After arriving in San Carlos we got busy getting ready for the haul out.  The wind was blowing 25 kts plus for the first week so we did some inside chores.  We also got a tour of San Carlos from Andy and Deb of s/v Swan, they have been sailing out of this area for nine years now and know the area and lots and lots of people.  We also jumped on a bus and headed into Guaymas for an afternoon to check out the bus schedules to Arizona and do a walkabout town.  Another week at the dock and we were ready for the haul out.  We had booked it for April 1st but had to take a late afternoon time to coincide with the rising tide.  The wind was blowing 28 kts and the channel to the haul out dock is not very wide.  After fueling up we waited at the fuel dock and watched for the mast of the boat being hauled before us to start moving as there is only room for one boat at a time at the dock.  Our chance came so we untied and were off the dock.  The wind was behind us and coming down the channel I had it in reverse to try to slow us down before we had to make the tight turn to port.  To make it a little more exciting a power yacht had decided to pull out into the channel and stop right where we had to make our turn.  He was having difficulty handling his boat in the wind but managed to get out of our way just in time.  We got to the dock and tied up and waited for the trailer to return for us.

We left Santispac late in the day and made our way up to Chivato along with s/v Juce and s/v Swan as they also were heading across to the mainland to get ready for their return home.  Shortly after arriving we put the dinghy in the water and headed over to Swan to pick up Deb and Andy.  Over to s/v Juce to join Judy and Bruce for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.  A plan was devised and it was to be an early (2:00 a.m.) departure.  We had anchored just off the hotel beach in anticipation of a dark departure. When we arrived back at Euphoria we secured the dinghy and booted up the chart plotter and entered in a few way points.  There are a few reefs outside of the bay and some shallows just off the point so we put in a course that would keep us in deep waters and take us through in the dark.  Good plan as it was also very foggy when we left,  it was not a problem with our plotted course and radar.  We sailed a little and with all the moisture from the fog the sails got a good cleaning as well.

Bar's open,  John mentioned something about umbrellas and on Euphoria we always try to please.
Our time here in Santispac is winding down as we must start heading over to the mainland to get ready for our return home.  

Deb and Renaye relax on the back deck of Euphoria

The beach is lined with motor homes and the anchorage is filled with boats and it is no wonder as this is such a beautiful place.  We set the hook and settled in for about 10 days of exploring the area, meeting new friends (both on land yachts and sailing yachts), went for lunches and dinners, hosted lunches and dinners and waited for  friends to arrive.

From trailer park to house park, complete with a natural hot tub that fills when the tide comes in and almost empties when the tide is out.  Gringo's from the U.S. and Canada have been coming to this location for some time now, first in trailers and motor homes and now to homes that they have built. They even have a local restaurant/bakery where we would provision for fresh breads and buns.  

More than a few evenings were spent at Lupe's dining and dancing

We met some great people that travel in their motor coach and have been coming here for many years.  They drove us to the town of Mulege many times and when they were not available offered us the use of their jeep if we needed.  Many beers were consumed at their little oasis known to us as Pintoville.  What a small world as they live not far from us in Alberta and should be arriving home about a week after us.  It will be great getting together over the summer.

                                                          Fins to the left, Fins to the right.

We were surrounded by dolphins as we entered into Conception Bay.  It is always a treat to see these magnificent creatures as they swim in our bow wake and jump around the boat.  We saw a mother bring her baby right up beside us and show the little one how to turn on its side and look up at us.  They stayed with us for about an hour and left us just as we were entering the protected little anchorage of Santispac.

A mid afternoon arrival in San Juanico and after a few landing rums we put the dinghy in the water and were off exploring.  This evenings dinner was held on Scotfree IV.
Early to bed as we had to get moving very early in the morning and get into the protection of Conception Bay before the predicted week long 30-40 kt winds started to blow.  San Juanico will have to wait until next year to be explored more closely.

Getting an early start does have its privileges, like this beautiful sunrise. 

                                              Ballandra Bay and dinner on Euphoria

It was about a four hour crossing in calm seas and after our landing rums we dropped the dinghy and toured the bay.  A quick stop at Scotfree IV for a few bottles of wine and then off to Euphoria for dinner.  The next day we met Mary who was a solo sailor and invited her to dinner on Swagman.  We left the next day for San Juanico.

Note:  To find more about Mary check out scotfreesailing

Cocktails on A-Train

Dinner on Winterlude

First it was boat drinks on s/v A-Train then it was down the dock and onto s/v Winterlude for dinner.  This was the ending of our week in Escondido.  Renaye was checking out the sat phone and enjoying a glass of wine.  Fabulous food, drinks and a great group of friends. Thanks to all.
More Islands and more exploring to be done so some of the motley crew heads north tomorrow.