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Isla Mitlan

September 24-27, 2013

Brenden wanted to go to La Gringa for his birthday to play in the estuary, but since the forecast was for strong (20+ kt) winds from the SW we decided that being tucked in behind Isla Mitlan would provide better protection. Our first full day there, which was Brenden’s birthday, was not bad and the boys spear fished and then we had an awesome pasta dinner and sugar cookie celebration for his birthday. The next day, though, the winds blew hard out of the West, so we had a fair amount of wraparound swell, which wasn’t great, but it wasn’t too bad either. Then the next day it blew hard straight out of the NW and we had to get out of there. We ended up retreating to La Gringa for protection from the NW swell.

La Mona to Isla Mitlan. Light winds and a tack.

Logbook – September 24, 2013 (La Mona to Isla Mitlan)

Passage Log Highlights

  • 1219 Depart La Mona
  • 1447 Fish on! Sierra
  • 1650 Arrive Isla Mitlan

Daily Notes

  • Caught 2 sierras underway. Second one was huge but it got away while we were anchoring. First one was big enough for sashimi dinner.
  • Brenden shot 2 parrot fish for his birthday ceviche
Isla Mitlan is a small island next to Isla Coronado (Isla Smith) and the anchorage is between the two islands.
Lady Carolina and one other boat in the anchorage. It was a tight fit.
This is Volcan Colorado, which we had wanted to hike up to, but with the strong winds it didn’t work out.  It is on Isla Coronado (Isla Smith)
En route to Isla Mitlan the boys had caught a sierra, but we lost it b/c it got pulled into the prop when we were anchoring. Brenden got all suited up and jumped in to find the sierra as soon as we were anchored. He didn’t find it, but he did get a Parrot fish for his birthday ceviche.
Peaking up the channel to the Las Rocas anchorage

Logbook – September 25, 2013 (Isla Mitlan)

Daily Notes

Email to family and friends dated September 25, 2013

Subject: Happy Birthday to Brenden!

We moved yesterday to Isla Mitlan. We had a nice sail, although slow, and several times the wind died completely on us, but we made it 11 miles in 4.5 hours, lol. The boys caught 2 sierras while underway, but one was dragging in the water behind one of the props when we were anchoring and it got caught in the prop and fell off the stringer. As soon as we anchored Brenden was suited up in his wetsuit to dive looking for the sierra, because, you see, they make good sashimi (not as good as yellowtail, but pretty good). He couldn’t find the sierra but he came back to the boat for his spear because, “there were fish everywhere” and not long after that he came back with a couple parrot fish, so he could have “birthday ceviche.”

The yellowtail expedition will be leaving later this morning, because more than anything, Brenden wants “birthday sashimi.”

At BLA village Alex found a lego Battleship game to give to Brenden, and he was so pleased that it’s the perfect present for Brenden. We should have a nice day today, the plan is to have a big pasta dinner with Lady Carolina this evening, and then maybe have all the other boats in the anchorage over later for drinks and desserts. I haven’t decided if I’m up for that yet after being up half the night last night moving anchor locations because we got too close to an underwater pinnacle rock.
Love and miss you all,
-D.

A fine catch at Brenden’s “spearfishing parting”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENDEN!!!
Alex picked this gift out in BLA Village. In case you can’t read the sign on the gift.. the P.S. at the bottom says “I dibs beating you first.”
This is a reenactment of Brenden’s surprised face when he realized the gift from Alex wasn’t just the game Battleship, it was Lego Battleship (where you build the ships out of Legos) 
Giant birthday sugar cookie
This is also a reenactment. Mom’s a little slow with the camera tonight.

Logbook – September 26, 2013 (Isla Mitlan)

Daily Notes

  • The wind blew hard all day, 20-33 knots. We decided to put out more chain.
  • We didn’t get off the boat all day. Brenden finished test lesson 120!
  • Needed sweatshirst for the first time last night in a long time.
It’s officially the end of summer! Breaking out the sweatshirts!

Email to family and friends dated September 27, 2013

Subject: Brrrrrr

We got blown around pretty good yesterday with steady wind in the 25-35 kt range, and we picked an anchorage with SW protection, because that was the forecast, of course it blew more NW and we basically had white caps breaking under the boat. It was like being underway! It’s calmed down this morning, only 10-12 kts, but it’s supposed to blow hard again today. The wind has also brought cold air with it, in fact the boys put sweatshirts on last night, we slept with the salon doors and windows shut for the first time in I can’t remember how long, and when I got up this morning it was 68 degrees! Looks like summer is over.
Love and miss you all,
-D.

Logbook – September 27, 2013 (Isla Mitlan to La Gringa)

Daily Notes

  • 68 degrees when I got up this morning!
  • Wind from the NW blew us out of the Isla Mitlan anchorage. BIG swells when leaving, I got sprayed from the bow while I was at the helm

Edit: Tim and Steve were out spearfishing when the wind shifted and kicked up and they had no idea the conditions we were facing. Carolina and I went crazy waiting for them. I was on high alert makin sure we didn’t drag, and as soon as they got back we raised the dinghy and got out of there!

These are the swells coming into the anchorage. They don’t look nearly as bad in the photo
Waves crashing against Isla Mitlan
Serious swell pummeling Lady Carolina

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