Yesterday was one of those days when reality was bent on painting me a picture I didn’t much care for.   I wanted a canvas drenched in orange, red, blue, yellow, and green. Not some hapless, washed up piece of cardboard displaying every hue of gray, slate, and charcoal. In other words, one third of the crew has become homesick and lonesome. Hint: it isn’t Francis and it isn’t Captain Chameleon. It’s yours truly: the one who couldn’t wait to hang a “gone sailing” sign at her work desk; move all of the patio cushions to the garage, away from Arizona’s blazing sun; and hit the salty trail….the wave less traveled. Bah Hum Bug. What was I thinking?

I guess I was thinking I could escape reality? Perhaps skirt around and pretend that life ashore pales in color to living on a boat for 6 months? That blazing sunsets and a pod of dolphin swimming around the boat would somehow erase my internal wiring for being a creature that draws identity and strength from her community. Looming, without any indication of just simply going away, it was futile to look past reality’s artistic rendering. Before I could take aim and cover the gray mass with a bucket or two of “happy” colors, I had to understand what I was covering up.

Being homesick doesn’t feel good. In fact it feels awful. Seamore Pacific is spending a few days exploring the lovely town of Santa Rosalia, BCS and 1/3 of her crew is wallowing in gray. But in reality, might it actually be a good thing? Perhaps it is even life sustaining. It keeps me mindful of the place and places that await my return. I never want to lose my way from the relationships, routines, and surroundings that kindle my spirit. So being homesick, longing for aspects of my life as it is on shore is like the magnetic pull of a compass. When this year’s cruising season comes to a close, I’ll take out my compass to hit the salty trail and find my way home.

Until then, I shall mix a bit of reality with our cruising. Take care,

S/V Seamore Pacific

Excerpts from ship’s log (Bahia Concepcion to Santa Rosalia):

April 4^th– Ready for a change of scenery, and peace and quiet from jet skis. Hauled up anchor and motored further down into Bahia Conception. Anticipating northerly afternoon winds in the teens, therefore chose the south anchorage of Isla Requeson to spend the night. The Captain used his stand up paddle board just before the afternoon wind arrived.

I was super happy to see another boat (Terry Lee ll) come in for the evening.

April 5^th– Isla Requeson just isn’t cutting it…current too strong to swim in, water murky looking. Headed north to Punta Chivato. It was a beautiful day on the water.  Winter Hawk (flying the same Baja Ha Ha flag that we have) was at anchor when we arrived.

Sightings:

Seals 3

Dolphins 0

Whale Sharks 0

April 6^th– Punta Chivato is lovely! Great vibe. Shore is lines with beautiful solar powered homes. A dirt air strip runs behind the homes. We took the dingy over to meet Winter Hawk and confirmed they too were in the Baja Ha Ha 2013 fleet, then onto the beach to explore and look at shells.   Greeted by Max, a wound up little black and white dog, not happy that we were on his turf. Exchanged some pleasantries with Max’s owner.

Winter Hawk departed and Jade arrived. I love when Seamore Pacific shares the anchorage with other boats.

April 7^th– Eventually plan to head further south but being this close to Santa Rosalia, will take the opportunity to get produce and check the town out.

Sightings:

Seals 5

Dolphins 100 more or less of black dolphin swimming southeast…a pod/group stretching for over a half mile.

Whale Sharks 0

Whale 1. Two miles outside the harbor, we spotted activity in the 1:00 O’clock position, just a stone’s throw from the boat. Next thing, the torso surfaced at the 10:00 O’clock position just as I was putting out dock lines and fenders. What a rush!

 

 

 

We step off the dock to find a little black and white dog barking at us. I do a double take and hear, “Max….”   What do you know! It was the couple from Punta Chivato where we beached the dinghy. It is a small world. They keep a boat at the marina.

It’s a reunion! There is Terry Lee ll a few slips down.

April 8^th– Meet the husband/wife crew of Kashmira. Lovely folks. They have a car and are generous to take us to refill our propane tank. It was a delightful excursion that started with a stop at a fish taco stand, the propane yard, and then cappuccino at Coffee Star. Wow, they have some awesome stories….having their boat shipped via a tanker from Austrailia, going through Hurricane Odile, the ins and outs of living aboard for 15 plus years.

April 9^th– Provision, eat our way through town, ran along the malecon. Joined Kashmira, Terry Lee ll, and Sun Chaser for dinner at a spectacular Chinese restaurant up on the hill.

April 10^th– Good bye to Kashmira and Terry Lee ll.

I am homesick but after doing laundry, boat chores, making spaghetti, and taking a walk with Captain Chameleon I feel better.