Ballena Gris - Lopez Mateos

We finished our stay in La Paz with a nice long bike ride - the bikes have been mainly an inconvenience in Mexico, few suitable places to ride. They won't get to come on vacation next year! We left La Paz on Feb. 7, stopped for a 10 lb. bag of oranges (from a truck vendor) for about $2.50, fresh & juicy! We arrived in the little fishing village of Lopez Mateos early afternoon & after some searching found the dock from which the pangas (small fishing boats) depart. There were several "tent' resturants & souvenir shops right next to the water & we were able to park the RV next to them & about 50 ft from the water. The bay (Magdelena Bay) is very narrow there, less than a km. across & we could see whales cruising up & down 100-200 metres away from us. Robin spotted 14 before breakfast one morning. We went out in a panga, along with 3 American women for 1 1/2 hrs, saw several mamas & babies, as close as 10 ft from the boat. The calving season was a bit later this year, the babies still young & the mamas a bit protective, so none came close enough to touch. It was still a magical experience to be so close to such huge creatures! We plan to do another whale tour further north as well. Trying to get good pictures was tricky - but we have good memeories.
We stayed there 2 nights, had a yummy seafood dinner, lobster, shrimp & fish & did some bike riding. We also left some school supplies with the local school. Oh, of course, more shells!

We headed to Loreto next, spent only 2 nights - lucked out to be there on Sunday for the huge outdoor market. It was set up overnight in the dry riverbed - tents after tents - fresh fruit & veggies, seafood, meat, souvenirs, clothing, toys, kids stuff - used by Gringos & locals. Also several places to eat - we chose one with no English signs, had pozole, a pork/ham soup which was very good, lucky we didn't choose the soup made with cow stomachs! Stocked up on shrimp & fish.

We arrived at Santispac beach 3 days ago, its on Bahia Conception, near the town of Mulege. Beautiful sandy beach, parked right near the water, facing the bay. Peaceful, but not empty - there are 32 rigs parked there, but still everone has ocean frontage. Weather is cooler, you can tell we are moving north - 14 last night, highs of 18-23, still better than home. We took a drive yesterday to a tiny village on the Sea of Cortez, San Nicholas - not much there, the 16 km road in took 1 hr., but lots of good shells & a nice walk along the water - much bigger waves than where we are. Robin has found more good wood for carving.  Our new friends from Washington arrived 2 days ago, so much wine, beer & story telling!

Our new internet stick won't work on the beach, no cell service, so we are in Mulege, guess I have to do some more shopping, since we are here!

Pictures:sunset over the pangas, Ballena Gris (grey whales), whale tail, whale, whale by the boat, mama & baby, another sunset, scenery thru the mountains, vendor cart in Loreto, Robin above Bahia Conception,, me at the beach, San Nicholas, fish camp there, burros along the drive.

Still having fun!