Another Day at Anchor

Several sunny days passed at anchor at Aqua Verde, a delightful small Mexican village.  Boats are coming and going, often stopping for a few days to pick up a few provisions and enjoy the tranquil anchorage.  We have been enchanted with our days.

The Captain started off the morning by slaying the latest boat gremlin.  We could barely hear the Sonrisa Ham Net weather forecast in the morning.   Geary, the "volunteer" weather man, has a mega ham rig only a few hundred miles up the Baja in Bahia Conception -- but we could hardly pick up his signal.  We could do ham email ok; buy listening to the weather and other boat check ins, well, it just was a frustration with low sound level.  Alan changed out the copper foil ground; he redid the connection between antenna and tuner; no difference.  Then someone suggested we turn off our solar panels.  Ah Ha.  At the hour of the net, they were hardly in the sun--but could the new controller be the problem?  It is mounted right next to the tuner and they share the same ground.  So--we turned off everything (pumps, refrigeration, etc) and waited for the Net.  And by golly -- it came booming in.  And if you threw the solar panel breakers -- there went the Net.  Gremlin slain and one less project to do.

Then we loaded up the dinghy and off we went to Roca Solitaria for a snorkel.  We donned wet suits and all the gear -- we had good visibility and saw both reef fish and larger sport fish.  Once around the rock took about an hour and then off we went.  We stopped to say hello to another boat; heard the veggies had been delivered in town.  Back to Magic for a quick change and then to the village.  We finished our provisioning and while leaving the beach spotted another friend had arrived.  Stop by to say hello to Ruby Red and scored a lunch invitation featuring fresh baked rolls.  (Oh, those big old power boats have all the toys!).  Back to Magic for a quick shower and then off to another boat for sundowners and a round of Mexican train dominoes.

Home by sunset....take down the awnings and fix a bit to eat.  We will head north to Bahia Candeleros for a few nights.  This Bahia features a new exclusive resort complete with a WiFi signal that smokes the anchorage and a pool that cruisers can use.  It is time to enjoy the trappings of civilization!!