Los Muertos to Isla San Francisco - Sunday March 20



Leaving Los Muertos at dawn

Full moon - at dawn

INTREPID II headed out of Los Muertos anchorage Sunday morning, March 20, at 06:00 am and motor sailed northward all day.  It was a pleasant passage through the Cerralvo Channel and a smooth passage along the east side of Isla Espiritu Santo.  While the dawn was breaking to the east, we looked to our port side and a gleaming Full Moon was still apparent.  Last evening it had been 14% fuller than in over 18 years; a definite 'howl at the moon' event.  We learned a short while later, over the Sonrisa net, that the fireworks we heard late at night were coming from the very "swoopy" looking power boat nearby with eight guys on board. They weren't the least bit concerned about their neighbours.

We'd left the anchorage quite early to take advantage of the tide flowing northwards up Cerralvo Channel and this worked to a point.  We had our main up but motored sailed in fairly glassy seas. SVs Allymar and Shemaya had left just ahead of us, bound for Isla Partida.  We kept company for a time and enjoyed a radio chat comparing notes on the conditions.

What will these clouds bring?

Our passage along the east side of Espiritu Santo and Isla Partida were easy going, although we had considerable cloud cover and the sky and sea tones were more muted.  We mulled over the events of a few nights ago, when the strong winds drove us back and southward and were grateful they were not in evidence again.  The Instant Weather Forecasting booklet we consult authored by Alan Watts didn't include this current combination of clouds. The skies kept us guessing, but nothing came of all the swirls and whispies.   There was some swell as we crossed over near Los Islotes at the north end of Isla Partida towards Isla San Francisco and a fair bit of boat traffic in various directions.  Traffic seems easier to track in daylight hours.  Kelly spotted a whale in the distance and shortly after a 'herd' of black tip sharks.  We counted 7 or 8 swimming in close proximity; not a common occurrence for us.

Ensenado de los Muertos located below Isla Cerralvo - Isla San Francisco is tucked under Isla San Jose (with thans to Avalon Travel site)

Still smiling - a smooth passage

The Isla San Francisco anchorage was crowded. INTREPID II was the 10th boat in a mix of power and sailboats, but we located a secure spot on the south side.  Yet again we were forced to enjoy another spectacular sunset before dinner followed by a well earned sleep.  Monday morning we raised anchor and headed out on the 9 nm run to San Evaristo.

Just another spectacular sunset over the San Jose channel