Loreto Farmers Market

Last night we said farewell to our guides Jorge and Celia, and I hoped that I might see them again someday. They were good guides and nice company. This morning, I bump into Jorge at the Sunday market, looking for additional snorkel masks and fins for his clients. I also run into some kayakers we met on Isla Danzante, and later in town at El Rey del Taco. On the way back to the hotel, I follow signs to an open house, and the real estate agent showing the property turns out to be Jill Jackson, who runs the cabanas where I stayed my first two nights. Small town.

Random Thoughts

In no particular order, some thoughts recorded during the kayaking:

A large group of dolphins herds a school of fish into shallow water and the beach; OUR beach. Pelicans and frigate birds dive into the mele.

After our first four days on the water, I finally remember to raise the rudder before beaching the kayak.

I come to enjoy the salty tang in my first cup of coffee, after last night's salt water dishwash. We carry all our fresh water with us to these arid islands.

This morning, dolphins swim under our boats when as are paddling to our final campsite. They swim straight to us and then dive.

My supply of ibuprofen looks to be just enough to get me through. 

Celia, one of our guides, is very sweet and decorates our library with beach treasures at each campsite.

Oh, the first days are the hardest days ...

Isla Carmen

Stunning full moon shining through the mesh roof of my tent.  On Isla Carmen, camped on the beach with our kayaks after the 10 mile paddle from the Baja mainland, south of Loreto. This is our second day paddling and it is wonderfully calm with hardly a breeze. Our crossing on the first day was, well, a little 'iffy'  when the wind came up and the Sea of Cortez showed the choppy side of its nature. I appreciate my spray skirt as we cross to Danzante Island in a bit more than an hour and stopped to rest out of the wind before continuing with the second crossing to Carmen Island. Our guide Jorge, earns our respect early in the trip when he looks at the sky and says 'I think maybe the wind will die down soon',  And it does! The second crossing is just as long but a lot smoother. I thought that I might be at the outer edge of my comfort zone with the deep water channel crossings, but the heavily loaded kayaks feel very stable, and I look forward to getting out on the water each day. Gear is stuffed into every nook and cranny with snorkel gear, tables, and anything that can get wet are lashed on top. Beverly Hillbillies on the water.

Loreto Shopping

March 23
Loreto is  a quiet town.  I can see this when I compre the shopkeepers with those in San Jose del Cabo. In Cabo, vendors are in front of their shops, chatting up the tourists: "Come in, my friend; almost free. No charge to look. " Here in Loreto they are more likely to be involved in a rambelling conversation in front of their shop with the street cop, not noticing the customers wandering in and out.