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Making Tracks & Making Friends

Light fog accompanied last Monday’s start off Coronado Roads, but the westerly breeze gave everyone a nice push toward the border.

latitude/Andy
©2008 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

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.

There may not have been much wind during the latter half of leg one, but the fleet seems to be pulling in fish in record numbers.

latitude/Andy
©2008 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

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 La Palapa crew cools off with a few frosty Pacificos.

latitude/Andy
©2008 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

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.

With 80 degree water temps, lots of Ha-Ha kids played in the surf for hours.

latitude/Andy
©2008 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

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.

Beach partygoers pose for the annual beach party photo. Behind them, the broad crescent of Turtle Bay stretches for miles.

latitude/Andy
©2008 Latitude 38 Media, LLC
Sailing

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What, no pretty pictures? As much as we all enjoy a good sailing photo, if you’re 2,000 miles from nowhere, you’ll be glad to hear you can still get the text of ‘Lectronic Latitude via Sail Docs on SailMail.
The last week or so reminded us once again how stepping off land and onto a sailboat can immediately put miles of psychic distance between oneself and the all the economic and political craziness of the day.