Cabo 2013

I have always been intrigued by Baja California, that narrow peninsula that stretches for 1000 miles from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas. The land is combination of deserts, mountains, arroyos, verdant valleys, winners and vast stretches of open land. South of Santa Rosalia, it is sparsely populated and one often wonders how the people of Baja live there.

Several months ago. I had to opportunity to sign up for a ride to Cabo that a good friend of mine was putting together. Don Stanley, aka Papa Chuy, has been visiting Mexico for nearly forty years and had journeyed into Baja at least a dozen times. I trusted him as a ride leader as did six other riders. The plan was for us to ride to the tip of Baja where we would meet our wives and spend several days at the beautiful Pueblo Bonito Blanco on Medano Beach in the heart of Cabo. (All photos by Bob, Brian and Mary Ellen)

The Riders:

Don, aka Papa Chuy. Chandler, AZ. BMWF650GS

Brian, aka El Jefe. Mesa, AZ. F800G

Henry, aka Enrique. Mesa, AZ. 1200GS Adventure.

Mary Ellen, aka MEM. Fredericton, New Bunswick. FZ6

Darrel. Peoria, AZ. K1200GT

Fred, aka Juniorfjr. Wenatchee, WA. FJR

Bob, aka Back Road Bob. Chandler, AZ. F650GS

The Road:

We met in Gila Bend and planned to end the day in Ensenada, 400 miles away. The decision was made to cross at Mexicali to ride the infamous La Rumorosa Grade, a twisty mountain pass between Mexicali and Tecate. Unfortunately, it started raining after getting our tourist permits and did not stop. After two days of rain, the sun burst thru and we had fine weather to Cabo. We averaged about 300-400 miles a day. After Ensenada, we stayed in Bahia de Los Angeles and then Loreto. Mex 1 criss crossed the peninsula a couple of times, so the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez were always coming into view.

Rumorosa Grade

Mexican tourist permit.

Ensenda at night with flooded streets.

Ensenada early morning.

It rained all day Saturday and a little on Sunday morning.

685

Mud, mud and more mud!

Gas stop

No more gas going south for about 80 miles

This was a welcoming sign!

Camping along the beach.

Military checkpoint dummy!

Mexican Art:

Art is always in the eyes of the beholder and often times it can be quite amusing.

Bahia de Los Angles

Bahia de Los Angles

Skeleton at Ensenda Harbour

The Food:

We came for the food and literally ate our way thru 2800 miles of Mexican restaurants from fancy to plain to street stands. Seafood is fresh and abundant and we never tired trying different specialties .

Shrimp Diablo.

Mary Ellen and Don at Hussong's

Lunch in Mulege.

Shrimp kebab.

Seafood Fiesta!

Omelot.

Sunday afternoon in Ensenada

My favorite lunch...

Ensenada Fish Market.

Breakfast at Mama Espinosa's

Cerviche tacos

Take your pick

El Papagayo Cantando

Towns and churches and missions:

There is much history to Baja California, especially concerning the missions. Fortunately for us, Don, Papa Chuy, has an extensive knowledge of Mexican history and shared it with us. We did not have a lot of time to stop and wander, but the trip did whet my appetite to visit and learn more about the Baja missions in the future.

Inglesia Santa Barbara. Created by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel who designed the Eiffel Tower

Inglesia Santa Barbara

Inglesia Santa Barbara

Santa Rosalia

Santa Rosalia

Historic Mulege.

Mulege

Mulege lighthouse.

Mulege. Hit heavy by hurricanes recently

Mission San Javier

Mission San Javier

Mission San Javier

Ensenada

Ensenada

Tecate town square

Tecate town square

Cabo San Lucas:

We stayed in Pueblo Bonito Blaco, a resort on Medano Beach, a short walk from the harbor and old town Cabo. The days were spent on the beach, walking around the marina, shopping, getting bikes washed, visiting Todos Los Santos and taking a glass bottomed boat ride out to the famous Arch and Land's End - the point that separated the Sea of Cortez from the Pacific Ocean. The weather was warm with high clouds and a slight breeze. Each evening we would go to a different restaurant in town for cerveza, margaritas and usually seafood, though Mexican beef is also very good.