WestyWanderer
Nomad
Posts: 276
Registered: 10-24-2014
Location: San Clemente, CA
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San Clemente to Puertecitos
Made our first trip of the season down to Puertecitos this past week.
Left on Wednesday (11/17) from San Clemente at around 6 am arriving at the border at 9 after a quick gas ($4.39/gal) and peso stop in Calexico. Peso
were exchanging at 19.7 at all the shops in Calexico, slightly less on the Mexicali side (19.4) which is per usual.
Stopped and got our FMM's like a good tourist, took about 5 minutes from the time I parked till I was back in the car thanks to our preprinted forms
 .
Mexicali was as usual. Couple of street closures on the usual route out of town but thanks to GPS in the truck it was an easy work around. Gas in
Mexicali was anywhere between $3.50 - $3.75/gal for magna. Highway 5 is glorious these days, although busier than ever and especially so for us
considering it was race week.
San Felipe was alive, seemed to be a lot of people in town and the town seems to have money. The highway headed south from the traffic circle to the
nursery is currently getting repaved while everything south of the Chevron station has already been completed. Gas in town was $4.13/gal for magna
Many of the south campos seem to be coming back to life. Lots of occupied homes and the return of people has breathed new life into many of the
camps. Lots of repainted or new entry signs as well as redone entries into a number of the camps.
The big talk of the area is the newer Chenowth Legacy Lodge (located just north of Percebu at approximately KM21). I have not been, but a few close
friends have and said it's very nice. Pool with hot tub (that is actually hot at least for now), nice rooms, bar, and a racing and Chenowth Museum.
To top it off, while we were down there it was announced that La Vaquita, arguably the best restaurant in San Felipe, will be opening a location at
the lodge. I'm excited to visit, it sounds like quite a place.
Puertecitos was packed, lots of people in town enjoying the nice weather. Water was warmish, maybe 74, and the weather was a perfect 78-81 during the
day and down to 68ish at night. The gas station is closed and likely will be for some time. According to Clara, the owner of the town and gas
station, Pemex is no longer delivering to rural stations who don't sell much. Hopefully she can figure out a work around as this will be a MAJOR
inconvenience for anyone living there.
The ladies from Chela's restaurant were serving their tacos at Cowpatty's on Saturday (I think they are there from 11-2 or so). Two taco's, rice and
beans for $6 and they are some of the better tacos in the area.
Ate at Christina's restaurant (KM 84) on Saturday night, it was great as usual. She serves dinner on Saturday's and breakfast, lunch, and dinner on
Sunday's (closed the rest of the week). If you find yourself in the area on a weekend, its a great meal and she's a great person, definitely someone
worth supporting.
Took a trip down to Gonzaga on Sunday (11/21) and ate at Alfonsinas. It's still expensive and the breakfast was marginal at best. They are expanding
big time with a a new three story wing west of the old hotel and from the looks of things, it's needed, the current hotel rooms looked to be almost
full. There was gas (magna was $4.52/gal) and diesel at the gas station but (according to rumor) they are not filling gas cans, only vehicle tanks.
Full disclosure, we did not stop to confirm this rumor. Got ice cream at Rancho Grande Market and headed home.
Left for the return trip on Monday (11/22) at around 6 am. Was at Mexicali West around 9 am, through the border in about 7 minutes, and back to San
Clemente around 12:30.
Already looking forward to heading back.
   
[Edited on 11-23-2021 by WestyWanderer]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64480
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thank you... great report!
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BornFisher
Super Nomad
Posts: 2103
Registered: 1-11-2005
Location: K-38 Santa Martha/Encinitas
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That was wonderful. Thanks!
"When you catch a fish, you open the door of happiness."
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