Thank you Dr Lettuce

This cryptic note will be explained in the next day or so.

Espiritu Santo Island

Our recent trip to the islands was not without some drama, as we anchored in Bahia San Gabriel for the night we were woken up at 0100 by a distinct change in motion. The wind had shifted to the South and we were now exposed and on a lee shore, after toughing it out for about half an hour it became obvious that would have to move, so we had to haul up the dinghy and weigh anchor,by this time it was blowing quite hard and was getting rough, a friend later told us that it blew 25knots that night, it didn't seem that much but it wasn't pleasant. Our options were to bash back to La Paz or sail downwind to amore sheltered anchorage, we chose the latter and set the staysail, letting the windvane steer, as this was completely unfamiliar territory I didn't want to attempt entry at night, however we got there too soon and had to tack back and forth until it got light enough to enter the Caleta Partida anchorage.

The next night it started blowing from the South again, this time at 2300, we didn't have to move but I did spend the night napping in the cockpit.

Michael

Fiddler Crab

Every square inch of the beach at Isla Partida has a fiddler crab. Males have a single large claw. The crabs are small but brave.

Isla Partida

Isla Partida

Channel Between Isla Partida and Isla Espiritu Santo

Sea caves lie around the point.

Fish Camps at Caleta Partida

Fishermen's Shrine to the Virgin at Caleta Partida

We left her an offering of seashells and coral.

It's Another Tequila...er, Sunset

Watch Your Step

The beaches are littered with dead pufferfish.

No More Long Rows Ashore

Just wait until the tide is really low and you can walk. Note: It's easier to row.

Liam's Found a Comfortable Underway Nest

Departing La Paz for the Islands

Distant Islands

According to Heather all desert island anchorages should have a taco stand, we haven't found any so far, perhaps because the islands are all National Parks, yet in the US all the parks have food franchises so why not in Mexico?

Tea levels are critically low!

Yet despite that we will bravely set off for the distant islands, back in in a few days.

Guess It's Chicken for Dinner, Again

That's a fish Liam is proudly displaying, in case you can't see it.

Bahia San Gabriel

Beach at Bahia San Gabriel

Warm, Shallow Water

Custom-made for a 3-year-old.

Bahia San Gabriel

Baseball at Bahia San Gabriel

Sunset over Bahia de La Paz

It's a little blurry, but you get the idea.

Grace at Anchor in Ensenada de la Raza

Rowing to Ensenada de la Raza

It's a long row from the anchorage to the shore, nearly a mile. Heather rows the next day after Michael comes down with tourista and pukes over the dighy's stern.

Bowman

Jib is down; almost ready to achor.

Approaching Puerto Ballena

Liam's smiling, sort of. Fleece pajamas make excellent sailing gear.

Sailing to Isla Espiritu Santo

After more than two weeks at Marina Costa Baja, we're sailing! And Liam's even out on deck! And, yes, I held onto him for the two minutes it took us to get a pfd on him.

Christmas Eve Part II

I'm backtracking a bit, but this is the port side of Grace during the Christmas Eve rolling party. Thanks so much to the crews of Alegria, Harmony, Diamond Girl, and Bella Brisa for making Christmas Eve memorable, fun, and delicious! And, a huge hug to Kathy (in black) for taking the ladies shopping and to lunch on the 23rd.