Leaving La Paz
I find it so difficult to uproot myself time and time again to take off on other adventures, even though it may seem that I do it quite easily. Trust me when I say the struggle on the inside is real!
I’ve met such amazing people here in La Paz, and have become so familiar with the town. Deciding to step away from the brief stability I’ve created for myself is simply painful. With that said, the adventure that tugs at me is worth it. Also, it helps to know that I’ve created life long memories and friendships that won’t fade into the distance I put between myself and the beautiful city of La Paz.
Getting underway from Portland I really hoped to reunite with long time sailors, also from Portland, Rick and Cynthia on their boat Catspaw somewhere down in here in Mexico. Rick and Cynthia left the year before me, making their way down the coast with the goal to reach Puerto Penasco where they would haul out their boat to both store their boat for the hot, hot summer and to do repairs. Puerto Penasco is in the northern most part of the Gulf of California, and just hours from the border.
After splashing their boat a little later than expected they and one other boat, Mapache sailed by Rob and Sarah, were to connect in La Paz before beginning the trip north back to Puerto Penasco. Rob and Sarah had been neighbors of Rick and Cynthia’s up in Portland at the Sauvie Island Yacht Club. These two Rick and Cynthia affectionately refer to as ‘the kids’.
I had been waiting and watching for Catspaw to be put back in the water and for Rick and Cynthia to sail south. With such a fondness for the family who runs Cabrales boat yard and a genuine appreciation for the yard itself these two had convinced me that it’s the place I want to be for pulling my boat out of the water. Trusting them completely I was instantly onboard. Rick and Cynthia agreed to having me be part of their mini flotilla. Knowing that I would likely be doing the trip north mostly single handed it brought be a ton of comfort to be welcomed to tag along.
Catspaw arrived in La Paz mid April. Mapache was a day or two later. Wanting to spend only a coupe of weeks in La Paz before sailing north the two boats left a week before me. I still had things to wrap up in the place I called home for three plus months. But, before they left we had some nice times ‘bonding’ over food, my favorite being the ice cream at a La Paz hot spot, La Fuente.
Sarah, Rick, me, Cynthia & Rob. Sarah & Rob are on Mapache, Rick & Cynthia have Catspaw.
Luckily for me I had a returning crew member. Bree who had sailed from San Diego to Cabo had stayed in touch and agreed to sail with me to Puerto Escondido, a short 150 or so miles. The two boats that had left before me I knew would be taking their time exploring as many beautiful spots as possible and I planned to make more of a beeline for Escondido considering Bree only had to fly out of Loreto 4 days later. Since it was understood that Catspaw and Mapache would also be stopping in Escondido I suspected I would meet up with them there.
In the last weeks I enjoyed spending time with the friends I had made and had more guests visit. Rosario & Marisa, sailor babes / friends from Portland, came for a bit and then… Sheri Wade DeTiege! Sheri is a long time friend from high school who had been promising to visit me in Oregon for the whole 15 years I lived there. Well she finally decided it was time. Took me getting to Mexico for her to actually do it. We had so much fun!
Bree arrived on the 25th, just in time to join in on the farewell party organized by Zhaeo, the bar manager at the marina’s watering hole. There was a great turn out for my last night.
After one last walk to town to pick up a few more provisions Bree & I left La Paz in our wake at noon on the 26th of April. Adios La Paz. You’ve been wonderful!
Until next time…
Enjoy the journey!
Cheryl