JANUARY 1, 2008, Tuesday,
HAPPY NEW-YEAR EVERYONE!!! WOW, another year gone by! A new one starting! A quiet day at home. Read and snoozed as I was a bit hung-over. We had a very nice evening last night and I think I had one too many margeritas. 2 new campers came in today. Val cooked an excellent dinner in the evening....Ham cooked in molasse and beer, mash potatoes, vegetables and a salad. Alll fit for a king! It was delicious.
It was cloudy and windy but still very comfortable.
JAN. 2, Wednesday, sunny and warm
Val did her laundry today and then we went to the beach at Bahia Santa Maria. Lots of people there today and the bay was full of yatch and a couple of huge catamaran. I had bought a snorkel kit and Val went out and tried it. She said she saw lots of little colorful fishes. We had fun and didn't get burned by the sun. Came home afterwards and had happy hour with our neighbor.
Called Rochelle in the evening as it is her birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIDDO! Also called Jeff.
JAN. 3, Thursday, sunny
Called A.O.R. in the morning and had them change our dates in Indio and Pilot Knob for February. Then I called Fleetwood and after a somewhat tense conversation, it was finally agreed that I was owed the money missing and that a cheque would be mailed before the end of the month. Finally a conclusion to this mess.
We went to San Jose in the afternoon. We walked the old town and found this little store that had all kinds of tequila. We sampled a few and bought a bottle that had a taste like a cognac. DELICIOUS!!!
When we got home, we met Helen, our neighbour George's wife, who arrived today from Vancouver by plane.
JAN. 4, Friday, cloudy and very humid
We got an e-mail today from friends we had met back in South Carolina in 2006 on our trip around the southern U.S. They are in Los Cabos and suggested we meet this evening.
We went for a bike ride in the afternoon and called the number they gave us and made arrangement to meet at bar called "Roadhouse Pub", a local bar near where we live. We met Jim and Vicky at 7 p.m. and we had a marvellous evening. They came out with 2 other couples, Robert and Karen & Randy and Jan, marvellous fun loving people. There was entertainment by a guy from Canada who was really good. We also rubbed elbow with two starlets, one called "Fergy" a young female singer who, according to Val is very popular with young people and also a movie star by the name of Josh Duhamel whom I have never heard of but Val claims has made numerous recent movies.
Unfortunately the bar closed at 10 p.m. because of where it was situated so we said our good-byes to Jim and Vicky and came home. We had a really good time and it was great seeing those two again.
JAN. 5, Saturday, sunny
A quiet day at home. Read and stuck around our site. Very hot today, the hottest day yet. Checked the web site and read that it is only 59*F in Palm Spring and raining. Just another in paradise.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
December 26 to 31, final entry for 2007
DEC. 26, Wednesday, sunny
We called Val's sister and her husband this morning and chatted for about 20 minutes. Wonderful SKYPE! Not much today, we sat and read, went for a walk and Val did her vacuuming. We had 'hot chicken sandwich" for dinner, my favorite with St-Hubert BBQ sauce
DEC. 27, Thursday, sunny
We went to the beach today after Val did her exercises. We drove towards San Jose and checked out a few beaches. Found one near a hotel where we could potentially launch the kayaks. That's one of the problems about this area, there is a big and powerful surge that makes it really hard if not impossible to launch a small craft. Anyway, we found a fairly quiet beach and spent about an hour there sunbathing and reading, and watching the bikinis go by of course!!!
Afterwards, we went over to the golf course in San Jose near my old condo and checked out the prices. We won't be golfing here....$69. each and that's after 2 p.m. for 9 or 18 holes.
We drove back home and as I was doing a left turn on a left turn signal, this guy with California plates came out of nowhere and damn near hit us broad side. If Val hadn't yelled and if I hadn't had fast reflects, we would have hit. That's the last thing I need here; an accident! Anyway, after my heart began beating again, we drove into our lot and parked. That's enough excitement for one day.
Called Fleetwood and spoke to Paul's boss as he is away on holidays again. He assured me he would talk to Paul on Wednesday and to call back Thursday and he would have an answer.
DEC. 28, Friday, sunny
Not much today. Val did her exercise and I walked Tucker then we read. This is a really quiet park. There are about 12 campers as one left this morning and another yesterday. Everyone stick to their site and don't socialize much. They are friendly but they stick to their site. No happy hour here! The only guy that's over regularly is our neighbor George who is by himself as his wife had to go back to BC due to family affairs.
After Val cleaned up, we went cycling towards town. We saw this beach form the highway and tried to get to it by going through this hotel but they refused us entry. The place was like Fort Knox. Anyway, we headed back after stopping for a beer and tacos at this road side Mexican restaurant.
DEC. 29, Saturday, sunny and warm
We went to Todos Santos today! We invited George to come along and drove highway 19 north. Todos Santos is approx 69 KM from here. It is a small and typical Mexican village. A farming community where they grow vegetables and sugar canes. It is also a village that was adopted by some Californians looking for a small place where they could indulge in their art of painting and crafting. Thus it has become a popular little place to come to and shop. There is a small RV park which we investigated while here but would not stay at....too small and falling apart.
Anyway, as we drove down here, we stopped at a small beach and explored the shore and took some pictures. We then saw some rver's not far in a field so we decided to go over and check out these boon-dockers. I put the 4X4 on and we drove onn this trail and found our way across a gully and then into the RV'ers site. There were about a dozen here, mostly B.C.'ers and a couple of Americans. From here we went to another beach call "Playa Los Cerritos". A beautiful beach full of white sands, bikinis and surfers. There was a couple of bar/restaurants and it was BUSY!!!!! The surf was nice and high and the water was full of swimmers and surfers. This used to be an RV park but they closed it and turned it into what it is today. I guess there is more money to be made this way. There were some houses and more being built.
After looking around, we carried on to Todos Santos. we had lunch in "MIGUEL", a small, funky mexican restaurant where there were a lot of people, mexican and norte americanos. We had a wonderful chili filled with pescaros (fish) and camaron (Shrimp) It was delicious and was wahed down with a couple of cerveza (beer).
Afterwards, we walked the main street where all the gadgets, art and paintings are. George, all of a sudden, got hit by the "Montezuma Revenge" and spent the next 30 minutes running to the bathrooms. Poor guy was defintely not feeling well so after purchasing a new pair of sandals for Val ( hers broke apart while walking), 2 small lizards for mounting on our wall above the mirror and a very beautiful table cloth and 4 matching napkins, we left and brought George back home. He went straight to bed once we got here. Poor guy! really feel for him!
DEC. 30, Sunday, sunny
We stuck around home today. Val did some cleaning and I washed half the rig as it got too warm to carry on. this trailer is bloody big to clean!!
George is feeling a bit better but venturing far from his trailer, just in case. We learned that a few people here have been sick with one guy getting salmonella poisonning. He had to go to the local clinic. Serious stuff.
Another rig left today. a small family and the guy had to return to Utah to work.
DEC. 31, Monday, sunny with cloudy periods
After Val did here exercise, we went shopping for groceries at wal-Mart and Costco. We had lunch in town at another little mexican restaurant. I am really amazed at the amount of gringos here and they seem to treat mexican with contempt. Anyway, after all this we headed home and had happy hour. I bought margarita mix and tequila at Costco so we had a couple of Margaritas. George and Norm, both single guys, came over and joined us for a few drinks. We had a good chat and fun then it was time for dinner.
Now, it's 8:30 p.m. and waiting for the New-Year! Hope it is better than 2007 but not as good as 2009.
SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!!!!
LOTS OF NEW PICTURES IN THE LINK TO OUR PICASA SITE.....CHECK IT OUT!!!!
We called Val's sister and her husband this morning and chatted for about 20 minutes. Wonderful SKYPE! Not much today, we sat and read, went for a walk and Val did her vacuuming. We had 'hot chicken sandwich" for dinner, my favorite with St-Hubert BBQ sauce
DEC. 27, Thursday, sunny
We went to the beach today after Val did her exercises. We drove towards San Jose and checked out a few beaches. Found one near a hotel where we could potentially launch the kayaks. That's one of the problems about this area, there is a big and powerful surge that makes it really hard if not impossible to launch a small craft. Anyway, we found a fairly quiet beach and spent about an hour there sunbathing and reading, and watching the bikinis go by of course!!!
Afterwards, we went over to the golf course in San Jose near my old condo and checked out the prices. We won't be golfing here....$69. each and that's after 2 p.m. for 9 or 18 holes.
We drove back home and as I was doing a left turn on a left turn signal, this guy with California plates came out of nowhere and damn near hit us broad side. If Val hadn't yelled and if I hadn't had fast reflects, we would have hit. That's the last thing I need here; an accident! Anyway, after my heart began beating again, we drove into our lot and parked. That's enough excitement for one day.
Called Fleetwood and spoke to Paul's boss as he is away on holidays again. He assured me he would talk to Paul on Wednesday and to call back Thursday and he would have an answer.
DEC. 28, Friday, sunny
Not much today. Val did her exercise and I walked Tucker then we read. This is a really quiet park. There are about 12 campers as one left this morning and another yesterday. Everyone stick to their site and don't socialize much. They are friendly but they stick to their site. No happy hour here! The only guy that's over regularly is our neighbor George who is by himself as his wife had to go back to BC due to family affairs.
After Val cleaned up, we went cycling towards town. We saw this beach form the highway and tried to get to it by going through this hotel but they refused us entry. The place was like Fort Knox. Anyway, we headed back after stopping for a beer and tacos at this road side Mexican restaurant.
DEC. 29, Saturday, sunny and warm
We went to Todos Santos today! We invited George to come along and drove highway 19 north. Todos Santos is approx 69 KM from here. It is a small and typical Mexican village. A farming community where they grow vegetables and sugar canes. It is also a village that was adopted by some Californians looking for a small place where they could indulge in their art of painting and crafting. Thus it has become a popular little place to come to and shop. There is a small RV park which we investigated while here but would not stay at....too small and falling apart.
Anyway, as we drove down here, we stopped at a small beach and explored the shore and took some pictures. We then saw some rver's not far in a field so we decided to go over and check out these boon-dockers. I put the 4X4 on and we drove onn this trail and found our way across a gully and then into the RV'ers site. There were about a dozen here, mostly B.C.'ers and a couple of Americans. From here we went to another beach call "Playa Los Cerritos". A beautiful beach full of white sands, bikinis and surfers. There was a couple of bar/restaurants and it was BUSY!!!!! The surf was nice and high and the water was full of swimmers and surfers. This used to be an RV park but they closed it and turned it into what it is today. I guess there is more money to be made this way. There were some houses and more being built.
After looking around, we carried on to Todos Santos. we had lunch in "MIGUEL", a small, funky mexican restaurant where there were a lot of people, mexican and norte americanos. We had a wonderful chili filled with pescaros (fish) and camaron (Shrimp) It was delicious and was wahed down with a couple of cerveza (beer).
Afterwards, we walked the main street where all the gadgets, art and paintings are. George, all of a sudden, got hit by the "Montezuma Revenge" and spent the next 30 minutes running to the bathrooms. Poor guy was defintely not feeling well so after purchasing a new pair of sandals for Val ( hers broke apart while walking), 2 small lizards for mounting on our wall above the mirror and a very beautiful table cloth and 4 matching napkins, we left and brought George back home. He went straight to bed once we got here. Poor guy! really feel for him!
DEC. 30, Sunday, sunny
We stuck around home today. Val did some cleaning and I washed half the rig as it got too warm to carry on. this trailer is bloody big to clean!!
George is feeling a bit better but venturing far from his trailer, just in case. We learned that a few people here have been sick with one guy getting salmonella poisonning. He had to go to the local clinic. Serious stuff.
Another rig left today. a small family and the guy had to return to Utah to work.
DEC. 31, Monday, sunny with cloudy periods
After Val did here exercise, we went shopping for groceries at wal-Mart and Costco. We had lunch in town at another little mexican restaurant. I am really amazed at the amount of gringos here and they seem to treat mexican with contempt. Anyway, after all this we headed home and had happy hour. I bought margarita mix and tequila at Costco so we had a couple of Margaritas. George and Norm, both single guys, came over and joined us for a few drinks. We had a good chat and fun then it was time for dinner.
Now, it's 8:30 p.m. and waiting for the New-Year! Hope it is better than 2007 but not as good as 2009.
SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!!!!
LOTS OF NEW PICTURES IN THE LINK TO OUR PICASA SITE.....CHECK IT OUT!!!!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
December 21 to 25, 2007, in Los Cabos
DEC. 21, Friday, sunny with cloudy periods
Wind was blowing more than usual today. Val did the laundry and I put up the rest of the toys up around the rig. Got the X-mas tree up and the illuminated palm tree. They look great all lit up.
In the afternoon, we gave Tucker a haircut and a bath. He was really good putting up with us and our mistakes and even now, looking a bit scruffy, he isn't mad at us. What a good guy!
It was cooler in the evening but still nice enough to be able to sit outside. We had a very nice sunset
DEC. 22, Saturday, sunny
Sent an e-mail to UPS in Salmon-Arm to have our mail forwarded to Phoenix. It's 9:30 a.m. and already 70*F
Went to Cabo San Lucas for a bit of sightseeing and some groceries. Afterwards, we went to San Jose del cabo to look around. Everything has changed and grown. I saw where my previously owned condo was and that also was hard to recognize. Everything has been built up so much. There is also a small golf course whcih we will try out as it isn't expensive.
We also stopped at a couple beaches to check them out.
DEC. 23, Sunday, overcast
Much cooler today and it looks like it's going to rain but it didn't. We went to San Lucas and walked the tourist harbour and usual routes. Everything has grown and changed. It is no longer the little sleepy town I knew from the early 90's. Even the famous "Iguana bar" was gone....too bad! The harbour is now full of hotels and highrises and gone are the little stands that sold little trickets. It's really too bad.
We had lunch in a small bar than I found a car wash and got the truck washed then we came home.
Val made her famous meat balls for dinner...Yum....Yummmm!
DEC 24, Monday, Cloudy and sunny
X-Mas Eve! WOW!!!!
Took Val out for breakfast this morning and although we had a very nice meal, Val got hit by the "Mexican curse" and had to run to the bathroom where she remained for most of the day.
The restaurant was really nice with a nice view. We even watched a cruise ship come in to the harbour of San Lucas
In the latter part of the day, we called the kids and wished them a Merry Christmas. We also learned that Val's daughter, Joanne is pregnant and due next August. Fantastic news.
DECEMBER 25, Tuesday, sunny and warm
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!
I slept in until 8 a.m. which is highly unusual for me. It felt great. After breakfast, we walked around the cmap grounds and wished everyone a Merry X-mas and met all our neighbours. In the afternoon, we called my family by in Quebec and also Jeffrey whom we hadn't been able to get a hold of yesterday.
A great day and a great dinner. Val cooked a turkey and all the trimmings. It was delicious.
Wind was blowing more than usual today. Val did the laundry and I put up the rest of the toys up around the rig. Got the X-mas tree up and the illuminated palm tree. They look great all lit up.
In the afternoon, we gave Tucker a haircut and a bath. He was really good putting up with us and our mistakes and even now, looking a bit scruffy, he isn't mad at us. What a good guy!
It was cooler in the evening but still nice enough to be able to sit outside. We had a very nice sunset
DEC. 22, Saturday, sunny
Sent an e-mail to UPS in Salmon-Arm to have our mail forwarded to Phoenix. It's 9:30 a.m. and already 70*F
Went to Cabo San Lucas for a bit of sightseeing and some groceries. Afterwards, we went to San Jose del cabo to look around. Everything has changed and grown. I saw where my previously owned condo was and that also was hard to recognize. Everything has been built up so much. There is also a small golf course whcih we will try out as it isn't expensive.
We also stopped at a couple beaches to check them out.
DEC. 23, Sunday, overcast
Much cooler today and it looks like it's going to rain but it didn't. We went to San Lucas and walked the tourist harbour and usual routes. Everything has grown and changed. It is no longer the little sleepy town I knew from the early 90's. Even the famous "Iguana bar" was gone....too bad! The harbour is now full of hotels and highrises and gone are the little stands that sold little trickets. It's really too bad.
We had lunch in a small bar than I found a car wash and got the truck washed then we came home.
Val made her famous meat balls for dinner...Yum....Yummmm!
DEC 24, Monday, Cloudy and sunny
X-Mas Eve! WOW!!!!
Took Val out for breakfast this morning and although we had a very nice meal, Val got hit by the "Mexican curse" and had to run to the bathroom where she remained for most of the day.
The restaurant was really nice with a nice view. We even watched a cruise ship come in to the harbour of San Lucas
In the latter part of the day, we called the kids and wished them a Merry Christmas. We also learned that Val's daughter, Joanne is pregnant and due next August. Fantastic news.
DECEMBER 25, Tuesday, sunny and warm
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!
I slept in until 8 a.m. which is highly unusual for me. It felt great. After breakfast, we walked around the cmap grounds and wished everyone a Merry X-mas and met all our neighbours. In the afternoon, we called my family by in Quebec and also Jeffrey whom we hadn't been able to get a hold of yesterday.
A great day and a great dinner. Val cooked a turkey and all the trimmings. It was delicious.
Friday, December 21, 2007
December 20, 2007 In Los Cabos
DEC. 20, Thursday, sunny and clouds
Here we are in Los Cabo at Villa Serena RV Park, near Cabo San Lucas. We will be here for a month of relaxation, fun and sightseeing. Cost is $392. u.s. which is cheaper than I originally anticipated. There was another Park we wanted to go to nearer San Jose del Cabo but unfortunately it was destroyed by the last hurricane that came through and it is still under repair. Actually, a few of the RV Park have been damaged quite extensively. This one seems to have been either spared or they quickly repaired everything as there is no evidence that we could see.
We left this morning around 9:30 a.m. and had no problems getting on Mex 1. We drove over and through 3 passes and climbed to 2000 feet at some places. Went by Los Barilles and then around 12:30, we crossed the Tropic of Cancer at Parallel 23* 27' and formally entered the Tropics. We stopped for the obligatory pictures. There's a big white ball in the parking lot which wasn't here the last time I was here. There was also a bar which was closed. Took a few pictures and left.
Drove through San Jose via a new 4 lanes highway. This place has grown tremendously. I hardly recognize anything but this is for later. We drove on towards Cabo San Lucas via the 4 lanes corridor highway and found Villa Serena on the left. Had to make a U-turn and come back to it. WE ARE HERE!!!!! Yiiippeee!!! It is a balmy 80*F (25*C), cloudy and humid. The RV spaces are wide and easy to back in. Full hook-ups of course. There's also a small bar/restaurant on site.
We went to Wal-Mart for milk, cerveza, water jugs and also bought a 5 gallon tank for spare fuel for the return trip. People here are very friendly and eager to meet us. A nice welcome.
While here, I want to get an oil change as the motor worked extra hard coming down all this way. Total mileage since we left home is 10378 km or 6486 miles (this includes all sightseeing side trips) and 2212 km (1382 miles,includings all side trips) from San Diego CA to Los Cabos, Baja.
N 22* 54' 22" W 109* 51'47"
Alt: 224 feet
Distance today was 214 KM at an average of 36 MPH
Total time: 5 hours
Life is but a journey filled with adventures
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
December 16 to 19, 2007
DEC. 16, Sunday, sunny
Up early and, after saying our goodbyes to everyone, we got on the road heading for Mulege from Guerrero. Made arrangement with Ronald and Louise to meet again in Mulege (mooh-lah-hay)
We headed east on Mex 1. It was fairly straight and flat until we reached St-Ignacio. The desert had little vegetation. We began to find more rolling hills and around a corner, we found ourselves again in front of yet another military check-point. These are getting boring but I guess with that much gun power, the bandits stay away, right!? This time they stopped us and asked us a bunch of questions. We said "no comprende" and they waved us through. He did try to open the back door to the truck but Tucker was right there and he backed off ( the soldier) It was kind of funny in a sense...Tucker just wanted to lick him. 2 miles further we came upon St-Ignacio where I fuelled: 61.732 Litre @ .567 Sure can't beat these prices. St-Ignacio is an oasis with hundreds of date palms. We did buy one bag of dates and they were really good. It is a small village and very typical Mexican style. Further down the road, we came upon the "Three Virgins", an extinct volcano, last erupted in the early 1800's although we did see a couple plumes of what looked like steam from the side of it.
A bit further we came upon an escarpment where the whole valley opened up on us and we began to descend to the sea of Cortez or the California Gulf. The hill consisted of grade between 4 to 12 %. It zig-zag down and I had to gear down to first gear and the Jake was working full time. I still had to use the brakes once in a while. IT WAS STEEP!!!! The hill is call "Custa del Inferno" ( the hill from hell) and it wore its name well!! It will be interesting to climb on the way back!??
We arrive in Santa Rosalia safe and sound after following the sea for about 5 km. This is where one can take a ferry to the mainland. You end up in Gaymas but it is expensive.
An hour later, we arrived in Mulege. Our campsite, Villa Maria RV Park, was situated about 1.5 miles from the town along a small river which disgorges into the sea. It consist of 7000 people and all are very friendly to RVer's. We barely got set up when 2 Mexican showed up with all the wares for sale. GOOD GRIEF!!!!!!
Our new friends arrived an hour later and after they set up, we all went into town with our bikes by following a trail along the river. We went to the bank and got some cash and found a laundry where we can wash our clothes tomorrow as the one is the campsite is not working. We had a beer than headed back. After dinner, Ron and Louise came over for a visit. We chatted and told stories than it was time for bed.
There is another camper beside us. A single man with a van. Friendly guy and informative about the region. We paid $20. per night which seems the standard price for any camping in the Baja.
N 26* 53' 50" W 111* 57' 51"
Alt: 3 feet
Distance today 280 KM at an average of 40 MPH (60KPH)
DEC 17, Monday, clouds/sun
We all went into town to do laundry. We took my truck as I had to drop off one propane tank to be filled and get fresh water. After laundry we wandered through town and looked into a few shops. Ron and Louise went to use the phone and we all met in this little side street cafe where we had tacos and beer. Louise speaks fairly good spanish so it's a great help.
After lunch, Ron and Louise decided to walk back to the site so we drove back and checked out a couple of other rv places. From here, we drove to Los Cocos, a beach along the Bahia Conception where a fellow we met at the laundry, was staying. WOW! What a beach. White sand and calm blue/turquoise water. We chatted for a while and through our conversation, I found out that he knew Pat Muldoon, a friend of mine from my previous life! What a small world, I keep saying.
Came back home, dropped off Val then headed back into town to pick up my propane tank. Cost: $20. for 30 lbs.
There is now 2 other rigs here. Canadians we met back in Guerrero. We had happy hour together then Louise made Val and I sushi for dinner. It was absolutely delicious! We had a few more drinks afterwards with more stories and laughs than it was bed time again.
A very nice evening and we exchanged addresses and e-mails to keep in touch. We also made arrangements to meet again in January on our return from Cabo.
DEC 18, Tuesday, sunny
We left at 8:30. It was hard to leave Ron and Louise but we had to. We drove along the Bahia Conception for about 12 miles then headed inland. This area is absolutely gorgeous and pictures don't do it justice! We are looking forward coming back this way.
The road to Loreto was easy rolling hills then we headed west towards the Gigante mountains. We began climbing and at some points, I had to gear down to first as it was so steep. We even met 2 cyclist climbing this hill and they didn't look very happy. There were a few switch backs and at the top (2500') we found ourselves driving along a plateau and slowly make our descend towards CD Insurgente which is situated in a fertile valley. Just before we got there, we again had another military check point. this time the soldat wanted to check the inside of the rig which I unlocked for him but didn't take the slides out. He seemed happy just to look in the bedroom. The second sldier took my name and license plate on a piece of paper. We stopped in town for lunch and took on fuel: 56.442 litres for $32. From here, we headed south to Ciudad Constitucion and a 4 lane highway....LUXURY!!!!
About a hundred kilometre later, we found ourselves in rolling hills again and narrow roadway. We finally turned left and began a long descend towards the Sea of Cortez and LaPaz, capital of Baja. Yet another military check point as we arrived near the city.
Casa Blanca RV park was $20 per night with full hook-up (sewer, low water pressure and 15 amps power). It is a nice park, well secured and within walking distance to the harbor front. The place is almost full...mostly Canadians again.
N 24* 07'51" W 110* 20' 31"
Alt: 19 feet
Distance today 483 KM in 8 hours, our longest yet
DEC. 19, Wednesday, cloudy/sun
Got up to a balmy 50 degree F. We went into town in the morning to mail a letter and get more cash. We then walked the water front and Val bought herself a nice little sleeveless top.
From here we drove south to a neat little village where we saw this pretty little church. We looked around then decided to drive on to Los Barriles and I am glad we did. Found out that the site we were looking at is too small and full as it is. There is no other suitable site so we will definitely have to go to Jose del Cabo tomorrow.
Came back and fuelled in LaPaz: $53.30 for 94.014 Litres. I think I was almost empty!?
Tomorrow, we leave for the Cabos, our final destination before heading back north.
Up early and, after saying our goodbyes to everyone, we got on the road heading for Mulege from Guerrero. Made arrangement with Ronald and Louise to meet again in Mulege (mooh-lah-hay)
We headed east on Mex 1. It was fairly straight and flat until we reached St-Ignacio. The desert had little vegetation. We began to find more rolling hills and around a corner, we found ourselves again in front of yet another military check-point. These are getting boring but I guess with that much gun power, the bandits stay away, right!? This time they stopped us and asked us a bunch of questions. We said "no comprende" and they waved us through. He did try to open the back door to the truck but Tucker was right there and he backed off ( the soldier) It was kind of funny in a sense...Tucker just wanted to lick him. 2 miles further we came upon St-Ignacio where I fuelled: 61.732 Litre @ .567 Sure can't beat these prices. St-Ignacio is an oasis with hundreds of date palms. We did buy one bag of dates and they were really good. It is a small village and very typical Mexican style. Further down the road, we came upon the "Three Virgins", an extinct volcano, last erupted in the early 1800's although we did see a couple plumes of what looked like steam from the side of it.
A bit further we came upon an escarpment where the whole valley opened up on us and we began to descend to the sea of Cortez or the California Gulf. The hill consisted of grade between 4 to 12 %. It zig-zag down and I had to gear down to first gear and the Jake was working full time. I still had to use the brakes once in a while. IT WAS STEEP!!!! The hill is call "Custa del Inferno" ( the hill from hell) and it wore its name well!! It will be interesting to climb on the way back!??
We arrive in Santa Rosalia safe and sound after following the sea for about 5 km. This is where one can take a ferry to the mainland. You end up in Gaymas but it is expensive.
An hour later, we arrived in Mulege. Our campsite, Villa Maria RV Park, was situated about 1.5 miles from the town along a small river which disgorges into the sea. It consist of 7000 people and all are very friendly to RVer's. We barely got set up when 2 Mexican showed up with all the wares for sale. GOOD GRIEF!!!!!!
Our new friends arrived an hour later and after they set up, we all went into town with our bikes by following a trail along the river. We went to the bank and got some cash and found a laundry where we can wash our clothes tomorrow as the one is the campsite is not working. We had a beer than headed back. After dinner, Ron and Louise came over for a visit. We chatted and told stories than it was time for bed.
There is another camper beside us. A single man with a van. Friendly guy and informative about the region. We paid $20. per night which seems the standard price for any camping in the Baja.
N 26* 53' 50" W 111* 57' 51"
Alt: 3 feet
Distance today 280 KM at an average of 40 MPH (60KPH)
DEC 17, Monday, clouds/sun
We all went into town to do laundry. We took my truck as I had to drop off one propane tank to be filled and get fresh water. After laundry we wandered through town and looked into a few shops. Ron and Louise went to use the phone and we all met in this little side street cafe where we had tacos and beer. Louise speaks fairly good spanish so it's a great help.
After lunch, Ron and Louise decided to walk back to the site so we drove back and checked out a couple of other rv places. From here, we drove to Los Cocos, a beach along the Bahia Conception where a fellow we met at the laundry, was staying. WOW! What a beach. White sand and calm blue/turquoise water. We chatted for a while and through our conversation, I found out that he knew Pat Muldoon, a friend of mine from my previous life! What a small world, I keep saying.
Came back home, dropped off Val then headed back into town to pick up my propane tank. Cost: $20. for 30 lbs.
There is now 2 other rigs here. Canadians we met back in Guerrero. We had happy hour together then Louise made Val and I sushi for dinner. It was absolutely delicious! We had a few more drinks afterwards with more stories and laughs than it was bed time again.
A very nice evening and we exchanged addresses and e-mails to keep in touch. We also made arrangements to meet again in January on our return from Cabo.
DEC 18, Tuesday, sunny
We left at 8:30. It was hard to leave Ron and Louise but we had to. We drove along the Bahia Conception for about 12 miles then headed inland. This area is absolutely gorgeous and pictures don't do it justice! We are looking forward coming back this way.
The road to Loreto was easy rolling hills then we headed west towards the Gigante mountains. We began climbing and at some points, I had to gear down to first as it was so steep. We even met 2 cyclist climbing this hill and they didn't look very happy. There were a few switch backs and at the top (2500') we found ourselves driving along a plateau and slowly make our descend towards CD Insurgente which is situated in a fertile valley. Just before we got there, we again had another military check point. this time the soldat wanted to check the inside of the rig which I unlocked for him but didn't take the slides out. He seemed happy just to look in the bedroom. The second sldier took my name and license plate on a piece of paper. We stopped in town for lunch and took on fuel: 56.442 litres for $32. From here, we headed south to Ciudad Constitucion and a 4 lane highway....LUXURY!!!!
About a hundred kilometre later, we found ourselves in rolling hills again and narrow roadway. We finally turned left and began a long descend towards the Sea of Cortez and LaPaz, capital of Baja. Yet another military check point as we arrived near the city.
Casa Blanca RV park was $20 per night with full hook-up (sewer, low water pressure and 15 amps power). It is a nice park, well secured and within walking distance to the harbor front. The place is almost full...mostly Canadians again.
N 24* 07'51" W 110* 20' 31"
Alt: 19 feet
Distance today 483 KM in 8 hours, our longest yet
DEC. 19, Wednesday, cloudy/sun
Got up to a balmy 50 degree F. We went into town in the morning to mail a letter and get more cash. We then walked the water front and Val bought herself a nice little sleeveless top.
From here we drove south to a neat little village where we saw this pretty little church. We looked around then decided to drive on to Los Barriles and I am glad we did. Found out that the site we were looking at is too small and full as it is. There is no other suitable site so we will definitely have to go to Jose del Cabo tomorrow.
Came back and fuelled in LaPaz: $53.30 for 94.014 Litres. I think I was almost empty!?
Tomorrow, we leave for the Cabos, our final destination before heading back north.
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