Making Tracks & Making Friends

Dang that internet!!! We apologize for Friday’s report on the Baja Ha-Ha, as half the photos in the report never made it from the outpost at Turtle Bay to Latitude‘s offices in Mill Valley. So we’ve posted a few new photos.

Having done 14 of the last 15 Ha-Ha’s we can report that it was possibly the warmest first leg of a Ha-Ha ever. Although there were Santa Ana conditions when the fleet left San Diego, it was warm and dry offshore the first night. Well, when it wasn’t foggy. The fog came in thick and low for short period of time, then it was warm and dry again.

Better still, the wind held all through the first night. Alas, it frittered away on the second day, which resulted in many boats firing up their engines. Those who didn’t enjoyed very light, but steady winds. With a bright blue sky and a flat blue sea, sailing all afternoon at three knots didn’t seem that bad at all.

If it was a record first leg for being warm and dry, it was also a record year for catching fish. Everybody who dropped a hook in seemed to get multiple bites. Sashimi seemed to be on the menu for half the boats on that second day.

With the wind still light on the third morning, the crew of the mothership Profligate just had to hike to the summit of West Benitos and the famous lighthouse. Why is it famous? Because the architect and construction supervisor so antagonized his two workers that they murdered him!

Unfortunately, it was a motor trip the rest of the way to Turtle Bay. But things were looking up for the Saturday start of the 240-mile second leg to Bahia Santa Maria. Commanders Weather was calling for 18- to 28-knot winds, with much stronger gusts at the base of the canyons. That should result in some great photos . . . we just hope we can send them over the internet.

The highlight of every Ha-Ha visit to Turtle Bay is the annual beach party, staged the day before the start of Leg Two — and this year’s bash had to be one of the best yet, thanks to uncommonly hot weather tempered by a gentle breeze.

While some folks barbequed fresh-caught fish to share with the fleet, others tested their volleyball prowess, threw frisbees, hiked nearby peaks for an overlook of the bay and played in the surf — with water temps of 80°. Townspeople came out to share in the fun, and several local merchants provided chairs, tables, awnings, and a seemingly endless supply of cold beer. By all accounts, a good time was had by all. Look for further updates after the fleet reaches Cabo on November 6.