Wow, new readers from Prague Czech republic!
I didn't make it far, yesterday! Just left the camping area on the beach early in the morning and came across a whole bunch of raptors, sitting on their cactuses, having their breakfast of small birds and fish. Then I got back to a little bay just beside the ferry terminal and discovered this very nice little white-sand beach. And high speed internet as a bonus. So Harley and I set ourselves up on the beach and caught some rays and watched the scenery, the sailboats, the ferries, and the Mexican families on the beach for a Sunday afternoon.

Harley, of course, was a big hit with the little girls, the big girls (!), as well as the old ladies and gents. One thing led to another (also Googled the location of the nearest propane, and determined that it was not open on Sundays anyway), so I gave up my plans of getting anywhere, and concentrated on the sunset. And you thought you had it bad.

Since I was so close, I just ambled back to the previous night's camp and set up in the same spot.

You have to really watch for those 'safety boulders' in the dark, let me tell you.

Do you remember last year when I described the use of 'safety boulders'?
Well, here is a perfect example of their use to mark a washed out section of the road north of La Paz!





The La Paz ferry terminal and port.



Last night the sky was clear and the stars were out and shining brightly. Sure enough, the day dawned totally clear and the sun was a welcome change from the past while.
Several of us on the beach decided to pull up stakes and head out. We said so long to the nice folks from Nanaimo and from Parksville on Vancouver Island who were camped there and then hit the road.
The road winds up through the mountains for a while, before breaking out on the high plain towards Villa Insurgentes in the centre of the peninsula.
Then it heads almost due south for a ways. Much to my amazement the road was a divided, four lane road, and get this - there was a good, wide gravel shoulder!!
This continues into Villa Constitution, where there was a very nice looking General Motors dealer which my GPS duly noted in case big Blue every needs some work.
Then it is back to the normal, narrow, 2-lane road, but through some basically flat countryside. I caught up to and passed a convoy of RV's headed south.
I recognized them from Playa Santispac a few days prior, including the big rig with all kinds of orange tape on his driver's side mirror - an attempt to avoid further contact with semi-truck mirrors going in the opposite direction!
This road goes right across the peninsula, to give a good view of the Pacific ocean again as we head south. About 60km from La Paz, the road gets very twisted and heads back across to the Sea of Cortez side at La Paz.
Unsuccessfully tried to spot a propane supplier in La Paz, and did not give in to the temptation to stop at McDonalds! Did not notice any other large or chain type stores.
Decided to tour some of the off-beat areas of La Paz after missing a corner or two, but with the help of Google Earth and GPS, I did not have to resort to trying to ask for directions.
I was soon back on the by-pass route out toward the beaches on the point north of La Paz. Because I was busy looking for propane, and watching Google Earth, I did not stop to look for wi-fi in La Paz, but on the way out to the ferry terminal and the beaches, I located a nice university facility on the coast that was willing to provide some signal to me, and the mail got checked, but no update was attempted because it was getting close to sunset and I still had to find a nice camp. Alas, it appears that I have exceeded the southern extremes of my Tv Satellite dish reception, so the Maple Leafs will have to go it alone tonight without my support!
Found yet another enclave of displaced BC residents at a beach called Playa Tecolote, right at the tip of the point. They did not seem to mind another Albertan setting up in their midst.
No internet here, and no Sat Tv, so Harley and I will have to be content cooking the huge chunk of 'Yellow-tailed jack' fish given to us last nite at Juncalito!
Tomorrow marks one month on the road.

Where we are!
CLICK HERE!

Some good news for the Mexican beach-front RV crowd! On several of the beaches down here, some of the simple, thatched palapas have over time been transformed into multi-story mansions, practically, leaving less and less room for true RV visitors. Apparently, this is about to change, at least at some of the beaches I have visited this year. Apparently the Mexican government must have issued an ultimatum as at Playa Santispac at least, most of the 'permanent' dwellings were being taken down while I was there.




Unfortunately, the very famous and popular Ray's Place restaurant there burned to the ground sometime around Christmas this year. Luckily, Anna's restaurant and bar seems to be filling the niche - except on Wednesdays, when they are closed.

So, on down the highway I went. There were more signs of hurricane related flood damage on the highway, but repairs appear to have been mostly completed, or underway at least. A couple sections of brand new pavement were a treat, especially with a 12" wide shoulder (in places)!

In to Loreto, where I stocked up on some more groceries, checked the online mail, and then got my camper water tanks topped up and a few jugs of drinking water filled - all for the bargain price of $2. or 20 pesos!






We carried on down the coast to Juncalito beach where the access road, which basically follows the creek bottom had totally been obliterated. The village adjacent had hired a grader to work on their streets that were damaged, and for $100 more, had the grader fix up the access road to the campground as well. Reportedly, the first RV'ers to arrive had chipped in and paid the villagers back in full!

Good entertainment watching the pelicans here. There are a lot of them, and watching them fly, then dive bomb the water in perfect formation is spectacular. Sometimes the feeding is just too frenzied and air traffic control breaks down and there are about three species all diving at high rates of speed into the water amongst others flying over or sitting on the water trying to swallow. I'm surprised they don't get hurt more or have nasty mid-air collisions!

Todays map link. Click HERE to see the satellite view of where we are now!

Time to move along down the road. We've been here 3 nights/ 4 days, so it is time to seek warmer temps and new sights to the south! We'll check the hurricane related flood damage in Loreto, and perhaps end up at our last years camp at Juncalito beach. It had wi-fi last year, I wonder about this year? I may also try again there to extend the southern range of my satellite dish?
Two motor cruisers left the harbor this morning, and a Canadian sailboat cruised on through last night without stopping. Maybe they are headed south as well?

Two views out the camper window. The one with the orange splash in the centre was taken this AM before 8, with me trying to cover up the flash with my finger. I know there is a way to turn if off, but hey, I'm in a hurry to get 'someplace', alright?

Had a laid back, easy day today! With the forecasts in Cabo not much better than here, there did not seem to be much reason to move. Especially because we have this prime beachfront location with satellite reception and internet all day long. And think of all the money we saved on gas! Pulled the bike out of the back seat and went for a tour of the area. Found an old oceanside trail that led down to another beach where I spent a night, just a little to the north. And no flat tires - yet. Came back and joined Harley on the beach for a bit of lunch, then it was time to go scramble up the mountain behind camp. Got up high enough for a good overview, a few pictures, just in time for the sunset. During the day watched the gulls show how they can efficiently open clam shells. They fly up high above the road or a rocky beach and drop the shell. After about three tries, they have a fresh meal of clam.
Went down to the local beach restaurant and met the owner - from Idaho - for happy hour. We agreed that it was cold, but that it was all relative. We only have to wear warm sandals to get by. No shoveling, sliding, or freezing here.

Click on a pic for a larger view. Hint: camper is just to the left of the cactus. Don't forget to check out some of the advertisers on this page - they pay me if you do! Comments or e-mails welcome, but you guys back at work have discovered that I moderate what comments get posted!!

GOOGLE MAP LINK!

This is the satellite image of my location. The line indicates the distance to wi-fi! It is a very protected little bay on the Sea of Cortez, or the Gulf of California as many call it.

Welcome new reader from Queensland, Australia. Eight Mile Plains!




Well, the grocery stores arrived this morning! At a downright civilized hour of 0930, the first little truck came by with fresh milk, bottled water, ice, eggs, vegetables and fruit, and hot fresh,chicken tomales (for a buck).
The next store (truck) that came by had mussells, fresh shrimp, and other seafood. Then the guy comes by (I think I remember him from last year?) with offers of (delivered to your beach) kayak rentals and motorboat trips!

It's not exactly hot out, but at least the sun was out this morning as I was out enjoying my morning coffee - with just a bit of Bailey's - on my own private little beach between the trees. Local fishermen are out on the bay checking their nets, and a few sailboats and motor cruisers are anchored just off shore in this protected little bay.
Looks like the high tide came to within about 10 feet of the camper last night, which would account for those wave sounds. But unlike the crashing surf of the Pacific coast, or even the exposed shore of the Santa Rosalia area, this water is very calm and protected.

I'd like to welcome the new readers from the U.K., Florida, Portugal, Illinois, Pennsylvania, France, and ... Moose Jaw!

I have once again moved further south in Baja. It just doesn't get much better than this. Well, except for the weather - which seems to reflect what most of the rest of North America is experiencing.
Not -40 like West Yellowstone, or storm warnings in Houston, but it is cool and breezy nevertheless.
I have arrived at Bahia Concepcion, still on the gulf coast. I am camped about 20 feet from the high tide line in this sheltered bay. Remarkably, my satellite dish is still working even though it has lost most of it's channels this far south.
I got to watch the Calgary news and weather (brrr). And I have wi-fi internet, and have set a new record for distance! Measuring on Google Earth shows the distance as 2.02Km, but I have to believe the GPS which insists it is only 1.92kms!
That's 1.25 miles for you US folks. It is NOT a great signal, but that is not a factor of the distance (the signal is strong), it is because it is a satellite connection that must be having some difficulty because of the wind?
When I was within 30m of the source, it was still fickle. Nevertheless, here I sit, listening to Country 105 FM radio from Calgary!


Harley introduced himself to some nice neighbors from the States, and their three dogs. They were inquiring about the weather, so I pulled up the weather report from Loreto, just to the south, and printed it off for them.
It's amazing to have this technology - out here on a secluded beach.

Camping fees are 70 Pesos, or about $7. so we won't be going broke any time soon. There is also a restaurant (and bar) in this campground -just down the beach.

Bought some groceries and re-loaded with cash in Santa Rosalia this morning before heading out. In the first grocery store there was no milk (other than powdered), and actually nothing refrigerated, and not even any cooking oil that was on my list.
Ended by buying a -- can of corn (!) and a bag of chips! In hind sight, it must have been a kind of bulk food store?
Just down the street, I found another store that had everything I needed, sort of. After I got back to Harley in the camper tho, I checked the bill and found that I had been (mistakenly?) billed twice for one $5 item.
So I trotted right back and pointed it out to them, and I used the refund to buy 3 yogurts - that unfortunately turned out to be sour cream!! Guess the joke was on me, either way.

Topped off the fuel tank going through Mulege, but the attendant told me they were out of regular gas and only had premium. I smelled a rat, but waited until I saw a local car fill up with premium - thinking it must be true!

Might just try to post this without any photos as I suspect the connection is not up to the strain of photos at present.
Here's a link to a aerial view of the Baja bay where we are now. You can zoom in and out on the photo, but I guess the 'map' option is not available on Mexican terrain.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=(Ivans+Camp)&safe=on&ie=UTF8&z=11&ll=26.76492,-111.882756&spn=0.147602,0.832901&t=k&om=1&iwloc=addr