How did we get here?
26 May 2012 | Topolobampo, Mainland Mexico
Capt Rich
It all started out easy when we left Mazatlan Thursday morning and how we now find ourselves anchored in Topolobampo, 225 miles north up the Mexican mainland is still a blur. Remember those monsters I talked about at the end of my last post? Well, we found them hiding in 20-25kts of wind and big sloppy seas crashing over our bow! Ok maybe they were not really there, but the mental monsters they stirred up as waves crashed on deck and the theme of Gilligan's Island was ringing in our heads was real enough to cause us to turn tail and run in the opposite direction straight to Topolobampo.
The sun had just popped up above the horizon when I sent Jason down below deck to tell Lori that were bailing out on reaching Baja (still 90 miles away) and heading to Topo, only 30 miles away. As Jason slid open the hatch, Lori came out with the exact same Idea, so we spun the boat around 160 degrees and life got instantly more comfortable. The sea and wind that we were once bashing our heads in, now were pushing us along at 7kts on an easy downwind sail. We looked at each other and smiled because any doubt we might have had about changing course, was gone when the boat stopped it's violent plunging into the angry sea and started sledding down the foamy waves. I could even sense a sign of relief from Cortez, who despite not barfing, I'm sure was sea sick, just from the look on his face.
How long will we stay in Topo? As long as it takes for us to find a nice weather window to make the final 97 miles to the Baja Peninsula. Maybe 2 days or two weeks, that's what not having a schedule is all about.
And besides, there be uncharted Taco Stands in this here town!