The Crossing.

20.8N 105.5W. Bahia de Banderas, Nayarit, Mexico.

We begin our passage on New Year’s Day. The Sea is in chaos – roiling with wind waves and chop from a near week of northerlies. We leave the anchorage under power but are able to shut down the iron genny and enjoy being under sail for as long as it lasts. Unfortunately, favorable sailing conditions last for only a few short hours. The wind fades by late morning and Gitano gets slapped around smartly. We decide to suck-it-up and keep moving on, expecting the seas to smooth out over the next few days.

Morning turns to afternoon…turns to night watches…to morning…to afternoon…to night…and, come sunrise, days later, our eyes are greeted with much-appreciated glassy seas. The sea is pocked with turtles slow in awakening to the sounds of our passing. Signs of a groundswell grow as we approach land and we glass the shoreline looking for surf. By mid-morning, we are at anchor at the point of Punta de Mita.

Happy New Year!