The beginning of Never Land 2018
La Paz BCS, Mexico

January 2018 our time for change



The Sea of Cortez was named many other names before now.
*In 1537 it was named the Golfo de Cortez or Mar de Cortez, then it was changed to Mar Vermiglion, Mar Rojo and Mar Vermijo. Named for the reddish color of the waters then because of the pelagic red crabs that were so very abundant. In 1700 it was renamed to Mar Laurentano as well as Seno California and Mar California then it was renamed once again to Golfo de California. Many to this day still refer to it as that.
But the government is rallying and will keep it as Mar de Cortez or The Sea of Cortez. *all this was taken from a great book on the Baja. Written by Tom Miller and Elmer Baxter.

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First trip out to the Islands North of La Paz
On January 2nd 2018 9 am
Captain Cary, Ginger, and our good friend & now a crew member Mary Jo
Our very own adventure: the naming of our home.

Fun times. We sent Valparaiso to the ledgers of the deep thanking her for her service and christened Never Land with the three of us, our friend Kathy and Captain AJ from SV No Problem. A toast of Red wine for sending Valparaiso back to the Ledger of the deep, and Champagne for the christening of Never Land...with some kind words to the Gods asking for safe journeys and fair winds. Such fun! The next day Kathy joined us on Never Land as Captain AJ was heading back to La Paz, she is another great friend we met this season, she has more bubbling energy than many. She is 71 years young. We set out on our journey to Isla San Francisco, and over to San Evaristo then back to La Paz the City of Peace and the Capital of BCS.
We are so blessed and honored to be able to play and live on the oceans of the world. There is so much to see and learn and do and .........we are enamored with the sites, the creatures of the sea and of the lands. The people we meet are amazing, fun loving, caring and crazy all rolled up into the sailor pirates of the world. Some are land dwellers but share the love of the sea as we do. The Mexican people are happy, content, and love sharing their lives. It is more important to them to get to know you then do business with you.
For me, seeing the oceans that have a bounty of many sea animals, plants, crustations, even the microscopic creatures knowing they feed on yet smaller or larger bites all in the name of evolution. And for us we feed on some of the delicious and delicate meals as well, but only what we can consume.
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Monday, Feb. 5th was our second adventure, consisted of Cary, myself, Mary Jo and our newest friend Wally. She is a hoot! She can down some Coors Lite like no other. Captain Cary was bragging on his 3 women with him or he was pleading for the men to pray for him while he was out to sea.
Stocked up for a weeks worth of food and libations and untied from the dock. This round I made a great dinner menu so we didn’t have to think what our next meal was. And we shared in the cooking us girls mainly but the Captain knows how to E.F.E.B and he enjoys it as well.
First stop Ensenada Grande the northern most anchorage about 4.5 hours from La Paz motoring 6-7 knots.
I made up some Shrimp Linguini for our dinner.
Nice fun night with good people.

Tuesday Feb. 6th
Raised anchor at 9:15 and are heading to San Evaristo a small village on the mainland. It was fairly early so we decided to go around Isla San Jose first to see if we could catch a fish or two. Finally at about 2:30 we caught a Dorado at the north end of San Jose.
Cary fillet the beauty and we will be having Fresh fish fingers for dinner soon with some potato salad (MJ) and I made pico de Gallo & cucumber onion salad. Yum, Yum!
We are heading to check out Mangle Solo (anchorage) on the West side of Isla San Jose. A bit too choppy so we decided to go to San Evaristo for better protection.
Arrived there at 4:30 pm.
Anchored quite nicely in about 15 feet of water with about 60 feet of chain.
Time to sit, relax, enjoy our time and wait out the northerlies. The winds picked up & blew through the night. Thank goodness for not staying at Mangle Solo. It would have been a sleepless night with all the rocking and rolling and wind! The next morning we went to Lupe Sierras & Maggies restaurant for breakfast.
Then we walked over to the tienda and gave the owner a magnifier for reading as was going very blind. We had three of them on the boat.
Picked up some salt(mined) and some treats Got some ice for our cooler and headed back to Never Land.
Heading North to Puerto Los Gatos about 29 Miles.
We arrived about 3:30 coming into the anchorage from the south it was a very rocky rolly entrance and we forgot to bring in our fishing lines so they ended up all tangled. Got things all fixed back up and set anchor for an evening of good friends great food w filet mignon & garlic shrimp and some left over noodles
A nice sleep full night. Love our friends and this new life. Los Gatos has some amazing red rock boulder formations and the tide pools are very inviting. Girls sure know how to laugh and giggle. We had so much fun and the Captain did as well, but he won’t admit that he had as much giggles as the girls did.
The next morning Thursday the 8th we pulled anchor and are heading to Agua Verde, my dream to see. None of us have been here and what a treat.
Agua Verde is a goat ranchers village with a vast area of palm trees and mesquite wood I believe.
We walked the town with two young children named Cora 8 and Dillon 4 who brought us by their schools and gave us a grand tour of their whole village which had a Stop sign in English smack in the middle of town, they showed us the pigs, chickens, goats and to a home where we found some homemade goat cheese and a surprise little baby pug named Nala. What a treat. Kisses all over.
We stayed for 2 nights and we will be back again.
Sunday morning we pulled anchor and are setting our sights south back toward San Evaristo.
Spent Sunday night in San Evaristo. Stayed on the boat and pulled anchor Monday morning heading over to Ensenada Grande for our final night aboard with Mary Jo and Wally.
So far it has been good times aboard Never Land and why not being out in the Sea of Cortez in beautiful weather although it was cooler than we would have liked.
Our final day and night was spectacular with swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, dinghy rides pulling Mary Jo on her tube.
February 13th heading back to La Paz.
A great adventure and we all had a grand time.
A blast of the relax mode in the sea.
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Third trip of the season is with 2 of our children; Trisha, Adam and our grandson Corbin.
Adam and Corbin arrived on the 18th of February and Trisha arrived on the 21st.

We headed out to Ensenada Grande as it is the Captains favorite anchorage so far on Espiratu Santos
Friday the 23rd of February.
Corbin loved riding on the bow of the boat dropping into the sea and back up again! Yikes no safety on that one ride and that will be a Never again for us. Nana was a bit freaked out. All survived but it wasn’t a smart move. Safety a must and a first.
Stayed 2 nights at Ensenada Grande as the weather was not favorable for crossing. Very bumpity lumpy at anchor.
Made some Eggs Benedict for our breakfast on Sunday and decided to check out the sea and attempt a crossing. Things went flying so Nope way too choppy and the seas were building so we turned back around and went to El Cardenol a very long bay with good protection. That night was a bit of a breeze but it got amazingly flat and calm.
We went ashore and hiked across to the other side. Captain went back to Never Land as he didn’t feel like a hike. It was a cool hike though no climbing. Good photos.
Made some BBQ Chicken for dinner.

The next morning February 26th we headed out to San Evaristo. The seas were still big but doable. About 8- 10’ 14 seconds apart. We made it to San Evaristo in one piece. Corbin, Trisha and I all had a bit of queasiness during that passage. We couldn’t eat until we arrived in Evaristo.
Dinner consisted of Cheddar dogs, broccoli, cauliflower and bow tie pasta.
We delivered 21 English word coloring books for the kids there via Willful Simplicity; Steve & Charlotte volunteer their time helping the school and the village and they live on their boat there while building their casa to retire there.
The next morning I made a Bacon and Cheddar Quiche and we pulled anchor heading to Isla San Francisco about 9 Miles. Stayed there 2 nights as the winds there were to be calm.
Hiked across to the agate Beach. The kids hiked up the hills to get better views and take pictures. We anchored in the southern tip but in the late afternoon a boat told us the Northerlies we picking up so we moved to the Northern tip for better protection. The winds never did happen but it was a great stay.

Wednesday the 28th we pulled anchor and are heading to Caleta Partida another beautiful anchorage on Espiratu Santos that you can take your dinghy through to the other side.
We are suppose to have 20 knot winds from the North for a good sail.
The winds didn’t happen until we rounded Los Isla Lotes where many of the Sea Lions play and live.
Did a drive by as you cannot anchor there. It is now protected and you must have a guide to take you there. But we got to show the kids where we have played in the past.
Winds picked up so we raised all the sails for an hour, sailed at 7.7 knots then tacked back to our destination of Caleta Partida arriving about 3 pm. We had purchased a 110lb. Bruce anchor a year ago and it works fantastic. We still have the 65lb. Bruce for a backup.
Filet Mignon, baked potato, veggies. And we are set.
Kids checked out the area and we will be heading back to La Paz in the morning.
Adam & Corbin seemed to love it so hoping they will be back for another cruise. They certainly are the go adventure everything. They love to hike whenever they are able. We don’t hike as much but take walks and some smaller hiking hills.
Trisha says this is not for her as she needs the world to work her business. Being out of touch for a week was too much for her. That’s okay she can come play at destinations we are at where there is internet.
Thursday March 1st
Returning to La Paz. My queasiness returned heading south so I sat on the floor of the cockpit most of the way back. Maybe anxiety?
Arrived back about 1:30 and the winds had picked up in the bay. Captain tried to dock the boat but had too much windage so we headed back out in the bay aka the *mogote and anchored for the night to allow the wind to subside. Next morning we pulled in to our slip soft and slow.
Spent our last night with Adam and Corbin as they wanted to explore Cabo for a day. Sent them off on a bus on Friday morning. We have a day and a night with Trisha then we will drive to Cabo to pick up the boys at there hostel, go to the beach for a a couple minutes, crazy Saturday cruise line day 😒👎🏽and get them to the airport.
We do not like the beaches there the vendors act like vultures. We could not even get a conversation going without one of them trying to sell us there wears. Ughhhh....
Dropped off the boys at the airport on Saturday, got a room at the hotel so we could send Trisha back in the morning.
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All is quiet again for a few weeks then the arrival of Chad & Madison.
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March 21st the arrival of the final two kiddos.
Stayed at dock until Saturday getting rested and stocked up with provisions for at least 3days. It is going to be a shorter visit as Madison still has school and her dad took her out 3 days early on spring break.
On the morning of our departure the bay was so still and calm I was down below readying things for our trip I didn’t even realize we had left the dock and underway. Crazy weird, but a good feeling. I am a worrier so whenever it goes easy I am all for it. Leaving the protection of the magote area in the bay we caught a Dorado. Yes having Fresh fish for dinner! Maddy got a little upset when we were trying to knock it out but Dad explained to her and after a while she was better. She did love eating it for dinner.

We are Heading to Caleta Partida to stay for a couple nights so we can all play in the waters and they can get used to the boat.
It was beautiful out, sunshine and very light breeze.
Maddy is a total fish. I am renaming her while on Never Land as Maddy the Mermaid! She was in the water more than out I believe.

We did have a few bumps with her attitude towards us. And even her with her dad at times. Still a work in progress. She gets her mind stuck sometimes and it refuses to allow anyone or anything to change her thinking. A definite patience and calm needed. I have to say she was very very good at keeping here safety line attached while outside on deck. Great job Madison.
Chad got to do some diving, but Maddy wasn’t having fun while her dad was enjoying himself. That was hard for me to see him try to do some fun activity and having her get upset because she was not with him. We all need to practice & teach patience and respect with her. I offered some words of wisdom and told her to pick a word that she doesn’t hear very often and when she hears that word it will help her to remember to calm down and think of what is bothering her. She chose the word *Shells* while she was with us. It did work one time when she was starting to have a meltdown. Another work in progress. Hope her dad continues with something like that.
The jellyfish called string of pearls were in the bays while we we there and of course they stung Maddy two times in Caleta Partida scared her pretty good but not enough to keep her out of the water and the bugs bit her a lot as well.
Pulled anchor after two nights and headed to Ensenada Grande south lobe.

Our new friends on SV Avalon; Rick and Karen have a Gaff cutter and SV Jersey another Irwin 65 Charter boat were already there.
Dropping anchor in our favorite spot by the Fishermen’s Cross when the roller shifted and the windlass wouldn’t stop. I tried pushing on and off of the button but it wouldn’t stop. Cary & Chad stopped it finally as I took the helm.
It was noisy scarey for me.
Finally all secured, Cary secured it and found some pieces of heavy plastic to hold it in place.
Maddy the Mermaid is back in the water once again. Her and Dad swam to the rock wall to check it out and she got stung again on her back. She quietly told her dad they needed to get back to the boat quickly. Small rest for them. It was such a treat to enjoy Madison when she was that said Mermaid.
Spent one night there and pulled anchor in the morning to head back to La Paz. Maddy was not happy about leaving but we wanted to get back. Madison is quite the handful still and wears on us more than we wish for. I am hoping and praying that she will find her true love of happiness with us. We would love to show her the world.
We had a nice time and we wanted to spend some more time on the Malecon where Madison could play and run and we could visit.
Heading to Cabo on Thursday March 29th to send the kids back home to Portland.
Whew! This was a busy 3 months of entertaining and readying the boat for her travels. 3 weeks off.
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More to come as we plan our trip North in the Sea just the two of us.

Wednesday April 18th we are heading out to Caleta Partida and await the sailors and boaters for the end of the season race and potluck, beginning on the 20th and a bonfire on Saturday night.
Such a good time had by all. Us sailors sure can throw a good feast and a great time.
We will be heading to Isla San Francisco on Sunday to begin our journey.
Sunday the 22nd. The seas were flat calm all the way across to our first stop Isla San Francisco. Had a great hike on Monday up and over to the agate Beach. Took some great photos some for our girl Trisha who forgot her camera when she was here. Spent two nights there and headed to San Evaristo the long way around on Tuesday. Hoping to catch a Dorado or ? Went around Isla San Jose and back down to San Evaristo about a 7 hour trip. No fish? Nothing........no dolphins, no whales no nada.
Spent one night in Evaristo and had dinner at the restaurant. Spoke to Lupe and he is getting us some fuel in the morning for the dinghy as we forgot to fill up when we left La Paz.
All is well. Learning more and more about this boat daily.

Wednesday April 25th. Heading North to Timbabiche or Puerto Los Gatos about 25-29 miles.
Beautiful day put all the sails up for about an hour then the winds died completely. Didn’t even get a tack in. Down they come and back to motoring.
Still the sea has its enchantments. We caught two small sharks on the way up to Los Gatos, the first one broke the pole and the second one took our chartreuse lure. Steel line after that. They got them some sharp teeth. Calm, Calm, Calm all the way to Puerto Los Gatos. Pulled in dropped anchor and we will stay for a night. The next morning we awoke and went for a hike around the red rock cliffs and gazed into the tide pools. There were 3 charter catamarans, 3 sailboats and us. Everyone left but us while we were hiking. It was very serene.
All the Cats headed back south to return to La Paz.
We, sailboats all are heading north.
Thursday the 26th, Next anchorage is Agua Verde which we will stay for a few days. It is so beautiful here. The goats, pigs, chickens, cattle and the village people are just...lovely. We are hoping to get another visit with Nala the Pug.
The fishermen of the Sea gladly come to your boat and sell you some of their catch of the day. We purchased 2 lobster for our dinner while at Puerto Los Gatos for a mere $120 pesos. Which rounds outs to be about $7 USD. Made a delicious Lobster Linguini for our dinner the first night in Agua Verde.
Amazing things happen when you close the busy world for awhile and wander aimlessly puddle jumping so to speak from anchorage to anchorage with no cell service, no live t.v, no walking to a store. Well there are small tiendas at most of the villages, few supplies of different items like beans, rice, coffee beans, some vegetables and nuts. Milk packaged in liter boxes that need no refrigeration until opened. Some of them have little candies for sale like gum drops.
Upon returning to our boat the sea soothes our soul giving us the serene waters that beckon anyone who has lived this life a sense of what is next on our travels.
Spent the first night in Agua Verde and realized we didn’t empty our waste tanks so we had to go back out to sea to drain the *poop tanks*. Easy enough. Back in at anchor and here we will be.
Today is Friday the 27th of April.
Chillaxing and just being here. 💕 very very windy gusting today so just chillin on the boat and gonna try and head to town for a walk see before the dinner hour.
We attempted a landing on the shore before dinner to go have a beer at the Tienda/Restaurant to support the village but the waves were too much and pushed our dinghy sidewise. So we pushed it back out and went back to Never Land. Tomorrow will be better and calmer.
Cary and I started playing rummy like I use to play with my momma Elsie. ♥️♣️♠️♦️
Great memories for me and Cary really enjoys it as well. We have increased the wins to Rummy 1000. It passes some of the lull time when it is too hot to work on the boat. What work! Not so much...we jump in the water.
When the kayaks are not being used in the water they set atop the bow of the boat. We have incorporated them into our evening lounge seats.

A big towel and a pillow and we are in the comfort zone. Cocktails / Wine and we look at the night sky dreaming and watching as the *Mast creates an eclipse showing as Never Land sways to & fro turning as the sea comes in and out. Stargazing has become our nightly series. It has been very hot the first two weeks on our journey, a little unusual for the end of April I think.
At Aqua Verde the goats scamper and traverse about the cliff sides knocking rocks down into the water on the rocky shoreline. It was fun to watch them and hear there calling, listening to the bells some of them wear. Crazy how they can balance on such steep terrain. The pelicans were giving us a show as well diving into the water with no grace whatsoever.
Silver fish were almost running on top of the water in a big group. So much life that goes on when you stop, look and listen and breathe.
Another beautiful evening spent away from some the ugliness of the world as many know it. Although since we have been here in Mexico, the less we hear about the world and News. We are truly blessed to be here.

Saturday the 28th April 2018
Aqua Verde
This is Solataire Roca outside the bay at Aqua Verde. A great snorkel and diving venue.

has become one of our favorite places up in the Sea of Cortez. We met a pug about 3 months old in February named Nala the last time we were here.
We went back to see her but she was sick and had been taken to a small town a few hours away. Hope she will be okay.
Saturday we pulled anchor and moved to the south side and anchored there so see what it was like.
Both anchorage’s are perfect.

Sunday the 29th we headed up to Bahia Candeleros where there is a big hotel called Villa del Palmar
and we had a bit of cell service & internet if we wanted to go to the beach.
We rented a car at the hotel, shared the cost with another boat, SV Indigo to provision for our next weeks of our amazing trek up the sea.
Stayed here for 2 nights. Sunday was a very windy almost the entire night gusts reaching 25-30 knots. A bit unnerving for me but Never Land held true with our 110# Bruce Anchor.
Monday was our shopping day and that evening the winds picked up once again, around 11pm they subsided thank goodness and we had a nice calm sleep waking to a beautiful sunny day. Monday night was a full moon.
I believe the moon does something to the weather as each full or new moon the night before and the night of, the weather is more crazy. I captured this reading at Bahia Candeleros. 27.5 knots.


Tuesday May. 1st we pulled anchor which the anchor was definitely buried from holding on so tight the prior nights (excellent anchor) now we are heading to Bahia Ballandra on Isla Carmen 18 Miles North.
Beautiful trip motoring. No wind again. So good thing we got us a big ass engine to take us to our destination as fast as we could sail!
Made it to our destination in 3 1/2 hours.
Bahia Ballandra was the place we had to hunker down for 3 days on our beloved Travel Bug 11 years ago while the Northerlies hammered on down the Sea. We had placed two anchors out in the bay so to keep our holding.
This time all is calm with the exception of some pesky flies and a mosquito or two. The days spent whiling away the hours fishing, kayaking, maybe a swim or float behind in our chairs. The lazy days of anchorages in the Sea of Cortez.
It is a nice feeling to know we can live out at anchor with the marinas tied to the dock behind us for a while.
Internet is null and void in most of our stops. Once in a while the phone picks up a cell tower. This morning of course the call we got was a solicitation. Blocking these intruders each time.
We will stay here in Ballandra 2 nights depending on the weather as the Northerlies picked up after noon on our second day so pulled anchor and went to the Northern end as we had 11 years ago with the Travel Bug. Tomorrow we will make a choice when we will decide what next destination we will be heading to North. One day at a time for us. No winds last night which is so nice in that flat waters make for a calm sleep.

Thursday May 3rd 2018 Good morning to you! Captain is itching to go fishing so up and out of here we go.
Heading to Isla Coronado about 8 Miles around the island to our next anchorage.
Bigger seas, Northerlies head on but all is good except we have not seen any dolphins or whales or even turtles. Last time we encountered turtles was at Aqua Verde. A couple sea lions having lunch is all.
No fish wanting to test our lures. Nothing once again. A good thing we have foods to keep up our energy. We eat twice a day with a small snack midway. And since I provision for us there are less of the unhealthy foods to tempt us. Cary drinks a coke every other day or so.
We tucked in the southwest anchorage in this beautiful cove with bright sandy beaches.
Another national park here. Gorgeous.
Rocky Rolly here today and bees! Omg We had to pull out our bug screens to protect ourselves and had to stay inside until dusk. Cary vacuumed up about a hundred in our little dyson then we put some Diamoteceous Earth in with them. A bit scary as the Captain is kinda allergic but we didn’t swat at them we just slowly sucked them up. A drag to a be a prisoner in the salon of the boat. We never did go to shore. Maybe another day stop upon our return south.
It wasn’t a good Anchorage with the waves constant rocking back and forth on our beam. Lost some good sleep there with the wave action. It was a very pretty spot though.
We have reached that age where we no longer have to pay the park fees. 60 years or older is where that line is drawn here.
Up and out of that anchorage before any bees came back. One was already waiting on deck. So we put our heading North and set our course for Punta Pulito where the Baja slightly turns NW. Made it to the Point but the winds were clocking in over 20 knots on the nose with wind chop and the sea was building once again. There is an anchorage at the point but the wind and wind chop were hitting it in the Lee side as well so we turned around and pulled in to Caleta San Juanico about 8 Miles south.
Friday May 4th. Calm returned and we are at anchor happy & content. Glad we did make the stop as it is extremely beautiful here, so we will stay a day or more. We have decided to go this far north this year and whittle away our days anchorage hopping back south to La Paz. We have lots of time now being on the retired side of life.
We did spot a sea lion floating atop the water, but as we got closer it was dead. Sad to see death in such a mystical place. Hopefully sea life will feed off it to keep the circle of life going as we must move on.
After the unsettled anchorage prior, Isla Coronado this was like being gently swayed back and forth like in a cradle. Very relaxing.

Saturday May 5th 2018. Happy Birthday to our youngest grandson Corbin Neal! 19 years old today.
It’s been quite unusual for the sea here I believe. We have seen no fish, except reef fish while at anchor.
No sea turtles, no dolphins, one sea
Iion munching on a fish and a few sea birds. The pelicans were almost null here except close to Punta Pulpito.
Apparently we missed a *shipwreck* party here two nights before. They had a goat roast and bonfire and the friendship of cruisers. Annual happening we heard.
Saturday we awoke feeling refreshed and ready for a dinghy ride around the bay after breakfast. This bay is so awesome the cliffs, the rock formations, giant holes through the formations like time was not on their side. The textures of different areas makes this place a very unique venue. And then life began to awake. Finally we could feel the sea and the air awaking with the stirring of life. We made it to the south end of the bay went through a small opening and came by a reef teaming with Pelicans. And one smaller sea bird roosting on the reef. Then on around the bay the dolphins began their hunt. And horse trotting down the beach. There are many many cruisers here that have their beloved pets with them. Next season we will have ours once again as well.
Our second morning here in Caleta San Juanico we were entertained by so many varieties of creatures, the Graceful Pelican, the ever awesome Osprey chattering above in search of their meal, the sea gulls diving for their scraps, the 100’s of Small seabirds that dive down only to come back up in a matter of seconds. And then the dolphins hunting, and then the Manta Rays showing us their fits of joy as we call them. We had so much life going on around us this morning it was quite an unforgettable experience. And then this afternoon was the white egrits or storks? Not certain on what they are. Very delicate white stork/crane looking birds. **look up!
And a few turtles poking their heads up above the water for a breath.
May 6th Sunday.
Woke up to more Mantas jumping in fits of joy.
No dolphins here in the bay. Cary went out fishing in hopes of catching something while I stayed on Never Land trying to get some pictures in order.
He caught nada and I spent many hours trying to save photos in special places.
Today was a bit of a melancholy day after Cary returned from his fishing expedition as the east wind picked up to almost 20 knots which made for a stuck on the boat kind of day. I did put the paddle board in the water only to get rocked out of line and decided the waves were more than this gal could handle.
I did use it the day before and it was magical. The water was so flat and calm. Went to the beach and around a couple big pinnacle rocks before coming back to the boat.
We watched the rays all day jumping in the bay, then tucked in for a movie called Vertical Limits which was way to high for me. Seriously speaking the highest mountain to climb.
But it passed some time.
The final evening here at Juanico settled down and everyone stayed on their perspective boats and more animals strolling on the beach, why they are cattle.! Gotta love this Mexico!
One thing is that I have become more than a bit on the lazy side of life and Cary doesn’t have much energy for long periods. This is not good. Now what can we do. We both must work on this one as this boat won’t do the upkeep itself.
Nor can we idly sit by doing nothing.
I did get some 3kg bar bells I use every other day. Yoga some times.
Doldrums will set in......and not in the weather.
Monday May 7th
We will be pulling anchor and setting our course to Isla Carmen p’bly to Ballandra or Isla Danzante (The dancer). Our sites are set for HoneyMoon Cove on the NW Side of Danzante. The sea is not giving up any of their fish. We have caught zero since we left. Well we caught the 2 sharks that’s trashed our lines then a small fish unknown that got away. Need to learn more on what to use. It is suppose to be Dorado time up in the sea. Not for us..not yet.
While cruising south this morning we were entertained by a yellow footed boogie bird diving for his meal. Then a second one joined in for a few minutes then they flew off. Another treat to watch.
Then between Isla Carmen and Isla Coronado their was a massive drive North of dolphins making their way to ??. Hundreds and hundreds. I love watching the dolphins.
We checked out Honeymoon Cove on Isla Danzante but didn’t care for the Anchorage today so we are heading to Bahia Candeleros where we stayed a week before. We rented a car here and did our provisioning the last time we came here. If you don’t want to pay for a mooring in Escondido this is where to go or near Loreto on a nice day anchorage. Nice place to get internet at the beach and we went to one of the restaurants at the hotel had some curly fries, Tuna Tartar and a pizza which we were too full to eat so we have dinner tomorrow. Oh we brought back some ice we got for free from the restaurant
One night stay. We are off to try sailing.
Winds were good in the bay so we left and raised the sails. We got some light winds sailing for about a half hour then they died down so now we motor sail.
We really want to see what this boat can do under sail but these winds are just fluky.
Although we haven’t sailed as much as we would have liked the Captain feels confident he can do this all on his own. I know he would but at least I can help keep us into the wind when we need to raise them or lower them.
Patience we kept up and had a nice day.
Spent one night at Bahia Calenderos and set off for Agua Verde or Puerto Los Gatos. Cary wanted to sail so off to Los Gatos.
There is a reef at San Marciel, Take heed please. Watch your depths. We passed over part of the reef thinking we were fine. We were but we got to 1-2 feet above our depth for alarm which made it a bit uneasy but we turned out to sea and made it out of the danger zone. Please read and use those charts. They are there for your protection. If we ever pass this way again we will definitely take an extra mile around that reef.
May 8th Tuesday
Stayed one night in Los Gatos as the anchorage was rocking and rolling. Heading to San Evaristo for a night.
That too was a rocking rolling night.
Love Mexico and their ranches, the animals roam wherever they want. Saw cattle again this morning strolling on down the beach.
We made some new friends on SV Indigo the ones we shared the rental car in Bahia Candeleros. They too are heading back to La Paz so we are kinda buddy boating back south. Good people the salt of the earth kind.

Thursday May 10th
Hoping that Ensenada Grande will be good.
Pulling anchor at 9am.
Trying to catch a fish or two. Going between Isla San Jose and Isla San Francisco. Here fishy fishy!
No said fish☹️☹️.🐟🐠🐬🐟🐠🦐🦐🐋🦀🦀🦑🐙🐙
Well now we will rest and relax as we do in every anchorage and see what we can do for play.
Ensenada Grande always has offerings. You can walk the beaches. Climb the big mountain 2500 feet or so and view the vast Sea of Cortez
Or dive, snorkel, kayak, paddle board or hang behind the boat in floaty chairs.
Last evening the stars were so brilliant, a bazillion of them; it was a magical time up in our lounge kayak cocoons. Soft music playing a glass of wine and you got the makings of moments to cherish.
The wind did pick up in the evening from the south about 20-22 knots, but the ole trusty 110# Bruce kept us good n tight. The creaking of the snubber tells us it is hanging on. The snubber is a great extra bridle that takes the stress of the anchor chain.
Slept in until after 8 am the winds still a blowing at about 8-10 knots. One of my tank tops (my newest backwoods brewing tank top) blew off the line so hoping the winds will calm down enough so I can go retrieve it it about 12 feet of water under Never Land.
Speaking of the water here it is a lovely 77 degrees and the color is a bright teal blue.



Finally the winds are subsiding enough to go play in the teal blue waters of Ensenada Grande. Later gators.
I went for a short swim but couldn’t get my tank top too deep for me. The Captain took a nap, then when he woke we went for a dinghy ride and dropped anchor and did some snorkeling. Cary tried a go with his spear but more practice is needed.
Our first encounter with 2 gulls standing sentry protecting their baby chick. It was so sweet the baby was about 4” tall at best. The parents were very protective and kept us from coming too close. Our first sighting a baby gull. Even though we don’t care for some kinds of gulls this was a sweet moment.
After we returned to the boat, we pulled out the dinghy anchor and sprayed it down with some WD 40 for storage this summer, ended up dropping it right on the dinghy and put a hole in one of the tubes. It’s fixable so not to worry. We had a nice visit with Fred and Nancy from Indigo late this afternoon.
Cary cooked up some wings and that was dinner.
Star gazing once again up at the bow. The stars are so bright and magical. I so enjoy that time of just letting go.
Off to bed, the winds were picking up and by morning we had us a full on rocking rolling wind blowing waves and rollers into the bay.
Not so much fun, sleeping eludes us when this type of weather comes at us. Indigo decided to head in to La Paz about 9 this morning. They ended up turning back as the seas were a washing machine and they couldn’t go more than 2-3 knots.
We will all probably head in tomorrow if the seas allow. Mother’s Day. We shall see.
About 1pm everything quieted down. The sea laid down the rollers quit rolling in and the wind has come to a complete stand still. Crazy weather. Now it is gorgeous. Oh well another day to enjoy the Islands.
And we are off to La Paz Sunday Morning Mothers Day. The sea is still choppy but doable. Never Land is so awesome it slices through the water with ease.
We arrived in La Paz about 2pm. All is well.
Now for the cleaning and packing her, readying her for the summer weather here.
And on to our next RoadTrip adventure in our SPORTT Dodge Van. Beginning June 1st.