Name Change??

I guess my blog will need a name change soon, as the Honcho was just sold and is moving to her new home in Canada!  What a well travelled boat, from Texas, California, Mexico, and now Canada.  She is a great boat, and I'm a bit sad to say goodbye, but... now on to a larger home on the water.  More to come soon, as things progress.

Life in California

Here we are, still freezing in sunny southern California.  The irony of it all is that we had hoped to do some skiing this winter up at Mammoth, and lo and behold, they have the least snow in years.  Honcho is looking spectacular still, all cleaned up and pristine.  It's tough to go down there and not feel like we can relax and enjoy her, for fear of needing to clean when we leave.  We have sailed a few times, and had some great harbor cruises under power just to get out on the water again.  Hopefully the temperatures will warm up just a little so we can go to Isthmus and enjoy hiking soon.  Such a great boat, such fun to sail and relax aboard.  Many of our friends are headed south from Mexico, and it would be great to have joined them... that's in our future plans. 

What a difference a year makes!

Last year at this time, we were in La Cruz, enjoying the warm weather and new friends.  Our trip had just begun to be what we had expected, warm weather, white sands, lots of fish tacos, and endless experiences. 
   This year, it's freezing cold here in Southern Calif., I have the house heater on every day.  Also, there's lots of traffic, noise, and endless jobs around the house to finish.  I also have been subsitute teaching at my former school, which has been fun.  The students are so energetic and upbeat, plus it's the Christmas season, so the practices for the Christmas program add to the festivities. 
   Leif and I both miss our easy going lifestyle back in Mexico, and are still making plans towards heading back in the future.  The nearest we've gotten to the boat was a harbor cruise with friends recently to catch up on their life in Panama on their boat.  Our dogs are keeping us fit, walking and running them most days.  I do think they enjoy my being home to cater to their every whim.    Merry Christmas to everyone. 

Honcho is for sale!

Crew of 2 around Catalina, the start!



Banderas Bay, 20 knots +, and spin practice.

 Hard to fathom, but Honcho is up for sale, anyone who might be interested, please contact us through the blog or facebook.  We are looking for a larger boat on which to continue the journey.  Honcho is in pristine condition for racing or cruising, as Leif has upgraded everything on her, all new instruments, windlass, auto pilot, head, refrigeration, floors are newly varnished... On and on.  She is listed on Yachtworld under Beneteau 36S7.  Just thought this might interest someone out there, perfect boat for So. Cal. or light Mexico cruising, or racing.

July in Avalon and Isthmus, Catalina

We arrived in Avalon without  a care in the world, expecting to be relaxing and at ease during the warm summer days.  Whoops... we totally forgot that it was July 4th weekend.  Not exactly what one would wish for as a restful stay at Catalina.  After waiting in line, we received a mooring in Avalon for two nights.  We had a reservation for Isthmus, but not for a few days.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect, cool fog in the early a.m. and then warming up to the low 70's during the day.  Water temperatures were still a bit chilly, so we stayed dry in the dinghy. 
   Leif and I have a running competition of miniature golf at the course in Avalon, it's one of the best I've ever played.  No moving parts, just angles and hills, surrounded by natural greenery which is labeled as to it's scientific name and origin.  Just a beautiful place in which to spend time chasing a little pink or blue ball.  I won't go into the scores, but we had a great time, and returned for a half price second game later that night. 
   We hiked the local hills and enjoyed just relaxing for a couple of days, then off to Isthmus.
In Isthmus, we had a mooring in close, right behind a stink pot that kept it's generator and engine running all day and most of the night, constantly sending fumes our way.  Not my idea of pleasant.  So, to escape, we hiked most of the ridge tops, bike paths and trails around the Isthmus.  Really had a great time, and got to get our legs back in shape a little. 
  I didn't know, but Isthmus celebrates July 4th on July 3rd with fireworks and live bands.  It worked out great actually as most people left on the 4th, giving us some relief from the fumes.  We stayed up and watched the show, even though it was sort of foggy.  Kind of cool as they lit up the area, expanded by the fog. 
  Finally, it was time to go, our slip in Long Beach was available and we headed back across the channel to our new slip.  We pulled into the measuring dock, checked in, signed all the paperwork, wrote a huge check, and finally put Honcho to rest for awhile.  We ended up moving over to BB11 after we were there for a week, as there are fewer palm frond flowers falling on our boat and staining the hull.  Sort of sad, as the new neighbors on our first dock were very nice. 


Isthmus from the ridge top, via croc sandals.  Best sandals ever!



Leif concentrating on his form, putt for dough.



Avalon, with empty moorings.



Our dinghy is the little grey one...

 The next step was to take up the floorboards and re varnish them.  No small task, with the little rubber strips needing to be removed and replaced afterwards.  There's always something on a boat to keep you busy.  But, that's half the fun.

Bash back from Baja

Back in the USA for awhile

Here we are, doing the usual mundane things once again.  We've been back since mid-July, and things have been going at a rapid pace ever since.  The boat needed to be stripped of it's gear, cleaned thoroughly and then put back together.  Our garage has now been turned into a gear transition locker, and is slowly being emptied and sorted out.  Amazingly it hasn't taken too long to get things in order. 
   The dogs are healthy and happy with long runs in the park daily. Our time in Catalina was well spent as a bit of vacation before the push to get back into the rush of civilization once again.  After a couple weeks at home, it seemed so normal, we had to jump back on Honcho and race to Catalina and back in the "Ship rock and back race". 

   I've included a couple of videos that couldn't be downloaded in Mexico due to slow internet speeds.  One is of a dancing horse in the Blessing of the Fleet Celebration, another is of the whale sharks, and possibly one of the bash back up the Baja, showing the rough seas.  It doesn't do it justice, as the winds were 25 knots or so, and the swells 6'-8'.  But you'll get the idea. 

Ensenada to San Diego, USA

Arriving to our welcoming committee at the Customs dock.

First touching of the USA, happy to be ashore.

The trip to San Diego was so uneventful it's not worth discussing... almost.  We left Ensenada at 12:30a.m. for a midnight sail/motor to the USA in calm seas with no winds.  Leif took the night shift, and I took the morning shift.  As we neared the border there was a military ship hanging out near the entrance to San Diego Harbor.  We had heard warnings of a submarine that was leaving the harbor that morning, so we figured it had something to do with that.  Sure enough, as we got closer, a huge black submarine came storming out, with a huge bow wave.  As it exited, it began to submerge a bit, so just the towers were above the water, and a large white water wave surrounded them.  We slowed down to let it pass in front of us and took lots of pictures.  Pretty amazing scene to welcome us.
  As we neared the police dock, there were yells of "Honcho"  lofting over the sounds of the hull passing through the water.  There to greet us were our good friends Tom and MaryEllen from Equinox, who live in San Diego.  What a wonderful way to arrive, they took our dock lines and we had hugs all around.  They came equipped with Trader Joes supplies of wine and cheese crackers for us, and a bottle of champagne and Subway sandwiches!  What a treat.  We sat and recounted our trip since we'd seen them, after getting checked into the Southwestern Yacht Club for 3 days of free dock space.  That night we had dinner at the club and slept on the boat.  Great showers and a really nice new clubhouse.  They invited us to spend a night at their home the following night, which we accepted gladly.  On our end tie was another friend's boat, El Tiburon with Sarah, Darrell and Sparky.  We had hoped to catch up with them, and, there they were! 


Tom and MaryEllen,  at SWYC!



Happy campers on the USS Midway

 

Walking the flight deck.



Submarine leaving San Diego.

   Wednesday night we got the grand tour of T&ME's home, a lovely dinner of Tamale pie, lots of wine, and the most comfortable bed in months.  It was great to be in a real home with all the amenities.  The next day we all went to tour the Midway aircraft carrier and had lunch at a great seafood restaurant next to it.  Saying good bye was difficult, but we have to move on, and they have their lives to get back in order after being our hosts for three days.  We leave Friday morning early, 4 or 5 for Dana Point Yacht Club, our next overnight stop.

Turtle Bay, Cedros, Bahia Blanca, San Carlos... Ensenada

The Mexican Navy once again, telling us that high winds were due!

One more stunning sunset near Cedros Island.



Leif repairing a stay mid-channel nearing Ensenada.  Guess who cranked him up?



Ah, never been so glad to see a port! 



Panchita, the dock dog in Cruiseport Marina.

 I was so excited to leave Bahia Santa Maria, after spending so long sitting listening to the wind howl and holding on for dear life as the swells rolled through and pulled us on the anchor in the opposite direction.  We headed out early on June 11, after a few others had already pulled up their anchors.  The winds were predicted to be lighter than usual, only 15-25 kts on the nose. So off we went, and as we rounded Cabo San Lazaro the winds built up and lo and behold we saw a sailboat in a place where it shouldn't be... on the rocks!  The boats ahead of us radioed the Mexican Navy and the Coast Guard as to it's whereabouts.  We were too far out to offer assistance, as it was clearly on the reef and heeled over with seas awash it's decks.  It was a 60' ketch with 3 people aboard who were rescued safely earlier that morning.  It makes you stop and think a bit, stay awake on watch, check your GPS, don't take things for granted.   The Mexican Navy stopped by to ask if we knew anything about the crew, which we didn't, so off they went.   
  We motorsailed on through the day and night, heading for Turtle Bay and our next fuel stop.  The sea temp. has been really cold, 51.8 today, and the air likewise.  Arriving at Turtle Bay around 8:00 a.m. we fueled up and left for our next stop, possibly Isla Cedros.  The seas were fairly calm this a.m. and we made good time around the island.  The Mex. Navy once again stopped by to check us out and said high winds were predicted soon.  Not what we had heard, but good to know.  Sure enough, we hit 25 kts on the nose and big seas, the worst conditions yet.  Water coming over the bow, sides and stern, not a lot of fun to be on watch.  I'm also getting really tired, as we haven't been off the boat in a long time.  In a dense fog, we arrived at Bahia Blanca at 4:30 a.m. and finally found the so called anchorage, dropped the hook and dove into bed exhausted.  We spent the day napping and relaxing a bit.  When on watches over the past week or so we take 3 hour watches so around 2.5 hours of sleep at a time... maybe.  If the boat isn't pounding into the swells, and if we aren't healed over really far.  I made banana pancakes for the crew and did minor chores on the boat.
   Next day, up early and off for San Carlos.  It started nicely with 3-5 kt winds and 2-3' swell.  Then, it built up to 20-30 kts and 6'-8' swell which were breaking once again over the boat.  We bashed our way to San Carlos, and just as we were a mile out, our engine quit.  Oh great, we were motorsailing anyway, so we used the mainsail and sailed into the anchorage, dropped anchor and worked on the problem.  We weren't sure if it was running low on fuel or clogged filters, so Leif did the filters first, then tried to bleed the injectors and nothing worked.  Bummer.  Next morning we raised the main, and sailed off our anchor into the blustery morning.  As we left we noticed that the waves were breaking just off our side.  The tide was low and the whole bay was full of great swells for surfing, but not for a sailboat. 
   Now we had to sail the entire way to Ensenada, which means tacking far out and then tacking back into shore due to the winds.  We were looking at days of sailing with no hot water for showers or warmth or extra electricity.  Our solar panels do a great job normally, but it has been overcast and very gloomy.  They aren't charging up as much as normal.  Also we're out in the shipping lanes with no engine, just what I always wanted to do.  It's freezing cold too, sea temp at one point was 48 degrees!  Where are we, Alaska?? 
  Today, Saturday, June 18, we hoped to arrive in Ensenada, yet every time I looked at the GPS, it was going backwards in time due to lack of wind and our tacking out away from land.  Not very inspiring, I'm getting depressed.  I smell awful, am sticky, cold, damp, hungry, tired and amazingly not cranky.  It is what it is as they say.  Thank heavens, we hit some wind and rounded Todo Santos inlet at noon and headed into Cruiseport Marina.  We sailed into our slip using the main and tacking back and forth in a very small area down the causeway.  Leif is the man, he can handle this boat so well, keeps his cool and gives directions calmly and quietly.  I have to hand it to him, he's done a masterful job of getting us here.  I did help of course, by driving, standing my watches every 3 hours, and doing all the cooking and cleaning.  I even figured out how to fix the GPS when it died on us mid channel in the rough seas. 
   So, after a hot shower, change of clothes, and an excellent dinner at Sano's, we're back on the boat for the evening thinking of how to fix the engine.  Leif looked up on the internet about the problem he was having, and voila!! He fixed it.  We're back in business once again.  I have to say that these last 16 days on the boat were the longest of our trip, and I'm very glad to have that piece over with.  What a difference a day makes, each day on this leg has brought a variety of challenges and amazingly we have made it here, safely, although perhaps a little lighter in weight.  Don't care to see pasta or tuna for awhile thank you.

San Jose del Cabo, Mag Bay and Bahia Santa Maria, headed home!

Yes, we did attend a cock fight, gruesome.



The large swell at the entrance to San Jose del Cabo marina.



I'm trying to do my share of the chores...

 Thursday, June 2, we left San Jose del Cabo at 9:00 p.m. with our new buddy boat, R Sea Kat with Mike and Deena aboard.  We met them on the docks on the second day of our stay and have been sharing taxi's, dinners,and information ever since.  The night was calm as we left the marina, however as we rounded Cabo Falso, the wind piped up to 30 knots on the nose for over an hour.  The boat slowed down to accomodate the rough seas and we trudged onward from 2-3 knots.  As the morning rose and through the day, the seas and winds varied, eventually falling to 15 knots and bumpy seas.  We made it to Magdalena Bay around 10:00 a.m., dropped anchor and went to bed for a nap.  The water around us was filled with dead langostino, floating everywhere and creating quite a stink.  This enticed the flies to join the mess so we decided to fuel up from the port captain and move on to Bahia Santa Maria.  We also are out of water as we couldn't make water in the last week or so due to poor water quality in the marina and bouncing seas.  Arriving at Santa Maria mid-day we found it to be extremely windy.  No problem it always dies down at night...not.  It increased throughout the day and into the evening and on for the next week!  We had winds up to and over 40 knots, which I've never seen before.  With the 4' swell coming from the opposite direction of the 25+ winds, it was an uncomfortable few days.  And, to beat that, the beach break was so large we couldn't get ashore.  So, for a week now we have been reading, watching movies, cooking, playing scrabble, and writing emails.  Thank heavens for at least slow internet.
   Today is Thursday, been here since Sunday, am getting a BIT house bound.  But, today the winds have subsided a bit and I got out on deck and did some laundry!  Oh yeah, laundry!  A change in the routine is so nice.  There is a weather window on Friday night, Saturday morning that we hope will take us to Turtle Bay or beyond.  I was hoping to do some shelling but as we can't get ashore, I guess that's out.  So much for seeing the bay.  This week would be a good reason for a bit larger boat, having a freezer, bigger water maker,  more fuel capacity and more food storage would all be nice.  We are the smallest boat here, as now there are 11 boats here in BSM.  It's hard to believe that the wind isn't howling, the rigging isn't banging and the spume from the waves isn't covering the boat and us.  It's truly incredible what a little wind can do, even the pangas haven't been out fishing.  Thank heavens also for good ground tackle, snubbers and chafe gear.  Leif has changed it twice already due to the constant tugging.  But, on the postive side, we have been making water like crazy, hence the laundry day today. 
   Photos coming later due to slow internet.  I'm sitting on deck with the laptop, hoping it sends..