Baja Ha-Ha 2015

I noticed that the last update to my blog was Dec. 2015........................6 months ago!  And I didn't even tell you about the Baja Ha-Ha!  It is a 2 week rally (not so much a race) beginning on Oct. 26, 2015 from San Diego where we left with 120 other boats to head for the final destination of Cabo San Lucas.  The total trip is 750 miles.
It was a beautiful sight to see all the boats hoisting their sails and spinnakers to slowly leave San Diego in VERY light wind.

This annual event is a great opportunity for novice sailors and or those who haven't sailed far from port to literally get their feet wet.  Like us, many of these sailors have been up and down the coast before.  Some participate in the Ha-Ha every year to reunite with friends and get some salt in their hair.  Others who are cruising for the first time find comfort in traveling with a group.  Every morning we have a "net" on our VHF radios with the Grand Poobah.  Each boat will check in advising their latitude and longitude, wind and wave conditions along with the condition of their crew and if they are having any sail/motor problems.........and any fish caught!

Our first top was Turtle Bay about 300 miles south and 2 1/2 days later.   Beach dinghy landings are not my favorite, but it's the only way on and off shore.  There is also the annual softball game where local participation is expected!  The kids have a blast.

 Beach parties are on the agenda, especially at Bahia Santa Maria, our 2nd stop.  A nice game of tug-a-war, girls vs. the guys.  The girls ALWAYS win!

 Fishing was the biggest part of this trip for alot of people.  Here's our attempt!

                  Oh yeah...............after a few cold beers! (Note: empty beer can under Paddy's arm???)

What's a beach party without live music?

After dropping anchor in the Cabo San Lucas anchorage, it's time to hit the beach for our final beach party and the awards dinner and party.  The boats are categorized into fleets determined by lengths of boat and types, i.e. we are a catamaran compared to monohulls.  Awards are presented to each first and second place in their fleets, and everyone else wins a third place award.  We won a 3rd place award!!!!

Here's Allie and Mike on Bay Wolf from San Francisco.  They won the award for most caught fish, The Master-Baiters!

We met some awesome people on the HaHa (we called it the Hee Haw!)  Several returned home to the states while others went south, and some even on to the South Pacific which was our original plan.  Unfortunately things didn't work out for us, so we will go next year!

After Cabo, a lot of us ventured up into the Sea of Cortez which is between the Baja and mainland Mexico.  Jacques Costeau named the Sea of Cortez "The Galapagos" of Mexico.  The sea is full of healthy marine life.  We took our time sailing north to La Paz where we hung out to celebrate Thanksgiving.  A local restaurant hosted a party with local entertainment.  These young dancers were all dolled up in their native costumes.

It is now May 2016.  We spent a few more weeks in the Sea and then sailed to our favorite winter hangout, La Cruz, about a week's sail south including a few overnight stops.  In March we left La Cruz and sailed back to the Sea to go further north and explore areas we had not yet seen.  More to follow.

 P.S. A creative idea for your bougainvillea flowers.