Boca de Soledad, Hull Canal, & Sand Dollar Beach

This morning we woke early for our final round of gray whale watching in the Boca de Soledad. The calm water was broken by cow/calf pairs spy hopping and breaching. In the late morning, we began our transit south through the Hull Canal. We anchored south of San Carlos and made our way across the dunes to Sand Dollar Beach where we spent the afternoon enjoying the solitude and company of family and new-found friends.

We were fortunate enough to share our Baja California expedition with fourteen wonderful children. Their energy and insight were an inspiration to all of us. The following poems and comments were contributed by some of our young adventurers.


“The Trip”
By: Natalie Lauerman, Age 7 & Lynn Lauerman, Mother

A whale up close
White bones on the beach
A dead sea lion
A human knot
And jumping down dunes
A family traveling together
Baja forever


“The best thing is to watch”
By: Tai Guo, Age 13

To watch a whale balance the moon from the tip of a dune
To watch blue-footed boobies dance which can put you in a trance
To watch fish jump while Carlos got sea lion dump
To watch dolphins glide and sometimes slide
To watch sea lions bark but we left at dark
To watch the day fly by like the bird in the sky


“The Dancing Whale”
By: Clara Ward, Age 9; Megan Lewis, Age 13; Natalie Lauerman, Age 7; Katherine Lauerman, Age 9; & Lena Eisen, Age 11

There once was a gray whale from Baja who loved to do the Cha-Cha.
Her name was Wubbles, and she loved to blow bubbles.
She had huge flukes and no dorsal fin that helped her dance in the water she was in.
She loved to swim and play while in Magdalena Bay.
She dives to eat way far down. Next time you see her, she’s Alaska bound.


“Sand dunes”
By: Miller Ward, Age 9

Run, run, run, run
Jump…
Fly, soar…
Faceplant.


“Gray Whale Haiku”
By: Jesse Lewis, Age 10

These are the gray whales
These are them so beautiful
The sea is for them


“Thoughts on the Expedition”
By: Lian Guo, Age 15

Like all the Lindblad Expeditions, Baja was a thoroughly fulfilling experience. An ultimate social event, containing both animal and human interactions. As usual, the staff and crew are the best. I love them all and hope to see them in the future. To be able to see the whales up close and personal is very touching. Thank you, grandma for this great week.


“Whale Conservation”
By: Jake Freedman

Everyone should see that the whales need to be conserved and protected because they are unknown and mysterious creatures. Our future generations will not be able to experience them if we do not make an effort to protect them.