Second Wind Voyage: Adios, Baja

Let's start this entry with a short quiz.

You have been periodically checking the location of Second Wind online and notice that the boat hasn't changed anchorages for several days. The reason for this is:

a) Art & Nancie like that anchorage so much they don't want to leave
b) There was a major breakdown and they can't leave until it's fixed
c) Weather conditions are making travel unsafe and/or uncomfortable
d) Any of the above could be true

The correct answer is D.

Though it was time to leave La Paz, we weren't quite ready to leave Baja. There were still some anchorages we wanted to explore, and explore them we did. Our itinerary was curtailed by two consecutive so-called "wind events", each with 4 days of strong northerly winds. Most of our time was spent in protected anchorages within 45 miles of La Paz, along with several other boats also hiding out in those bays (in this case, C was the best answer). We did some hiking and beachcombing, and it was a treat to be immersed in desert anchorages again. The colorful striated cliffs, sculpted red rocks and green varieties of cactus were lovely by day, and Venus was especially glorious every evening.

The best part about not traveling was getting some significant projects completed. It felt great to get a lot of work done, with no marina fees and in a beautiful setting. Score!

En route between two islands, we stopped at Los Islotes--some outlying rocks that house a sea lion colony. These particular sea lions are accustomed to people; "swimming with the sea lions" is promoted by divers in La Paz. So one morning I tugged on Art's wetsuit and swam into sea lion territory--and before long I was greeted by playful pups who swirled and darted around me. I sure hope they could hear me laughing through the snorkel! Art manned the boat, as it was very near the rocks, and the surface show--sea lions playing with each other, even doing flips & rolls & leaps--was equally joyful. My, we are fortunate...

The other highlight was a dinghy river trip--or a river of sorts, since it was a long tidal stream into a large lagoon that was very wide and had strong currents. Canals meandered off the main stream as it flowed through a huge mangrove forest, and herons and egrets were plentiful. Once again we were all alone in a beautiful place; it felt magical!

Venus at the Caleta Partida anchorage,
Isla Espiritu Santo

Sea lions at Los Islotes

Rocks on a beach at Isla San Francisco

Isla San Francisco has pink beaches...

...and red and green beaches!

Hiking at Isla San Francisco

Did you ever see a scenic photograph
and want to go to that place? We did--and we did!
Here is the cover of Shawn Breeding &
Heather Bansmer's wonderful guide to the Sea of Cortez...