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Daily Journal

Journey of Giving - Medical Expedition

Day 4 - part 2

We left the sea lion habitat heading south and
encountered, though briefly, a few Bottlenosed Dolphins.

They jumped and splashed then disappeared.

Rosario (Dr. Alvarado) finally relaxes and enjoys the time on
the sea. Within moments we saw whales off in the distance.

It didn't take long to position ourselves for whale watching
but the whales wanted to people watch so they came up close.

It was as though we were to follow them and they allowed us.

They were a pair of Finback whales. Mom and juvenile.

They crossed our bow on a couple of occasions.

Also came up alongside the boat.

Imagine what is running through Chris's mind at this very moment.

This is such a beautiful picture
of Anna and Kraeg, I just had to put it in.

We finally arrived at our evening anchorage and
Michelle decides to fish alongside Humberto (Dr. Garcia).

The first catch was a puffer. Similar to catching a
Dogfish, Salmon fishing. It got tossed back right away.

Next was a sea bass but it was
too small. It got tossed back in as well.

The sun started to set on our fantastic day of adventure.

There is nothing more breathtaking then a Baja sunset.

The evening was spent quietly chatting away.

Just hanging out taking it all in.

Stasia got out her guitar and strummed a few tunes.

Mellisa, Imelda, Edna (Dr. Soto, who has a beautiful singing voice)
and Rosario enjoyed the time and sang along with a few of the tunes.

Later in the evening Jan, Michelle, Melissa,
Stasia and Humberto engage in a friendly game of Bogle.

Before calling it a night, Stasia
gives one of her amazing astronomy lessons.

With a laser that travels a kilometer
into the sky it makes for a brilliant lesson.

Even Liam was intrigued by Stasia and the beautiful
Baja sky. They say some of the best stargazing on earth
can be done on the Sea of Cortez. They're right!

As the lessons end and everything goes quiet we can hear
a whale breathing in the dark. It was an awesome sound.

The sea lions were as happy as ever. They didn't seem to mind that we tour their little habitat. We got to see the sea lions undisturbed and watched the males jostle, females nurture their young and pups clumsily make there way around the rocks. It was a great experience.

The dolphins, as brief as it was, are always neat to encounter but to be blessed with a close whale encounter is another thing in itself. They were not bothered by us. As a matter of fact, they came close enough that you could hear them exhale then inhale, all in one breath, as they surfaced. They were a mom and her juvenile calf probably a two year old calf.

The Sea of Cortez is a happy place, the animals healthy and not harmed by humans. YAY!!!!

Once we arrived at our evening anchorage Michelle and Humberto (Dr. Garcia) fished until the sun set. Others enjoyed a cold beer or margarita on the bow. Some played "pig" and/or Bogle. But all in all it was a great way to wind down from a day on and in the water.

The sunset was beautiful leading us into a relaxing evening of socializing. To top the night Stasia gave astronomy lessons on a beautiful star filled night. We ended the lessons listening to the blows of a whale not too far off the boat. We couldn't see it, we heard it.

I bet everyone of us went to bed that night with the last thoughts of the sound of a blowing whale. What a way to remember this day!!!!

Lela the naturalist

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