Punta Maria
We left Rio Grande at 11am, 90 minutes after low water. We had to paddle a mile out to sea to get around the sand bars at the mouth of the river (which are covered up at high water). It was a pleasant paddle down to Cabo Peñas with a moderate wind slightly offshore, but mostly behind us. We stayed in close at the headland, finding a channel through the rocks which guard it. The wind was blowing strongly offshore across the next bay and we had a tricky 6 mile crossing, with breaking waves pushing us away from the land. We landed at Punta Maria where the road joins the coast (for the first time south of Rio Grande).
My lake (Michigan) is pretty much iced over, so thanks for keeping my memories warm during the cold months. As a Valley paddler, though, I am curious: why is Barry’s compass attached to the deck rigging instead of in the compass recess?
Well, I think this is the fastest and cleanest way to have it onto the deck not risking to find any water leak into the hatch. While you’re quite far from home, the less holes in the boat, the better for everyone.
Moreover, if you need to cross a large extent of wood, and you are not able to see where you’re going, you can detach the compass and use it walking, or you can put it on a map to determine your position… It is just like having a manual pump rather than a pedal or fixed one: it can satisfy more than just one need…