Easy Days–Conception & Mulege

---

By Lowell | May 3, 2022 | Category Baja 2022

Friday May 29th    

After the longer passages in the northern Sea we now have legs 45nmi or less. Today we’re headed to Conception Bay Playa Santispac to enjoy a dinner on the beach at Armando’s. The Santa Rosalia to Santispac leg is 45 miles. The slow start after Tonka’s, we depart 11ish, a late start to arrive with margin for sunset. Winds are out of the north at 10 which is perfect for the first half of the leg making 6-7 kts as we head to the south end of Isla San Marcos. The gypsum on the south end of the island has lots of dust flying so the wind looks good all the way to the channel south of the island. Turning eastward south of the island we pass over shoaled water with 25’ under Gato. Clearing the island northerly swells rock the boat when BAM.

Yep you can tell from the picture we blew the traveler car integrated shackle. Luckily we have an old damage traveler on board and with both we can make a working traveler

Two MacGyver’s at work make a good traveler car and we soon have Gato under way again.

Rounding Punta Chavato  it looks to be a downwind run into Conception. Now we have to decide which side of the shoal islands south of Chavato to take. Outside is the choice. Winds lighten but we’re making 6.5 –7 kts which will put us in to Santispac in time for dinner. Nice recover from the traveler failure. While I’m talking about equipment failures and MacGyvers it’s so nice to have Chris on board and his vast experience on his Seawind 1160 Strikhedonia. We quickly fix things, manage sails, navigate, anchoring and just about everything. A skipper can get spoiled by him. Thank you Chris.

Playa Santispac

A light breeze blew us down wind in to Conception and we made Playa Santispac in time to have dinner at Armando’s. There’s 4 other boats setting in the anchorage and the beach is very busy with campers coming from HW 1 that runs just 200 yards from the beach. It’s actually the busiest I’ve seen in years.

Waiter says there’s no margs. Rick would have no part of that and went to the bar to check booze inventory and found fixins that would make a good skinny marg. Finished our beers and had skinny margs with dinner (shrimp, fish and scallops).

Another cool quiet evening.

Saturday May 30th  

Mulege

Water is warmer for a swim before we haul anchor and motor sail back out of Conception towards Mulege. Mulege sets on the west side of the entrance to Conception and has a history of good times on past visits. We’ll hit the usual spots to show Chris who hasn’t been here before.

Hotel Serenaded sets out near the river channel entrance and is our first stop. The hotel is very busy. We soon find out there’s no taxis working today to take us in to town. The nice girl at the front desk tries all options to get us a ride with no luck and finally gets one of the cleaning ladies to take us to town.

Jaqline has a 4 year old son and the tips for driving us to town is much appreciated I’m sure. She drops us in town at the plaza and will come pick us up later. Mexican hospitality at it’s best. The front desk could had just said no but she made it happen for us.

First stop restaurant Equipala (spell?). We missed the dive shop which closed at 2 and we arrive 2:10 bummer. Finally back to the watering hole just off the plaza for some more refreshments before calling Jaqline for ride back to the hotel. No visiting the Mission or Prison this time. We’re just thankful to get the ride.

Nice relaxing afternoon on Goto. Chris and I blew the new paddle board and cruised the river channel. It’s Saturday night and there’s lot of locals enjoying the water front. Late evening and we walk 300 yards up the beach to Victor’s restaurant for dinner. The highlight at dinner was the garlic soup and fresh cams and yes margaritas.

Enjoying the river channel

We’re heading south to anchorage San Juanico tomorrow.

All good on Gato Loco

Until the next Update

Tags: Sea of Cortez; Baja; Seawind; Gato Loco; Baja Rally