Kathleen & Paul Smith's RV Travelblog

3/15/04 – Cabo San Lucas to La Paz

Today our caravan said “good bye” to this southernmost tip of Baja California, and headed toward today’s goal – La Paz.

About a week ago we landed at La Paz when we crossed over the Sea of Cortez on the ferry. That seems a long time ago.

We’ve all enjoyed a pleasant stay in this “metropolis” of Cabo, which is the closest place to being like an American city I’ve seen so far. So much has been said about the beauty of this area. In a way I thought it resembled southern Florida – the Miami area. Too many high rises, lots of traffic, busy, busy, busy place. In retrospect, I’m glad I saw it, but am just as glad to leave it. Thank God we don’t all like the same places. Los Barriles – so far my favorite place – may well have very little attraction for some, while Cabo San Lucas and Cabo San Juan might be just what others love. We thoroughly enjoyed our two visits to two different beaches in Cabo, and we certainly enjoyed the catamaran excursion. But now we are ready to explore more of Baja, California.

The route from Cabo led us closer to the Pacific Ocean for awhile until we turned to the east and headed for La Paz and the Sea of Cortez again.

Larry suggested that anyone who wished to, could stop at the little town of Todos Santos – which was about half-way from Cabo to La Paz. Paul and I decided to check out this little hamlet. We pulled up behind Pat & Ann Goddard. Our rigs had enough room on the shoulder of the road to safely park, so we left them and headed up a side street to the main artery of this town made famous by the song “Hotel California.”

We stopped at an interesting building that was quiet, extremely fresh looking and held numerous pictures and artifacts of the Todos Santos area. The road to Todos Santos wasn’t paved until 1984, so the town has managed to preserve some of its original flavor.

We saw lots of English speaking tourists, like ourselves, and the locals are more than happy to see us. I stopped for post cards and was told they were 3 for $2.00 (American currency!) I left them on the counter. Later, Sandy Childs told me a clerk tried to sell her postcards at $1.00 each! So, Todos Santos merchants are quickly separating the gringos from their money! (Can’t say I really blame them, either!) In fact, we passed the Hotel California and noticed the lunch menu read “Seared Ahi Tuna” - $20 (American dollars), and because seared Ahi is such a favorite Paul and I decided to split an order. It was a little thicker than we are used to, so not as quickly seared as we’d like, but it was good nonetheless.

After our early repast (11:00 a.m.) we felt comfortable enough to head for our destination by ourselves.

Todos Santos is situated right on the Tropic of Cancer, so when we left the town, we also left the "tropics." After 105 miles we reached the town of La Paz, and were happy to find our way without getting lost!

This is a very nice campground with a lovely pool (a little cool, but great for wading in the shallow area!) The showers are spacious, clean and have lots of hot water! Oh joy!

After all the rigs were present and accounted for, we all gathered at the pool area and enjoyed a delicious (and filling) "munchies party" with what remained of the margaritas from the other night.

Enjoying the pool are Nellie, Norma, Drena, Ken, Bill K and Bill E After all the rigs were present and accounted for, we had a delicious (and filling) “munchies party” with what remained of the margaritas from the other night.

Enjoying the “Pre Margarita Party” are the “hard core group” – Bill King and Paul are hiding behind Bill and June Calvert), Sam Childs is hiding behind Bill Emerick, who is trying to look innocent behind Drena Prengle. Norma Emerick is hiding her beer can behind Drena’s head, and Sandy Childs is trying to hide under her hat. Ken Prengle realizes he is “caught” ---That little lady- Myrine McKinney - with one beer can on her lap and one in each hand is the victim of this rowdy group!!! (She is innocent!)

Just a word about margaritas and drinking. At our “munchies parties’ the margaritas are quite low in alcohol (it’s used, but in moderation) and on board the catamaran the other evening, the bloody Marys were non alcoholic (and delicious).. Happily we are with a group where intoxication does not seem to be something in which anyone indulges. We have remained (to date) quite a sober (but happy) people.

We’re just having a little fun!

By the way, while Sharon Wallace prepares the van for tomorrow’s trip,

Bill Wethington spends his time figuring out the best route……….

Some of the group went into town for dinner, while others of us stayed and used up our fresh vegetables and fruits --- tomorrow we will pass a military inspection (where fresh vegetables and fruits could be taken) ... something like in the States - going between one state and another - those check points for fresh produce and the like....

The "icing on the cake" for today was a beautiful sunset which we could watch from outside our rig. Short-lived as it was, the night sky gave us another "star show." Talking about stars ... while at the McDonald Observatory, one of our guides spoke about a software program they use and suggested we take a look at it. Paul wrote down the URL and it offers a 30-day free trial (I believe that's the offer.) Paul has been able to enter our coordinates each evening and on the screen before us, just like magic, pops up the night sky above us. We can point to a constelation or star or planet and the identification and other information on that particular object pops up, too. It is really a very interesting and informative piece of software. It's nothing like actually being outside and seeing the firmament with our eyes, but it has captured our interest and enjoyment of this nightly show.

Paul, Kathleen and Jerry Too

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