Los Islotes and Isla Espiritu Santo
We packed as much as we could into the first day of the new year. At dawn we approached Los Islotes, a group of rocks where California sea lions haul out. After breakfast, Zodiac tours gave us wonderful views of these appealing creatures. The sub-adults are curious and playful. One youngster found entertainment on a kayak tendered to a visiting boat. The pup leapt onto the kayak, lay in the bottom or stood on its front flippers, and watched the boats and people like a monarch. It then slithered off, soon to return. It also jumped onto the stern of the kayak, belly down, then splayed its front and back flippers to each side and lay its head in the cockpit. None of this lasted long, and soon it slithered off, down, around and into the kayak seat again. Like the young of so many others, these are the days of freedom and fun before the pressures of life bring change.
Soon we wiggled into our wetsuits and dropped into the sea lions' world. We often judge them by their clumsiness on land, but once you enter their world that changes. They become transformed into some of the most graceful of all animals. The quick turns and gyrations flow together like movements from a complicated dance, one that is too intricate for anyone to choreograph. They can transform themselves from objects of grace, to clowns that pull on anchor ropes, to creatures that give you a start as they swim quickly up to peer into your facemask. Oh, to be a sea lion for just a day!
We were soon on to other adventures. During the early afternoon, we traveled along the south side of Isla Espiritu Santo and anchored on its south end in Bonanza Bay. A long crescent-shaped beach awaited those that are drawn to white sand. Others hiked up an inviting arroyo punctuated by round granite boulders lying upon a landscape of cacti and numerous small trees. These were short hikes to allow more time to sail south.
We were soon aboard and on our way, headed for San Jose del Cabo and flights home. This was a Nomad trip, a travel club whose journey never ends. Baja California has become one more adventure to be woven into the tapestry its members share.
We packed as much as we could into the first day of the new year. At dawn we approached Los Islotes, a group of rocks where California sea lions haul out. After breakfast, Zodiac tours gave us wonderful views of these appealing creatures. The sub-adults are curious and playful. One youngster found entertainment on a kayak tendered to a visiting boat. The pup leapt onto the kayak, lay in the bottom or stood on its front flippers, and watched the boats and people like a monarch. It then slithered off, soon to return. It also jumped onto the stern of the kayak, belly down, then splayed its front and back flippers to each side and lay its head in the cockpit. None of this lasted long, and soon it slithered off, down, around and into the kayak seat again. Like the young of so many others, these are the days of freedom and fun before the pressures of life bring change.
Soon we wiggled into our wetsuits and dropped into the sea lions' world. We often judge them by their clumsiness on land, but once you enter their world that changes. They become transformed into some of the most graceful of all animals. The quick turns and gyrations flow together like movements from a complicated dance, one that is too intricate for anyone to choreograph. They can transform themselves from objects of grace, to clowns that pull on anchor ropes, to creatures that give you a start as they swim quickly up to peer into your facemask. Oh, to be a sea lion for just a day!
We were soon on to other adventures. During the early afternoon, we traveled along the south side of Isla Espiritu Santo and anchored on its south end in Bonanza Bay. A long crescent-shaped beach awaited those that are drawn to white sand. Others hiked up an inviting arroyo punctuated by round granite boulders lying upon a landscape of cacti and numerous small trees. These were short hikes to allow more time to sail south.
We were soon aboard and on our way, headed for San Jose del Cabo and flights home. This was a Nomad trip, a travel club whose journey never ends. Baja California has become one more adventure to be woven into the tapestry its members share.
