Mazatlan

Greetings from Babeeze, After spending three wonderful months with friends and family in Canada we returned to beautiful, hot, humid Mazatlan Sunday Sept. 20th leaving Edmonton at a cool rainy 15 and arrived here at a scorching 38 degree. Departing we had such a huge hockey bag filled with boat parts as well as bits and pieces stuffed where ever it possible in the rest of our luggage, that we were afraid they would not let us take it all on the plane. However after dropping some extra dough we headed over to go through security and this is where the fun started. We had a years supply of medication for each of us so it was a concern, but that was no problem , however a bunch of fly fishing flies that Rene had tied caused the excitement. They refused to allow them in his carry on ( as they feared that he might hi-jack the plane with one of them)so we could store them at the airport at a dollar a day or go back out send them through as luggage. As Rene had already gone through his pat down because of his pacemaker and time was running out,I went out to deal with this. To make a long story short we now have fish hooks worth an extra $75.00 , I hope the fish can appreciated these gold plated hooks!! However the rest of the flight was uneventful and all our luggage arrived safely in Mazatlan even our precious flies. I guess our luck had improved during the day though for as we struggled our many heavy bags over to customs and held our breath while they were x-rayed, all was good. We got the green light and praise be to God we were in, no problem. We arrived at the boat very hot and tired around 3:30pm but other than being awful dirty, Babeeze was a sight for tired eyes. We threw luggage aboard and hit the pool, it was happy hour. Oh Mexico-can be wonderful!!! Monday after unpacking we slowly began the huge task of reassembling and putting back together the boat. As our air conditioning pump had failed just before we left for Canada it was hard to spend long period of time below,the inside temperature remained in the upper 90 even at night. Thank God we had several fans that helped some what. Tuesdays top job was to get some food aboard as we had gotten rid of everything but canned goods before leaving. Wednesday poor Rene worked so hard installing our air conditioning pumps and at last we could be cool. WE now had food, beer, and cool air what more could you ask for. Some friends with a car took us for a fun day in the country to visit a working tequila factory. It had a massive 192 year old tree at the entrance and a cage of beautifully colored parrots. We paid $2.50 each for a shot glass which was refilled as often as you wanted ( and this was before lunch.) After 4 shots we drove to a working hacienda for a so-so lunch and a leisure after noon in their pool. We were the only guest so the 14 of us had a blast. The rest of the month was pretty uneventful until hurricane Rick start making his present known. Forming well out in Pacific Ocean he gathered strength and was call the largest, most, dangerous storm to head this way in 20 years. With winds reaching speeds of 215 mph this cat.5 hurricane was heading our way. All that had reassembling was once more dismantled . The hot topic on the docks was " Rick," and everyone helped to keep one an other informed as we carefully watch Ricks progress. Tuesday we knew for sure he was on target to hit Mazatlan but at a much reduced level. Now a tropical storm with winds in the 74 to 95 mph range. We went shopping for supplies knowing that food, fresh water and power could become an issue later. We spent the rest of Wed, making sure all was ready and anything we could possible do was done. The wait was on !!! Might as well go for a swim after all it was happy hour. Rick did not disappoint us . He made his presents know bright and early Wed. am. wakening us to howling wind and a heeling boat at 4.00am. After prowling around and checking on things we fell asleep again, at 7:00 am I woke up and all was calm. I thought great it's over but boy was I wrong. That was just the eye crossing over and as they say the calm before the storm. By 8:00 all hell broke loose, at times the winds gusting at 79 mph the rain pounded down and water was picked up in sheets off the ocean. By noon it was all over but the crying. Babeeze was totally covered with leaves and plant garbage but everything else was good.We lost power for several hours but our water never went off so we were able to wash up Babeeze and start to once again to reassemble. Today are having a "we survived Rick dock party" so it should be a blast..... On Monday we are being haul out of the water for a week to have a bottom paint done. Still living aboard should be interesting and I for one will not enjoy climbing up and down a ladder to come and go. Heights are not a favorite of mine. We will then watch for a "weather window" and head across into the Sea of Cortez to catch up to friends coming down in the Ha ha and some who have been in the sea all summer. Happy Halloween , hope you are staying warm..... Love to all Rene and Eva

Oct 23, 2009

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