Well, we're getting closer to La Paz. We upped the anchor at 0500 for the 46 miles trip to Los Frailes. One of the few anchorages along the coast from Cab San Lucas to La Paz. The wind forecast was for them to be out of the Northeast at 10 to 15 knots. We found them at closer to 20 so up went the main with one reef and the forestaysail was put up and we rolled out just a bit of the Genoa. James, the Hydrovane took over and off we went. The little bit of the genoa was just to much so we rolled it back in. We were still making 6+ knots and in the direction we wanted to go. A while later, the winds died somewhat so we raised the main the entire way and rolled out the Genoa again and on we went. About noon, the winds died so in or down came the sails and the motor was started. As we rounded the South end of the Baja, the winds came back with a vengence. Up to 25 knots and then up to 35 knots and straight at us out of the North. We were getting plowed with winds far in excess of what had been forecast. The swells came at us at 8 to 10 feet and close together so we were flying up in the air and slamming into the troughs between the waves with water splashing down the deck and crashing onto the dodger. Without it, we would have been soaked. On we pushed making 2 to 3 knots. We finally pulled into Bahia Los Frailes about 1430 and dropped anchor amongst 10 other boats. Some we recognize from Cabo. They had left several days ago and apparently got stuck here due to the big winds. The DuoGen is having a field day whipping out the amps for the batteries.

So in we come to experience the beauty of the area? Heck no, I take off for below decks to change the oil. Having run the engine for a few hours, it was nice and hot and ready to be pumped out and replaced. While I was at it, I changed the oil in the injector pump since it was just about time for it's replacement. By 1700, I was done just as the Sun was about to set. Cruising is working on your boat in different locations We won't discuss Port Townsend or Seattle. Los Angles was the transmission and installing the SSB radio. San Diego was rounding up provisions and getting scuba diving equipment and having it serviced. Ensenada, Mexico--wait in line to check into Mexico. Cabo San Lucas--fix the hydraulic steering(still leaks a few drops every now and then. I'm going to replace the entire fitting assembly once we get to La Paz). But hey, the auto pilot worked just fine so there was really nothing wrong with it, just the hydraulic steering.

Oh, if you are planning to come cruising down South to Mexico and like saltine crackers--bring all you can stuff into your boat as a box of 4 tubes of them run close to $7.00!! Crackers are one of the things we eat while on passage so we need them on board. I paid over $20 for three boxes at the store. Costco doesn't carry them. Mexico crackers are nothing like crackers in the US. For the most part, they are quite tasteless.

Anyhow, the oil is now changed and depending on the weather forecast(if you can believe them) we may be off tomorrow. If it is still honking out there, we may have to wait a day so we don't get too beaten up. I'll let you know where we end up tomorrow. Have a great weekend.