The endless summer continues with a fanatical trip to Baja.
Beaches, waves, and wind were in no short supply.

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I arrived in San Jose del Cabo today and took the road to Los barriles. Doesn't look like too much has changed since I was here 2 years ago, I note a few more shops and lots more people in town for the season. The North Beach camp ground has been fixed up quite a bit and I would suggest that as the best place to camp still. Real Estate is booming, and lots more homes are going up on the beach front.

We stay at our friends complex, amazing little round casitas with spanish tiles and mexican decor. Once owned by Bob Dylan, The kitchen is a seperate round palapa with a stone card/table bar in the center and comfy mexican couches all around the side walls. A big fire pit in the yard where we have a great dinner with margartias, wine, sambuca and story telling. Nice to be back in the Sur.
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Today we drive the NewWind Kiteschool van through the outback to our destination -La Ventana. Aprox 150 miles North of Los Cabos, and 60 miles South of La Paz. One must be determined to get here as there are no flights, busses, ..etc.
The short cut road is just after the gas station in San Bartolo. Seems like more than a few have traveled too fast and too furious down this dusty mexican trail, as upside down burned out VW's litter the roadside. I hang on to the lawn chair I'm sitting in a little tighter, and finally we do arrive.

La Ventana appears to be a smaller version of los barriles with more of a laid back local feel. There are a few small tiendas and restaraunts, some as basic as "El Tarpe" the yellow tent advertisting Tripa, Sesos, and other taco connocotionas I don't really want to know about.

La Ventana Bay is a perfect windsurfng and kiting destination as winds come from el Norte,
The 20 mile bay curves around to the south, so if you have a gear breakdown while sailing, you eventually will come in on shore, though your in for a long walk back.
Of course the wind was blowing 4.2 as we rolled into town at sunset.
Aye Caramba. Too late to sail today, I can only wait and hope for the same tomrrow.

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We are staying at the top of the hill, 5 miles out of town, at the La Ventana Resort, brand new little casitas with kitchen and dome brick roofs. Spectaular views of the bay.

Prayers were answered and the Wind came up early this a.m..
I bust a move out of bed and rig a 5.2 on a 88 L board.
The water is pretty flat today so
I try to concentrate on planning consistenly and attempt some jibes.

Brilliant sunset and stars out tonight, gourment dinner at Mr. Bills deck restaurant.
A full moon came out over the water and lit up
the whole bay. Santana plays in the background.

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Sunrise this morning was absolutely stunning. The whole sky was pink, and bright blue, with sun sparkling up the water.
hmmm, will it be windy? oh yeah! picked up again about 1:00, went and did a body drag with the 2 line kite, my instructor following with jet ski. I did pretty well and it was a lot of fun. Managed to drag upwind a bit, and get into board position.
The wind picked up again in the afternoon & time for another windsurfing sesh.
Got a few 4-5 ft airs but the best part was got 3 jibes on the 85 L RRD Freeride board!!!!
I make my next goal to do a tack on the small board. yeah, right...

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Another day at the la Ventana Rodeo and wind is picking up. I look through my crystal corona bottle and see big swell on the horizon.
I predict I will try the same board with shorter harness lines today.
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I get out on the 4 line kite again, did a body drag, then went to trying to put on board. got the board up on my feet one or twice, but wasn't able to stand up on the board. I guess I'm just not in a rush to kite, as I keep looking over my shoulder to see what size sails people are on.
Did a few 5 mile downwinders from Mr. Bills to Viento del norte campground.
First one was pretty easy and I made it in about 45 min. Second time I was about 2 sail sizes over powered and didn't come in for about 2 hrs.

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The wind has been cranking every day! I've made about 5 planning jibes now. One up by the beach today in front of actual live spectators. Surely I will be sponsored by Naish soon!

I love the 85 L RRD S twin tip board, planes, jibes and jumps good.
We listen to Motet at the campground this eve. Should be a nice sunset.
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Still windy! I've lost count of days sailing. I'm too tired to stay out past 9:00,
am I loosing it or is just the Baja time vortex?
I spend evenings at the "ecafe" which is basically 3 circca 1980's PC's
a 26 K modem strung together with chicken wire and duct tape. I don't complain, it works!

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Photo by Jim Carley

Getting some really helpful lessons from the group at camp.
I am really planning fast and getting the board all the way around on jibes, but then I loose it on the sail flip.
I try to oversheet, bend my knees more, stay forward on the board, and flip the sail a bit earlier, which I try a few times.
I ended up getting 6 fast jibes. A couple right up at the beach again! Horray.

Time to celebrate, We go to La Paz for La Paz Lapa ladies night with the gang.
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No wind today, first day of the whole trip. Actually quite convienient after last nights excursion to the big city.
Went snorkeling by the abandonned fish hotel and alien landing strip, the drive out there has spectacular views of the south side of the bay and through huge cactus plains.

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Time to say adios to my very good new friends. I think this is the best vacation I've had, and defiently the best sailing I've ever done. I hope it will get me by until Spring, but I'm already looking up web links to South Padre island.

Hasta pronto surf amigos, wherever you are.
Christi