Bahia Asuncion

We arrived at Bahia Asuncion late on the 27^th, in time to feast on homemade chicken noodle soup and whole wheat biscuits for our Thanksgiving dinner. I’d thought of doing more, but we were both tired from the large rolly waves, so it was wonderful just to sit, eat, and relax.

This anchorage is much nicer than Turtle Bay. Far less rocky even when the wind pipes up. I suppose its disadvantage as a way stop is the lack of fuel. But so far, we’ve preferred the spots others don’t pick.

Michael worked on the watermaker during the day on Friday and actually made about ten gallons before the pump overheated. He’d had the pressure running too high. This convinced us to remain here an extra day.

Four other sailboats and one Ensenada fishing boat came in around 4 PM Friday. It’s now 9:30 Saturday morning. The sloop that sailed into the anchorage because of a fouled prop and his buddy boat have left the anchorage as has the fishing boat. Michael is messing around with cleats and lines for the lazy jacks and reefing lines while I’ve got dough rising for my first yeast bread baking on board. Yesterday I tried a soda bread recipe. I’ve done enough baking to know that something was wrong with that recipe, so I shouldn’t have wasted the propane checking it out. The resulting rock bread fed birds this morning.

We’ve just had some excitement nearby. Pangas dropped nets and hauled in mackerel galore while the herds of pelicans waited expectantly. At the second dropped net, a seal had to find its way to freedom and one of the assistant pangas came over to request a wrench to repair a motor. Michael, being West Marine south, obliged. We’re pleased they asked and they’re pleased we had what they needed. Hope I can find a way to post the pictures.

We’re impressed by the way the Mexicans work together, a community rather than fishermen in competition with one another. The net tossing and hauling boats have at least four men on board. A second panga works with each net boat to gather the line and use its motor to help with the haul. Two sets of fishermen are busy around us this morning. I’m so glad we came here and stayed this extra day. For us, this is what cruising is about, not just getting from place to place. If we didn’t have a deadline to meet Mama in Cabo, we’d probably hang here until the weather pushed us south.