Isla Isabela

We spent the day on Isla Isabela. It's a nesting area for Frigate birds, Boobies and others.
The Boat is now in a slip in La Cruz De Huanacaxtle as we are heading inland to Ajijic to spend Christmas there.
Now that we have internet I was able to upload some photos.

Isla Isabela

Blue Footed Boobie

Young Frigate

Blue Footed Boobies

We sailed 300+ nautical miles in 54 hours from Isla Espirito Santos to Isla Isabela with good winds but rolling seas which made for an uncomfortable ride but we sailed the whole way, no motoring!!!
Isla Isabela is am amazing island. It is a nature and marine reserve.
The island is a nesting ground for thousands of sea birds, Frigates and blue footed boobies. We anchored for the night and in the morning dinghied ashore and took a hike up to the top of the island, it was like a National Geographic episode.
We will set out this afternoon for a 20 hour sail through the night to arrive in La Cruz De Huanacaxtle in the morning.
Still no internet, using SSB radio to post.
Weather is great, all is well, Happy Holidays to everyone.

Exploring the islands

We left La Paz and motored to Isla Espiritu Santo and anchored in a beautiful little bay, white sand bottom and clear water made it seem like we were in a swimming pool. The fascinating geography against the turquoise water is awesome.
We watched the sunset from our "rear" patio while sipping wine.....awe the good life.
We left this cove and are now anchored in another beautiful cove on Isla Partida...waiting for the sunset.
Tomorrow we will haed out on a 2 day sail to Isla Isabel, home of the Blue footed boobies....

Swimming with whale sharks

We will be departing La Paz today(Mon) and heading to Isla Del Ispiritu and then to the mainland in a day or two.

Heading north into the Sea of Cortez

On The Move

The high winds from the north are calming down. We will depart this morning to head toward La Paz. One more stop, Punta Coyote is planned.
We don't have internet yet, so no emails received or sent.

Bahia de los Suenos

We are anchored in a protective bay waiting for calmer conditions before the next leg of our journey. We had high hopes of talking with friends this weekend,unfortunately there isn't internet available. Just the brief SSB quick email to the blog. We hope to be able to communicate with you soon.

Anchored at Los Frailes

We pulled in last night around five and anchored. The plan was to leave in the morning, along with buddy-boat partners Greg and Larisa on s/v Cythera pulled anchors this morning and headed out into the Sea of Cortez, the wind and the waves were a bit more than forcast, so instead of bashing all day we turned around and re-anchored at Los Frailes. It's a pretty cool place, nice protected anchorage and a beach. It's pretty secluded, a few fishermen,a few campers and a half dozen real nice houses. It's looks like we may be here for a few days. Weather is warm, one other cruising boat from Australia is here. We are all going to have a bonfire beach party tonight.
All is well,enjoying our time.

Video of a Pod of whales that crossed our bow

Some photos

Here are some photos, we finally have internet at Bahia Santa Maria, no civilization here, but cell signal, go figure.

All these photos were taken by Greg Crowley aboard s/v Cythera who we have been buddy-boating all the way down the coast of Baja.

Rainbow over Free Spirit at Punta  Colonet

Whales crossed our bow

Thar she blows!

Anchored in Bahia Santa Maria

Our second overnight under our belts! Unfortunately lots of motering, but flat seas. We came into Bahia Santa Maria under full fog, what a great experience for us! We are less then a quarter mile from our buddy boat and can only see her on radar!
Tomorrow we depart for Cabo San Lucas, another overnight sail.

Thanksgiving at Bahia Asuncion

Absolutely a beautiful sail this morning! We left at sunrise with 5 other boats from Turtle Bay heading south. Unfortunately, 2 ours into the day we had to turn on the iron horse and motored the rest of the way.
We are now anchored with the five other boats and will have a pot-luck Thanksgiving dinner with the other cruisers. A Canadian boat has graciously offered to host our gathering.
Happy ThanksGiving to all!

Still anchored Turtle Bay

We decided to wait here another day to allow the high winds to die down. Will depart tomorrow for Bahia Asuncion, about 50 nautical miles. Looking forward to moving south!
Will hope to get internet at this next stop to catch up on e-mails.

Our First over-night sail

We left San Quitin and motord the first few hours, no wind in the morning. we sailed right on by our original destenation Isla Cedros, although a very rolly uncomfortable night-but lot's of wind and we sailed on to Turtle Bay. We buddy-boated with s/v Cythera, boy it's gteat to be at anchor!

It's Lauri's Birthday!

We had a great sail today and pulled into another anchorage, it looked a bit hairy, windy and big swells, but when we got in closer and anchored it will be okay.
We will celebrate Lauri's birthday here, put another candle on her birthday cake.
This message was sent on the SSB radio, we don't have internet.

//WL2K On Our Way

Left Ensenada this morning and had a very nice sail all the way to Puerto Santo Tomas.
We set the anchor and will spend the night here.
Greg and Larisa from s/v Cythera followed us in.

Free Spirit back in the Water

Back in the water today with new bottom paint, new prop and strut bearing.
We are going to wait until Tues to leave so we can buddy boat down the coast with Greg and Larisa on Cythera and Don and Sherri on Spring Fever.

Feet wet

Two Days of Wine Tasting

We are still on the hard, waiting for our new prop to arrive, decided it is worth replacing instead of repairing.
Saturday night we met up with 3 other couples and sampled some Mexican wines at two different venues (vinues?) then had a pizza dinner with more wine.
Sunday we started early with Don and Sherri from S/V "Spring Fever" who are also here for maintenance(unscheduled) They were in-route with the Baja HaHa group when engine problems put them in Ensenada. We had a private tour with Humberto who took us to breakfast at a quaint little restaurant over-looking the Pacific, then on to Guadalupe Valley(the Napa of Mexico) to a wine museum, several vineyards and finished at another overlook to watch the sunset with of course a bottle of wine. A very fun and informative day.

Our host, Humberto

Breakfast over looking the Pacific

Wine Tasting Cave at 3 Mujeres

A barrel of laughs

One too many

Free Spirit gets new lettering

We finally got around to replacing the tired decal on the transom.
Some scraping and cleaning and voila!

Can You See Me Now?

Lauri gets her lime green, funny I bought these before we met.
The bottom paint job is done, waiting for propeller and prop-shaft bearing.
Weather is great, met some new friends and will be on our way soon......

New Bottom Paint Going On

Free Spirit, Fish Outa Water

We had Free Spirit pulled out of the water today to get a new paint job on the bottom(this helps keep the critters from growing on the hull...barnacles etc. We are also having the propeller rebuilt and a bearing replaced, this work also requires the boat to be out of the water.
So will be in Ensenada for at least a week, living aboard but on land at a nice boat yard " Baja Naval"very friendly and professional crew here.

Up, Up and Away

Into the Boat Yard

In the Yard "on the hard"

We Are in Ensenada

Left San Diego at crack of dawn(if 7:30 is the crack)and motor sailed under mostly blue skies and arrived in Ensenada just before sunset.Our first port of call in Mexico, went ashore and had tacos and margaritas to celebrate our arrival.
Tomorrow we will have the boat hauled out and have two coats of bottom paint applied in the boat yard.
We should have internet in a day or two.
This message was sent via SSB(single side band) radio.

WE ARE OFF!!!!!!

We left Long Beach Thursday at 4:30 PM and sailed 30 miles to Dana Point, anchored and spent the night there.
Departed in the morning and motored, no wind, rats...but that does make for smooth seas, very comfortable ride, albeit a bit noisy from engine. Arrived in San Diego bay about 4:30PM, anchored and had a nice dinner aboard.
A cold front that was forecast came through after midnight, wind and rain but we are in a  nice protected anchorage. We will spend Saturday in San Diego and depart Sunday for Ensenada. All is well!

Leaving Long Beach

Catalina And Santa Barbara Island trip

Two Harbors and Santa Barbara Island trip

Lauri at Two Harbors

Anchored at Santa Barbara Island

Santa Barbara Island

New countertops and painted cabinets.

Spent a few days at Catalina Island.
This is at "Little Harbor" one of only two places to anchor on the rugged back side(south side) of the island.