Twenty-five days in Mexico

Yes, we've managed to survive for some twenty-five days now at the Cruiseport Marina in Ensenada.  We haven't been doing a whole lot more than exploring the town, shopping for food, enjoying our new hangout, a place called Tequila's, watching some football, both off the boat and a couple of games on Mexican TV onboard Shakedown.  American football is a BIG deal here, apparently. 

We've managed to locate a Walmart closer to us, and although it has food (like a super Walmart in the U.S.), it is is much smaller that what we expected.  Of course there's a Walmart across the street from Costco that we didn't check out on our earlier trip, but we're not about take that walk again if we don't have to.  There are busses running up and down the main drags, so think we'll grab one of those next time.  Although, we have been offered use of a mini van, so we're sorely tempted.  Anyway, routine food shopping is done at the Calimax (grocery store) and the little liquor store close to the harbor.  Beer prices have been exactly the same, whether grocery store, liquor store or 7-11.  We've been getting Spanish "lessons" from a variety of local folks we meet and they have fun listening to us mangle their language.  But all of them are pleased that we're making the attempt.  We've decided to stay another month and then depart for points south around end of February/early March.  So without further adieu...our views so far from Ensenada....

Coming up the F-dock ramp looking towards town and the huge flag

portion of the marina

Restrooms, laundry, office area

Harbor Master and Cruisers' Loungs

Big on American Football

Hotel at the beginning of "Gringo Gulch"

One of the MANY eateries on Gringo Gulch

Ensenada Marina

The "boardwalk" in front of Ensanada Marina

The Plaza just inland of Ensenada Marina

Nancy thought some had left some presentos for her...
just advertisement for the corner gift wrapping shop

Nice church, but we didn't have time to stop in

Crossing the water-less river

Getting closer to the Cruisport harbor

Yes, if there's no bridge, they just drive across "the river"

What we found in our holiday cake...was only
supposed to be ONE baby....

Shakedown wedged between two large powerboats

Tequila's from the sidewalk

When Louie puts the horse out, it means Tequila's
is open for business....horse is made out of metal

Tequila's and sidewalk seating

Took a walk on road to San Diego....came to ramp to water...

We stopped here....so did the sidewalk...so we turned around

Heading back into town 

Cruise ship to the right

Welcome sign as we get closer to town

At the boat ready to visit with brother Vern

another shot of the marina from end of our our dock

Hal, Nancy, Vern, and Christina

Vern wishing he could punch his older brother...
he knows better, of course

Vern buys painting...now doesn't know what
to do with it....

And that's all for this update....we've both been under the weather for the past 6+ days, but are back in fine form.  Next week we both celebrate getting officially old (by government standards anyway).  Until next time!

HOLA! from Ensenada, Mexico

New view from the cockpit at 7 a.m. Jan 2, 2015

Well, we finally did it!  We've become international travellers once again....the last time was when we spent a few weeks in Canada way back when.  We arrived in Ensenada on the 1st day of 2015.   What a way to start a New Year!  

But to get everyone caught up from the last posting, we spent the remain portion of November and December, which got us in the "time to go" mode.  We gave Vanessa, over at the San Diego Mooring Company notice to let go the mooring ball a week hence and paid the pro-rata share, only to send her a frantic email the next morning begging for an aditional two weeks because of still pending doctor's appointments.  Paid the additional pro-rata share and went about making ready for heading to the Transient Docks on the 22nd.  

We had our neighbors David & Robin Basham, from s/v Cimarron over for a farewell dinner.  We'd been neighbors since February and finally invited them.  Anyway, fun was had by all.

David & Robin 

 In a very festive and excited morning, we cast off both fore and aft lines, unshackling us from the mooring balls that had held our home in place for 10 months.  Took a liesurely drive to the Transient Docks and tied up at the same slip we used when we got here exactly one year earlier on our way in.  Originally planned to stay for 5 days, but as all unplanned things always manage to happen, we ended up extending an additional 5 days. Didn't really want to incur the additional $275 cost, but it couldn't be helped.  We also rentd a car for 3 days to go shopping and provision the boat with probably a lot more than we needed for the planned 13 hour trip south.  

We treated ourselves with an upgrade to our movie "theater", replacing our 32" flatscreen with a 50".  What a difference!

We also treated ourselves with some awesome goodies over at the Corvette Diner, which is at the north gate of Liberty Station.  Actually, this was the second time we had this treat, but the first time we had camera with us.  

We shared Christmas dinner aboard Shakedown with our friends Duane & Sandy , as well as Travis (the pirate).  Had a great time.

We purchased and installed an Iridium GO! wifi hotspot device.  Still working out a few kinks, but it will allow us communications capability wherever we may be in the world, even a thousand miles in the middle of the ocean.  It's basically a wifi hotspot that allows up to 5 devices to utilize it simultaneously (like smart phones, tablets, PC's..).  It will also allow us to get weather forecasts, route planning, and a host of other tools to sail safely.

The Iridium GO!

About 48 hours before departure, we dropped into "our hangout", Point Break, and said our farewells to those that were there.  We've had a great time at this place over the past year, and are happy to have met such wonderful people.

Owner Kevin

Shelby of the awsome crew

Some local flavor "Shakespeare" is what Nancy calls him

Dale Dawson - helped us out with boat supplies

Now we've been checked into the country.  The boat has a 10 year temporary import permit, but we have only a 180 day visa, renewable for another 180 days.  Of course, we don't expect to stay in Mexico 10 years, but one never knows.  We've managed to talk to a few of the Marina tenants and have received numerous opinions about just near everything boating and living and eating and drinking and prices and.....so on.  

We are in the marina center upper part of photo

We've walked 4 miles to Costco....and were fortunate enough to catch a ride with an American couple, residents of Rosarita, back to the Marina.  That pretty much took care of the whole day for us.  We found a grocery store the next day MUCH closer to the Marina the following day.  Yesterday we strolled down "Gringo Gulch", which is what the marina tennants call the street that caters exclusively to the visiting passengers off the cruise ships.  Yesterday, there were two gigantic cruise ships docked here and the street was bulging with visitors.  Will try that walk sans cruise ship crowd another day.  Nancy did get a woven backpack with the Seattle Seahawks logo on it.

Some photos from our first couple of days here...until next time....

Ensenada historical museum (formerly a casino)

Cruise ships at end of our marina

Revolution Park

Nancy and "Superviagra" Man

"Gringo Gulch"

Special cake for Kings Day (whoever gets piece with little plastic baby inside makes tomales on 2/2 for everybody)

Fall in San Diego Bay

Pacific Ocean looking down from Sunset Cliffs

Well, since we've had to turn back our clocks an hour, guess Fall is officially here.  We enjoyed daylight savings time, but we can't figure out what to do with several months worth of savings.  All we know is that happy hour needs to start an hour earlier because of the new (and improved?) time the sun drops into the ocean.  

We've expanded our walking horizons a bit and now include (every other day) a hike due west, over the hill that is Point Loma, to Sunset Cliffs, take a breather, then hike back over the hill again.  Almost like climbing a small mountain.  But good for the cardio-everything.  Sunset Cliffs is just south of Ocean Beach, which is just south of La Jolla, which is w-a-a-a-y south of San Francisco.  Speaking of exercise, we've even managed to get our bicycles to shore and take a ride or two around Liberty Station (the old Naval Training Center where prospective sailors had basic training).  

Hal admiring tile work

Brother Vern had another bathroom that needed some attention, so big brother spent some time there and sawed tile and posed for an "in progress" pic.  Nancy keeps saying there aren't enough pictures of Hal in this blog.  Well, most of that dearth of photos seems to stem from who is taking the picture and who is brave enough to stand before the camera.  Anyway...

Our little Honda 2hp outboard was starting to give us fits when the throttle was turned up.  It is supposed to go forward when one twists the handle.  Problem seemed to be that the mechanism that engages the clutch went on strike.  We hauled to motor up to a shop that fixes them.  We got word back a couple of weeks later that the corrosion (which stemmed back to a "sinking" of the motor into Port Angeles Harbor while hauling up crab pots in windy/wavy weather) necessitated replacing many major parts of the engine. Cost estimate: $550.  Ugh.  Told the guy to box up all the pieces and give them back to me.  Bought new motor.

Alternator removed an awaiting exit from engine room

 Speaking of motors, our 4.3Kw generator started to billow out smoke from the engine room, where it shares space with the main engine.  After shutting it down, started troubleshooting the small diesel engine (which turns the alternator) and found nothing wrong on the front end.  Thought perhaps there was too much load put on the alternator, so restarted and slowly applied bits of electircal load.  Everything was fine, for about five minutes.  Smoke alarm notified us that there was indeed a problem.  Shut it down again.  Concluded problem was in the alternator.  Of course, getting to the alternator required some 4 hours time in order to get the generator positioned to even get to the back of the alternator.  

Back of alternator with broken bearings and other loose stuff 

Needless to say, after opening it up, it was quite a shock to see all the loose pieces of what was once parts of the alternator laying at the bottom of the casing.  Time to stop and reflect on options that may be available.  Besides, it was now happy hour.

What came out of alternator after flying around at high speed

After pulling out all the pieces, decided that it wasn't going to fix itself, and especially not while attached to the engine.  I placed a couple of calls to the folks who originally assembled the generator, and was lucky enough to chat with an actual technician, who helped me through the process. Luckily, we had the right hammer....  Finally broke it loose, after two days of pounding, and hauled it up to an alternator repair shop. Luckily it was close to the dinghy dock and was just small enough to fit into our large canvas shopping bag.  The shop told me that if they could find the necessary parts (Italian manufacturer) the estimate to repair would be between $1500-$3000!

After recovering from this shocking news, I immediately got on the internet and started roaming.  At least I found out that Alt Mecca (the Italian company) was still alive and producing alternators.  I then called the folks at Central Maine Diesel, from whom I'd purchased the generator from, and found out that they would sell me a brand new replacement alternator for $784, shipping included.  Deal was done, went back to local shop and unceremoniously tossed the old one, and waited for the shipment from Chicago to arrive.

Meanwhile, we (Nancy, Hal & brother Vern) hopped into Vern's car on the 17th and drove north to San Francisco to attend a Memorial for brother Wayne.  We stayed with Mom & Dad in Concord during the few days we were in the S.F. Bay area.  

Hal & Vern relaxing on new (Vern-built) bench in front of
 Mom & Dad's place.  Nancy took pic as evidenced by her
reflection in the window

Upon our return to San Diego on the 22nd (October), the new alternator was waiting for us. The process was reversed and, miraculously, alternator got attached to motor and repositioned. Hooked up all the wires, fuel lines, etc.  At 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, the 26th, we were back online and generating (smokeless) power!  Would rather not have to experience this again...

These are local regular customers of the Point Break
Cafe who kind of get together occasionally and
goof around with their guitars.

One of our favorite places to hang out, sip a few, chat with folks, watch football games (if we don't get them on our antenna tv) and sometimes get a chance to watch and listen to live music on the patio, is the Point Break Cafe.  The Cafe is really close to where we land our dinghy to go ashore, so it's convenient and, when we're really hungry, a great place to eat.  It's really like a place you'd find near, or on, a beach.  The "crew" there are really great.

While walking our "Shelter Island Shuffle" route, we just happened to get lucky and see a lady arriving by car, get out and immediately attract a large flock of seagulls. Apparently they know her, and they became frenzied when she pulled out her bag of bird food and started throwing it behind her as she walked.  We chatted with her for awhile, learing from her that some varieties of seagulls were becoming extinct because of lack of food.  Apparently, according to her, the food chain has been interrupted, suspecting a chain reaction from the Fukashima nuclear power plant that was swamped by the Japanese tsunami awhile back.  And, apparently, the flocks have dwindled because of the cleanliness of the area, leaving the seagulls with very little garbage to munch on....

Catching up with the flotilla

The annual Baja Ha Ha fleet assembled during the latter part of October and sailed away on the 27th.  We jumped into the dinghy and watched them leave.  Some 151 boats sailed out this day, headed for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with stops in Turtle Bay and Mag Bay.  We had actually met a few of the crews of boats joining this rally.  We had previously decided not to join the rally, as it was scheduled to move too fast for our tastes, so we'll take our time and "smell the cactus" on our way down the Baja coast.

Harbor Police boats "water waving" goodbye to the fleet

The "Grand Poobah"'s (leader of the pack) catamaran

The fleet (or most of it anyway)

A familiar sight to some...harbor seals at the transient dock
at southern tip of Shelter Island, with Shelter Is. Bay in background.

Panels mounted on pulpit railing

The solar panel project finally got underway, now that the generator problem seems to be resolved (and working well).  Decided to add two 100w panels mounted on the bow pulpit. These will, necessarily, be only for use while at anchor.  Installed some quick release plugs on the leads coming from the panels, which then allows for the panels to be removed and stored below while underway. An additional 100w panel was added some weeks ago to the aft port rail.  The two panels amidships, attached to our port and starboard deck storage boxes will remain where they are mounted and the three panels on the aft rails will be up or down as weather dictates.  We now have a total of 670 watts worth of solar panels.  Hopefully this will reduce wear and tear on the newly rebuilt generator!

The new 60 amp controller

The "junction" for the 3 pairs of panels.  Still needs dressing out.

And, as always seems to be the case, we take photos of sunrises and sunsets which is a good way of signing off for this particular update.  We're looking forward to getting our act together and finish up some projects and doctor visits and stocking up and all that stuff. We're still hoping end of November will be our time to depart the U.S. and head southward.

A Fall morning sunrise

Moonrise yesterday evening (6 Nov)....5:40 p.m., calm, 82 F...
hard to beat!