Guava from Heaven

 Mom and Mitchell arrived! 

A great reunion in the SDJ parking lot and a drive back to Todos Santos wrapped up the travel day from snow to sun. 

This morning we hiked and then swam in some crashing waves. 

Now, I sit in my office writing this under a guava tree that continues to drop ripe fruit. 

Sigh…

Todos Santos

 Driving down from La Ventana to Todos Santos, I stopped to stretch my legs at Il Truinfo, a historic gold mining town in the mountains. 

While stomping around there were signs pointing off the beaten track to tour a gold mine. Unfortunately, you had to make a group of minimum 4, call a number then wait a Mexican 10 minutes.

Fortunately, I made some hiking friends from Arizona and we called the magic number. Down into an abandonned gold mine we go!

They used kids in the 1800's because they could fit better in the tunnels. I suggested some names of former students from JO for a workterm. I also know two kids, two doors down on St. Catherines St. who could be put to work next time they don't want to practice piano.

They'd fit 4 kids in that bucket - 30m down for the day!

Naturally, after all this activity, I would need an expresso, treat and off to the beach!

Time to settle for a month in Todos Santos with mom and some special visitors 💗

Mountain Bike Season

 I shuffled down the coast looking to test out some MTB in La Ventana. Best known for kite surfing and other wind sports, there was a lull in the breeze and everyone was hitting the trails!

I thought by setting out at 7am, I'd dodge some of the heat, but no way. The sun was baking! Even though the air temp was 23c, I was in a roasting pan and drenched in sweat. The trails here were super fun!

LaVesta Trail Association

The number of things trying to stick into my arms/legs/tires was ominous and yet beautiful. What a counterpoint to the green of BC.

I thought by setting out at 7am, I'd dodge some of the heat, but no way. The sun was baking! Even though the air temp was 23c, I was in a roasting pan and drenched in sweat. The trails here were super fun!

LaVesta Trail Association

The number of things trying to stick into my arms/legs/tires was ominous and yet beautiful. What a counterpoint to the green of BC.

I was bagged after 3 hours, meeting new friends, and consuming all my water. Time to swim in the 80F water at the beach.

Rest Day in Loreto

 I was driving too many hours so paused in Loreto for a couple of nights. After leaving San Felipe, I was planning to stop in Guerrero Negro or maybe Mulege but because it was only 3:30 I decided to continue on to Loreto. 

I think that was a mistake as the sun quickly dropped below the mountains and it got dark by 4 o’clock, and I had to drive two hours on narrow pothole roads with cows before arriving in the dark in Loreto.

Starting the day with espresso in the town square. I suspect December will be more crowded!

I chatted with a guy at the camp who suggested a 35km ride up to the mission at San Javier. It did not disappoint!

And a bonus tarantula on the road! My first brush with wildlife that kills!

That’s a BIG Wall

 

The Drive from Joshua tree national Park all the way down to the border at Mexicali was painfully flat and boring. The beaches at the Salton Sea, were not inviting to swim, And the remaining part of the drive was very industrial. 

The border was super straightforward. Follow the signs get in line of course get pulled over cause they wanna look at the motorcycle and whatever’s in the back of the truck, but it was only five minutes then I pulled out and I could tell I was in Mexico right away.

Katie happened to call right as I was pulling out and I got a little bit I made a wrong turn and I was driving right along the edge of the wall. Then I jumped back into the city of Mexicali, but man I was on some Backstreets. It was rustic for sure!

There’s a little bit of chaos a little bit of garbage, a little bit of smell and a whole lot of sunshine

The picture below is from the end of one of the beaches at San Felipe

Finally time to wear shorts

 Making a run for the border. 

It was still chilly last night, but as soon as the sun hit the tent at 6:30, boom the temperature shot up. I had a nice tailgater breakfast oatmeal, and espresso.

Last night I arrived at dark and had to roam a bit to find a camping spot. Look at the sky! No service but a great view. 

I went for a little Joshua Tree hike to stretch this morning and now heading to the Mexicali border crossing. Wish me luck!

Back to Work : Baking and Selling

 So, because I arrived in Salinas, California on a Friday night, it was time to prepare for the Saturday market. Andrew had prepped most of the stuff but with beer in hand, he put me to work. 

The Secret Bakery was in full production mode!

Bread and pastries were prepared for the morning in which he woke up at 3:30 to do the final baking and I slept in until seven. I helped box and we drove into town set up and I helped sell for a few hours.

He stayed all the way through till two in the afternoon, but I ditched my shift early and went hiking with Wendy. What a beautiful day.

The day would not be complete without my first ever trip to Trader Joes and then an evening hot tub soak.

Tomorrow onto Joshua Tree!