On to Hemet

After a week, we headed north a bit to Hemet where we had a coupon to try a resort for half price. It is right in town, within walking to shopping, and it has 16 golf courses close by.





In Hemet, they made an emergency reservoir for southern California. It is huge, and contains 6 months supply of water. It is a recreation area with fishing, hiking and biking. ( boats must pass inspection for no pollution, and there is no swimming or human contact with the water ).


The bike trail goes all around the lake - all 21 miles of path. It took about 3 hours. Fortunately, it is relatively flat, and the views were fabulous. So it was worth the sore muscles.




































And then a Sunday visit to Cori and Bill in Palm Springs ( 90 minute drive away).

Culture Shock

After meeting with the insurance guy in Tecate, we went through the border. Line up was about 20 minutes long, and a quick secondary check (“oh no, not another Canadian. We don’t get anything, not even an orange from you guys. I should get some gold stars to give out,” says the guard). And then on to Chula Vista for the night and to pick up the bikes. Talk about shock - wide, multi-laned freeways, everyone in a hurry, lots and lots of cars and people and buildings, no topes to slow cars down.

Wednesday, we headed to Aguanga to the SKP park. It is an amazing place, just feels like home.









In fact, we have gone on the list for a site here, It will take about 3 years, but then we have a spot.











From here, it is about 2 hours to San Diego, 2 hours to LA, 2 hours to Palm Springs, and about 2 hour to Oceanside.

Day 30 to Estero Beach

The Brown Dry Desert

Today’s drive was through the rainy area on the way down. There was an entire valley of Strawberries just waiting to be picked. And the wild flowers!!!














This is the arroyo that was a raging torrent of water on the way down.








We went out to see the Bufadore – like a blowhole.












And did the touristo shopping.





For our last night in Mexico we stopped at a resort just south of Encinada. This resort was very American - full hookups, paved roadways, grass, a walkway along the beach. Culture Shock!!!!

Back in the USA

Day 29 to El Pabellon

Shortly after starting out, we stopped at a little shop that sells Onyx from the local hills. Great fun, Great prices.













As we headed down to te Pacific side of the Baja, the desert went from green to an unbelievable lush emerald green with masses of flowers.
















Our camp was right on the beach, a beach much like the Oregon Beaches, long, flat, and sand dunes at the edge.









A women prepared chicken tamales for us - cornmeal, chicken, olives, potatoes, onions, - delicious.

Day 28 to Catavina and Rancho Santa Ynez

Over 200 miles to go today - keep in mind that the road is very narrow, windy and rough.



En route, one rig ( a 45 ft long rig ) lost an airbag, and then got stuck in the sand by the side of the road. An 18-wheeler sans trailer stopped to pull him out - It took 5 tow straps and 2 attempts to succeed. A fun thing to do on the only road. Traffic was interesting!! - but in Mexico, if you stand on or by the side of the road and wave your arms or piece of fabric, they slow right down and stop. Most of us had continued on to the next Pemex to get out of the way.





T wo osprey nests complete with birds and babies were right there.. Apparently, the ospey were nesting on the hydro poles, and when the company started to knock them down ( power outages ), the Mexicans insisted that they put up Osprey nesting poles. So now the Guerrero Negro valley has a very high osprey population.













The flowers in Catavina were wonderful.

Day 27 to San Ignacio

Then up on a short drive to San Ignacious, about the middle of the peninsula.

We were driving through a desert with cactus, and cresote bushes and ocotilla, with some coming into flower




and then comes a forest of palm trees. It is an oasis, a big beautiful oasis.














In their midst is the town, a very old town.






The church dates back to the 1700s









Great place to visit.

Day 26 to Santispac Beach near Mulege

.From here, we went back to Santispac Playa for a camp on the beach. On route, we took a short break by this restaurant













And, of course, a military check point where they may inspect your rig and car looking for ....????




















The views of Bahia de concepcion were beautiful





















Six of us drove into Mulege for a dinner at Ray’s - oysters Rockefeller, coconut shrimp and flan. Absolutely wonderful!!!!

Day 25 to Palapa 206

Good bye to two

Two rigs decided to spend more time in the sun, so it was goodbye to Nancy and Dick, and Mike and Mary. The rest of us were up and on the road heading for palapa 206 near C. Constitucion.

Tonight, there was tacos and a showa. The tacos were a mix of chicken and beef, with all the toppings - mmm.













And the showa was a group of student dancers presenting folk dances from a variety of regions in Mexico. This 8 year old can really handle that lasso.






They were really good - with 2 young men dancing with machetes sending sparks flying as they clashed them together.








At the end, they got people from the audience up to dance a round dance and a chicken dance. Someone was always out of step - maybe too much tequila.

Carnival

Carnival parades are at night. They have a parade on 3 evenings. - Same parade going back and forth on the malecon. Not so much into beads as into confetti, which they have by the bagful or have eggshells that they have filled with confetti . As we waited for the parade, a little one had great pleasure emptying the confetti, and rolling in it.










The parade was lots of fun. School bands, community floats, dance schools, one drag float.






Reminded me of the Mission Christmas parade - only it was at sunset, and it was warm.
























Monday and Tuesday were lazy days with adventures to the Carnival and the parade each night. Had great dinners. Shopped for groceries for the trip up the Baja.

Around La Paz

Headed towards the baja ferries that go to the mainland.




Then beyond that there are 2 ( dos) wonderful beaches – Playa Balander




And playa Tecolote


Back to the RV Park, where a mirror was snapped off by someone trying to back into a parking spot. He had no spotter behind, and backed in and broke the passenger mirror, then drove forward, and backed up into the drivers' mirror. Fortunately, we were there and banged on his rig and he stopped before he snapped the second mirror. It will now be really interesting dealing with the Mexican Insurance company. And someone in our group had an extra mirror which we duct taped on so George could see out the side - a must for RV's. And me sticking my head out the window to ensure no one is coming up as we turn or change lanes (not much of a problem in Mexico, because most roads are only one lane wide.

Moving on

On the road to La Paz



Short drive – 63 miles north to La Paz. The drive went through oasis of palm trees and up over the Trinidad mountains to the city. No problemo getting in the Rv park. Then we caught the bus to the Malécon. The bus wound through the city and finally get to the central area. A short walk to the waterfront. They had closed the street to traffic, and all the booths for Carnival were along the roadway. Most of the action happens at night, so it was easy to get about. Many of the booths were food, or beer, or take-a-change games like the PNE. Then there were the booths selling clothing, rugs, blankets, and dishes. Each block had at least one band setting up so all along we hear “si, si, si, unos, does, tres, si” at varying volumes from loud to deafening.


After strolling the malecon, Dustin took us to this little eatery - plastic tables and chairs, tarps for sides - and all they served was shrimp - by the kilos, boiled or fried. Or peeled with garlic, or chilis. No veggis, some tortilla chips. Boy was it ever good!!!! - and cheap $140 pesos for the kilo and drinks and tip.