Isla Monsarrate and the Sealife
Friday… After saying goodbye to our Seawind friends we decided to stop at Roca Solitaria and do a little snorkeling. One problem.. the bottom falls away very fast so there’s no place anchor.. Problem solved, Bill and I took turns onboard drifting Gato Loco while we check out the huge boulders surrounding what you see from above.
Wind is forecasted to be light so a short 10 mile motor sail north to the north shore of Isla Monsarrate is our destination today.
Sailing north from Agua Verde with crystal clear waters our friends stopped by for a visit. Mid-day light gives these huge dolphins perfect lighting.
The north west corner of Monsarrate has some great reefs that are full of fish. We anchor near by in 16’ of water with white sand bottom and head for the reef with snorkel gear.
Yellow tailed blue tangs were everywhere. Bill and Carol even spotted lobster hanging under the ledges. Later in the evening a large power boat anchored near by and went diving we guessed for those lobster that they saw earlier. Bill caught a nice red snapper from the dinghy in a mater of minutes on the reef.
The north shore has a mile long white sand & shell beach.
Watching the sunset.. Carol had to put her feet down so they didn’t look as big as Bill and mine. Cool evening with winds out of the south giving us great protection and good sleeping.
Saturday.. My last day on Gato Loco for 3 weeks when I return with Frankie and the Rangel family to La Paz to sail north.
Leaving our anchorage we spotted another large pod of dolphin rounding the reefs and they gave us another good show as you can tell from this young one jumping 10’ out of the water. Not long after Bill caught a 10lb skipjack. Lots of entertainment to distract me from the fact that after 2 1/2 will depart Gato Loco today.
Bill and Carol will head to shore for provisions as they drop me off in Loreto. Their heading north to Santa Rosalia over the next week. I think they will enjoy a week with just the two of them on board. Hopefully they’ll find some time to send out some photos of their journey.
I’m staying at the La Damiana Inn tonight and Debra and Geraldo invite me to join them for dinner. The Inn is just next to the main plaza and all the restaurants. I fly tomorrow (Sunday) to Hermosillo and then take a bus to Puerto Penasco.
Happy Mother’s day to all..
Until the next Update
Great pictures. Photographer did a great job.
thanks always for taking the time and effort to take us on the trip via email. I enjoy every picture, comment, and memory it stokes.
Bummer that’s the end. Really enjoy hearing about your adventures. Sounds like a blast. Fair winds and following seas!
What great photos! I SO enjoy your adventures and the telling of them – thank you for letting me live vicariously through your updates! Vaya con dios!
So wonderful to see the dolphin encounters…..beautiful flying leap shot. They are sooooo fun to sail with. Until you return Lowell, thanks for the blog. And Bill and Carol, happy sailing and take care.
By far this was the best post so far for this Gato Loco excursion. The underwater photos were just breaktaking and of course the dolphins were a special treat! Safe travels back Lowell and Bill/Carol enjoy your week to yourselves and continue the adventure with or without updates. 🙂 Happy Mother’s Day to you Carol! 🙂
Great Updates all! Thanks for sharing. I miss the Sea of Cortez but am getting re-aquainted with the Nantucket Sound off Cape Cod. Love the water no matter what coast. Have a fun and safe tour this spring 🙂
Trixie
Thanks for all your pictures and adventure recap!! Really love every part. I LOVED the dolphin one. Outstanding!! What a moment! Have a safe trip back to Frankie. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all you moms!
BRILLIANT blog!! Thanks Lowell… what magnificent photos of the dolphins!! The colorful underwater shots.. and the almost more color-full shots of La Damian! Fantastic!
Happy Mom’s day Carol.. I hope you have a terrific week ahead..Lowell..I look forward to your stories under the palapa tonight?? Bill adn Carol.. to blog or not to blog.. doesn’t matter..Enjoy the tranquility! xo
I ditto every-one that wrote. Amazing, Amazing. I always look forward to your blogs. Be safe and can’t wait to be with all. Carol, have a great Mother’s Day and both of you have a safe, fun trip. Can’t wait to see the provisions you are taking on this journey, Is it wine or beer or both.
Happy Mothers Day Carol !! If I had to guess,Bill will make your special day exactly that. Be careful sailing just the two of you and keep your clothes on. See ya back in Cholla.
Wow, the pix of the dolphins…incredibly! Also, loved the bottom of the feet pix and your perma grins! Now that is happy sailing!
Abrazos and Besos!
After a good flight across the Sea of Cortez and a buss ride north from Hermosillo , I’m back in Cholla Bay. Brian & Heather picked me up at the station and Gill & Heather had dinner ready at the Brits. Nice sunset and time to tell stories of the high seas…
Thanks to everybody for the great comments. We really enjoy reading them from the boat.
Now I will be living vicariously for the next 3 weeks. Salude
Welcome back to Cholla. Good luck and happy sailing for everyone on the balance of the trip.