Navy checking out raft made by Scouts



Well this was a busy week getting ready to shove off. FINALLY we departed on Thurs. but as another boater says La Paz has a magnet that brings you back!



4 hr out and 4 hrs back to the same spot. A beautiful day, no wind, no waves, sunny. When we go to anchor the windlass slowly lets the chain down. Smoke is coming from the winches motor. I tell Ken to stop. He comes down and examines, and a decision is made to go back to La Paz to have it fixed. Emotional LET DOWN, but we will be anchoring for 4 mths and longer. If the winch is not working we could be in trouble. If in an emergency we had to lift the anchor in a hurry it wouldn't happen. I know we have to go back. In the past I would have freaked. I have learnt on this journey to be patient. There is nothing to gain by not being safe. That means ALL systems work. So................... here we are again.

Today being Father's Day there is quite a bit going on in town.

The Baja 400 departed at 0800 hr. One of the harshest tests for man – and machine – is the Baja 400. Every year, the hundreds of drivers the race attracts push themselves and their vehicles over roughly 400 non-stop kilometres across the Baja California desert. It’s madness.
The course starts in La Paz and ends 30 km south of here. The cars will be back by 1900 hr. tonight. It is an off road race through desert. It reaches tempt of 115 degrees fairenheit. There are several categories of cars from dune buggies, to heavier types. Saturday night the parties were on all over the town showing off the teams


There were probably 30 cars in total. The Marina we are staying in has several cars that they run in all races including the Baja 1000.


Next was the Scouts of Mexico. The groups had come from all over the Baja California Sur for the weekend. Camping and enjoying many games. Whole families participate.


This morning they were busy building rafts from floats, sticks and rope/string. The Navy was out examining the entries to make sure that they all complied with the rules.


The races were on. The teams had to paddle 4 km. Fun was had by all.


The restaurants were filled with families taking Dad out for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner.


The church bells are ringing more often so there were probably extra services to mark the day.


We took a local chicken bus to the Walmart. We have done it before no problems. I believe we have been here TOO LONG. When I get asked if I speak English by an American and Ken gets asked for directions from a Mexican.


The part is to be here tomorrow. Lets pray it is. I want to be North of here. Tropical depressions are now occuring and for insurance La Paz is not covered. We need to be about 120 km north of here.


Just 2 days ago a tropical depression hit Puerto Vallarta. It is about 700 km from here. The outside Pacific Baja and lower Pacific Mexico is having high winds and waves. Tropical depressions are the beginnings of a hurricane. NOT a hurricane but they bring strong winds and large waves.


We have had days around 102 degrees or 40 celsius. The nights cool down with corumal winds. A phenomon on La Paz. For this reason they use fans not air conditioning.

We are hoping that the part comes and tomorrow we shove off, but I guess life is what it is and if we don't get out of here we will look for new things to explore.