SAILING: Leaving Loreto

We returned to the Branch and got started cleaning all the  boats and equipment. We de-issued our borrowed gear and began sorting through all our luggage. And of course we hit the showers. Washing off the salt residue felt amazing.

After a thoughtful debrief with Dave, we walked down the road to a local restaurant for dinner. Everyone was looking spiffy in fresh attire and clean hair. We gorged ourselves on trigger fish, scallops, shrimp and more.

   

After dinner, Clay and Shannon demonstrated some fancy steps, while others shot some pool. Jon and several others spoke about their experiences with FSB3 and then we received our  NOLS diplomas. Despite the cool night and full stomachs, some diehards played volleyball outside the restaurant.

It had been a long day and indeed a long course so most of us turned in early, enjoying our last night under the stars. We listened to the sound of water lapping on the shore,  watched the display of shooting stars, and pondered what life after NOLS would be like.

 

It was an unusally quiet breakfast the next morning. We finished packing and cleaning up the Branch and prepared to leave our home away from home. Everyone at the Branch turned out to see us off and wish us well. All too soon, the bus was loaded, and we were off to Loreto. It was tough to say good bye.

 

We made it into Loreto around 10AM and busied ourselves looking for accommodations. After that we split up to explore, shop, eat, and walk along the waterfront. Loreto was a peaceful little town with quaint shops, quiet streets, and a beautiful cathedral.

We met up a few hours later to send Tripp and Nick. off to the airport. It was a good thing that Nick called home and discovered that he was booked on a flight that afternoon, not the next day as he originally thought.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing. It was a novel concept -- no cooking, cleaning, mending, practicing, or moving to do, no classes to attend, no rushing to get things done on time, no need to keep checking constantly to make sure that everyone  was accounted for and okay.  It felt a bit odd -- not being on Expedition, not being in the Field, not being a Group any more. But we managed.

Most of us met up for a last dinner together that night. Although Loreto didn't have a disco, one of the bars had some good music and they didn't seem to mind too much when we started dancing.  Once again, Clay amazed everyone with his dancing, and he didn't lack for partners.

The next day, most of us headed for the airport and home. The rest would be leaving over the next few days.The flight out of Loreto was delayed several hours which gave folks time to go back into town and celebrate Ben's 21st birthday. The short flight to Los Angeles brought us closer to home and also closer to the realization that the course was over.  We said our goodbyes then scattered to catch our separate flights.

For more on Sailing, choose a segment below:

Getting a Clew in Santa Barbara

Ketching Waves Near Carmen