December ‘98

*Additional notes may appear in italics after my mom’s initial journal entries.
A ladybug means you should check the comments at the bottom of the page to see what Mom has chimed in on after reading these!

December 1, Tuesday

It was a slow, lazy day. Clouds moved in last night s another front is headed our way. It ended up being cool all day. John cleaned the water maker and got it all ready to go.
Around 2 pm we headed in to Gibson’s and town – I was gonna drive, but there were no breaks in the van. John put break fluid in and in real low gears we made it – John drove though. Tomorrow’s project is fix the breaks.

December 2, Wednesday

John got a ride back from Guaymas where he left the van to have the breaks fixed. They have to order a new master cylinder. Then he spent the morning building a compartment for a CD player that Steve, Blue Chablis, gave us.
Kathy and Jeff, Abo___, brought their laptop computer over for Samie to play some games on most of the day.
The wind started blow’en sometime last night and blew hard and cold all day. I baked cinnamon rolls to warm the place up.

December 3, Thursday
San Carlos

It started blow’en early again today. John worked on getting the tape deck and CD player again – CD works fine.
The van still isn’t done. John washed the decks down and she’s shin’en pretty. He also put lemon pledge on the isinglass for the cockpit canvas to shine them up. The bees really liked that sweet smell. For the most part the bees have not been around as much – but the flies are out in full force.

December 4, Friday

We had a light south breeze today and flat seas out there. We did get the van back today – new master cylinder and fix a tire that had a nail in it - $100 (U.S.).
We got stocked up and ready to head out tomorrow. We stopped by Gibson’s for a while then met them at the palapa for happy hour and on to Tequila’s for dinner – late night; it was 11 pm when we got home.

Ddecember 5, Saturday

Well, weather, of course, is not favorable this a.m., it’s breez’en up from the north early and cloudy. It was a real yuk of a day. Cold, 15-20k all day! I think everyone pretty much stayed down below today. John did this and that, Samie did some of her testing and I finished a book.
It’s baked chicken and rice tonight – if only to warm it up down below.

December 6, Sunday

Windy, windy – although it did calm down in the afternoon and all night and it was a little warmer. John waxed on the boat. Samie watched movies – John and I found Bill and Trish at Mike and Pat’s. We hung out there for a while. After dinner they all came over for a bit.
I put up the Christmas lights today. As long as we are dockside, I can have the Christmas spirit all the time.

December 7, Monday

Wind started early – cold. The weather reports per the HAM radio are 40k from the north on the La Paz – Mazatlan crossing. NO THANKS!! Snow in Alpine, even on the mountains around Phoenix and Tucson!
Bill and Trish left for Pinetop this morning.

December 8, Tuesday
25k+

We’ve been wondering where the Christina is these days.
This morning was calm and started to get slightly on the warm side – until the wind kicked in – AGAIN! The nasty ‘ole north wind is blowing all the cold stuff down here. I heard it was 38° for a low here at 7:30 am - 50° here and 55° in Mazatlan, so not a lot warmer there.
I’ve been doing all the cooking down below – pretty much impossible on the BBQ in the wind – besides, it warms it up down here.

December 9, Wednesday

Another 20-knot day!
John stays as busy as possible outside until it gets too cold. Then he stays busy down below. Today he was in the engine room changing the cable ties and cleaning all the wires and hoses – he is one bored guy.
We sure are thankful for the canvas that goes up around the cockpit. It’s keeping this nasty wind out – coming right at us from behind – and the sun warms it up ever so slightly. It gets up to 76° or so and is fairly nice. We call it our “Arizona room”.
We had Abientot, Jeff and Kathy and Steve, Blue Chablis over for happy hour.
Danielle called, all is well.

December 10, Thursday

It blew off and on all last night. Two years ago when we left San Carlos so late in the year – it was on the 10th. That year we managed to always move on calm enough days and then be stuck on anchor watch for 3 days. This year seems to have been blowing without any breaks in between.
Wow! John found a small space heater up under Samie’s bunk – it’s nice, warm and toasty in here. We have the entryway doors and splash boards up to keep the heat in and it is nice in here. Blew 20+ knots all afternoon, 7 pm and it’s down to 12k – for now.

December 11, Friday

It blew off and on during last night. BUT the day was beautiful! Very light 5k breeze and warm! Warm enough to wear shorts and no socks!! We are once again stocked up and ready to leave tomorrow.
Once while I was out soaking up the warm rays, a bee – also out by the dozens today – got me right on the throat.
It was nice enough to BBQ tonight, steak and also shrimp cocktail, yum.

December 12, Saturday

Ready again and still here! I swear this wind thing is getting real old! It blew off and on through the night – morning was calm and warm until around noon! 20+k and cold again. Some days we don’t even have to buy ice because the temps aren’t warm enough.
Roger and Dareon came across for the Baja today in 25-30k. Stop. They broke a reef line and did not have fun. Another boat left here headed south and blew out their main. Glad I’m tied to a dock.
I killed at least 40 flies down below today and that was with the entry way closed off.
Jeff and Kathy, Abientot and Steve, Blue Chablis and us went to Tequila’s for dinner.

December 13, Sunday

Once again – it looks like tomorrow! Where have I heard that before? It wasn’t too bad though, we went into Mike and Pat’s but I don’t think it got over 15 in the marina, so it should have calmed down out there some. The weather channel is showing goof through Wednesday – let’s hope.

December 14, Monday

Wow! We made it out of San Carlos! Cut those dock lines at 11:30 am. John left the van at Bill and Trisha’s house again this season. Abientot, Jeff and Kathy left with us. It was a light north for the remainder of the day, with a following – confused sea! I had such a bad headache that the sloppy seas made me lose my lunch several times! Wow, I don’t know how anyone that is always sea sick does that – it’s awful. At dark, the seas laid down some and the breeze switched off to a 10k southerly. Go figure a “noserly” going south!
I felt better by morning.

December 15, Tuesday
Agua Verde

We were just off of Isla Carmen at sun up – continued on around the north end and into Agua Verde; nice ride, but long. I always forget how long those overnight passages are. We anchored at 1:30 pm – 26 hours total. Had showers and sat in the 90° warm sunshine; felt wonderful!!
Jeff and Kathy came over for happy hour. Nice, quiet night.

Deccember 16, Wednesday

We left Agua Verde at 8 am headed for Evaristo or Isla San Francsisco, which ever. We had a light east – of all things. In the center of San Jose Channel, we only had 10k north – straight behind us – calm for there.
There is a low parked over the Yuma area – unusual for winter – which is keeping the northers at bay – OK by us!
Today was an 8-hour day, long but nice. We anchored at Isla San Francisco at 4:30 pm.
We left San Carlos with 3 bags of ice and will still have a half bag when we get to La Paz – that’s a first and a fast trip.
The only sea life we have seen at all was 4 or 5 of the big dolphins swimming under our bow – once again a beautiful highlight. Nice, peaceful night.

December 17, Thursday
La Paz

We left Isla San Fransisco at 7:30 am, made our way with 0-5k of breeze all the way into Marina Palmira, where we got fuel at 2:0 pm. 61 gallons, %586 pesos. We were anchored in La Paz at 3 pm. What an unusual experience – anchoring in here without 20-30k of wind blowing. How nice!
I called Rosa at Cruise Quarters – but she left today for Canada; talked to Blair.
We went into the Dock for dinner. Nice night.

December 18, Friday

Peaceful night. Light 10-12k north breeze, we waltzed a little, but not bad.
John worked on an oil leak while Samie and I did 3 loads of laundry.
Goon called; Dave, Dan’s twin, had another heart attack and surgery last Wednesday. She’s pretty upset. We have heard that Christina, Tom and crew are still in Mazatlan waiting for a part.

December 19, Saturday

This a.m. is calm as ever in La Paz (Bay of Peace). No wind to ruffle the surface and I can see the bottom 17 feet down.
Oh, last night there was a parade of lights, only 5 boats, but cool. Even though we’ve had the Christmas lights a while – don’t turn ‘em on at anchor – so Samie got out the other decorations and I got out the tree. It can ride in the drink holder just fine for the ride down to La Cruz and Christmas.
John worked on putting a fiberglass patch in the back bilge, where it had worn loose, I guess. He had patched it after the cutlass went out 2 years ago. So anyway, we were here in La Paz again. It doesn’t matter what it is – we always end up in La Paz longer than planned.
Samie went to shore to see Mia from Imoni (sp) that she met 2 years ago in La Cruz.
it was warm today as long as you stayed out of the breeze. Only 5k, but cold. I was so bored that I baked chocolate chip cookies. That’s bored for me!!

December 20, Sunday
La Paz

Well --- we are still in La Paz! We did leave at 6:45 am – even had dolphins in the channel going out. We were just entering the San Lorenzo Channel when Tom gave the weather forecast. A front is moving through tonight or tomorrow, then northerlies building all week. Our options were being stuck in Los Muertos or La Paz for Christmas. So we headed back to La Paz and had the hook back down at 11:45 am. Oh well – Jeff and Kathy, Abientot, will be here tomorrow – that’s good.
We just had the anchor down 10 minutes or so when Barb and Richard Flores called. It was so good to hear their voices – miss them a lot. They are going to the Valley to Jeremy’s for Christmas.
It only blew 10k, warm and cloudy.
There was another light parade tonight.

December 21, Monday
La Paz

Really cloudy all day today. Abientot came in today, they anchored for an hour, then went into a dock. John went to town to check in. I took Samie in to the Dock and she met Gabrial, Mutton Noir. They took the shuttle to Marina Palmira. Then, she shuttled back at 5 pm. John and I visited with Jeff and Kathy at the Dock for a while. Back on the boat around 2 pm, the wind picked up and the anchorage is waltzing. Four wonderful days in a peaceful bay was nice while it lasted. Two boats had anchored a little close and almost bumped up – 5 pm, the tide turned and we are now sitting with the wind and current in the same direction. At midnight, when it turns again – I sure do hope the wind is only 5k and not this 15-20k!!
Chelle called, they are going to Rick’s mom’s in Snowflake for Christmas. Talked to Schyler – miss him!
It blew 10-15k all night, but no more waltzing. John slept after about 10 pm – I was up until 2:30 am. Just a worry wart.

December 22, Tuesday

Still cloudy in the morning, but cleared out by afternoon. John was right yesterday when he guessed this was a low sitting over us. It sure is taking its sweet time to move on out. Frailes and Cerveo Channels had 40 plus knots yesterday – so glad we came back here. We were supposed to get on an end-tie today, but the huge boat is still there. The crew does have to leave tomorrow, though, to pick up the owner in Loreto. He’s Mexican and owns Isla Carmen.
John stays busy with anything he can find to do. Today he did the windows! Samie and I are bored crazy and pretty much at each other’s throats!
We did spend a couple hours at Abientot, on the bouncy dock. It’s blown 10-20k all day again.
John has the anchor watch alarm on the GPS turned on. It’s pretty cool – gives us a drawing of our waltzing. Didn’t know we moved that much.
One good thing about here – we left the flies and bees in San Carlos.

December 23, Wednesday
La Paz

No, this wind is not from a front or a low – it’s just a yucky ‘ole north blow. It was fairly calm – 10k until around 3 pm – and that blasted big power boat didn’t leave the dock until 4 pm – by then, it was blow’en 20k. At least it was sunny.
Samie spent a few hours – after school – in at Abientot. Her and I are really at each other.
It blew all night long.

December 24, Thursday

Christmas Eve – and we’re all trying to make the best of being on the anchor – when there’s an empty dock waiting. It’s howling at 20-25k today, how pleasant! Ha! Ha! – or should that be, Ho, Ho, Ho!
Bill and Trisha Gibson called; no snow and no business at the restaurant.
Samie and I went to CCC with Jeff and Kathy this a.m. I had to get off the boat before I went nuts. We found canned ham for dinner tomorrow. I still have yams frfom San Carlos – so we’ll get candied sweet potatoes. I truly hope we are dockside for that. Although they are predicting this 20-30k for the next 2 or 3 days – oh, lovely! Cold and cloudy, too. Not too bad through the night, but I couldn’t sleep very well.

December 25, Friday
La Paz

Merry Christmas

It was an off and on morning – 10k then 20-25k within 5 minutes. We let Samie open her gifts about 9 am. We finally decided to go for it (the dock) – engine won’t start. So, start the gen-set, change battery, start engine! We ran it for 40 minutes or so and finally hauled in the anchor. John has learned to do amazing things with the boat and marinas. We are tied to the outside dock. With the wind 20-25k and the strong tide both going against us (in our face), we slid right in. It was a little tense when the front line came untied from the boat, but we got it back ok.
Next, the spring line came off the boat, easy enough to grab again. Jeff, Kathy and the 2 fellows on the tri in front of us helped grab our lines. It is rougher here than on the hook, but don’t have to be on watch. John washed the boat down – Samie watched cable T.V. I started the candied sweet potatoes on their slow cook.
Jeff and Kathy came over for dinner at 3 pm – ham, 2 kinds of potatoes, broccoli, homemade rolls and cookies. Best Christmas dinner since we’ve been down here.
The wind finally calmed down to 5-10k around 4 pm and stayed calm all night.

December 26, Saturday

Man, did I ever sleep good last night! John adjusted the valves and retorqued the head. Samie, Kathy and I walked down town so Samie could spend some of her Christmas money, $400 pesos. She bought a dress, hat and nail polish, which all were on sale. The wind only got up to 15-18k a couple hours in the afternoon. The 5 of us walked up town for ice cream after dinner.
We called Schyler, he got a puppy for Christmas, named her Pouy. He was trying to say Feliz Navidad, so cute. Miss that kid!

December 27, Sunday

It was calm all morning, the tide went slack at 11 am, so we moved the boat again. We can stay here as long as we need or want. Right after we moved, the wind kicked up 15k.
Jeff, Kathy, John and I tried to find a T.V. with the Az Cardinals game on – no luck.
The days lately have been warm at 84°, but the nights are a cool 55°.

December 28, Monday

John replaced 2 bad batteries today, $265 U.S.
Not much else went on today. 15-20k here, Partida had gusts to 45k.

December 29 30, Wednesday
- Somewhere I missed a day. –

John changed the oil, we went up to The Penthouse for burgers, beers and the Holiday Bowl game – U of A 23 / Nebraska 20, although we didn’t watch the game that closely, we were visiting.

December 31, Thursday

John polished this and that. He fixed a shrimp cocktail for the last 1998 sunset.
Jeff and Kathy brought her mom and dad by to see our boat.
Beautiful, warm, calm day.