More from Baja

After dropping Don and Emily in Loreto, we spent 9 days on the outside (east) of Isla Carmen–taking advantage of the super light winds and warm weather. Especially cool was the chance to visit Salinas for several days. Usually the wind–both north and south whistles through this Bahia. The former salt mining town–abandoned in the 1980s–enjoyed a worldwide distribution. Currently it is being restored as a lodge for sportsmen hunting the “excess” Desert Bighorn Sheep that are being repopulated on the island. Needless to say we didn’t ignore the signs saying not to hike in the interior.

We have only a couple weeks left to enjoy the Sea before heading north to Puget Sound to prepare Restless our 36′ trawler for the summer season up there.

: The church at the Bahia Salinas copound. The salt ponds beyond.

: This desert sheep wandering the street of Salinas is actually a target for bow hunters. Yikes. Bad place to hang out.

: These Rainbow Runners are one of our favorites. And the are very fun to catch on light tackle from the dinghy as the “Runner” part of their name alludes to.

: Yellow Snapper was surprisingly in abundance here. Very tasty.

: This shot at Bahia Cobre is most notable because it’s a sunrise–not sunset. With the longer days we’re rarely awake to see one of these.

: The Royal Barge being launched at Bahia Salinas with her Royal Fluffiness already aboard.

: This snapper was caught during our fishing “dry-spell” with a 100 peso bill from a passing panga fisherman.

: Gary and Carina of Sea Rover II are among the many friends we may never see again as long term cruising plans take people away to the South Pacific, through Canal, bashing up the Pacific coast or in their case–down the coast of South America to Patagonia. Exciting but sad to see them go.

: We were all alone in Bahia Cobre with stunning scenery–especially from the top of the cliffs.

: A cactus in bloom at Bahia Cobre on Isla Carmen

Here are some pictures we found that I missed posting last time.

Sam and Ruby overlapped at the PV airport.

Only a hundred miles to go–calls for beers around!!

Our nephew Sam caught a skip jack on the last day of the crossing to Baja.

Sam and John returning from another fishing expedition a Bahia Muertos.

Sam’s man-cave at Espiritu Santo. Carmanah is anchored below.

Donna would only allow the big screen tv if it could be hidden when not in use. Cruisers frequently swap movies and tv shows.

While hanging out at Bahia Salinas, we had a front row seat to watch the fascinating pelicans go about their daily routine. The crashing splashes out of nowhere sometimes right next to the boat could surprise us if caught off guard.