It is time for the changing of the seasons here in the Baja. The warm days and cool evenings have slowly gave way to days with a more intense heat and nights that stay just warm enough as you're not quite sure if you need that blanket on or off (maybe that is just my problem!). The winds that once blew from the north have turned somewhat to the south bringing with them a little more humidity. The Sea of Cortez has warmed to a pleasant 73-74 degrees, up from the 67ish, but still refreshing. The thing we are noticing the the most is the start of the great migration north by the snowbirds.
The writing of the blog didn't seem quite as necessary the last few months, while we have been at the beach in Baja. The days were much the same and at the time there didn't seem to be much in the way of news, but looking back I can see we really did have a busy winter that went all too fast.
Ken continued to catch his fair share of fish and managed to keep food on the table all winter. When he wasn't fishing we managed to slip in a few day rides, on the KLR, back in behind Loreto on roads that we have been on before but just love to ride again and again. We met a few more people here that had bikes so we were able to be tour guides on some rides and that is always fun.
We headed south to La Paz to visit friends and take in the pig roast at Mike and Hortensia's place, which is always high on our list of things to do and we actually planned our trip to La Paz around it. While in La Paz we stayed with Ralph, which was very convenient because our whole truck and camper fit right inside his garage where we had electricity and a dumpsite while being out of the sun. Carnival was on in La Paz during our time there, street vendors with lots to eat, parades and entertainment in the evening; this was our first time at this event and it was fun and within walking distance of Ralph's place. La Paz has turned into a big city with some big city problems but although there was lots of crap going on between drug gangs we didn't see any evidence fighting, we enjoyed our stay and I even took in a movie (50 shades!).
Back home on the beach after two weeks it was back to bacchi, kayaking, fishing and generally enjoying life. There were lots of whales this year, hump backs, blues and greys and Ken and I both got a chance to see some up close and personal...a kayak really seems small when a whale comes up a few metres away.
I guess that's it for the season! We are now heading north with a few more stops but we will be home before we know it, I'm sure.
A sign I noticed on our motorbike ride to Comondu. We have tried the wine made in this mountian village on previous visits but it was the small signs warning about the bear and moose that we found amusing this trip.
The mainstreet in Comondu, cobble-stoned and constructed hundreds of years ago when the missionaries were settling the area.
Mardi Gras in La Paz, these 'lovely ladies' (take a closer look) where having a really good time.
Three nights in a row the parade travels down the malecon in La Paz, and every night there is a great turnout, we went on two different nights ourselves!
Brian, now here is an idea for your next BBQ function!
Buganvilla lined the streets in Cabo...the end of the earth in the far background and I just about blend into the flaura in the foreground.
The annual pig roast at Mike and Hortensia's was a great success. Jeff, Ralph and Mike close up the sack and get ready to cook in the ground with oranges and cactus.
Hortensias flan, yum, yum.
Ken went out fishing with friends Bob and Rod. What luck! A 20 plus lb yellowtail and a nice cabrilla. Smoky and Rio couldn't care less about the fish Ken caught, they are looking for something for themselves.
Lots and lots of flowers this year, due to all the rain.
The beach at San Basilio, 42 km north of Loreto and 25 km or so off the Mexico 1 Hwy back to the Cortez, you can dry camp here, the kayaking is the best and it is a great anchorage...needless to say this place was drop-dead gorgeous! We took the bike in on a day ride which was very scenic, the road runs mustly up a arroyo bed but was generally pretty good.
In San Basilio there is a villa, built by a Spanish Countess years ago, friends Patricia and Pierre just happen to be staying at it on the day we arrived and invited us up for a cold drink and tour. Amazing is all I can say.
The tip of Dazante Island. I paddled out and around the island twice this year, a total of about 15-17 km a trip.
Like I said the flowers are blooming like crazy in the desert. These are mesquite flowers that look like little paintbrushes.
The not so typical vacation foot picture. Relaxing on the zodiac with the Gigantes in the background.
Hey captian what are you looking at? Do you see something through your glasses?
Whale watching was great this year, with Greys, Blues and Humpbacks all making an appearance. We had many shows as they slapped their tails, breached and generally hung around the bay in front off the beach.
