Puerto Balandra again...



The group hiking on Isla San Francisco ridgeline.



Leif being attacked by a Very large Gull!

 

The Americans (and Canadians) have landed!

  We have now left Bahia Balandra for the second time on our trip northward, sailed across to Isla Partida cove and joined back up with our cruising family of Swift Current, Blue Rodeo, Pacifico and Panta Rhei.  The windlass problem has now been added to the few problems encountered by the group as a whole.  Each boat has overcome small problems along the trip, from broken motor mount bolts, to generator issues.  Nothing overly traumatic and all have been fixed by their owners along the way. 

 Isla Partida cove is actually a divider between two islands, and the shallow and narrow channel between can be passed through by a dinghy.  On each side are small fish camps which are inhabited each night as the pangas return from their days of fishing.  The sculpture of the surrounding cliffs and rocks was dramatic to say the least, showing the evolution of the layers of the earth clearly in the various colors and textures.  This was some of the most awe inspiring scenery yet.  We dinghied all around the bay and out around the point to a small beach where there was a dampish area filled with green brush and small trees, created by runoff from the rocks.  What runoff there was I have no idea as it has been quite hot and dry. 

The night we arrived there was the usual appetizer get-together which happened to be on Blue Rodeo.  After staying two nights, we all left for Isla San Francisco, up the Sea about 21 miles.  We upped anchor and attempted to sail out, but found that the wind was dying as we approached the entrance, so on came the engine.  With the engine on, we are able to fish more easily, so that’s ok with me.  The day’s catch were two small skipjack who both fought quite hard and were returned to the sea unharmed, mostly. 

Isla San Francisco is small, and has two anchorage areas that are fairly protected from the winds.  We all joined up in “The Hook” which is the main anchorage.  First arrival was Swift Current, then us, followed by Pacifico, Blue Rodeo and Panta Rhei.  Others joining the gang were: Taking Flight and Endorfin, two boats with small children on board. 

The first night I cooked up a batch of spaghetti for the Pacifico folks, in thanks for teaching me how to make tortillas and hunting all over La Paz to get me a tortilla press.  We all had a great time talking and didn’t realize it was past midnight before saying good night!  Usually cruisers midnight is 9:00 p.m.  The next day Howard on Swifty organized a group hike up the nearby hill.  We all went ashore, loaded down with hats, cameras, water, hiking shoes and enthusiasm.  After leading the group up most of the way, I washed out at the end, as it was a narrow ridgeline of loose shale and I with my croc sandals was not happy with the thought of slipping over the side.  I did get some great pictures of them as they passed and arrived at the peak.  Lynn, Dave, Marisa and I went looking for Agates on the beach on the backside of the island while we waited for the group to meander down.  I found several after a long search, then others started to see them as well.  Thanks to Linda F. for teaching me what an agate looks like.  She’d be in heaven here with the fascinating geology. 

On the second evening, Cirque sailed in with Louis and Laura onboard.  We hadn’t seen them since the Banderas Bay Regatta, and it was another opportunity to have an appetizer get-together on their boat, which is the larger sister (42S7) of our boat.  Laura thought Leif had taken up with a new girl, as she hadn’t seen me with my new haircut!  They told us about their travels up the sea, which encouraged us to get a move on.