Adios to the Baja

Well, the last month or so that we have spent on the Baja has been spectacular. The people we met and the places we stayed really surpassed both of our expectations. From San Ignacio, we ended up at two of our favorite beaches Agua Verde and Los Frailes. Both of these are on the Sea of Cortez side and very remote, requiring some bouncing and winding down very rough roads to get there. Ozzie caught a few fish and I even snorkeled a bit. It is amazing how many fish are even in three to four feet of water. (I am still too chicken to go any deeper). Ozzie saw huge school of puffer fish and he was out in the deeper areas.

We also spent a couple of days in La Paz getting our vehicle permit, ferry ticket, and new health certificate for Bozeman. All took way longer then expected of course and the earliest we could reserve the ferry was not until the 23rd. So while we waited we spent more time on the beach. Not a bad place to wait. However, we had told my parents that we would try and meet them for Christmas in San Pancho and this put us a little behind schedule. Schedule, what’s that again?

The drive to the ferry proved to be exciting. We managed to find our spare tire dangling from the back, the metal ripped of the frame. Luckily, we stopped for a bathroom break and noticed it leaning off the back. Bad for the frame, but amazingly we didn’t lose the tire. Then we passed a guy who popped off his radiator cap and was sprayed with boiling water in the face as we drove by. We quickly turned around to see if he was ok. He was, only minor burns on his cheek. He needed water though, so we filled his car up and off he drove in his pretty blue mustang. Then right before the ferry terminal we drove by a wrecked semi who had seemingly ran into a bull-dozer. Crazy! We made it no worse for the ware and on time despite the drive. Just another day driving on the Baja...

The ferry was a logistical nightmare. People lined up to board three hours before departure and the ferry only had one loading and unloading side, unlike the Washington state ferries. The one hundred or so semi-trucks that loaded onto the ferry had to back on. Most cars ( around 200 or so) also backed into spots. There were four car decks and 3 passenger decks. It was more an ocean going ship than a ferry. Ozzie and Bozeman parked on the lowest deck in the hull. Poor Boze had to stay in the car for around 10 hours in the hull of the ship where it was very hot. Poor guy, he made it though. He is such a good dog. We slept in the ferry parking lot when we arrived at 10:30 at night, which we were told was the safest spot to stay.

Now, after a full day of driving we are in Mazatlan at an RV park right on the beach. It is Christmas day and so beautiful. We are taking a day to relax and recuperate from our two long days of traveling. Tomorrow we head to San Pancho to visit with my family.