A day of activity exploring, and another kidd boat turned up
Sowell Family's Travels on Gijima
Skipper: Tim Sowell Admiral Tracy Crew Sean & Alex
Tue 2 Feb 2010 05:26
departed on their limited schedule to see as much as they can in their
charter period, so by nine am we left alone in this magnificent bay Ensenada
Grande (24:33.600N 110:23.821W). Out we broke the kayaks and Tracy and boys
headed for the beach,
I followed in the row boat( it is easier in these shallows that go for a
long distance as you have no engine dragging and I need the exercise as
well). We were able to explore and behind the beach is a tidal lagoon with
mangroves which Sean decided to explore in is blow up dinghy, Alex was less
sure about his blow up canoe. We then played on the beach exploring the
rocks and shores for 4 hours, building castles and Sean started to explore
the underwater.
While the boys slept in the afternoon I went to explore a small beach to the
right of us, I also worked on the outboard putting "lift/hydro wings" to
help us plane, when this was completed I climbed the valley behind, this was
meant to be a track but it more rock climbing and being a mountain goat (not
good for short legged people). I climbed to the ridge above the boat, the
heat came off the red rock but it was nice to get out on land and climb/
hike, and then get to a place with majestic views of the anchorage and all
the way back to mainland. Looking down on the boat she was sitting in
turquoise water which moved through many shades of green and blue from white
off the beach, you could easily see the bottom. I sat here for a while and
just took in the solitude and view, we were still the only boat in the
anchorage, the heat was up, and I decided it was time to come down and go
snorkeling in this water.
The temperature of the water is very pleasant as warm as it gets in summer
in California, in the low 70s F but I put a spring suit on as I wanted to
test a new underwater camera Tracy had given to me for my birthday, and I
then wanted to get a few rock scallops. The camera worked well, and I was
able to capture the coral, and fish (which there were many) swimming amongst
it, this was a positive step(as it is an ideal place for Sean to develop his
snorkeling as there is a lot more activity than in California), and then I
collected four rock scallops for the barbeque later. As a popped my head out
of the water a boat pulled in alongside us, and it was Endurance, (Matt and
Paula + two daughters) so the plans changed to a trip to beach as the kids
wanted play together. We had met this boat 2 times before, Paula is from
Chili and they heading down that way suspect we will meet them many times.
Tomorrow we will attempt to go and swim with the seals.
All in all a busy day, full of outdoor activity, nice sense of freedom!!!.