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| Our last night in Baja. Lovely view! |
We were up early and got a good start towards the border at Tecate. The roads in Baja were brutal. They are narrow, have no shoulder, and the worst part is the potholes. Since the roads were so narrow it was hard to dodge them and as I have described before, Mexicans are loco, but very skilled, drivers. We were amazed to see bicycle tourists.
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| See how narrow the road is...and this is a semi passing by. We would hold our breath when they passed! |
We did not expect Baja to be so beautiful. The desert would change from green and lush to rocky and full of cacti. There were so many wildflowers that it looked like a Monet painting...pink, yellow, red and orange. Then of course there is the ocean.
Tecate is small border town. We were in line awhile to cross over the border and zipped through by just showing our passport. We could have had a gang of Mexicans in the back and a bale of marajuana. Still, I was worried about taking our avocados over. No problem!
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| See..there already is a wall!! |
When we left Obama was president, and now we arrive to a different America. Tom and I have talked about how we will deal with the dreaded new regime. And seriously, a wall?? Come on.
We love Mexico and loved this trip. Mexicans were so wonderful to us and never ever were we frowned at, talked to harshly or did we feel any fear. Which makes me wonder why so many folks are afraid of Mexico. Our fellow travelers felt the same way. We all were warned of the danger down here in Mexico. It is so curious to me because the violence and crime in the USA is even evident daily in the newspaper yet folks aren't afraid to travel in our own country.
We did have one theft...It involved Ruthie's dog bowl. It was left unguarded one evening in a small town. The next morning we found another dog had stolen it. I recovered the stolen bowl, too.
Today we had a blow out on the highway outside Blythe. Even the mobile tire guy couldn't fix it, so we had to tow the van into town. Waiting now for new tires..but in a hotel with a HOT SHOWER!!! Oh life is so good.
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| Being towed away...Don't ask how much it cost! |
I saw a bumper sticker in Baja which said..."No Bad Days in Baja" and I had to think to myself...Yes that is how this trip has been. No bad days. I loved it all...even the bumpy rides. I loved the food, the people, the sense of adventure and being with my man and doggie.
I couldn't have had better travel companions. Tom is gentle, kind, and so easy to be with. We managed to keep loving each other in 71 square feet for over 2 months. That is an accomplishment. Inside the van we had a few rules...one person doing a task at a time...no farting (difficult to keep this one) and we tried to be kind to each other. Evenings were spent talking to new friends or playing cards, scrabble or reading. We walked a lot every day and enjoyed fixing meals and going out to eat.
Ruthie was a treat. If she could talk she would have said "oh boy oh boy oh boy" a lot...either that or "I hate this." She loved the beach, long runs, chasing her ball but hated the bumpy roads. Not sure she liked the kayak ride either. But, we loved having her along. She made many new friends and provided entertainment with her tricks.
We will be home in a few days and have a lot to do with our van. Repairs, washing, and some improvements. We want to research converting Chavo into a more off the grid rig with solar power and get rid of macerator and air conditioner. Or, we may look into other rigs. Germans gave us some ideas. Who knows?
So we say Adios to our amigos and amigas in Mexico. We will speak out for Mexico, especially in light of the indignities our president has bestowed upon you. And, of course, we shall return.
