We launched and headed around the next two points, which had some in them. Not very large but fun to poke into. Then there were three large broad points. These are gravel points and uninteresting to paddle around. As we approached Punta El Gato a strong wind from the southeast came up. We had expected wind from the north on this whole trip and were very surprised. This point was where the generally eastward turn of the coastline turned sharply and headed south again, so we had to paddle directly into this wind for a few hours. John estimated it at 15 knots. Fortunately it died down after a while.
We were ready for a break and headed for the first arroyo with a cobble beach. We had done 12 miles so we decided to stay here even though it was only noon. Everyone but me walked up the arroyo behind this beach and said that it was a “don’t miss” place. However we were planning a late start the next morning so I decided to do my walk in the cool of the following morning. Even without a walk, the end of the arroyo was pretty spectacular. The sides of the canyon were tortured lava flows with little caves everywhere. There was one large cave just north of the mouth of the arroyo, and another midsized one just inside. That one was more like an awning made out of volcanic rock. The awning came out of a cliff and touched down in two places, leaving three arched openings over a flat sandy floor. The ceiling was a bit low but it was perfect for sitting in a folding chair out of the hot dessert sun in the afternoon.
We set up our kitchen and cooked dinner under the rock awning. I made a Japanese Sukiyaki-like broth to cook fish in and Joe cooked a big pot of rice to soak up the juices.