June 7th (2009) – Magdalena Bay – Jim’s Blog #91

[This is the second of five blogs describing our bringing the boat up from Mexico to San Diego - otherwise known as the Baja Bash, named for the bashing of the boat by contrary winds and waves all the way.]

Current Location – Magdalena Bay – Lat: 24°34’ N / Long: 112°04’ W

06/05/09 - Craig H.: We decided Thursday evening that we had enough of the good life at our luxury digs at Cabo. A small but promising weather window appeared to be opening for a morning attempt to make the dreaded "breakout" around Cabo Falso and begin our journey to our first planned stop at Magdalena Bay, approximately 182 nm Northwest of Cabo. The crew rallied around the coffee pot at 6am, and at 6:30 we followed a long line of sport-fishers out to Lands End, the famed arched cape that guards Cabo's bay.

The arches west of Cabo San Lucas – Cabo Falso is further along and a bit more south (photo courtesy of Craig H.)

As we turned the corner, it was clear that conditions were going to be ‘interesting.’ Within 30 minutes winds were gusting to 27 knots with waves to match. The ride was definitely ‘E’ ticket and we held on with both hands. Other than some unauthorized water entry due to a less than firmly secured forward hatch, all went well - won't say whose fault it was but he is writing today's note and his initials are CH.

At around 10, conditions began to ease significantly and we celebrated a successful breakout. Our start to the Baja Bash is official and we have been appropriately bashed!! For most of the day we have had 10-15 knot winds and 2-4' seas - very pleasant. We hope to be at the entrance to Mag Bay around 5pm tomorrow. With the current forecasts for heavy winds we expect that we may have to hang out there for a few days waiting for reasonable conditions.

Jim G. Postscript: Before departing the anchorage we had dressed warmly to prepare for the colder weather that we expected as we rounded Cabo Falso. I was so hot by the time we were approaching the cape that I removed my jacket and shirt in order to absorb as much of the early morning sun as I could. No sooner did my shirt come off than a cold blast of wind hit the boat, and I lost no time in getting my clothing back on. The crew blamed the subsequent cold and windy weather as punishment from the gods for my daring to bare my chest. I forgot to check on the hatches before launching into the wet stuff, and naturally the partly open hatch was the one way up front. As a result the inside of the cabin looked like a day at the laundry all day; wet cushions and clothing are still drying out everywhere. We live and learn.

We had soup and sandwiches for lunch and spilled very little soup despite the constant bouncing of the ship from side to side and up and down. Then we had home-made taquitos and cole slaw for dinner, with canned peach halves for dessert. It's almost as if we have a real cook onboard, but we've all agreed not to talk about what we can cook because our wives might get the idea that we can help in the kitchen when we get back home.

06/06/09 - Jim D's turn: Just in case you thought they threw me overboard because I didn't make any comments, I'm just shy and retiring.

All the books say what we accomplished today was the smooth part of the bash. The bruises prove otherwise. Current position is Magdalena Bay about 1/3 of the way up the Baja coast. Co-ordinates are 24°34'N/112°04'W.

A freighter passing us as it was bound for Cabo San Lucas or beyond

Planning to take a day or two and get fuel and rest. The "Iron Jenny" is reliable, but is thirsty. The weather (WX) guru has promised 20-30kt winds (don't want to be there) for the next 3-4 days and we'll fill up with fuel to be in position for a break in the WX.

We've all taken turns at being galley slaves and someday it's cereal and sandwiches and sometime eggs and surprises! We are all doing well and no one has turned into Capt. Bligh, yet!

The ‘Aurora’ is a good ship. Similar conditions throughout today. Great to remember the old times! [“Old times” refers to the two previous voyages Jim crewed for us on Aurora – once from San Francisco to San Diego, and once from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas as part of the Baja Ha Ha event.]

Jim G’s Postscript: While Jim D. maintains he is shy and retiring – that is only true with regard to the written word. As a former airline pilot and raconteur extraordinaire, Jim is without equal in the number of stories and jokes he can, and does, tell. I think it’s due to the fact that airline pilots have nothing to do for hours at a time except observe the gauges on the panel and tell stories to one another. Since a mild form of Alzheimer’s is setting in for Jim, he is never exactly sure that he hasn’t told a given story before. Luckily my own case of Alzheimer’s has removed most of his previous stories from my memory; so they are still fresh for me.

Jim D. and myself resting on the stern seats on a pleasant day – not sure if this was at anchor or steaming along on a calm day (photo courtesy of Craig H.)

06/07/09 - Jim G: We changed the oil in the engine along with the oil filter and one fuel filter today. I was personally cursing Sheilagh's absence in this operation because she is the one who usually gets her hands dirty and then cleans up the mess afterwards. In this case I was the one to get dirty, but Jim D assisted in the process and helped with the clean up. Craig poured most of the 30 gallons of diesel fuel from the jerry cans into one of the boat's fuel tanks. We hope to load up the jerry cans here in Magdalena Bay and then position ourselves for moving north as soon as we have a weather window that we think we can handle.

It is urgent that we head north quickly because the refrigeration compressor has failed and we have no way to make ice or keep anything cold. We are quickly trying to eat up the perishables in the refrigerator before we break into the canned goods. Craig says he will develop a system to keep the coke and beer cold in the water; so we won't miss out on the cold drinks in the evening. We will also attempt to buy ice along the way, if we can find a tienda in one of the villages.

Last night we had my famous hamburger stroganoff ("famous" in my own mind), and it received praise from Jim D and Craig - probably to avoid their having to take turns as chief cook and bottle washer. I have to admit that they readily volunteer for dish duty and even laundry; so the work is balanced.

More Laundry to dry while anchored inside the entrance to Magdalena Bay (photo courtesy of Craig H.)

Craig H: As you can see from Jim G's comments above, it has been a day of "rest" maintenance and repair, or in one case, disrepair. We will miss the refrigerator but attempted to soften the blow by having a final cold beer after a late lunch. Nap anyone?! The water temp even this far south is only 54 degrees so we can hang pop/beer etc. in the water in a mesh bag when at anchor to get some cooling.

Our anchorage is lonely with only a few pangas coming by and one yacht mid afternoon that came in and out of the bay briefly. San Carlos is at the North end of the bay but too far away to be visible. We will head up there tomorrow for fuel. Windy and cool with the afternoon wind peaking at 20 knots and temp at 70 degrees. More later . . .