We arrived here – just south of Santa Rosalia - only to find that our friend John wasn’t there – at all!! His camper wasn’t even there anymore! Lorne wandered about looking to see if he had moved it to another spot and since he looked so puzzled a neighbour came to help. It turns out that John got married!! He married Beatrice, his paramour from the past few years. Now John has been a confirmed bachelor for some time. He repeatedly stated that after being married 4 times he wasn’t about to do that again and even though Beatrice wanted to get married it just wasn't going to happen. Well – he did and he looks pretty happy, as does Beatrice! We went to visit them – following their honeymoon in Yellowstone John has moved into her house in town and has been working on fixing it up. So, congratulations to John and Beatrice!
We got our laundry done here, as usual by the time we get here everything we own is dirty! So, now we smell lovely and the whites are truly whiter than white! We think that Mexico still has phosphates in their laundry soap so everything gets very clean! In addition, the soap has a very strong scent that has both Lorne and I sneezing. One night here at this fishing beach and we are off south to El Coyote.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Dagget's, Bahia de Los Angeles
New Years Day
We are in Bahia de Los Angeles at Daggets RV park New Years Day. It is windy but the sun is shining today so all is as it should be. This place has showers…. This is good. Warm running water, no matter how small the dribble is …. always good. We maybe have internet at our site in the mornings while the sun is shining on the host’s solar panels, this is also good. We have only the electricity that we generate with our own solar panels.
We made friends with our British neighbours John and Faye who have lived for a long time in White Rock (still have their family home there) and who now live in Sointula for the summer (an island off the coast of Northern Vancouver Island, near Alert Bay and Port McNeil). He worked at Triumph at UBC in Vancouver. Triumph is a nuclear research accelerator and John was a science technician so built parts and repaired it. It’s not clear that he is totally retired from this. He can likely fix anything. We have an open invitation to their beautiful home on the beach on Sointula.
It is warm enough in the shelter of the motor home that I can play my banjo outside (it’s an outdoor activity, according to Lorne). Since I have been deprived of playing the banjo for some time now this is very good!
It is usually very windy here this time of year, although we have had some nice kayaking mornings in previous years. Yesterday we used a spectacular wind-LESS day to drive around the bay in the 4x4 to see the small community of Gringo houses on that side. In hindsite it would have been a great day - all day - to kayak!! Who knew? The wind can spring up very quickly here and we just expected it to start anytime.... Today it was a beautiful morning so up we got, unleashed the kayaks, were ready to hop in, and the wind sprang up. Before our eyes the flat water turned to ever increasig whitecaps - so since we are very inexperienced kayakers yet experienced enough to know that it would be more like work than fun, we retired to our alternate activities.
We plan on staying here till Thursday the 6th before heading south to San Lucas Cove, then El Coyote for a few days, then on to Ligui for a day, then La Paz to stock up on good groceries (that means steak and excellent Mexican chicken) and arriving in Los Barriles by the 13th so we can still see the Kite boarding (and bikini) contest.
We are in Bahia de Los Angeles at Daggets RV park New Years Day. It is windy but the sun is shining today so all is as it should be. This place has showers…. This is good. Warm running water, no matter how small the dribble is …. always good. We maybe have internet at our site in the mornings while the sun is shining on the host’s solar panels, this is also good. We have only the electricity that we generate with our own solar panels.
We made friends with our British neighbours John and Faye who have lived for a long time in White Rock (still have their family home there) and who now live in Sointula for the summer (an island off the coast of Northern Vancouver Island, near Alert Bay and Port McNeil). He worked at Triumph at UBC in Vancouver. Triumph is a nuclear research accelerator and John was a science technician so built parts and repaired it. It’s not clear that he is totally retired from this. He can likely fix anything. We have an open invitation to their beautiful home on the beach on Sointula.
It is warm enough in the shelter of the motor home that I can play my banjo outside (it’s an outdoor activity, according to Lorne). Since I have been deprived of playing the banjo for some time now this is very good!
It is usually very windy here this time of year, although we have had some nice kayaking mornings in previous years. Yesterday we used a spectacular wind-LESS day to drive around the bay in the 4x4 to see the small community of Gringo houses on that side. In hindsite it would have been a great day - all day - to kayak!! Who knew? The wind can spring up very quickly here and we just expected it to start anytime.... Today it was a beautiful morning so up we got, unleashed the kayaks, were ready to hop in, and the wind sprang up. Before our eyes the flat water turned to ever increasig whitecaps - so since we are very inexperienced kayakers yet experienced enough to know that it would be more like work than fun, we retired to our alternate activities.
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| The change in light makes a surreal picture |
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| The change in light throughout the day on the mountains is amazing |
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| These look like cinder cones from the volcano long ago |
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| The sun setting across the bay |
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| The sun shining on the mountains across the bay |
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| The different colors of the rock look like a painting to me |
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| These cirio cactus (also called Boojum trees) grow as tall as 18 meters and as old as 360 years. These have blooms at their top. |
We plan on staying here till Thursday the 6th before heading south to San Lucas Cove, then El Coyote for a few days, then on to Ligui for a day, then La Paz to stock up on good groceries (that means steak and excellent Mexican chicken) and arriving in Los Barriles by the 13th so we can still see the Kite boarding (and bikini) contest.
Water water not quite everywhere
Thursday December 30
We didn’t have to worry so much about water on the road south of Ensenada or at the Beach camp yet we were still very glad that we stopped at Estero Beach for the night. There was major construction on the road south of Ensenada – the trip to Colonet, about 180 km took us about 4 hours!! So much for the wheel alignment on the motor home that we got in Fremont, California!! There were some massive car eating and wheel wrenching pot holes. These were of course not marked. There was a flag man in one very difficult spot however, he was madly waving everyone on – even though there was only room for one vehicle to drive through.
We did manage to make it to Rancho Santa Ines at Catavina in time for a nice dinner. There was only a bus full of young kids, a couple on motorcycles and another motor home here for the night. It was very cold – there was frost on the car in the morning! This is the high desert and does get very cold at night in the winter.
We stayed for 2 nights as we wanted to drive into El Marmol, an old abandoned onyx quarry. It was very interesting; there is the ruin of an abandoned school house built entirely of blocks of onyx. They also used onyx blocks for their well. We saw no ruins of old houses, the people likely lived in small huts.
The school house is very small - the triangular pieces out the sides were built as supports I guess. The opposite side of the building has fallen down.
There were huge blocks of beautiful onyx just laying all over the ground. Yes thats a touque on my head and my winter jacket (without the fleece) it was very cold!
There was also an old graveyard (apparently there are two but we only saw one). Most of the graves were piles of onyx, marked only with a wooden cross and nothing to say who they were. According to the rancher at Santa Ines the mine ran for around 100 years and the onyx was mined completely by hand. He also said a lot of people died from the hard work at the mine.
The 15 km drive into El Marmol was such a very rough road that it took us at more than an hour each way in my little 4x4.
We returned to the ranch for lunch then drove back up the highway to another arroyo that we had been wanting to hike in to. We found a well marked trail up a cliff to a cave that had paintings done by the local Indians many years ago. It had a very small opening ..... yikes...
However, the paintings were very interesting. What they mean is anyone's guess. Maybe Lorne loves Catherine or Lorne was here....
So, that was our New Years Eve. Very cool.
We didn’t have to worry so much about water on the road south of Ensenada or at the Beach camp yet we were still very glad that we stopped at Estero Beach for the night. There was major construction on the road south of Ensenada – the trip to Colonet, about 180 km took us about 4 hours!! So much for the wheel alignment on the motor home that we got in Fremont, California!! There were some massive car eating and wheel wrenching pot holes. These were of course not marked. There was a flag man in one very difficult spot however, he was madly waving everyone on – even though there was only room for one vehicle to drive through.
We did manage to make it to Rancho Santa Ines at Catavina in time for a nice dinner. There was only a bus full of young kids, a couple on motorcycles and another motor home here for the night. It was very cold – there was frost on the car in the morning! This is the high desert and does get very cold at night in the winter.
We stayed for 2 nights as we wanted to drive into El Marmol, an old abandoned onyx quarry. It was very interesting; there is the ruin of an abandoned school house built entirely of blocks of onyx. They also used onyx blocks for their well. We saw no ruins of old houses, the people likely lived in small huts.
The school house is very small - the triangular pieces out the sides were built as supports I guess. The opposite side of the building has fallen down.
There were huge blocks of beautiful onyx just laying all over the ground. Yes thats a touque on my head and my winter jacket (without the fleece) it was very cold!
There was also an old graveyard (apparently there are two but we only saw one). Most of the graves were piles of onyx, marked only with a wooden cross and nothing to say who they were. According to the rancher at Santa Ines the mine ran for around 100 years and the onyx was mined completely by hand. He also said a lot of people died from the hard work at the mine.
The 15 km drive into El Marmol was such a very rough road that it took us at more than an hour each way in my little 4x4.
We returned to the ranch for lunch then drove back up the highway to another arroyo that we had been wanting to hike in to. We found a well marked trail up a cliff to a cave that had paintings done by the local Indians many years ago. It had a very small opening ..... yikes...
However, the paintings were very interesting. What they mean is anyone's guess. Maybe Lorne loves Catherine or Lorne was here....
Into Mexico Wednesday December 29, 2010
We like to walk across the border at Tecate and get our visas stamped, then we are able to just cross over the next day and keep on driving. Parking on the Tecate side of the border is very difficult, narrow streets riddled with potholes and cars parked everywhere. In previous years we have had to park many blocks away, walk back to the border, and felt a bit nervous about leaving our motor home. So, now we park on the American side in a parking lot right next to the border and walk over, get our visas stamped and walk back. This year we had as usual, a very friendly immigration officer on the Mexican side. Once stamped, we walked across the street and had to go through American customs. The two American female officers were very official and sternly insisted that we pass through separately. The interview went like this:
Officer: Where are you coming from?
Me: Just across the street….we…
Officer: Where are you going?
Me: Los Barriles….we…
Officer: Do you live there?
Me: No…. we are just going there for three months vacation
Officer: What are you bringing with you?
Me: Our motor home (now I’m really lost, why does she care?)
Officer: So what are you bringing with you?
Me: Just our personal things that we need…
Officer: What do you have on you right now?
Me: Nothing. Just my visa
She waved us through – I’m not sure who was more confused…. Lorne thinks it was me….
The next morning we cross into Tecate - I was in the lead and got the green light - which means drive on no questions asked. Lorne got the green light but the female officer waved him over anyway. She came in, looked around, wanted to see the registration papers and then sent him on. I had to drive ahead and was wondering what had happened to him. Thank goodness for our little walkie talkies. "Whats happening Lorne, where are you? Where are you Catherine? I can't see you? Don't worry I'm coming. Catherine? Where are you? Catherine, can you hear me? Don't worry, I'm coming - there you are Lorne, I see you, I'm right behind you. Catherine where are you? Lorne, I said, I'm right behind you...." and so it goes.
We made it to Ensenada today – We took the toll road 2d toward Tijuana (not to be confused with 2D which goes somewhere else entirely). We cut off well before TJ, hit the coast, and then went south on the toll road to Ensenada. The toll road was a very good road compared to Mexicali 3, the one we usually take! But - pouring rain so there was lots of water on the road. Driving the car was not at all scary, this road is just fine for me.
There continues to be major road construction on Mexicali 3 south of Tecate to Ensenada. This road passes through the Guadalupe Valley, a beautiful grape–growing region complete with vineyards. It is a tourist area for Baja that must be really suffering – this is the second year that the road has been basically out of commission. Well, when it is finished it promises to be a great route. We stopped at Estero Beach resort in Ensenada as we were concerned that the road to the beach we were planning on staying at is likely full of water by now, and we sure don’t want to get stuck.
I'm going to have to be very organized if I am going to be able to get anything on my blog since I'm driving the whole way too.
Officer: Where are you coming from?
Me: Just across the street….we…
Officer: Where are you going?
Me: Los Barriles….we…
Officer: Do you live there?
Me: No…. we are just going there for three months vacation
Officer: What are you bringing with you?
Me: Our motor home (now I’m really lost, why does she care?)
Officer: So what are you bringing with you?
Me: Just our personal things that we need…
Officer: What do you have on you right now?
Me: Nothing. Just my visa
She waved us through – I’m not sure who was more confused…. Lorne thinks it was me….
The next morning we cross into Tecate - I was in the lead and got the green light - which means drive on no questions asked. Lorne got the green light but the female officer waved him over anyway. She came in, looked around, wanted to see the registration papers and then sent him on. I had to drive ahead and was wondering what had happened to him. Thank goodness for our little walkie talkies. "Whats happening Lorne, where are you? Where are you Catherine? I can't see you? Don't worry I'm coming. Catherine? Where are you? Catherine, can you hear me? Don't worry, I'm coming - there you are Lorne, I see you, I'm right behind you. Catherine where are you? Lorne, I said, I'm right behind you...." and so it goes.
We made it to Ensenada today – We took the toll road 2d toward Tijuana (not to be confused with 2D which goes somewhere else entirely). We cut off well before TJ, hit the coast, and then went south on the toll road to Ensenada. The toll road was a very good road compared to Mexicali 3, the one we usually take! But - pouring rain so there was lots of water on the road. Driving the car was not at all scary, this road is just fine for me.
There continues to be major road construction on Mexicali 3 south of Tecate to Ensenada. This road passes through the Guadalupe Valley, a beautiful grape–growing region complete with vineyards. It is a tourist area for Baja that must be really suffering – this is the second year that the road has been basically out of commission. Well, when it is finished it promises to be a great route. We stopped at Estero Beach resort in Ensenada as we were concerned that the road to the beach we were planning on staying at is likely full of water by now, and we sure don’t want to get stuck.
I'm going to have to be very organized if I am going to be able to get anything on my blog since I'm driving the whole way too.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
December 27, 2010
I’m writing this from Petchanga RV park in Temecula, California, where we have an impossibly slow internet connection that keeps dropping us!! Arggg! We are 147 km from where we cross the border at Tecate, Baja California, Mexico. Our plan is to leave early tomorrow morning (Tuesday December 28th) and head straight across the border. We plan to take a new route from Tecate over towards Tijuana and then south to Ensenada. This route has been recommended on the Baja Pony Express (a Baja newsgroup) as a good alternate to the construction riddled Mex. 3.
Just to back track to the start of our journey in Canada: We celebrated our Christmas with my sister Jo and Brian, our kids and the grand kids on November 28th. We then assumed our duties caring for the grand kids from December 2nd to the 12th. Mike and Kate had a lovely vacation without kids in Maui, and we had great fun taking care of our two very busy grand kids! Between early morning hockey practices, ballet, tap, diving and school we were quite ready to leave Victoria on the 14th. We will miss them all very much and we also plan on having lots of fun on our 5th southern Baja journey.
This year we are taking my old Suziki Vitara with us (I’m driving it) and we will store it in Los Barriles for our return visit next year. It will be great having the car on the drive down as well as having a car when we arrive in LB. There are so many places to explore on the Baja that we have not been able to get to in the motor home or on our bikes. It will also be impossible (and certainly not advisable) to write anything for my blog while Lorne is driving since I will be driving too!!
Our trip began with rain turning to snow and then pouring rain all the way down to Grants Pass. We visited with our friends John and Sharon who live in Bothell, Washington and met them for dinner at the Tulalip Casino just north of Everett Washington. They are happy in their retirement. She continues to work on her family genealogy and her new interest is Facebook where she is able to keep in touch with so many of her family members from all over. They also have a lovely home on the water on Vashon Island that has spectacular views of Seattle and Mount Baker. They would love to sell it, however, with the economy at the moment it remains a buyers, not a sellers market. Any interest out there?
We continued south, stopping at Woodburn Outlet mall, stayed at the RV park there, did a bit of shopping, and visited our Baja friends MaryAnn and Jim who live in Ridgefield, Washington, just north of Portland. Jim is recovering from surgery so it was great to see first hand how well he is doing! Since Jim’s doctor insists that Jim stay home till all tests are clear; they will not be able to get down to their unique and charming home in Los Barriles until April. We will be on our way home by then so may pass them in transit!
As we continued south through the pouring rain we received weather warnings of mega snow in the Sisikiyous mountains so at Grants Pass we headed west to Crescent City, California. This time we drove the Redwood Highway (99) in the daylight (and the pouring rain). Nonetheless the redwoods were amazing and the forest was truly spectacular. We had a great night at the little rv park on the Pacific at Crescent City for $15.
South of Crescent City we had one uneventful night at a very expensive RV park and then on to Fremont (just south of San Francisco) where our other specialist GMC mechanic Jim brought the coach up to standard for the remainder of our trip (we hope).
Then we were off to Los Angeles where we had a wonderful night at Dohenny State beach. There had been a great deal of flooding in the LA area with some of the freeways closed! The campground had been quite flooded out and the water was just finally receding so we were very lucky to get a spot. The rain has finally stopped!!
We enjoyed ourselves so much at my goddaughter Megan and Reginald's home for Xmas. Megan and Reginald had sent her mom - Sandi - a plane ticket so my good friend Sandi was there for Christmas after all. It was very fun spending time with an almost 2 year old. Ethan is a total delight. We all just watched him and played with him all day every day we were there. Ethan loves music very much and he really liked playing my banjo!! He was totally enamored! He also loved to drive the motor home. We had Christmas Eve dinner at Donna and Jun's beautiful home (Sandi’s sister). All three of Sandyi's sisters and their children and grandchildren were there. It was a very lovely family day.
There! That brings us all up to date – who knows when next I will write…..just know that I have some trepidation about doing 1700 km of driving in the Baja. It hasn’t been bad so far but the highway in Baja leaves a lot to be desired and we are taking a different route at the beginning.
Just to back track to the start of our journey in Canada: We celebrated our Christmas with my sister Jo and Brian, our kids and the grand kids on November 28th. We then assumed our duties caring for the grand kids from December 2nd to the 12th. Mike and Kate had a lovely vacation without kids in Maui, and we had great fun taking care of our two very busy grand kids! Between early morning hockey practices, ballet, tap, diving and school we were quite ready to leave Victoria on the 14th. We will miss them all very much and we also plan on having lots of fun on our 5th southern Baja journey.
This year we are taking my old Suziki Vitara with us (I’m driving it) and we will store it in Los Barriles for our return visit next year. It will be great having the car on the drive down as well as having a car when we arrive in LB. There are so many places to explore on the Baja that we have not been able to get to in the motor home or on our bikes. It will also be impossible (and certainly not advisable) to write anything for my blog while Lorne is driving since I will be driving too!!
Our trip began with rain turning to snow and then pouring rain all the way down to Grants Pass. We visited with our friends John and Sharon who live in Bothell, Washington and met them for dinner at the Tulalip Casino just north of Everett Washington. They are happy in their retirement. She continues to work on her family genealogy and her new interest is Facebook where she is able to keep in touch with so many of her family members from all over. They also have a lovely home on the water on Vashon Island that has spectacular views of Seattle and Mount Baker. They would love to sell it, however, with the economy at the moment it remains a buyers, not a sellers market. Any interest out there?
We continued south, stopping at Woodburn Outlet mall, stayed at the RV park there, did a bit of shopping, and visited our Baja friends MaryAnn and Jim who live in Ridgefield, Washington, just north of Portland. Jim is recovering from surgery so it was great to see first hand how well he is doing! Since Jim’s doctor insists that Jim stay home till all tests are clear; they will not be able to get down to their unique and charming home in Los Barriles until April. We will be on our way home by then so may pass them in transit!
As we continued south through the pouring rain we received weather warnings of mega snow in the Sisikiyous mountains so at Grants Pass we headed west to Crescent City, California. This time we drove the Redwood Highway (99) in the daylight (and the pouring rain). Nonetheless the redwoods were amazing and the forest was truly spectacular. We had a great night at the little rv park on the Pacific at Crescent City for $15.
South of Crescent City we had one uneventful night at a very expensive RV park and then on to Fremont (just south of San Francisco) where our other specialist GMC mechanic Jim brought the coach up to standard for the remainder of our trip (we hope).
Then we were off to Los Angeles where we had a wonderful night at Dohenny State beach. There had been a great deal of flooding in the LA area with some of the freeways closed! The campground had been quite flooded out and the water was just finally receding so we were very lucky to get a spot. The rain has finally stopped!!
We enjoyed ourselves so much at my goddaughter Megan and Reginald's home for Xmas. Megan and Reginald had sent her mom - Sandi - a plane ticket so my good friend Sandi was there for Christmas after all. It was very fun spending time with an almost 2 year old. Ethan is a total delight. We all just watched him and played with him all day every day we were there. Ethan loves music very much and he really liked playing my banjo!! He was totally enamored! He also loved to drive the motor home. We had Christmas Eve dinner at Donna and Jun's beautiful home (Sandi’s sister). All three of Sandyi's sisters and their children and grandchildren were there. It was a very lovely family day.
There! That brings us all up to date – who knows when next I will write…..just know that I have some trepidation about doing 1700 km of driving in the Baja. It hasn’t been bad so far but the highway in Baja leaves a lot to be desired and we are taking a different route at the beginning.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
April 5 Heading North
April 5 Leaving Los Barriles
On the road again, early, truly early for us, we were on the road by 7:00. We were aroused by a nasty mosquito, buzzing around my ear, then around Lorne’s, then me, then him…..slap, slap slap, we slapped ourselves awake! Well, we wanted to get going early.
The roads are relatively quiet after Semano Santos. Hopefully all those who have seriously imbibed all weekend are safely tucked in their beds recovering and not driving down the road all blurry eyed!
The cardon are blooming – beautiful white flowers. There is a pink blooming seemingly leafless tree between Los Barriles and El Triumpho, very pretty.on them at all.
We decided to take the road over to Los Planes from El Triumpho. I drove. That’s right I DROVE the motor home that is 6 inches narrower than the lane! The first part was fine but the second part – from La Ventana up the big hill and part way down was full of extreme potholes, so deep they were through the asphalt and well into the sand below! It was impossible to miss them; very hard on the tires. There were others on the road that whipped on past us, I guess of the belief that if they go fast enough they will succeed in flying over those pot holes. Did I mention that I drove this part!! I am impressed I am. In the past I have been too frightened to drive on these narrow roads. However, Lorne has been dizzy for the past three days so I had to do it as we need to get north now.
Later…
Lorne feels much better today so we didn’t go into the clinic and he is driving now from La Paz to Ciudad Constitution – a 200 km jaunt through the dessert. This is not the prettiest part of Baja. We are aiming for Loreto today. I drove to the Gigantes Mountains after Constitution. Downright amazing! Twice in one day!
The check point right after La Paz was quite serious this time, we had to pull off with a number of others to be searched. They wanted to go in the pod (under the kayaks) which would have been a big deal so I told them I didn’t understand what they were saying; “no intiendo.” After a series of attempts to ask me about that I still did not understand; so they gave up and searched inside. One of them was particularly enamored with a hunting knife of Lorne’s and wanted to know all about it, where it was made, where we got it… When asked they told me they were looking for guns.
We just passed two road workers with shovels loading a truck with asphalt. It is a hot day for such hard work. It’s a hot day for driving! In the past we have also seen two workers filling a pick up with gravel with their shovels, and big rocks by hand. These days we see many more backhoes and dump trucks.
We had a fabulous time in Los Barriles this year. We always do, but this year was even better. Since we were able to spend such a long time in one spot we became more a part of the community and got to know so many gringo neighbors. Unfortunately we didn’t get to see our Ranch Pescadero friends as much as we would have liked; although us girls did go to yoga twice a week together and frequently went for lunch afterwards. There are just so many very nice people and things to do here. We were able to go out to listen to music lots too, as we were so close to town it made it easier to quad in. Most everyone here is our age or older and living life fully. It is truly like club med – there is something to do every day if you want to and lots of social interaction. The live music is excellent; there are a couple of local bands who play frequently at the restaurants and the hotel. Music starts at 7 and the crowd starts thinning out around 9 or 9:30 and the band is beat by 10. The atmosphere is lovely, tables by the pool under the stars filled with friendly faces of people we know and others we are about to meet. Some are familiar because we have run into them so many times. For the most part every one is very friendly and very casual. We have had lots of opportunity to practice Spanish, unfortunately I didn’t take any Spanish courses, next year I hope to.
April 6
Unbelievable, we made it all the way to Santispac in one day! This is an absolute record for us! Normally this would be a two day drive. We got into Santispac about 6:45, just as the sun was setting so good timing! Had dinner played a few tunes and fell into bed.
Yesterday Lorne saw a bob cat and ran over a big rattler on the road. I missed them. This morning a skunk ran across the road.
We won’t be stopping in to see John at San Lucas Cove this time, we need to push on. So, on the road this morning at 7:00 am again. Lorne is feeling ok today with only a very slight amount of dizziness…. Excellent.
South of Santa Innis (at Catavina)
Whew this road just gets worse! It is so rough and patched over we have to drive very slow. Its also incredibly windy. The dry lake bed had lots of water – well I don’t know how deep it is but it covers a large area!! This is the first time I’ve seen that! It is very green here, lush with flowers as well, yellow daisies, white , pink, purple blushes of small flowers, stands of white poppies, the red tipped barrel cactus. Very picturesque – just ask me – I have taken a ton of pictures of this area with my new camera. This is an incredible camera, an excellent deal. Its an Olympus 26X optical wide zoom. We paid about $350 for it. Last years version was $570 – the new version (mine) came out that much cheaper and better.
This high desert is very beautiful and strange. The boojum trees tower and there are some of the tallest cardon I have seen anywhere. Some of these cordons go straight up as tall as a telephone pole without branching. The ocotillos are covered with tiny green leaves and their orange flowers are at the very top. The sun is getting low and the light through the thorns on the cholla is really quite beautiful, even through the dirty windows. With any luck I can get some pics of those when we stop. I think this area is one where I have tons of pictures of cactus and the strange landscape.
Later…
Pulled into Santa Innis just after 6:00 with light enough for a walk. The area is beautiful. The field where we park the motor home is all green, today it looks like a well groomed park. While filling with water a man came by – it was Keith – from Ligui several years ago. Fantastic, he remembered us (but we didn’t remember him right away) … his wife is Betty. They bought a casita this year at Bahia de Los Angeles in Dagetts RV park. They are travelling with Ray and Delaina! What a treat – we met them at Ligui several years ago too. They are a lovely couple from Kamloops who are full timers in their trailer. They have been travelling for the last 6 years all over Canada, the US and mainland Mexico. This year they returned to Baja and while they planned on going further south they stopped at Ligui and didn’t see any need to go any further, the fishing was good, it was beautiful, the people were nice…. They plan on going there again next year so we will stop in there to see them too. Ray is still fishing and playing his guitar. Delaina has quit water color painting and is now focusing on her threads. Not sure what that means other than sewing. I will find out next year I guess.
What a windy night!! It was whistling and blustering so that the old motor home was rocking, and not gently! The straps on the kayaks were vibrating and buzzing. Not much sleep for either of us.
April 7
On our way about 8 or so, into the wind, the road was marginally better than the rugged road into Santa Innis then about an hour out it was paved with a shoulder. Very nice indeed, next thing I’ll be wanting to drive. Ha!
On the road again, early, truly early for us, we were on the road by 7:00. We were aroused by a nasty mosquito, buzzing around my ear, then around Lorne’s, then me, then him…..slap, slap slap, we slapped ourselves awake! Well, we wanted to get going early.
The roads are relatively quiet after Semano Santos. Hopefully all those who have seriously imbibed all weekend are safely tucked in their beds recovering and not driving down the road all blurry eyed!
The cardon are blooming – beautiful white flowers. There is a pink blooming seemingly leafless tree between Los Barriles and El Triumpho, very pretty.on them at all.
We decided to take the road over to Los Planes from El Triumpho. I drove. That’s right I DROVE the motor home that is 6 inches narrower than the lane! The first part was fine but the second part – from La Ventana up the big hill and part way down was full of extreme potholes, so deep they were through the asphalt and well into the sand below! It was impossible to miss them; very hard on the tires. There were others on the road that whipped on past us, I guess of the belief that if they go fast enough they will succeed in flying over those pot holes. Did I mention that I drove this part!! I am impressed I am. In the past I have been too frightened to drive on these narrow roads. However, Lorne has been dizzy for the past three days so I had to do it as we need to get north now.
Later…
Lorne feels much better today so we didn’t go into the clinic and he is driving now from La Paz to Ciudad Constitution – a 200 km jaunt through the dessert. This is not the prettiest part of Baja. We are aiming for Loreto today. I drove to the Gigantes Mountains after Constitution. Downright amazing! Twice in one day!
The check point right after La Paz was quite serious this time, we had to pull off with a number of others to be searched. They wanted to go in the pod (under the kayaks) which would have been a big deal so I told them I didn’t understand what they were saying; “no intiendo.” After a series of attempts to ask me about that I still did not understand; so they gave up and searched inside. One of them was particularly enamored with a hunting knife of Lorne’s and wanted to know all about it, where it was made, where we got it… When asked they told me they were looking for guns.
We just passed two road workers with shovels loading a truck with asphalt. It is a hot day for such hard work. It’s a hot day for driving! In the past we have also seen two workers filling a pick up with gravel with their shovels, and big rocks by hand. These days we see many more backhoes and dump trucks.
We had a fabulous time in Los Barriles this year. We always do, but this year was even better. Since we were able to spend such a long time in one spot we became more a part of the community and got to know so many gringo neighbors. Unfortunately we didn’t get to see our Ranch Pescadero friends as much as we would have liked; although us girls did go to yoga twice a week together and frequently went for lunch afterwards. There are just so many very nice people and things to do here. We were able to go out to listen to music lots too, as we were so close to town it made it easier to quad in. Most everyone here is our age or older and living life fully. It is truly like club med – there is something to do every day if you want to and lots of social interaction. The live music is excellent; there are a couple of local bands who play frequently at the restaurants and the hotel. Music starts at 7 and the crowd starts thinning out around 9 or 9:30 and the band is beat by 10. The atmosphere is lovely, tables by the pool under the stars filled with friendly faces of people we know and others we are about to meet. Some are familiar because we have run into them so many times. For the most part every one is very friendly and very casual. We have had lots of opportunity to practice Spanish, unfortunately I didn’t take any Spanish courses, next year I hope to.
April 6
Unbelievable, we made it all the way to Santispac in one day! This is an absolute record for us! Normally this would be a two day drive. We got into Santispac about 6:45, just as the sun was setting so good timing! Had dinner played a few tunes and fell into bed.
Yesterday Lorne saw a bob cat and ran over a big rattler on the road. I missed them. This morning a skunk ran across the road.
We won’t be stopping in to see John at San Lucas Cove this time, we need to push on. So, on the road this morning at 7:00 am again. Lorne is feeling ok today with only a very slight amount of dizziness…. Excellent.
South of Santa Innis (at Catavina)
Whew this road just gets worse! It is so rough and patched over we have to drive very slow. Its also incredibly windy. The dry lake bed had lots of water – well I don’t know how deep it is but it covers a large area!! This is the first time I’ve seen that! It is very green here, lush with flowers as well, yellow daisies, white , pink, purple blushes of small flowers, stands of white poppies, the red tipped barrel cactus. Very picturesque – just ask me – I have taken a ton of pictures of this area with my new camera. This is an incredible camera, an excellent deal. Its an Olympus 26X optical wide zoom. We paid about $350 for it. Last years version was $570 – the new version (mine) came out that much cheaper and better.
This high desert is very beautiful and strange. The boojum trees tower and there are some of the tallest cardon I have seen anywhere. Some of these cordons go straight up as tall as a telephone pole without branching. The ocotillos are covered with tiny green leaves and their orange flowers are at the very top. The sun is getting low and the light through the thorns on the cholla is really quite beautiful, even through the dirty windows. With any luck I can get some pics of those when we stop. I think this area is one where I have tons of pictures of cactus and the strange landscape.
Later…
Pulled into Santa Innis just after 6:00 with light enough for a walk. The area is beautiful. The field where we park the motor home is all green, today it looks like a well groomed park. While filling with water a man came by – it was Keith – from Ligui several years ago. Fantastic, he remembered us (but we didn’t remember him right away) … his wife is Betty. They bought a casita this year at Bahia de Los Angeles in Dagetts RV park. They are travelling with Ray and Delaina! What a treat – we met them at Ligui several years ago too. They are a lovely couple from Kamloops who are full timers in their trailer. They have been travelling for the last 6 years all over Canada, the US and mainland Mexico. This year they returned to Baja and while they planned on going further south they stopped at Ligui and didn’t see any need to go any further, the fishing was good, it was beautiful, the people were nice…. They plan on going there again next year so we will stop in there to see them too. Ray is still fishing and playing his guitar. Delaina has quit water color painting and is now focusing on her threads. Not sure what that means other than sewing. I will find out next year I guess.
What a windy night!! It was whistling and blustering so that the old motor home was rocking, and not gently! The straps on the kayaks were vibrating and buzzing. Not much sleep for either of us.
April 7
On our way about 8 or so, into the wind, the road was marginally better than the rugged road into Santa Innis then about an hour out it was paved with a shoulder. Very nice indeed, next thing I’ll be wanting to drive. Ha!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Los Barriles 2010
Lovely Lizard if you click on him you will see he has is mouth open, he must be eating something! This was the bigget iguana I have seen here, although I know there are bigger - or so I have heard. His body is at least 6 inches long.
Oriole in the tulip tree, also eats grapefruit and oranges right off the tree!! Before they are quite ready of course.
Heidi the Queen who announces her arrival before she is at the door so it will be opened for her. She then must be accompanied down the hall to her freshly filled food dish whenever she wants it. When ready she must be immediately let out. This of course is night or day. I can't hear her when she does this at night....
Heidi the Queen
Heidi the Queen
Squeaker the Cat lives outside and is the sweetest cat who loves to cuddle, if you stop too soon she will attack you. She is a Baja cat.
Checkers the Dog - does she look familiar? She is a wonderful Baja dog found at the Milles Flores gas station when about 6 months old.
Squeaker the cat
Squeaker the cat
Checkers the dog Los Barriles
I have been very negligent in writing my blog since being here. I guess we have settled into the process of living so its similar to being at home…. We are busy with life and the many activities that lead to a full one.
So what’s making us so darn busy?? Yoga, music - listening to, dancing to, and playing, the animals, gardening, cycling, walking, kayaking, Mah Jong, shopping, painting, looking for stuff on ebay, quading, looking for a house or property to buy....la, la, la.
I am going to yoga twice a week which is so great, I was doing that at home and was very pleased to find a good yoga teacher here. She is not Karen, but has much to contribute to my practice. It has been great cycling into class as well. By the time I’m back home I am quite tired with my morning of exercise. The girlfriends and I often go for lunch after yoga so maybe that’s a contributing factor to the tiredness. The sand road leaves a lot to be desired. Even though I have a mountain bike with the big knobbly tires it is not at all easy. Fortunately there are only about 2 miles of that before reaching the paved road. There are however, two large sand arroyos to pass over as well as a good hill before arriving at class. It takes me about 35 minutes so all in all its not far. Certainly not far at all when I think about what I have to do to get ready to cycle to Seattle when I get home!!
Lorne has been cycling with me on alternate days to yoga, as does the wonderful dog Checkers. We usually ride out the sand road to the paved one then ride up the big Los Barriles hill (apparently written about in cycling magazines) and then come cross country down to our place. Checkers loves running along beside the bike. Lorne has her very well trained. He has a pocket of yummy treats and she will just about do anything for him (well, for the treats). The first time we took her out with the bikes she took off after a quad and ran a long ways. She came running back looking very pleased with herself. Needless to say, she has never done that again!!
Our daily exercise routine is towards the end of each day – around 4. So when not cycling we walk up the hill or along the beach with Checkers, for at least an hour or more. Lorne’s knees have been very good this year, no problems at all for him to cycle, even up the hill.
I have found a number of people in town that play music by putting an ad in the Pony Express (an online local newsletter) for anyone interested in playing Bluegrass. Turned out there are lots of people interested in Bluegrass. So we have been getting together a few times a week and now have a regular Wednesday night open jam at one of the restaurants in town, the owner is one of the players. Two of the musicians play in a local band called El Viejos…. (the old ones). The restaurant is not usually open in the evenings. However, since we have been playing they are open for the people who are listening. This Wednesday they will be open for a special dinner. Yikes! Sounds an awful lot like performing to me….
Our first music get together was at one of the musicians home. When we walked into the house there was a woman (Pam) there who took one look at me and knew me immediately from Banff!! Hilarious! That was some years ago – like life before children years ago. I can’t believe she recognized me just like that, she didn’t look at all familiar to me.
I took a 5 day water color painting class. It was very interesting and fun. Once I had sat down and got myself organized at the big table I realized I had sat down right next to Pam! Neither of us knew that the other was at all interested in painting. We had a great time together painting and her husband (Bruce) and I have a great time playing music together. They are both interested in investing and Bruce taught at UVIC and Pam at Camosun College, so Lorne has lots in common with them too. Not only that – they live in Victoria!! Small world. So we have more new Victoria friends that we have met in the Baja.
I was quite pleased with how much I learned about painting in that short time, so now I am all enthusiastic about painting and am very busy researching paint, brushes, paper and looking for good deals on it all on ebay. Pam taught me how to bid so I can win and not pay more than I want to. Lorne says he wishes that I spent as much time learning about investing as I do learning about brushes and messing with ebay…..!! Well, I’ve saved tons of money on art supplies by buying on ebay – never mind how much I spent!!
We planted a little garden here, it came up almost immediately and we have been harvesting beautiful leaf lettuce and radishes. The first head lettuce was ready today. We have cilantro up and we are eating that. The corn, peas, broccoli and cantaloupe are up and growing like topsy but won’t be ready before we have to leave. The grapefruit, oranges and little Mexican limes are over, I still have some in the fridge, and the big lemon tree has been producing like crazy! While the fruit is almost all finished there are beautiful aromatic flowers and lots of new baby lemons growing. I make fresh lemonade – its very delicious.
We have found a very nice real estate lady (Carlene) who has been very helpful showing us lots of property. I think she can’t quite figure out what we want. Of course we haven’t figured that out either! We have found lots to think about and some very nice and acceptable places. However, we have decided to not buy anything this year. Lorne is certain prices have a long ways to drop yet and we should be able to get an even better deal next year. We have determined that it is much cheaper to buy a house already built than it is to build one right now, materials are very expensive. There are some very nice homes but…. Most need some renos to me. We shall see. Failing that we are content to rent or continue to house sit for friends. I know Paul and Renota want to go camping next year so we may be here again house sitting for them. And realistically, if we can rent a nice beach house for say $2,000 a month for three months each winter we are way ahead financially anyway without any of the worries of owning a home down here.
Much to think about, and now off to play Mah Jong – great game.
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