Nestled in among the cliffs of Isla Coronado, Smith and Mitlan we found an oasis of solitude. The dinghy took us off Hiraya and around the reefs where we peered down into the somewhat clear water. We could see colorful fish swimming among the rocks which lead us to snorkel the area several times. The warm water was cooler then the air and helped us manage the heat. While snorkeling those colorful fish came up to check us out. Something large lurked in the shadows as we came around a large underwater bolder. It was three large angel fish! They were as startled as we were and relieved that neither of us was going to be the others dinner. We visited them daily either by snorkel or paddle board.
Above water the dinghy took us around Mitlan. Exploring every inch of the black, red, and brown volcanic cliffs watching for any sign of the Blue Footed Boobies. We still haven’t gotten THE picture yet. We always see them diving and flying and only capturing a flash of those pale turquoise feet. Just past the reef connecting Mitlan to Isla Smith there lies a large towering rock. There we find boobies. But they are skittish and we are unable to get close enough with the correct camera at the right time. Instead we get flocks of them flying over head. It was still an amazing sight to witness them all taking flight together.
We spent days dinghying around visiting the birds and the fish with The Volcano Coronado towering over us. Everyday we would say soon. Soon we will climb that. Both of us agreeing and then carrying on with our day doing anything but hiking the volcano. Soon our friends on Thalia, George and Toni show up. Toni will hike the volcano with us. We procrastinate a few more days.
One evening as the sun started making its slow decent in the sky we decided to take the dinghy out around Mitlan and Sam took his pole with him. We decided that we would try trolling in the dinghy. We set off North West out of the anchorage. Rounding Isla Mitlan into the channel the pole goes off. Sam is surprised and begins reeling it in. We hadn’t been out five minutes. Even more surprised when the fish fights, fights hard. Then in a flash of color it leaps out of the water and we see it. It is a very large Mahi. Sam then realize we have nothing to get it into the dinghy or to even dispatch it. He only grabbed his pole. In a hasty decision he pulls really hard and lifts the fish into the dinghy. It barely fits. I then race the dinghy back to the boat where we quickly take care of the magnificent fish. Our mouths water with the thought of fresh meat for dinner. We invite George and Toni over. Even after filling our bellies way beyond the full mark we still have enough meat for 4 more meals.
We tried this dinghy trolling a few more times over the next couple of days and each time caught something. We did go more prepared. We ended up adding to our small freezer a Grouper and Barracuda. The small Barracuda here in Mexico are safe to eat and are a very mild white fish. They put up a surprisingly strong fight when caught too. We enjoy are meals of fresh fish with Coronado still looming over head.
We finally mark the day. Be ready at 6 Toni, we are hiking the Volcano! when our alarms went off at 515 the next morning you would have thought we were getting punished. We moaned and groaned through making our morning coffee and gathering our stuff. The only thing pushing us to get up this early is to get the Up part done before the sun got hot. We pick up Toni, George gives her a kiss goodbye and bids us farewell on our adventure. He is the only intelligent one and stays Thalia.
As we beach the dinghy at the base of Coronado we gaze up at the shear size. “There has got to be an amazing view up there” we all mutter together. And we set off on the foot path through the arroyo and begin the ascent up the barren rocks. We stumble up and slide down the loose black lava rock. Up up and up we go. Mostly straight up with a few very small switch backs. Following the ridge up we stop to look around, take in the views, and catch our breath. The final push has us cresting the top with a view straight out of a fairy tale.
The recent Hurricane had given life to plants who had been dormant for the past several years. Grasses I didn’t even knew existed in the Baja gently bowed to the lovely breeze running across the top. Cacti of different varieties with flowers shared their beauty with us. Slowly taking in the 360 degree view around us we stood in silence. Just panting sweating silence. When we had caught our breath in unison we all said “wow”.
The hike was worth it for the view alone. We picked out the anchorages and island spending a good hour looking around. Taking picture after picture as we continued to spin 360 degrees. Taking in the view again and again. We startled a large black lizard out for his daily walk and watched as if he ran on his tiptoes in the other direction. It was time for us to return to boats. So we head down the trail picking our steps carefully as not to summersault our way down.