Sailing Down The Baja

Sunday the 5th we left Santa Rosalia early before we got the latest weather update. The update differed from the previous benign forecast. It was blowing at 25 kts, about 25% above our limit of what we consider comfortable sailing. The waves were large, probably up to eight feet. Once underway going back wasn’t an option due to the wind angle so we continued to the first protected anchorage, which was about 25 mile away. A wild ride but Vagari and her crew did fine we just weren’t happy about it. The next day we had a very lazy sail the remaining eleven miles to our original destination.

We had a classic cruising sail for the next 44-mile leg. The forecast was for very light winds from behind us with no waves. That is what developed. After the first four hours of motoring we felt a slight wind on the back of our necks so we set the sails in a “wing and wing” configuration. That is both sails are set perpendicular to the length of the boat on opposite sides. This give the maximum sail area exposed to the light wind. The wind speed got to perhaps eight knots but we were able to scoot along at three to five knots, which was fine. The temperature was in the seventies with lots of sunshine so life was good.

We went 34 miles the next day to Puerto Escondido, no wind, had to motor all the way. We planned to stay here for an extra day to clean up the boat and rest but the forecast for the weekend is 25 kts from the north so we will stay here until Monday. After that we will see what happens.

More later.

This is the “Eiffel” Church In Santa Rosalia (2)

See below for more information.

Abandon Smelter in Santa Rosalia (6)

These photos are of the old abandon copper smelter next to the Santa Rosalia harbor. The town is trying to save and even restore as much of it as they can.

Osprey (one eating a fish) On Top Of Smelter

Sidewalk in Front of House

Santa Rosalia

Santa Rosalia, Baja California Sur, Mexico is a unique town for this part of Mexico with its old wooden buildings in a desert area with no trees and a French flavor. The town was founded in 1869 to mine and process the high-grade copper ore from the area. After being started by the Germans, a French company purchased the operations in 1884. The town has mostly wood houses rather than adobe and block. The wood was used a ballast for the sailing ships returning to take another load of copper back to France. The mines closed in the ‘50s. Because of the French connection the town has a church designed by Alexander Gustav Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame. The church was exhibited at the Paris Exposition of 189?? along with the tower as an example of an easily relocated building. Not sure how it ended up here but the plaque in front of the church says it was shipped from Brussels. We have been here a couple of times before. My previous posts give more details on this city of 18,000.

This trip I rode my bicycle to the top of the mesa south of town to visit a graveyard and get a great view of the city. The pictures are below.

Near the top of the mesa on the south side of town is a large graveyard. (6)

The graveyard is a sprawling area with no clear boundaries except the sharp drop offs to the East and North.

The tradition information is on the gravestone back with flowers and a lovely seating area in the front. I think the concrete structure is a cistern to water the tree.

Flowers are always appropriated and long lasting if the proper variety.

Some graves have elaborate headstones some just have stones

The town goes west from the Sea, up an arroyo

Downtown – The large building in the foreground is the “government” building, then the town square then to town gymnasium used by all the schools and the community then Eiffel’s church.

The harbor

Fast Crossing to Santa Rosalia, Baja Sur California, Mexico

We left our anchorage just outside Marina Real at 3:15 AM Tuesday. We had a very fast passage, sailing all the way except for the first couple of hours until daylight. Vagari average 6.1 kts, she was flying and loving it. More later.

Vagari Is For Sale

After five great seasons we have decided to give up cruising. Vagari is in great shape and ready to go for her new owners. No expense has been spared in maintaining her. Since we are leaving boating the cruising equipment is included. See the extensive list of equipment plus many current photos and some of her doing what she does best, cruising!

The detailed listing and photos can be found at: sailboatvagari.blogspot.com

We can be reached at: stanstrebig@gmail.com

Alamos, Sonora, Mexico

Silver was discovered near Alamos in 1698. From then until about 1905 Alamos was one of the largest silver producing areas in the world. During the 200 years of boom times some gorgeous homes were built. After the Mexican revolution of 1910 many were ransacked.

Around 1950 Alamos was “discovered” by some rich Americans and then other nationalities. Many homes have been restored. We toured three homes. The pictures are below.

Six months a year Alamos has an ideal climate. The summer months are hot and humid. To us it looked like the second boom may be over. Many homes are for sale and some shops that cater to foreigners are closed or closing. The real estate still seemed quite pricey compared to Arizona.

Alamos is about 150 miles south of San Carlos or about 500 miles from
Tucson. In some ways it is a very Mexican town with life revolving around the town square. This was our second trip to Alamos and we enjoyed this more than the first.

Overview of Los Alamos

The air strip is at the top right

The Main Church