March 29 – April 7, 2013
We spent a total of 9 days at the island with a brief trip back to La Paz in the middle to purchase permits. The cruising guide said Rangers could sell them at the island, but the Rangers told us we had to go back to La Paz. Go figure. Buying the permit was a bit of an adventure, and I’m grateful to my very helpful taxi driver that day. We enjoyed our time at the island, even though we had a couple bumpy nights at anchor due to strong winds out the South. Our favorite anchorage was Caleta Partida, which is actually between Isla Espiritu Santo and Isla Partida. Our last day there we drove the dinghy between the islands (well, in a couple spots we got out and walked it due to how shallow it was.) The cliffs, sea caves, and visibility into the water were all breathtaking. We all snorkeled and loved it.
Logbook – March 29, 2013 (La Paz to Isla Espiritu Santo)
Passage Log Highlights
- 1030 Depart, P engine on
- 1400 Arrived Bahia San Gabriel
Logbook – April 1, 2013 (Day Trip to La Paz)
Passage Log Highlights
- 1030 Depart Bahia San Gabriel for La Paz
- 1700 Depart La Paz for Isla Espiritu Santo
- 2030 Arrive back at Bahia San Gabriel
(Edit: We had been approached by a Ranger asking us for our permit to be there. We asked if we could just purchase it on the spot (wink-wink) but they said no. We could stay the weekend but then we would have to go back to La Paz to get our permit. When we arrived back at the island we figured we’d just anchor where we had before. What could go wrong?)
Logbook – April 2, 2013 (Isla Espiritu Santo)
Passage Log Highlights
- 0800 Corumuel all night. Moving to Ensenada La Gallina.
- 0900 Arrived Ensenda La Gallina.
(Edit: The wind blew all night out of the southwest so we had no protection and we dragged and bounced all night. When we raised anchor in the morning there was a small engine block on the anchor. So, I guess you can’t blame this dragging incident all on the tiny little anchor.)
Email sent to family and friends dated April 2, 2013
Subject: Another Corumuel
We are back at the island after our pitstop back in La Paz. Last night we spent a stressful night back at the bay we had previously anchored because of a weather phenomenon around here called coromuel. Normal winds here are from N-NW and most anchorages provide good protection. Cormuels kick up to 20kts in the evening from the S and blow all night, and our anchor dragged again. We moved this morning to a better anchorage to regroup and have breakfast, then we are going to head further up the island probably to a bay called Ensenada del Candalero. We experienced the corumel last time our anchor dragged when we were at Puerto Ballandra.
For their composition assignment last week I had the boys write essays about their first month cruising. They are now done and ready to publish, so those will be posted to fb next time we have wifi. Alex went on and on about how boring homeschool is… Amy, I could use some more tips!
We will use the inReach when we leave here in just a little bit so you’ll be able to see where we finally settle for the next few days.
It appears I don’t have any cell connection here, but that could change when we move.
Love you all.
-D.
Email to family and friends dated April 3, 2013
Subject: Stayed put yesterday, moved today
We decided to stay put yesterday. After the lack of sleep and the news about papa duck, we just never felt like raising anchor.
So, today, midmorning we moved just a couple miles north on the island. We used the inReach, so hopefully you can see where we are. A beautiful cove that we can anchor close enough to the beach to kayak. Our love back to everyone as we remember papa duck!
-D.
P.S. for those on distro who don’t know, “papa duck” is Marsha’s dad (Tim’s grandpa) and he passed away yesterday after turning just 91 last week.
Logbook – April 5, 2013 (Isla Espiritu Santo)
Passage Log Highlights
- 1315 Arrived at Caleta Partida after short excursion to dump heads
Gresham Family Exodus 