We made it to Mexico!

Entering Ensenada Harbor

So we had a wonderful Christmas afternoon and dinner at my friend Nicolette and Mark’s ranch house.  Their home is on a beautiful piece of property with amazing views. 

M & N Ranch

They have a chicken and a goose and a dog at the moment. Their herd of animals has dwindled due to the Coyote. The inside of their home is whimsical, enchanting, eclectic and cozy! Nicolette’s mother and father were there who I have not seen since I was in my early teens. I loved seeing them again!  

Mr. Lampert aka Papa

Me and Helen Jean - Nicolett'es mom

Her elder sister, her husband and son were there along with Mark’s mother. We were able to meet Nicolette’s son and daughter for the first time, who are both quite sweet.  It was a fun group of people to enjoy Christmas afternoon and dinner with! For not being able to be with our own family, being with Nicolette was the next best thing!

The hostess with the mostest!

The day after Christmas, Rick and I hustled all over town to get every last minute detail finished up that we could before we had to return the car.

So at 3:30 am the next morning, Rick and I woke up and got the boat ready for our sail to Ensenada and untied the dock lines by 4:00 a.m.

I was not happy about being up so early, but if we wanted to get to Ensenada by daylight, we had to leave when we did. It was very cold, but calm. It wasn’t but a couple hours into our sail and when the sun started to come out when the winds piped up to 20kts and the wind waves were coming off shore beating on our portside and then we had large swells going on shore which were hitting us on our starboard side. So when the waves from two different directions hit the boat they splashed over the bow of the boat. It was an uncomfortable ride for quite some time. We managed to sail with our Jib and motor most of the way until we got a few hours away from Ensenada and the winds died and the seas calmed down.

Rick attaching the Mexican flag before we get into Mexico

Harley taking a little snooze on the way

Mexican waters!

A couple dolphin who followed us for a while

We made it to Cruiseport Village Marina and in our slip by 3:30 p.m.  It was too late for us to “check in”, so we just visited with our other friends who had just arrived to the Marina and then took it easy the rest of the evening with the Fireplace on high! It’s still cold here. The low temperature is 37 and the high is 57. We need to keep moving South!

Our slip at Cruiseport Village

Jim and Rick

Jim arriving in his boat, Enore

Jim…Happy to be in Ensenada after single handing from San Diego

This morning we woke up, showered and went to the Harbor Office along with our other boater friends, where the Harbormaster, Jonathan, helped us complete all of the pertinent paperwork that we needed to take to the Immigration office. Jonathan then drove us to the Immigration office and walked us through the process, taking us from counter to counter getting papers stamped and paying fees. We spent a few hours total. 

 

Happily waiting to check into Immigration 

Rick and I waiting with Rijnard 

Rick handling the paperwork

After “checking in”, we all walked straight to Rick and my favorite Taco place! We sat down as soon as we walked up and we were all served fish tacos! They were so delicious and tasted just as good as we remembered from last year.

Jay and Rick on the left; Rijnard, Lisa and Jim on the right

We soon got back to the marina and said goodbye to Rijnhard, Lisa and Jay who were on their way to Cabo. They had plans to go straight there, which is about 800 miles. It will take them 4 days of non-stop sailing.

We are undecided how long we will be here. We are paid up until Monday but the weather keeps changing by the minute so we may leave sooner to dodge a few storms on our horizon.

Hoping you all had a Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year!!

With love, Maryalice, Rick and Harley

Taken at the fish market