Can't find it, grind it

After backing out of Mazatlan Marina around 4 pm, playing a game of chicken with a shipping freighter around 9 pm, and sailing through the darkest of nights, we came to arrive at Isla Isabella. A tiny island located about 90 miles south of Mazatlan. This was to be our home for the next few days, during which time we found our selves enamored by the natural beauty and rhythm of the place. We could not have asked for better weather, as the only intermission of the suns rays came when a group of birds tightened their circles in the sky, creating a sort of winged cloud, which would blot out the sun momentarily. Most of our days where spent hiking and exploring the island, watching the birds soar effortlessly with the wind, and swimming in the crystal clear waters of bahia tiburonitos! During breakfast and throughout the day, we were also fortunate enough to see some gigantic humpback whales playfully teaching their young how to catch some serious air!

Though this spot is known to be an “anchor eater”, due to the huge volcanic rocks that lie a wait to swallow your anchor on the sea floor. We experienced no such trouble until the last day when the wind shifted directions from North to South, and our anchor dragged towards shore and some of the chain became entangled. As the boat rocked, all we could hear was a deafening sound of anchor and chain grinding against razor sharp volcanic rock. After making it through dinner, without being able to hear ourselves chew, we decided to prepare Mer-Sea for departure at once, as we felt it better to sail all the way through the night for Matanchen Bay, then stay and risk having our anchor, and possibly us!

It took us about 15 minutes of tugging and positioning the boat so that we could untangle the chain and retrieve the anchor, and then we were off. Colleen safely navigated us out of the bay, avoiding the many submerged rocks, which hid just beneath the surface. By 11 pm we where clear of the submerged hazards and in open water, although there was no way for us to know exactly what hazards would be waiting just beneath our feet at Matanchen Bay. Vamos a la Bahia Matanchen!!

Too many boards on the dance floor...

The entire time I have been cruising, people have been astounded by the fact the I was traveling with 6 surfboards on my Catalina 27. I would jokingly insist that this was a surfing vessel first. But now that Colleen is in it to win it ;) we have certainly out done ourselves this time! Mer-Sea is now equipped with 11 (eleven) surfboards, adding about 65 feet of foam for increased buoyancy!!!

For those interested, we have provided a list of our current quiver below, accompanied by a picture. Viva la stoke!

M&C's current quiver:

·      2 x 5’7” Bamburger (quad/thruster)

·      5’8” Kane Garden (twin/thruster)

·      5’8” Move or Die (thruster)

·      5’8” Mark Richards (glass on twin fin)

·      5”10” Doc (single fin)

·      6’0” Firewire (thruster)

·      6’2” Rusty (thruster)

·      6’4” Firewire (thruster)

·      6’10” Hawaiian (semi gun)

·       7’2” Pro Circuit (semi gun)

Home for the holidays!

Being together for the holidays was wonderful! It was very nice spending time with family and friends as well. With the holidays behind us, Marc’s interview with the Coast Guard completed, and all my ties cut, we were ready to get back to Mexico and get under way.  On our return to Mazatlan, we were pleased to find the Mer-Sea was just as Marc had left her, what a relief. With some rest and relaxation to be had on our parts and a bit of provisioning to get ready to move, we ended up spending a few extra days at the dock, in the Fonatur Marina of Mazatlan.

One priority during some R&R was to get back to playa camaron to procure some more fresh ostiones! This time we were hoping to score enough to bring back to the marina maintenance crew, with hopes that they would teach us how to make their famed ceviche, which Marc had sampled previous to his return to the States. So onto the bus we hopped and headed out on our mission. Upon reaching the spot we had previously scored at, we were appalled to find no divers in the water. A black cloud rains on our parade! We would not give up so easily though and by following a hunch, we scaled across dry reef to have a look around the corner. BAM!!! There they were in all there glory, teams of divers in the water and the shuckers’ lying await on the beach, OH GLORIOUS DAY!  In order to celebrate our discovery, we hustled to a tienda to purchase a Ballenon. Upon returning to the beach we began negotiations for the purchase of 40 oysters!

Once the deal was made we hustled up to the bus stop, and after a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up the rest of the necessary items on our list for the ceviche, we returned to the Marina greeted by smiling faces at the gate. Elu, the head of security, taught Marc how to shuck, while I helped chop the rest of the ingredients.

The final product was a refreshing mix of oyster, cucumber, onion, tomato, lots of lime, salt, and our favorite habanero hot sauce! It was the best Ceviche we have ever had!!! Chased with several ice cold tecates equals a good way to induce an afternoon siesta!

To grandmothers house he goes...

5 am - Waking up on the boat this morning had an unusually sad underlying tone, as it would be the last day, for a while, that we would be wished "Good Morning" by our little buddy, Torch! After loading up our friends car (thanks Claire), with all the travel gear we had purchased the day before, we set off for John Wayne Airport. Having never sent an animal by plane before, we were both unfamiliar and therefore slightly apprehensive about leaving Torch in the care of the airlines.

Upon reaching the parking structure, Torch may or may not have helped himself to a bit of doggy tranquilizer, which is typically against airline policy. Bad dog. ;)
 
After getting Torch loaded into his kennel, which was equipped with two layers of padding, his favorite mexican blanket, a chew toy, one pig ear treat, and Colleen's shirt, we marched on through the John Wayne Terminal towards the American Airline ticket counter. 

Upon reaching the counter, Colleen noted how nice the ladies of American Airlines looked. This observation turned out to be spot on, as our time spent checking Torch in for his first flight was quite pleasant. Connie, and the rest of the staff were super stars.




They were so nice helping us get Torch's Kennel tagged and marked properly for airline travel. The tremendous attention to detail and comfort for Torch, certainly gave us the reassurance we needed, knowing that little Torch would be well looked after during his journey to Grandma's house! 

The End.