From our anchorage in Puerto Escondido we had a view of several 10,000 ft+ mountains
It feels like the season is changing here in Chile. Temperatures are still mild, but the gap between the weather systems that regularly roll in from the Pacific is becoming shorter.
Poking our nose into several coves to check out waterfalls on our way North
So, Madrone is working her way north with a goal of making it to Valdivia for the winter season. Luckily for the crew, the endless string of idyllic anchorages on the way south was just a small sample of what’s available here – it’s been more of the same on the way back north.
We were impressed to see nine fishing boats rafted up on a single mooring in Puerto Quellon
Caleta Canal provided perfect protection for a couple of nights as a storm blew through – winds screamed above 30 knots just a mile or two away in the main channel, while we saw only 10 knots or so in the anchorage. Estero Huildad proved to be another great place to hunker down for a blow. With a storm raging outside, Madrone just drifted back and forth on the edge of the tidal currents inside the estuary (the crew, on the other hand, were fully entertained watching the local black-necked swans ride the 4 knot currents back and forth across the bay).
At this viewpoint the sign showed a picture of a dolphin and sure enough when we walked down the path we found a pod of dolphins cavorting in the cove-Angie was delighted
Even an anchorage just off the main southern Chiloe town of Quellón turned out to be way better than expected. We stopped only to stock up on groceries, but we enjoyed the colorful houses on the hills and the flotilla of classic wood workboats reflected in the glassy calm water of morning.
Puerto Escondido sunrise
