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The R/V
Western Flyer set sail from La Paz, Baja California Sur, this
morning at 8:00 a.m. We’re headed towards the same area in which we dove
during the previous leg. This will be about a 21-hour steam north, so much
of today was spent preparing for tomorrow’s dive operations and having a
fire and boat drill, a safety briefing, and a science party meeting. There
are five new faces in the science party: Jill
Pasteris, Juan-Carlos
Herguera, Peter Walz,
Lynne Christianson,
and Steve Hallam,
who have replaced the previous leg scientists: Bill
Kirkwood, Elena Perez,
Peter Brewer, Debbie
Meyer, and Jeff Nealon.
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The previous days in port at Pichilingue
were a combination of work and pleasure. The ROV pilots were able to make
critical repairs to the ROV manipulator arm, and other systems, in
preparation for the next leg. The ship’s crew took on provisions, fuel,
and other supplies. The science party finished organizing the labs and
samples. Most afternoons we went to downtown La Paz for shopping and a
change of venue. Downtown La Paz is about a 30-minute taxi ride south of
Pichilingue. The days are much hotter (~32° C or 90° F) compared to
those at the beginning of Leg 5A, and are typical of summer weather in La
Paz. The town closes down during the afternoon, and most people, except
the occasional tourist, seek shade along the streets under awnings, in
open-air cafes, and under trees. As the sun begins to set, the towns stirs
and comes alive again as night falls along the waterfront. The evening
breezes cool the town and open-air dining is popular. The city was geared
up for a festival weekend, starting with a May Day celebration, then
Saturday’s anniversary of the arrival of Hernan Cortez at La Paz in
1532. A large population was already living in the La Paz area when Cortez
landed, primarily because it was one of the safest harbors along the Baja
California peninsula. La Paz was established as the first capitol of Baja
California Sur, and remained so until the capitol was moved to Monterrey
in the early 18th century. Festivities in La Paz will continue
tomorrow with a celebration of Cinqo de Mayo. – Bill Ussler, reporting |