Isla San Marcos and Santa Rosalia
During the night, the National Geographic Sea Bird continued heading north in the Gulf of California. After breakfast we dropped anchor in a beautiful bay at the south end of Isla San Marcos. Zodiacs took us to shore for walks up a dusty wind-swept gypsum-strewn mile-long road to the gypsum-mining town of San Marcos. Perched on a hilltop on the way into town was a tiny chapel made entirely of gypsum. I spent some time alone in contemplation here, and found myself break into a song – the acoustics were amazingly clear and resonant. Further along the road stood the school on one side and the soccer field/track on the other. Entering town was a little eerie… though home to 400 people, it seemed like a ghost town, with dogs in every yard barking to announce our arrival. The wind whipped into more of a white froth the further we disappeared into town. We discovered the source: miners were loading crushed gypsum onto a huge cargo vessel bound for the US. All the gypsum mined here is exported, some to Central and South America for use in cement, and some to the US, Canada and Japan for use in wallboard.
In the afternoon we docked at the town of Santa Rosalia. This town developed in the mid 1800’s around the huge copper deposits found here, though the copper processing plant closed in 1985. Highlights in town included stops at El Boleo Bakery where many got behind-the-scene tours of the huge ovens that have been baking breads and pastries since 1901; a trip to the cemetery high up on the hill overlooking the town and the water; and walks to the local museum atop another hill, to learn more about the history of the mining production.
Back aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird, we convened in the lounge for cocktails and recap, whetting our appetites for a Mexican Fiesta buffet dinner. Tonight we will cruise northward.
