Leg 3 back to Penasco begins
Frist leg 3 crew Kurt and Gwen arrival today. They’re flying the new American Air fight from Phoenix directly to Loreto like the leg 2 crew and arrive 1:30 and make it to the marina by 2. The marina continues to get busier due to the huge fishing tournament this weekend and I find them in the crowd near the marina store. We’ve never meet and soon develop a great instant repour. The Swiss friends I meant during the Rally join us for lunch and it turns into a full afternoon of conversations. They’re taking a bus tomorrow to La Paz then fly to Mexico City for a concert Saturday night (Greta Van Fleet). We ended back on Gato Loco for more conversation/drinking a bit?? You always meet interesting people out here. Kurt Gwen and I finish the evening with a quiet conversation night getting acquainted.
Friday May 20th
North winds started blowing yesterday and may continue through Saturday or Sunday. This very unusual for late May. Normally wind prevail from the south southeast which is what we need for a good passage back to Penasco. Our plan was to anchor in front of Loreto to pick Heather up arriving today 5ish. With rough seas from the wind we will leave Gato Loco on the mooring ball in PE. Kurt (West Coast Multihulls) is loaning us a car to drive to the airport to pick her up and we can hit the Mercado in Loreto for provisioning. Great plan B.
Today is the kickoff for the fishing tournament with what looks to have a great turnout. The evening, while we were provision, was a big BBQ. We arrive back to the marina just before dark with a live band playing and all the sports fishing boats all lite up. We have 3 crates of provision to get out to Gato Loco. I dinghy Heather with her gear and the 3 creates the 1/2 mile out in the buoy field where Gato Loco set near the north end of the harbor. Kurt and Gwen get to enjoy the band and do some final shopping before I return. It’s been a long day for Heather so some drinks & munchies and call it a day..
The waves that have been crashing on the north windows of the marina are quiet this morning indicating the seas have flatten after the north wind died last night. I think the conditions to head north are good. We depart 8ish after the shot gun 7 AM start for the fishing tournament. Two options today, easy day to Ballandra or what Heather says “lets put same miles in today” by making San Juanico 38 miles north. Yep we’re shooting for San Juanico today.
We make San Juanico 3ish with the last 3 hour being abused by north winds and building seas. Crew is very happy to be setting comfortably at anchor. Some paddle boarding and a sunset walk on the beach with the full moon rising over the anchorage makes the rough few hours sailing fade away.
Evening walk on the beach was special with the rising full moon. Weather is cool and the water is not warn enough for Heather swimming yet. Kurt and I the only swimmers. Late dinner tonight is carne tacos. Night anchorage light is awesome with the full moon. Only 3 other boats with us including a Seaward 1250 from Salem Oregon. Pretty adventurous day for the first day of Leg 3 north. This crew is going to work just fine.
Until the next Update