1964-1972 > Mexico by Sailboat
Tricks of Tired Minds | Two Dinghies | Mazatlan Hike | Valhalla | Cyclone! | Isla San Martin | Panic
Mexico by Sailboat
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| Valhalla |
After recovering our bikes from Mexico we happened through San Diego. Standing by the bay filled with sailboats, we thought we had discovered our next adventure. Sailing lessons convinced us the sea called.
Our first boat, the Valhalla, was a twenty-five foot fiberglass boat meant for day-sailing in protected harbors. Undaunted, we spent two months "beefing her up" for the open ocean and avoiding the dock police who did not allow live-aboards. I helped as needed, studied "Navigation Made Simple" and practiced with our gorgeous but totally outdated sextant.
We sailed south in June, passing many cruising sailboats coming north to avoid the chubasco (hurricane) season. After a month enjoying the Baja coast on our way, followed by the summer in Mazatlan and one hurricane and we were heading back north, passing the same cruisers coasting south for the winter on the forty knot winds that frustrated our return to San Diego.
No wonder we had adventures.
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| Privateer in San Francisco Bay (DBeeston photo) |
The Privateer was all we could have hoped for. A classic wooden boat, built as the flag ship for the Cruising Club of America in 1930 and in good shape when we bought her. With more sophisticated equipment and aids, the adventures were of a different kind, less risky but as much fun.
Tricks of Tired Minds: One night at sea. Our exhausted minds played tricks on us almost making that night our last.
Isla San Martin: A lovely island visit in the company of men harvesting abalone, lobsters and kelp.
Two Dinghies: We liked to think were knew what we were competent sailors, but too many times, we were humbled by experience.
Mazatlan Hike: Escaping the Mazatlan heat, we discovered a delightfully remote, relaxing and best of all, cool trail in the nearby mountains. But then there were the dogs, blisters and lack of food.
Cyclone: Expecting a lesser blow, we rode out a wild cyclone in Mazatlan harbor.
Valhalla: Almost to San Diego, lack of wind drives us to actions not considered by sane minds.
Panic: Repairs are not always easy.