The first night in Ensenada Grande was rough, and I mean rough. We did worry about whether or not the anchor was going to hold. For purposes of anchoring, the amount of wind really isn't the issue. The problems arise when the wind kicks up waves, which can then cause the anchor not to set properly, or even come unset and start to drag. I had always thought that you just dropped a big enough anchor and th. was that, but not so, not even close. The anchor has to set properly. If the wave action is too strong, the anchor can come unset, and start to drag. That obviously can be really bad, especially if the drag takes the boat close to shore or close to another boat. Although our anchor held, the wave action caused a LOT of yawing and pitching. There was a locker door that wouldn't stay closed, and some things in one of the cabinets were clinking around ominously. I got up several times in the night top re-fasten things down and to try and arrange the locker so it would stay closed. I had varying degrees of success - MIke was unhappy about the locker opening and closing, but did not want me fooling with it either. So I just kept getting up and re-fastening it. We were tossed around all night, and only Chelsea slept well, and that was because she did not know there was any danger of anchor-dragging. The rest of us were nervous and didn't sleep at all well. I don't mind a rolly anchorage as long as I don't have to worry about anchor drag. Some rocking is just soothing as far as I am concerned.
However, the night passed and our day was a beautiful day. Like I said, there was snorkling, swimming, and just lounging around. We had been given some fish when we left La Paz, and that was our first meal. I marinated it in mustard, lime juice, and something I have forgotten now, and then sauteed it. We all enjoyed it,along with our salad. Salads are a treat while underway, because salad vegetables don't keep so well, and there is limited space in the refrigerator (the reefer). So we enjoy it while it lasts. Our second night in Ensenada Grande was great - the wind blew but no problems with waves. The wind howled and was magnified by the noise made by our wind generator, but the wind also keeps things cool (no air conditioning unless we are in a marina!). I slept like the proverbial log and as best as I can remember, did not wake up at all during the night, which is not the norm for me.
This morning (the 29th, a Friday) we took off again for San Evaristo, a little fishing village we visited once before. It is about a day's sail north of Ensenada Grande. Right now we are about half way there and it is about 2:30 pm, but being as we are in what I refer to as the afternoon doldrums, we may take many more hours to get there. The winds seem to die down in the afternoons, causing many sailors to turn on their engines. Mike is a purist and will not use the engine except in an emergency, for docking or anchoring and entering harbors, or if he decides he wants it on. We sit out in the water just drifting along. I have been known to insist he turn the engine on if we start drifting backwards. So far the current keeps us going at least one knot in the right direction even though the wind has dropped to less than a knot. It is the only time we actually seem to sail faster than the wind speed.
It has been interesting so far to have both Walt and Chelsea with us - the space doesn't seem to be an issue, and we have found places to store the things we used to just shove in the vee berth, which is now their bedroom. They help out with things, and last night made dinner. We also had Movie Night last night - we watched "The Sand Pebbles" and all of us enjoyed it, despite the fact nothing good happens to any of the characters in the film. My father took me to see that movie when I was about nine years old, and it may have scarred me for life. I still remember gripping the arms of my seat at the movie theater, thinking "What the hell is happening to all these people?" For those of you who have not seen it, it takes place in China in the 20s when Mao and Chiang were getting ready to duke it out, and Russia was trying to stir up trouble in the area. Steve McQueen plays an American sailor who is on a gun boat on a Chinese river. It is an excellent movie and an even better book, but not for a nine year old girl. There was some stuff about prostitutes that went completely over my head, but not so completely that I dared ask about it. I was always afraid to ask my parents about things that confused me because I thought they might start to censor my reading, and I did not want that. Once I stole one of my dad's Mickey Spillane novels - it had a lurid picture on the cover of a woman with her dress half off, so I knew it was forbidden territory. I remember one sentence: "She said her name was Helen Wilson, but I knew her as Roxy Coulter. She was a stripper." I was floored. A stripper? What was that? I thought it must be some hideous thing having to do with peeling skin off. I have no idea why I thought that, but I did. And of course I didn't dare ask, because they would want to know where I heard it. And then I would be busted for reading forbidden stuff, and the censorship would start. I had the same horrifying experience with both the book and the movie of "Lord of the Flies" - I was too young for it. That one actually gave me nightmares, especially because I identified with poor Piggy, knowing that would be my fate if I were ever in that situation.
But enough - this is supposed to be about sailing and travel, not my childhood traumas. We are drifting along slowly, fishing lines out. I could probably guarantee we catch a fish if I were to decide to thaw some meat for dinner, but I am going to let the chips fall and just see what happens. A dorado would be nice! I love dorado! Or a tuna, if it isn't too big. Fresh fish on a sailboat cannot be beat.
As soon as we have internet again, I will post some pictures taken with the new underwater camera. This and other stuff will be posted via SSB radio, hopefully tonight. I wish everyone a really great day - and I will post again after the next anchorage.
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I must add "She said her name was Helen Wilson. But I knew her as Roxy Cultour. She was a stripper" to my collection of book/movie quotes to fling out at random moments.
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