January 2015 tour began in Potrero Regional Park as usual. The Park was as lovely as ever except for a few less trees; the park is home to many live oak and these trees are dying because of a beetle infestation. It is sad to see the trees withering away.
Potrero feels like coming home and meeting all the nice people who will be on our tour is the highlight. All the folk came many miles, some driving through snowstorms and a few had vehicle problems but here they all are happy and excited for their adventure in Baja.
The border business went well and Dom and the gang were back before lunch leaving lots of time to relax, enjoy the park and for George and Beverly it gave them time to get new tires on their truck which luckily happened here and not on the side of the road in Mexico.
An enthusiastic group arrived at 3pm for their rendez-vous reception; they ate, some sipped wine , all had a good discussion about the adventure ahead, and had a good time.
The warm afternoon settled into a rather cool evening, with business all done everyone was off to their cozy “casa rodantes” which is their RV’s.
- I’m so Happy! It’s the best Bufadora I’ve ever seen!
Travel day 1 had us all circled up for the pre travel mini meeting. Right on time we all fell into driving order and off we went to Mexico. We all had a quick inspection at the border and maneuvered our way through Tecate. Road construction changed things a bit and aside from from one couple understandably mistaking the right road for a back alley and having to make an around the block correction, and within minutes we were all together again enjoying the sites.
I always look forward to the very first body break; hearing the comments and impressions of the first driving experience in Mexico. This leg of the journey offers a couple of niggly maneuvers in Tecate, good highway with paved shoulders, hills, and some narrow single lane roads- a pretty good sample of what is ahead.
The wine valley is usually a tranquil drive aside form me talking on the radio. At first I talk the group through everything until things get a little familiar, I promised to wean them as time goes on but they said “NO we like it” By the time they leave Mexico they will be so experienced; they will be intimate with their rigs because of the nature of Baja Amigos Tour. A driving tour and traveling almost every day can’t help but hone RV life skills.
Alas, Ensenada was in front of us, and one cruise ship was in. Overcast skies and warmer weather made for a nice traveling day. Everyone maneuvered really well in Ensenada and zipped into the Costco parking lot and enjoyed a 1 1/2 hour shopping and lunch break.
Things change from season to season as they can do from month to month. A large vacant dusty garbage collecting field is now a nice new road taking us around Costco. We always try to prepare the group but sometimes we have to figure things out when roads change or road construction makes traveling a challenge. Luckily Dan & Lisa are 2 days in front of us and alert us to changes. We have good communication and the two days between us benefits both ways.
Villarino RV Park in Punta Banda just outside of Ensenada was vacant and waiting for us. Only one other small RV was here.
After setting up camp Dom and the group went off to La Bufadora, a blow hole in the rocks where the ocean water spouts high in the air. It performed very well for the group. The Mexican shops were open for business and a few souvenirs were bought. Neil bought a nice leather hat to fend off the the sea gulls that were after his churros. The group arrived back to the campground by 4:30 leaving enough daylight for an oceanside stroll before sunset. Oh yes, the sun sets early here as well in the winter. A good time was had by all.
Travel day 2, the morning greeted us with warm sunny skies, a smiling cheerful group gathered for a quick review of the day ahead. The day went well and driving on new highway was a real treat. On arrival to Fidel’s El Pabillon RV Park in Lazaro Cardenas we circled up the rigs “Wagon Train style” with the big fire pit and palapa in the middle. Fidel greeted us and delivered wood. The weather was nice and everyone enjoyed a walk on the beach; each wearing their favorite sun hats. After visiting we organized the hotdog roast and just after sunset Dom and the guys set the wood ablaze, and everyone appeared with all the fixings for the hotdog roast. The fire was hot, the coals were perfect for roasting and later we roasted marshmallows and sat and visited until bedtime.
Travel day 3, and warm sunny skies started our day. We were all ready to leave and Niel and Marilyn couldn’t move there RV, stuck in the sand or did they not really want to leave this beach that goes on for ever. While the guys ran around getting a rope to attach to Fidel’s truck to pull the RV out, Cliff with his trusty shovel moved some sand around which was all that was needed. George calls his rig a big white whale and in Spanish we called it “Blanco Ballena” With hardly a delay we were on our way. The highway was quiet at first but as the morning wore on we met some semi’s which always means “hold on and close your eyes” NO, just teasing but it wakes you up.
We met a couple riding bicycles with their 3 year old in tow comfortably tucked away into a trailer behind one of the bikes. They are bound for South America. We gave them water and wished them a safe journey. Also, quite incredible to us was a man riding a “penny farthing” whom we didn’t get to meet because we could not pull off the highway where he was. Hopefully we will meet somewhere else in Baja. Many cyclists ride this highway; it’s not an easy trek; we met a young man last year on a bicycle and he said he would never do it again. One of our body breaks was a stop at the Onyx Shop where all kinds of gift items are carved from onyx such birds, animals, wind chimes, jewelry and games. As well, the boulder fields are an impressive sight; I never tire of seeing them.
Our stop for the day was at Rancho Santa Inez in Catavina. After lunch Dom whisked the group off for a short scenic hike to see cave paintings created by the indigenous people living in this area several thousand years ago.
Back at the Ranch we all enjoyed the last of the sunny afternoon and met Ralph who has been living here part-time for years. He is knowledgable and resourceful and a real help to travelers with vehicle problems. At sunset we all walked to the on site restaurant; everyone enjoyed a tasty meal at the very basic authentic Mexican restaurant.
Oscar the ranch owner is always happy to see us and gave me a big hug.
Travel day 4, It rained during the night and again this morning. Rain in the desert, you can imagine how green and lush the desert forests are. Baja is green, especially after the rains that came with the hurricane in September.
Sunday morning and a quiet highway but by late morning light traffic and a quite a few semi’s brought us out of the peace and quiet journey and kept us on our toes. We had a Military check point today and they gave a quick go through and sent us on our way. It continued to rain and when we arrived to Malarrimos RV Park in Guerrero Negro it was still raining but the group happily went about their concerns. This is a happy group, we laugh a lot.
We set camp, went for a taco lunch, (fish and shrimp, mmm,mmm) and did some grocery shopping. The local Mercado (grocery store) was not well stocked in the fresh vegetable department, maybe it being a Sunday had something to do with it. Never the less the group had a chance to shop in a truly Mexican grocery store. Back at the RV Park the group had free time to do as they pleased; e-mailing, showering, resting, visiting. Diane made arrangements for the whale tour and made reservations for dinner at the on site restaurant for those interested. Everyone enjoyed their meals and the evening was a joy. Satisfied and early to bed with dreams of whales because tomorrow morning is the whale watching tour.
Eight of the group members went on the whale tour. Cliff and Bev had to pass because Bev was bothered with her back this morning. Back issues are no fun and hopefully she feels better soon. These are the Gray Whales that travel between Alaska and Baja yearly, leaving the feeding grounds of the north in October to travel thousands of miles south. The young ones look for mates while the pregnant mothers go to the protection of the lagoons to give birth. Scammons Lagoon right here in Guerrero Negro is one of 3 primary birthing lagoons and it is here that one will have an unforgettable experience with the whales.
A short day driving brings us to Rice & Beans, the home of “the best Marguerita on Baja” (scientific study, correct to 2 points in 100).
A nice day to find ourselves in the eternal date palm oasis of San Ignacio.
Talk to you again in a few days!
