Return to Alcatraz!

<first Chris, Coco and Myself at Coco's Corner>

Chris Marzonie's photo

After grabbing much needed supplies in Bahia (beer, tortillas, etc.) we headed back north of town to cross the dry lake bed and head towards Ensenada Alcatraz. Or since I spent my birthday there this year, Playa Algodon! It wasn't nearly as green down here, but we were still wary crossing the lake bed with the obvious rain they had gotten in parts of the peninsula. A lot of worry for nothing though. Long, flat out drive over the bed and an old lava flow until you get to the canyon that leads you to the coast.

Right before you arrive on the beach there is a mile or so, of mud flats that are inundated from extreme high tides. This section was a bit wet and muddy. I walked part of it in front of Chuck and the rest of the group before we decided to just floor it and hope for the best. Chuck gunned it through and I hopped onto to the bumper of Chris's truck and rode the rest of the way in. It ended up not being too bad, but the last thing you want is to get stuck out there.

Back at my happy place... :)

We quickly noticed a couple of coyotes working the beach. They would end up being around the entire week we were there. Every morning you could find the fresh tracks as they scavenged anything we dropped.

For the next five days or so we literally sat on the beach and did as we pleased.

Chris Marzonie's photo

I'm on vacation I can sleep in dangit!

Home sweet home, affectionately known as Hobo camp.

It was a bit windy and cool the first couple of days so I did some hiking. Chris and I picked the tallest peak we could spot from the beach and headed for it. I think it ended up being just over 1,100 feet from sea level (literally).



Chris Marzonie's photo

Chris Marzonie's photo

During another hike, the local coyote and I kept playing a game of follow the leader. I started by following him up a wash. After a while he got bored with me a disappeared. Not long after that I noticed he had just gotten behind me and was following my lead up the hill now. Gorgeous coyote. He looked surprisingly healthy, I guess the beach combing is pretty good here.

When the wind finally calmed, Chuck and I launched the kayaks. We had been skunked last trip on fish and were determined to fix that this time. It didn't take long before Chuck found the magic formula, bouncing spoons off the bottom over deep rocky reefs. After that, it was easy pickings.



 Chuck Hathcock's photo

Chris Marzonie's photo

Dinner is served! With the wind calmed the kayaking was really spectacular. Lots of dolphins and sea lions every time out. Occasionally you could hear a whale surface, or spot a sea turtle too.

Chirs Marzonie's photo

One windy afternoon, we made the hike up the beach around the point to the north. The little cove had another gorgeous beach that we had considered camping at before, it's a bit more exposed with higher tide lines, but still gorgeous.

 

Al took off to meet some friends of his on New Year's Eve. I'm not sure whether he would have been sad  or relieved he missed out on the festivities that night... I'll just post a few pictures and leave them without comment.



It was an entertaining evening.

The morning of the first Chuck and I turned and made the long haul all the way back to Phoenix. Chris hung out for another day on the beach before continuing south on his travels.

Been back a few weeks now and I already miss that beach.
Here's the New Years Crew

Chris Marzonie's photo

 Chuck Hathcock's photo