So let's see if I can catch everyone up on my latest adventures since leaving Loreto.
My first stop was Bahia Marquer on the south end of the island of Carman. In 1995 a program was developed on the island to help increase the population of bighorn sheep in Baja California. I understand, talking to locals, that the program was and is successful. There was not much there except the usual sandy beaches and turquoise waters. I stayed over night and pulled anchor after a restful morning and headed north to another anchorage on the north end of the island. Puerto Ballandra is a popular anchorage because of its' natural beauty and good protection from winds and waves.
These are the waters here and the sandy beach on shore. I stayed here one day and then pushed on to the next island of Coronados. Remember my previous attempt to get photos of Sting Reys jumping out of the water? Well I finally got a couple.
I took this photo after going ashore at Isla Coronados. This was to be the beginning of my hike to the top of a volcano. Here is a sign at the trail head. What you don't see is another sign noting that the trail is well marked. Now tell me, do any of you see a well marked trail in this photo?
Here is a sign that needs no explanation.
I stopped to rest as I looked around for a well marked trail and took this photo of my and other's boats in the bay below.
I never made it to the top but the distance I hiked was the same as I looked for this damn well marked trail. However, the day was not a total loss. I finally was able to get photos of String Reys as they tried to fly.
The next day I pulled anchor and sailed to Caleta San Juanico. The anchorage the first evening was a little bumpy so the next day I moved around the corner to La Ramada. No this is not a hotel. I went on another hike and found a cruisers shrine and as you see below I left my own mark that will show that a Gade was there in 2009.
This is the sunrise the morning I had sailed off to San Juanico.
This is the cruisers shrine
Yes, here is is. Written in stone! Gade was here for people throughout the future to see and wonder: Who was this great man?
Off again the next day to the Bay of Concepcion. I stayed here for 10 days, anchoring in Punta Santo Domingo, Playa Santispac, El Burro Cove and finally Playa Santa Barbara. I enjoyed a good old American 4th of July celebration in El Burro Cove and I dug up my own Chocolate clams in Santo Domingo and yes I hitch hiked to Mulege and back to get some supplies. I haven't done that in 50 years.
I met this young French couple in Santispac and spent some time with them on my boat over a few beers. They are taking an around the world trip staying in their tent as they backpack around the world.
This is a small and friendly restaurant and bar in Santispac.
I forgot to mention that I again went on a hike while in El Burro and found some petroglyphs on the way up the hill.
Finally I found the way they mark their well marked trails. With a sharp eye you can find these intermittently along the trail.
Here is a nice photo of the anchorage at El Burro Cove.
Finally I made it to the top.
Dolce Vita all dressed up for the party.
Pot Luck lunch on the 4th.
Keeping (trying) cool in the water.
Almost forgot. On my hike I found rocks toward the top of the hill that have a large content of iron. Watch and listen.
Finally I am off to my next anchorage at Punta Chivato but not before stopping over night again at Punta Santo Domingo where another cruiser showed my how to find and dig out clams.
Here on Punta Chivato there is an Italian restaurant that is owned and managed by an Italian company. The price for a vodka tonic was the same as if I were back in the states so I didn't stay long. Talking to one of the Mexican waiters I found out that along with their salary for working there, they are given a room to stay along with their food. Not a bad deal.
And yes, finally, another boring sunset.
Off the next day to Santa Rosalia where I am now. I am going to stay here for maybe another week and then head south again to return to Puerto Escondido. I decided to keep my boat there while I return to California since it is safer and cheaper during the hurricane season. So Bill and Jean, if I am going to see you, you will have to throw off those dock lines and go sailing or I will have to wait to see you this fall in La Paz.
No photos and stories of Santa Rosalia since this can be found in an earlier blog from last year. This will be my last blog for awhile. My son Steve is driving down here to visit and go sailing and fishing with me and then I return to California for a couple of months where I will get a chance to visit with most of you, so stock those bars. I am coming to town.
