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It’s been a long rotation for me, six weeks now with this trip and then one more after it before I go home. Luckily, the National Geographic Sea Bird has been kind to me. Most of the things that have popped up haven’t been horribly bad, and the ones that have been rough were spread far enough apart to not be too bad.

There’s lots going on these last two weeks, so things should go pretty quick. Jay Dickman, the National Geographic Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist is here on board this week, so things are amped up a bit. We are going to some great places at early and late times for the perfect photo opportunity, which means long hours for me, but it’s worth it. I get to hang out and work with a genius.

All in all, it’s been a good rotation, and it’s looking like the coming vacation will be equally as good. I can’t wait!

Sorry to be changing themes again, but I wasn’t too happy with the last one. This one looks like it will give me the ability to do more of what I want.

What do you think? Post a comment and let me know!!

There haven’t been too many days I’ve been down here in Baja where it’s rained on me. Yesterday in La Paz was the first time I’d ever been in town when it happened. I really don’t know why it was such a big deal, but I guess it was just the fact that it doesn’t happen all that often down here. It’s interesting to watch, because the way people react is great. Back home, when a big snow storm is about to roll through is about the closest thing I can compare it to. Everyone was out covering things with their jackets and boots on. It was almost comical, because the rain only lasted about 4 hours.

We are on a photo trip this week, so there’s going to be lots of great opportunities for pictures. I’m pretty excited about getting to go to some of the lectures the staff will be giving on photography as well. I hope to get a step ahead in my photo abilities this week. I believe that the next trip is a photo trip as well, all the better for me.

Santa Rosalia is on the itenerary this week as well. This is a great little town on the border of Baja California and Baja California Sur, which is basically the middle of the peninsula on the east coast. The claim to fame her is the squid fishing, but there is also quite a bit of history from the town copper mining days. I haven’t had a chance to get out all too much here, so I hope to and get some pictures as well. We will be there on monday.

This place is just amazing! Crazy views and dolphins everywhere.

Heading north up into the Gulf of California and things just get better and better as we go. The sunrise this morning was one of the best I’ve seen in quite a while, and that’s saying a whole lot.

It’s been decided that we will not be heading west again for the next couple of weeks, the Gray Whales have left Mag Bay and so have we. From this point on we will stay in the Gulf and enjoy all of the great little islands. This is the point I’ve been waiting for. I really enjoy this side of Baja and I like it much better when we stay here the whole time.

The whales aren’t as close, we won’t be able to get in a zodiac and touch them, but there are so many more on this side, as well as many different types. It’s a pretty cool thing to experience.

I’m at the tired part of my rotation now. Every time, it’s the same thing. Week one is adaptation back to the boat life. Weeks two through four the readjustment is over and work goes on as usaul. Around week five or so is the starting to get tired week, which usually consists of some naps at random intervals as the opportunity arrises. Week six the second wind comes in and it’s a mad rush to the finish.

Unfortunately, I’m on an eight week stint this go around. At week six now my body and mind are unsure of what to do. Hopefully the second wind will kick in here soon.

The boat has been an interesting mix of problems as of late. I’ve worked on everything from plumbing to ice machines to a server. It’s certainly been an adventure, if nothing else.

I got to talk to my friend on the Nat Geo Sea Lion last night for a bit on the sat phone. He says that all is well down in Panama, and that they have had a good couple of weeks worth of trips. They will be heading back north here in about 3 weeks for a couple of trips here in Baja. After that they will head up to Alaska. It will be nice to have my old ship running around in the same waters. Hopefully I’ll get to go over for a midnight excursion and a visit up in Alaska, just to say hello.

Two more weeks after this. I’m ready to get home to see the kids and pick up my new van. It should be another great vacation.