Season Two on Notre Isle : San Carlos, Sonora Mexico

Sunset on our way from San Carlos to San Juanico

More work to be done in San Carlos.

November 8^th while working on the boat in the boat yard, Rick noticed that our Monitor wind vane (which steers the boat) was extremely bent out of shape and there was a huge dent on one of the stainless steel posts along with a tear. This was not good news! Especially since we cannot get parts in Mexico and to repair it would be a huge expense. This was not due to the hurricane. This was at the fault of one of the boat transporters. Our guess is that a boat was backed into the wind vane. We weren’t sure how to handle the situation. We were counting on the Marina office to not claim any responsibility, but we gave it a go anyway. We talked with the manager, he came by and took a look and right away said exactly what we were thinking, that it had been backed into by one of his driver’s. He then told us he’d send out one of the best stainless steel welders in the area and have him repair the damage (at no cost to us). We were both blown away! Within two days, the wind vane looked good as new. Rick had to do some fine-tuning to make it work smoothly which was a little tedious, but hopefully it will work just as it did last season.

Monitor WindVane…after repairs.

That same day, we were expecting our friends Margo and Robert to arrive in San Carlos. They have their boat, Nomad, parked at the same Marina that we will be in, Marina San Carlos. Well, unfortunately they were detained at the border and were delayed for a day or two. It was a case of mistaken identity for Robert and he was not allowed into Mexico. It will be a long process to correct the situation so he and Margo headed back to Santa Rosa, Ca where they plan to hopefully get things resolved and be back after Christmas. But, before they flew home, Margo was able to take a bus into Mexico and get to the boat in San Carlos for a quick overnight stay. She delivered some parts to us that we had asked her to bring and we gave her a stove of theirs that we had brought with us in the RV. After the exchange, we had a visit over at the Captain’s Table near the Marina.

The next day, we worked on getting the sails put back on and we did a lot of patching on the boat hull where blisters had formed and been removed.

Ready for paint!

It’s quite a lengthy process before you can actually paint the bottom of the boat. First, you have to dig out the blisters, which makes a big hole. Then you sand the area, wash with water and clean it out with Acetone afterwards. Then you put epoxy in each hole, which is followed up with a thickened epoxy. And when that has dried, it needs to be sanded again. THEN, the hull is washed off and left to dry and FINALLY it’s ready to paint! Rick painted the entire bottom with a roller brush and I just did the spots where the roller could not go. It took two coats, which was completed in two days.

Bottom paint complete!

On November 10^th, our friends on SV Toccata, Marilyn Gibbs and Steve Dees stopped through San Carlos on their way to Mazatlan where their boat is stored. They caravanned from the states with a friend of theirs, Mike who also has a boat in Mazatlan. We had a nice visit over at Palapa Griega overlooking the beach. Later that evening we had an early dinner at Shots at the Marina, which was very enjoyable. The sun was setting with a light breeze blowing as we sat outside overlooking the Marina and eating and listening to live guitar music.

Marilyn Gibbs and Steve Dees on S/V Toccata from Anacortes, WA

Marilyn and Steve's friend, Mike

Taj from S/V Shawnigan

Christian and Taj from S/V Shawnigan.
We knew Christian from when our Ericson was docked in
Sausalito years back.

The next day Rick did some more things on the boat that needed to be done, while I took Harley on a walk to the Bank. Due to the swift decline of the Mexican Peso we wanted to get as much cash as possible to last us for a few months at a good rate. We were not the only ones with that same thought. The ATM machines outside of the bank were lined up with other Gringo’s. So much so, they actually ran out of money. This is one of the reasons the people of Mexico are not too thrilled with us American’s, because with the Peso low, it makes things very expensive for them. But on the other hand they do like us because we spend our money here.

That night, we met up with Steve, Marilyn and Mike again. We tried out Hammer Heads for dinner also at the Marina. We had such a fun night…lots of laughs and great food! We were sad to say goodbye at the end of the evening to these three but we know we will see them somewhere along our way. At least we hope so!

The following day, Monday the 14^th, there was not much I could do on the boat; it was more of the things that Rick needed to do. So, I gathered the laundry and put it in my large camping backpack and dropped it off at the Lavanderia in the Marinaterra Hotel. From there I walked a mile and a half to the Ley Supermercado to get a few groceries. I tried to limit what we needed to save my back. Even though I cut back on purchases, my back kept hurting a little more and a little more the further I went. It was pretty hot out as well so I made a stop at a Smoothie stand along the way.

Once back to the RV at the boat yard. I emptied the backpack and then walked back towards the Ley for a hair appointment I had at 2p.m. This was about a mile walk…still hot out.

The hairstylist was not quite ready for me, which was fine. It felt great to sit down on a soft comfortable couch and wait in the air-conditioned salon.

A half an hour later, it was my turn! Oh boy! I’d been hearing such good things about this hairstylist that I had such high hopes for what the result would be. The color process went well. I asked for highlights, but she told me in the best English she knew how that she was going to color all of it. It turned out pretty good. Then it was time for the cut. I told her in the best Spanish I knew how that I wanted it the same, as it currently is, just shorter. She nodded as if she understood. Next thing I knew she takes out a razor blade and starts cutting my hair with it. I was mortified! But thought well…maybe it might be ok so I crossed my fingers and did not interrupt her. She was really trying hard to style it afterwards to make it look like I had more hair than was left. She asked me as she took the cape off, “you like?” She looked so pleased with her work and I didn’t have the heart to say, no… not really, so I told her she was an artist! She took that as a compliment, smiled and brushed off what was left of my hair onto the floor. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough and to turn the corner and put my baseball cap on! It was a quick walk home because I was walking as fast as I could cursing at myself for getting my haircut to begin with. As soon as I got to the RV, I ran inside and went straight to the bathroom, wetted my hair down and broke out the blow dryer and flat iron. Oh….and also a pair of scissors (one side was slightly longer than the other). I fiddled around for quite some time. I was in a hurry to fix my hair before Rick came back to see me. I knew he would for sure leave me at the docks for sure once he laid eyes on me.

I was hoping to have a haircut like this...

Just as I finished re-doing my hair, Rick walked into the RV with his usual wert whirl whistle (he does this every time I get my hair done. Sometimes before he even sees it. I guess in a past life someone really got on his case for not noticing a new hairdo). Anyway, when he really took a good look at it, he said, “it’s not THAT bad”. Then he told me I looked like the actress, Linda Hunt. Ha Ha.

After that fiasco, I walked back to the Hotel Marinaterra to pick up the laundry. Our clothes, sheets and towels smelled so nice and were folded neatly and then packaged all together in an airtight plastic bag. Then I walked back with a fully weighted down backpack back to the RV.

While I was gone, Rick finished painting the boat bottom, finished fixing the wind vane and some other things that needed fixing.

That night we decided to go to Hammerheads for dinner. We both shared a Pizza, which was quite good!

The next day Rick finally decided to get to a doctor for the stomach pains he’d been having on and off for the last couple of days. The pains were so bad at times that it forced him to double over. So, I called a doctor that was referred to us from one of the boat brokers at the Marina, and got Rick right in.

The doctor was very knowledgeable and explained everything so clearly in English. He really took his time and was very thorough before diagnosing. He just seemed to think Rick came across some bad salsa or something (in case you didn’t know, they “recycle” the salsa at some restaurants here…and you are likely to pick up something that way. So the doctor prescribed Rick some antibiotics and off we went.

Boat yard dog, Pinto, who came to visit Harley daily.

On the 16^th of November, we did a little more painting on the boat bottom, put up our wind curtains and the Dodger. We also went into the Marina office and made a reservation to have our boat put back into the water the following day. It was time!

Captain Kirk from S/V Due West came to assist!

This sweet man helps grab lines to pull boats into the water.
He ties the rope around his body and leans and pulls the lines.

Getting Notre Isle ready for travel over to the Marina

Notre Isle being taken to the Marina

Rick and Kirk

Maryalice and Kirk

The 17^th we “splashed!” Notre Isle was put back into the water and we motored her over to a slip on A dock with our friend Kirk on standby in his dinghy in case we needed help getting into the slip (Notre Isle does not turn on a dime…she’s quite heavy!). Once at the dock we worked all day cleaning the topsides and down below, removing all unnecessary items and then putting on all of the things we needed that we brought from home.

In the evening we decided to spend a little time on the boat and watch a movie just to sort of get used to being on the boat again. After the movie was over, we walked back to the RV only I was having trouble walking. I was trying to walk in a straight line, but my body had a mind of it’s own and was pushing me to the left. Rick said I looked like a drunken sailor and he escorted me back to the RV. I felt wonky up on my feet, so went to bed right away.

Harley feeling glad to be back on the boat and assuming her usual position.

The next morning I woke up feeling fine and walking normally. Thank goodness! We still had a lot more work and organizing to get done.

The “water lady” came and brought us 24 jugs of water, 19 liters each or 5 Gallons. Her boyfriend/employee and she would carry the jugs to our boat, and I would open them and Rick would pour them into our water tank. As my mom used to say, “many hands make light work”. I wouldn’t say it was light…but it did make the job easier.

Later that night after getting all cleaned up, we went out to dinner to Sunset Bar and Grill located at Algodones Beach in San Carlos with our boat buddies. Heidi & Kirk from SV Due West, Kimi & Trevor from SV Slow Flight and Don Diel from SV Wind Charmer and Chris & Liz from Espiritu. The restaurant was really cool! Not only was location spectacular, the décor, ambiance and food were amazing! And of course the group of people we were with made it very fun!

Liz from S/V Espiratu and Heidi from S/V Due West

Don Diel from S/V Windcharmer and Trevor from S/V Slow Flight

Kimi from S/V Slow Flight, me, Heidi and liz

Rick, Kirk, Chris from S/V Espiritu, Trevor and Don

Sunset at Sunset Grill

Next night was spent at the RV Park to recharge batteries and use water etc. Right next door to the RV Park a wedding reception was going on which meant lots of loud music till the wee hours of the morning! Somehow we slept through it better than usual.

Sunday the 20^th was the day we ran errands in the RV and eventually dropped it off at the RV & Boat storage. From there, Rodolfo (the caretaker), drove us in what he calls his “limo” …a red ’75 Volkswagen Bug, back to the Marina.

So now…we are down to only one place to live. Even though we are confined to smaller quarters, it’s actually a lot simpler.

As you may remember, we were headed to Bahia Concepcion yesterday, November 21. But a couple things interfered with those plans. The main issue was the weather. The high winds and waves came a day early and we didn’t want to get caught out in an uncomfortable sail! Secondly mid-morning, I started my drunken sailor walk again and figured I’d better get to a doc and figure out what’s going on. Kimi was kind enough to chauffeur us.

After the doctor visit, I had to take it easy so I got comfortable on the couch where Rick joined me for a marathon of Damages drama series.

Highly recommend this Drama Series! Glen Close is incredible in this!

Tuesday the 22^nd, I woke up feeling pretty good, but took it slow just to be safe.

While eating our fruit and yogurt, we listened to the Cruisers Net on the VHF at 8:00 a.m. We heard that the President of Mexico and the Governor of the State would be in the area tomorrow between 9-3p.m. and that all movement in the Marina would be prohibited. So, basically no one can come into the Marina or leave it. That would explain the large truck full of Marines that have been here for the last few days making themselves known by planting themselves in different spots around the Marina. They are dressed in full combat gear, holding their assault rifles (FX-05’s) and probably carrying 30lbs of ammo in their vests. Each time we have walked by we say, “hola” or “buenas dias” and their reply is usually the same. Always friendly. One day, things got a little friendlier than I would like though. I happened to walk into the ladies restroom, opened the stall door and to my complete surprise there was a male marine sitting on the toilet with his knees exposed, pants piled up around his ankles, and looking at his phone! A loud, “OOPS!” was the first thing out of my mouth as I quickly shut the stall door and ran out of the bathroom! I was completely embarrassed and waited outside for him to leave before going in again. As he left the bathroom he made no eye contact with me or me with him! We were both way too embarrassed!

Later this afternoon I took Harley for a walk to the Marinaterra Beach Club so she could get a good swim in. Once we got there and Harley was swimming around, I looked further out and saw a school of Dolphin swimming, leaping and playing in the water!

Thanksgiving is in a couple of days and the good thing about having to stay here is that there is a big Thanksgiving Feast at one of the restaurants here at the Marina. We will be joining some of our friends at one big table and will be surrounded by lots of other boaters. It will be a nice way to spend Thanksgiving.…second best to a Thanksgiving with family.