06/13/2012, Balandra
What, you might ask do all three of these things have in common? we found all three on our morning adventure in the dinghy.
we were up relatively early, listened to the weather on the ham net, got a couple of boat jobs done, and headed out in the dinghy to explore some of the island that we have not yet seen. Isla Carmen, is a rocky island, with craggy shoreline with an occasional sandy beach. Some of these beaches are very small,30-40 yards or less in some cases. We had loaded the dinghy with hiking shoes, cameras, as well as our snorkeling gear. After stopping and exploring a couple of the small beaches, on one of which i found one of the most sought after shells, the Paper Nautilus, complete and undamaged!
At the next beach we stopped at, just as we got out of the dinghy to land, I spotted a full curl, male Bighorn Sheep, not 30 yards from where we had landed! I quickly dug the camera out of the dry bag, and got some great pictures`as`he made his way back up into the cliffs above the b each. i am pretty sure he was as surprised to us, as we were him.
At the next beach, we had hiked up and down the sandy shore line, and were hot enough that a quick snorkel was in order. as soon as we got into the deeper water, Jeanne got my attention, and pointed out a Sea Turtle, she found asleep in the rock, at about 15 feet below the surface. After a few minutes of watching him, and getting some awesome movie footage, he woke up and quickly left the area.
Just another ho-hum day in the life, down here in the amazing Sea of Cortez
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06/12/2012, Balandra
Yesterday we made the short 8 mile run from Loreto to one of our favorite coves in this area, Bahia Ballandra. It provides good protection from all winds, is close to the city, but far enough away to have no effect on the bay.
We went out this morning and caught a couple really large triggerfish, which we shared with Ralph and Helen, off of SV Moon Drifter, and John on Time Piece, when they all came to Eagle for a pot luck
Jeanne, John and I had a very nice snorkel this afternoon, seeing several very large Panemic Green Moray Eels, huge schools (literally thousands) of Mexican Goatfish, and a couple of the largest grouper we have seen since being in Mexico. One of the really big ones, Jeanne got on film, and we figure it to be nearly four feet long!
we will hang around here for a day or two until the bug to move bites us!
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06/11/2012, Loreto and Punta Chivato
Yesterday, Sunday, after a sail and motor to Loreto, Lefty was hanging out in the bar of the Mission Hotel in Loreto, hoping to get some wi-fi. No luck there, so he mingled with some soon to be departing hotel guests.
His new hero is Paul Lundgren - the guy in the orange shirt. Today, starting at 8am, Paul will be attempting to set a new world record by being the first to swim across the Sea of Cortez, from Punta Chivato to Guaymas - 80 miles. How long does it take to swim across the Sea, you might ask? The goal is hopefully under 2 days! TWO DAYS! Paul's adventure is detailed at www.solocortez.com.
He will be attempting this fete using the "English Channel Rules" - speedo only, no skin protection against jelly fish, no assistance from the support boat crew in the way of being 'supported while in the water', and no touching of the support boat. The support boat will be able to give him, food and drinks from a long pole..... just what do you eat while in the water? Sort of eliminates the "stay out of the water for at least one hour after eating rule" now, doesn't it?!
His crew consists of a bunch of friends, Jo, Monty, Jamie, and others, who are 'extreme' sport enthusiasts; all planning their next triathlon, long distance swim, or multi-day survival of some 'crazy' race. China, Australia, India, as well as locales in the states were all mentioned as possibilities for the next adventure. Lots of well channeled testosterone in that room!
Lefty knows how 'pruney' you can get from being in the water for a couple of hours, but what will Paul look like after 36 or more hours? Stay tuned, we'll try to keep tabs on Paul's progress.
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06/11/2012, Yellowstone Beach, Monserrate
While joining the cruisers for some bocci ball, he was minding his own business sitting on the foredeck of the kayak - chillin' in the sun.
The crews: Ethan and Zeda, SV Eyoni, Ken & Nancy, SV Brandywine, Pam & Rick, SV Hotel California, Tom, Jack,Patrick and Rudy, SV Just A Minute
Rudy, the large, friendly, yellow lab, playfully on his part, decided that Lefty looked like a 'chew toy' left on the beach just for him. Rudy skipped the 'lovey, carry the toy around' part, and went right to the 'rip the head off and go for the guts' part! Luckily, quick hands prevailed. Lefty, a bit slobbery, sandy and literally, shaken up, is fine.
Rudy was last seen running down the beach chasing a tennis ball. After a near death experience on Yellowstone Beach, Lefty is fine and has lived to tell about it.
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06/11/2012, Loreto
Upon arriving at the fishing panga marina in Loreto, one first notices the new construction. The breakwater has been redone and the signage is extensive for the work yet to come.
Glancing around to get my bearings, I spied a tower. While certainly not at heights for an aviation tower, it is up there. What really got my attention is the full size door located in the side about 30 feet in the air. HUH?
We got a few good chuckles trying to decide what it's use is, and decided the following was our winner:
The tower leads to the port captains office and on the inside of the door is the sign that reads " Complaint Department - Through this door!"
Anyone else?
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06/10/2012, Loreto
We left Yellowstone this morning, by sailing off of our anchor, no motor!! We had a great sail for about 6 miles, and then the wind just died!! we sail more later then motored then sailed...you get the idea.
We are now anchored off the beach of Loreto...but don't plan on staying long...this is wide open,....and very rough, rolly and polly.
We will get a few fresh veggies in the AM, and try to send a few internet notes and get out of here!!
More in the morning when we find an internet source
TB
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