Adios Casa Azul

By: Ashley Demers

November 15, 2017

As I lay on my thermarest once again, looking up to the stars and making the connection that my thoughts are just as lost as my eyes. They’re just wandering. Today I woke up on a cot at Casa Azul for the last time. Which I never thought a cot would be so comfy. I sat there and watched my group; some up and in the kitchen, some waking up slowly and all I thought to myself was that this is ECOEE 2017, and were in Bahía de los Angeles but only for a few more hours.

As our morning got started we did some lessons and then off we went to Biosphere Reserve Bahía de los Angeles. While there we learned that the whale sharks have decreased in size from 200 to about 40. We also learned that this area is home to many different species, especially the sea lions on their little island. We had some more lessons and then we were on our way to lunch at Las Hamacas. I got my fix of some amazing Mexican food and of course chips and salsa. Sitting there watching the third judge aka Emily eat the salsa that was a bit spicy and just thinking how proud I am of her for eating that salsa, she’s grown a flavor of taste buds. As we left we gave some loving to a cute little gato with gorgeous blue eyes. Then we were off.

 On the drive I sat there for a while just in thought of what I have learned so far and how grateful this opportunity is.

If Mexico has taught me anything, it’s to not take life for granted. Too cherish every moment, and too make the most out of them. To learn from your experiences and teach what you know to those who are around you or who you may encounter. Tonight is our last night in Mexico and with Francisco, and I will never forget this opportunity. They’ll be a special place in my heart for Baja California, Casa Azul and of course Francisco.

Buenos noches, Baja California.

Last Kayak Day

By Chris Friday

November 13, 2017

Today marked our final full day on our kayak expedition. For this last day, we were left to fend for ourselves on La Ventana, our island for the night for Jeff and Francisco left us to go back to Casa Azul. Upon arrival here at La Ventana, an interpretation was held about Gray Whales and their rather long journey migration up and down the west coast from the Arctic seas to Baja California. After this, we had a day full of lessons that included: a scenario by Ashley, knots by myself, Austin, and Tracy, outdoor ed lessons by Sean and Ashley, and a book report by Austin. It was quite the day of lessons. For Ashley’s outdoor ed lesson, we learned how to move like animals. In Sean’s lesson we became mice in need of shelter from hawks, floods, an snakes. Sadly my group didn’t survive the snakes. Before Sean’s lesson we went on a bit of a hike trying to reach a cross that was in sight, but seemed to be unreachable. There was quite the debate held on whether or not to go down a hill or not. In hindsight, this was a rather silly debate that resulted in very little change occurring. We ended up at the start of the trail where we learned that we had to go back to where we began our hike. On our way back up the hill, a cactus somehow jumped out of nowhere and attacked Emma’s leg. It’s weird, I didn’t realize cacti could jump. We never managed to reach our final destination of the cross, but we took a really long route to reach a pretty cool overlook of the bay where we could see all the places where we had traveled thus far on our Kayak expedition. For dinner, we had spaghetti prepared by Emily, no lumpy noodles this time. This was one of our better meals I have had thus far on this kayak trip of ours. It has been a rather interesting day for our group today without our two Baja California instructors with us. Tomorrow marks our final chunk of our journey. Back to Casa Azul we go. 

New Day, New Experiences

By: Austin Orr

November 11, 2017

“The key to success is self-confidence, the key to self-confidence is preparation.” This quote from Arthur Ash is one that has lifted my spirits and challenged me to take on a new week as LOW. Today was the day I say goodbye to one LOW and hello to the new LOW. The day started with me and Sean discussing our views on the group and the plan for the week. Within transition over to talking about the day and what the group should expect. After a LOW debrief of myself and Emily some members of the group went to enjoy snorkeling while myself and Boz talked about my next interp video. After a chicken and beans tortilla lunch we moved on to our next campground on our kayak expedition. It wasn’t a long trek but it is only one stop on our way to our next. After arriving at Quamado Bay we put the kayaks asleep and enjoyed our Saturday off. We had a moon lesson from Emma who found out physics was not her friend. Afterwards we played in Uno and it got really intense. This expedition as a whole has pushed me to my limits and beyond. I have been challenged in ways I never expected. It's sad to think in only 10 more days we will be leaving for Thanksgiving break. Where has the time gone. It feels like only yesterday we were in Canada and now we're finishing our expedition in Mexico. Good night and see everyone at home soon.

She Who Must Not Be Named

By Tracy Ellis

November 10, 2017

            I am going to begin this journal entry with a short story about an unknown girl. We can call her, She Who Must Not Be Named. She once had the most beautiful pair of sun spectacles that matched the beautiful turquoise of the ocean. But then, a very large unknown force smashed them, and her heart was broken. After much sadness, she finally agreed to purchase new sun spectacles. And although these are not her best accessory, the corn rows helped her rock those new shades. Two beautiful sunny days allowed her to cherish the new purchase. Until, the same large unknown force took them away from her. She Who Must Not Be Named has learned a valuable lesson about how well she takes care of sun spectacles. End story. Dang, I don’t know who that girl is, but I hope that doesn’t happen to me. Today we left Gilligan’s Island…er…bay and took off towards our next destination. Our group did well staying in the diamond formation, and Emma did well peeing at every break. We made it to Punta Pescador in good time and were extremely anxious to get in the water and snorkel. But first, we discussed a book report, and a controversial issue. When we made it to the water the sun was almost behind the mountains, but gave us just enough time to explore the wonders of the ocean before it retired for the night. It was extremely funny to come to the surface and hear all the gasps of excitement coming from the snorkels. That was truly an experience that I will never forget. We then got a nice dinner after the sun went down. When we went to the water to rinse our food bowls we witnessed something amazing, bioluminescent algae! Every time we moved the shore line lit up with specs of green that reminded me of stars. It was simply amazing. Despite falling down a hill and ruining my favorite shorts, and some girl breaking her sunglasses, as well as cutting my hand, today was another good day on our ECOEE adventure. Francisco ended our night with a much needed and well said debrief that I am now going to stare into the stars and reflect on. Happy day 91, good night my fellow ECOEEANS.

P.S the finding nemo band aid on my cut is reminding me to just keep swimming.  

First Day Kayaking

By: Chris Friday

November 9, 2017

Our first day kayaking began painfully early with a 5am wakeup. The stars were still out and I don’t think I could have survived without a monster to assist me in waking up. When we got onto the water, I almost immediately had issues as my right Rutter peddle broke off. Ashley and I had to go back to shore to have Jeff and Francisco repair it for me. They got it back on rather quickly and off we went. We unfortunately didn’t get far however, as the same peddle broke off yet again for me about two minutes later. I guess I’m too rough on the peddles according to Francisco.  This time, Francisco got a whole new peddle to attach on and this time we really were off and on our way. Just barely into our journey and we got our first taste of ocean wildlife as an unknown shark made an appearance next to the boat of Sean and Emily. As we kayaked down the bay here in Bahia De Los Angelas, I couldn’t help make comparisons to canoeing in Canada. They are two vastly different landscapes, but match each other in how beautiful they can be. We approached a no wake zone where we encountered a Whale Shark. This is hands down one of the coolest things I have seen thus far on this trip. The massive creature passed right through our convoy of kayaks and we all stopped in awe until Francisco told us to keep paddling. The shore of our destination was in sight, but it never really seemed to get any closer no matter how much we paddled. Finally, we arrived at a nice little beach with the S.S. Minnow to greet us. We all devoured our lunch of PB&J tortilla wraps like we haven’t eaten in days. After a few lessons, most of decided to go snorkeling around some rocks by our beach. Kara taught us all the ins and outs of how to snorkel properly. We saw some fish and starfish, but nothing to spectacular. When cooking dinner, Emily so how managed to break a spoon while cooking spaghetti, something only Emily is capable of doing. Our spaghetti was a tad lumpy due to noodles sticking together. Right before we got together for dinner, Kara and Tracy returned from some nearby rocks where we learned Kara had hurt her foot, yet again. Her feet have really been in a bad way this trip. Luckily she has Tracy and her corn rows to help her move around. Tomorrow we begin our second day of our kayak trip, which I’m sure has some more interesting things in store for it. Our camp is currently being surrounded by coyotes as they plot to make their assault on our camp. I hope all of stuff is still here in the morning.

Tik Tok

By: Kara Sahagian

November 8, 2017

(Read in the tune of Kesha’s song called Tik-Tok): Woke up in the morning feeling like K-ditty. I got no glasses or contacts in to see this city. Before I got off my cot, saw the time was wack. Daylight savings started Sunday so we set our time back…alright enough of that. I was not sure how to start this journal entry and that was what popped into my mind. I got a little carried away. We did actually notice we had been going three days without setting our time back for daylight savings though. Once we finally got that settled, we started getting our gear for kayak training. Austin, Tracy, Chris and I started out in the ocean learning kayak basics with Francisco. He taught us different paddling strokes and how to flip properly in our kayaks. Some of us even learned what salt water tastes like. While the other group switched with us for their training, we got to relax in the sun and soak up Bay of LA’s beauty. The diverse landscape is breathtaking. We are blessed to be a part of the few that get to take on the challenge of ECOEE and have class in the most amazing and adventurous places. When the second group got back, we learned that a few of them were great at flipping…a little too great. We were taught lessons on the importance of learning first aid, ethical issues within experiential education, as well as how to tie the timer-hitch knot. Once all lessons were taught, we decided to all go out to eat as a group for dinner. While there, Emily got a horchata drink for her 21^st birthday (rice water). What a time to be alive. We got back to Casa Azul and hurried to get packed for our kayak expedition. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, it was a great day to be alive in Bahia De Los Angeles.

By: Emma Ngati
November 6, 2017

It is day 87 and the ECOEE sickness now had three more victims. The group left Chris, Boz, and I this morning to go see three more caves. Boz and I played an epic game of 100 dots. We slept, ate some food, and slept some more. When the group arrived back to camp Ricardo and Ramon let some of us ride their mules. We each got to be cowboys for a few moments. A little over halfway through the hike back to Santa Teresa. We stopped to let the mules pass. Ramon’s mule was freed up because he left to go check on his goats. They offered to ride one of us back. We continued on our way back to Santa Teresa and made it back a little after 3 pm. Once we were settled, Chris gave us a report on his book Outdoor Leadership. It is a good book for any aspiring leader and especially applicable for us folks on ECOEE. Leadership is an ongoing process, it does not happen overnight, which is something I must remind myself of on a daily basis. Chris left us all with a very important question of “why do we lead?” I hope all of us took some time to reflect on that, and maybe even give us the motivation we need to finish this trip. After an intense game of ninja with Sean, Kara, Chris, and Ashley, we ate dinner then got settled into our sleeping bags. Tomorrow will be a long day with an early start. I am so thankful that I am feeling better for this hike back to Guadeloupe. I am waiting patiently for my bedtime cheesecake then off to bed I will go.