We figured we would hang here at Chamela for the day. An internet access point indicates there is a hotel somewhere here with internet and a pool. Sounds perfect. So we load up all the computers, camera, cell phones, and kindles into dry bags and off we go. We are away from the boat when it dawns on Melissa that neither of us has any shoes. Quick U turn fixes that. But Melissa starts to wonder – if I can forget shoes, then when was the last time I put on socks? She can’t remember exactly.
We are starting to get good at beach landings in the dingy. These can be tricky because the surf can tumble you over. We’ve managed to avoid that. And for the most part have managed to avoid getting too wet on the landings. Of course, that’s Melissa’s perspective. That of the “princess” who rides on the dingy all the way to shore. Dave’s perspective is a bit different given that he is the guy that jumps in – usually in waste deep water – to drag the dingy ashore where Melissa then hops out and asks whether he needs any help dragging the dingy up the beach.
Yesterday though we managed to blow out a tire. Closer inspection this morning revealed that we had done it in but good. The inflator stem was completely missing. Fortunately we have a spare inner tube. But alas, no way to actually inflate it. Dag nab it. Ok, so we add “tire pump” to the list of gear to pick up in Seattle in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile Dave drives around the bay asking the other boaters if they have a pump. No luck. So off we go – planning to drag the dingy up without the wheels. Dave hops out as usual before we hit the surf. He drags the dingy to what he figures is the perfect spot to ride a wave to shore. He misjudges slightly. If Melissa were of a more cynical mindset she would say he timed it perfectly. As when the next wave hit – Whoosh! It came clean over the dingy – soaking Melissa from head to toe along with all the gear. The only justice being that Dave’s shirt was in the dingy and got soaked too.
Finally ashore we wander down the beach looking for a likely spot that might have a tire pump or compressor. Eventually Dave finds a tienda (“shop”) that is a tire repair shop by day and a taco stand by night.
So we finally make it to the pool to hang out. Though the birds seemed to make more use of the pool than any of the humans.
That night “Lazy Days” pulls in. They are the 49’ power boat that Dave helped diagnose their SSB modem. They invite us for drinks. We went over and traded stories with them till late into the evening. Interestingly, Cheryl agrees with Melissa that following seas are just plain uncomfortable!