Isla Partida is an island near La Paz, smaller than, and north of, Espiritu Santo. Our favorite anchorage was a small cove near the top called Ensenada el Embudo. We also really enjoyed swimming with the sea lions at an islet just north called Los Islotes.
The geography of Isla Partida. We started at Ensenada Grande and then moved up to Ensenada El Embudo with a couple day drips up to Los Islotes.
Logbook – April 15, 2013 (La Paz to Isla Partida)
Passage Log Highlights
1100 Called Lopez Marine – anchor probably end of the week
1345 Depart La Paz
1930 Arrive Ensenada Grande (Isla Partida)
Daily Notes
Ran watermaker for 4 hours
Another kid boat in the anchorage
(Edit: We had ordered a new anchor, and when they told us “probably” it would arrive by the end of the week we figured we should go spend some more time at the islands rather than sitting around La Paz waiting.)
(Edit: That other kid boat in the anchorage was the first time we met Fluenta. Spoiler alert: they were with us off and on our entire journey, in fact, when we flew home from Fiji to Los Angeles they were on the flight with us.)
Brenden at the helm while dropping the anchorEnsenada GrandeEnsenada GrandeEnsenada Grande – In our logbook on this day was a simple entry: “Another kid boat in the bay.” (That’s FLUENTA! Spoiler alert – they will make many, many appearances in our journey)
Logbook – April 16, 2013 (Isla Partida)
Daily Notes
Rolly night in the anchorage (Ensenada Grande)
Speedometer still not working
Dinghy ride from Ensenada el Embudo to Los Islotes to swim w/ the sea lions
Explored small beach & rocks at Ensenada el Embudo
Boys sunset kayak fishing
NO SCHOOL TODAY
Email sent to family and friends dated April 16, 2013
Subject: No wifi for a few days
Our new anchor is not supposed to arrive in La Paz until late in the week, so we have headed back up to the islands. We are in an anchorage on Isla Partida called Ensenada Grande. There is a reef just north of here where there is a Sea Lion rookery and they are very accustomed to humans and you can dive with them. We were hoping to do that this morning, but it’s still too windy. We had a rocky night at anchor due to strong SW winds, but thankfully no anchor dragging.
Ensenada GrandeSwimming with Sea Lions at Los IslotesSwimming with Sea Lions at Los IslotesSwimming with Sea Lions at Los IslotesSwimming with Sea Lions at Los IslotesSwimming with Sea Lions at Los IslotesSwimming with Sea Lions at Los IslotesSwimming with Sea Lions at Los IslotesEnsenada el Embudo – We met some sea kayakers here. The tour company drops them off from La Paz and then they kayak around the islands. There is also a base down at Ensenada del Candelero (on Espiritu Santo)The geography of Ensenada El Embudo. It’s a small cove and we anchored right in the middleAlex at Ensenada el EmbudoKayakers camping at el EmbudoAlex at Ensenada el EmbudoEnsenada el EmbudoEnsenada el EmbudoWhere’s Alex?Playing with hermit crabs at Ensenada el EmbudoEnsenada el EmbudoSunset Kayak fishing excursionSunset Kayak fishing excursionSunset Kayak fishing excursionNo fishEnjoying some nice wine at el Embudo
Logbook – April 17, 2016 (Isla Partida)
Daily Notes
Responded to an emergency call on VHF from kayakers on the beach. One had a cut on his shin needing medical attention. We tried many times to reach the tour company on VHF. Ended up giving Michael and Martha a ride down to Ensenada del Candelero.
Second swim with the Sea Lions at Los Islotes
Anchorage Ensenada Grande – safe exit 245 deg
Another trip to Los Islotes. This time we just took Exodus and I drifed around while the boys swam with the sea lions (not really my thing)Los IslotesLos Islotes
Back in La Paz and this time the highlights were Bay Fest and the Bocce Ball Tournament.
Logbook – April 7, 2013 (Caleta Partida to La Paz)
Passage Log Highlights
1030 1130 depart for La Paz
1830 Arrive La Paz
Daily Notes
Daylight savings time
Making sugar cookies on board ExodusBack at the trampoline at Stella restaurant. Little kids just love Alex. (Brenden kept his distance)
Logbook – April 11, 2013 (La Paz)
Daily Notes
No coffee F or Sat
Fri video exchange
Bayfest Schedule:
Volleyball – 10am F La Costa, 10am/12:30 Sat La Costa
Winetasting – 5pm Thurs 🙂
Backwark kayak race – 12;30 sun
Costume party – Sat night
Hand paddle dinghy – Sat
Logbook – April 12, 2013 (La Paz)
Daily Notes
Too close to s/v Seamentress. Raised anchor and moved closer to the marina
Logbook – April 13, 2013 (La Paz)
Passage Log Highlights
0915 Raised anchor – headed out to the bay to make water and dump heads
Daily Notes
La Paz Bayfest continues. Tim & Alex took 2nd in the Bocce Ball tourney. Dinner at the shack. Good burgers and chili.
(Edit: The Bocce Ball Tournament was a lot of fun. They lost to Scott (I don’t recall his boat name) and Derek (Interabang.) Derek and Trish on Interabang had experience staying in the Sea of Cortez for the summer, so we picked their brains, and since they were staying again this year we looked forward to hanging out.)
Outside La Costa restaurantBocce ball tournament. Team Exodus (Tim and Alex) took 2nd place out of 24 teams. (This was the very competitive and headed semi-final match)Chillin in the hammockRandom pelican pictureLove it! At The Shack resturant.
Logbook – April 14, 2013 (La Paz)
Daily Notes
Last day of Bayfest, pressure cooker seminar, awards ceremony. Backward kayak race. Met another kid boat. Tim took the kids (from s/v The Vortex) to the beach.
Backward kayak race. Alex and Brenden got smoked!Bay fest award ceremony. They called Alex and Tim the “dark horse” team.
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.
The anchorages we visited at Isla Espiritu Santo
Logbook – March 29, 2013 (La Paz to Isla Espiritu Santo)
Passage Log Highlights
1030 Depart, P engine on
1400 Arrived Bahia San Gabriel
We departed La Paz at 9:00 and arrived at Bahia San Gabriel on Isla Espiritu Santo at 14:00, sailing most of the way.Bahia San Gabriel is a vast bayThe boys went for a hooka at Bahia San GabrielFrom the beach at Bahia San GabrielWe kayaked to shoreTormenting the crabsBeached kayaksMangrovesSunset over kayaksA bird sanctuaryReady for a hikeWe hiked across the island from San Gabriel to Playa Bonanza (What were we thinking?)The view back toward Bahia San GabrielHike through the desertThey were good sportsThe hike was actually pretty miserable, but we perseveredWe made it to the other side of the island – a gorgeous beach called Playa Bonanza (Spoiler alert: we will be back.)Playa BonanzaI ruined hikes for the ENTIRE trip with this hikeBest sunset so far?
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.
Moving to Ensenada del Candelero
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.
Las Calaveritas (we kayked back to this small cove from Ensenada del Candelero)Las Calaveritas — playing with the tiny hermit crabsThe geography of Ensenada del Candelero and Las CalaveritasExodus at anchor at Ensenada del CandeleroExodus at anchor at Ensenada del Candelero
Logbook – April 5, 2013 (Isla Espiritu Santo)
Passage Log Highlights
1315 Arrived at Caleta Partida after short excursion to dump heads
Caleta Partida – This anchorage is actually between the islands of Espiritu Santo and Partida and at high tide you can drive the dinghy through around to the other sideThe geography of Caleta PartidaThe other (West) side of Caleta PartidaLooking back at Exodus in Caleta PartidaA rare photo of momWe drove the dinghy between the islands and headed South down the west side of Espiritu Santo to check out some sea cavesSea cavesRiding in the dinghyAlex along for the rideBeautiful landscape on the west side of Espiritu SantoSnorkeling near Caleta PartidaSnorkeling near Caleta PartidaSnorkeling near Caleta PartidaExodus at Caleta PartidaLast sunset at Isla Espiritu Santo
The boatyard was just a little ways further down the channel than where we were anchored
We hauled out on rails
We were on the hard for 3 days, and there was hard work done by all, but mostly by Tim. They brought Exodus out of the water on a sled on rails. (We hauled out 2 more times; once by a lift in La Cruz and then again on a sled pulled up a ramp by a tractor in Tonga. By far this set up in La Paz was easiest and safest.)
Time to go back in the water!
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I hitched a ride in a panga to get back to the boat
It’s hard to summarize La Paz. There is a huge cruising community based there including a club called Club Cruceros, which we joined. There are large Mega Stores (including Wal Mart) to provision and you can find most things you need, but it’s pretty spread out and hard to do on foot. The anchorage is difficult, but we seem to have figured it out. We went on the hard for a few days to have new bottom paint done, so there’s a separate photo album dedicated to that.
Logbook – March 21, 2013 (Puerto Balandra to La Paz)
Passage Log Highlights
1030 Departed – only P engine on
1553 Arrived. Both engines on. Making sure we are set.
(Edit: La Paz was the first time we encountered anchoring in the presence of a strong current. It took us a while to figure out why all the boats weren’t facing the same way.)
It was a 5 1/2 hour day motor sail from Puerto Balandra down to La PazApproaching the La Paz channelWe settled into an anchor spot on the east side of the channel. This was the most difficult anchoring we had done to date due to the strong current in the channel.Looking North up towards the channelSunset reflectionSunset on our first night back in civilizationSunset over all the masts at anchorThe boys just love “boatmeal”
(Edit: VHF cruiser nets were a novelty at first but it wore off. In areas with high cruiser traffic, there is usually a channel designated for hailing so we aren’t all on the official channel 16 clogging it up. In La Paz it was channel 22.)
Relaxing on a lounge chair at the beachBrenden would much rather dig in the sand than relax in a lounge chairA view up the beachA small marinaBrenden in his own worldA restaurant on the beach called “Stella” had this just outside. Boys loved it.Heading to the grocery store. it’s easily a mile away, so I’m taking my two pack mules with me.Wyland wallThis is a, well, interesting, replica of mushroom rockAt the PlazaThe Catedral de Nuestra Senora de La PazAlex loves being at the museum. We spent an hour or so at the Museo Regional de Antropologia e Historia (Regional Museum of Anthropology and History), and you would think it was torture.Brenden keeps losing the staring contestI really liked this mural at the museum.Brothers walking along the malecon.
Logbook – March 27, 2013 (La Paz)
Passage Log Highlights
1100 Back in the water. Out in the bay dumping heads.
This dog kept us entertained. He actually got in the water and chased fish most of the timeDolphins were everywhere in the anchorage. This pod actually swam under our boat.It was nice to be back at anchor after the hauloutMagnetic knife blockMore dolphins in the channel
We left Cabo before daybreak and had a several hour passage, mostly motoring, to Bahia Los Frailes. The highlight was, well, you can tell, WHALES!
Bahia Los Frailes is 28 nmi from Cabo, heading North East. Cabo Pulmo National Park is just around a couple points to the North and the boys hooka’d there while I drifted around in the dinghy. We had our first encounter with other cruisers and enjoyed the long, white sand beach. Overall, I think our first anchorage in new territory was a huge success.
We didn’t enjoy Muertos as much as Frailes, but the wifi from the restaurant was a nice treat
Puerto Balandra is one of the bays just north of La Paz, and it’s by far the most picturesque place we’ve been to so far. Of course, there is the anchor dragging incident, but hey, you can deal with anything in paradise, right?
Logbook – March 14, 2013 (Cabo to Frailes)
Passage Log Highlights
0530 Started both engines
0536 Attempted to radio Port Captain on VHF 16
0550 Departed Cabo
0751 Slowed for fish
1400 Arrive at Bahia Frailes
(Edit: We always tried to follow the rules and trying to radio port authorities when we were supposed to and always check in an out when we were supposed to but we quickly learned that rules change and are not even always enforced.)
(Edit: Kind of funny that I documented that we slowed for fish. I wonder if at this point I was annoyed or just bored. Tim and I would later have more than one argument about him yelling at me to slow the boat down when there’s a fish on.)
It was an 8 hour motor from Cabo To Bahia Los FrailesAdios Cabo!Jumping fish. These were everywhere! We soon learned they were small rays.
Jumping FishAnother look back at Cabo as the sun comes upHere come the dolphins!And the WHALES!This was such an amazing sight! There was a whole pod of whales between us and the shore. They were surfacing and breaching, and they put on quite the show for us!So close to the shoreLots of tail flukesThey were captivatingSlapping the waterBreaching!More splashingAnd more breachingThe Geography of Bahia Los FrailesExodus at anchor at Bahia Los FrailesCaptain Tim and his straw hatA fantastic running beach. 10/14/13 Update: Still the best running beach so farThere was a campground at Bahia Los FrailesWe used the kayaks to get to and from the beachA nice profile of ExodusThe long stretch of beachThere was another cat in the bay with us. A nice couple who left for the Marquesas (Dave and Booker on s/v Tortuguita)ExploringDoing some dishesSunsetLegos are still a favorite pastimeBrenden’s always good for a smile towards the camera.
Logbook – March 15, 2013 (Bahia Los Frailes)
Daily Notes
Cocktails w/ Dave & Booker @ Tortuguita
(Edit: They were a nice couple on another catamaran and we were the only two boats in the bay. They had already cleared out of Mexico and were waiting for their weather window to jump to The Marquesas. They had already left once, but winds were nonexistent so they turned around and waited. We went over to their boat, and I brought over a nice bottle of red wine. I didn’t really know the protocol or expectations, I just figured I should bring something. The following evening they came over to Exodus and they brought some yummy bread, I seem to recall it was coconut bread.)
Fiery sunsetFamily Minecraft
Email sent to family and friends dated March 15, 2013
Subject: Hi, we are at Bahia Los Frailes
A few of you have messaged that inReach is showing us on the land! I assure you we are safely tucked away in a small anchorage on the other side of the tip of Baja anchored a safe distance from shore. I’m guessing the accuracy of the map they use is not as good as the accuracy of the GPS locations reported. Oh well. If you noticed us veer in towards land en route yesterday, it’s because whales were traveling close to shore. We got close enough to take some amazing pictures of them breaching. It was breathtaking. And made for a difficult school day, since who wants to work on Math when you are close enough to actually HEAR the whales! I can’t wait to upload photos for you all to see.
Cabo was OK, but it was busy and noisy since we happened to show up during spring break season. Lots of drunk and stupid college kids. The boys really liked it because there was a hotel pool we could easily crash and the pool water was warmer than the ocean. We didn’t stay in the Marina in Cabo, instead, we chose to anchor out in the bay. So, we did our laundry and grocery shopping by hauling stuff back and forth in the dinghy to shore. And I’m pretty sure I’m never going to have to learn to drive the dinghy… Alex loves to drive and he will always be my chauffeur. He also takes the responsibility to haul it up every night, and one evening I asked him to show me how too… he loves that!
The boys have used the hooka, in fact, they are out right now with it. We are flexible with school… on days they want to dive in the morning we do school in the afternoon/evening. It is still very strange to me to be in this total vacation environment while simultaneously taking care of day to day living things like laundry, groceries, house cleaning, and school. The boys are having a lot of trouble concentrating, they just want to play (me too!)
We are going to head up to La Paz in the next day or so. Feel free to email us on this address, I try to check it once every day or so, because this is also how we get weather info. I also got a small data plan on my phone, so every once in a while I cheat and turn it on when we don’t have wifi, that’s why I some times respond to emails from my phone. Hopefully we will be able to get wifi from the boat in La Paz. I am dying to upload photos!
Love and miss you all, -Deanne
Logbook – March 16, 2013 (Bahia Los Frailes to Bahia de Los Muertos)
Passage Log Highlights
2141 SB engine on awhile ago
2149 P engine on
2200 Depart
(Edit: The water heater is powered by the starboard engine so maybe we were heading some water for some showers?)
Logbook – March 17, 2013 (Bahia Los Frailes to Bahia de Los Muertos)
Passage Log Highlights
0420 Slowing down to arrive after sunrise
0657 Arrive
(Edit: This was a very unnerving experience the first time. It was very dark and the only way I knew there was land was from the chart plotter.)
It was a short, overnight passage from Frailes to MuertosThe Geography of Bahia de Los MuertosI was so ready for the sunrise as we approach Bahia de Los MuertosWe made it into the bayWalking from the dinghy dock to the restaurant, notice Alex is carrying a small bag of trash. Trash disposal is a big deal for cruisers.Pelicans everywhereThat’s one giant cactus.Alex’s silhouette with Exodus in the backgroundA short walk from the restaurant there were some tide poolsToo coolEnjoying the tide poolsCaptain Tim pondersEnter a captionAnother view of ExodusFixing the walkie talkie (it’s not ACTUALLY waterproof)The surf made the kayak landings a little more interestingAlex decides to try boogie boarding (unfortunately, there’s not THAT much surf)
No waves to boogie board? No problem.The fog rolled in
Email sent to family and friends dated March 18, 2013
Subject: Headed for Puerto Balandra
We lost wifi abruptly last night, but it was fun sharing photos and face timing. We are leaving in about an hour to head up around the corner to Puerto Balandra. It should take us half a day to get there. Love you all. -D.
Logbook – March 18, 2013 (Bahia de Los Muertos to Puerto Balandra)
Passage Log Highlights
0615 Engines on (Port only)
0620 Depart
1445 Arrive, Heading 310 deg for safe exit
Daily Notes
~2100 Anchor dragging & reset 24deg 19.2 N, 110deg 20.0 W
(Edit: And so it started. The drama with our little anchor. We were tucked well into the bay in a shallow spot at Puerto Balandra. I was already in bed, and I awoke to the sound of the engines starting and the boys calling to me that we were dragging. I shudder to think what could have happened if everyone was in bed when this happened.)
We departed Bahia de Los Muertos in the morning fogGetting underwayTending to the helmUsing the port engineThe desert geography as we head up the Baja coastThis is how most of the crew spends several hours each day… in class. Ask Brenden how easy it is to concentrate with all the fish out there calling for him to come playEntering Puerto BalandraBeautifulHongo (Mushroom) de BalandraWe departed Muertos at 0620 and sailed for a couple hours, but then ended up motoring most of the way and arrived at Puerto Balandra at 1445.The geography of Puerto Balandra, an anchorage just north of La Paz
Email to family and friends dated March 18, 2013
Subject: Made it to Puerto Balandra
Wow! This place is amazing. Jen, it looks like the places you post on Facebook. We arrived at Puerto Balandra around an hour ago and plan to stay here for a few days. Not only do we not have data or wifi, but we don’t even have cell service. So, for the next few days, this email is the only way to reach us. I will check it at least once a day. Love you all. -D.
It didn’t take long for the boys to be in the water exploringA view of Exodus from the beachThe very first “Exodus Pose” photoI’m not sure exactly what we were contemplatingExodus at anchor across the turquoise waterWith a walkie-talkie on my hipShallow waterEven Deanne got in the warm, shallow waterAnd the sun sets on the most beautiful anchorage so far
Email to family and friends dated March 19, 2013
Subject: Anchor dragging
Well, our beautiful anchorage isn’t quite so nice today. The wind kicked up last night, and our anchor dragged twice. We were on the fence whether we needed a bigger anchor, well I guess that decides it. It’s still blowing 20kts right now, so we won’t be diving this morning as planned. The water is warm enough I was even going to try the hooka. Tim and Alex snorkeled yesterday and Tim said it’s as nice here as Caymen, Colin. Oh well, I guess it’s a normal school day after all. I was wrong about not having cell service yesterday. My phone was having issues, but we have 5 bars. Still no wifi, though. -D.
Someone needs a haircutBrenden takes care of itNot too badDishes dutyStudying the periodic table is much better from the top of the deckLooking out from the bayAnother view of the world famous mushroom rockBrenden enjoys the shallow waterA decent running beach, but not nearly as nice as FrailesBrenden still loves his BioniclesSunset at Balandra
Cabo was fun, except for the spring break mayhem. Tim and I had been here several times before, but this was new territory for the boys. They enjoyed playing on the beach and crashing a hotel pool. We weren’t quite ready for marina life, so we anchored out, which meant dinghy rides for laundry, shopping, and other onshore errands.
Logbook – March 10, 2013 (Turtle Bay to Cabo)
Passage Log Highlights
0957 Arrived in Cabo
Sunrise as we approach CaboAlmost there!A closer look at “divorce beach.” The more famous, “lovers beach” is on the other side.About to round our way into the bayA look at the hotels and resorts as we enter the bayThere was a stark contrast between the isolation of Turtle Bay and the tourism of CaboCabo San Lucas is at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula. We departed Bahia Tortuga (Turtle Bay) on March 7 at 1630 and arrived at Cabo on March 10 at 0957The geography of Cabo San LucasWoo hoo, we made it to Cabo! We still weren’t ready for a marina, so we anchored out with one other boat.We had lunch at a restaurant at the marinaWe had dinner at a cantina on the beach, and it was so cold that the waiter brought us blanketsThe boys took a break from playing on the beach to have some dinner with usCabo has a nice big Marina, but we opted out and anchored in the bayBrenden enjoyed the beachActually, both boys enjoyed the beach
Wrestling in CaboI think this was the boys favorite part of Cabo, crashing a hotel poolQuiet evening at sunset (not really, there was all kinds of spring break madness happening on the beach)More sunset beautyTrying the hooka for the first timeThe boys quickly got the hang of itBig smiles for CaboThe boys can take the kayak to the beach, and we can watch them from the boatUpwind paddle back to the boatStudying the chartsWe took a day excursion over to Lovers’ BeachPlaying in the “baby waves”Geography near CaboWe did some light provisioning before leaving Cabo. Decent fresh veggie selection
While the passage from Ensenada to Turtle Bay was calm with a lot of drifting and motoring, this passage gave us strong winds from the North, but since it was from the stern, it was no problem.
Logbook – March 7, 2013 (Turtle Bay to Cabo)
Passage Log Highlights
Started Port engine
Started SB engine
Raised Main & anchor
1600 High friction steering
Checked mechanical
Rremoved seaweed from port rudder
Still some friction
1630 Depart Bahia Tortuga
2315 Passed northbound ship, 0.8 nmi to port
(Edit: I could tell something was different with the steering and I didn’t want to leave. Tim convinced me there was nothing we could do at Turtle Bay, better to press on to Cabo.)
As we were leaving Turtle Bay we had a small issue with increased friction in the steering. We checked the mechanical system and Tim got in the water and removed some seaweed from the port rudder. There was still higher than normal friction in the steering but we headed out regardless.Underway againMovie night
Logbook – March 8, 2013 (Turtle Bay to Cabo)
Passage Log Highlights
1426 Raised spinnaker earlier
1541 Passed fish boat with nets out
1742 Dropped spinnaker earlier
(Edit: I’m loving the precision of the time index of our log entries while noting the action was done “earlier”)
Another sunrise at seaTim reels in our second catch of the tripThis one’s giving him a bit of a fightAnd yes, it’s a SHARK!!!Just a wee one, though.
Logbook – March 9, 2013 (Turtle Bay to Cabo)
Passage Log Highlights
0100 (Tim’s handwriting) Reefed Main! Hit 17.4 kts! (Surfing)
We had 25-30 kt winds and 10-15 ft seas on the last leg to Cabo. Luckily it was coming from the North
After the boys got over their initial letdown (they were expecting a resort town for some reason) we ended up having a nice time at Turtle Bay.
Logbook – March 4, 2013 (Ensenada to Turtle Bay)
Passage Log Highlights
1514 Arrive Turtle Bay
Sunrise behind Cedros IslandOur longest passage so far. We departed Ensenada on March 1 at 1600 and arrived at Bahia Tortuga (Turtle Bay) on March 4 at 1514. Almost 3 full days at sea.Turtle Bay is a large bay about halfway down the Baja Peninsula. We anchored on the north side of the bay near the pier and the village.A lesson in dropping the anchorA view of the village.A view of the dockSafe arrival cocktails
Email to family and friends dated March 4, 2013
Subject: Test
Hi, I’m testing sending an e-mail through our SSB radio. If you get this, send me back a brief text-only e-mail. Love you all.
-Deanne
Email to family and friends dated March 4, 2013
Subject: Looks like it worked
I’m amazed, the e-mail through the SSB radio worked on the first try!
The inReach isn’t working right now, so if you check it when you get up, don’t panic. 🙂
I suspect the batteries died, but Tim’s asleep in our room, so I don’t want to wake him rummaging for batteries.
Love you all. -D.
Lonely Exodus. Much different than when we were here at Turtle Bay on the Baja HahaLots of room to cruise around in the dinghyAlex is just enjoying the rideA nice flat running beachThe desert landscapePlaying in the sand is always fun. Look, Brenden has on his life jacket. Where’s his crash helmet? Gotta keep that kid safe.My running footprintsThe water was still a bit chilly. We need to keep heading south!The only other traffic in the bay were local fishing pangasWe made it to the dockHeading to the village
Brenden, need I say more?Views of the village from the pierViews of the village from the pierBack to schoolA stunning sunset to end the daySunset reflection over the villageA trawler in the bayAll this space on the boat and they sit right next to each otherSome serious repairs going onBrenden wins with the first injury of the trip. He fell getting from the dock to the dinghy.
The highlights of this passage were whales, whales everywhere, and our first catch. I didn’t get good photos of the whales this time (but stay tuned).
Logbook – March 2, 2013 (Ensenada to Turtle Bay)
Passage Log Highlights
1600 Flying spinnaker
1835 First fish! 13.1 lbs
Edit: This was a Bonita that we thought was a Skipjack until we learned the Skipjacks are really yucky
Dolphins escorting me at sunrisThe boys actually have a lot of fun together
Alex gets credit for this oneReeling in the first catchProud fishermen. 10/14/13 Update: When we caught this we thought it was a Skipjack, and it was tasty. Brenden knows his fish now, and he has proudly told me that this was a Bonito, not a skipjack. No wonder we enjoyed it so much since we now know that Skipjacks most certainly are not tasty.
Logbook – March 3, 2013 (Ensenada to Turtle Bay)
Passage Log Highlights
0600 Beautiful sunrise
0730 Chubasco net 7192 LSB. Couldn’t hear net traffic. Can hear moderator very faint. From ? to Cabo winds out of W-NW. Flat seas.
0800 Baja net 7238 – nothing
0815 Baja weather w/ Don A. – 7233.5 can hear traffic, seems like it started earlier. Can hear weather. Try tomorrow 0800.
0830 coastguard weather 8764 – Loud & clear
Edit: Eventually, when I was actually able to hear all of the SSB nets, I stopped logging this type of crap in our main logbook and kept a separate notebook for it.
Gresham Family Exodus 