Feb 3-12:
After a couple days in La Paz, saying goodbye to Steve and hello
to Ted, we headed back out to the islands. We headed out later in the afternoon
than expected due to the strong currents and wind pushing us onto the dock, but
we made it to Bahia Gabriel just at dusk and anchored up for a late dinner. The
next morning we had a work day around the boat. I polished Charlie Noble (our
stove pipe), put new whipping’s on the kayak tie downs, and helped to serve
portions of our new bow net foot rope. It was a quiet afternoon spent reading.
The next day we had an awesome sail up wind to Caleta Partida. The swells were
down, but the wind was blowing and we cruised along at 5 and 6 knots. We went
ashore for a quick leg stretch before dinner and found some beautifully soft,
squishy sand! The next morning we motored over quickly to the tiny little
anchorage right next to Partida called El Cardoncito. We had an awesome
workday, sanding and varnishing, working on the bow net, fixing the broken bolt
in the fisherman track, and then working on school stuff in the afternoon. Over
night it became dead calm and the little no-see-ums came out and we left as
early as we could in the morning to head up to play with the sea lions! They
were pretty playful again and Mary and I decided to kayak partway around the
island and two sea lions thought it very amusing to follow us around and pop
their heads up right next to us. After the fun there, we motored down to Bahia
Grande and anchored up for the afternoon/night. It was nap time/shore time for
the rest of the day! We got underway early the next morning for Isla San
Francisco! With the superbly calm seas and no wind, we had to motor but we also
got to tow the paddleboard! Annie, Mary and Ritch tried it out and I took my
favorite spot behind the camera. It was great fun watching then try to use the
board like water skis and the tumbles that ensued. After that fun, we anchored
up and spent the afternoon taking apart the old bow net so we could put up the
new footrope and cross sections. I spent my time with a spike and mallet
undoing all the clove hitches that had seized up. It was an early night to bed!
Another workday! With the boat
heading up the coast soon, we are trying to bang out as many things as we can.
I worked on sanding and varnishing again and then helped annie with the bow
net. We put in the new footrope and measured, cut and positioned all the cross
sections. Now just to whip to the ends and seize them on for good! We decided
it was time for some water play and put our wetsuits on, took the paddle board
and anchored it out from Martha (to avoid splashing all the fresh paint and
varnish). We played chicken, volleyball, and monkey in the middle.
Unfortunately, the jellyfish showed up, but we were tired and headed back to
the boat to rinse off and have some dinner! After dinner we watch a VERY funny
Canadian movie called, “Gunless”. I highly recommend checking it out.
An early morning departure for San
Evaristo, a little fishing village on the inner coast just north of Isla San
Francisco. The town has about 20 full-time families living there. They have a
school, de-sal plant and two small tiendas (store)! We are having a day off
from boat work so I strung up my hammock and relaxed for a while before heading
to shore with the whole gang to go check out the salt ponds they have there and
the beautiful rock pebble beach. There were tons of agates on the beach and I
also got some great little shells, including two blue cowries. After beach
play, we headed back into town and stopped at the little tienda for some canned
tuna and strawberry jam! The next morning we left early and motored down
towards Espiritu Santo unsure of where we were headed and ended up at Ensenada
de Candelero. Turns out to be our new favorite place! It is a beautiful bay
just south of Caleta Partida with a big rock/reef that sticks way out into the
bay, almost making it two. We anchored up on the south side of the reef and
proceeded to spend the afternoon playing in the water. We paddle boarded over to
the reef and Mary and I snorkeled around a little bit. We saw lots and lots of
fishies and sea urchins (REALLY BIG ONES) and this little pretty purple fish.
We saw chocolate chip sea stars (that is there real name), a crown of thorns
sea star, yellow spotted star and sea pens! Further out from the reef we saw
some rays and skates and then an eel. He was hiding in between some rocks and
Mary and I decided that we were done snorkeling once we saw him! We got to have
yummy spaghetti for dinner and then brownies for dessert. Perfect meal for a
perfect day! The next morning we went ashore to hike up the arroyo there, and
although it is not long, it is beautiful. The hike ends in this huge cavernous
waterfall area with big boulders. The rock formations from the wind and water
(hasn’t run through there in years) are simple AMAZING. There is also a well at
the start of the hike that used to provide fresh water to the military
installment that used to be there. Though, now the water is brackish
unfortunately. After a yummy brunch of chorizo, bacon and eggs, we sailed off
the hook and headed for La Paz. We are here for a couple days, working on
different things, and enjoying/being overwhelmed by the big Mardi Gras Carnival
happening, lots of tents, food, rides, and the typical carnival/fair craziness.
It is an experience to say the least!
