BajaNomad - 14 days in june July - study abroad program, Ideas

14 days in june July - study abroad program, Ideas

caj13 - 10-3-2019 at 01:39 PM

so I opoened my big mouth, and now have been drafted to create a 2 week study abroad program in Baja. Students will be getting credit in english - because they are reading steinbecks the pearl, log from sea of cortez, plus biology.

I'm thinking moving primarily by bus, with 5 -7 2 day stops at specific locations.

Off the top of my head i'm thinking Cabo San Lucas of course - because students cabo - yeah no way around that, Cabo Pulmo, BOLA, conception bay, maybe Mulege, and stop at San Felipe on the way out.

not sure If we could get em to the observatory - probably a group of 25 traveling by bus, and i'm light on the west side, it might be great to go to Bajia As****ion for a couple of days -as well

any ideas. cautionary tales, all experience and opinions valued

Thanks in advance
CAJ 13

JZ - 10-3-2019 at 01:45 PM

Sounds pretty fun. Gotta go to La Paz for sure. Lots of Steinbeck history there and the most beautiful water in all of Baja. Skip San Felipe. Do Gonzaga instead.

One teacher did (maybe still does) student trips to Bahia Las Aninas.

[Edited on 10-3-2019 by JZ]

MMc - 10-3-2019 at 01:56 PM

Just spitballing,
Places: Campo Rene, La Bocana and/or As****ion.
Bahia Tortugas/(Pain to get to) Malarrimo beach
Todo Santos

Reading: God and Mister Gomez
King of the Moon
Gateway to Alta California

BajaBlanca - 10-3-2019 at 02:06 PM

What fun!

Anything I can do to help out, just ask! Sure wish they were coming for whale watching but perhaps they can see whale sharks in La Paz?

The museum director in Bay of LA might be a good contact. I don't remember her name but she is very knowledgeable about everything Baja.

caj13 - 10-3-2019 at 04:47 PM

Thanks for all the input so far.
MMC i appreciate the book suggestions, but I'm trying to keep it o steibecks writings to keep the theme for the english vclass.

in the mean time a couple of questions for all of you.

are the whale sharks seen reliably in june/july out of la paz? if so thats a definite stop particulalry since the Pearl is set there.

. i'm pretty set on Bahia Asuncion, such a classic fishing village, use shari as a tour guide, see the sea lions, use her la buffadora inn as home base for a couple of days (sorry Blanca, i was torn between BA and La Bocana)

when are all the rays belly flopping ? isn't that in the winter?

Cabo Pulmo is definitely on the list - the aquarium of the sea

I have thought about Todos Santos, but I am limited in time, and I do not believe the western Flyer stopped there, so thats a bit off the theme. is there something there thats is so "WOW" that we need to see it?

I'll reach out to the museum director a BOLA - that would be a great stop.

san Felipe, I get it JZ - but i do have to make this educational - and the mud flats/tides, and the totuaba/ vaquita / story needs to be told, plus miltiple restauraunts, and plenty of cheap housing - make it a good stop, do you think gonzaga could house and feed 25 - 30 people in june for 2 days?

keep it coming folks, I really appreciate all the help

[Edited on 10-3-2019 by caj13]

AKgringo - 10-3-2019 at 05:06 PM

Cabo Pulmo for sure, but does the bus serve that road? You may need to base the trip out of Los Barriles with local transportation. L.B. is one of my favorite stops anyway.

I have not been there in June or July, but from what I understand, the heat and humidity of the Cortez side will make a visit to Bahia Asuncion a welcome relief!

JZ - 10-3-2019 at 05:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

Cabo Pulmo for sure, but does the bus serve that road? You may need to base the trip out of Los Barriles with local transportation. L.B. is one of my favorite stops anyway.

I have not been there in June or July, but from what I understand, the heat and humidity of the Cortez side will make a visit to Bahia Asuncion a welcome relief!

Kids will love the heat of the Cortez - as long as they can get in the water often.

caj13 - 10-3-2019 at 05:14 PM

Ok so looks like the whale sharks are oct - april, so thats probably out.

AK gringo, you think just like me, I will probably base out of LB, and take a day trip to Cabo Pulmo, i have to use a "provider" that arranges transport , expeditions , housing , food etc, so i will dump the transportation headaches on them, the road from LB to Cabo Pulmo is paved most of the way, and i don't think the dirt road was that bad, but obviously it needs to be taken into consideration

JZ - 10-3-2019 at 05:17 PM

Whale sharks are only one very small part of the attraction of La Paz. The islands are just incredibly beautiful. I cannot say that strongly enough.

If you go out to the last island, you are 100% guaranteed to see a 100+ sea lions.

Watch this to see a small clip of the islands:

https://youtu.be/4VNTIhRa6q0?t=276

[Edited on 10-4-2019 by JZ]

mtgoat666 - 10-3-2019 at 05:44 PM

Choose 2 places, avoid travel, spend time in just a few places, more time in place, less time traveling between places.
You could make a good experience with vermillion sea institute (is it still around?), NOLS in BCS (kayaking or sailing program), and spending time in Sierra de San Francisco (mule pack trip to canyons and cave paintings)

Early June is maybe bearable. July would suck.

There is a reason people flee baja desert and SOC in summer, so don’t be the fools that travel in Baja desert and SOC in summer.

JZ - 10-3-2019 at 05:57 PM

Goat is on to something. 7 stops is way too much. 5 really is pushing it. Settle on 3-4.

Lots of stuff can be planned for an area. I.e. like mule rides around Loreto. Hikes. Kayaking, etc.

As I mentioned earlier, some prof from Orange County use to take his students down to Bahia Las Animas for a week straight. They found all kinds of things to explore around the area.

[Edited on 10-4-2019 by JZ]

MMc - 10-3-2019 at 08:14 PM

Bring along a couple copies of Between Pacific Tides Edward Ricketts was one of the writers. Great reference book for kids to use too.

Marc - 10-4-2019 at 08:32 AM

Will you be teaching spelling and punctuation?

bajamary1952 - 10-4-2019 at 09:33 AM

I visited the San Pedro Martir Observatory last week & the so-called tour for 1 lasted a whole 8 minutes. I was shown the oldest observatory & that was the end of the tour. Not somewhere I would return to.

caj13 - 10-4-2019 at 09:44 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Marc

Will you be teaching spelling and punctuation?

Nope, thats why we have an english teacher along. me, I know I make mistakes all the time, fat fingers, never learned to type looking at the screen, 3 finger typer. thats why i have professional editors, they straighten out all that stuff before it goes to publication. My job is to deliver content and info, their job is to package it up neatly and cleanly.

writing in a forum, i view it as just delivering information. did you understand what I was saying? if so, great, mission accomplished. But if not, well then you may be onto something , i might need to clean up my spelling and punctuation! Thanks for the suggestion!?.,"'-

David K - 10-4-2019 at 09:46 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajamary1952

I visited the San Pedro Martir Observatory last week & the so-called tour for 1 lasted a whole 8 minutes. I was shown the oldest observatory & that was the end of the tour. Not somewhere I would return to.

The view at 9,280 feet is worth the drive and getting past the gate...

The drive to the gate is pretty incredible, too..

caj13 - 10-4-2019 at 09:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by MMc

Bring along a couple copies of Between Pacific Tides Edward Ricketts was one of the writers. Great reference book for kids to use too.

Between Pacific Tides was actually my textbook in one of my marine biology field classes, of course, it comes along.
Before we leave California, we will go over to Monterey Bay, go into Docs lab, and listen to a recording of Steinbeck reading his short story "the Snake" which Steinbeck insisted was based on a true story, and it is set in docs lab.

They are currently rebuilding the Western flyer, and it will be docked in Monterey Bay as well, so they can see the boat, and if all works out go out for a quick ride in the bay.

[Edited on 10-4-2019 by caj13]

MMc - 10-4-2019 at 11:46 AM

This sounds like a great class.

mtgoat666 - 10-4-2019 at 12:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajamary1952

Been on tour 5 times, each quite different,... Depends on the day, the group, and who is leading tour.
Some days they will not take you inside, some days they take you in and show you it all.
Some days you get to go up on catwalk on the big tele building.

motoged - 10-4-2019 at 01:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Marc

Will you be teaching spelling and punctuation?

I find it amusing that some Nomads commit themselves to an idea....and ask others to plan it .... :?:

BajaBlanca - 10-4-2019 at 01:45 PM

I want to be your student! Sounds like a great trip and 100% agree that Shari is the ultimate guide for this area.

Snorkeling at Cabo Pulmo is going to be a highlight.

If there is ANYTHING I can do to help, do not hesitate to ask.

caj13 - 10-4-2019 at 01:59 PM

I'll be down there right before christmas Blanca. we can talk about it then, I'm sure you would be a welcome addition to the program, probably not as a student, but some sort of guide local resource.

BajaBlanca - 10-7-2019 at 08:27 PM

ok

caj13 - 10-9-2019 at 09:28 AM

anybody know of any good museums or tours in La Paz - and or San Felipe?

right now its starting to look like day 1-2 overnight in san Felipe
- Day 2 - 6 Bahia Asuncion
Days 7 - 11 Los Barriles (day trips to cabo pulmo. cabo SL, La Paz)

Days 12 - 14 - i am looking for one more stop on the pacific side, preferably as we head back toward USA.

[Edited on 10-9-2019 by caj13]

caj13 - 10-9-2019 at 09:48 AM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

Quote: Originally posted by caj13

anybody know of any good museums or tours in La Paz - and or San Felipe?

If you can arrange a tour of the CIBNOR, it could prove interesting for your students-- especially for any that are thinking about biology and/or aquaculture.

Lencho - Perfecto, exactly what I was looking for. If I can arrange co-operation, we will definitely include this in our itinerary.
thank you

caj13 - 10-9-2019 at 01:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

Quote: Originally posted by caj13

If I can arrange co-operation, we will definitely include this in our itinerary.

PM me if you have trouble with the connection; I... might know a guy that knows a guy.

Thanks

also just got a lead on a research station out of BOLA, that might work out perfectly as well!

BigBearRider - 12-25-2021 at 04:17 PM

Following up on this cool idea. Did anything come to fruition? Or did COVID get in the way?