La Paz

Crossing the Sea

On Saturday, April 20, 2013, we left Dock 6 heading for the Baja.  By 7 am we were through the channel and truly underway.  The weather forecasts were auspicious, but then again who believes forecasts.  This time the forecasts turned out to be quite reliable.  The winds were less than expected, but in a better direction than was predicted.  The seas were fine and they were as predicted…less than 2 m and at about 12 sec…a bit bumpy but pleasant enough.  As evening approached the winds diminished to nothing and we slowed down.  Because of that situation, Bob changed our first port of call to Muertos rather than La Paz.  If we had continued to La Paz we would have arrived late in the evening…dark!!   Entering the La Paz Bay is a daytime endeavor in my estimation.

The AIS certainly earns its keep.  We were able to see ships that were in our vicinity long before we had to deal with them.  One crossed in front of us and a ferry overtook us but we knew they  were there.

This was my first trip to the Baja by sailboat., and that meant a number of other firsts which included no long lines and shrimp boats. Along the coast we were caught twice in the long lines and of course the shrimp boats are always around but at night they sometimes heave to and have no lights.  That means you are sometimes a little close for comfort.

We arrived at Muertos about 4:30 pm Sunday,  with a gentle south wind helping us.  Muertos is supposedly not good in a south wind, but really there was no wind at all.  We were a tired pair even though I had had at least 6 hr sleep and Bob about 4.  But, it was an easy trip so we were not fatigued from stress.

Sunrise at Los Muertos

This was my first trip without Patches and I did and do miss him.  During the trip I began to realize how much work he is on the boat.  As this trip did not have any high winds or seas he would have been calm, but he wants to be in the cockpit so one of us always has to care for him there.  It is rare that he will stay below and sleep.

Bob and I celebrated our crossing with a nice meal and ‘some wine’.  It was an early night and we both slept very well.  6 am   arrived earlier than usual ..I thought.

By 7 am we were out of Muertos and on to La Paz.  I am writing this underway…it is so calm that the seas are flat.  I can remember about 2 times in the past 3 yr that we have had such flat seas.  It is nice but it means that we are motoring and not sailing.

Calm seas on the way to La Paz

Monday afternoon saw us anchoring in La Paz...we had a lovely trip.  Shortly after anchoring winds hit...totally unforecasted, and they blew quite hard (25 knots) for a few hours and then dropped but continued to blow all night.  By 10 am all was calm again.

Our flag got a good workout

Now we are  into Tuesday.  This morning we went shopping for groceries.  On Thursday we will finish stocking up which means if I have missed something I can go on Friday to do the last minute stuff.

It is hot here...about 30C.  Of course yesterday evening it cooled dramatically and this morning we needed a sweater, but again by 10 am it was heating up for the day.

I am looking forward to wandering the streets of La Paz and checking out all the little shops.  It is good to be off the boat and walk when one can.