Lagoon Hopping!

Cruising the Sea of Cortez is quite a gift. Once we were away from the La Paz area we have been in more secluded anchorages with only one other boat perhaps in the cove. An occasional fisherman comes by in a panga to sell lobster.  The mountains are majestic and varied (Sierra de la Gigante); the water in the coves are warm, clear and variations of green and blue. Each day we choose to stay in our little lagoon or move on to the next one.

Out of La Paz we went to Ensenada Grande on the Isla Espiritu Santo, then San Francisco a large sheltered cove with a white sand beach.

Rocky kayaking in Ensenada Grande, Isla Espiritu Santo. He loves it!

Larry hiked to the top of the ridge to take the photo. Wow! Isla San Francisco!

View from our boat of beach and island.

Later to Cabeza de Mechudo which had aggressive bees (leave out no water---not even condensation on a beer can) and jejenes (no seeums).

This is Cabeza de Mechudo anchorage. There is a cactus forest! They look like saguaro but have a different name.

Our favorite so far has been a cove called Los Gatos. Los Gatos had it all. Three reefs to snorkel on, hikes along the water, white sand beach for Rocky, protection from wind yet a bit of breeze to cool us and few bugs.  ( this is where we also saw free range cows!)

View from boat of Los Gatos anchorage. Cool mountains, reefs, water and beach.

Continuing north, Agua Verde was gorgeous and we will be back to explore there again.

View from anchorage out to the sea. Looked to me like a Moai from Easter Island.

Currently we are en route to Loreto to meet Gail a family friend. So excited to see her.

Rocky is settling right in. We kayak him to shore once per day and he uses his Pet Loo once per day. The Pet Loo is still the dead sod from when we left San Diego but we feel it is better than a hot piece of plastic grass for his little feet. He does not like either of them but gets a treat from us if he uses it.  Yesterday, he went without prompting and I yelled out "potty treat" too early. He had finished his business but he had not started to walk back down the side of the boat to the cockpit. He looked at me through the window and ran straight into the front windows that are at his level from the front of the boat but walks right over the shelves and couch in the settee next to the mast. Surprised the heck out of us. It just isn't a pathway....but he made it one---fastest way to his treat!

Rocky has been "passing through the window to the left there. We have screened it off and he is NOT happy.

This morning Rocky watched the fish jump all around the boat. It is so cute to see the cocked head and the curiosity on his expression. One jumped too close and he jumped back! Trying to figure out if he should be barking or not. As the sun was just coming up and we are in a mooring field in Puerto Escondido, I discouraged him.

Among Rock's new favorite things are dingy and kayak rides, chasing fiddler crabs on the beach and standing watch and catching the breeze on the foredeck with any smells he can get. We have seen free range cows on shore, goats and even a coyote. Rock smells them all and is very interested. He is doing better with the heat then I thought he would. We keep him watered up and he seems to take all in stride.

Larry is pretty happy too. His first catch was seaweed. Then his second catch below that. The Dorado are the most gorgeous fish. Killing them seems a shame but it does cut down on the grocery shopping.

Woohoo! Dinner for six nights! ah, but it is so pretty!

Snorkeling highlights----I have been chased by five pufferfish off our swim step. They have been socialized by people feeding them I guess.....best was a school of light blue needlefish passing in front of me. Very pretty. For Larry, he was impressed by the "lobster condo-like" reefs at Los Gatos.

This is the biggest of the five Puffer fish that chased me around the boat. Awful cute but hey!

We have to get back to the boat before dark. Here are some more photos.

Larry at Los Gatos coming back from snorkeling.

Roca Blanca on way to Puerto Escondido

Rocky barking at the lure he just noticed.

Islas Islotes--a sea lion colony  to the north of Isla Partida and cool rock!

Ensenada Grande and its interesting geology.

We are off to more coves and will be delayed until we have internet access. Que les vayan bien!