From: Jason
Our three-day passage from Baja California to mainland Mexico was another turning point: from the cool of the West Coast of Baja, to the deep and humid heat of this coast, from the tans and yellows and reds of the desert peaks, to the green lushness of these high ridges, from longer, harder passages along a remote exposed shore, to smaller hops from anchorage to anchorage, from the megafauna of the Baja Coast, the whales and dolphins, to a teeming sea full of fish and sky full of birds here on the mainland. On the passage across the Sea of Cortez and on down the way to this broad and sandy anchorage at Punta de Mita, we’ve been given light and favorable wind that’s just enough to keep us gliding along comfortably.
We delayed our arrival on the mainland with a stop at the offshore Isla Isabel where hundreds of thousands of Frigate Birds, Blue Footed Boobies, Brown Boobies and Heerman’s Gulls nest on a rugged volcanic rock. The swirling swarm of birds there was overwhelming. The island was a nice transition. It had the rugged remoteness of Baja, with a little of the green of the mainland. (Check out Alma’s post on marine wildlife.)
Today was a rare rest day. A short trip ashore to dip in the surf, a couple of easy fixit projects around the boat here at anchor, some down time in a hammock on deck, in bunks reading and writing below.
An interesting thing about living and traveling on Debonair is the feeling of reassurance we get from the boat in these new and foreign places. In every new place, whether it’s comfortable or more challenging, we have this, our home, to work from, and as we get to know her better, that reassurance grows.
From Punta de Mita we’ll go into La Cruz and a marina to provision and work on some maintenance projects dockside. Then, the coming weeks will bring a handful of new anchorages on the way to Manzanillo. We’ll swim a lot now. The water has gotten warm so even the parents are swimming regularly (Arlo & Alma will swim in anything!). We’ll keep an eye out for new birds wherever we go.
Green. Green with envy. I should have run away with you.
From Jason:
I could have told you that. Heck, you could have told you that. It’s never too late to run away.
I can understand the reassurance of coming home to Debonair when the outside world is changing about you.
So lovely.
So happy for you all to be on this wonderful (in more ways than just the obvious one) journey.
Feel privileged to be a a teeny part of it too.
Jocelyn
From Jason:
I’ve been getting Schooner Alma pix now and then from Cap’n Cassel and it’s really nice for me to think of all of you rolling along through the winter maintenance season.
The comments and support are really nice for us out here Jocelyn. Thank you.
From Jason:
I’ve been getting Schooner Alma pix now and then from Cap’n Cassel and it’s really nice for me to think of all of you rolling along through the winter maintenance season.
The comments and support are really nice for us out here Jocelyn. Thank you.
Blue-footed boobies! Wow! I love those guys. Saw a great documentary on how slight changes to their nutrition levels can change the blue of their feet. That’s why the females want a guy with brilliant blue feet–it shows he’s probably a good forager.
I’m glad Debonair is growing on you as a home away from home. Sail on!
Kira
From: Jason
Wow! Who knew the blue mattered? So cool. It’s a wild and wondrous world.
Thanks Kira.
From Jason:
I’ve been getting Schooner Alma pix now and then from Cap’n Cassel and it’s really nice for me to think of all of you rolling along through the winter maintenance season.
The comments and support are really nice for us out here Jocelyn. Thank you.
It’s a wonderful journey you’re on! Continued safe sailing! Love following you!
Karen and George
I read your messages and as I’m reading it’s as though I’m almost along with you. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your postings. Caitlin, I’ve read your Dad’s book and it’s just another of the exciting experiences of your family. Again I wish you all fair winds and safe sailing. All my love.
What? Maintenance Jason? I imagined you wouldn’t have to worry about any iof that on your floating home! No rest for the weary! I’m following you all on Marine Traffic app! Enjoying all your posts about your new experiences on the water! The birds are beautiful and makes your days filled with beautiful nature along with your beautiful family! 💕💕💕💕💕
From Jason:
We’re doing plenty of maintenance, repair and upgrade work Cindy. Not too much, but plenty! It’s a lot more fun working on the boat here though. We’ll be here in La Cruz through the weekend taking care of projects and getting stocked up. No need to watch the Marine Traffic too closely till next week. We’ll be heading South. Thanks for all your support. It’s really nice for us to get your comments and know you’re following.
I like seeing all the other USA yachts near you on Marine Traffic. Have you met a lot of sailors? There seems to be many!
I just wanted to let you know we really enjoy all your writings about the adventure you are on. Both kids are such a great story tellers about all what they experience and see. Glad you all are enjoying this amazing trip, and though I do not always respond, we are looking forward to reading about all your impressions and adventures also.
I looked up Manzanillo! Wow it’s the sailfish capital of Mexico! I can see Arlo reeling one of those in! I tried to download to this comment a picture of Iguana Iguana but to no avail, it didn’t work! Hope you enjoy your stay in Manzanillo!
Love reading about all the adventures and the pics being shared, Jason! Feel like we are right along with you! Wishing you and the family a continued safe and exciting journey! Look forward to more postings!