Giving Thanks at Sea

Well the family on SV Banyan has been out of cell service and internet range for a while.  I’m getting a little bit twitchy!

Since we last did an update on our adventure we have moved north.  We took off from Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula.  We curled around the eastern cape and have been making our way north into the Sea of Cortez.  The winds are mainly from the North this time of the year and seem to be a bit stronger than normal.   The winds have been pretty steady in the 18 – 25 knot range (stiff breeze) so we have been carefully watching the weather and picking our sailing days when we can have enough wind to sail but not so much that it’s uncomfortable.  We have been motoring as little as possible to conserve fuel aka $ and also it’s just more fun to sail, even slowly.

Bashing North into the Sea of Cortez
Bashing north into the Sea of Cortez

We spent 5 days in Frailes, a large protected anchorage with great holding.  For us it was a solid day’s sail north of Cabo.  It was very quiet with only a few homes and fisherman.  We snorkeled, fished, hiked up the hill and made more ceviche!  We also had a few sundowners with other HaHa boats that were in and out of the anchorage.

I think that has been the best part of the HaHa; we see other boats here and there from the rally and we say “hi” and get to know them, even if we didn’t meet them during the HaHa.  It’s been a really nice way to build community.

While in Frailes we connected via SSB powered email with a few of the kid boats from the HaHa who were a little ahead of us.  They invited us to join them on Isla Partida where several of them were getting together.  The prospect of hanging out with other parents and kids sounded pretty fun so we hightailed it up to Partida Cove, between Isla Espriritu Santo and Isla Partida, skipping some of the more popular stops, like La Paz.

Our version of “high tailing it” at the time was pretty slow progress as the winds were strong and out of the north but we slogged through it.  We did a two night passage sailing the whole way.  Another reason we were slow is that the bottom of Banyan had a few hitch hikers on it…well, more than a few.  Banyan had a veritable lumberjack beard growing below the water line.  It was a little embarrassing.  The bottom of boats, especially in warm water are a haven for all sorts of growing things like sea grass and many varieties of barnacles.  We had quite the collection which was helping us glide through the water about as much as Isa helps me glide on the paddle board when she is sprawled out on the back, goggled head in the water and legs dragging in the water.

Our view while in Partida Cove
Our view while in Partida Cove

We got to Partida Cove on the morning of Isa’s 7th birthday!  She was a little perturbed that we were still sailing when she woke up but we made it up to her by accidentally doubling her cake recipe and therefore inviting all the boats in the anchorage over to celebrate. It was a hoot having such a fun impromptu birthday party.  Isa felt very special.  That party started around 2:30 and eventually morphed into dinner as each boat contributed some ingredients and we made some nice soups.

Happy Birthday Isa! 7 never looked so fabulous.
Happy Birthday Isa! 7 never looked so fabulous.

 

Isa with her two cakes, one with jam in the middle for the adults and one with fruit rollups in the middle...her idea
Isa with her two cakes, one with jam in the middle for the adults and one with fruit rollups in the middle…her idea

 

Isa's birthday dinner with all the kids in the anchorage.
Isa’s birthday dinner with all the kids in the anchorage.  Adults escaped above decks.

 

Partida Cove was an amazing place (the center of an ancient Volcano), with special people (SV Wild Rumpus, SV Cielo Grande and SV Agamare among other boats who have popped in and out) and we had the most amazing weather.  It was a bit blustery now and again, but in general we had some absolutely gorgeous days anchored in crystal clear turquoise water watching the fish glide around under the boat.  The Sea of Cortez is alive!  There is so much sea life it’s astonishing.

On our way up to the seals on a glassy day. We saw three turtles swimming under the water, probably at least 10 feet below gliding along - surreal!
On our way up to the sea lions on a glassy day. We saw three turtles swimming under the water, probably at least 10 feet below gliding along – surreal!

One fine day we all hopped on SV Agamare and took a sail up to the north end of the island, towing two dinghies.  We anchored in the most northern cove and then hopped into the dinghies for a trip up to the rocks where you can swim with the sea lions.  I wish our underwater camera was working because it was absolutely incredible!  The sea lions are quite used to tourists and swim all around you, underneath you and will literally play with you under the water.  Wow.

Heading up to the rocks where the sea lions live. We had to swim across a strong current and then were right in the thick of them!
Heading up to the rocks where the sea lions live. We had to swim across a strong current and then were right in the thick of them!

While in Partida, Cameron borrowed a hookah from another boat (Thank you Trevor!!!)… no, not the middle eastern smoking device, but an 12 volt air compressor and hose so that you can stay underwater below your boat… cleaning!!!  Cameron spent almost one whole day working under the boat scraping off Banyan’s beard and replacing out two zincs.  It was hard work but it has paid off… Banyan is slipping through the waves at almost double the speed.  Cameron now appreciates paying to get the job done… he had to pull out a little crab from his ear afterward (hours afterwards in the shower).  There were probably thousands of them that became displaced…poor things.

A few days later was Thanksgiving!  Between the kid boats, we spread the cooking duties for a fabulous feast.  The mom’s sorted it all out over margaritas a few nights before (it was hard work and the meeting lasted into the night…..).  On the morning of Thanksgiving all the boats rafted up so that we could be together during the cooking.

The Thanksgiving Raft Up
The Thanksgiving Raft Up

 

All the kids hanging off the back of Agamere looking quite happy, only missing little Lilly.
All the kids hanging off the back of Agamere looking quite happy, only missing little Lilly.

Kids were jumping from boat to boat, watching Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving, playing with each others toys, jumping in the water and helping cook.  Instead of a kid table and an adult table we had a kid boat and an adult boat…  It was a fairly unique and extremely special Thanksgiving.

Morgan showing off her buns...in her bathing suit:)
Morgan showing off her buns…in her bathing suit:)

 

The Pie Fest!
The Pie Fest!

 

Adelaide was my helper during the pie making extravaganza - when she wasn't doing loads of other fun stuff.
Adelaide was my helper during the pie making extravaganza – when she wasn’t doing loads of other fun stuff.

 

Kristin slicing some traditional French green beans...in a bathing suit.
Kristin slicing some traditional French green beans…in a bathing suit.

 

Sally rocking her 1950's look...with swim suit underneath.
Sally rocking her 1950’s look…with swim suit underneath.

We are feeling very very blessed…  Lots to give thanks for!

Sailboat Apple Pie! A cruising curiosity.
Sailboat Apple Pie! A cruising curiosity.

Look for another post in a few days and the BajaHaHa video still on it’s way – uploading video with slow connection = hard so I’m going to have to have a little learning curve.

Also, if you are on instagram, follow VawtersontheWater for some totally unique and hopefully fun photos of our adventures.

Hasta Luego!

7 comments

  1. Debbie Darrin says:

    Dear Anne, I am loving keeping up with your sailing adventures via your blog and videos! They are bringing back more memories of when Tim and I ventured out to the South Pacific so many years ago (albeit for us, without children at the time). The Sea of Cortex, BaHa-HaHa, Isla Partida, Los Islotes, swimming with the seals, the dolphins, raft parties, catching fish, learning how to make that perfect ceviche, each and every story you are sharing freshens my soul. The camaraderie shared by fellow sailors is incredible.
    I am so excited that you and Cameron chose to do this with your children. It will change their life forever. They will ever be adventurers and will have such a connection with the soul of life.
    Thank you for sharing your story along the way. We had to depend on faxes back in our day and email was just coming up, so we did get some newsletters out that way very randomly. The technology you know and use now is wonderful!
    Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and fabulous Happy New Year to you and yours!
    Debbie Darrin

    • Anne Vawter says:

      Hi Debbie!,
      So great to hear from you and I’m incredibly pleased that our story is brining back so many fabulous memories for you. We are lucky ladies aren’t we? To have horses and boats and friends and all sorts of lovely things in our lives. And yes! The technologies are amazing that we can stay in touch and update all our friends and family so easily! It’s a joy to tell our story and the best part is when it touches someone else. Thanks for sharing your reactions! You went all the way to the Pacific didn’t you? Well I hope it continues to bring back great memories for you!
      Much love to you and also, give Emmet a hug for me:)
      Cheers,
      Anne

      • Debbie says:

        Yes, we are lucky ladies! Our first landfall from the USA was the Marquesa Islands. I hope they are on your route! We culminated our sail in Australia.

        I’ll give Em a hug.
        Deb

  2. Ruth Esther says:

    This Thanksgiving is one you will never forget. The unity of the sailing families has touched my heart. The special birthday party with the other children was creative and enjoyable. Wow, how times have changed since the first Pilgrims crossed the ocean. They would have drooled for the pies and yeast rolls. They could never have imagined the changes in technology that has transpired. Their bravery may have inspired your adventuresome spirit. God bless your adventures.

  3. libbey McKendry says:

    Great Post! Loved the rafting up pictures and Thanksgiving celebration. The video was double fun. Love you all, Mom

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