5th February, 2025

First Night, First Light

Punta de Mita, Mexico – Wednesday, January 28, 2025 – It’s six-thirty in the morning and still dark. Jay’s alarm goes off. It was our first night at anchor this season, and I have had a fitful sleep. I’m not sure why. Maybe the movement of the boat, rolling. First there was a chill in the air. Then it was hot when the wind died. As the night went on, it turned cold and damp. I snuggled under my sleeping bag and studied the stars, dozing on and off.

The most amazing thing happened last night. As we laid our heads down, we heard the breath of a whale. It was dark, so we couldn’t see it but could tell it was close. It was comforting in an odd sort of way. Like she was there to keep us company.

Yesterday didn’t begin so peacefully. It was noon and we were ready to go. Our friends had gathered to say farewell and to help us off the dock. Jay started the engine. Belts started squeaking. Loudly. SNAP! The alternator belt broke. Okay, not going anywhere for a while. Everybody departs.

Jay and Marshall (our friend/crew member for this trip) checked it out. Marshall offered to run to Auto Zone and pick up another belt. Meanwhile, Jay continued to investigate and realized it was a little more complicated. The problem started with the refrigeration compressor that took weeks to fix. He decided to call our mechanic. Who, most impressively, was able to send his son over by two. By 3:30 the problem was fixed. Only now it was dead low tide. We waited another hour to leave. Our friends returned and sent us off with well wishes for fair winds and following seas.

It was a short motor sail to Punta de Mita where we anchored for the night. Punta de Mita is located on the northern shore of Banderas Bay. You might wonder why we sail north first to sail south. We find it is a great place to pause, get our sea legs and test our boat, before sailing around Cabo Corrientes and further south. If something goes wrong, we are still in the bay and can return to the marina.

We dropped anchor at 7:30 (or 1930) and had a late dinner. We pulled out our sleeping bags and waited for morning.

Today, I watch a lone fisherman in his panga as the sun rises from behind the mountains. I am mesmerized by the calm setting. Just off our stern I notice a whale’s back lying still in the water. I think she is sleeping. Could it be the whale from last night? Jay starts the engine, and she wakes. I watch as she moves off into the deep sea.

Time to get busy.  We have a long day ahead of us. Forty-five nautical miles to Ipala, our next anchorage. First, we must sail around Cabo Corrientes which can be challenging. It is known for high winds and washing machine seas. Today the forecast is favorable.

But weather is fickle. Beware. You can never be too sure what the wind gods will bring.

Note: For those who tried to track us. I am so sorry but for some reason, it had us going to Hawaii. We have since made it to Barra de Navidad, our destination for this season.