Puerto Refugio to Ensenada el Alacran
Waking up in Puerto Refugio we found the Bo Bos are back. Frankie, Neely and I made a run for the closest beach so we can get underway. You can see Gato Loco and neighbor boat Psyche resting in calm waters as we take Neely to shore. During the morning ham net a boat in the next bay reported the Bo Bos as legendary this year and we fully agree. The next two hours the towels were flying as we headed south towards Bahia Los Angeles working to get our unwanted guest off the boat. The good thing is they don’t bite..
Weather is a bit warmer today after a totally quiet wind night. Nice to catch up on some sleep. The ham net forecast is for light breezes and the channel that pitched Gato Loco around like a cork last year looks like it’s ready for water ski competition.
Tidal currents soon become a factor as we head into the channel. The moon cycle is just beyond half and tidal currents are much less than full/new moon. I’m guessing we faced a 2-3 kt current at times.
.
<right..Craig and John guide us though the tidal boils.
.
The shake down leg continues. Craig re-attaches the leg on his cabin table..>>
One whale surfaced in the channel.
We fetched Bay of LA after 2 PM. Lots of very expensive power boats anchored near Guillermo’s, fishing tournament??? We’ve decided to try to makeup our lost day by taking care of business and continuing south. We need fuel, as this is the third day of light winds (totally motored today), drinking water, ice and want to send out updates and make a few calls.
.
.
Guillermo’s has a new palapa over the patios and they have repaired the floating docks making the shore run much easier. Wow, it’s hot here. Walking to the tienda and I-cafe we can’t imagine July. Nothing like a cold margarita to make all things right with the world.
.
.
.
.
Local school children are in the I-cafe doing their homework online. Connecting the boat laptop to their network, we get our mail and send out updates from the past 2 days.
.
.
John and Craig thumbed a ride to the Pemix station with our gas cans. A mother and kids picked them up and took them to the station then waited and brought them back to the docks. She refused to take any money but her young son riding in the back of the truck with John and Craig said it’s his birthday today so he got a 50 peso present. Don’t you love a culture were a mom and her kids are willing to pick up 2 strange men hitch-hiking with gas cans.
.
Just as we’re ready to haul the anchor a F31 trimaran pulls in to anchor. Both Craig and John own F boats; Craig a F28 and John a F31 so they spent a little time visiting to get the skipper & boat details. Skipper Stacy had sailed from San Carlos solo where he keeps the boat. John had taken Stacy for a demo ride when he was selling trimarans in San Diego (small world).
4:30 and we’re off for points south. Wind is up a bit out of the NE and sprits are up as we raise sails to head east out of LA Bay. We hope to make it to a nice bay with good north wind protection before sunset.
Welcome to Ensenada el Alacran (scorpion) 13 miles south of Bay of LA. There’s a beautiful white sand beach with a wilderness reteat lodge on shore. The lodge is nicely built of canvas cabins with a main lodge restaurant. Going a shore we found a care taker and his dog.
..
We arrived in time to do some sightseeing and watch another great sunset as we had dinner. Tomorrow we hope to make 1/2 the remaining distance to Santa Rosalia and make up the day we lost due to our weather delay.
Until the next update
Whale count seen as I write this is 9. No good picture yet.
Just to let you know.. We are sending this update arriving in Santa Rosalia and all is well.
It’s good to see all 3 of you and Neely seems very satified and enjoying herself. I loved her up-date about the adventure. Be safe
We can hardly wait to get on board!! but, get rid of the bo bos!! I’m glad Neely will be with us, it will hopefully make me miss our Zack not so much. So excited!! We will head to Cholla on Saturday, what did you forget?? I can make a pass by the grocery store before we cross the border.
Beautiful photos as usual. Les picked up my picture and I loved it. Thanks Lowell!
Hi Lowell, Frankie & Neely, Big mistake, we think, not to be there with you this year. What were we thinking – how can anyone be too busy to not be part of Baha 2010. As always, it looks delightful and lots of fun. Hope it is a wonderful trip. Say hi to everyone. Richard & Kerry