HAWKEYE HAPPENINGS, February, 2002

HAWKEYE HAPPENINGS February, 2002

We left Banderas Bay Jan 17 and managed to sail around Cabo Corrientes under 12 Knot winds, Wing and Wing. The winds picked up during the afternoon with a maximum of 37 Knots. Under reefed main and Genoa, we still hit 11.7 Knots when Linda was on the helm surfing the waves-what a rush (and a little scary)! Ipala was a comfortable anchorage and we got a good night's sleep.

Departure was a daylight run from Ipala to Chamela, another great sail, where we spent a few days enjoying the little village, snorkeling the islands, and picnicking with friends Nancy and Herman on Sea Tern. They are an inspiration to us as they are in their 70's and still going strong. They want to sail to Florida next year and buy a Catamaran there.

The next leg was to Tenacatita; again, a great sail. We beat the fleet in for the second time, including a Catamaran, and sailed the whole way. At this point we had only used 2 gallons of diesel since leaving Banderas Bay which included raising anchor, motoring out of an anchorage, charging batteries when needed and anchoring. Tenacatita was fun as usual with lots of boats in the anchorage (40) but still enough room. There was an accumulation of cruising kids on the beach with parents exchanging books and ideas on schooling . A total of 14 kids in the fleet from 20 months to 15 years. They were having all kinds of activities and their VHF radio etiquette would put some adults to shame! We said goodbye to Nancy & Herman at that point as they are going no further south this year. We have spent quite a few memorable cruising experiences with them and it was a sad parting with these great friends.

After leaving Tenacatita, our luck with the wind ran out. We had to motor several hours off and on to get Caleta de Campos, a place we had never been before. It is a beautiful anchorage with an almost deserted white sandy beach, palm trees, and the village is on top of a hill overlooking the bay. Time spent exploring the area was shared with new friends on Reaching Deep. After a rolly night at anchor with very little sleep, we decided to push on to Zihuatanejo. We had a beautiful night of gentle down wind sailing under a nearly full moon. Even after reefing down, we arrived outside the Bay before daylight. We waited until it got light and then entered to anchor in front of the villas of a Five Star Hotel. The social life was to start immediately upon anchoring.

Blair and Joan on Capricorn Cat were just raising anchor from a little bay to go outside the bay so Blair could be net control for the Amigo net that morning. They suggested we anchor near them. When they returned, they came over and invited us to sail on Cap Cat in the boat parade that was to start a weekend of fun and fund raising for a school of indigenous Indians. The children come into town from outer villages to attend school and live at the school during the week. Over $4,019 was raised and those funds were matched by a Canadian Foundation. So, with over $8,000, the children will have a place to sleep and given 3 meals a day. These children will not only get a regular education, but will learn Spanish and English (they come to the school speaking their Indian dialect). Some of the children were at a fund raising dinner and raffle held during the festival and they were very grateful thanking the cruisers in Spanish after introducing themselves. The woman in charge of the school cried as she thanked everyone.

That first day at anchor, Thursday, after an hour of sleep, John had a meeting for giving Ham radio tests and Linda was involved with playing Baja Rummy. Friday was check in time with the Port Captain, buying groceries and a raft up of Profilgate (the Latitude 38, 65 foot Cat) and Capricorn Cat (45 feet). There were easily 100 people going back and forth between the boats checking out the appetizers and visiting. Saturday was the parade with about 40 boats in attendance and Saturday night, the dinner and raffle. Super Bowl Sunday included a match race between Capricorn Cat and Profligate. Tickets were sold for $20 to ride on either of the Cats and everyone had a great time. It was a very relaxed race with no loser! Cap Cat had 28 people aboard and the folks on Profligate didn't stand still long enough to be counted. Today, Monday, John is helping with the Ham exam as I write the newsletter and relax a little. The life of a cruiser is tough!

Our plans are to be in Zihuatanejo for about a month before heading further south. Our VISAs run out April 5 so we must be out of Mexico by that time. In the meantime, there is a lot to explore in the area and meetings with the southbound group which is about 40 boats-more than to the South Pacific! John and Linda de Hawkeye