Socorro Islands (pictures to follow)

We just got back from three weeks at the remote islands that lay hundreds of miles off the coast of Mexico. Part of the Revillagigedo archipelago we anchored off of both San Benedicto and Socorro Islands. This is a National Park in Mexico that few people ever visit. Mostly because of how hard it is to get there. And once you’re there, you are not allowed ashore. So between travel time and visiting time, Anna and I have not touched foot on tierra firma ( hard ground) for a month. Other than navy personal and parque nacional employees, the only humans to this remote location are people who want to get in the water and swim/snorkel/dive with all the aquatic non-human locals and visitors. Of which there are many. Having done just that, we were greatly rewarded. Now just in case you were thinking, how could Anna put up with me in such a small space for so long? The answer is easy. We spent a lot of time underwater where she couldn’t hear me. We also didn’t go alone so to speak. We were very lucky to have another boat accompany us on this trip. Dan and Nancy on the sailing vessel Karvi also spent the last month with us at the different anchorages. Lucky for us because our generator which we needed to run our water-maker stopped working, and they have a really good water maker. Otherwise our trip would have been much shorter. Being able to play cards and socialize with someone else also helped make the remoteness even more enjoyable.

Booby resting on a turtle

Some of the more fascinating wildlife we got to see consisted of many hammerhead sharks, white-tipped sharks, silky sharks and even a huge (jaws sized) tiger shark. Anna says it wasn’t that big, but she’s always telling me I say things are bigger than they are. The tiger shark was a little intimidating, especially when it turned and swam directly at us. We swam up close and personal with manta the size of a Volkswagen (if the vw was flat), many sea turtles of various sizes, multiple types of eels, octopus, tuna, barracuda, crevalle and thousands of beautiful reef fish, including the clarion angelfish which is found only in this region.

Speaking of the manta. They were one of the biggest draws. It’s impossible to put down in words the feeling I had swimming on my back, belly to belly inches away from one of these beautiful amazing creatures. Or seeing Anna swimming next to one much bigger than her. Finger tip to wing tip. It’s fascinating that they swim by and then turn around and come back. Probably they’re as curious of us as we are of them. I know for sure the silky sharks and the white tip sharks are curious. The silky who are as big as us, will circle and swim around you for as long as you can stay there. The white tips who are a little smaller just keep swimming by turn around and come back. Just close enough to check out, but not close enough to feel threatened. That is when they are not resting on the bottom. Not true with the silky. I’ve definitely watched enough episodes of shark week to feel threatened by them. However, there are divers swimming with them quite a lot out there.

Cabo Pierce looking west
Cabo Pierce looking east

When we finally had to leave, we were not so fortunate to have cooperating weather. The trip back north to La Paz was a grueling experience. We had to motor the entire way. The second night of the trip the winds which were only 25 knots on the nose were pleasant compared to the steep 9 foot seas that seem to come from all directions and slam us this way and that. Keeping the deck constantly awash.  Making sleep unattainable. Even in our catamaran things were flying off the shelves. But as the sun came up and we got in the wind and wave shadow of the southern tip of Baja, things started to mellow out. With the sun out and beautiful blue skies we were able to start enjoying ourselves again. We ducked into San Jose Del Cabo to get fuel and motored up to beautiful Bahia Los Frailes where the anchorage was so calm we thought we were on land. Something we hadn’t experienced since we left Puerto Penasco.

Karvi at anchor Punta Tosca

I will upload some of the amazing pictures Dan on Karvi got with his underwater camera as soon as I can get my hands on them.

Can somebody please Help us???

The new name, Strange Byrds, requires a new logo. The problem is Brian and I have been struggling to come up with one. Something that we can put on the boat near the bow, on boat t-shirts, beer kozies, and what ever else we may dream up. We have some great friends that are helping us put the logo and the boat name together, Katja and Radu, from the sailing vessel Imagine. They used to work in the marketing and design industry in Los Angeles before going cruising and now they supplement their cruising kitty by helping other cruisers. We have scoured the internet and found some very unique designs, but nothing that’s quite right. Part of the problem is we want something original that will look good on a grey hull.   I know we have many talented friends and family in our community, someone who would love to see their creation displayed proudly on our boat as it travels where  ever the wind takes us. Do any of you or your kids want to try drawing us a logo?   Please help us come up with a great design for Strange Byrds. If we end up using your design we will print it up on a T-shirt and send you one. If you make it to Mexico we will whisk you away on a cruise. Fortunately for us the graphics companies around here have a one or two-day turn around time, but we only have another two weeks to come up with a good logo.

No more Stray Catz

It was  a surprisingly touching experience the night we said goodbye to Stray Catz. The name not the vessel that is. Yes it’s true, Anna beat me arm wrestling and we are changing the name.

It was an extremely tough decision. There have been so many experiences with Stray Catz. Some exciting and some were downright terrifying. Some joyful and some sent me cussing, screaming and ready to shoot a hole in the bottom and sink her. (luckily I don’t have a gun) Some may know the stories of how many times I’ve been ready to sell, only to experience more paradise and decide to keep going.  For those who don’t I’m happy to share in person. So yes it’s like saying  “adios” to a true and trusted friend. Even though the vessel body is still in tact.

With a brand new paint job, new galley, updated cushions, sail bag and trampoline it will be almost like a new boat, and that is what led to the final decision. When we re-launch our boat with her new name, we will be starting fresh and with new focus, respect and appreciation for a vessel that has proven herself  time and time again.

Not that I’m superstitious, but in true superstitious form we held an official De-Naming ceremony to purge the name Stray Catz from the ledger of the deep. The name must be properly forgotten by the nautical gods so as not to bring bad luck to the newly named vessel. Everyone on their boat in the yard, some of the workers, and guests from out of town all showed to say good bye and give last wishes to Stray Catz.

Good Bye Stray Catz. Thank you for your wonderful and faithful service.