Skagua n. place where the north wind blows

Two days ago our slow pace of making food, hiking on land, checking the weather, doing schoolwork, changed. After walking to find an ATM, and collecting enough cash to pay our bill with the Astilleros Cabrales, we were told to be at the haulout slip in 20 minutes.  Within 25 minutes of motoring into the slings of the giant blue contraption with pulleys, chains, and a tiny driver's cage, we were placed gently on old railroad ties, propped up with metal stands, and left to our own device. It was an act of faith to entrust our boat to only 4 strong shackles holding the slings. A half an hour after we were hauled, a 70-foot steel tour boat was lifted out in the same manner.  It was fascinating to see the quantity of marine life growing on the bottom of this boat!  The workers took square shovels and scraped what looked like a coral reef off of the hull.  There were rubbery plants over a foot long, tunicates, and many other plants attached. This is a busy boatyard- full of workmen, guards, cruisers from around the world, boats in all stages of repair and disrepair.  But Eila's favorite part of the Cabrales boatyard is its four Belgian Shepherd guard dogs. They have slobbery tennis balls in their mouths, loud barks, and the occasional water hose to get cooled down with.

Puerto Refugio is astern and to the south of Skagua, and Puerto Penasco is 90 miles due north.  Refugio was a special place to spend our last week cruising. There were multiple beaches and 3 different anchorages to hop between.  The best aspect of Puerto Refugio was the chance to meet other sailors.  Two other sailboats and one trawler had friendly folks aboard to socialize with.  S/V SJ was there the whole time, and had Sarah and Craig aboard.  We went on hikes, had meals at each others' boats, and two different beach fires.  At both of these beach fires, Sarah brought her black light and went searching for scorpions along the upper beach in the dark.  Both times she was successful in her search.  Scorpions turn fluorescent blue in black light!  

Over the last few days we have enjoyed three types of star sightings.

When we left Skagua on Dec 18, our plans did not include traversing half of the United States twice, nor did our plans include Brian joining us.  It was supposed to be 3 weeks and now six weeks later, we just returned to our floating home yesterday.  Here is a brief recounting of our December and January.  Girls and I flew to Colorado in time to put up Christmas decorations with my mom, and spend lots of time with my brother and his family.  After Christmas, we drove to Kansas the same day Brian flew in.  After the New Year we drove back to Colorado for a few days, then on to California.  In California, we took care of a few appointments, checked in on our home, saw friends, visited my sister, got our car repaired.  Then we drove back to Kansas in sub-freezing weather.  Five more days in Kansas allowed us to see Deje’s ability to swallow and eat improve greatly.  We also celebrated his birthday.  Then BACK to Colorado to drop Eloise off at my mom’s house, say goodbye.  Then we flew to LA and down to Loreto, Baja Mexico, yesterday.

Yesterday, Eila and Brian zipped around in the dinghy and checked out the different lobes of our 3-lobed bay, Ensenada Grande.  Meanwhile, Eloise and Paddleboard snorkeled.  What that means is what you might imagine.  The water is SO clear that standing on our boards looking down, we can see the bottom of the bay, 20 feet deep.  We saw rays and coral heads and so many fish! Then Eloise saw a most unusual thing.  At first she thought it was trash, then as we got closer it was not trash, it was a creature.  It was about the size of a loaf of bread, tube- shaped and clear except for bright purple dots seemingly like beads on strings all around the outside of this clear jellyfish (that's what we assume it was).  I can't find it online, but I sure wish I knew what it was.