Anticipation

 Friday, December 1, 2023

Here I am again!  I leave tomorrow for Los Angeles where, on Sunday December 3, I will join a National Geographic/Lindblad trip from Los Angeles to the tip of Baja California.  The trip is titled, "A Southern Migration: From the Channel Islands to Baja California."  The stops are on the map below.  The primary reason for doing this trip at this time is that the migration of whales is underway now, and we should have lots of opportunities to visit with them. 

The ship is the "National Geographic Venture" and it holds 100 passengers.

The itinerary sounds lovely:

DAY 1

Los Angeles, California, U.S. / Embark Ship

DAY 2

Channel Islands National Park

Not far from the city lights, these islands are a world away, home to incredibly diverse and endemic flora and fauna. Spend the day kayaking, hiking one of the many trails, or simply relaxing ashore. Learn the fascinating prehistory of these islands from our naturalists.

DAY 3

Ensenada, Mexico / Valle de Guadalupe

Vineyards and culinary marvels await in one of the world’s hottest up-and-coming wine regions. See what the hype is all about as we visit a family-run vineyard for a private tour, tasting, and lunch.

DAY 4

Bahía de San Quintín

Explore Bahía de San Quintín and surrounding islands—home to 400+ species of plants, animals, and birds, including 23 seabird species. The bay is located along the Pacific Flyway migration route and sees more than 25,000 birds pass through in the winter.

DAYS 5-7

El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve / Islas San Benito / Isla Natividad / At Sea

Explore El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve and its plentiful wildlife, sailing to Islas San Benito, home to thousands of breeding elephant seals, and on to Isla Natividad to learn of the community’s exemplary protection of the fragile ecosystems of the reserve.  We are at sea the following day searching for a wide variety of marine life, including the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale, listening to naturalist talks, and learning photography tips and tricks.

DAY 8

Bahía Magdalena

Isla Magdalena and the bay of the same name are irresistible treats for the nature lover. Come to know this island while hiking the ever-shifting, wind-sculpted dunes on our cross-island transit to Sand Dollar Beach. Watch for coyote tracks in the soft dunes and spot migratory shorebirds.  Many—including western sandpipers, whimbrels, willets, Wilson’s and black-bellied plovers, and marbled godwits—are concluding their southbound journeys here. Observe astounding flora, like the endemic and sideways-growing creeping devil, a columnar cactus thick with spines packed together to protect against herbivores and the relentless sun. This evening, as we exit the bay, be on the lookout

for beaked dolphins and, with luck, a humpback whale.

DAY 9

Los Cabos and Gorda Banks

Cruise past Friars Rocks and visit the historic town center of San José del Cabo before cruising Gorda Banks seamount or La Fortuna, renowned gathering places for whales, dolphins, and other marine life.

DAYS 10-11

Cabo Pulmo / Los Islotes

Snorkel the pristine reefs of Cabo Pulmo National Park and chat with locals about their advocacy to protect this unique place. With luck, swim with sea lions before relaxing ashore.

DAY 12

La Paz / Disembark Ship / San José del Cabo

Disembark in La Paz and transfer to Los Cabos airport for flights home.

As it says, the trip ends in La Paz, and the passengers will be bussed to Cabo San Lucas for flights home.  My sister, Meg, lives in Cabo, and I'll visit with her for a few days, coming home on the 18th.

It's not clear how easy it will be to have internet access on the ship, but I'll try to post when I'm able, and I hope it will be often.