After rounding Cabo Falso in benign weather, we had what must pass for good traveling weather (motorsailing) on this northwesterly jaunt up the Pacific Baja coast to - and somewhat beyond - Bahia Magdelena, as we not once had to "bash" into heavy seas and high winds to this point. Not until we were off the coast near Punta Abreojos, about 280 nautical miles into our trip up the Baja California Pacific coast, did we encounter what I assume gives this north-bound journey the handle "Baja Bash". Our original intent was to stop in Bahia Saint Maria, about 16 nm up the coast from the entrance into Mag Bay, but with good motorsailing conditions - light variable winds or light winds about 30 degrees off our bow - we decided to keep moving on to Bahia Tortugas, or Turtle Bay, where we would have to stop to replenish fuel. We were just passing Punta Abreojos when a fairly focused wind event we had seen predicted on our last GRIB file download, but for several hours into the future, hit us with Neptune's Wrath unleashed. Well, OK, maybe only a tiny bit of his fury, but it sure knocked tiny Anna Marie around for several hours. We took green water over the bow in torrents, continually, for nearly 8 hours. The apparent wind, out of the NW generally, maintained steady force at 17-20 knots for this period, which in itself is fairly easy to take. The seas, though, were steep, high, and closely spaced. An uncomfortable period of time was had by Anna Marie's crew.

Conditions mellowed, however, and we were able to make it into Turtle Bay on Tuesday, June 26, accompanied by apparent winds in the 13-15 knot range, and seas that were no longer violently breaking. Thus another 416 nm under Anna Marie's keel! Arriving around half past 1100, we set out what we initially thought would be a temporary 3-1 scope in 30' of water off the old cannery pier. I had planned to take on fuel immediately and get underway in the wee hours of June 27. After downloading GFS GRIB files via SailMail and our SSB, we decided to wait until what appeared to be another fortuitous northbound sailor's weather window opening on Friday and lasting into the following week. So we sat at anchor for another three nights.

The fuel panga guys came by mid afternoon and took our order for 200 liters of diesel fuel. They seemed to service every other boat in the bay first, but eventually brought us our 200 liters. I had estimated we could take on 55 gallons, which I converted to liters and subtracted a few liters from the order. We were able to fill the main tank and all but about half of one of the four jerry cans used during our trip up the coast. So I guess I should have stuck with my 55 gallon estimate (208 liters).

Now, during our previously mentioned bashing, it appears that the forward water tank (40 gallons directly under the forward berth) sprung a leak along the after edge of the screwed down lid. With the water sloshing violently in the tank, considerable water made it out of the tank and onto the mattress platform and thus into three adjacent lockers also located under the berth. Lockers full off sails, extra bedding, books, and cold weather clothing. So a fair amount of those "down days" we're spent hauling gear, bedding, and the mattress out onto deck for airing and drying. Then back and away again. Tis life aboard. Hey, speaking of cold weather! I have been nothing but cold since rounding Cabo Falso. A taste of my future after tropical Mexico.

We pulled out of Turtle Bay at 0520 on June 29, Friday, and into Marina Baja Naval, Ensenada, on July 1, Sunday. Another 288 nautical miles out of the way. The first 24 hours or so out of Turtle Bay would fit under the definition of "bashing". We perhaps left a wee early. But all things pass and we are now sitting restfully at a marina, having already showered and breakfasted. Next, on to San Diego, just 65 nm up the coast. We plan on clearing out of Mexico tomorrow, Monday July 2, and getting underway early Tuesday morning.