Northbound–The final leg home

---

By Lowell | June 14, 2017 | Category Baja 2017

Tuesday June 13th

Our layover day yesterday is just what we needed after our tough sail north. Everything is in order on Gato Loco and ready to for progress north. I’ve also edited a video of the intense sail north. You’ll understand why we call it intense when you see the video. I will share it when we get to high speed internet.

 We’ve become regulars at Alfonsina’s and are on a first name basis with the staff and meet some of the locals. There’s not a place on the Sea of Cortez better than this restaurant view. David gave us a ride to the tienda and Pemex. We bid the staff good bye this morning after playing with the whale sharks by the boat and having a late breakfast. We’re heading to Puerocitos today to position ourselves better to cross to Penasco tomorrow.

 

Right Photo is Jeffrey loading into our ride for getting our supplies. You can  tell this truck has been down the rough road to Alfonsina’s way too may times.

This morning we were treated to 5 whale sharks cursing in the anchorage. We visited them twice but the last time near the boat with Rick paddling the dinghy while I worked the GoPro we managed some close encounters with them. It’s like they are use to being around people as they were more interested in feeding than avoiding us. There’s a video ready to share when we get better internet.

 

Good Bye Gonzaga

 

Final view as we sail away for Alfonsins’s with Jeffrey on the bow watching for whale sharks. Two years ago we hit something that damage a prop and after seeing the scars on the whale sharks I’m pretty sure we hit a whale shark cruising on the surface. We’re very sorry for any scars that we might have caused. We’ll be watch much closer  sailing in the bay that always seems to have whale sharks.

A view south of the Enchanted Islands. There’s 5 small islands on the route north to Puertocitos.

 

Winds cooperated heading north with light 5 kts on a tight point off the starboard bow. Seas slowing grow giving us a hobby horse ride pointing hard to make the Puertocitos. The south facing bay is perfect for the north wind conditions. With a late 11ish start we make the 33 miles by 6  in time to relax and make our way to the hot springs after the tide went out far enough to uncover  the hot pools.

No sign of life here. One panga hulled on the ramp and we saw one ATV motoring around but nothing else. After dark the only lights were up by the Pemex where the locals live. We did notice lots of development in progress south of town along the new highway.Looks like that’s the preferred areas for new homes. Nothing ever seems to change in Puertocitos.

 

It’s warmer here than anywhere the entire cruise. You can tell we’re heading north. Water temperature is 78 which we’ve not seen since Conception Bay. It is however, cool enough to enjoy the hot springs as you can see above.

It’s the last night on the Sea and mine after 6 weeks. Rick is cooking tonight while we talk about the northbound leg. We’ve covered a lot of ground, had many laughs, a few intense moments but it’s been awesome. Great dinner and to bed early for our 5 AM departure tomorrow and back to reality and our loved ones. We’re looking forward to getting to Cholla.

Wednesday June 14th

Up at 4:45 and underway by 5 for the 83 nautical mile crossing.

Penasco here we come…

Until the next Update

Looks like we’ll be in by 6PM