Sunday, May 27, 2012

0819, Sun, 052712.     Isla Coronados.      The day has just started and already it is exciting.  I woke early to try and tune into the Monaco Formula 1 race but couldn't find it where we thought the schedule had told us.  We searched and searched and finally realized that Sirius has different program channels from XM.  Silly me, I thought they were one and the same.  So, finally, we found the right station by lap ten.  By lap 12 the dolphins were swimming right past the back steps and the stingrays were trying to jump out of the water making their belly flops all around us.  About lap 20 we got a visit from a local panga with father daughter asking if they could get a jump start, he had a dead battery.  I have set up my battery recharge system with plugs so I don't have to fool with the clumsy clamps with the ever present possibility of hooking them up backwards.  I had to disconnect our starter battery and haul it out on deck where we were able to jump start him.  He got about thirty feet away and his engine dropped dead once again.  He paddled back, we got the battery out the second time, and got him going.  This time he let it charge up a little before dropping into gear.  He was off to a good run this time. 

Lap 50.  We could see off in the distance that he was stuck once again.  We pulled the battery, put it in the dinghy, dropped the dinghy and were off to help out.  He was about a mile out so we had a little run to get to him.  In the meantime, all of the pangas leaving Loreto were whizzing right past him.  Finally, we could see a boat stop to help.  We turned back to Neos and let them take care of the problem.  Sue said the girl had a cell phone, so I would guess they called for help.  Town is only six miles away.

I did get to hear the closing laps of the race.  Really close, the top six cars finished in little over one second apart from first place to sixth.  Outstanding.

Oh, yesterday.  Ho hum from the way today has started.  Lots of dolphins playing near the boat for the entire morning and more.  The wind has shifted to the north but we are staying put for now as most of the other boats have shifted to the south anchorage.  Our opening hurricanes have finished their travels with a real close call for our friends in Puerto Vallarta.  It diminished to winds blowing in the fifty mile an hour range and dumped a lot of rain.  Hope they are all safe…..more later..