Vincent

Redux……..

 Mexico  Comments Off on Redux……..
Oct 012009
 

OK, so lets try this again shall we…………….

I also opted to change my luggage system as the soft bags were a pain to deal with every day, and they were not holding up so well.  The soft bags are great for a little 2 week Baja trip, but it because quite apparent that they were not going to hold up for the long haul.

These are Hardigg storm cases, much better…..

Today was a day to make some miles south. I got up at O’dark Thirty and rode out around 6 am. Left home in the midst of at thick marine fog layer and headed over to Tecate, took the compadre trail to Ojos, then picked up the dirt from Valle de Trinidad to Mex 1 south of San Vicente. After that, I slabbed it the rest of the day.

Lunch stop at Mama Espinosa’s in El Rosario.

Mama Espinosas is a Baja landmark popular with off road riders and racers, and celebrated for the incredible lobster burritos, good stuff

I made it all the way to Guererro Negro about half way down Baja, and set up camp at the Malarrimo Hotel.

Of course I had to have the specialty of the house, scallops with garlic, tasty.

Today´s totals: about 500 miles.  100 dirt and 400 pavement.

Well, I got a crack ‘o 10 am start this morning. Typical for me really. Thats why Miguel and I are good riding partners, neither one of us can get ready to leave before 10 am, and we dont really care where we end up. Unfortunately, Miguel is back at home in Arizona.  Too bad Mikey, youre missing out on some fun.

I headed off down Mex 1 and stopped in at San Ignacio to check on Gary and Terry and their Canadien Yurts on the river. They got hit pretty bad in 2006 when I was there, but this hurricane Jimena a few weeks ago was way worse.

All of the yurts had water in them, and some of them were just plain destroyed, including the very nice yurt that they used to live in.

They had a crew of workers in from Canada (must be that cheap Canadien labor ) and are rebuilding the place. They do have a few yurts that are finished up already, so if you’re in the hood, stop by and stay with them. Its called San Ignacio Springs B&B. Its a bit after you turn off Mex 1 headed to the town square. Its one of my favorite places to stay in all of Baja.

I wanted to stay, but it was still mid morning when I passed through so I figured that I better make a little more distance south.

I wanted to head to San Juanico via El Datil and the Laguna San Ignacio mud flats, but after talking to Gary and Terry, they said that there was no way my loaded down bike was going to get though the mud. So I asked about the rocky and nasty inland route and they told me that it was worse than before the hurricane. I didnt like the prospect of taking the overloaded 990 through there solo in light of things so I whimped out. I was bummed about it though because I absolutely love that dirt and deep sand ride from Ignacio to Juanico.

So plan B was to stay on the slab and head for Loreto. Santa Rosalia and Mulege were mostly cleaned up. I wanted to stop and take some pics but the road was busy and there was no place to pull over and shoot. Not a big deal though because now you would hardly notice that just a few short weeks ago the place was under water. Hotels are open and fuel and food is readily availible. All the washouts along Mex 1 have been repaired. The Mexican government seems to really have their stuff together in cleaning up the aftermath of the storm. I guess they have had a little practice over the years.


So I headed down Mex 1. The Tres Virgines Volcano just south of San Ignacio.

So I headed further down Mex 1 along Conception Bay. Yeah, its pavement, but wow what a scenic slab ride. I’m impressed with the views each time I do this pavement stretch.

I then pulled into Loreto at about 4 pm and parked my butt at a little place on the Malecon. 34 bucks, but secure parking and AC!  AC! I’m stoked about it, can you tell?

more later……………….