Vagari's Cruise: March 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

At Anchor

We left Marina Real in San Carlos after lunch Tuesday. The plan was to sail to a bay 11 miles up the coast and cross to Santa Rosalia on the Baja side of the sea Wednesday. The sail up was a gentle slow sail barely doing two knots per hour at times. The PM weather forecast changed our plans. It called for wind up to 35 mph in the center of the crossing. We are buddy boating with La Brisa. Both of us decided to wait a day to cross. In the night the wind and waves increased. We had a rock and roll night and most of the next day. Its almost five PM now and a little calmer. After the weather at six we will take another look at crossing.

More later,
Stan

Posted via ham radio from San Pedro Bay

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Morning Fitness Walks

I have been taking two hour or longer hikes with my friend Richard Taylor every morning. Lately we have been driving “to the end of the road” north of our marina then hiking. But every day we find another road. Richard has now checked out the roads on Google Earth. So tomorrow we are going to really find the “end of the road”.

We Drove Near This Canyon

The palm trees at the head of the canyon indicate year around water. This is an attractive hacienda off to the right.

View Of The Bay North Of Manga

Summer Homes In The Cove North Of Manga

There must be 50 of these places along this cove; all vacant. I assume they are used in the summer, which is very hot and humid, especially in the nearby large city of Guaymas.

The Manga Kindergarten

Fishermen from Manga

I was told that there are no squid this winter so the fishermen had a bad year.

Hector

The sign says something like:

Hector
God Bless You
You Now Live In The Presence Of God
Your Family

I assume Hector was a local fisherman who was lost at sea.

"Scottish Mist" Nears The Marina

After A Night Crossing From The Baja. She is a Westsail 42. The Same couple has owned her for 25 years

Yet Another Marina Home

Small Plant Big Flower

Cliff On Punta San Antonio

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Nacapule Canyon Hike (9 Photos)

This beautiful canyon is about 6 miles north of town. The last three miles are a very rough dirt road. It reminds me of the Ramero Pools hike near home

See the rope?

You can’t get to the upper pools without using this rope. Its the end of the line for the dog.

First upper pool

My hiking buddy and his buddy

Entrance to a 20’ or so cave

A Post From Rhea

After three weeks plus of working on Vagari, we thought we were ready to take a shake-down cruise to make sure all systems were operating correctly. We left on the afternoon of a minus tide so we were a little concerned about the depth on the way out of the marina. All went well and we were on our way. We planned to sail for a couple of hours and that is just what we did. It was a perfect afternoon, calm with just a little breeze. Vagari handled well and we just enjoyed the peace and quiet of being out on the water. There is nothing like a sailboat when everything is running smoothly. We turned around after a couple of hours and anchored just outside the marina for the night, at the far side of the bay you see in the picture; our first night this season “on the hook.” It was a peaceful evening, and the anchoring went well. This is not always the case, just ask any cruising couple. Our dinner was simple and quick and we spent some time in the cockpit (patio) enjoying the peace and quiet.

After an uneventful night and listening to the local cruiser’s net, it occurred to us that we were facing another minus tide. Time to get moving. We figured that if we went into the marina two hours before low tide, we would have enough clearance. It worked, and in we went and returned to our slip with no problems. There were several of our friends around to take Vagari’s lines and help us get her tied up safe and sound. This was probably one of our most pleasant outings. Do you suppose that it is because I see the barn door??