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#NF-15 - "Paradise to Leeward" by Wesley A. Bush - D. Van Norstrand Co., 1954 - First Edition - $10.00 A journey of one family of 3 and one extra hand, and their adventure cruising the Western coast of Mexico, from San Diego, down the coast of Baja California, across the Sea of Cortez to the Tres Marias Islands and Puerto Vallarta, and thence south as far as Acapulco. The first chapter deals with their boat (a 40' Crocker-designed gaff ketch built by W.L. Olesen & Son in Wilmington, CA), and how it was outfitted. Other chapter headings deal with Currency, Hunting & Fishing, Vessel Clearance (including a complete list of all the charts the author felt were necessary for the voyage, and other useful information), Fuel, and What to Expect. This latter chapter provides a progressive mileage chart giving cumulative distances from anchorage to anchorage, as well as two overall maps covering the extent of the entire trip. Finally there are 14 more chapters describing the voyage itself, in an informative but relaxed style with much insight into the nature of the peoples encountered, and some humorous, vexatious and amazing experiences along the way. Of course there are countless hand-drawn maps of each of their anchorage's, complete with soundings, anchorage's, prevailing winds and other useful information and physical features of the immediate shore! Finally there are 24 photographs to give one an idea of the visual experience one can expect. Measuring approx. 7.75" x 10.25", there are 140 pages. The book is VeryGood+ condition, with light bumping and rubbing at the corners and edges. Hardbound in green color cloth, it is stamped in gold on the illustrated front cover, and red and gold on the spine. Inside the binding is tight, with a hint of toning at the edges of the pages Otherwise the book is crisp, clean, tight, bright and complete. From the perspective of one who has traveled the full length of Baja and most of the west coast of the Mexican mainland, the seller believes this book presents as accurate an impression of what one would experience today, with the exception of those changes to a few major cities (Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Zihuatenejo and Acapulco) which have become burgeoning tourist meccas over the ensuing 60 years. However... the experience of people visiting out of way places... especially those still isolated with difficult access, will be almost exactly the same as described in this well written book! As a matter of fact, as I write this description, I am just a week away from leaving on a 5-6 fishing week trip to the southern part of Baja California, where I will be concentrating on those very-most isolated spots I can rumble and squeeze myself into. The people of rural Mexico are delightful, and as a whole, as welcoming as any I've ever met!.