My laptop is in my lap in the car….. today is hopefully the last day of a long (but beautiful) drive. I am taking a break from listening to lectures about ICU medicine, which is amazingly boring but then how do I make this blog interesting?. Thus far, another great trip. A definite rhythm! Drive, eat, drive, unpack, drink, swim, eat, sleep, repeat x 4 days. So first the brief summary:
Day one: Shingle Springs to El Centro, California (not a lovely town, but it has a Marriot and it’s 5 minute from the border):
Highlights: Spectacular scenery 395—-why have we not stayed in Bridgeport? Next time….
Bad stuff: A check engine lights appears in Mark and Al’s truck
Good stuff: Check engine light gave me time to get some thank you notes done (but so sorry I am so behind–please know I am very thankful and not easy to mail stuff from Mexico)
Day two: El Centro to Bahia de Gonzaga
Highlights: Made it thru the border crossing with no glitches—-we declared, our amigos did not (due to their precision shopping). The border agent appeared somewhat dismayed by the appearance of our truck. In total, it was a 30 minute stop with very patient customs agents.
This was our third stay at Alfonsina’s, despite poor water supply, no AC until 8 PM, thrift store decorating techniques with teeny tiny packets of shampoo —BUT spectacular peaceful beach, and delicious margaritas sipped on a perfect elipse of a beach. No better place for a long walk or to float in the waves. Most importantly——it is there (where there nothing else is)! And there is little store to stock up on tequila (at least 40 kinds but no Pepsi or Dr. Pepper) before we start our next drive.
Day three: Seems odd but we must drive from the Sea of Cortez to the Pacific Ocean then back again to the sea of Cortez to get to LB. (Steep cliffs and mountains made it impossible to put in a direct road). There is only one road so the choice is easy! Many mountains—covered with cactus and rock, a good road though somewhat narrow. As we reach the Pacific the temp drops by 15 degrees–and this is one of 2 lagoons where the whales come each year to birth their babies. We then head back into the mountains to stop for lunch at the oasis of San Ignacio. So surprising to see all the water and lush plants in the middle of desert. Makes sense that the Spanish setters built a mission and a church here in the 1700’s! The best part was the fresh mango sorbet from a little shop before we jumped back in the car.
From there, back down (and we do mean down) the mountains to the Sea of Cortez and true working towns, long shipping piers, and mines. Santa Rosalia has some sort of French background with some very tasty (and yes cheap) bakeries.
Finally we arrived at Bahia de Concepcion, to stay at Playa Frambes, an immaculate cottage with 2 bedrooms, pool, beach, and breakfast. Perfect after a long drive!
Day 4: LB here we come! The roads are wider but this only causes people to pull over onto to wide shoulders to create a third lane for passing. Oh my….it is legal for the passenger to drink in the car? Feels like we are home when we hit El Triunfo…..wait a minute, we are home!
Questions about checkpoints: (what everyone asks)
How many are there? About 5
Are they scary? Not unless it scares you to have a military man standing 10 feet from your car with an automatic pointed downward. (He just stands there while the other guy asks questions—-where are you going? Why are you going? What do you have back there? )
How long does it take? It depends. Some were unmanned and we just drove through. Some took one look at our jam-packed car and motioned us through. Sometimes however they made the dreaded request of opening the tailgate.
Once the gentlemen (a twenty something) asked Brant as they stood by the tailgate, “Do you have any guns or ammunition?” (This is what they are looking for as they check each vehicle). Brant said, “No”. The guard leaned toward the tailgate with the imminent threat of it all tumbling out on him if he moved even one object, then muttered to himself in perfect English , “How the the hell would I know?” before telling Brant he could go.
Life's Been Good To Us So Far! 
Hola mi Amigos! Your retirement looks fabulous!
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