Hola
The following is a log of our travels aboard our 38' Irwin Cutter, Gypseas Palace. The
Palace is equipped with all the necessary equipment and conveniences for an offshore
boat, including a 3.75 kw genset and a 20 gal/hr water maker.
Steve and I retired (Steve for Northrop Grummen and me for West Marine) in August of
2007 and after 8 years of preparing Gypseas Palace, it was time to head south. We
departed King Harbor and headed to Catalina Island (Cat Harbor ) for a week to make
sure all systems were working and to enjoy the two most busiest weekends there, the
"Cruisers Rendezvous and Buccaneer days". We then headed south to San Diego to
meet up with the Baja Ha Ha .
We departed Catalina in the company of Jim & Susan on the S/V Windward Bound. Jim
and Susan were our cruising companions throughout the Baja HaHa. We stopped at
Oceanside and then down to San Diego. That was where we picked-up our crew (Don
Terry) and the other 167 boats. It was a wonderful time and Don was great choice to do
the Ha Ha. He brought with him a good knowledge of navigation and camaraderie that
we were looking for (he could also clean fish). We spent two weeks in San Diego
moving to various anchorages depending on the Ha Ha activities. It was very interesting
observing the Navy Seal Team doing their daily activities while we were anchored in
Glorieta Bay.
The Ha Ha had their regular activities including the Down Wind Marine barbecue and the
West Marine Halloween Barbecue. I (Steve) thought a mask would be a sufficient
costume until I realized that I couldn't drink beer very well... the mask was history!
We departed San Diego on Oct. 31 and headed for Turtle Bay. It was a two night run in
what were the heaviest seas and winds that we have experienced so far in our sailing
careers. It was good to have Don on board to get the sleep we couldn't seem to get.
Don was able to fall asleep on the drop of a dime.
We arrived at Turtle Bay at night and had to feel our way in. It was good to have a moon
and radar. We decompressed the next day. The Ha Ha had their gala on the beach and
it was the first time that we, as a Ha Ha group got to party together. I'm sure there is an
official number, but if I had to guess, there was four to five hundred people on the beach.
The next run was a overnighter and again we arrived at night and had to find a
comfortable spot and re-anchor when the sun came up. We had another gala on the
beach with some interesting surf coming onto the beach. It was wise to use the service
of the panga's to take us to the beach.
The last run was to Cabo San Lucas and although it was nice to see, it was expansive,
busy, and did I mention expensive! We left Don in Cabo to fend for himself. Not to worry,
Don's a surviver!
We arrived in La Paz on Nov 14 and started to unwind and get use to the Mexican way of
life. We berthed the Palace in Marina De La Paz and spent several months there. We
knew that we would be spending at least one year in La Paz so we moved to a more
secure marina. Although more expensive, Marina Costa Baja was well protected and
had lots of amenities, including shuttle service and a pool that was used often as the
temperature climbed into the 90's.
We departed Marina Costa Baja and headed up Sea for a two month adventure. Our first
stop was Partida Cove where we meet up with 2 other boats ( Second Wind & Norid ).
From there we headed to Isle San Francisco. It turned out be our favorite of all, The water
was so clear that you could see your anchor and chain on the bottom. White sandy
beaches were great for shelling and sun set walks.
The following is a log of our travels aboard our 38' Irwin Cutter, Gypseas Palace. The
Palace is equipped with all the necessary equipment and conveniences for an offshore
boat, including a 3.75 kw genset and a 20 gal/hr water maker.
Steve and I retired (Steve for Northrop Grummen and me for West Marine) in August of
2007 and after 8 years of preparing Gypseas Palace, it was time to head south. We
departed King Harbor and headed to Catalina Island (Cat Harbor ) for a week to make
sure all systems were working and to enjoy the two most busiest weekends there, the
"Cruisers Rendezvous and Buccaneer days". We then headed south to San Diego to
meet up with the Baja Ha Ha .
We departed Catalina in the company of Jim & Susan on the S/V Windward Bound. Jim
and Susan were our cruising companions throughout the Baja HaHa. We stopped at
Oceanside and then down to San Diego. That was where we picked-up our crew (Don
Terry) and the other 167 boats. It was a wonderful time and Don was great choice to do
the Ha Ha. He brought with him a good knowledge of navigation and camaraderie that
we were looking for (he could also clean fish). We spent two weeks in San Diego
moving to various anchorages depending on the Ha Ha activities. It was very interesting
observing the Navy Seal Team doing their daily activities while we were anchored in
Glorieta Bay.
The Ha Ha had their regular activities including the Down Wind Marine barbecue and the
West Marine Halloween Barbecue. I (Steve) thought a mask would be a sufficient
costume until I realized that I couldn't drink beer very well... the mask was history!
We departed San Diego on Oct. 31 and headed for Turtle Bay. It was a two night run in
what were the heaviest seas and winds that we have experienced so far in our sailing
careers. It was good to have Don on board to get the sleep we couldn't seem to get.
Don was able to fall asleep on the drop of a dime.
We arrived at Turtle Bay at night and had to feel our way in. It was good to have a moon
and radar. We decompressed the next day. The Ha Ha had their gala on the beach and
it was the first time that we, as a Ha Ha group got to party together. I'm sure there is an
official number, but if I had to guess, there was four to five hundred people on the beach.
The next run was a overnighter and again we arrived at night and had to find a
comfortable spot and re-anchor when the sun came up. We had another gala on the
beach with some interesting surf coming onto the beach. It was wise to use the service
of the panga's to take us to the beach.
The last run was to Cabo San Lucas and although it was nice to see, it was expansive,
busy, and did I mention expensive! We left Don in Cabo to fend for himself. Not to worry,
Don's a surviver!
We arrived in La Paz on Nov 14 and started to unwind and get use to the Mexican way of
life. We berthed the Palace in Marina De La Paz and spent several months there. We
knew that we would be spending at least one year in La Paz so we moved to a more
secure marina. Although more expensive, Marina Costa Baja was well protected and
had lots of amenities, including shuttle service and a pool that was used often as the
temperature climbed into the 90's.
We departed Marina Costa Baja and headed up Sea for a two month adventure. Our first
stop was Partida Cove where we meet up with 2 other boats ( Second Wind & Norid ).
From there we headed to Isle San Francisco. It turned out be our favorite of all, The water
was so clear that you could see your anchor and chain on the bottom. White sandy
beaches were great for shelling and sun set walks.
From Isle San Francisco we sailed (motored) to San Evaristo, a small fishing village where we purchased fresh fish and
produce from the local market (tienda). We traded cold beers for a zip lock bag of fresh fish that made great taco's.
We than motored to Los Gatos, which is a open anchorage, but we set quite nice. We were meet by the local fisherman he
will bring back in time for dinner, give or take an Mexican hour.
produce from the local market (tienda). We traded cold beers for a zip lock bag of fresh fish that made great taco's.
We than motored to Los Gatos, which is a open anchorage, but we set quite nice. We were meet by the local fisherman he
will bring back in time for dinner, give or take an Mexican hour.
Form Los gatos we motored (not much wind in the Sea this time of year) to Aqua Verde and went by the 'La Salitarea rock'
this rock formation just sticks up out of the water about 75ft high; great snorkeling and fishing. Aqua Verde is a good size
fishing village as well where they have one restaurant that serves great fish taco's and cold beer, period! They have a small
store which you can purchase fresh fruit and vegs. There was plenty to do from hiking to snorkeling or just taking a dinghy
ride around the Salitarea rock. We also got all the cruisers together on the beach for a pot luck and we had a wonderful time.
this rock formation just sticks up out of the water about 75ft high; great snorkeling and fishing. Aqua Verde is a good size
fishing village as well where they have one restaurant that serves great fish taco's and cold beer, period! They have a small
store which you can purchase fresh fruit and vegs. There was plenty to do from hiking to snorkeling or just taking a dinghy
ride around the Salitarea rock. We also got all the cruisers together on the beach for a pot luck and we had a wonderful time.
From Aqua Verde we headed North to Puerto Escondido for the Loreto Fest. It was a great four days of partying and
socializing, We got to see the waiting room where the boats anchor waiting to get to the inside harbor. We picked up a
mooring on the inside and spent 8 days there and had a wonderful time. There were lots of events, music and food to
keep us occurpied and even though I (Teresa) had not played horses shoes in 20 yrs, my partner Tina and I came in
2nd place. Lots of good food and fun. I even celebrated my 54th B-day there as well and went to dinner with friends !!
socializing, We got to see the waiting room where the boats anchor waiting to get to the inside harbor. We picked up a
mooring on the inside and spent 8 days there and had a wonderful time. There were lots of events, music and food to
keep us occurpied and even though I (Teresa) had not played horses shoes in 20 yrs, my partner Tina and I came in
2nd place. Lots of good food and fun. I even celebrated my 54th B-day there as well and went to dinner with friends !!
One of a kind out house !!!
The 2nd Place Win T&T (Teresa & Tina)
| The great horse shoe pitch !!!! |
| La Salitarea Rock Aqua Verde |
| The great fish taco hunt with friends |
Pot Luck on Beach, Aqua Verde
The restaurant on the porch !!
| Isle San Francisco |
Los Gatos
Tesesa B-day Dinner
!
!
After Pueto Escondido we headed back to La Paz , visiting some of the same coves. We needed to get the boat
ready for the hurricane season and our trip to New England to spend time with the family and escape the hot
weather. When we return in September we will make plans to head accoss to Mazatlan and spend some time on
the Mexican mainland We will try to keep this web site updated monthly but right now, its five o'clock someplace,
CERVEZA TIME!
ready for the hurricane season and our trip to New England to spend time with the family and escape the hot
weather. When we return in September we will make plans to head accoss to Mazatlan and spend some time on
the Mexican mainland We will try to keep this web site updated monthly but right now, its five o'clock someplace,
CERVEZA TIME!
Fishing Panga's
| Turtle Bay party |
| Bahia Santa Maria BaHa Boats at Anchor |
| Guys telling lies about the big seas |
| GYPSEAS PALACE |
| The Adventures of Gypseas Palace Featuring: Steve & Teresa Garvin |
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