Setting Sail: The Journey Begins
Tuesday July 26, 2022
24º 09.680 N, 110º 19.921 W
Finally, we're breaking free from the city lights! Don't get me wrong - La Paz has been wonderful to us, with its friendly people and beautiful malecón, but there's something magical about that first anchor drop when you're starting a new adventure.
This morning was wonderfully relaxed - a rare thing when you're preparing to leave port. Usually, there's a frantic rush of last-minute preparations, but we'd done most of our work in the previous days. The morning air was still cool when I made my coffee, watching the sunrise paint the sky in shades of pink and orange over the Sea of Cortez.
The afternoon sun blazed overhead as we prepared Thaalia for departure from La Paz. After months of preparation, countless trips to the chandlery, and endless lists of provisions, it was finally happening – the start of our summer adventure in the Sea of Cortez.
Around noon, our friend Brian stopped by for a farewell visit, bringing a bottle of vintage California wine - such a treat! After months of drinking carton de chateau (our standard boxed wine down here), this was something special. The three of us sat in the cockpit, sharing stories and laughs while a light breeze kept us comfortable. Wayne joined us later, adding more stories to the mix. There's something about the cruising community that feels like family - even when you're saying goodbye, you know you'll cross paths again somewhere down the line.
When the tide started to slack, we knew it was time.
We untied from the mooring ball, and Thaalia seemed to share our excitement as we made our way out of the channel. The water was calm, and with the ebbing tide pushing us along, we made a steady 5+ knots. Everything worked perfectly - the engine humming at just the right temperature, the autopilot keeping us on course. These are the moments that make all the maintenance worthwhile!
These waters had become home during our winter and spring stay, and now they were becoming our gateway to adventure. George stood at the bow, keeping watch as we navigated the channel markers, while I maintained our course at the helm.
My heart fluttered with excitement. Ahead lay months of exploration: hidden coves we'd only heard about in cruisers' tales, remote beaches waiting for our footprints, and crystalline waters promising refreshing swims. Our rough plan included heading north, but in true cruising fashion, we'd let wind and whim guide our exact route.
The deck was organized chaos – last-minute items we'd stashed wherever they'd fit. We had enough provisions to last weeks: rice, beans, canned goods, and George's precious stock of pizza-making ingredients. The fresh produce bins were full, and our water tanks topped off. Most importantly, we had plenty of supplies for our traditional "rum and yellow shit" sundowner cocktails.
Several cruising boats were anchored in the bay, and a few friends radioed goodbye wishes on the VHF. The cruising community in La Paz had become like family over the past months, sharing meals, maintenance tips, and dreams of summer sailing. Now it was time to make those dreams reality.
I checked our charts one more time, though we'd studied them countless times before. North of us lay a string of promising destinations: Caleta Lobos, Isla San Francisco, Bahia Agua Verde, and beyond. Each name sparked imagination and anticipation. Would we spot whale sharks? Catch dorado on our hand line? Make new friends in hidden anchorages?
The afternoon breeze picked up just enough to ripple the water. Perfect conditions for our departure. We'd monitored the weather carefully – July can bring chubascos, those sudden summer squalls, but today's forecast looked ideal. Besides, we'd spent months preparing Thaalia for whatever the Sea might throw our way.
Looking back at La Paz, I felt a surge of gratitude. The city had been good to us, offering safe harbor while we planned this adventure. But now the wild waters called, promising discoveries that can only come from leaving the familiar behind.
"Ready for this?" George asked, grinning.
I nodded, unable to stop smiling. The Sea of Cortez stretched before us like an open book, pages blank and waiting for our story. Dolphins played in our bow wake, as if escorting us toward adventure. Above, seabirds wheeled and called, perhaps sharing news of our departure.
These afternoon hours marked more than just a departure – they were the beginning of a dream set in motion. Months of planning, learning, and preparing had led to this moment. Ahead lay our first anchorage at Caleta Lobos, but right now, the simple joy of being underway, of beginning something new, filled us with anticipation and excitement for the adventures to come.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the water as we made our way out of the channel, Thaalia's bow pointed toward freedom. Summer in the Sea of Cortez awaited, and we couldn't wait to dive in.
Saying goodbye is never easy, but the sea was calling.