Travels of Barbara Anne

Vessel Name: barbara anne
Vessel Make/Model: Tayana 48
Hailing Port: santa barbara ca
Crew: Michael Dobrzensky, Dick Shaffer, Barbara Evanish, Ed Evanish
About:
Michael is a long time friend, sailing and all around good guy. Retired E.E. from P.G.&E. His wife Carol will join us in Cabo for a week at our time-share on the 19th after our adventure. Dick is a retired Cal Poly prof. living in lovely (at least six months of the year) Gig Harbor,Wa. [...]
03 March 2014 | San Luis Obispo
24 February 2014 | Marina Costa Baja
11 February 2014 | la Paz
28 January 2014 | Costa Baja Marina
18 January 2014 | Costa Baja Marina
07 January 2014 | Leaving Newport Beach
Recent Blog Posts
03 March 2014 | San Luis Obispo

Return to U.S.

Hola,

24 February 2014 | Marina Costa Baja

Hello from Barbara

Hello form la Paz this beautiful 24th day of February. This is our transition week as we restock the boat after our eight day sailing trip and we get ready for our trip to California. Ed and I will both spend 10 days in the SLO/SB area with family and friends. Barb then heads to Ohio and Ed back to [...]

11 February 2014 | la Paz

Sunset over la Paz

Hola,

28 January 2014 | Costa Baja Marina

Return toLa Paz from Cabo

Hola from La Paz,

18 January 2014 | Costa Baja Marina

Arrival in LaPaz

Buenos Dias,

07 January 2014 | Leaving Newport Beach

On Our Way

Hi Everyone,

Return to U.S.

03 March 2014 | San Luis Obispo
Ed/showery
Hola,
Back in the States on Friday and a wonderful time with Zach and Kierston as well as weekend with them and Ann,Steve and girls. We sure have missed them all and we celebrated Steve's' 42nd birthday with a dinner at Holdrens in S.B.
We are now in San Luis after a Sunday visit with good friends Michael and Carol and spent night at The Hurds. Catching up with friends today and Tuesday, then back to S.B. to chase the girls around while Ann and Steve spend a few days in Hawaii.
I am enjoying time here but, to be honest, my thoughts do return to la Paz upon occasion. I am thinking about projects that I want to do before Barbs' return on the 18th and the month we are going to spend headed north. For me planning a trip is a close second to actually taking the trip.
The photo is of dinner at Holdrens. McKenna had two servings of steak!

Hello from Barbara

24 February 2014 | Marina Costa Baja
Barb/A sunny eighty
Hello form la Paz this beautiful 24th day of February. This is our transition week as we restock the boat after our eight day sailing trip and we get ready for our trip to California. Ed and I will both spend 10 days in the SLO/SB area with family and friends. Barb then heads to Ohio and Ed back to la Paz.

Our eight days at sea introduced us to seven new anchorages-each special in a different way and all worthy of a return trip.

Day 1: Caleta Partida-largest anchorage on the small island of Isla Partida
Day 2: Caleta Partida
Day 3: Ensenada Cardonal-Great hiking, 3 miles north of Caleta Partida
Day 4: Ensenada Grande-home of the Blue Footed Boobies
Day 5: El Embudo-one mile trip to Los Islotes and Sea Lions
Day 6: Isla San Francisco-northern area
Day 7: San Evaristo-small fishing village
Day 8: Bay of San Francisco-large crescent shaped anchorage
Day 9: Back to Marina Costa Baha

I would probably say that the first two and last two were my favorites. Day one and two at Caleta Partida were spent "buddy boating" with Terry and Jay on Cadenza and Diane and Casey on Inca Tu. We enjoyed shared dinners, appetizers and even a breakfast before we each headed out to explore independently. Day two was Valentines day and we were treated to appetizers and cocktails on "Barbara Ann" followed by crab cakes provided by Casey and Diane. Ed delivered on his promise to supply a full moon and Jay ended the perfect day by serenading the anchorage with a trumpet solo of "My Funny Valentine".

El Embudo is at the northwest end of Isla Partida. This is a small anchorage allowing only one boat with a small beach and hiking trails. While we have enjoyed all the trails we have tried on this journey the trail here was extremely rocky for me so we aborted our mission prior to reaching the eastern shore.

We spent a fascinating afternoon taking the dingy approximately a mile from the El Embudo anchorage to Los Islotes. Los Islotes is a sea lion rookery where snorkelers and divers "experience the beauty of swimming with the sea lions and their pups". I was in awe of the size and gracefulness of these California Sea Lions. Male sea lions can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh 800 pounds while females grow to be 6 foot long and weigh 200 pounds. I enjoyed watching and listening-maybe next time I will venture into the water and join in the fun.

San Evaristo is the only inhabited area visited this trip. It is a small fishing village with approximately 20 full time families living there. We anchored in this beautiful and protected bay and took the kayak the half mile to shore. We were able to walk the beach area and then into the hills to locate the school, the tiende (we bought cookies), the salt fields, the desalination plant, a restaurant and multiple palapas on the beach for the local pangueros to clean and pack in ice "today's catch". Panga's were "flying" in and out of the anchorage probably heading to the la Paz mercados.

Our last night was spent at Isla San Francisco which is one of the southern Sea of Cortez's most popular anchorages. The white sandy beach circles approximately 270 degrees and easy walking trails across the salt pond takes you to the eastern shore. The cruiser's guide book states that agates can be found on this shore but we were unsuccessful in this endeavor.

This was a great trip and we look forward to getting better acquainted with the Sea of Cortez as we head north again-probably in April.

While I am enjoying and appreciating la Paz I am now looking forward to heading home with lots of hugs and quality time with family and friends. I am sure the time will pass all too quickly.

Love and hugs to all-Barbara







Sunset over la Paz

11 February 2014 | la Paz
Eduardo/perfecto
Hola,
This past Sunday Barb and I took a few layers of salt from the bikes we brought down on our trip and rode the Malecon in town which is a 4 mile stretch of tiled walk-way along the waterfront. Sunday is family day and the locals were out in force, family picnics and kids everywhere. Mexican families seem to really enjoy each others company and you frequently see at least three generations spending the day together.
Last week we sailed the 12 or so miles to Isla Espiritu Santo and anchored in Bahia San Gabriel which is a beautiful crescent shaped 4 mile beach. We hiked the hour and half hike through a saguaro forest over to the other side, Bahia Bonanza. The frigate birds were nesting in the mangroves and it is their mating season. Watching the males showing off, trying their best to impress the ladies was entertaining and interesting. Seems that is not a species specific activity.
We have met many interesting couples with great life stories. Our immediate neighbors just sold their home in Malibu and are here on their 44 Hardin. He has an amazing resume as a composer. Ever hear the anthem from "Rocky" or the soundtrack from tv's "Star Trek". How about "Good Will Hunting"? Another couple took delivery on their Lagoon 46 catamaran in France and simply sailed her here to la Paz. Makes our trip look rather small. They are former winery owners from Placerville and one of Californias first wineries to grow organically produced grapes. Everyone we have met could not be more welcoming; both cruisers and Mexicans. It is a real treat to go exploring in town and get directions from locals who, although we don't understand much of what each other is saying, somehow find a way to communicate. By the way, if you have not been to la Paz, it is a real Mexican city, not a south of the border Orange County as is Cabo. The contrast could not be more evident.
Toward this next weekend we, along with the Hardin owners, are going to buddy boat up north for awhile. We will be out for a week or so and they a couple of weeks. We plan on a different anchorage each night. One place I want to visit is called Los Islotes. It is there that people swim with the friendly colony of sea lions. I am not much for swimming in winters' cold water but may give it a shot.
Barb is enjoying our adventure, those who were concerned about retirement on her part, I think it safe to say, should not worry. Barb, as you know, being more social than I, has made really fun and interesting friends.
On the 28th of this month we head back to Santa Barbara and see Zach, Anne, Steve and the girls. Anne has planned a win/win scenario; we have a place to stay (their house), we watch the girls while they trot off to Hawaii for a few days. I return to la Paz on 3/10 while Barb goes to Ohio until 3/18 to see her Mom (90) and my Dad (95).
Barb has promised to post the next blog after we return in a week or so.
Hello to everyone.
Eduardo


Return toLa Paz from Cabo

28 January 2014 | Costa Baja Marina
Ed/ weather is perfecto
Hola from La Paz,
Barb and I just finished a round of golf at the beautiful Gary Player course here at our marina in LaPaz. Had a great time last week in Cabo with Dobrzenskys and Shaffers as well as friends from Michigan. After tomorrow we settle into our new aquatic home by ourselves. We (Barb) did about a dozen loads of laundry the past few days in the home we have stayed in here at Costa Baja. Return to Barbara Anne in a.m. and will do boat chores which we have neglected since our arrival. Over 100 hours on engine oil and need to rid final layer of salt gathered on our trip here. All is well. B sure seems to have adjusted to new life style and I am loving La Paz. A real Mexican community, very few tourists. Lots of smiling, happy faced people who enjoy life. Next time B will write. Love to family and friends.

Arrival in LaPaz

18 January 2014 | Costa Baja Marina
Ed/Perfect
Buenos Dias,
We arrived in La Paz yesterday in perfect sailing conditions to our new slip in Costa Baja Marina. Since Leaving Ensenada we (Michael ,Dick, Barb and I) had been at sea for five days and nights before our arrival in Cabo this past Tuesday. With the noted exception of a night with 25k winds,swells on the beam, we had mostly benign conditions, lots of motoring.
When we arrived in Cabo we anchored off of Pueblo Bonito near a cruise ship. When trying to set the anchor with power I quickly realized that although the engine was turning, I had none!. Fortunately, we were secure. Tangling with a cruise ship didn't seem to be a fair fight. We looked at the throttle cable, it was fine. Looked at the transmission linkage, again all ok. Put back the throttle unit at helm and everything worked as it was supposed to. Still don't know what happened but all was right with the world again. We water taxied to shore to visit with dear friends from Michigan, Bev and Steve Smaka, and then back to boat. Next two days were very rough as a Norther was blowing right at our path with sustained winds of 20-25. Miserable conditions, we were only making a couple of knots progress for a longtime. The third day after a pleasant few hours rest in an anchorage called Los Muertos (Barb didn't like anchoring in a place with that name) we set a 5 a.m.departure for La Paz. The last day of our journey almost made up for the previous two days, as our ride into La Paz couldn't have been better.
Checking into Costa Baja was easy with a restful night in our slip. This morning we will clean "Barbara Anne". She has never been covered in this much salt before as we took a lot of water over our bow. Afternoon will be spent at a cruisers get together in town and tomorrow we all head back to Cabo for a fun week in when Patti and Carol join us for a week at our timeshare.
All in all , our trip was terrific. Like most adventures, some beautiful times with pleasant conditions, some pretty miserable, but always with Barb and good friends to make it grand and memorable.
Speaking of Barb, what a trooper. I have never appreciated her more and am so lucky to have her as my partner. Plus,what a cook! We never suffered from lack of good food, no scurvy here.
Michael and Dick were great partners and crew. Their skills certainly made up for my lack of same. Now if they only could have fixed the autopilot, which by the way, did I mention it quit outside of Ensenada so we hand steered the remaining 700 plus miles. I just told them that it was good training for the next Americas Cup. Don't think they bought it, though. I think I also forgot to mention that we lost two kayaks in the terrible conditions in the Sea of Cortez
Enough talk, we are off to explore. Hope all of you are well.
Love to family.
p.s. Corinne, I will try to practice my Spanish every day so you give me a passing grade when I see you in March. McKenna, Papa misses you and give Trixie and Stella a hug for me.

On Our Way

07 January 2014 | Leaving Newport Beach
Ed/Are You Kidding Me Nice
Hi Everyone,
We have set sail (motor) at 11a.m. this morning to La Paz. Dick arrived yesterday as scheduled but our plans to leave Newport Beach were delayed for 24 hours as I discovered that the universal joint that spins the mainsail up and down had lost a screw causing strain on the other supportive one and the joint needed replacement. Fortunately with a few modifications a local sail loft provided a new one and we were off. Conditions could not be better with 75 degrees,10 knots of wind and flat seas. Even Dick has avoided his seasick meds!
We will be sailing all night in order to arrive in Ensenada in the a.m. and will then check into the country.
Barb is feeding us well, tonight it is a chicken stir fry with her world famous pistachio nut bread for dessert.
We will try a post from Ensenada because after that cell coverage will be minimal at best for the next 600 miles.
Best Wishes to all,
Barb,Ed,Michael and Dick

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