Conception Bay before we Blame it on Mulege
10’ rollers chased us into the Sweet Pea anchorage on the western shore of Isla San Marcos. Winds are blowing 20 out of the north but waters are flat in the anchorage. Winds are still whistling through the cabin and it’s cool. The protection here is good from the north but forecasts indicate it could shift to more westerly which could make for an unconformable night. Within an hour bees start arriving on the boat. I now remember we had problems with bees here last year. After another hour we have thousands on the cabin floor after the fresh water from the cooler. Winds have backed a bit so we’re decided we’re moving to south shore of San Marcos with better wind protection and hopefully NO BEES.
Monday May 8th
Very good move relocating to the south. Winds blasted us all night but our anchorage offered total protection. Looking east clouds covered the sky and we could see big rollers moving south. Mid morning things settled and we headed for Conception Bay 30 miles south. Right out of anchorage we run into a huge pod of pilot whales heading our way spending a good 30 minutes with us.
Rounding Punta Chivato waters are calm and a beautiful clear turquoise. We wave to Mulege as we sail past and enter Conception, destination playa Santispac. BAM, John has a hookup on his trolling fishing line. 30’’ shark that we worked hard getting the hook free to release him. 10 minutes later bam again, this time a 3’ shark. I guess I wouldn’t suggest swimming down the middle of Conception.
Click on any of these pictures to enlarge them..
Wonderful sail only into Santispac and a cool evening. I had promised the crew a dinner ashore tonight but it’s Sunday night with bad weather and neither of the beach restaurants are open. John has everything under control, we won’t starve.
Tuesday May 9th
We’re up early after an early night last night and motor over to Playa el Burro where Bertha’s restaurant is hoping for breakfast. You guessed it, they’re not open either. Since we’ve been sailing Gato Loco in the Sea our morning weather on the ham net has come from playa Burro by Gerry living in a palapa home here. He’s not doing it this year so we stop by to his neighbor Donna and find he’s in the states fighting lung cancer. He hopes to be back for his annual 4th of July howl at the moon party. We’re sending our positive thoughts his way for speedy recovery and return to beloved Playa el Burro..
Tuesday Mid-day we make the Mulege channel and put our anchored down next to the lighthouse in the river channel for a fun afternoon in town.
You catch most of our visit in the video below. Here’s a few photos of our day.
We start with bloody Mary’s at the Hotel Serenidad pool side bar.i
We hook up Nacho our taxi driver extraordinaire for a town visit.
Mulege Mission
John a lobster lunch
A stop by the local water hole to meet some locals. A few years back I bought a prehistoric sharks tooth here. I told the bartender I can’t locate it and soon Juan shows up with another one for me. Very happy
Later back to boat and on to El Patron for dinner.
Watch the video for the full story.
Until the next Update.
Our Patron dinner fiends (2 small pups) — El Patron bar area.
After hearing tall tales about Mulege for years I finally made it! Your sailing along in beautifully barren Baja and then you turn up a river mouth and you feel like you’re in the jungle. Date palms are everywhere and the river provides a great backdrop for a historic old town. The mission that was built in 1705 still stands guard over the town and the river. The food and the people were spectacular and gracious. Then we got margaritas. Then we got some more. Los Diablo’s (Lowell and Bill) are seasoned tequila drinkers. I, on the other hand, am more of a beer drinker. I believe I may have been over served. We had tons of fun bar hopping and met lots of nice people, both locals and fellow travelers. Everyone we met wanted to buy us a drink and you know how much we hate to be rude. After a trip back to the boat to refresh ice and butcher RCPM songs ( watch the video at your own risk) it was off to El Patron and our table 3 feet from the surf. Another great meal with even better company. We had fun with the owners and their kids and almost adopted 2 dogs. Mulege was one of the funniest days yet!
The next day was not quite as fun. 10 foot, rolling swells and a margarita hangover are an spectacular mix. we all survived and lived to tell the tale! Blame it on Mulege! On a side note I have now moved into a 3-2 lead over Bill in our fishing competition. It aint over till its over! Still missing Kelli, the kids and the pups but loving my last week on Gato Loco.
Until next time……..Teefy Out!!!
Any Ray’s or whale sharks yet?
GREAT video
Perfect.
What a great video!!! I feel its worthy of a Mexican Oscar…if such a thing exists… have fun and be safe
John Good
Glendale Fire
Mulege is a favorite stop of mine. Stayed at Hotdl Sineradad, great food also and love the outside bar poolside! Great video, safe sailing!
That video was a HOOT!!’ Anxious to see if Lowell made it off the boat alive! Ha!! I NEED to go to Mulege! Looks like a super fun place!!!