Bev: We left La Paz on Thursday, Dec. 8 and sailed 20 NM to the the national park islands of Espiritu Santo and Partida located in the Sea of Cortez. It is home to 31 species of whales and dolphins, breeding ground for sea lions and marine turles, 210 specifies of birds and 500 species of fish. We are on the hunt for a blue footed booby. On the southern shore of the cove is a blue footed booby rookery. Their nests are built and tucked away into small caves along the rocky cliffs.
It’s difficult to capture how beautiful the turquoise water and white sandy beaches are. The white sand is created by the coral. The water is clear, the air is fresh and the beaches appear untouched. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. There are so many beaches you can claim a beach of your own for the day. The snorkeling is facsinating here with all the sea life and tropical fish. At night we turn on a green underwater light and watch the fish and rays swim towards the light.
We are leaving this beach tomorrow to move North up the island to enjoy another beautiful area. We traveled to this anchorage with two other couples that are also from Washington State who are on their way to Panama and Costa Rica. We have enjoyed getting to know them over the past few months and have had great fun on the beaches with them sharing stories, diving, snorkeling, beach combing, and getting to know one another. Tomorrow, we are leaving this beach and each couple is heading in a different direction.
Kevin: Lance and I hiked the island to the eastern shore. Starting at the beach above we climbed up a rocky gully past Agave plants, scrub, Saguaro cactus, thorn bushes and small trees. Despite how dry the island looks it’s really green and lush as you get closer. Occasionally there was a deep pool in the rock with fresh rainwater in it. Those pools were centers of life in the otherwise dry landscape. It took about an hour and a half to reach the east side of the island and we stood at the top of a cliff looking out into the Sea of Cortez. On the other side is the Mexican mainland of Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.
A bittersweet thing about the cruising community is that everyone has a plan but no one has the same plan. After spending time with people you become friends but then may part ways as you travel in different directions. Your friendship still exists but it’s not clear when or if you’ll meet again.
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