12/28/20 While the winds have died for our transit back to the mainland, the seas are still a bit confused. We stay in the wind/wave shadow of Isla Guadelupe for the first hour of the sail. The relative calm allowed us to set sails and put out fishing lines for the overnight transit.
Once in open ocean again, the wind and waves settle and we enjoy flying the asymmetric spinnaker through the night. We arrive and anchor at San Benito Oeste in the early afternoon. We share an early dinner with AO then settle in for the evening.
We watched a YouTube video from a cruising couple that showed an interesting hike on San Benito Oeste (adventureadrift.com). We also went ashore and if you watch the video, the cactus spines are as bad as they say-wear pants and hiking boots, or at least NOT flip flops. The Benitos Islands (N, S and Central) are also on the protected National Parks list, meaning you need the parks passport to visit.
We came ashore at a small village where only researchers were present. They were studying a local, endangered bird, I did not get the name, but they build their nests underground. The trail initially is a raised platform over the nests. The researchers have built fake nests in order to have cameras on the birds.
Once you leave the raised trail, you really have to watch your step. In addition to the cactus and underground bird nests, there are elephant seals on the back side of the island.
Our intended destination is the lighthouse on the island. We find out that there are two, the first on the highest point and another decommissioned on the point.
We had lunch at the top of the island. The crows gave amazing displays of flight on the updrafts.
We had a leisurely walk back to the boat then once again settled in for the night.
Sailing Always 