February 27th, 2025 Thursday (our wedding anniversary #43) Isla Isabela

Up early, even though we are not going anywhere. We had breakfast, did our bible reading, went kayaking after lunch and finished the movie we started on the 26th, Nicholas Nickleby. A pretty good movie.
Then bed.

This was a very relaxing day to just celebrating us.

Just another sunset
Some neighbors
The rest of the neighbors
This is the rock we kayaked to
Out kayaking

February 26th, 2025 Wednesday, Bahia Matachén to Isla Isabela

Up by 6 am, breakfast and bible reading then underway by 8 am and motored with the Main sail out all day. There were a bunch of pangas out fishing when we left. We saw whales, and jelly fish, and very little else.
We made reservations for when we will be in La Paz. We have 3 days March 6, 7 & 8 at Costa Baja, @$146 per night. La Paz is pretty expensive, and yes that is more than we were paying in La Cruz which was twice what we paid in Paradise Village.

We found a new marina about half way between La Paz and Cabo on the east side that looked interesting, Reneé called and investigated, $185 per night! Oh, and by the way, we would have to sit through a tour and a marketing meeting as they are selling property (several Million dollars per lot). We declined that marina.

We are planning on spending two nights here at Isla Isabela, tomorrow is our 43rd wedding anniversary! We are taking the day off!

Then it will be about 15 hours to get to Mazatlan, we are planning at least two nights there, then about 34 hours to cross to Baja. We will be at Los Muertos and spend two nights there recovering before going to La Paz.

some small “floating islands”
The fishing fleet we saw
A white rock (By the way there are hundreds of them labeled “Rocha Blanca” (Literally white rock).

February 25th, 2025 Tuesday, Punta de Mita to Bahia Matchén

Up at 5:30 for Reneé and 6:30 for me. Underway by 7 am (it was still darkish, but light enough to see which way to go. We motored the whole way as true wind never got above 5 knots. We found a time change so while the clock said we arrived at 4 pm, it was closer to 3 pm local time.
We saw Whales, Rays, Jelly Fish and very few other boats. Only a couple of fishing boats. We anchored in 25 feet of water about 1.25 miles off shore. This anchorage has an issue with bugs, so we like to anchor out, we also put our screens down.
We had an issue with the radar today, I usually use the screen that was set up with the map (chart) with a radar overlay. Well apparently the latest version of the firmware made that particular screen not work. So, I called tech support and was shown where the toggle was to turn that on. Supper easy!
We are thinking of spending two nights here, as the next stretch is an other long day (about 45 miles). We plan to stay there for two days as well Isla Isabella, where the blue footed boobies and the frigate birds nest. I believe we have missed that this year as it is too late in the season for them.
While we were sailing, I noticed a line swinging around up the mast, upon further investigation, we figured out that it was the topping lift for the boom. The line had parted and will have to be replaced.
If it is not one thing it is something else.

Just another sunset
Again, just another sunset
Our Kayak (note the teak below!)
Our paddle boards (note the teak below!)

 

February 24th, 2025 Monday, La Cruz marina to Punta de Mita

Up at 6:30, breakfast, the net and then I started filling the water tank, and Reneé headed off to drop off the laundry. We have to be out of the slip by noon (maybe 11 am?). our first stop will be to get fuel and then we will head out to the anchorage until the time to get the laundry. Finally this afternoon, we will head to Punta de Mita at the west end of the bay.
We got underway about 5 pm and arrived at Punta de Mita at 7 pm just as the sun was going down. On the way we saw several whales some were mom and baby teaching them to breech Reneé got some video of them. It has been a long day, and tomorrow will be as well. Our next stop is Matchén Bay, about 55 miles to the north. That should be about 10 hours of motoring, we will see.

This is a screen shot of the video which is linked to it (same video to both pictures).
This is a screen shot of the video which is linked to it (same video to both pictures).

 

February 23rd, 2025 Sunday, La Cruz marina

Up at 6 am, breakfast and laying around for a bit. Then we hiked up to the bus stop and off to church. After church Cathy took us to her dads place (Iris and Bob) to get our stuff back to the boat, we filled her gas tank and went to lunch then got all our stuff back on the boat. We got it all back on and stowed. The guys working on the wood finished today.
After dinner we put the water toys back on the boat, tomorrow we will get underway. The boat is looking very good right now.
We invited Lisa and Byron from SV Better Together over for a game of Mexican Train. They are on the first of a two year cruise, headed to Florida and figuring things out. We had a good time and then Reneé put the paddles away (for the water toys).
Based on it being almost 10 pm, we will probably get showers in the morning before we get underway.

This is after the first coat of varnish
Our friends the Rangers Robert and Iris and their dog, Bella. They stored our stuff for a couple of weeks while we had friends visiting and then were gone.
Kathy (Roberts daughter) who helped us move our stuff back to the boat.