March 17

After a mostly quiet night we were up at first light. Around midnight last night a large motorhome and a big truck pulling a boat parked next to us. It was a group of men from Mexicali coming to fish for the weekend. They were excited and probably had a bit too much to drink as one of the men said this morning. We overheard them taking about a boat ramp not to far away. That was great news for us as the tide was on its way out and we would have had a major carry to the water from the shore.

First task was finding if we could park our vehicle here while we did a paddle down to Gonzaga bay and back. The manager said no problem and we could park the car by his house. The second task was reorganizing our gear and getting ready for the trip.

We used both palapas to spread out our gear. Glad this was not the weekend.

We used both palapas to spread out our gear. Glad this was not the weekend.

Don checked out the boat ramp and declared that it was an ideal place to start the trip. We finished packing up the bags and drove over to the ramp. Several interesting displays were near the ramp.

The first one was of a

Unfortunately this fish has a highly sought after gall bladder that is worth 1000's of dollars. The fish is endangered, but it is hard to enforce the no catch regulation.

Unfortunately this fish has a highly sought after gall bladder that is worth 1000's of dollars. The fish is endangered, but it is hard to enforce the no catch regulation.

Not sure what the fish looks like, but this was the representation.

I also liked the  heron model.

Time to get in the water. I ferried the gear to the ramp while Don went to park the car. We were quite thankful to be using this ramp.

Getting ready to paddle the last section of the Baja coast.

Getting ready to paddle the last section of the Baja coast.

If all goes as planned we would like to get to Las Islas Encantadas for the night. We have not gotten an early start, but the days are becoming longer and the weather seems to be cooperating. 

The islands are in the distance and for awhile they seem to be staying in the distance,

With persistence we finally get close.

With persistence we finally get close.

Closer!

Closer!

Finally here and if I did no know better I would think that I am on a lake the water is so calm.

Finally here and if I did no know better I would think that I am on a lake the water is so calm.

By the time we get to camp the sun has set and we just set up the tent and make a quick dinner.

Glad to be here.

Glad to be here.

Mileage paddled 18.3 nautical miles