Crossing the Border, Baja 1000, and San Felipe

Thursday was the big day. The day to cross into Mexico, finally. The truck was newly remodeled and ready for rough roads and we were ready to take on the Baja. On our 14 mile drive from San Diego to the boarder crossing, I organized any paperwork, passports, copies etc.. of what we would need to cross. Anticipation rose as we saw cars slowing. We drove and drove looking for the border patrol to stop us. Finally, we came to the realization that we did not have to stop. I was pretty much in shock of the anti-climatic crossing. We decided that mostly we could take care of paper work in Ensenada, so we kept going. Later we discovered that because of the free trade agreement, you are allowed to cross without stopping as long as you stay within 25 miles of the border. So on to Ensenada we went.

Driving to Ensenada was a breeze. The road was really nice because it is a toll road. After paying about 8 dollars total, we made it. We knew that the Baja 1000 (a famous off-road race) was going on but we had no idea how big of event it really is. There were people everywhere. As we drove down main street it was packed. Finally finding a place to park, we went to check out what all the excitement was about. We made our way down to the where the race officials were checking out the rigs. The trucks and cars are amazing that race the Baja. Mucho dinero is spent in preparation for this race. We met a team that had 80 people for their support crew.

The next day, we headed to San Felipe. The race had already begun and so as we drove we could see about 5-6 helicopters flying over the desert following the race. Huge plumes of dust could also be seen from the road to mark where the racers were. Once we arrived in San Felipe we found a good place to sleep for the night and then went out to the desert to watch the race.

People lined the track and cheered as racers came through. Mostly we watched some motorcycles stop at the pit. These guys had already been riding for about 7-8 hours and had 5-6 more to go. Crazy! Then the trucks and cars started flying by. They would cruise through at about 70-80 miles per hour. It was quite a site and a bit scary. People were only a few feet off the track, us included, and one of the trucks, if they lost control, would have the potential of taking out 20 or more people. Even more crazy! Ozzie was in heaven of couse and so we stayed for a couple of hours. It was pretty cool to watch.

Today, we walked on the beach and read our books while watching fish jump out of the Sea of Cortez. Very relaxing. Boze had fun too and dug a huge hole and then layed in it. He swam and chased the birds, he was pretty much in dog heaven.
Onward south tomorrow to Puertocitos. We heard it is nice and quiet there with some beautiful beaches.
Hasta luego,
Lyndi

Entramos Mexico!

For the past month, as our excitement grew, we have talked to what seems like hundreds of people about our trip. And in response they have come up with what seems like thousands of ways we will die within just miles of the Mexican border. My response to all of them is hah! We have made it at least 200 miles, as I originally expected, still alive. What a huge build up for nothing, minutes before crossing the boarder (which was unmanned) i realized, What if all these people are wrong?, I haven't made any plans for the rest of my life:) Now I am stuck here in this awful, crook riddled country soaking up rays on one of the most beautiful beaches I've seen with my two best friends with no plans! Looks like aside from possible pulling the fishing gear out for some fresh pesca, we may need a little more leisure to figure out what to do.

One of the fun suprises for me upon arriving in S.D. was our trip accidentally coincided with the baja 1000. For those who are mentally chanllenged about these things like me, this happens to be a huge dirt race with bikes, trucks, and buggies.
Yesterday after noon, in the desert outside of San Felipe, we pulled dopey up trackside to get a first hand look at the action. It turns out this ain't no pleasue cruise. These machines were flying past us on a straight with woops at maybe 60-80 mph! The awsome noise and excitement was stamped in your memory, nose and eyes with a constant lingering cloud of dust. Seeing something like this on tv will never do again.

Looks like tomorrow we will search for even more beutiful beaches on this placid sea, and try to forget all that plagues us, though that's not too much.

Sorry to disappoint all those pessimists so far.
Sure hope The old USA can cope without us.

ozzie