Cabo San Lucas to Las Frailes anchorage, hanging out, snorkeling, and chilling
We raised anchor at first light and motored out of the bay. We were all ecstatic to be leaving. Never before have we been so happy to get away from somewhere. Cabo sucks.
Sailing
Cabo San Lucas to Puerto Vallarta
After the Baja-haha parties wrapped up, our drinking money ran out, and Briana headed back to the US, we realized we needed to escape from Cabo San Lucas - the city is evil. On November 13th, super early, we motored out into a maelstrom and hauled up the sails. We were away and not a moment too soon.
Our destination: Puerto Vallarta, some 280nm, only a three-day sail. Our timeline? One month!
- Cabo San Lucas to Las Frailes anchorage, hanging out, snorkeling, and chilling
- Las Frailes to Ensenada de los Muertos, recovering our stolen dinghy, snorkeling, and a great beach party!
- Ensenada de los Muertos to La Paz, re-provisioning, getting some boatwork done, and American thanksgiving with other cruisers!
- La Paz to the Espiritu Santo islands, one week in paradise: snorkeling, swimming, exploring, and hunkering down for our first huge storm - gale force winds!
- Espiritu Santo to Ensenada de los Muertos, waiting out another storm at anchor, preparing to cross the Sea of Cortez
- Ensenada de los Muertos - across the Sea of Cortez - to Mazatlan, big wind, huge waves, and surfing at more than 10 knots!
- Mazatlan to Isla Isabela, easy overnight sail to Isabela - a bird estuary island in the Pacific, lots of boobies and frigate birds
- Isla Isabela to Puerto Vallarta, easy overnight sail and parking Wanderlust for the next month
Hanging out in Cabo San Lucas
Friday morning was slow, very slow. Will and Sara were temporarily jolted awake by the sounds of Sean and Briana climbing aboard from the first panga of the day, but after that even the annoying jetskis weren't loud enough to intrude on the sleep enjoyed by the fantastic four.
Day 11: Arriving in Cabo San Lucas, El Squid Roe party
Will was back up at midnight to take over from the "all night" crew, who were happy to be relieved. Staying up all night watching movies with friends is easy, it's a little harder sitting out in the open cockpit, talking quietly, the motor purring away underneath you, surrounded by the dark night and bright stars. Eyelids get heavy.
Day 10: Bahia Santa Maria to Cabo San Lucas, start
With an earlier 7AM start to the race, the Wanderlust crew was up at 6AM to prepare for the start. Everyone had slept lightly, occasionally checking to make sure the boat was still in the same spot.
Day 9: Anchor failure, beach party and hiking
The Wanderlust crew were all fast asleep, enjoying their full tummies and a night at an anchorage instead of on the open seas. At about 4AM, Briana and Sara awoke to the distant sound of an airhorn and quickly fell back to sleep, with the thought that the pirate ship next door was having way too much fun.
A few minutes later we were all woken by banging on the hull. "ANYONE HOME?!!? YOU'RE DRIFTING INTO THE ROCKS!"
Day 8: Arrival at Bahia Santa Maria, we had to motor
Will was awake and back topside at midnight, ready to relive the other three. Sean and Briana headed below for some sleep while Sara elected to stick around, cuddle up with a big fleece blanket, and snooze while Will managed the boat. Will unfurled the headsail, bore off a little to get some lift, and soon had the boat moving again. It feels great to sail this boat!
Day 7: Turtle Bay to Bahia Santa Maria, Sara's birthday!
Will and Sara swapped off the helm responsibility with Sean and Briana - at this point a real hot potato - and went straight to bed. The faster winds, higher waves, and considerable boatspeed were tossing us around, but sleep came quickly. There's nothing like an adrenaline deficit for a sleep aid.
Day 6: Turtle Bay to Bahia Santa Maria, start
We were up early and prepared for our second start. This leg, from Turtle Bay to Bahia Santa Maria, is only 223 nautical miles, only half the distance we covered in the first part of the Haha! We hauled up our Bruce anchor, which had hooked so well it took some effort to break it loose, and motored out towards the starting line.
Day 5: Anchored at Turtle Bay, baja-haha potluck party
After a much needed night's rest at anchor - without the boat in motion or being woken for a night watch - the crew awoke ready and eager to explore our first Mexican stopping point! Um, except for Sean, who likes to start slowly when he can. After we all enjoyed a quick breakfast, Sean dropped Sara, Briana and Will off on shore, and went back to Wanderlust and back to bed. He did a bunch of boat chores too, but only after more sleeping.