The Baja Ha-Ha’s Silver Anniversary

For many, the 25th Baja Ha-Ha will start at 48 degrees north. Lani Schroeder, who says he’s been reading Latitude 38 since 1984, wrote in from Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle to say now it’s his turn to enjoy the Baja Ha-Ha aboard his Endeavour 43 CC ketch Balance. After years of sailing the Salish Sea and enjoying summers and sunsets from Shilshole, next fall will be time to head south.

This previous photo, taken in September, shows the sun setting toward the south end of the mountain range as the days got shorter, until it was just past the southern end of that range. After the winter solstice, the sunset inches northward until it’s at the extreme northern end of the range (well beyond the view in the photo). Quite dramatic, if in a subtle way, because of the location at 48 degrees north.

For Lani and other sailors in Washington State who are thinking about the Baja Ha-Ha and Pacific Puddle Jump, both the Grand Poobah and Banjo Andy will be at the Seattle Boat Show giving two ‘double header’ seminars on both events. If you’d like to check it out you can see them here:

Banjo Andy / Andy Turpin Cruising Tahiti and the Pacific Puddle Jump:

Saturday, January 27, 3 p.m., Stage #6 Club Level
Sunday, January 28, 3 p.m., Stage #6 Club Level 

Grand Poobah/Richard Spindler with 25 years of the Baja Ha-Ha:

Saturday, January 27, 4 p.m., Stage #6 Club Level
Sunday, January 28, 4 p.m., Stage #6 Club Level

Sunsets and cruising grounds like those to be had at Shilshole can be hard to leave, but the beckoning of the warm water and breezes of Mexico and the South Pacific can be hard to resist. Stop by and say hello to the Grand Poobah and Banjo Andy at the Seattle Boat Show, happening from January 26 to February 3.