ever had a fuzzy bottom?

Well here we are in Mexico,warm breezes great food lot`s of fun folks and I`m working my butt off. We came back to marina palmira to work on deck rather then bounce around doing the la paz waltz. Took the dink out of the water................ut o bottom was covered with barnacles, got rid of those and looked at the rudder on Plumas and it didn't look good so out comes the wetsuit. Now I am really frustrated the whole bottom is covered by fuzzy stuff about 2 to 3 in long with some barnacles, man does this stuff grow fast here, I dove it just 3 weeks earlier and it was clean. I was told it is because of the temp of the water and the channel is so oxygenated from the fast current here.

Other than that, still working on the decks and will be for a while I`m afraid as it is not a couple week job. Glad the deck is gone now. Injecting with epoxy resin and then the fairing and so on.

We had a quiet Christmas. Christmas eve we went to a potluck at Club Cruceros. It is a small hut where cruisers can receive mail, trade books and just meet in the mornings for coffee and chat. I took chicken spaghetti. It disappeared quickly. This all took place outside because no room inside and weather perfect for outdoor potluck.

Friday night we dinghyed ashore and went to an italian restaurant across the street from the marina de la paz. Had a man playing guitar and singing occasionally...nice soft music. Ran into a man from another boat anchored out near us. He and Dick talked computers. I enjoyed the music and watched the stars. Yes we were eating outside on the patio. Do wish we could share our positive experiences with our friends and family.

problem

Ok here is a small update,the blankity blank decks are so stuck it took over six hours to remove 9 feet of deck,an I believed some of the articles I read about a day or day and a half to remove the teak...................any friends around?

I am now guessing around eight to ten feet a day so maybe in about two weeks it will be ready, as I don't work a eight hr day,retired remember lol.

Dick

islands

well with very little service here except the marinas it has been awhile since we added to the blog,but here is what we did.

Met some great folks at the market one day invited them down to the boat had a great time getting to know them the next day we went to a cove just north of la paz for some snorkeling,20 ft deep and very clear all was good till these tiny jelly fish showed up and that turned things into a not so fun time.

eased out of there laughing having a great time then did a boner,onto the sand...........sheeesh took our guest back to the marina in the dink came back to the boat and cooled my heels for a few hours and mentally kicked my butt for such a dumb thing,but later tide came in and we went back to the marina hoping nobody seen,right.

day later we eased on up north to the islands just north of here called isla espritu santo the water so clear and the fish wow,watched some type of ray jumping out of the water,flying fish,dolphins.

anchored in raza but the wind coming down the canyon was a bit much so next day went on to candelero a much more protected anchorage where we enjoyed snorkeling as it was the first time Carol had done this she was given a perfect spot to see thousands of fish mostly Sergent majors,but a whole bunch of fish I didn't know.

We are now back in La Paz an the job of removing the teak on the decks starts in the am,not something I want to do,but unfortunately must be done then inject epoxy in all the screw holes after it has a chance to dry out, wont take long here!

Will try and find stuff to write about that is positive an at times can be hard to find, then something good happens and renews our spirits.

evening

Well We had a wonderful dinner at the sidewalk cafe here in the marina last evening an we both realized we were living a dream to be doing such a thing when so many others were getting home after driving through traffic taking coats off and fixing dinner(we had on one item of clothing apiece!) an so as we ate with a beautiful sunset and a ton of fish jumping in the lagoon I realized how lucky we were.

On other items some of our friends are still here in the marina, so it will make the Thanksgiving day feast were having here a much better time,200 people will be under a tent enjoying.

Plumas is finally getting the oxidation removed by some locals an the stuff called salt away really works then a lot of buffing with rubbing compound and then wax,sure looking great!.

We went down to the local doc here and got shingles vaccination for 500 pesos,call it 50 dollars was told by some over 200 in the states if you could get it.

Not alot more then that so will sign off till a really interesting thing happens.

Happy thanksgiving all from a couple of very happy people!

Dick and Carol

Hi All

Well since last entry we have very little to report,but here goes with what i can find,we have been busy with a few new friends going to dinner a number of times at some really cool places like Senor cammarone,wow what a meal if you can imagine 2 kilos of deheaded shrimp an 2 beers for 9.00 dollars!

Ok we also went to a potluck aboard a 90 ft schooner at anchor an had a great time but 70 people aboard milling about was a bit hard on carol since she had a thing called dinghy butt....... wet o well she handled it well.

Tomorrow we are going to get shingle inoculation for 50 dollars apiece,250 in the states.

Not alot to report that has much excitement tho but we did pay for one more week so we can have thanksgiving dinner with friends an other cruiser's here in the marina.

Thats all for now.

Dick

Hola from La Paz

Spent several days in Cabo San Lucas, swimming, trying to learn money system, eating, and just walking around town people watching. Went out with other cruisers one evening for shrimp tacos and they were yummy. Had lazy susan with salsas, shredded cabbage, sliced cucumbers and what we thought was thin avocado sauce. We have had it that way before...almost runny thin. WELL it was ground habenersos peppers. We were all sucking air, eyes wide open and tears streaming. All of us went back for more. lol Only way to describe Cabo is expensive, expensive, expensive.
November 13 was a bitter sweet day. Joe and Sharon (our friends from AR) left for home. We sure miss them. Know they are glad to be home. That 's the way vacations are.
We took two days to get to La Paz. Traveled during the day and anchored at night. First night was at the Frailles anchorage. It has a park with a reef for diving. Nextnight was at Los Muertos. It has a restaurant and we ate there that night. The clientel is 100% yatiatas. (Gringos going south or north).Both anchorages were beautiful and restful. Left at 0400 from Los Muertos under a full moon and bright stars. Arrived in La Paz in the afternoon. Anchored out and almost immediately got invited over to another boat for finger foods, beer and dinner. Weather was balmy and conversation lively. Next day we headed to town, bought groceries, visited with fellow gringos at marina cafe, watched children feed beautiful tropical fish at the dock.
Today we are at an internet cafe catching up on messages and the blog. Will try to get a few pics posted. Still haven't gotten pics of dolphins swimming alongside our boat. What a thrill.

mexico

Arrived in Mexico eleven days ago. Cleared customs at Ensenada and moved on immediately. Dick spent four hours getting paper work done and had seen all of Ensenada he wanted. Our friends from Arkansas few into San Diego and we left a few hours after that. All night to Ensenada, arrived October 30, 2008,then on to Turtle Bay non-stop. Arrived November1, about 1130. Dinghyed ashore for lunch, arranged for panga to come out to re-fuel. Planned to spend the night, but bay so nasty and smelly that we left that evening. Turtle Bay is called coyote ugly and it is. First place to get fuel coming down coast though. Got into some 20 to 25 knot winds that rocked us pretty good, but Plumas served us well.
November2, 2008 anchored in a nice clean place called Abreojos (means eyes wide open). Didn't go ashore due to surf that day. Proceded on to San Juanico. Spent three days there. Nice, quiet and able to get ashore by dinghy. Surf not as strong. Many americans here, plus a tienda and liquor store. What more do you need..lol They had a weather station of sorts. Large flat rock on a chain with sign telling us if rock wet..it is raining, swaying..it is windy etc. Next plan was to go straight through to Cabo San Lucas, but by the time we got to Bahia Santa Maria, we anchored for the night. It wasn't to difficult getting in after dark with the use of radar. Many places you are safer out to sea than trying to get into an unknown anchorage. Joe and Sharon have been real troopers. No complaints of mutiny yet.
Our next push started the morning of October7 and 32 hours later we were in sight of Cabo San Lucas. It is a very busy area with cruise ships, boaters from the Baja ha ha race. We caught up with Bamboo and Julia Max, plus some other boats we have met along the way. We anchored out and dinghyed ashore a few hours later. With the above mentioned watercraft, there are pangas, sport fishing boats, and tour boats of all sizes. We were warned that the boats and hotels party until three in the morning. We enjoyed the activies from Plumas. We were all so tired that our sleep wasn't affected. Awoke about 0500 and there was still a party going on in the distance. This place is expensive unless you get about a half mile away from the hotels, marina and tourist traps. Weather is sunny and warm. Water is clear and warm.
There will be gaps in our blog, but each time we get into a port with wi-fi we will catch up on e-mails and update the blog. Thanks for the comments Tom and Sandy B, Murial and Mike.

out of the U.S

Well we are headed south wont be many contacts but will try when we can.

Friends are here it`s 9 at night so ten hours to ensanada to do the legal stuff.

Back at Mariner's cove

We stayed at the police dock almost a week and returned to Mariner's cove this morning. This time it only took an hour and a half. Dodged fishing boats, crab or lobster pot buoys and of course KELP. We really like anchoring out here. Very peaceful.
I will try to fill you in on the past few days. Dick got the solar panels working after calling the company(tech support). Seems a crucial step in wiring is not in the instructions. West Marine offering shuttle service for cruisers this week and so we got to get groceries and of course bought some items at West Marine.
I couldn't seem to find a beauty shop to get a hair cut (all busy), so Dick cut my hair. Not a professional job, but much better than it was. Wonder what his trucker friends will think...
Caught up with some fellow cruisers and what they have been doing. Faith, Girl on the Moon, Julia Max, Firewater, Gaia, and met a new cruiser Saffron. Owner/captain of Saffron is a 75 y/o boat designer, book illustrator here to sell his boat and go to Cambodia to design some fishing boats. Interesting man to talk to and says people want him to slow down and retire. He is spry and says as long as he can , he will continue to pursue new horizons.
Bamboo came by one evening and we all went to dinner at Sizzlin. They had rented a car. It sure was good to see them again. They are at another marina. We should see them again Sunday at West Marine. West Marine is throwing a party for the Baja HaHa cruisers.
Dick started waxing and buffing the hull again and this time I think it is going to work. The hull has stayed shiny for 2 days now. He didn't get to finish because buffer took a dive into the water and so buffer is no longer working. Most everything on a boat can dive, but can't swim.

Shelter Island

Well we left Mission bay an went around the corner to shelter Island,it is like a mile across the land,lol it took 3.5 hrs by water you cant imagine what a kelp forrest looks like,scary to see it under you thats for sure.

When we got to the police dock at shelter island there was no room there so was sent about five miles to a anchorage for the weekend an lucky for us I needed to ask the lady a quesstion she told us she had three slips open,so off we go back to where we were a hr ago,but got a slip!.

yesterday managed to get the solar panels all wired in place,hooked them up and no charge? what the .... o wait batteries are at 12.9 volt........full so disconnected the bat charger an running down the batteries an see what happens when the sun comes up,got my fingers crossed.

Other then this tiny bit of info not alot of news,there are a few friends like julia max a twin to our boat owned by George and Sue,and a few others we have met coming south.

Wont be alot till our friends from ark get here on the 29th,but will write something!

Dick

Ok Carol said my writing sucks so will try an improve on it.

lesson for the day

Ok students

Well I should have paid attention in class when I was told....................dont do stupid things lol

First:pay attention to electricity reserves an charging rates,run the batteries down things stop an doesnt do the batteries any good Second: when you compute time to recharge you findout it is going to take a full day and a couple hours to remedy the cavalier way you used up the batteries sheeesh.


Well as funny as it seems being in the la basin solar panels are not easy to find,so with hours of searching I found a couple very exspencive places locally or did locate some at a decent price in victorville,so off to enterprize then to get two 130 watt panels and a controller.

We get home haul the panels in the dinghy in santa ana winds an might add I was not comfy with lifting panels that weigh about 50 lbs in a pitching dinghy up on deck but got er done.

got thru the ordeal of the panels and all the other stuff Carol bought and decided a shower would be in order,sure felt good! walked to the salon looked out.................o no were not where we are supposed to be(second lesson of the day) we are tied between two buoys never never just run a line thru a buoy eye because it will saw it`s way thru well onward so I get dressed an thought I had drug the buoy,but didn't called harbor patrol they came an did a great job help towing me back into position retied and decided two lines were in order.

I included this rather humbling experience so some of my friends never make that mistake as I did.

Now to install the panels,will let you know how that goes!

slow week

Well we are doing fine,getting a few things done on the boat,not sure it will ever be finished but looking better.

Had a really nice visit from wayne and his wife carolyn yesterday,he had a sistership to plumas that came up second best to a hurricane a few years back in La Paz,he gave me some great advice on removing the bad decks.

other then that not alot to report short of the messup by ebay getting my tunner to me,o well I am retired and need not worry about schedules................but I want it now!

lets see what to tell about?

Well as the title say`s what has happened that somebody would be interested in? a long pause..............well we painted one head,the master stateroom,the work area,and a good cleaning of other parts of Plumas,hmmmmm three lines.

Well we met a couple with a 54ft ct,man what a sweet boat an nice folks,had us and a another couple over an you could tell they were ready to go, but they cant go cruising tell next year.

went to dinner in the dink tonight an was good headed home and a police helicopter decided we needed to be looked over with a huge light they finally decided we were not worth the price of fuel they were wasting an left.

anyhow it cant be all exciting! until next time,take care everybody

Dick

trials.................grrrrrr

Well started great, had friends over for breakfast,went and rented a car to go to minnies,got back to the boat to get carol,started out an then it happened,a fellow comes up in his dinghy an very nicely lets us know the harbor police made a mistake and rented out his mooring balls to us,so we get back aboard plumas fire up and are told where to go, a short trip going away from car we fined the spot ease up to the first ball and ut o Plumas is not going right her nose is pointed into the wind but when we attach she goes sideways over the line between the balls,hangs up,goes up against a powerboat of all things an there we are,sheeesh some very nice folks come over in there dinghy and between our`s an there dinghy were free! seems there was a outbound tide in shallow water an there in was the problem,so off to the next bouy we are told to head to,hmmmm no rope between them,cant reach ring, so off to the anchorage area drop anchor,go get a Happy Hooker.............no guy`s the kind you use to hookup to a ring! GET ONE IF YOU EVER NEED TO GRAB A BOUY! west marine had one.

When I got back Carol had become settled I attached the hooker to a pole an off to the bouy,click it was done,settled down met some nice folks an life was good again.

newport beach

Well we made it to Newport beach got settled in on two mooring balls(was a new thing but we made it!) the trip from Oxnard was more of the same glassy smooth water.

The trip didn't produce anything more exciting then watching pelicans flying so close to the water Carol and I were sure they were going to get the beak in the water an do a cart wheel.............no such event,man can they fly,we even crossed the busiest port there is without a elevated heart rate!

We are going to stay here for about ten day`s then head to San Diego do are legality`s and head south before the baja haha.

Will be a void for the blog till we head out unless something exciting happens.

Marina Del Re

Left Oxnard early this morning, in the fog, motoring.....see a pattern here? Arrived at Marina Del Re about 1400. As we were docking, noticed a boat call Last Dance. Man got off his boat to help us tie off and low and behold we had met this fellow in Morro Bay. As we were docking we were talking about how we remembered that boat, but just couldn't place where until we saw John. He is traveling alone in a 25 foot s/v. (sailing vessel) Been doing this for years. Used to work for Nasa. It got pretty warm, ok hot this afternoon. It isn't bad on the water, but on land is a different tale.

Day 30

Hard to believe we've been gone from Tacoma a month now. We are in Oxnard for two nights because it is a new marina and it is free. It is a promotion and you can stay two nights free of charge. Water and electricity included. We were lowering the motor off the boat to the dingy when something came loose and Dick got his hand caught between the rail and the motor. Thought for a moment that he broke his hand, but thank goodness it just smarted for a while. If the motor had been over the rail, it could have fallen on Dick's head. Once repairs made, we took dinghy over to a place called, Fisherman's Wharf. Supposed to be shops and eateries. It was run down and most of places closed. Did buy 1/2 dozen Spudnut donuts. Once back to marina, ran into a couple we met in New Port, Or when waiting for good weather. Visited and had tea on their boat, then they came over to our boat to visit. Boaters always want to see each others boats. They are headed to Mexico also.

oxnard

Well this is dick writing so don't look for perfect. We made it to oxnard and lucked out and got in a brand new marina that has a promotion................free, well at least for two nights but we will take it!

The trip over from santa barbara was uneventful except for the show put on by some type of dolphins they played and jumped all around our boat. In all gave a great show then back to uneventful, yes that means we motored, good grief we're a sailboat and no wind. I need to do a wind god dance I guess.

Our friends on Bamboo are in catalina on a ball for 36.00 a night hmmm seems a bit to southern cal for me,but then i`m told I am thrifty or cheap.

Dick and Carol
SV/Plumas

Still in Santa Barbara

Decided to stay here one more night. Foggy and fog horn maybe 50 yards from us. So much for sleeping peacefully. Walked good half mile to laundry here at the marina. Large marina and we are at the opposite end from store, laundry. Bought groceries last night. Went in the wrong direction and had to double back. It is said that walking is a great form of exercise, but I personally don't want to exercise. Dick has lost some weight with all the walking and being on a moving boat so much. Saw a Sambo's resturant last night....thought that chain was history. Should have taken a picture. We stopped at a Sushi deli here at the marina for lunch. Really good food and yes ours was all cooked. Had chicken teryaki, spiced tuna roll, california roll, salad and tempura vegtables for $8.50. Ate outdoors and watched the activity on the boardwalk and boats. Weather is warmer and enjoying the sunshine. We were cold a good deal of the time boating prior to Point Conception. Now we are warm and hope to stay warm. Just warm, not Hot.....

Santa Barbara

Left Morro Bay and motored (yes I said motored) to an anchorage 1.5 miles past Point Conception called Cojo Anchorage. Point Conception is referred to as the Cape Horn of the Pacific. Sure glad it was calm for us. Spent the night and left about 0900 in the fog headed for Santa Barbara, CA. Talked with Bamboo and they plan to check out some of the islands in the area. We chose to head for Santa Barbara. Fog cleared around noon and no problems along the way. Noticed so many pinnipeds prior to rounding Point Conception, then weather got much warmer, but fur seals, sea lions etc. seem to prefer the cooler temperatures. As we got close to Santa Barbara we noticed many wind surfers. What a show they put on. Anchored last night, but got a slip for tonight. We need to get some groceries and do laundry. Long hot showers sure feel good also.

Hearst Castle

Took an extra day to tour Hearst Castle. Started with dial a ride that took us from the marina to city park for only a dollar each. Then within fifteen minutes, boarded bus that goes to San Simeon. That also only cost us a dollar each. Ride was scenic and pleasant. Different view of beaches and local businesses. Difficult to describe everything we saw, but would highly recommend seeing Hearst Castle if given the opportunity. Here at Morro Bay we sit out in the cockpit and watch pelicans catching smelt. They dive into the water with such force it is scary. Keep thinking they will break something or knock themselves out. Really amazing to watch. So graceful when flying, but trip over their on feet on land. Guess that is why they stay on the water. We are now headed toward Santa Barbara.

still motoring

Hard to believe we are still motoring. 1100 miles down the coast and not one day with wind to sail. Left Eureka, CA monday 9-17-08. Thirty hours later arrived Bodega Bay. It was then Dick decided no matter how long it took...we would get an auto pilot. We took time to catch up on sleep. Met up with some fellow boaters that we met in New Port,OR. Caught up on where we've been and our next planned destinations. Got our auto pilot installed on Tuesday and left on Wednesday for 20 hour trip to Santa Cruz, CA. Got in about 0400 and just stayed at the fuel dock. (Still motoring) Had breakfast at a cafe called El Palomar. It was excellent! Right on the beach. Met up with s/v Bamboo and we proceded to San Simeon to anchor for the night. Once again...got beat up by following and beating seas. When is the fun going to begin? lol San Simeon the next morning was beautiful. Couldn't see a thing but the castle and marker bouys when we arrived at 0100. Left sunday for four hour trip to Morro Bay, CA. .
Staying at Morro Bay Yacht Club for next couple of days. Many restaurants, shopping and shuttles to get to grocery store, post office etc. MBYC members are so nice and helpful. Bodega Bay offered nothing and the same with San Simeon Bay, so it is really nice to have some ammenities.

bird

day 14

Hi again
Well thought we would be in San Francisco 7 to 10 day`s? what was we thinking! entered Crescent city in very dense fog hoping the chart plotter would do what it was supposed to do,both entering and leaving at 0400 in the morning,24 hrs later,chose to leave early so would not have to enter eureka in the dark.

the bar crossing at Humboldt bay was harrowing to say the least(8-10 ft rollers with ebb tide) made it in and was so happy! dick got sick earlier in the day,but survived thanks to soda crackers and a very kind wife.

It has been very cold and miserable but have fixed that problem with a fan mounted to bring the engine heat to the cockpit,now if it works.

We did have a wonderful experience as I was driving about 6 miles from shore this very tiny land bird landed on the wheel and made himself at home for about :45 min even took a nap on the seat next to me checked every nook and cranny on the boat an left then about a half hour later yet another bird landed,both very small land birds,rested an left,wow so cool.

Arrived at the bar at 1600 hrs then :45 min to the dock met up with friends on island grace an faith,so enjoyed happy hour an told and heard all the harrowing tales.

Day 13

Hard to believe it has been 13 days since we left Tacoma, Wa. Due to weather, we have yet to sail. Motoring all the way so far. We awoke ravenous. Didn't eat a meal yesterday. Just soup, sandwich, and for Dick, PayDay candy bars. Breakfast of sausage, biscuits, lumpy gravy and home fries....told you we were ravenous. Planned to check out town, but just to tired. Rested all this day. Watched gulls, pelicans, and very large sea lions at stern of fishing boat eating fish remains being thrown overboard. Sea lions very vocal between coarses. Catching up on E-mails, phone calls while we are at the dock.

day 12

Thursday 9-11-08 Day 12.....Left Charleston, OR about 0700. Saw three other boats that left about the same time. Calm, sunny for 3 to 4 hours and then the fog rolled in and could no longer see the others. Radio contact with Bamboo (Tim and Michelle Lutman) throughout the day. They plan to continue on, while we plan to stop for the night in Brookings, OR. It got dark and Brookings we felt was to dangerous to try to enter at night. Lots of rocks and narrow, shallow entrance. Decided to try for Cresent City, CA. Still motoring. Dick worn out from so many hours at the helm. I assist, but only did about 3 of 22 hours at the helm. Arrived Cresent City at 0400. Couldn,t get to bed quick enough. Thought we would never get warm again. Will try to post some pictures....if we ever get warm enough to take some.

New Port, OR to Charleston,OR

We finally left Newport, OR on monday. It was a nice place and the marina was clean and inexpensive. Eighteen dollars a day for all the ammenities. After a 12 hour day of following seas 10 to 12 feet in height, being tossed around like rag dolls and a touch of motion sickness we finally made it 95 miles to Charleston,OR. Another eighteen dollar a day marina, but not quite so nice. It is primarily a marina for fishing boats. Had a great breakfast this morning at the marina cafe. We are watching for a clear weather window to head for Cresent City, CA, then around Cape Mendecino. Worst of trip is then supposed to be behaind us. I sure hope so. I am keeping a log and will try to keep up to date entries on our blog also.

newport,or

Well we made it to newport,ore, wornout dead tired,but we woke the next day and started talking and things are looking good!

The trip to here was somewhat of a mixed bag from hrs and hrs of slow motoring and very flat seas to gusty winds that rocked us from 30 degree port heal to 30 degree starboard heel for about 15 hours straight. The inside of the boat and us looked like we had been thru a terrible ordeal.....................we had.

We now have 600 mi to san francisco and are being held up by gale force winds in the south of ore,so leaving here is postponed till sunday, we hope.

des moines to port townsend,wa

Well we picked up our great crew dan and rainy today in desmoines and got off about 8 am made it to port townsend around 5.

after a nice bowl of soup everybody decided that it had been a very long day and poof was in bed!

More to come as we can access the internet.

Dick and Carol
SV/Plumas