the harbor we set our main sail and pointed the bow north for Los Frailes. A beautiful anchorage north of Cabo and in line with Mazatlan. Unfortunately the afternoon winds picked up just as we were trying to round the point and we were driven back to Cabo to anchor for the night. Our Ray Marine tiller pilot broke when we were unceremoniously tossed sideways off a short steep sea. I have a back up but there was no use pressing the issue. Back to Cabo we ran and anchored near the beach for the night. The following morning we hauled anchor and pointed the bow east for Mazatlan. The wind was fair so we set Mr. Sulu the wind vane and shapped a coarse towards the east. I love being at sea in these conditions when the boat steers herself and the wind is fair. Debbie and I alternate informal watches during the day as long as one of us is keeping a look out, napping when we can. After dinner we begin formal watch schedule for the night. We both love the last shift just before sun rise because it is truly magical.
Midway to the mainland coast we encountered what I believe to be frigate birds or young boobies. Two decided to catch a free ride on Sosiego and after several attempts landed on the end of our bow sprit and pointed the way to land. At this time the wind started to freshen and the waves steepen. Not too crazy but definitely spicy. Sosiego handles it with grace. We tucked in a second reef and rolled in some jib until she was balanced. We were making good time. As we closed the cost the wind and seas continued to freshen. I will concede that at this point my planning was less than stelar. I know that afternoon winds build along the Mexican coast and do not abate till after midnight. We headed for Stone anchorage just south of the entrance to Mazatlan and I had to hand steer due to the confused wave state. We reached the Anchorage without incident and dropped the hook in about 15 feet of water. We relaxed a moment and went to bed thinking about the tricky entrance to the marina.
In the morning we had a leisurely breakfast and we congratulated ourselves on another successful crossing of the sea of Cortez. We pulled up the anchor with our two speed manual windless and secured (catted) the anchor. We timed our passage into the narrow channel leading to the marina with a rising slack tide. Soon we were tied to the dock at Mazatlan marina our home for the next month. A fellow cruiser gave us the heads up on a conservation turtle release program that we could go participate in for a small donation. Excited we packed a bag and met them at the pick up point. Our transportation was a converted Volkswagen into an open air taxi with bench seats. When we arrived at the release sight we all filed down to the beach and the local conservation naturalist gave directions for the release. We could not touch them with our hands and were all given bowls to hold our turtle. Check out these photos and if you need more follow the link to Youtube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ret2XYoHVhk
The fun didn’t stop there. Oh no we arrived in time to watch Carnival on the Malecon off the beach in Mazatlan. From my observation the Mexican people take their parades very seriously. Debbie and I decided to take public transit down town and view this spectacle from one of the beach side resorts. On a temporary porch built structure just above the action we were seated for the show. Food and drink were provided for a small fee. The buffet was a free for all of tasty Mexican dishes and treats. The pool was open and it was obvious we were late for the party due to traffic jams. The sheer number of participants and observers was staggering. I really don’t think any one in Mazatlan was at home. Even the Navy was cruising back and forth just off the beach.
Well this raps up this episode of Sosiego at sea. We venture inland to Guadalupe but I have no video or pictures from that trip. We again used public transit, (Bus). The luxury of the bus system in Mexico is awesome with that rivaling airline travel. Reclining seats. foot rests, AC, power for devices and in some cases on board movies. Next stop? Chacala and beyond.