Kino Surfing on our way to Baja
Saturday April 23
It’s funning how you notice things for the first time somewhere you’ve been many times. It always amazes me when we spotted this window rock (below right side of photo, click to enlarge) in the southern anchorage of Dog Bay. Last night after the bee incident we moved to the south side of the anchorage for the night and there’s the small shrine and window to the north anchorage. Our anchorage is 17 miles west of the Kino Sonoran coast and we were treated to beautiful moon rise with the cloud cradling it.
Breezy night coming off Tiburon made for another restful night and we’re up early before the bees come looking for us. We can always count on the bees return to the hive at night so they didn’t find us as we entered the south anchorage as the sunset over Tiburon. Today we’re headed to Kino for fuel and Ice and then seeing how far south we can make it. Our first option south is Los Japoneses a small fishing village. The morning breeze is light and of course heading Kino on our nose forcing us to head north of Kino. By the time we approached Kino winds are perfect to sail south down the beach of New Kino with a pad of dolphins and Lynnie hooting and hollering.
By the time we have Gato Loco anchored in Old Kino winds are now on shore and there’s surf on the beach. Taking a dinghy onto the beach in surf is all about timing and lots of luck, shall I say more. Jeffrey and I made what I would called a successful landing with our 4 empty fuel cans.Launching the dink back out through the surf to fetch Lynnie I’m totally wet and there a bit of water on board. Lynnie and I make it in fairly event free. The surf is building and we need to get 20 gallons of fuel back out.. As usual in no time we have help arranged to get us to the Pemix station and Xoxo for ice. This is when it really gets entertaining. Jeffrey and I decided to both go along with 20 gallons of fuel. Timing, timing and go… We get crossed up after some floundering getting Jeff on board we finally make it with the gas cans almost floating from the water on board. Everybody in the nearby pier were totally entertained I’m sure. With everybody and things back on board we’re underway 11:30. We have everything drying out including my wallet. All good and another adventure in Kino behind us.
New Kino’s long white sand beach.
Good wind karma heading south
Rounding the point south of Kino double head sails come out and single motor light kicker and we’re hitting 7 kts (woo hoo). This is great news because of the surf in Kino we didn’t get as much fuel as we would need if we had to motor to Santa Rosalia, our next fuel stop. All in all a beautiful afternoon of sailing with the exception of our crossing the Punta Baja shoals where water shallowed to 6 ft making us bit nervous and finally giving way to tack to only slightly deeper water. Note to Gato Loco partners, I gave the old screecher big test sailing south this afternoon and it held up fine.
Los Japoneses is a well organized fishing village and has or had a fish cannery according to Gerry Cunningham’s guide. There’s lot of pangas all set perfectly in order on the beach, probably company boats. They now have power and cellular without internet. It was nice be able to text with Frankie in 
such a remote anchorage. The anchorage is very small and there’s a 40 ft cruiser in the middle of it with a stern anchor forcing us to anchor right off the beach in front of the v9illage. Not a problem for anchoring but it’s Saturday night and there’s lots of activities and loud music. Tonight is Indian food night and Jeffrey’s buddy Guri would be impressed with their curried fantail grouper. We retired with laughter and loud music coming from the village and cool off shore breeze. Tomorrow we cross the Sea to Santa Rosalia.
Los Japoneses Villaage (It may have a new name based on Google.
Sunday April 24th – Sea of Cortez Crossing day
From our anchorage Santa Rosalia is 72 miles. We’re out of the anchorage at 5:30 hoping to make it across in time to enjoy dinner somewhere in Santa Rosalia. Just as the sun was peeking over the Sonoran shore we got a 12 gun solute. We counted 12 whales spouting at a distance along the coast and morning light make the mist from their breath illuminate like sails and made it easy to see their presence, very cool. The next cool thing about 3 hours out was a sail fish chasing something shooting out of the water 5 or 6 times just to starboard. I’ve not seen that before.
<<Heading for Santa Rosalia
Our route south so far>>
We’re 16 miles out from Santa Rosalia as I close this blog. We’ve had favorable winds most of the way and should arrive 6ish. Got stuff to do..
All good here…
Until the next Update.
Sounds like you’re having an excellent time. Love getting the updates and pics. Smooth sailing and wonderful weather…lots of laughter and great food. Love to my bro and sis.
Sounds like you guys are having a blast!!!! So happy for you all. Keep up the posting, a lot of us are living it vicariously through you.
Beautiful! and interesting. Yes, vicariously with you, and Dave and Kelley, vicariously with you next. 🙂
Jeffrey and Lynne,
Indian food. How nice! Might have to try that next time I am in AZ.
Jeffrey, the 3 hombres on the bench brings to mind the next morning after Capone’s, Tequila Factory, & JJ’s!!!
Jeffrey and Lynn,
The pictures are great! Thanks for sharing and giving us a moment to join you sailing!
Wishing you smooth sailing! Have Fun!