March 7, 2013 – Well we are back in the US and the February 2013 Baja tour is a wrap. Earlier today we said our goodbyes after crossing the border at Tecate about 10am after a short wait. Thankfully our drive through Tecate was uneventful although we did have a drive-by from a local policeman, we have heard that Jose the Hoser has been suspended for a couple weeks after many complaints this season.
I must say it is really a shock to be in these cooler temperatures, just a few days ago driving from Mulege to Guerrero Negro across the desert we hit 97F (36C) and our stay in Bahia de Los Angeles was very warm with a balmy high of 32C each day. The group responded well to LA Bay well beyond it’s shear stunning beauty.
They were certainly captivated by Herman Hill and his stories of Jesuit Gold, long walks on the beach, spectacular sunrises, fishing, the excellent museum and quiet nights. The day we left Mulege we first stopped and had a great walkabout in Santa Rosalia as the ferry was not in. After the 2 days of big wind the town was busy cleaning up the streets and sidewalks, it presented very well for sure. The group were keen to see the famous Eiffel Church and make a purchase at the famous French Bakery.
After LA Bay we headed off to Vicente Guerrero and the Baja Fiesta Restaurant, Cecila and her son’s Abi & Ivan did a great job on our final group dinner. The ice cream and blackberry s made superb ending to a wonderful meal! Day 28 and we were off to the Valle de Guadalupe and the Sordo Mudo RV Park in Baja Wine Country and everyone was thirsty! We had reservations at Pedro Domeq but unfortunately that fell thru, however LA Cetto did not. Eduardo led a great tour and tasting and folks responded by purchasing many cases of Mexico’s finest wine.
Lisa and I are now resting at the Oak Creek RV Park after a busy day post tour which included 2 new tires for the trailer and replacing 4 leaf spring connectors, 2 of which had broken and 2 that were about to, glad we figured that out now! We also dropped by the local Flynn Springs Feed & Supplies store for propane and were given a healthy donation of dog food to take down for all the Baja canines we encounter, thank you! Oh I almost forgot, we had the RV Repairman drop by to get our furnace working, thank you again Jim.
We meet our last group on Sunday, March 10th for our final tour of the season and the forecast is sunny skies and warmer weather, yessssssss! We look forward to meeting everyone soon, after some serious hot tub time!
Did you know?
The El Boleo in Santa Rosalia, Baja was mined by a French company from 1885 until 1954. To prevent the economic collapse of Santa Rosalia and surrounding communities, a Mexican state-owned company (CMSRSA) assumed control and reopened the works using basically the same (rather archaic) equipment and process used by the French. The government funded operation was never profitable, and the mine was finally closed in the 1980s, when lower-grade ore and old technology made continued operation impractical.
Baja Mining, a Canadian firm, has been intermittently exploring and attempting to reopen the Boleo Mine since 2004. Baja Mining estimates their property contains a resource of 534 million tons of ore, containing 0.59% Cu, 0.051% Co, and 0.63% Zn. Baja also hopes to produce byproduct manganese. Baja Mining, in partnership with a Korean Consortium are currently developing the $1.4 Billion project. Copper production is scheduled for 2013 although when we last visited Santa Rosalia this spring the mine was still under construction including the deep sea wharf and pier structure.
