Tidings of Joy: To The Sea, The Sea of Love

Back to boating. It's such a mental shift going from being on land dealing with day to day business and coming back to the boat where our cares revolve around the speed of the wind and the height of the waves. Planning and navigating are the top priorities. These are the kinda of things we like to think about. Finally at 0721 we left our slip in La Cruz and made the 41 mile journey to Isla La Pena where we were met several pangas and lots of people snorkeling around the island. Jeff was still not feeling good from San Diego and after dropping the hook at 1:45pm we spent the afternoon reading and relaxing and never left the boat. The island didn't afford as much protection as we would have liked and we knew it would only be a one nighter.

Heading into Isla La Pena Anchorage

After a rolly night we were ready to be on our way en route to the Sea of Cortez. Today would begin our diagonal crossing back to Isla Isabel where we had stopped on the way to the mainland. We both loved the bird sanctuary island so much we were looking forward to returning even if it was just for one night. We had a weather window for our crossing so we had to keep going. At 0820 we up-anchored and started our northwest route to Isla Isabel. Most of the 68 mile cruise was sporty with 2-3 foot wind waves on top of 3 foot swells. Despite the stabilizers we just couldn't get a break and just kept at it. We did manage to see over 20 whales in route so that made it all worth it. As we approached the island the birds came out to greet us and despite discussing anchoring on the east side to mix it up from last time we ended up in the exact same spot we anchored in before. If it ain't broke why fix it right? Already here was a Kady Krogen and a Catamaran and we nestled in beside them and watched the birds flying overhead. I was a little sad we could only stay one night but knew when you have a weather window you have to take it. We enjoyed a nice sunset, made dinner and went to bed early to ready ourselves for our early morning departure and overnight crossing.

Approaching Isla Isabel

With the Krogen at Isla Isabel

At 0645 we were up-anchoring and starting out on our 250 mile crossing to what we thought was going to be Los Frailes but turned into Los Muertos. In boating when there is bad weather approaching sometimes you have to go when conditions aren't as perfect as you would like but knowing that even worse conditions are coming and could potentially hold you from traveling for a week you suck it up and just get through what you have to. Today was that day. Again the wind waves were about 3 feet and the swells 3 feet short and close together making us pitch like crazy and making movement around the boat challenging. This would last 17 hours of our cruise until finally instead of going all the way to Los Muertos we diverted to Los Frailes which saved us about 5 additional hours of pitching and being tossed around. Despite this diversion we still cruised for 30 hours arriving at Los Frailes at 12:39pm the next day. Other then the pitching the cruise itself was uneventful. We saw maybe one or two boats the entire time and as we entered the Sea of Cortez we were greeted by whales and two sea turtles swimming by.

Once anchored at the same spot we previously stayed before heading to the mainland we had lunch and I quickly hit the couch for a much needed nap. It was so nice to not to be rocking and rolling and the anchorage was still and calm and it was just us and one other sailboat. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and recovering.

Early Morning Departure

East Anchorage Isla Isabel

Sunset Underway

Moonrise

Just Us and the Stars

Los Frailes Anchorage

Relaxed and recuperated from our overnight crossing we were ready to head to our originally planned anchorage Los Muertos. We woke to rain which makes both of us so happy. After living in the pacific northwest for two years we became accustomed to it every so often which never happens down south so this felt like a wonderful treat. The rain and a boat named Heritage would be with us the entire day. The cruise like the day before was sloppy with 1-2 foot wind waves on top of 3 foot swells but we were so happily watching the rain that we didn't mind. 53 miles later we were dropping the hook at 4pm with 11 other boats with lots of room for all. Once settled we took much needed showers. I made eggplant parmesan for dinner and we watched t.v.

Rainy Cruising Day

Los Muertos Anchorage

The next day was a big one for us we would be cruising to La Paz where we had secured a slip for the entire month of February in order to slow down, explore, travel and just have a home base in the sea for awhile. We both were really excited to finally get to La Paz a place we have heard about and read about for years while planning our trip. The sun was shinning and the 61 mile cruise felt easy as the wind and waves both settled down and for the first time we spotted a sea plan on AIS going 124 mph. Weird.

At the marina a nice dockhand met us at the slip and helped get us secured. After check in at the office we headed straight to the marina bar for a welcome margarita and to toast our success in getting all the way back to Baja after venturing so far south on the mainland. Now we could kick back, relax and not worry about cruising obstacles for awhile.