Tuesday, February 16
So today we are up bright an early to prepare for our adventure in the islands. G reports that she had nightmares all night, and blames them on the nightlight. Cycling through the colors is not, as one would suppose the manufacturer intended, conducive to sleep.Today is warm and sunny, with light breezes.
We set out to go clamming, snorkling, fishing, and eating-bunches-of-seafood-on-the-beach with Daniel. All started well. We were up in plenty of time to breakfast on leftover tortillas warmed in the (apparently) brand new toaster oven; eggs scrambled with onions, poblanos, and cheese; and strawberry jam. I got all suited up in my swimsuit, and put on my new fuschia-colored beach coverup. It was chilly enough that I decided to wear my black fleece hoodie underneath one-size-fits-all coverup. Looked really cute, especially with my crushable L.L. Bean straw hat.
Daniel arrived as agreed at 8:30, so that we could follow him to the beach, Playa Santispac. And we did. There are quite a few people "camped" on the beach in their big rigs, running the gamut from 5th wheel to half-million-dollar bus rig.
We climb laboriously into the panga (none of is so young and limber as we used to be) and get ready to sail. Daniel's young son Victor, who is not in school because his mother is gone to La Paz with his sister who has tonsil trouble, pulls up the anchor. As he pulls the line in, the boat drifts out a short way into the bay. We're off ... or not. The engine won't start.
As Daniel works on the engine, the boat drifts slowly back to shore. After a while of tinkering, and no swearing at all, we are invited to debark. An hour, Daniel assures us. He will go back to Mulege and get his friend the mechanic. He has just had a lot of expensive work done on his engine.
We find some shade in an unused palapa. Jan next door in a 5th wheel is kind enough to bring over a couple of folding chairs. Jan tells us about her first trip in a panga, 15 years ago in Loreto, on her first trip to Mexico. B finds a veteran pilot to talk to on the beach. D decides to take a nap in the car (with windows down to allow the breeze to blow). It is a bit cool in the shade, and a bit warm in the sun.
Eventually Daniel returns, sans mechanic. At his first attempts the engine appears to start and run for a short while only. We move our things over to Jan and Dave's, and return Jan's chairs in anticipation of departing soon. Dave is out in his Zodiac, fishing we think; he and Jan have radios, so periodically we hear from Dave. Jan has obviously had not enough conversation lately. She is a cancer nurse in Tacoma. Dave is a retired civil engineer and now a hospital chaplain. Jan's 88 year old mother is a wonder; the stories remind us of Charlotte. Jan offers us margaritas, but it's yet early in the day so we decline. Daniel having no success with the engine, we offer to take our trip manana. That works for all of us. We bid Jan farewell; we'll take her up on the margaritas tomorrow after our trip.
So we enjoy a leisurely afternoon on our patio. We migrate from shade to sun as the temperature shifts. B takes a turn in the kayak.
Later in the day we trek into town to La Tienda, where G gets a beach coverup and a pair of water shoes to make getting into the boat and getting around a bit more fun than with tennies and jeans. D gets a pair of water shoes also, and a bathing suit. Now we're really ready for Daniel's trip. We also stop at Saul's and get some chicken for dinner.
On the way back to the casita, we take a side trip to the mission. It has really been fixed up since last we were here. The sanctuary is open, and G hopes there will be Ash Wednesday services tomorrow. We also climb up to the overlook behind the mission and enjoy the sunset view.
B grills chicken, I cook rice, roast carrots with cumin, and steam some broccoli. D builds a fire in our freestanding patio fireplace. It is a pleasant evening.
Comments