February 2023
The drive from Puertecitos to Bahía de Los Ángeles was breathtaking. It was full of big, stunning vistas, blue sky, and really interesting flora.
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We drove Bahía de Los Ángeles to Bahía San Rafael, a remote area on the coast of the Gulf of California. There was no wind blasting us and we enjoyed all the pelicans, shore birds, and the view.
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We set out over more dirt road to Puerto/Punta San Francisquito, and we found both. We didn't end up staying, but did get some fish tacos for lunch and enjoyed them with two guys on motorcycles before parting ways. Around Baja, you just ask where to get tacos and people will tell you where to go.
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This right here is why everyone says not to drive at night. These washouts are barely visible during the day and would be disastrous at night. There are no bright orange cones here, or construction crews around every corner!
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Food post! Mario's Tours and Restaurant (and RV park) in Guerrero Negro has delicious food. I went completely overboard and pretty much ate everything, and I'm not sorry!
When in Guerrero Negro, you go whale watching! This is our boat captain, Luís.
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San Ignacio is a lovely, peaceful town built from an oasis. It has shops, a coffee shop, restaurants, a central plaza, and a mission. What a peaceful place to spend a few hours.
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We did not stay long in Mulegé, but we really liked the campground, Huerto Don Chano RV Park, on the river and with a restaurant on site. There were bananas growing!
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Some sights around Loreto:
We didn't spend much time here because of the wind, so we don't have much information to share. Just some pictures!
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Some scenery from the drive between Loreto and La Paz.
The Walmart tequila section!
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From La Paz we drove back across the peninsula to the Pacific side, to Todos Santos. The biggest draw for us was Tortugueros Las Playitas, an organization that gives various turtle species a little extra help. All species of turtles are endangered, because of humans. From driving on sand (compacting the nest) to catching them in fishing nets as "by-catch" to poaching for eggs (to eat and sell) or for their shell (for accessories) we are to blame.
These little guys are Olive Ridley turtles
When they hatch, the volunteer has to put them in cool, moist sand in the shade so they can rest before being released in the evening. They wait until after sunset to release so there are fewer predators around and the turtles can get a head start.
We were lucky to get to watch over 50 hatchlings be released into the ocean the night we drove up. None hatched the next day, or the following day (when I was turtle-sitting all day). I guess they will hatch when they are ready, and not one minute before!
This is the greenhouse where the nests are kept. They are kept warm in here and a volunteer monitors the nests all day every 15-20 minutes. There were 5 nests at the time when I was the volunteer.
At night, they go out on atvs to find nests and collect them. They bring them back here, dig a new nest, and deposit the eggs.
If you are so inclined, you can donate to the cause at http://www.todostortugueros.org/donate_to_sea_turtles.html
¡Muchas grácias!
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We stayed two nights in a hotel in Los Cabos to get caught up on just about everything, plus we lost our ATM card, so that had to be dealt with.
We watched some Super Bowl in Spanish, took care of everything, then headed back out refreshed and rejuvenated.
The east cape of Cabo is stunning, and probably what Cabo San Lucas used to be like decades ago.
Our first campsite had no one else on it (we had passed many other spots that had several rigs).
Look at the color of the water! Then the next morning we watched as gray whales jumped and frolicked in the distance. It was quite a show!
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Our second night on the eastern side was by this lighthouse. It still has a light turning around at the top, but nobody lives there. It was VERY windy here.
Then we headed back to La Paz, stayed at the same campground as the first time, and mentally readied ourselves for the ferry to Mazatlán.
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Hopper was tucked in on the ferry nice and snug on the upper deck. We were relieved to be settled for the night, as it was nerve wracking for me to try doing this in Spanish and using Google translate. A lot gets lost in translation.
Fyi: we went to the TMC office in La Paz and reserved our date and time (about 10 days in advance). Then on the date you sail, you go to the port to be weighed and measured (and pay port tax, about $10 US) then go into the office with the ticket you are given to pay your fare.
We were told it would sail at 5pm, but it didn't leave until 7pm, which we knew would probably happen. 14 1/2 hours later, over calm seas, we were in Mazatlán.
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We arrived in Mazatlán just in time for Carnaval! We got a good camp spot in a gated place and took taxis, pulmonias (see captions), or walked around. Party, eat, drink and be gluttonous from Thursday to Tuesday, then everybody goes to church on Wednesday to start lent.
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...from Tequila, Jalisco!
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Lake Chapala. Taking a rest from all the navigating and decision making by doing a painting tutorial and having someone else tell me what to do to paint this shell. It's warm and sunny!
