Um…I think this is what we came here for

This is a test post to be sent by HAM radio in order to try out the method by which we will make posts once on passage. We won't be able to see how this appears on the blog until the next time we have Internet access, probably Puerto Vallarta.

We are anchored in Los Candeleros (Candlestick Cove) off Islas Espiritu Santos. Although we won't be able to do justice to the Sea of Cortez in the time we have available, we at least wanted a taste of the islands before heading south. These particular islands (Isla Espiritu Santos and Isla Partida) used to be joined together but are now separated. The islands are volcanic in origin and are composed of layers of striated red, black, and pink rock. I simply can't get over the shades of color in the water of the shoals here. Every possible shade of turquoise blue and pale jade green is represented, and you can see right through the clear water to the soft sands and creatures swimming below. The contrast between the red rock of the steep walls of the coves and the turquoise or green water is striking: Think Zion National Park or the Grand Canyon meets the North Shore Pipeline. We will tell you about the fantastic animal and plant life we have seen in our next post.