The trip back to La Paz

Left to right: Shearwater, Brandywine, Shakedown
(in a smaller cove in background)

We are leaving Puerto Escondido with mixed emotions, we, and crew of "Shearwater" (Eric & Pati) headed east to our destination a mere three miles away.  Although it was fairly gusty and the waves where high, we arrived safely in Honeymoon Cove on the northwest side of Isla Danzante.  Our friends on "Brandywine" (Kenny & Nancy Nordstrom) were already there resting peacefully at anchor.

We climbed up the hill to have a look-around and connect
to the Loreto cell tower.

Overlooking the northern tip of Danzante Island.  Loreto
is just off to the left about 25 kilometers away.  We got
our phone calls made!

"Sand & Barnicles" at anchor in Bahia Aqua Verde

Departed Honeymoon Cove at 0955 in company with Shearwater.  Brandywine had plans to head north.  After a four-hour motorsail, arrived in Bahia Aqua Verde at 1355. A total of nine vessels were tucked into the northern cove....none in remainder of the bay.  We were expecting some heavy winds from the north, so the north end provided the most protection, mostly from the waves.  We met a number of new crews and a few friends from Puerto Escondido who had come down for an overnight or two before heading back for Turkey dinner.  We were very fortunate to be invited to the motor vessel "Sand & Barnicles", (crewed by Sandy and Barney) to join them for Thanksgiving Dinner.  Eric & Pati, and the local caretaker, Tio Jose, attended the feast as well.  A great dinner and fantastic company!

We ended up spending five nights here because (a) it's beautiful and (b) the wind was blowing a lot.

Just another glorious moon rise.

Another view of Bahia Aqua Verde

Shakedown at anchor in Aqua Verde

Sandy hard at work preparing the gourmet meal

Pati & Eric awaiting the Turkey's arrival

Nancy's cool shell earrings, Tio Jose and Sandy discussing
world affairs aboard Sand & Barnicles (maybe...)

Sandy wrapping a fish...in a T-shirt!  Showing a new
way of capturing that moment after catching a fish
out here in the Sea of Cortez.

The T-shirt now has a fish embellished on it...

Shearwater & Shakedown (taken from "Sand &
Barnicles")

Shakedown is finally resting in calmed seas.

We finally had to say goodbye to Aqua Verde.  Shakedown has been a fairly frequent visitor, having stopped here and spending six days all by our lonesome back in August, sailing down here with son Steven in mid November and again on the way (this time) back to La Paz.  After consulting with "Shearwater", we decided to head straight for San Evaristo without stopping along the way at Puerto Gatos, as it probably wouldn't provide much protection for the the winds and waves we were likely to encounter, based on weather forecasts.  So we had a fairly rough downwind trip with some 4-6 foot swells and confused seas for some 46 miles.  Motor-sailed all the way.  Mizzen sail broke loose during an unplanned jibe at the aft clew.   But we made good speed and arrived two hours earlier than planned.  Caught a 4-5 lb Skipjack Tuna along the way.  

There's probably a fish tale here...just can't remember.
But it is big enough to eat...shashimi!

Shashimi Chef happily at work on the Skipjack Tuna...

Dropped anchor San Evaristo 1430.  We were feeling pretty good after making the 90 degree turn into San Evaristo.  With only the injured mizzen sail up, we were being hit with 25+ knots on the starboard beam.  So we went from that to basically flat calm.                                 
                           Sweet!

The mizzen sail after we anchored.

Made repairs to Mizzen sail attachment point at aft end of mizzen boom.  

Weather pretty crappy and cold.  Hung around in the boat reading and relaxing.  Made trip with Shearwater crew to Tienda and then to the Palapa for a beer.

Cleaned fresh water pump filter, which was totally filled with sediments from tanks.  Had to clean filter to washing machine as well in order to do laundry.  

Went for a hike to the Salt Flats with Shearwater crew.  Stopped at the Tienda and purchased some items, although the stock was fairly depleted due to the large number of boats in the harbor awaiting a weather window to continue their respective journeys.

Starting out requires crossing a small "river"

Crossing (walking on) the "river"

On our way to the Salt Flats

The other boats in the bay

Cresting the hill looking north

The muskateers surge forward to the flats

The commercial salt flats

Circling the flats...reminded me of Liberia

A "graveyard" for donkeys and cattle

Made it to the "Sea" side of the salt flat and noticed
this gentleman staring at the rocks

After we got closer, we saw the drain with the plug
removed.  He was watching water drain out of the
salt flat now that the tide was lower.

Water draining from the salt flat

The wind was still blowing in the Sea of Cortez....

Took dinghy to beach near Tienda, which was found to be closed!  Had dinner and a movie aboard Shearwater.

Shearwater on left and Shakedown in center at our anchorage

Went to the Tienda, but were informed that the items we needed most, bananas and beer, wouldn't be in until tomorrow afternoon.  Since we decided to be out of San Evaristo by noon the next day, we just got a couple of items that were still on the shelf and returned to the boat.  We went to the Palapa bar/restaurant next to Lupe's.  A bunch of sailors and their children were there to celebrate one of the youngsters' birthday (she turned eight).  Ate well and listened to a jam session (our friend Eric played his electric drums).  

Got in a little beach combing...Nancy is now known as
"Shell-Seeker"

After five nights here, we finally said goodbye to San Evaristo at 1155 this morning, arriving in Bahia San Francisco at 1330.  Walked the beach and picked up a few more shells.

After dropping anchor in Bahia San Francisco (Isla
San Francisco) we dingied to the vast, white beach

The water was crystal clear near the shore

The "fleet" at anchor...by the time the sun set, there
were eleven of us

Our dinghy on it's "landing wheels

Another view looking back towards dinghy after a
long walk

When we were in San Evarista, we had dined at Lupe & Maggie Mae's restaurant several times.  While we were anchored here, who should we bump into, but Lupe, who had come down in his Panga to do some spear fishing!  He presented Shearwater a parrot fish, and then a bit later, he dropped by Shakedown and dropped off another for us!  What a guy!

Eric showing off the parrot fish Lupe brought him.

And the parrot fish he brought for us!

It was time to continue our voyage towards La Paz.  We decided to have one more stop along the way, and the weather seemed to be cooperating a little bit more this morning. Departed at 0800 and arrived Caleta Partida 1230.

Leaving San Francisco behind (as in the rear view mirror)

Our friends on Shearwater took this photo of Shakedown
as we headed from Isla San Francisco to Caleta Partida

Another shot, a bit closer 

We arrived in Caleta Partida around 1230, set anchor and the four of us took a dinghy ride out through a shallow channel between Isla Partida and Isla Espiritu Santo into the Sea. It was too choppy to continue, so we turned around and headed back into the comfort of our anchorage.  Hal managed to pull a small muscle (tweak) in his lower back, slowing him down somewhat.  Still managed to drive dinghy to the beach for a walk on the shore.  

Shearwater and Shakedown entering Caleta Partida

Time to head out and down to La Paz (Isla Partida on
left, Isla Espiritus Santo on right)

We were overtaken by a ferry just before it made its
left hand turn in front of us into Pichilinge.  

Well, we finally got back to La Paz and dropped anchor at 1315.  We checked at the Marina Don Jose and found that the slip formerly occupied by Shakedown (some four months ago) was empty.  It was the only empty slip in the marina!  We inquired if we might pull back into it.  Not a problem, we were told.  The following day (December 8th) we did so and are now here for somewhere around two months, we think.  

Meanwhile, our "summer cruise" is complete, we have (as always) some work to do on the boat, etc. etc. etc.

Until next time......