Isla Espíritu Santo, Bahia San Gabriel

Yesterday, the melodic descending trill of the canyon wren confirmed to our ears we were in Baja California. Last night the festivities of a beach dinner, marshmallow roast and a magnificent full blue moon celebrated the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010. We have spent a week in merriment with family, friends, wildlife, and the restorative powers brought forth with the discovery of new places, meeting like-minded people and enjoying unique experiences.

Spread out like a turquoise apron, the shallow bay of Bahia San Gabriel was our playground for the morning. An amazing number of activities were lined up for our last full day in Baja California. Some chose to get the blood pumping and the heart rate going with an invigorating walk with Laura up and over the saddle from Bahia San Gabriel to Bahia Bonanza. Others chose to investigate the mangrove lined lagoon while others chose snorkeling or kayaking.

An exceptionally high tide, thanks to last night’s blue moon, made this normally shallow bay exceptionally full and available for our morning romp. The afternoon was just as grand. Along the coral heads of Isla Gallo our snorkelers took one last look at the colorful and abundant fish life of the Gulf of California. On the beach, energetic young folk conducted a series of athletic beach events including the crab crawl, wheelbarrow and piggyback races, cartwheel competitions and a few variations of the human pyramid.

The beach emptied with the call for Zodiac driving lessons. Those staying on shore could hear squeals of delight coming from the newly initiated Zodiac drivers.

Some of our travelers have written poems to share their experiences of Baja California; we share them with you now.

ADVENTURE
(By India Richter, age 18 & Joe Rittenhouse, age 17)

Amazing oceans shining
Diving dolphins
Venturing into the deep
Everything fighting to live
Nothing untouched by the sun
Turning of the century
Under a blue moon sky
Rising and setting suns
Everlasting in our memory.


Sea lion Haiku
(By Will Francis, age 9)

Lions of the sea,
Flipping, flopping, on the boat
Nipping at our shoes


My First Day
(By Sima Shelton, age 13)

I stand there
The wind blowing
It makes my hair dance around
And makes me have goose bumps
It shines on the water
That leaps around
The dolphins prance around
Making a show for us
Then they disappear.


Haiku of Isla Santa Catalina
(By JP Francis, age 15; India Ritcher, age 18; Chris Lane, age 18; Shannon Lane, age 14; Joe Rittenhouse, age 17; Joe Martinez, age 15; Tristan Martinez, age 14)

Nimble leprechaun
The boss of hardcore parkor
Under the rainbow


Baja Prose
(By India Richter, age 18)

We arrived in Baja only knowing our families, ready for our Mexican adventure. We scaled mountains, snorkeled with sea lions, ventured through a ghost town, explored a shipwreck, encountered a rattlesnake, found the gold at the end of a rainbow, played football on the beach, kayaked through clear waters, celebrated New Year’s under a blue moon, and saw many new wild animals. We made friends; Texas, Chicago, Leprechaun, Jay Pea, Sodah, Tank, Kai and many other great people. We also met wonderful naturalists, satisfying our ever plentiful thirst for knowledge. Pete towed us with a Zodiac, and we even got to learn how to drive one. As we go our separate ways, we may not be able to stay friends forever, but our memories of our great adventure will be with us always.