Just another Sunset!

We continued on to Isla Carmen, an island that is 20 miles in length with numerous beautiful anchorages. We spent the week in Puerto Ballandra fishing, hiking and much swimming. Ken and I hiked the valley that goes through the island to the anchorage at Bahia Salinas. We didn’t make it the whole way. Bahia Salinas is an abandoned salt mining operation. This island has quite a bit of wildlife. We saw many tracks of various different animals. A few snake skeletons. Better than the life version.
We also met up with fellow cruisers Normandy and Michael aboard Sea Venture. We have played many games of Mexican Train and have shared many meals together. The people you meet are a big part of this life style, some will be friends passing by others will be long time acquaintances.
We reprovisioned in Lorreto and headed further north to Isla Coronados (6nm). Wow! It has beautiful white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and warm water. The island has a distinctive volcanic cone rising to a height of 928 feet. There are trails leading up to the cone if one so wishes. I sure wishes NOT.
Caleta San Juanico would be our next stop in the bay of La Ramada. I have several cruising guides for this area. The guide by Shawn Breeding and Heather Bansmer intrigued me. They talk about Apache Tears and I had to check it out for myself. Ken and I took the dinghy to shore and followed the dirt road up, up, up the hill. I know I am out of shape. More swimming for exercise needed.
The road had dots of black and brown obsidian stones. I will re write what the authors had to say. Apache Tears are smooth, glossy stones of natural volcanic glass known as obsidian. Obsidian comes from lava flows that were cooled so rapidly, crystals did not have the chance to form.
The legend of the Apache Tears began back in the 1870’s when the US cavalry fought against the Apache in Arizona. The Apache warriors refused to be held captive and leapt to their death from atop the face of a cliff. The families of the warriors wept greatly for their loss and with each tear shed, it turned to stone. It is believed that anyone who carries an Apache Tear will never have to weep again, for the families of the Apache warriors have wept in place of your sorrow.
The geology of this area is truly unique. The granite stone has fossils that remind me of the quarries that my Aunt and I would visit to look at fossils in Ont. There the rock formations were part of the Great Canadian Shield. Sandstone, continually being evolved, some with caves made by the constant wave and wind action. Black and red lava rock everywhere. Unfortunately this would also be the place we encountered our first jellyfish sting. Nothing vinegar won’t cure.
Bahia Conception will now be our home for the next week or so. It is a 25 mile long bay with awesome beaches. The water temperature here is 89F.