Surfs up in Kino Bay – part 2

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By Lowell | May 9, 2018 | Category Baja 2018

So here’s full Kino story…

Surfs up again in Kino Bay was the perfect tag line as getting to shore was the big challenge. Approaching Kino I remember 2 years back when Jeffrey and I had a beach rodeo retrieving fuel. Seas seem pretty light but near shore there was still a 2’ surf requiring timing the arrival with a smaller wave set. Dave and I made the first approach with 2 bags of trash and 4 empty gas cans. Hitting beach went well but with all in the dingy we didn’t get out and move up the beach quick enough letting the dinghy get sideways and pretty much getting swamped by a big wave as it washed us up on the beach. I’m sure we were lots of entertainment for the local crowd enjoying the otherwise beautiful day. As last time we have no pictures although people on shore might. I was lucky as I had my phone, still camera and video camera with me and they all survived. Now it’s time to head back out for the next load and guess what, the engine was swamped and won’t start. Now our days most valuable person enters the story. Manuel a 22 year old Mexican kid as skinny as a rail jumped into the dingy and started paddling me through the surf and on to the boat while I worked on the engine. He spoke no English but was offering all kinds of the motor suggestions. Removing the engine cover and the motor is running again and ready for another beach run. Manuel is all smiles and now is my agile boat assistant. Each beach run gets a little smoother but when it came time to drop Ellen and Deb we opted to take them to the peer ladder for a totally dry landing. Manuel basically took charge of the dingy for the rest of the day watching it, bailing it and assisting on delivering all our provisions back to the boat. What an awesome young kid who btw had two babies at home. He made our day with his help and we rewarded him nicely.

 

Manuel wasn’t the only hero for the day. As Dave carried gas cans up the stairs, Rick an American who spends time here with his wife in their RV, offered to take us to the gas station. Before you know it he’s delivering the ladies to the mercado, taking us to the gas station, a stop by the beer store, finally Ice and  a good recommendation for a restaurant for dinner. Thank you so much Rick.

 

Dinner at the Marlin restaurant recommended by Rick and back to the boat as the sunset. Through this whole process I’m soaked head to toe and couldn’t carry a camera. Ellen had one of mine and gave it to me occasionally so we do have a few photos of the monumental visit.

 

 

 

Photos as we depart for the boat for the night. The crew loads from the peer ladder. Manuel is the left most person in the left photo sadly watches as we motor off while other kids entertain us jumping from the peer. Farwell Manuel, hope we meet again young man. I’m emotional about his help.

 

 

Another Kino Bay visit in the books.

We’re heading south to the anchorage Las Cocinas on our way to San Carlos. All is well on board.

 

Until the next update