03/09/2010, El Magote La Paz BCS
Magnificent Seven,
We swam with the Majestic Whale Sharks. The Bay of La Paz is a sanctuary where the calves & Juveniles find enough food and tranquility for their growth. They are the largest fish in the world and have existed on our plant for more than 60 millions of years. They are not really whales but are members of the shark family, with out teeth. They can live up to a hundred years, eating plankton, seaweed & microscopic animals. So I was safe swimming with them. They only open their mouths to filter the water with their gills retaining plankton. It's a local challenge for the people of La Paz to protect these great fish. World wide the whale shark is an endangered species. Due to irresponsible fishing! The 7 we saw were from about 35 feet to 18 feet they grow to 40 feet. We found them to be slow swimmers and shy as we got close they would dive deep and come up latter if we stayed still they would come very close. It was kind of scary the water was not clear so when they come up it was out of the dark right to me. I gently touched them they feel like hard leather, it was a wonderful experience. Greg & I were lucky enough to be guest of La Paz's famous Whale Shark guide Al "Tuna Tamer", Bonnie and Janet the sea hunt began, 10 eyes searching the water for whale Sharks - it worked we found them, good company. Check out photo gallery.
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02/17/2010, La Paz Malecon
"Carnaval" Mexico's anser to Martigra, begining of lent, party hard for 5 days, lots of food games rides parades, check out photo gallery.
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02/14/2010, Mulege BCS
Cave Paintings
Done Thousands of years B.C.
No one Knows whom, when, or why.
No one knows what happened to the cave painters, many are studying this soon their will be answers.We hired a local licensed guide Salvador a descendant of long time residents of the area. We hiked all day And even swam the Rio Mulege with its 50 degree water climbed steep cliffs witnessed Indian caves graves. Learning about the medicinal uses for the local plants, trees and cactus was fascinating. Feeling some of the cultural history of the Cochimi Indians as we hiked through their arroyos and canyons. We made it to the La Trinidad cave with its famous Trinidad Deer painting, shaman, fish and coyote. An enchanting experience! Hiking on farther up stream crossing the Rio Mulege several more times through fantastic canyons we saw San Patricio cave paintings. All are protected by the World Heritage Alliance, and are kept Spot less you feel, as you're the first to find the caves. Our photo gallery pictures we hope will give you an idea of some of the inland beauty of Baja California Sur.
Our 7-day road adventure ran north along highway 1 from La Paz to San Ignacio about 700 miles. The wild flowers, cactus, trees and birds were delightful the small towns enchanting. The people very friendly, the roads very good, but there are no shoulders, you must stay on the road no second chances. Fuel was easy to come by; everyone should enjoy the Baja by land or by sea. We are loving it, the inland recovery from Jemina is very good, we don't travel at night, we stay away from isolated places`after dark, and we try to obey all rules and respect the country and its people. We act just as we would at home! The only difference is in California we do drive at night but not through Richmond or Oakland and a few other places we can think of.
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02/14/2010, San Ignagio Lagoon
Petting Whales
Smiling laughing until our faces hurt and our hands are tried from petting Whales. The friendly whales of San Ignacio Lagoon are everything we have read and much more. A combination of geographic factors and conservation initiatives result in extraordinarily close encounters. San Ignacio Lagoon is a world heritage site. We witnessed many different Whale behaviors, nursing, playing and even matting. We watched these gentle giants rolling, breaching and tending their young. Greg and I rented a car and headed north to the Lagoon with out any reservations, just a couple of information books with us. Our goal was to cut of all middleman keeping cost under our control. To witness the Southern end of the Gray Whales great migration. They return each winter to the warm Mexican water to mate or give birth a 12,400 mile trip from the Arctic seas. The trip takes about 2 &1/2 months they start arriving in late December and by late February or March they begin their return to northern waters. The Marine biologist studying the Lagoon reported 116 adult Whales and 8 births so far this season.
From the small town of San Ignacio we drove 3 hours on a dirt and sand doons one road and felt very lucky that we found the Lagoon. We were able to secure a little cabin on the beach and the leading ponga whale driver Antoino. The next morning as we reached the Lagoon Whale observation area 8 or 10 Whales were Sky Hopping (sticking their heads out of the water looking around) We were even treated with a few Flukes (Whale tail in the air) Soon a Mother & Baby (@1000 lbs.) came to play with us and they spent over a hour with us. We took hundreds of pictures, I hope you look at our photo gallery. A few of the best are in the gallery and are able to feel some of our excitement.
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01/01/2010, La Paz BCS
"Dreams into Realty" by Jim Dewitt
Greg and I commissioned our all time favorite artist Jim Dewitt to create a treasured keepsake of our dream adventure. Jim did just that we love it he captured the spirit of our adventure south with all the mystic and allure of the Pacific Ocean Magic Carpet Sailing out the Golden Gate. It's tilted "Dreams into Reality" and is destined to grace our mantel as a reminder of how lucky we are to have been able to live our dream. When health calls us to swallow the anchor, we will relax in our magic chairs in front of the fire and gaze at our Dewitt and remember how good life has been to us. Happy New Year !
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01/01/2010, La Paz BCS
The Christmas Season 2009
Magic Carpet is all decked out with colored lights running from her mast and a Christmas Tree & garlands below deck. A delightful Mexican Manger set stockings were hug waiting for the kid to arrive. After her serving 13 months in the Middle East it was fantastic to be able to hug her. All is well she's home we had 10 fabulous days together. It was as hard as ever to say goodbye again but the memory are treasured.
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