Leg 7–San Sebastian, Mulege & San Rosalia

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By Lowell | June 9, 2011 | Category Baja 2011

Our San Juanico anchorage island that we anchored behind overnight. 3 Osprey nests set on the pinnacles.

Monday…We’re out early hoping to make some miles north before the predicted wind comes up on our nose. First stop Punta Pulpito for some bottom fishing.

 

This huge rock headland stands 475 feet high and has 2 windows one of which you can see above. Fishing is known to be very good here but neither Dave nor Kelley could hook-up on anything but the bottom.

Next we try our luck at the island NE of Pulpito called San Ildefonso. Our fiends in San Sebastian always catch fish here..

 

Okay the fish aren’t biting.

Dave steers us out to Isla San Ildefonso while Kelley relaxes. One of the local birds tries to land on our mast tip. It took him quite some time before he gave up.

 

 

Winds are lighter and seas more friendly today. Our destination San Sebastian cove is just 12 miles west from the island making a nice broad reach sail at 7 kts.  Our mileage today is only 25 and we look to get in to San Sebastian by 1:30. Another easy day. The sail from the island is textbook to give the crew a taste of true sailing with no motor assist.. Randy has become the foredeck and mainsail deck hand braving the cabin roof deck with waves pitching him about as we arrive in San Sebastian and need to take the mail sail down.

 

 

The south shore has a palapa home with a well maintained palm grove.

It’s warm and the first order of business is to swim. Both sides of the bay have rock reefs providing nice snorkeling. Some of the locals (Americans) take a break from working and swim out to greet us and invite us to stop by and check out their work. Pops below has been coming here for 30 years and loves to pass along area history. They all rent their land.

 

Joe and his wife left for northern Ca. just yesterday. They own a vineyard there. The crew poses under their Belly Up To The Bar sign with Gato Loco behind.

 

Getting to the anchorage early means plenty of time for cards. And tonight is my night to win…… Seriously.

We have the usual cool breeze from Baja overnight.

Tuesday, We’re up earlier and off to Mulege 45 miles up the coast. Winds are light from the north and we’re hoping we don’t have to buck strong winds on our nose for the distance. Good news.. We round Punta Concepcion 10 miles east of Mulege with light winds and are able to head west sailing to Muuullllleeeeggggeee. That’s our friend Brian’s spelling because of his love of the Mulege margaritas which we hope to sample.

Nice entering the Mulege channel at high tide. No Worries!! Anchor down by 1:30 and time for a quick Mulege tour. It starts with a dinghy ride up the channel to Hotel Serenidid where we enter from the air strip in front of the hotel. While we wait for a taxi it’s time for a beer at the pool bar.

I hadn’t realized that my last visit up the river was before the big hurricane 2 years ago, which did massive flood damage on the river front. 

 

Our taxi driver drove along the riverfront where we saw a small section recovered with rock, sidewalks and a new street. Apparently it’s just a sample section and the community is waiting for more to be completed. The lady at Serenidad said the governor was planning on dredging the river to help with future flooding and help with the economic recovery.

Home left shows some of the damage. Water was over its roof during the flood.

The taxi tour starts with the Mission, a major Baja landmark built in the mid 1700’s

 

The impressive overlook into the fresh water palm grove below the Mission.

A quick stop at the prison, a tocoria for a snack then back to the boat before heading to the beach restaurant for some great seafood and Muuuullllleeeegggeee margaritas. The lady who owns the restaurant has a green thumb and is a great cook. Kelley finds a small kitten and a great pose.

uDinner done, Margaritas drunk and we still have daylight so we decided to sail on to Punta Chivato and possibly more margaritas at the Italian resort.

Yep, That’s the fishing line wrapped around the prop as we anchor… Blame it on Mulege..!! That can wait till Manana, time to head to shore and a sunset marg..

Beautiful sunset, great setting and good friends… And a very interesting card game back on the boat.   SERIOUSLY…

Wednesday we’re a little bit slow…Blame it on Mulege..!!

We’re off for Isla San Marcas on Dave, Kelley & Randy’s final day on board and a final treat visiting majestic Los Arcos anchorage where you dinghy through an arch to a cool little beach.

 

Truly awesome place surrounded by shrimp boats today.

Time to head for Santa Rosalia and meet Pat, Sue, Lew & Agnes my next crew for the final Leg 8.

Wow Leg 7 flew by… There’s talk, as we sail west,  about how we can just keep sailing north and forego the new crew… Or when they can sail on Gato Loco again soon.. Santa Rosalia here we come.

All is good on Gato Loco

Until the next update.