March 22, 2013, Saturday, Marina El Cid, Mazatlan, Mexico

Up early, everything stowed, paperwork is stamped, we are checked out of the office and ready to leave.  It is just high tide and we need to exit the channel before the dredge starts work at 9:00.  We will go back down to Stone Island and anchor overnight before taking off for Isla Isabel.  First we need to stop at the fuel dock just up the channel.  Problem #1, the fuel dock does not open until 8:30 and it is only 8:00.  The workers are there, eager to help us tie up but the pumps are locked until the office opens.  Problem #2, there is a red flag flying and the harbor master had closed the channel.  No one can leave.  There is a strong swell outside and waves are breaking at the channel mouth.  Up at Marina Mazatlan the water was almost completely still but down here at the mouth of the channel the tide is running strong.  It actually looks like a river racing out of the channel and tossing the boats around.  By the time we finish getting fuel we realize that we are not going anywhere today.  So we check in to the office are are assigned a slip and given two fluffy towels.

Even getting into the slip is a challenge with the strong current.  By the time Alan is satisfied we have used all 6 mooring lines and all 6 fenders to hold us onto the dock.  And here we are in the lap of luxury.  There are green lawns, lovely landscaping, several pool areas, a swim up bar.  Best of all, we are surrounded by Mexican families, not just retired Americans.  The hotel is actually delightful.  The pools wrap around the marina and and the hotel towers, which are painted in a variety of soft colors.  Concrete sculpted into the shape of rocks create ledges for diving, water slides, waterfalls and places to sit.  Iguanas wander the lawn and help themselves to unattended salads.  The hot tub is really hot, the pools are just warm enough and the sky is clear.  Waiters wander, taking orders for drinks or food. I grab my towel, hat and sunglasses and head for the hot tub where I send the rest of the day.  Alan stays on the boat, delighted to have a good strong wifi connection, and finishes downloading charts and updating software.

Sunday morning is more of the same, the red flag is up, the swells are still breaking into the mouth of the channel.  Two of our big fenders had flattened like balloons overnight.  Oh dear, forced to spend another day in luxury.  Our slip costs about $30/day.  Hotel rooms are $250+.  Such a deal.

Finally Monday morning the swell had died enough for us to leave.  Once we check out, 3 strong guys show up to help us cast off and we are underway by 9:00.  After all that, we slip smoothly out of the channel and back into the ocean.  Now our main concern is water.  The water in the marina was so dirty that Alan did not want to run the water maker and we are almost out.  For 2 hours we cruise along the bay with the motor on and the generator running while the tanks fill.  For the first time on the trip, Alan is actually starting to get seasick because he has to stay down below and tend the water maker.  Luckily we have the patches and eventually he agrees to try one and gradually turns from pale green back to his normal ruddy tan.  Since I am on deck steering, the wrist bands are enough for me.  About 3:00 we anchor back in Stone Island harbor, just outside of the old harbor where our visit to Mazatlan started over a month ago.  the plan is to go ashore for a last round of fish and shrimp, call our friends and see if the still and finally want to go for a sail tomorrow and then take off for Isla Isabel and points south.