Tuesday, April 13, 2010

La Paz, Baja California

La Paz (Spanish - The Peace) is the capital city of Baja California Sur. La Paz has a population of approximatly 190,000. La Paz was first inhabited 10,000 years ago by the Neolithic hunting gathers. Their existence has been found in the form of rock paintings in Baja California. We are looking forward to viewing some of these paintings.

The year round temperature of La Paz is 75-77 degrees. We have been experiencing 90 degree temperature during the day, however, the winds pick up in the evening and becomes quite cool.

We have been enjoying walking the beautiful La Paz Malecon which is a seaside walkway. Many statues are along the walkway. As usual we also see many fishing pangas. There are also many restaurants. We watch many beautiful sunsets across the bay.

The city has a much different feel than the mainland Mexico. We see many more American products in the grocery stores. Some of the food items and restaurants seem higher also.
We have not seen the normal cobble stone roads. The streets are clean and the city appears well tended. We took a city tour which was very picturesque of the city, however, the tour guide never talked about any of the sites. Oh well, not all tours work out.

Marina Palmira
Sea Turtle
Flying manta ray, we think
Rosie and Linda enjoying the water
La Paz Melacon
La Paz at sunset
Andanzas at sunrise
Statue along the malecon
"El viejo y el mar" (Old Man and the Sea")
The following is a poem that was written in Spanish under the statue.
I have a paper boat
It's made from a page
On which I have written my dreams
It has neither anchors, nor mooring ropes
I want to sail in it
On the seven seas; in the eighth
Where I know I will run aground in the port of my desires
...Has someone even seen the light shining from the lighthouse?

We plan to leave La Paz tomorrow to explore the surrounding islands.


Friday, April 9, 2010

La Paz, Baja California

We had a beautiful day from Muertos to La Paz. We had flat seas with about 5 knots of wind until the last couple of hours coming into the Bay when the wind went up to 20 knots. The coast line was desert mountains. We went 52 miles to Marina Palmira in La Paz. We continue to travel with Wind Song and Serena Ray. We will stay in La Paz for a few days.


Sunrise in Muertos


Baja Coast


Baja Coast


Serena Ray


Wind Song


My crew


Marina Palmira

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Ensenada de los Muertos, Sea of Cortez


Ensenada de los Muertos, or translated in English, Cove of the Dead. This is a beautiful anchorage with clear green water, white sandy beaches, and desert beyond the beaches. There is one restaurant on one side of the cove and an exclusive resort at the other end of the cove. Potential developers of this area would like to change the name to Bahia de los Suenos, or Bay of Dreams.

Years ago, 1920's, this cove used to be a cargo port for near by silver mining operations. In later years it was used for transporting salt. Currently it is a potential development for tourism.

Muertos is 190 miles west of Mazatlan across the Sea of Cortez. We crossed the Sea with John and Rosie, of Serena Ray, and Ed and Annette, of Wind Song. It took us 27 hours to cross. We left Mazatlan with 2-3 foot swells and 10-15 knots of wind. We had a half moon and brilliant stars during the night. In the early morning hours the seas went flat and wind dropped to less that 5 knots.

We saw all kinds of sea life - flying-jumping sting rays, sea turtles, flying fish, and dolphins.
Once anchored in Muertos we have continued to see flying sting rays, flying fish, dolphins and a whale. I wish I could grab the camera fast enough for pictures of all the sea life.

We have been swimming from the boats. The water temperature is about 75 degrees. The day temperature is in the low 80's. The nights are cooling down to the 60's. We have been walking on the beaches exploring and collecting sea shells. We have had pot luck dinners with our friends.

While the first day and a half the weather has been good the past 2 days we have had wind up to 20 knots in the anchorage. It has prevented us from moving on, however, tomorrow looks good to head north to La Paz.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Mazatlan, Sinoloa, Mexico

Happy Spring! We have been in Mazatlan for the past few weeks. Wally has been busy repairing and installing a new auto pilot, shower sump, water pump, and many other items that he seems to keep busy with all the time.

While Wally has been working I have been visiting my family in the States. I was in 3 different locations and 8 flights round trip. I enjoyed all the visiting, shopping, and playing. One of the highlights was my granddaughters first birthday party.


We are leaving in the morning for La Paz. We will spend the next 2 months exploring the Sea of Cortez.