November 2, 2004
Bahia Santa Maria, 24o 46' N 112o 14' W
We had an awesome sail from Turtle Bay to Bahia Santa Maria. We motored for 10 hours or so, though we probably could have motored less, and made it in at 0330 on November 1.
One of the highlights of this leg was catching two Dorado (Mahi-Mahi), one about 3 pounds and the other about 8. We fillet both and have been having fish ever since. The bad part is that I bought all kinds of meat for dinners and we haven't touched it! It's frozen so there's no chance of it going bad, but it's taking up so much space in the freezer we can't make ice for Rum and Cokes.
After our early morning arrival in Bahia Santa Maria we all took to bed for a much needed sleep and then got up to a beautiful warm day. The water temperature is around 71o F in the bay so after the morning net we all jumped in the water for a swim. Phil impressed us all by climbing out of the water on the bob-stay, not just once but four times!
After swimming we put the dinghy together and I went ashore to figure out how to go through the surf to the beach. It wasn't hard, being high tide, and once again our 15 HP Evenrude proved to be a champion. I went back to the boat where I found the rest of the crew busy doing as little as possible. I joined them for a while but there's too much to see here so Linda and I went ashore.
Bahia Santa Maria is not a town of any sort. It's more like a fish camp where the fishermen live in small huts near the beach. There's no civilization within 40 miles. However, when the Baja Ha-Ha comes in the place turns into a full on beach party town. There are a few huts on shore, one with a generator which powers a 6 piece rock band! There is a beer vendor and 4 or 5 women have a taco stand where they sell fish and/or lobster tacos (2 fish tacos, rice and beans for $5 USD).
Today is the big beach party and tomorrow we start leg 3 which finishes the rally in Cabo San Lucas.
John, Linda, Phil and Joann
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