Kathleen & Paul Smith's RV Travelblog

3/20/04 - Bahia Conception to Mulege

We are very happy today, to hand over the editorship to our dear friend, June Calvert. June and her husband Bill hail from Rogersville, Alabama. They bring with them that deep-hearted, down-home southern hospitality and charm! Bill and June have a special "guest" with them - June's mom, Myrine (who was a guest editor earlier in the trip.)

Our first caravan! Bill has been retired from Ford Motor Company for a couple of years and I have just retired from teaching this year after 29 years. Mother (who is 88 years old) is retired from teaching after 37 years! Bill and I have a wonderful family of five children; 3 girls and 2 boys. We have nine grand children, ranging in age from six to eighteen, and another grandbaby is due in May! It can really become exciting when they all get together at our place!

Saturday, March 20, 2004

I awoke this morning after a night of being rocked to sleep with the rhythm of loud exploding "Jake brakes".

As I walked outside to see the shinning new world of Bahia Conception, the sea was gently rippling in on the rocky shore. I looked down the beach to see Melba Hinrichs and Ruth Carothers intently watching sea crabs trying to open the shell fish for food in the water. I walked down to join them, thinking of my snorkeling experience the day before. So far I had not had very good luck in my endeavors at fishing. (I got a black eye, and only squid were being caught. In Cabo San Lucas the snorkeling caused leg cramps due to the cold water.)

I finally got my mask, snorkel, and camera and headed for new sights. The water caused the seaweed to weave and dance to their own special rhythm. As I got my camera ready, hoping to see fish, and out came little schools of black and yellow fish darting in and out of the grasses and weeds. What a joy for me!

By 8:30 AM we were on our way again, this time heading for Mulege. As we drove the short twenty-five miles through the mountains, we saw lots of cactus and rocks. Some parts of the road were very rough, due to flooding.

Photo courtesy of Connie Sykes

In my minds eye I tried to visualize the huge amount of turbulent water that could move so much earth. (Impossible!)

Along the way I looked off one side of the road. Down in a deep ravine there was a graveyard of old trucks and cars that didn't make the curves. (Scary!)

We saw Osprey with their young nesting on top of platforms on power poles. We had to stop and take pictures.

Photo courtesy of Connie Ross

We arrived in Mulege - at the place that was just as Larry had described. He called it "an oasis" with many palm trees and bright and colorful flowers.

We set up camp and sat back to watch the rest of the caravans come in.

The rest of the afternoon was spent resting, reading and sleeping.

By 6:00 PM we are on the go again. We headed to a restaurant for a pig roast!

Photo courtesy of Sharon Wallace

John, Charity, Bill, Mom and I drove around, while others elected to walk. The food was served buffet style.

The food and music was very good, as usual. Herm Ter Horst ate so much "burro" (as he called it) that he was able to wiggle his ears afterward!

This has been a very exciting trip for us.

Part of the excitement was being able to share this experience with my Mother. I will always treasure this special time with her.

June Calvert

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