Bahia Concepcion

There were five geocaches in Conception Bay. We found four of them. One was supposed to be near a cave that has ancient paintings. The clue was "it's under a group of three rocks."

We found caves (no paintings), and, since this is the Baja, made almost exclusively of rocks, we found rocks. But no cache.



We also found lots of development, often small palapa-like bungalows being built as winter homes by North Americans. And we found trash. On one of the bee-lines Marv likes to take toward caches, we were bushwacking through a large area of cactus, mesquite, dry arroyos, and palo verde trees. Suddenly we were confronted with acres of trash, mostly plastic, one indication of the negative impact we humans have had on the earth here.

V-Cove

A cozy little niche in the rugged northern coast of Isla Carmen, V-Cove made a wonderful anchorage. We shared it with the sailing vessel Otter, and with a panga filled with military personnel who bivouaced on the beach for the night. It was a warm, comfortable night...perfect for sleeping well. Next morning we rowed the dinghy around the perimeter of the cove and snorkeled along the western shore. There was quite a bit of movement in the water, so visibility was limited to about 20 feet, but we saw lots of sea stars, sergeant majors, cabrillo, and a couple of beautiful Cortez angelfish.

Tabor Canyon

The entrance to Tabor Canyon is directly across Highway 1 from the turnoff to Puerto Escondido. A much steeper canyon than Ligui, we quickly found ourselves scrambling up, over, under, and through fields of huge boulders. Water was scarce, and we had been on the trail for nearly two hours before we saw our first evidence that there was a respite from the heat...if we just kept going.





Harry Morgan, another GPS (global positioning system) and geocaching geek, joined us for the hike. He kept assuring us there was a "beautiful pool" just a little way ahead.
Just a little way ahead.



He was right. It was stunning, it's green color almost unreal. And cool! What a life we lead!

A Hike up Ligui Canyon

Check it out on Google Earth N 25 41.900 W 111 17.790


Some people are more comfortable scrambling on rocks than others. The trail was a challenge for all of us!

Ligui Canyon Hike

Most of the trail up Ligui Canyon was on land. It rambled over boulders washed down when floods rushed through during the rainy season and it wound along the pebbled edges of the little stream that flows year-round. But in places the sheer canyon walls, sculpted by the same flood waters, dropped precipitously to the creek, leaving us no choice but to swim for it.

Patsy (from Talion) found swimming in her sneakers a little awkward!

Over-the-line Champs

One of the activities at Loreto Fest was a new game called "Over The Line." Created for older folks, all you need to do is hit the ball and, if you are in the field, try to catch it if it comes your way. No running bases, no sliding into third, no long tears across the outfield to snag a fly.

Marv, Carla and Doug (Moondance) were AWESOME! They overwhelmed their opposition, with Doug's fancy catches, Marv's quality pitching, and Carla's impressive strength at bat (she can whack that ball farther than most anyone!!).

50's night at Loreto Fest

Dave and Merry Wallace look just like they did in high school (well, almost). Their beanie cap, argyle socks, and hot pink patterned capris were a hit at the 2009 Loreto Fest "Fifties Night." We met Dave and Merry last year at anchor in Timbabiche and re-connected this year at Puerto Escondido.

Marv tried for the "Greaser" look, cigarettes rolled into his T-shirt sleeve, and hair slicked back into a ducktail, but the gray mustache threw it off a bit (as did Dave's)...how many 1950's adolescents did you know who sported such facial hair!?