Whale Watching in the Baja and What I Left at Home
Our weather hasn’t been balmy during this trip to Loreto Bay. It’s been sunny and bright but windy and cool so I’m glad I packed lots of pants and long sleeved shirts. Almost all are hot weather friendly linen, but they still give more warmth than cotton skirts and short sleeved Tee’s. It turns out I packed the strangest collection of items and left many obvious pieces at home.
- All those fun tassel earrings which brighten an outfit…at home.
- Colorful scarves and straw bags…at home.
- Bright lipstick to wear with earrings and huge sunnies on a bad hair day…at home.
I know accessories are the easiest way to switch up your look so the fact that I left mine at home was a big fail.
I did bring three subdued colored scarves but lost one in a wind storm the first day here so the other two are seeing more than their fair share of wear. Friday, one rescued me from the worst hat hair of my life. I’m not one of those women who look chic wearing a scarf as a turban but I was desperate. 
My brother drove us to the other side of the Baja to go whale watching. Fair warning – this was not a fashionable day for me :D. I dressed for strong breezes, strong sun, and a bouncy boat ride. I wore sneakers, black pants, a long sleeve black tee shirt and a linen shirt which I topped with a denim jacket, then a borrowed windbreaker.
I lashed my hat firmly under my chin and slipped the tie through my life jacket closure so it wouldn’t blow away. Goofy I know, but it worked. They take you out in little motor boats that have the hardest bench seats you can imagine. There’s nowhere to hold on except the edge of the bench and trust me, you grip for dear life because these boats fly, crashing down over each swell.
Our last trip here, people were able to lean over the side of the small boats and pet the whales…they were that close! This year they weren’t as many so we had to go further out into the ocean and that’s where they all were! We saw tons of mothers and babies which is the most amazing sight. I’m a land lover so the 6-8 foot swells were scary. I swear they were 10-12 feet but my husband assures me they weren’t. Each time we crashed down off one I wished we could turn around. This entire experience was white knuckle material for me, but seeing the Gray females with their calves made it all worthwhile.
After a rough two hours smashing around in the chop, we headed to shore. I was semi seasick, had a sore backside and terminal hat hair. I couldn’t keep my hat on for one more minute, so I did the only damage control possible before we went to lunch. My husband jokes that I look like Rhoda from the Mary Tyler Moore show with a headscarf. That’s OK, it was better than my hair.
The long ride back to Loreto Bay took us through a literal forest of Saguaro and Cardon cactus. Mile after mile of winding roads, dry desert, and huge cactus change dramatically once you finally reach the Sea of Cortez.
We stopped for pictures at several lookouts. I prefer the water when viewed from any spot on land.
I layered my linen shirt and denim jacket back on to watch the sunset from the viewing tower atop my brothers’ winter home here in Loreto Bay. The colorful houses and lush landscaping make this little community a favorite place to visit. I’m so lucky my brother will put up with us year after year.
We’re off to dinner in town and the local Art Walk tonight. Maybe I’ll find some earrings.
Post script- I found a very pretty pair of sterling silver and purple crystal earrings at the art walk. The tassel earrings all looked familiar so I opted for unique.
Have you been whale watching?
Have you tried covering your hair with an oblong scarf? How did it work out for you?
Thanks for reading and have a great day.
First off, I think you look quite Chic in your turban. Wear it, girl!
I don’t like the big waves either but like to be out on the water. It reminded of younger days when we had a Bowrider and spent every Saturday out on the Strait fishing. The salmon were plentiful then and the day relaxing. We’d scoot over to Lund, racing with our friends, to enjoy a sandwich and beer on their patio. Good times!
Thanks, Joanna. Those do sound like fun times. Memories are so precious.
I’m with everyone on this post – the turban is cute and unique. First thing I saw – and wanted to know how you tied it! There’s times I need to get this hair outta the way and outta my eyes and face and this is the perfectly chic solution. You still managed to look sleek and fun loving.
Thanks so much Kathleen
I think you look very chic in all the photos. Would you give us a link to that cute and comfy black long sleeve tee? Thanks Jennifer, and have a great trip!
The black tee link is here https://www.christopherandbanks.com/long-sleeve-solid-essential-crewneck-tee-0037204552.html
I think you look very chic with the scarf/turban! And being flexible in your fashion choices makes you even more relatable and relevant to your followers!
I think you look great in your turban! I don’t feel that I look the best when I am on vacation because I am usually so tired. I use a baseball cap to cover my hair on vacation. I do have some other sun hats that I use for warmer climates. Some of my travels are on the back of a motorcycle so I have learned to pack very little but enough to satisfy me. My husband always says if I forgot to pack it, we can buy it. I also would like to see how you wrap the scarf for the turban. I don’t know how I would look in it but it would be fun to try.
Love seeing all your pics. But I disagree with you…..I think you look quite chic with the turban! I have very fine hair and now it’s also quite thin, so managing my hair while traveling is always an issue for me. And knowing what to pack is another problem I have. When we went to Italy for 16 days everyone in our group only took a carry on, and we all survived. I did miss having more clothes, but it was so much easier not dealing with a lot of bags.
Thank you. I find it’s easier to have fewer clothes than far too many. It takes some creativity but is worth the effort
It never fails that my vacation photos are more like the ones of you on the boat vs. the ones where I am looking put together! I guess that means we are having fun! My husband and I rented a convertible last summer on our vacation on the east coast of Canada. I could have used that turban for the drives and our whale watching trip. We were lucky enough to have calm waters and could reach over and touch the baby whales who were close to the boat. Glorious!
How marvelous! That’s such an exhilarating experience.
I think you look great in the turban. I wish I could rock one like that.
thanks so much
That sounds like something I would pack all the wrong things! You look adorable in the turban!
Thanks Cindy
Great look! Stronger stomach than I have! And braver! 😮 How awesome though!
Please don’t sell yourself short, Ms. Jennifer! You look plenty chic in your scarf turban!
Agreed!
You’re too sweet, thanks
I agree – can you post a video on Facebook on how you made the turban? Thx!
I have fine, thin hair that doesn’t do well in wind! I’d use a turban but I have no earthly idea how to tie one!
I will show you how in a short video on Facebook
Hey Jennifer….you are real trooper, and you look wonderful despite all the wind, choppy seas, and hard seats. Hurray for turbans!
I have been on many Whale watching trips off the Cape (cape cod), a short drive from our summer cottage there. The difference is we are on larger Research Vessels, not a small boat. The whales gather all around and seem to view our boat as a friend…..leaping, spraying and acting playful. Such fun!
Paulette,
I agree, a larger vessel minimizes seasickness and makes whale watching a great experience.
I love your scarf and black comfy outfit with the touch of colorful scarf.
Sharon
Please show us how to tie the scarf in a turban!
Yes, yes! My thoughts too! Would love to know how also! 😀
Mine also.
Mine as well!
I think you look marvelous in all the pics – vacation is all about relaxing and winding down!
Yes, Tell us, tell us!
Video to follow when I get home and can film one.
I absolutely love your style, your honesty and your self-deprecating humor! I find packing for trips challenging – with a steep learning curve! ???? I would cut myself some slack with regards to packing however, if I was in the middle of house hunting like you are. The couple we traveled with last week each only had one carry-on bag that fit under the seat; both looked great all week! (I don’t think I could go that ‘minimalist’!) The one item I forgot? A colorful scarf ????????!
Wow, under the seat only?? I have a long way to go for that and expect my whole wardrobe would be black
Hilarious post! How did you tie your head scarf? My hair would have been a mess.
I’ll make a little video for you.
Yes, Jennifer , I have been whale watching in Alaska and Hawaii and loved it.
Both times we were in much larger and comfortable boats. And so, I chose to beg off last year in Cabo when our group was going out in the small boats. Small boats ???? , huge whales ???? and a sea sick Rosie ????, no thanks.
Love your photos I need to master the headscarf.
xoxrd
Rosemary
I hear you on the seasickness. I am not too steady on boats either.
The black outfit looks so comfy for travel. Can you send details.
They are very comfy. You can find the links to them here.https://awellstyedlife.com/wear-it-now-and-later-with-christopher-and-banks/
Enjoyed your trip reporting and photos. Loreto Bay sounds like a great place to visit. Intrigued by your oblong scarf . How do you tie it?
I will try to make a short video of how I tied it