03:45 UP ANCHOR AWAY

Leaving behind S/V Ketchia I and Rob and Kim, we sail away in a south east direction from Isla Coronadas towards the southern tip of Isla Carmen. Thankful that we did leave early we spent the next four hours in a rather large swell that was left over from the day before winds. We did have enough SE wind to sail and though that made for a rolling time it was not unbearable but tiring. Both Joey and I concentrated on regaining our sea legs and were glad to arrive at 09:00 to anchor at 25' 59.675'N 111' 06573'W in the Bahia Salinas just around from Punta Perico South. What a beautiful spot! A picture perfect cove with lots of history and very friendly Park attendants we rested with plans to explore the following morning.

S/V Intrepid II, with Kelly and Carol aboard, arrived mid day from Puerto Escondido to a reunion of both vessels as we had originally met way back in the fall. It was a treat to spend the day touring the bay and enjoying a few happy hours together. Joey' s fan club keeps following him!!!! LOL We enjoyed sharing stories of the last seven months, comparing notes and tips and having a few laughs! Thanks you two and here's wishing you a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY – APRIL 4^TH!!!!!

Being part of the cruiser world out here you soon learn to depend on the early morning Net programs that offer free weather reports that become part of your daily ritual. After listening to Amigo Net with Don Anderson and Sonrisa Net and Geary…The Captains makes plans to leave the next morning at 08:45 March 19^th to sail to Puerto Escondido. We sail and have a glorious tour of the coast line as we are able to set a course very close to the beach. We see Dolphins near at hand and whales far in the distance………….kinda where I like to see them and the day is absolutely fantastic. (Got to work on my coloring a little more and read my book also take my turn at the wheel—all and all resulting in a very relaxing day.)

As we approach the entrance, my imagination runs wild and I wonder what it was like a long time ago when there were no charts and GPS. The entrance is completely hidden and difficult to see thus called Puerto Escondido, or Hidden Port . We arrive fairly early, 12:30 and after fuelling up we anchor in the area called The Eclipse, which is immediately inside the entrance to the west. We notice that while at the fuel dock Joey is pretty mellow and does not rush to get off the boat. He is very calm and taking everything in but quite content to stay aboard. That makes life easy for me. No fuss no stress. Love it!

Being close to the dingy dock we paddle over to the dock and visit the yacht club, the harbour name sake which indeed is Baja's most protected being almost completely landlocked . We have been here before so are feeling rather at ease and check out who is in or not, check the book exchange and DVD library………..Captain has a beer and I a frozen Mango bar!! Love them and enjoy them as the temp is getting higher all the time. After an enjoyable time and a failed attempt to register we return to our dingy. ( Manyania!!!) Teasingly The Captain says it's my turn to row back so I do. This of course is not usual and does take me sometime to achieve as I am not that accomplished. ( I do get treated most of the time as a princess you know!!) With in a few minutes we do reach the White Shell II and I go on board with Claes checking the hull and is tempted to begin cleaning it. It is unbelievable how much growth accumulates in this temperature of water. We just had the bottom cleaned when we left La Paz February 8^th!!!!

While I am in search of a brush for him he jumps into the wheel house and calls out. "We got to get out of here!!!!!! " I scramble up from the galley and we both hear and see the most incredible gust of wind. As I am attempting to pull in the dingy, out of the corner of my eye I feel the neighbouring motor boat feet away from our starboard side. From out of no where this horrendous wind takes control of the entire bay!!!!! We manage to get out of the Eclipse area and make our way to The Waiting Room, which is very full but we are guided by a fellow sailor to an anchoring spot. In the meantime with no one on board. the power boat that nearly hit us is up against the wall and receiving assistance by a number of responding fellas in dingy. This is reminiscent of past days when Claes was part of the Malaspiana volunteer fire department!!!! First responders are vital as they are in this case and the power boat is eventually taken off the wall and brought to safety.

We spend at least half an hour idling about in hopes that the wind will subside and we will be able to drop the hook. The Captain, unhappy with that option moves out to the inner harbor to the mooring balls and we tie up for the night!!!!! Eventually the wind does relax a lot and we carry on to a relatively calm evening yet……………we cant help but think in amazement what an incredible sense of timing for us and White Shell!!!

We are not sure if we began to drag or if the motor boat pulled us up—but whatever the case we remain in awe of how we got back to our vessel just in the nick of time!!!!! Oh! I forgot to mention the tie up rope for the dingy got swung out of the dingy and nearly got wrapped in the main propeller. Needless to say it is a tad shorter now.

The wind has continued to be coming from the NNW at between 12-15 with gusts of up to 20-25. Last night was rather disruptive and I did not sleep so well. Oh, the joys of cruising!!!! It is a beautiful day none the less and we have enjoyed a quite morning. We are treated to a good connection so have been Skyping the kids/friends today and last night! This morning after a little breakie we downloaded the Sunday message from our Faith Family in Comox…………listening to favorite tunes and the wild and crazy voice of Pastor Ron!! (The link is on the side bar on the right!)

We will partake in Pot Luck at the Club this afternoon and hopefully leave in the morning to head to Aqu Verde as we continue homeward.


 
YOU GOTT TO KNOW THAT WE ARE SO THANKFUL THAT GOD LIVES AND IS ALIVE FOR US!!!!!!! HE CERTAINLY WAS THERE HELPING US IN THAT WIND YESTERDAY! I ALWAYS THINK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AS BEING IN THE WIND…..so we are pretty impressed as we realize what could of happened! And in the beauty of it what did happen was a God thing…………..what can we say but Thank You Jesus!!!!!


We sincerely trust that you can appreciate these thoughts!!!  We are happy to be safe and well today.


Lue and Claes and Joey