Friday, April 1, 2011

Keepn Watch

3/31/11'
San Evaristo 24. 56.16N 110. 42.36W

You all know there are "rules of the road" out here on the water? Just like driving a car, but very few enforcers of law breakers. You do remember just a week ago we were boarded by the Mexican Marines (Navy) and passed with no problem their inspection. But if a boat captain caused an accident, there would be hell to pay! There are just three important rules though: 1) keep people inside; 2) keep water outside; 3) don't hit anything. Pretty simple eh?

To accomplish that last "rule", especially when underway, it means keeping eyes out for obstructions, or other vessels. Not that hard to do. But what we find is it's very important to keep a good look out, or you'll miss the sea life. Today, just an hour after leaving our anchorage (at the islands we've so enjoyed these past 6 weeks) it was 0730 and out of the corner of my eye I saw a splash. I alerted Caroline and then witnessed a shark about 7 to 8 feet long, come completely out of the water and do a graceful dive back into the sea! It was only about 100 yards just ahead of us, so we got a very close look at it. A rather slender guy, perhaps a "Blue Shark". That's why it's important to look around as often as you can.

About an hour before reaching this anchorage, I could see a ways away, lots of birds diving for fish. Gulls, Frigates & Pelicans, all competing for a late lunch. Since I had a trolling line out, I altered course to bear right through the middle of the feeding frenzy. As Magic exited the action area, Ziiinnnngggggg went the reel and I had some fish on the line! Can you imagine the mad dash to get to the pole, since we were both of the bows looking for fish ahead? Lots of line had run out and as I applied drag on the reel, there just as suddenly was no resistance. What ever it was broke the line in two and now has a decorative mouth piece to show their friends.

Really, the only down side to being outside all day is how much sunscreen we use up.

Captain Wooly

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