Sunday Morning Lazy

Watching the fog lift.

It’s a quiet Sunday morning in Mazatlan and, now that we got the power back on, I am enjoying a cup of coffee while I read my email and contemplate getting in gear to tackle the long list of today’s projects.

We awoke to thick fog and, at 9:00, it is still in place. An excellent weather window has settled in for crossing the Sea of Cortez so the boats are leaving in droves. I have yet to meet a single cruiser who likes fog so there has been quite a bit of radio chatter about it. Apparently it is still pretty thick over 2 miles out but one boat reported they are at 5 miles and it is clearing. I am hoping for clear skies when we leave Thursday. Fortunately, it is a fairly long passage so we can wait a little later to leave if need be.

It is hard to believe how fast the “season” is coming to a close but I am definitely beginning to look forward to being land based for a bit, and I’m not the only one. Several of my women cruiser friends are saying the same thing. Many of our cruising friends are already in the process of putting their boats away or have already gone home. Cruising the warm Mexican waters during the winter is quite wonderful, but by this time in the season I start to miss friends and family and not having to worry about weather every time we want to move to a new place.

Last night we had a wonderful dinner with Tom & Pam from “Kewao”. They have been given the use of a friend’s condo while they are putting their boat to bed for the summer and what a condo it is. They are on the 14^th floor with an amazing view of the Ocean and the islands outside the Mazatlan entrance from the front deck and, in back, the entire city of Mazatlan is at their feet. As people who also live on a boat, we could fully appreciate their joy at having unlimited hot showers that don’t require a 2 block walk to get to them and a bed that is big enough that you don’t have to turn over in sync…and…no one has to crawl over another person to get in or out. Add in the microwave, dishwasher, washer and dryer and you can see why they are beginning to say, “Boat? What boat?”.

During our conversation last night we discussed snotty passages and hair-raising anchorages with the enthusiasm of teenagers. There seems to be that same youthful bravado when we re-hash situations that, at the time they happened, were terrifying but ended well. Sort of a “We can hardly believe we survived that.” feeling that brings being fully involved in life to a vivid clarity.

At one point, Pam asked, “Why do we keep doing this?” More discussion ensued and we finally decided that is mostly about the people. We all love the beautiful destinations, the warm weather and the wonderful experiences (except, of course, the really snotty passages) but it is the people in the cruising community who are the real reason we keep doing what we do. Another cruiser once told me, “99% of the people you meet cruising are the most wonderful people you will ever know. If you haven’t met the 1% that is a jerk, you might be “it”.” Fortunately, we have met our 1% (whew!) but the statement is true. Strong friendships are built in hours and last forever, and nothing makes an experience more rich and enjoyable than sharing it with good friends.