With heavy hearts we say goodbye to Mulege. It really is a wonderful little town that has survived so many natural disasters. Still there. Still flourishing. Still cute as a button. A lick of paint will be all it needs.
It’s a fairly long days drive to Guerrero Negro today, and the road gets narrower and the potholes get deeper. I always think of these sections like the old video games where you simply try to avoid the falling alien ships, except it’s the looming potholes that are to be avoided. Pretty tough game here, and lots of potholes win.
The startlingly lovely scenery around Mulege and up to Santa Rosalia are soon replaced by interior cactus and scrub. The beauty of the Sea of Cortez is left behind as we bounce through Santa Rosalia and on up the Invierno hill. It’s nice and wide now, but still a good ascent, and a test of radiators. On top it’s easy sailing and we gobble up the miles with ease, with no drama in sight at all. At out fuel stop at Vizcaino, we are surprised by a call on the radio: It’s Jim&Glenda hiding in the back of the gas station, waiting for us to arrive as they are re-joining us after dropping off last month. They’re looking fit and ready for the journey in their super shiny Airstream. It’s like meeting old friends, and they are quickly accepted into the fold!
Mario is happy to see all these RVs arriving, and happy to see that 22 are coming for supper in his oh so interesting palapa. Mario and his wife Sarah are the cook/waiter combo, and before TOO long, the food arrives, tasty as usual.
Did I mention that we even had a Happy hour here at Marios; a first for our team. Happy hour every night is the new standard, it takes stamina boys!
So morning brings us traffic. Big rigs have woken up early just to test our mettle, but there’s again no drama. Good crew, good driving. Thanks everyone!
It’s Bahia de los Angeles we’re off to see. Legendary beauty is often marred by strong winds here, but the charm still keeps on working and weather is perfect for our 2 days stay Sergio is found, and he happily delivers pizza for supper, and danishes/buns/cinnamon rolls for breakfast. A true treasure he is indeed.
Kayaks are off the roof, and well used here. The water is nearly perfect, with only a slight ripple. We were surprised to be able to fit us all into this small beach/fish camp, but it was a great fit, and only enhanced by another impromptu potluck with obligatory Happy Hour. So perfect.
2 days flash by and so very soon we’re heading east back to #1 north. I warn of the abysmal road surfaces in the northbound lane, but on getting there we find the surface 85% patched, and not such a suspension testing episode at all.
It’s a really long day to Cecilia’s Baja Fiesta restaurant, and when we get there it’s a real tight fit for us all to get into the parking lot. Meals here are very good, and Baja Amigos pays: can it get any better than that? However it’s Saturday night, new bar, university freshmen = loud, and not a restful night for most.
The bad roads fall into the distance on day 28, and our journey through Ensenada is uneventful. GREAT driving by all make this 11 unit caravan a joy to lead. Just through Valley de Guadalupe we are at Sordo Mudo for the night. LA Cetto does a super job of the wine tour this time, thanks to Adrian, a very well informed guide and good pourer 🙂
Back for a last happy hour. It’s sad to see so many good friends go their separate ways. Perhaps we’ll see some of them at our home this summer?
Oh, and the lists of useful/less things. here’s a summary:
Useful Useless Wish
Washing machine (wonder who?) Sun Shade Underwater Camera
5 gallon water jugs (x2) Too many chairs 2 cell phones
Solar Panels (x2) Make up Camp Toaster
Broom Frozen food from home 🙂 Beach Umbrella
Crocks and water shoes Yoga mat Full Size Broom
Cushy comfy chairs 🙂 Heavy coats Ice Cube Tray
Thanks to everyone for making this tour such a wonderful memory: Cheers to all!
Adios muchachos. Buen viaje.
