The last Blow

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By Lowell | May 26, 2015 | Category Baja 2015

Friday May 22nd

Hoping this is the last heavy air report we file this season. 6 AM – We woke with the anchor drag alarm and winds piping up through the west window of the Don Juan anchorage. Before long we had to haul anchor with winds are gusting to 45kts inside this beautiful anchorage and we’re slowing back toward the sand beach we were clamming yesterday. The only place somewhat protected was near the west shore by the low mountains that form the channel entrance to the anchorage (you see on the right in the photo above). Winds were so strong they were picking up water and spraying the boat while we rested pretty confortable near the mountain only getting wrap-around winds and stray gusts full of water. Meanwhile we’re trying to have a blueberry pancake breakfast. Finally Jeffrey fired up the griddle in the galley after giving up on using the outside grill. Within  an hour things settled down and we got an anchor hold just near the bathtub anchorage area and enjoy a fine blueberry pancake breakfast. That was quite a wake-up call.

We’re hoping to head to town today for supplies since we diverted to Don Juan yesterday instead of going to the Bay of LA village. We can see whitecaps outside the anchorage so we will have to wait and see. We’ve been having some bee visits and as the morning proceeds the scout bees have passed the word along and soon we have almost a swarm invading the boat. That makes it an easy decision to head in the Bay to clear the boat of bees. We’ve been invited to dinner on Croix-de-Sud tonight so getting an early start will get us back to the anchorage in time.

Bay of LA is windy as usual but not gusty. After our morning experience we layout 200’ of anchor chain just to be safe and head into Guillermo’s for lunch. Internet life is good as Guillermo now has internet so we can take care of both relaxing on their nice beachside patio. Guillermo joins us and says how windy it was in the morning. Winds actually took down some trees in town. His fishing charter boat soon arrives with 14 big yellowtail. Gas, groceries, internet and lunch and we’re on our way back to the Don Juan anchorage to join our new friends for dinner with LA winds at our back… Positive note.. The word is that a Telcel tower will be installed soon adding phone and cellular internet service to the area. Yeah!!

   Back in the anchorage we’re going to try the anchor spot noted in the chart above. Winds are SW at 10 and we get a good bit with nearly 300’ of chain not to have a repeat of last night.

Yum Yum.. Dinner on Croix-de-Sud (southern cross) couldn’t have been better. Jocelyne made fresh pasta for her Lasagna. Great host with wine, hors d’ores, dinner and a Zoro tequila finish. We learned a new phrase. If a wine glass is near empty it’s said to be at “low tide” and needs to be filled. Windy conditions in the anchorage made for a shorter night but a good time was had by all. Thank you Rolland and Jocelyne. Hope to meet again.

We’re off to Puerto Refugio tomorrow morning.

Until the next update.