Yesterday we woke up early and prepared breakfast for the 8 hour drive to Guerrero negro. We loaded up the entire car and then we couldn’t find the house keys to lock up our Airbnb. After some digging and thinking we remembered we separated the keys from the suburban keys so David and Bentley could go to the store while Clayton and Lily played with their friends. We started pulling out bags and David searched the whole house- we couldn’t find them. We knew it took it could take hours to unload the car and search for a tiny key so we notified the host- left some cash and started driving. I felt sick to leave this issue unresolved but I was also ready to move on. The drive was beautiful- very curvy and mountainous. The terrain also changes a lot. The kids did really well in the car. They enjoy audiobooks and reading and coloring and listening to music. Passing the southern border was easy- we just told them where we were going and where we were from. So far no one has asked for our passports or documents.
We got to scammon’s lagoon around 4:00 pm. It’s located so remotely I can’t believe it even exists! There are some palapas along a dirt road - a tiny restaurant - and a little window where they sell tickets to see the whales. There is a salt factory as you enter - apparently it produces and sells a significant amount of salt.
We set up camp under a palapa for $20. The thing that made the kids- or at least Clayton- the most excited were 2 soccer nets on flat ground. He couldn’t wait! We pl
ayed some soccer and then sat outside to have dinner. The kids and David ordered grilled fish tacos. The food was delicious! During dinner we met a woman who is traveling with her daughter. The mom, Clara, is Spanish and Swiss- she grew up in Spain but has landed in Panama. Her daughter, Ella is 3 - full of sass and joy for life. Lily loved her. We took a nice long walk after dinner and said goodnight. We all went to bed and we all slept over 10 hours! David said he felt like a million bucks!
In the morning we are a quick breakfast and headed out on the first boats to see the grey whales. When we got out just a bit further than where we are staying on the boats we began to see spouts of water coming up from their blowholes- everywhere. We saw several mothers and babies and many males. We some some spyhopping- a few tail flaps and some waves. My words probably can’t do the experience justice- and my videos probably can’t either (I can’t upload them until I edit). Clara and Ella joined us and so did a man from Switzerland. They all said that what we saw yesterday was really special. We were out on the boat for over 2 hours.
We got back to our campsite- finished packing up and left for Bahia de los Ángeles. The drive was uneventful other than running into a man who’s truck had broken down with a dead battery. He started to tell us who in town to send for help and then said- “Me puedes llevar?” Sure! So he hopped in. We chatted and got him to the place we wanted and he turned and told us exactly where he lives and said, “If you ever need anything come find me.” I know he meant it.
I booked an Airbnb before we left - but had no idea what it was. I knew we’d need sleeping bags, but not beds. I also knew it was located on a beach and had some beach toys.
When we arrived we realized I hit the jackpot. This place has been used as an educational Mecca for over 30 years. They’ve hosted many many groups and have a whole building set up for large groups- a giant commercial kitchen- lots of rooms and treasures abound. Our beds are handmade cots. They don’t fit in “our room” so we set them out on the beach and slept under the stars. There is another young couple staying here as well. They drove from Berkeley- not sure how they found the place. Cooper played Risk with Clayton and David and Lainey spent time with Lily. I also made us burritos with beans and rice and peppers. Everyone went to bed full and happy. This morning we woke up to the sunrise. Am I in a dream? I think I am.
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