As I write this we’re anchored in Bahia Concepcion on the Baja! The eighty eight mile overnight passage from San Carlos was somewhat slow, nineteen hours, but very enjoyable. Oscar also made the crossing in Bombay. We kept in sight of each other the whole way passing back and forth several times. We sailed and motored off and on sailing about two thirds of the way in winds mostly under ten knots. That kept our speed under five knots pretty much the whole time. The plus side is it was literally smooth sailing with no stress at all.
We left San Carlos at about 1530 and sailed for about three hours. The wind was out of the WNW and our destination was WSW. This scenario forced us south of our preferred track under sail. The forecast was calling for calm conditions so we figured we could make up difference when we were forced to motor. As the wind died early in the evening I fired up the diesel and reset the autopilot to get us back on track then sat back and enjoyed the sunset. It was a good one. Once again the high clouds lit up orange, red and pink. With no wind the sea surface was like undulating silk reflecting the crazy sky colors. Cyn said “It’s psychedelic.”
Then the dolphins showed up. As we were staring over the rail at the sunset we spotted literally hundreds of them out on the horizon. They were heading in the opposite direction and were far away, but we still hoped some would come up close. Eventually, just as darkness settled in, a dozen or so showed up around Solera. A couple rode the bow wake as others began jumping over on the port side. Cyn and I kept busy for about ten minutes trying not to miss any of the show. After they left we wondered why they go out of their way to check out boats. Must just be curious.
Not long after sunset the wind kicked back up and we set sail again. Cyn was going to take the 1200 to 0300 watch so she went down below for some sleep. It was really cool quietly gliding through the sea under full sail at night with the stars and the bow wake providing the only light. The wind died out at midnight and Cyn took her watch with the diesel running. That made it easy for her since there was no sail trimming to do. She said the moonrise was spectacular.
I took back over at 0300. Once again the wind filled in and I unfurled the genoa and hoisted the staysail. We were keeping the mainsail up when motoring. It helps steady the motion of the boat and provides a little bit of extra power. First light was at 0430 and the air temp was at dew point. Everything outside the cockpit was dripping wet and fog was beginning to form. I radioed Oscar that I would tuck in behind and follow him through the entrance to Bahia Concepcion. My chart plotter has waypoints I could follow all the way to the Santispac anchorage but Oscar’s radar was the only way to pick up other boats. At times the visibility was only a hundred yards. Thankfully we broke out of the fog just as we entered the long channel into the bay.
So here we are, hanging out in Conception Bay. So far, Cyn and I have done a couple of hikes, checked out some petroglyphs, and went to a couple of nice beach restaurants. It’s just an unbelievably beautiful place with nice protected anchorages. Oscar left for San Carlos yesterday. We plan to head fifty four miles down the coast to San Juanico tomorrow or the next day.
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