Punta Colorado & Puerto Gato
Today was a truly memorable one in the total picture of our week here in this land of whales and pristine beauty! Waking up to the largest creature on the planet is not a usual experience, yet seems so natural out here, so fitting in this place called Baja California. If that did not bring everyone out of their sleep, a feisty group of long beaked common dolphins surrounded the National Geographic Sea Bird and were the draw for most of us by 7am! To an appreciative audience, they showed us their “stuff” with bow riding, racing alongside and graceful leaps and jumps that put big smiles on faces, and cameras clicking.
The stretch class being upstaged by the marine mammals was made up for with an ambitious hike up Punta Colorado, a spectacular arroyo on Isla San Jose. Fast-paced hikers not only made a fair distance up the winding red sandstone-walled canyon, but also scaled up the side of one less steep for a spectacular view of the bay and the ship. Rewarded by a pleasant breeze, we reluctantly made our way down, and caught the other groups who were more observant of the purple spring blooms of ruellia California and the striking indigo bush. Palo adan were bursting red-orange blooms, attracting hummingbirds in force while the prickly chain link cholla softened with blooms of a rich brownish/purple hue. Snorkeling off the beach was another popular option. To round out our morning, Annie Griffiths Belt from National Geographic treated us to a photo show and commentary from her most recent published book of people and places from her rich travel history entitled, A Camera, Two Kids and a Camel.
Puerto Gato was our landing for the afternoon, offering up something for everyone. Fascinating sandstone formations beckoned kids and the young at heart to climb and scramble up her sculptured cliffs and platforms. Perfect half moon coves lured the kayakers to explore and snorkelers to look for marine invertebrates as the afternoon warmed and the seas calmed. Couples strolled and hikers followed animal tracks while a few lucky bodies were treated to a chair massage on the beach, as ol sol dropped behind our playground. In fine form, the galley began the weekly ritual of BBQ on the beach serving sangria and beers to the gathering crowds. A beautiful bonfire and camp songs complete with s'mores capped our day as Orion rose overhead, and rich memories now fossilized in our minds and hearts forever. This was our Baja California today, and our wish: Baja forever!
Today was a truly memorable one in the total picture of our week here in this land of whales and pristine beauty! Waking up to the largest creature on the planet is not a usual experience, yet seems so natural out here, so fitting in this place called Baja California. If that did not bring everyone out of their sleep, a feisty group of long beaked common dolphins surrounded the National Geographic Sea Bird and were the draw for most of us by 7am! To an appreciative audience, they showed us their “stuff” with bow riding, racing alongside and graceful leaps and jumps that put big smiles on faces, and cameras clicking.
The stretch class being upstaged by the marine mammals was made up for with an ambitious hike up Punta Colorado, a spectacular arroyo on Isla San Jose. Fast-paced hikers not only made a fair distance up the winding red sandstone-walled canyon, but also scaled up the side of one less steep for a spectacular view of the bay and the ship. Rewarded by a pleasant breeze, we reluctantly made our way down, and caught the other groups who were more observant of the purple spring blooms of ruellia California and the striking indigo bush. Palo adan were bursting red-orange blooms, attracting hummingbirds in force while the prickly chain link cholla softened with blooms of a rich brownish/purple hue. Snorkeling off the beach was another popular option. To round out our morning, Annie Griffiths Belt from National Geographic treated us to a photo show and commentary from her most recent published book of people and places from her rich travel history entitled, A Camera, Two Kids and a Camel.
Puerto Gato was our landing for the afternoon, offering up something for everyone. Fascinating sandstone formations beckoned kids and the young at heart to climb and scramble up her sculptured cliffs and platforms. Perfect half moon coves lured the kayakers to explore and snorkelers to look for marine invertebrates as the afternoon warmed and the seas calmed. Couples strolled and hikers followed animal tracks while a few lucky bodies were treated to a chair massage on the beach, as ol sol dropped behind our playground. In fine form, the galley began the weekly ritual of BBQ on the beach serving sangria and beers to the gathering crowds. A beautiful bonfire and camp songs complete with s'mores capped our day as Orion rose overhead, and rich memories now fossilized in our minds and hearts forever. This was our Baja California today, and our wish: Baja forever!
