Monday, May 27

North 26° 01.323'
West 111° 20.751'
Distance: 16.4 miles

I paddled 16.4 miles today. I am now 81.5 miles from Punta Chivato, 413 miles from Pete's Camp, and right on the northern edge of Loreto in the Hotel Los Trojes. I started paddling at 10:00 am. I had intended to walk around this morning, but it was too difficult to get passed the cliffs and shrubs which surrounded my beach. There was no shade to hide in, so I just packed my things up and got on the water. A few miles north of town I saw an abandoned building by the lighthouse and stopped to explore. It was a nice stone structure, but it had been abused and vandalized and wasn't too nice a place to stay. I considered staying the night in one of the cleaner rooms that still had a roof and a floor, but a quick inventory of my food stock changed my mind. By this time I could see that I was very near Loreto and the thought of a carne taco, a cold beer, and a clean hotel room motivated me to keep going. I guessed at a beach, landed, and put on my second best shirt. Then I started looking for a hotel. I walked inland on the first street to the south of me and one block in I saw a sign for Los Trojes. I went and talked to them and they took me to see the rooms. The last one on the end had a nice stone floor and was more or less what I wanted with a nice stone patio and a palapa top outside. I moved my boat to the "Beach Club" at the back of the property along the beach, then carried my gear up to the room. Then I drug the kayak up to the patio. I had eaten nothing all day except three hard boiled eggs, so I really wanted to eat. I walked down to Chille Willie's bar and had a meal, two beers, and two bad margaritas. I met a few baracho Americans there, too. Then I walked around town a little and got an ice cream. Then I called Gail to get news about Mike. It sounds like he won't be here till the 30th so I have a couple days here on my own to relax and look around. Then back to the hotel to take a shower, read, write, and go to sleep. I am now laying on a real bed with sheets and pillows. Almost too much luxury! Tomorrow I want to do laundry and start cleaning gear. With the kayak empty I may take it out for some snorkeling.