Kevlar: Day 1

This is kevlar cloth, the bulletproof upgrade from fiberglass. The photographer asked me to do my best Vanna-pose.

Today we practiced our technique with an 8-foot length. The first step is to mix epoxy resin and hardener and roll it onto the surface. Next, stick the kevlar along a pre-marked line and smooth it onto the surface using a plastic squeegee. It's important to do a good job the first time because fixing mistakes is really difficult.

Darren, who just arrived from Australia to meet his new catamaran Cool Cat, is helping us, but it looks more like he's measuring me for a nice kevlar dress.

Once the kevlar is smoothed out, Dick goes over the surface again rolling on the epoxy so the fabric is soaked through. You have to mix just the right amount of epoxy and work efficiently because once the hardener is mixed into the epoxy, the hardening process begins. If it's warm, it "goes off" more quickly. This epoxy has some white pigment mixed in also. It will be the only time since the pigment isn't essential to a good outcome.

Bike ride to a treasure chest

Dick has nicknamed the other boatyard in Guaymas "Camp Dirt."

The treasure chest: a falling-apart trimaran that's being parted out. We came home empty-handed.

While Dick explored in the treasure chest, I watched 5 men work on a boat that had gone aground - oops! The truck is tethered to the boat and is backing up while the two guys are pulling on a line tied to the top of the mast. They're trying to "rock" the boat sideways hoping it will slide off a shelf into deeper water. There is also a dinghy (hard to see) on the port stern pushing for all its worth. The owner of the boat is ondeck scampering about. Dick and I didn't stay long enough to see if these three simultaneous techniques worked out.

Sundowners with Elke

One time-honored tradition among some cruisers is having Sundowners, drinks with friends at sunset. Tonight we were invited to Elke's boat, Wind of Change, which is berthed at the marina. Elke and her husband, Uwe, are from a small town near Hamburg Germany and, over the past couple of years (oh my, we've been in Guaymas for almost two years), we've become good friends. Elke and Uwe have sailed for the past 17 years so they have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Elke actually invited us for Sundowners last night. We told her we couldn't make it because we were going to watch the Super Bowl. She said, "What's that?" How often in one's lifetime, will you hear that?

Super Bowl XLV

We've watched, or listened to, the Super Bowl in a few interesting places. This year we went to Roberto's house and watched the game in Spanish. Dick made a traditional American meal of hamburgers with all the trimmings

including freshly roasted chiles.

Of course, Dick and I had to place a friendly wager on the outcome. My team, the Green Bay Packadores just scored against the Pittsburgh Acereros. They would go on to win!

I'm really going to enjoy those foot massages!!

Getting back to Guaymas

Inside the courtyard of Casa Buena, my little room was tucked into a quiet corner:

Breakfast in the morning was in the big common room in the center of the courtyard:

Around 10 am, I walked a mile or so from Casa Buena, along the malecon to the bus station:

A local bus took me to Pichilingue to the ferry terminal. The ferry left at 3 pm.

It was another cold ride across the Sea of Cortes to Topolobampo, we arrived at 9 pm. And there was Dick waiting for me! Hurray! A short taxi ride to Los Mochis and our bus back to Guaymas left at 11:30 pm.

Que le vaya bien

Go well on your way, Glenn. And remember the message on the poster behind you, "Expect the unexpected." Next time, I hope there's a sailboat involved.
I drove back to La Paz and will stay tonight behind the walls of Casa Buena. This 18-room bed and breakfast is owned by some an American couple who used to cruise.
Tomorrow I begin my journey back to Guaymas. Hopefully the ferry will be able to leave. It's quite cold here and the winds are gusting to 40 mph. My fingers are crossed.

Club Cruceros and more exploring

What fun to catch up with new friends, Chris and Agnes on s/v Sulima, who we met in Guaymas in the work yard. It was also great that Glenn got a glimpse of the daily morning coffee at the La Paz Marina cruisers club. Chris kept one eye on the wind as it began to pick up. There's a "big blow" coming in from the north and cruisers who are anchored outside the marinas are laying in supplies and may be on their boats for 2-3 days keeping watch that their boats don't drag. Chris and Agnes already had to deal with another boat that "dragged anchor" and drifted toward their boat.
Afterwards, breakfast at Rancho Viejo - yum! again.
Ibarra's Pottery, beautiful handmade pottery of all types and sold only at their shop. I wasn't allowed to take any pictures inside - darn!
A weaving factory.
Hand-carved spools
The oldest loom is 50 years old and still in operation, although it looks much older. No modernization or mechanization here.