Thursday December 08, 2022 Puerto Peñasco 

(posted 12/25/22)

We continued from yesterday, with the full moon to light our route, and very little traffic on the water. As we approached Puerto Peñasco we saw several fishing/shrimping boats and on one occasion we had to change course to avoid them. We had planned to get to Puerto Peñasco by midday to arrive with the high tide, but conditions had been very favorable and we reduced speed at about 0130 to 4 knots so that we could anchor at day break where we had spent a couple of weeks in May 2020 doing our isolation for covid prior to going to the dock.

After dropping the anchor, we went back to bed and got some naps.

We got up at 9, had breakfast and did our devotions. Then called the marina by radio (no answer on the phone, and no cell service for the internet). We arranged a slip and went in and tied up.

We took a walk down to the Embarcadero then back to the chicken place across the way from the VIP gas station for lunch. Finally back to the boat and a relaxing rest day. Reneé and I had some calls to make and I spent a couple of hours working with AT&T (our cell provider) to get the data working. After dinner and showers, we watched a movie: The kid who would be King. A pretty good movie, then bed.

Neil and Bob in Puerto Peñasco
Puerto Peñasco from the sea at night
Our last sunrise at sea for awhile
Our track
Where we anchored
Neil, Reneé, and Bob

Wednesday December 07, 2022 Puerto Don Juan to Puerto Peñasco 

(posted 12/25/22)

Up at 6:30 and underway by 7:15 headed north. We had breakfast and did our devotions underway. We have been checking the weather all the way up on this trip and there is a rather strong Northerly coming our way Thursday and Friday, so the plan is to get as far north each day as possible to minimize the impact of the weather.

We had some interesting weather as we headed north past Isla Angel de La Guardia off the Bahia de Los Angeles. Wind speed was about 20 knots from the port side (the Baja peninsula) and fairly steady. We put up the Main and the Jib sails and managed to sail for about a half hour with the motor off, boat speed was as high as 8 knots. This was good, but not to last. As quickly as the wind came up it went away and we were down to wind speed of 0.4 knots. So, the motor was restarted and we continued our motoring.

Just another sunrise
The instrument on the left is from the GPS, so Speed Over Ground, the one in the middle is wind speed and direction so 4 knots and almost straight ahead. The one on the right shows water depth, speed through the water (a paddle wheel) the bottom one is temperature of the sea water. As you can see we have a pretty strong current pushes us along.

Tuesday December 06, 2022 San Juanico to Puerto Don Juan 

(posted 12/25/22)

Once again we are impressed by how calm the water is here in Don Juan! After lunch and our devotions, I am going to get a shower and go to bed for a nap.

After the nap, and showers we discovered the forward shower doesn’t always pump down. This will have to be addressed when we return to the boat. It is on the LIST.

Dinner, a sermon (?) and bed.

Tomorrow we plan to get underway at first light. We have about 148 miles to go, with a desire to arrive at high tide, which is about mid day. Since we only go about 5 – 7 knots that means about 30 hours of travel (+/-). This confirms our plan to leave at first light.

Yes, there was a little spray
Our track
Puerto Don Juan
Just another sunrise

Monday December 05, 2022 San Juanico to Puerto Don Juan

(posted 12/25/22)

Up at 3 and underway promptly. We have elected to go NORTH. This is a VERY long haul on the order of 200 miles, but the later we wait the worse the weather gets, so we go. The water was fairly calm overnight, but by mid morning the wind started to come up some and then the waves. At 5 to 7 knots it takes all day to get anywhere. Tuesday morning, we were hailed by Dennis Kelly on SV Ankyrios they are headed to San Juanico and saw us on the AIS. We were the first cruisers they have seen since they left Puerto Peñasco. They are back to cruising after a year off to get their oldest settled in school and for Dennis to work on his masters degree. We met them in Puerto Peñasco when we hauled out there in 2020.

Santa Rosalia at night
Just another sunrise

Sunday December 04, 2022 Puerto Escondido to San Juanico

(posted 12/25/22)

Up at about 7, the plan is to get diesel when the station opens here (at 9) and then go north. We have been checking the weather, and it looks like a pretty strong northerly wind in coming later in the week. So, we are going to work on getting to Puerto Peñasco by Thursday, which means perhaps an overnighter before we get to Refugio and to the long haul to Puerto Peñasco.

Well, so much for plans! We were second or third in line for fuel, and finally started about 1000. We got out and headed north and about an hour or two away from Puerto Escondido, the wind came up to about 20 knots (guess which direction). Along with the wind we got the waves to go with it which of course affected our boat speed. We had been doing a solid 7 knots comfortably, which dropped down to about 3.5 or thereabouts. We looked at the map, and how tired everyone was and elected to stop at San Juanico. So, yesterday we made it about 25 miles, and today about 40 miles. This means we will probably be reevaluating when we will arrive in Puerto Peñasco.

We will listen to/watch a sermon tonight after dinner.

Where we stopped.
Our track
Bob lounging around, best seat on the boat.