September 16, 2015  Safe in La Cruz

Jim and I wanted to let you know that we are safe and sound in La Cruz, which is just an hour outside of Puerto Vallarta hundreds of miles south of the Baja Peninsula.  Banderas Bay is very large and ringed by tall hills and mountains which break up weather disturbances.  As such we only experienced winds of 35 knots on Sunday and little rain.

We spent last winter cruising from Cabo San Lucas at the southern end of the Baja all the way to Santa Rosalia, which is about 300 miles to the north.  We have been following reports of the damage caused by Hurricane Odile and are saddened by what we hear and see.  Other cruising friends here in La Cruz have connected with distant cruisers through single sideband radios in La Paz and it is not good.  We know that 22 boats have been washed up on the beach at La Paz and four sailors are missing.  Our good friends, Doug and Martha from THEA, are still awaiting word on their boat's situation.  They have it out of the water in a boat yard in La Paz while they are back in British Columbia on the Sunshine Coast.

The videos we have seen show massive devastation primarily in Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos and La Paz.  We are still awaiting word on how the smaller communities further north such as Mulege, Loreto and Santa Rosalia have faired but we understand that Puerto Escondido, a known safe harbour, was hit hard.  Please send warm thoughts to the thousands impacted.  Many Mexicans will have to start their lives all over again.

As we head north back into the Sea of Cortez this December we will see first hand what Hurricane Odile has left behind and help where we can.

Tricia and Jim

S/V Falcon VII

email: tandjbowen13@gmail.com