Northern Crossing

We got back to San Carlos on Tuesday after a week in California visiting Mark's mom. The temperature has really gotten colder, and we can't wait to head south. However, its the end of the term, and Mark needs an Internet connection for grading papers and exams, so options for moving are limited for the next week. We almost just stayed in San Carlos, but when we heard the weather report, it was too good to pass up a chance to sail the Northern Crossing to Santa Rosalia. Plus our friends Dennis and Lisette on Windward were planning to go.
So we got up at 3 this morning, dropped the mooring lines, and motored out of the bay. It was a very dark morning, with the last crescent of moon just coming up, so we used radar and a spotlight to find our way out without hitting any rocks or moored boats.
There was a little wind coming down the Sea from the NW, and after a couple of hours of motorsailing, we shut off the engine. After the sun came up, the wind continued building until we had to tuck in a reef, and still we were making over 7 knots. It was a great ride while it lasted. We were joined by pelicans, boobies, and dolphins along the way.
Unfortunately, by the time we came abeam of Isla Tortuga, the wind had veered to the north and lost strength. We motored the last 25 miles to Santa Rosalia, where we are tied up at the Singlar Marina. We went out for dinner and found some great street tacos.