Baja
Farewell
We’re happy
to have had you travel with us on this journey through the Baja. Everyone did
an exceptional job of maneuvering their vehicles over the various terrain (AKA
– roads and potholes) that the Baja challenged us with.
Tom and Darlene almost didn’t make the trip!! When they pulled into Potrero Campground
there was a loud noise from one of the belts in the coach’s engine compartment.
Turned out the serpentine belt was installed incorrectly. Duane and Erich
were able to reroute the belt to its proper placement and Tom and Darlene
were happy campers!! We were pleased that Ole and Lena were along for the
ride too! Yah – you betcha!!
We all got
through the border at Tecate – after successfully getting everyone’s FMM
stamped and legal. Well, everyone but Walt! It seems like the Mexican
authorities are trying to keep him out but he finally got his paperwork
cleared! Thank Goodness!!
Our first
break was a couple of miles out of Tecate to regroup. It was the usual Baja
type pulloff – a drop off of six+ inches. After our break, we went to Ensenada.
We arrived successfully in Ensenada without losing any of our group!!! The
staff was very impressed with our Newbie capabilities!!! (We learned that we hadn't brought the right equipment - highway 1 in the Baja meant you needed an extreme RV!)
We have a “Welcome
to Mexico” dinner at Las Terrazas Restaurant that begins with this dry stuff
the waiters place in a bowl in front of us – we order soup and we get this
instead. Ahh – but wait – now they come and pour a steaming red broth over the
dried substance and vamoose – a luscious tortilla soup appears!! Will miracles
never cease!! 
The next day
we had a city tour and a visit to the old Casino, downtown shopping area,
Hussong’s Cantina (the oldest cantina on the California's opened in 1891) and La Bufadora (we visited here with Nick and Karen 10 years ago) with our guide Larissa. Lots of shopping and
food!!
At travel
briefing the following morning we are greeted with the information that now,
today, we will be introduced to the true Baja roads!! Oh goody, just what we
want to hear. Sure enough as we are heading over our first mountain - lo and
behold highway construction!! Oh, what a mess that was!! After a wait of what
seemed forever but only about 10 minutes, we were led through the one direction
traffic detour!! We then traverse narrow, hilly, curvy, pot holy roads in
addition to some fairly nice roads on our trek to Catavina. As we are nearing
our destination word travels through the caravan that there has been a mishap.
John Varner’s Jeep has flipped a couple of times and is totaled out!! The tires
on his motorhome went over the edge of the pavement and it flipped his Jeep. (We were directly behind them and saw it launch into midair - scary!) He
and Therese handled the whole situation like a pair of troopers. We were all
very pleased to hear they decided to continue with the tour. The Jeep was
hauled off to a wrecking yard for a suitable end of journey!
Located in the high desert terrain of the Baja
we are welcomed by the usual cold windy weather of Catavina. Once all of the
RV’s are all somewhat situated, we have our first meal prepared by staff. John, Therese, Mike, Vicki and our tail
gunners arrive before dinner. Halleluiah!! Chili and cornbread to warm us up
then a yummy dessert. We planned to have a campfire but after a very long hard
day of driving, mishaps and the cold weather we decided to save our firewood
for a future fire on the beach. Ed Hill volunteered to haul the firewood for
us. It was early to bed for the majority
of the group. 
Next morning
off we go again. We get to Mario’s RV Park midafternoon. Marjorie & Dorothy
present each rig with a scallop shell memento at our Happy Hour in Mario’s
Restaurant. Some of the group had dinner there. Great food!! 
Our sixth
day of the tour finds us arriving at our first beach – Buenaventura Hotel and
RV parking. We had a Spaghetti dinner at Buenaventura Restaurant. Next day Mike
took his Kayak out for a ride in the calm waters of Concepcion Bay. 
On we go to Puerto Escondido – full hookups –
Mexico style. A nice surprise for all of us was plenty of power after being at
Mario’s. Next morning we carpool on a jaunt up into the hills to visit San
Javier Mission and a visit to a 300 year old olive tree that is located behind
the mission. The mission is amazing as is the olive tree. 
There’s a
visit to Loreto for sightseeing and visiting Our Lady of Loreto Mission (the
oldest mission on the Baja) and exploring the town.
Off we go to
La Paz. Ed Hill and Mike Long met a local policeman – supposedly for speeding!
Ed managed to get off without paying anything by showing him that his wallet
was empty. Mike wasn’t so lucky though - $1000. Pesos (down from $5,000. ) and
he was on the road again. Speaking of which, Thank you Robin for Willie’s “On
The Road Again” on the radios!!
All parked
at Marantha RV Park and Eduardo stopped by to tell our group about the Whale
Shark tours his company offered during our Happy Hour get together. Next day, a
city tour led by Isaac (a very passionate young man who enjoyed his job)
included a visit to Ibarra Pottery, the Cathedral and Cultural Center, Regional
Museum and followed by lunch at El Serape. They had a nice buffet and
entertainment for us!! 
The
following day a number of our group took Eduardo’s tour and went swimming with
the Whale Sharks. It was excellent weather and the whale sharks didn’t
disappoint them. (They had us jump from the boat right in front of the Whale Sharks, so they always bumped into us and brushed us as they went by - very rough skin!) Nancy and Vicki mentioned later that the whale shark they were
swimming along with got a little too close so they started back paddling to get
away from him!! 
Another nice
dinner on the waterfront on our last night in La Paz. A local street musician
caught the attention of Brenda & Sheila so he made out pretty good tip
wise.
Next stop
Los Barriles - a small village that has Canadians and Americans swarming here
in the winter – a very laid-back Mexico style of living. A very tough little town to maneuver the RV’s
through!! Ed & Pat’s antenna got ripped off by a low hanging cable but
otherwise everyone made it to the park.
Cabo here we
come – we stopped at the Tropic of Cancer for a group picture minus 4 members
of our group who stayed behind at Playa Norte. Activities in Cabo included a
visit to the Glass Factory where Paul, Sheila and Glenn tried their skill at
glass blowing. 
Downtown
everyone went to enjoy their choice of lunch and shopping. John Varner
completed a dare by getting hung upside down at the Giggling Marlin!!!
A Sunset dinner cruise aboard the Sunrider past
Lovers Beach and Land’s End Arch and into the Pacific to see whales. What a
fabulous show the whales put on for us! Sunrider glides back into the calm
waters of the bay for dancing on the deck and watching the sunset before
calling it a night. A trip back to Los Barriles and a goodnight’s sleep ended a
great day for us!
No planned
activities for our last day in Los Barriles except for a fabulous dinner at Tio
Pablos!! It was difficult deciding which entre was best – all three were great!
From Fajita’s to Ribs to Lobster Tail!!! Everyone went home bursting at the
seams!!
Our next
stop was Playa Tecolote – true beachfront camping!! The next day we have a
Beach Party with a hamburger cookout by the Fantasy Staff and Margaritas
“Burden Style”. Everyone had a great day relaxing. Walt & June and a few
others hiked up the hill and over toward Bandera Beach. Sheila slipped and fell
while hiking but nothing too bad. 
A one night
stopover in Puerto Escondido then on to Santispac Beach. This is truly a place
you could just stay and vegetate for weeks or months. Staff prepared BBQ pork
sandwiches for us followed by a campfire. 
Some of our
group went on a tour to the cave paintings with their guide Salvador. Mike
& Vickie’s kayaks were used by a few of our group. Carol & I thought
about it but that’s as far as we got with the idea!! “Almost Free” (one of the
local beach vendors) was lots of fun to bargain with!! He sold lots of tee
shirts and other items to our group! 
The two
restaurants and bakery at the beach got lots of use. We had pineapple empanadas
and cinnamon rolls that were delicious!! 
Mike & Marjorie, with help from George & Dorothy, set up their Karaoke equipment
at Armando’s and a lot of singing and singing attempts were made! Lots of fun!! 
We did a
trip into Mulege for a festive dinner at Los Equipales on our last night at
Santispac. Francisco, the owner, always
treats our group well and everyone had a good time. Lots of talking, laughing
and dancing.
Next day a
few of our group made a stop at Santa Rosalia on
route to San Ignacio to see the metal church designed by Eifel and some sightseeing.
We made a trip into San Ignacio for ice cream and saw Sheila, Mike and Paul in
town as well as Mike & Marjorie. The mission in San Ignacio is one of my
favorites. 
The local
school children’s dance club performed for our group after dinner at Rice N
Beans. For the finale - the dancers got a number of us up to dance with them!!
It was enjoyable entertainment. 
Guerrero
Negro was our next stop. Two Whale Watching tours to see the gray whales was a
once in a lifetime experience. The babies and mamas interact with us as though
they want to check us out too. 
The ATM
machines were a real challenge for John Jason – we lost count of how many times
we tried to get pesos from an ATM for him - without success!!! John Varner was
able to get $10,000 pesos but John Jason - NADA
Another nice
dinner at Malarrimo’s ended our stay there.
In Bahia de
Las Angles a visit to the museum and beach time was enjoyed. 16 of our group
took the boat tour that was offered by Joel’s Eco Tours. The group on the
second day’s tour got to ride in the boat as it was hauled through the street
to the boat launch!! We got as much of a kick from that as we did the nice tour
of the islands.
Some of our adventurous
folks, Mike & Marjorie, George, Mike Long, John Jason & Sheila went for
a bouncy, dusty 22-mile drive to the San Borja Mission. They were very pleased
with the sites and stories they heard from the owner of the ranch there. It was
funny and entertaining when - after trying to communicate in Spanish for an
hour - to learn that the guy spoke perfect English!!!
The school
supplies you donated were taken to the local elementary school. The kids and
teachers were very happy to receive the donations. – A buffet dinner at Villa
Vitta and the “Last Supper” prepared by staff. We celebrated Mardi Gras with
“King Cake” and beads! Ed Hill was the King for the evening and Vicki Long the
Queen!! A joyous conga line to the tune of “When the Saints Go Marching In” was
a blast!!
A stopover
in Vicente Guerrero and a wonderful dinner at Posada Don Diego’s and we return
to Ensenada. 
Tonight a
“Gotta Go” meal to get rid of all of the things we can’t take back to the
states. Our Wine Country Tour is tomorrow and was lots of fun and lunch was
very tasty last year. There’s a nice collection of wines and gifts available
too. Our Farewell dinner is Sunday night! 
(When we reached the border in Tecate, the Wagon Masters had contacted US customs, and they cleared a lane for us - instead of 3 hours, it was only an hour to get checked through!) It’s been an
amazing experience! Thank you all. Adios Baja!!
Talk to you
soon!
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