March 19, 2013 – Well we have had a busy past few days and tomorrow we depart Loreto and continue our journey southbound with a stopover in Ciudad Constitucion at Palapa 206. Everyone is looking forward to meeting Mike, Bertha, Nigel and Paclo.
It seems like weeks but it was only 5 days ago that the group went whale watching out of Malarrimo’s, the seas were calm and many touched a whale, some even purchased t-shirts. After our drive to San Ignacio had some excitement as a northbound A Class clashed mirrors with 2 of our units, luckily only some broken glass was the result. Lisa gave the caravan a heads up as we could see the RV coming at us was on the middle line, this was along the narrower stretch north of Vizcaino. The RV was very close to another RV in front and traveling faster than it should have been. How they missed our mirror I do not know, it was close for sure.
After settling into Rice & Beans we had the excursion into San Igancio to see the wonderful Zocalo shaded by 200 year old Indian Laurels and the lovely restored mission. Folks were definitely impressed! Dinner followed and Fransico still makes great Margaritas! Up early we were off to Playa Santispac with a walking tour of Santa Rosalia, we now park regularly at the Ferry Terminal when the boat is not in. 
We arrived at Santispac around lunch time and people were in the water right away, it was a little cool but with a high of 37c folks had to cool off! We had 2 glorious days at the beach and the kayak and stand up paddleboard were constantly in use. Bob & Melanie, Dennis & Barb and many others we knew were there, it was like old home week. The group will fondly remember their time at Playa Santispac including an awesome pot luck dinner!
After 2 days off to Loreto we went and the Rivera del Mar RV Park. Yolanda was ready for us and we got settled in quickly. Laundry and showers were the first priority than a short tour around town. Loreto always makes a great first impression. Today we headed off to San Javier mission, everyone was thrilled by the drive up and equally happy not to drive the RVs up the same road. Our Fiesta Night Dinner at the Giggling Dolphin tonight was a hit, Ubaldo, the staff and musicians do a great job, the restaurant was full, this was great to see.
Did you know?
The Bay of Loreto National Park was created by a Presidential Decree and approved by the Mexican Federal Congress on July 19, 1996. The Marine Park covers 2,065 square kilometers in the Sea of Cortez ranging from Isla Coronado in the north to Isla Catalana in the south. On July 14, 2005, the Park was inscribed to the United Nation’s list of protected World Heritage Sites. With over 800 species of marine life inhabiting the Sea of Cortez and many of them currently endangered, the need for protection of these delicate ecosystems is great.
After the Marine Park was created, the U.S. based Nature Conservancy provided financial assistance with funds raised through the Nature Conservancy, other non-profits and concerned individuals helped to create Grupo Ecologista Antares (GEA), Loreto’s first non-profit, environmental association whose programs and efforts over the past thirteen years have contributed to addressing the urgent environmental issues that affect the Loreto region.
The Loreto National Marine Park boasts a very diverse eco biosphere that includes blue whales, humpbacks, dolphins, sea turtles, plankton, magnificent frigate birds, blue footed boobies brown pelicans, angel fish, parrot fish, sierra, dorado, rainbow wrasses, puffer fish and much more. Upwellings and wind-driven currents pull up the rich nutrients of the sea, and the sun inspires rapid growth, but it doesn’t stop there. In the desert there are flowering plants, cacti, marine fossils, volcanic layers of ash and breccia, faults, uplifts and intrusions. Since the formation of the Loreto National Marine Park, UNESCO has recognized these islands and all the islands in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) as a World Heritage Site. This is simply an amazing place!
