shindigsailing: Elaine and JD's Sea of Cortez Bucket List

The Sea of Cortez Bucket List

La Paz and the nearby islands provided such a fantastic backdrop for our visit with Elaine and JD last week. They were here for 10 days, most of which was spent up in the Sea of Cortez islands aboard the mighty Shindig. As each day seemed to create another new experience, Elaine dreamed up a fluid Bucket List to capture their visit highlights.

Here it is.

Swim with Whale Sharks: (Gracias to our neighbor Greg for taking us out on his panga one morning to find two whale sharks, baby and later, momma, swimming peacefully about 3 miles from the marina). Momma was about 25 ft long, with beautiful spots and big mouth! We were careful not to splash when we entered the water, and swam around her for a long time. Elaine accidentally touched her tail, and apologized profusely.

Are you sure you only eat little fish?!

Have a Cultural Town Experience: La Escuela de Musica had a series of concerts this week. We went to the first one, which featured a fabulous jazz trio, with trumpet and violin soloists. The composer was Claude Bollin, a French contemporary jazz composer. The event was sold out, and the mostly Mexican audience very enthusiastic. Later, Elaine and JD enjoyed a day of sightseeing around La Paz, visiting old Cathedrals, shops and city markets.

Frolic with Sea Lions: About 5 hours north of La Paz is "Isla Isoletes", where curious sea lions, pups and mothers, come out to swim. We snorkeled here several days and were treated to their playfulness and lots of tropical fish, in warm waters and sea caves.

Morning paddle time

Curious Sea Lion swims a little closer to check us out

Kayak anchorages in solitude: With a set of kayaks, stand up paddle boards, snorkels, masks and fins, we spent most of the time in the water. The visibility was usually 50-70 feet and the water at least 82 degrees.

See a Sea Turtle, Gray Whale, Rays and Dolphins: Every day Elaine added another animal to her list and Mother Nature kept serving up natural sealife.

Isla San Francisco: We shared this beautiful anchorage with only one boat

Enjoy the Night Skies: Without reflections from ambient city lights, we enjoyed watching for shooting stars, identifying constellations and an occasional satellite.

Sun setting at Caleta Partida

See first hand what the heck Nancy and Rob are doing in Mexico: Accomplished!

Our new friends in the cruising community of La Paz welcomed our visitors. Elaine and JD joined us at coffee get togethers, shared rides in cars (and the back of pick up trucks) and informal group dinners.

The overall support and comraderie of the cruising community continues to be one of the best highlights of this life. So glad that Elaine and JD could experience it with us.