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Erie Calm to Puerto Refugio


By Lowell | April 23, 2014 | Category Baja 2014

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Monday April 21th

Safe Sea of Cortez crossing is always a good thing.. Today we probably had our safest ever with hardly a ripple for most of the crossing from Lobos to Puerto Refugio. We would have preferred a little help from mother nature’s wind Gods but arriving in Refugio safe and sound is the most important. We’ll save the adrenalin sail for tomorrow down the Canal de Ballenas (whale channel) to Bay of LA.

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Early in the day we radioed back to Cholla to Rosario Villa who advised us that near sunset tonight WNW winds will kick up to 20kts. We will be safely anchored with good protection heeding his advisory. Thanks Rosario.

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Three bonita fish caught and released today. Dave considers these bait fish and is sure he can catch something better. Sounds like a Dave Adams theory to me. We shall see!!

 

 

 

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I prepared the crew to do what we call the “swat” dance as we approached the sea lion rookery on the outer island of Puerto Refugio. The “swat” is done with towel or hat to run the gnats off the boat that are always around the sea lions…

The tail for Gnat-King-Cove (a near suicide)

IMG_2945Passing the rookery we collected a good share for the dance. Crew made good progress as we anchored at the east bite which I thought would be bug free. Wrong! Before the anchor was set the boat was swarming with gnats. My next suggestion “let’s go to shore they won’t follow us there” :).

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Wrong again!

Although there was some interesting shore shore scapes

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Anyway back to the near suicide attempt..

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left Terry and Deb hide. Right a swarm near Ellen.

Back on the boat and there’s no relief. Dave is at wits end and says we need to move or he’s putting the flare gun in his mouth to end it all. Unfortunately there seems to be nowhere to escape. Dave’s idea “lets motor around the bay and get rid of them” so that’s what we did till near sunset. I promised they would leave the boat at dark and they did. Suicide watch over.

Turned out to be a beautiful evening with the brightest stars. Everyone seems to have forgotten the gnats. Dinner, star watching, cards, more star watching & cool night.

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IMG_2980Tuesday April 22nd – 6:30 AM (Gnats are back, let’s get the hell out of here.)

No winds as forecasted, dead calm all night long.. Anchor up and we’re off the take on “whale channel”. Shortly after powering through the slot into the west bay Dave hooked up on a 24” YELLOWTAIL. Yum, Yum..

At a distance we can see the channel is full of wind. Interesting since our anchorage was dead calm. Before you know it we’ve  got winds gusting to 30 up the channel from the south. This must mean the Pacific slot is spelling winds over Baja to the channel. Holding IMG_2982IMG_2986onto full sail we’re hitting speeds in the 9s with wave breaking over the cabin. Whale channel is in it’s true form but were comfortable and loving it. Dave is harnessed up in case we need to reef the main. Approaching the Baja side things settle down and we can see the Pacific slot pumping winds in from the west. We’re going to get another ride through it.

 

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The channel gave us that adrenalin rush I mentioned early and also a whale sighting. Life is good as we motor sail on smooth water into Bay of LA. Crew did great and loved the opportunity to experience some heavy sailing. Terry and Deb actually played backgammon through some of the ride so their doing fine.

Entering the Bay usually means the heavy sailing is over. Not today. Looks like Rosario’s forecast finally came in. 22kt WSW as he forecasted blasted us all the way down to the light house entrance to the beach. Three big winds session today.The wind Gads are making up for yesterday.

Anchor down 1:30.. All well in Bay of LA… Looks like we will head out to Don  Juan for the night.

Until the next update

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8 thoughts on “Erie Calm to Puerto Refugio”

  • Bill says:
    April 23, 2014 at 9:42 pm

    There’s something about Dave that attracts the bugs. Need to study that!
    Looks like all are enjoying the experience. Have fun.

    Reply
  • Dave says:
    April 23, 2014 at 9:47 pm

    I’ve would have kept the bonita after learning my lesson from last time. But I’m soooo glad Dave caught a yellowtail, it will be much better than the bonita.
    We will see you Saturday night in San Carlos.
    Great sailing, Dave & Kel

    Reply
  • Lynnie says:
    April 23, 2014 at 10:10 pm

    Do you have soy sauce and wasabi to go with that Yellowtail? Yummy!

    Reply
  • Jeffrey says:
    April 23, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    I agree with Dave, start with the Bonita and work your way up – unless you spot a ponga fishing; then it’s time to fish above the water!

    Reply
  • Betty mcculley says:
    April 24, 2014 at 7:43 am

    So glad you got through the gnats,and enjoy the fish that Dave caught.Have lots of fun and explore.

    Reply
  • sue sledge says:
    April 24, 2014 at 9:01 am

    Always a great adventure – jealous! 🙂

    Reply
  • Gill says:
    April 24, 2014 at 9:19 am

    Glad I’ve never had to do the swat dance! Am jealous of your whale sighting! Lucky you! And of course full sails are the best! Keep on enjoying!

    Reply
  • Judy and roger says:
    April 24, 2014 at 8:49 pm

    Living your adventure vicariously, and loving it. Keep the white wings full of wind…safely.

    Reply

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