La Paz (24˚ 09.65' N, 110˚ 19.33' W)

La Paz. I hear tell that Cruisers get here and don't leave again but we are just picking up guests and provisions so we can start cruising the islands. We are in the "virtual" marina, which is actually nothing more than a large anchorage where for $6/day (US) you can use the dinghy dock and showers. It is windy and rolly and there are very large currents that flow in different directions so you must allow extra "swing" room and the boats in the anchorage are said to do the "La Paz Waltz" as they move around on their anchors.
Chris and I made the crossing from Mazatlan without Patty and, other than longer than usual watches, it wasn't bad at all. It took 2 days to cover the (approx) 200 miles and just as we were getting close to Ceralvo Island the engine started acting weird. It was slowing down, down, down. Since we were going to have to negotiate a reef to the north of the island as well as the San Lorenzo channel and very long, narrow entrance channel into La Paz, we decided to divert south to Bahia de Los Muertos (Bay of the Dead). I was very glad we did. Muertos is a beautiful bay and we ended up staying for 2 days. The beautiful turquoise water is so clear we could see the white, white sand beneath us. On the south end of the beach are about a half dozen large, fancy homes and the north end has one restaurant (the Giggling Marlin). With only 4 or 5 other boats in the anchorage and none of the loud music and night life so many places have it truly was Paradise! The engine problem was an easy fix. Turned out both fuel filters needed changing and once Chris did that the engine was back to its purring self and we were on our way to La Paz again. In the meantime, Chris & I got to spend some quality time alone together in a beautiful place.