{"id":44086,"date":"2020-10-02T20:37:33","date_gmt":"2020-10-03T00:37:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/?p=44086"},"modified":"2023-05-06T17:44:45","modified_gmt":"2023-05-06T21:44:45","slug":"sailing-totem-cruising-untethered-in-the-sea-of-cortez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/story\/destinations\/sailing-totem-cruising-untethered-in-the-sea-of-cortez\/","title":{"rendered":"Sailing Totem: Cruising Untethered in the Sea of Cortez"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"girls <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n The girls enjoy time off the boat during a great hike in northern Baja.<\/span>\n Behan Gifford<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

Cruising is steeped in freedom. Thanks to coronavirus<\/a>, that makes it more appealing than ever, while at the same time it is more circumscribed than ever. Sailing north and deeper into the Sea of Cortez<\/a> is to enter a disconnected world, one that feels untouched by pandemic concerns. Limitations on behavior from the mainland stops drifted away. No more everyday decisions to make based personal safety. No more monitoring shifting regulations. No local case count to track. Instead, life unfolded again with a pace and features that represent some of the best of cruising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Casual gunkholing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n

We migrated slowly north, enjoying the freedom to roam. At the outset I was trading emails with cruisers who continue to face restrictions on movement or options, while far from home. A sharp contrast, and reminder to be grateful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"drone <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n The landscapes are stark; the friendships are lush.<\/span>\n Behan Gifford<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

Free to move about the region, we progressed between open bays, remote coastlines, and uninhabited islands. We got the lines out and were rewarded: it\u2019s dorado (mahi mahi, dolphinfish) season in the Sea, and this sustainable fishery fosters some tasty dinners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Jamie <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Oh, that dorado was tasty\u2026<\/span>\n Behan Gifford<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

The company of friends<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n

Cruising can be solitary if you choose, but for many \u2013 ourselves included \u2013 it\u2019s very social. Keeping company with a handful of boats who shared our practices in managing risk returned that social vibe to the everyday rhythm. Arriving to a new anchorage with a catch, one boat served up sushi bowls – dinner for 10 with the shared bounty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"making <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n The most delicious sushi bowl dinner!<\/span>\n Behan Gifford<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

Our diverse group includes American, Canadian, Hungarian, South African, and Croatian cruisers; it is the mix of views and experiences and skills to share. Pablo\u2019s talented illustrator has led regular afternoon classes on drawing with the teens from a couple of boats, bringing discipline and technique to elevate the artwork they love to practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"friends <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n The company of friends: priceless.<\/span>\n Behan Gifford<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

Free to use the beach again, a potluck centered around a driftwood bonfire gathers our little fleet. On a shared grill, dorado steaks join skewers of marinated vegetables; delicious sweet bread dumplings are roasted like damper<\/a> on a stick for dessert. As the moon rises, a pack of coyotes \u2013 those footprints we followed earlier! \u2013 yipped and howled in chorus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"dinghies <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n A trio of dinghies.<\/span>\n Behan Gifford<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

Experiencing wildlife<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s an intensity to recent wildlife encounters: are there truly greater numbers of many species, or we just seeing them with fresh eyes? Hardly a day passes without a turtle, if not many of them; I\u2019ve joked that mornings on the bow are like watching Turtle TV. I don\u2019t think we saw more than a few the entire summer in 2009. We saw more coyotes one week than I think we\u2019ve seen in the entirety of our time (cumulatively, about three and a half years) in Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"coyotes\" <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n A pair of coyotes, dwarfed by middens in the Northern Sea.<\/span>\n Behan Gifford<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

Bahia de los Angeles held a particular lure: this is one of a shortlist of places around the world where whale sharks seasonally loiter. Summertime brings them to feed from the rich waters at estuaries on opposite ends of a 10-mile-long bay. When we spent the summer here in 2009, we always seemed to be at the wrong end of the bay and never caught more than a distant glimpse \u2013 despite their slow pace and significant size (up to 40\u2032). This misfortune followed us literally around the world through a succession of other locales where \u201ceverybody\u201d sees the magnificent fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

We hoped to finally break that unlucky streak. Foraying to explore by dinghy, our eyes were drawn to splashing and saw\u2026not whale sharks, but the distinctive coloration of orcas. ORCAS! We had similar misses seeing resident pods before sailing away from the Pacific Northwest in 2008; this was the last thing we expected, and an overwhelming delight to the crew. Drifting close to shore, the small pod swam to, and around, and even under us \u2013 before departing with a tail slap that showered the crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Turtle's <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Divot and dried shells from hatchlings mark the location of a turtle\u2019s nest.<\/span>\n Behan Gifford<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"orcas\" <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Icon from our home waters, symbol on our boat\u2026 orcas we finally encountered in Baja.<\/span>\n Behan Gifford<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

Wildlife cravings utterly sated, whale sharks or not, we began thinking about our next move. Perhaps no longer feeling pressure that contributed to the change in fortune: investigating ripples in the water while out on the SUP, I found myself next to a whale shark. Hanging near the surface, the giant head bobbed enough to bend the water without breaking it as the fish\u2019s maw yawned to suck and filter plankton. It held station to feed, head up and tail down, the only other movement a rippling along large gills. Slipping into the water to hang alongside and watch it was an experience I can best describe as reverential, and enjoyed in peace for a few moments before joined by our crews in company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Whale <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n No words to describe the awesome experience of sharing space with this fish.<\/span>\n Behan Gifford<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

Connecting with people<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n

Bees chased us to a new anchorage; arriving, we remarked on the two fishing pangas anchored below a small cliff. Rumors of poaching and misbehavior from Bay of LA made us wonder about the pangueros activity. Watching one roll out a bedroll above the high tideline, and noticing the improved marker (a plank replacing last year\u2019s driftwood cross) on a rough grave site on shore, it was easy to lead with compassion. Lo, the pan brought over with a cinnamon loaf \u2013 hot from the oven! \u2013 was miraculously transformed into a pan full of scallops and a lobster tail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"shellfish\" <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Beautiful shellfish gifted by fishermen in the background.<\/span>\n Behan Gifford<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

Mortified by prior suspicion, we learned where they were from (the mainland, Sonora), how long they were out (about a week), and shared news of the weather forecast (they had no access, and a norther was coming; we all relocated to another island for better shelter). Once again, those with the least to give humble me with their generosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Time to just Be<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n

Our internet break ends today, arriving in Puerto Pe\u00f1asco. We keep up with coaching clients and writing assignments and faraway loved ones through the Iridium GO, but removing the option to \u201cjust check the news\u201d has been refreshing! We\u2019ll draw on that energy in the weeks ahead, as plans are brewing. Projects on Totem<\/i>: which do we tackle? Shopping run to Arizona: how do we manage it? Gonzo road trip to the Pacific Northwest? Maybe, yes, that too. With busy days looming, I appreciate anew these joys of cruising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"boats <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Sunset beach gathering.<\/span>\n Behan Gifford<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

TOTEM TALKS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Flying <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Jamie pilots the drone while Sam catches; La Mona.<\/span>\n Behan Gifford<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

The drone shots here are superior for conveying a sense of landscape\u2026to communicate the literally nature of the places we visit. Join us for the next livestream on Oct 17th: Drones and photography underway. Special guest, FAA drone pilot and sailor Vivian Vuong sharing her expertise. Register here<\/a>, feel free to send questions ahead! A link to replay the session will be sent to registrants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Totem<\/em> crew leaves civilization behind on a sail of the northern Sea of Cortez and rediscovers some cruising joy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32426,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"BS_author_type":"BS_author_is_guest","BS_guest_author_name":"Behan Gifford","BS_guest_author_url":"","hydra_display_date":"20201002","hydra_display_updated":false,"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"162","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"The Totem crew leaves civilization and COVID stress behind on a sail of the northern Sea of Cortez and rediscovers some cruising joy.","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"1","arc_story_id":"6KTMCOYXZRD5BNRLN5P3KQQQKM","arc_website_url":"story\/destinations\/sailing-totem-cruising-untethered-in-the-sea-of-cortez\/","custom_permalink":"story\/destinations\/sailing-totem-cruising-untethered-in-the-sea-of-cortez\/","arc_subtype":"right-sidebar","arc_exclude_from_feeds":true,"sponsored":false,"sponsored_label":"Sponsored Content","sponsored_display_label":false,"sponsored_image":0,"post_right_rail":true,"post_right_rail_ad_1":true,"post_right_rail_ad_2":true,"post_right_rail_ad_3":false,"post_right_rail_ad_4":false,"post_right_rail_recirc":true,"fixed_anchor_ad":true,"post_top_ad":true,"post_off_ramp":true,"post_taboola":false,"labels":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":"\"\"","apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[162],"tags":[205,251,283,182,1333],"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44086"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44086"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44086\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32426"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44086"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44086"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}