Checking out the Baja

Headed out of La Paz for a bit of sight seeing. Had a nice sail from La Paz to Bahia Glorieta, where we spent the night. 14 boats in anchorage, but it is large and un crowded. A south wind came up late and bounced us soundly for most of the night.
Up early and off to Bahia Grande for a little shelter from the south winds.5 boats in anchorage.  Did some snorkeling, not very clear, but some fish to look at. Good to get off the boat and get a bit of exercise, along with a bath. We fill the sun shower and when we get done with the snork, we wash off and rinse with hot fresh water. Gotta love that  watermaker. Wind came up from the west in the night, so another bouncy night.
Up early for Puerto Evaristo. Sailed most of the way in southerly winds. Wind died about an hour out, so we threw out a line and hooked a nice dorado.

 What a treat to catch and a better treat to eat. They always jump and this one did it a dozen times or so. Got to Evaristo early, but too cloudy to snorkel.6 boats in achorage.  Nice ilttle place with a restaurant on the beach and a peaceful anchorage for a good nights sleep. We inquired about a local store, but the road was washed out in a storm last summer and the vegetable truck hasn't been by in the last week, so no produce. Cloudy in the morning so off we go to Puerto Los Gatos. Get there early, snorkel for a bit, and a quiet evening by ourselves for the first time on the trip. One more beautiful spot, with stunning desert scenery all about.
Next morning we headed up toBahia Agua Verde for the best snorkeling yet, even if it did cloud up early. We explored the town, but being sunday evening, all was closed but the churches. Little to be had if it was open, as there was no electricity in evidence, so probably no refrigeration.. We still had yummy dorado made in a rice stew, so no hardship.
Off to Puerto Escondido in the morning to get situated before the forecast Norther came along. No luck there, windy in our face from the start building through the day. Got in about 3 pm after a long day pounding into the wind at about 4 knots. The 2 day blow ran out in the middle of the night, Weather forecasting must be harder than it looks. We wanted to investigate leaving the boat in Puerto Escondido and flying back to Tampa for a week be Xmas, but it is nearly impossible from here without hiring a plane or some such. Caught a ride up to Loreto, did a little sight seeing and shopping. The most expensive store we have been to with lots of american products, must be living off the tourists. Taxi wanted $35 to drive us the 14 miles back to Puerto Escondido, so we hitchiked. After hitching for about an hour with no luck( a couple of offers to take us out in the wasteland and leave us stranded), a bus came by and brought us down for aoabut $8.
Have been here for a couple of days, and will head out to the islands for a couple of days tomorrow.
We  have decided to head over to the mainland from here, but will probably go down to La Paz to provision for the crossing.The stores are much better there than here. We also want to add a bit more shade to the back of the boat before we take off, so La Paz is the place to get that handled. The crossing is a big deal to the local cruisers, but only about 180 miles from the jumping point west of La Paz. It's pretty much impossible for us to plan an arrival because sometimes we go 12 knots and sometimes 5 depending on the wind and seas. Makes it hard to know what time to leave, as you want to arrive with good light from behind when going into somewhere new. We are jsut blowing in the wind, but it's all good.