March into the Sea

We left La Paz early March with a pretty free calendar. Sure was nice to untie the lines and head North.
The only commitment was to be in the Loreto area in two weeks for Elaine and JD's visit.  
First stop was Ensenada Cardonal about 25 nautical miles north of La Paz.  We spent a few days there with our good friends, Sylvia and Tom from SV Cinnabar. Snorkeling, paddling, eating and saying our goodbyes.  They left to sail to the South Pacific just a few weeks later!  

Tom and Sylvia on a snorkeling adventure with Rob

Cinnabar at anchor.  Tom and Sylvia waving goodbye to Shindig.  They left for the South Pacific 7 days later.

Punta Salinas once housed a large salt mining operation.
Now it is abandoned, but with old trucks, heavy equipment and decaying buildings remaining. 

This season we have seen an unusual amount of jumping rays.
Here's one caught mid-air, before slapping down hard on the water 

Happy Anniversary!!  Aboard Shindig near Puerto Escondido

Rob and JD on hike at Isla Coronado

Elaine and Nancy in full wet suits for snorkeling 

Closeup of Osprey chick in nest

Exploring Sea Caves at San Juanico

Lots of SUP time

Nice hike to admire Shindig & new friend Kyrnos @San Juanico 

Need to identify these (snail?) shells which make pretty jewelry pieces.. or tiddly-winks

Rob's puffer fish is proudly mounted atop a cactus overlooking San Juanico

Katie & Mike from Pangaea met us on Isla Carmen on their way up in the Sea.  Girls having fun. 

A Window into the Past - or Office with a View
Who remembers pulling the lever for a "carriage return"

A short drive up from Loreto is the nearly 300 year old Mision San Francisco Javier de Vigge-Balundo

Mission San Javier (built 1744-1758)  

Farewell Dinner in Loreto