Waltzing Matilda
Adventurer
Took an extra-long President Day weekend trip south to visit friends who are working/living near whale lagoons in Baja.
I left Thursday 2/12, but only got as far as Santa Rosalillita on the Pacific coast: tiny town, 1 small hotel for $20. I don't mind camping, but after a long day of driving I'd rather just sleep in a soft bed.
I had a late start, and arrived after dark after dodging livestock on the road in-- not smart, and I don't recommend it. Here's what I would have seen if I had arrived in daylight:
The hotel color is hard to miss in daylight! I parked alongside the local's trucks and lobster traps. Never met the owners- their teenage son (?) and his friend helped me get the room.
Up at dawn with the fishermen and continued south after chatting about the local fishing "cooperativo"- basically, a union of local fishermen who pool their resources, share profits etc.
Made it down the highway and out to the lagoon in time for breakfast on the patio of the interpretive center, with the group going out on the boat to see whales:
And this is a small taste of what we get to see- yes, it's amazing... adults "spy hopping" to see us, babies climbing on mom's backs, sometimes coming over for us to actually pet them.
I've been doing these trips for 30 years, starting in a '71 VW Westy, then various 4WD vehicles. My first trip to this lagoon I actually launched an aluminum canoe and paddled out to see the whales- something that is now illegal. There was NOTHING at the lagoon then. Now there are palapas, restrooms, showers, a restaurant, interpretive center with displays... lots of changes, but the whales are just the same.
The weather on this trip was also incredible! Lightning, rain, rainbows... but I will post that separately.
I left Thursday 2/12, but only got as far as Santa Rosalillita on the Pacific coast: tiny town, 1 small hotel for $20. I don't mind camping, but after a long day of driving I'd rather just sleep in a soft bed.
I had a late start, and arrived after dark after dodging livestock on the road in-- not smart, and I don't recommend it. Here's what I would have seen if I had arrived in daylight:
The hotel color is hard to miss in daylight! I parked alongside the local's trucks and lobster traps. Never met the owners- their teenage son (?) and his friend helped me get the room.
Up at dawn with the fishermen and continued south after chatting about the local fishing "cooperativo"- basically, a union of local fishermen who pool their resources, share profits etc.
Made it down the highway and out to the lagoon in time for breakfast on the patio of the interpretive center, with the group going out on the boat to see whales:
And this is a small taste of what we get to see- yes, it's amazing... adults "spy hopping" to see us, babies climbing on mom's backs, sometimes coming over for us to actually pet them.
I've been doing these trips for 30 years, starting in a '71 VW Westy, then various 4WD vehicles. My first trip to this lagoon I actually launched an aluminum canoe and paddled out to see the whales- something that is now illegal. There was NOTHING at the lagoon then. Now there are palapas, restrooms, showers, a restaurant, interpretive center with displays... lots of changes, but the whales are just the same.
The weather on this trip was also incredible! Lightning, rain, rainbows... but I will post that separately.
