Leoma cruise 12/23

[JD-MDR]

On my way back to Sea of Cortez. Hopefully all the Baja bashers will be out of the way. First I am here at Newport Harbor to visit my sister at the hospital. Its less than a mile walk from the anchorage. It sure is a long tun up the channel to the anchorage. There doesn't seem to be any marinas here with docks just private yacht clubs and hotels and expensive homes. There is a million mooring balls also privately owned i think. Luckily they do provide free anchorage. Next stop Ensenada Mexico to schedule haul out

[JD-MDR]

The attachment FE2B5FE6-C850-49A3-8608-2641D67563A2.jpeg is no longer available

Ive been to boat parades before but these people really get into it. Incredible. Maybe next year ill participate. Hard to get good pics. Photos in Newport Harbor

[JD-MDR]

12/27
Guide book has me anchored in this little cove at Isle Todo Santos. Im surrounded by rocks and the entry and the whole south side of the island has massive farming pens. Abalone. I think. Impossible to get in here in the dark. Its gonna be calm tonight I’ll stay here. Nice sailing over 7-8 knot winds

[JD-MDR]

Got out of that recommended anchorage at Isle Todo Santo. Its a horrible place I was about 20’ from the fish pen and 50’ on three sides by rock cliffs. I couldnt get my anchor unstuck. I kayaked over to the workers and they sent a diver over right away. It was caught on their ground tackle. Im at Puerto Tomas now. No docks or nothing just fisherman shantys. Hugh wave warnings and super tide made it a washing machine all night. Happy to back at Ensenada now
I should post an updated review for that place on the island

[JD-MDR]

Depart Ensenada Feb 28. I wont be able to cruise the Sea of Cortez because I spent too much time at Ensenada ( boatyard). I want to go out towards Jawaii April 1 and veer north to Lodiak. Not committed I’ll decide after I get out there for a while. I expect it to be easy till I get in the north above 36 degrees lat. Here are navionics screenshots of this week to isle Benito’s and isle Cedros. Perfect weather and I think I got the windvane down. When sailing downwind I need to douse the mizzen and reef the main. That with the club gib. I rarely use the Genoa so haven’t experimented that yet

[John Stone]

That's a heck of a voyage you have planned. Will you make landfall in Hawaii or are you just headed in that direction before you turn NE to get over the High?

[JD-MDR]

I stayed in Hawaii for a few years. I dont ever want to go back. I can make the trip much shorter bypassing it. I think it’s 2500 mi to HA and then 2500 to Kodiak. I measured about 3000 if I start curving up soon as possible. I think the route west towards Hawaii is the easy part. (Starter cruise). When I get north to the upper 30’s I can decide if it’s too much for me and sail back to CA. I pray that doesn’t happen. But I have not commitments and nothing to prove

[John Stone]

Seems reasonable. You pull that off you're going to have a ton of experience. You've worked hard and smart to get Leona ready for offshore work. How's your body holding up?

[JD-MDR]

Good health. I noticed when turning the halyard winch my shoulders are not strong like before I have to be careful. Also I got bad sore throat three times The first when I was returning from MX last I had to go to ER. They said it was covid , gave me meds and cleared up in a few days. Ive since got the same sore
, mucusy throat but not nearly as bad. I keep plenty of antibiotics and medicine on board. I

[John Stone]

Sailing is a pretty healthy lifestyle. Good for your mind and body if you take care of yourself. Good luck to you John. You have my phone number feel free to reach out via your in reach if I can do anything for you. I plan to launch in a couple weeks and sail locally. When I head offshore I'll have my in reach too.