Decided it was time to take the wife on a date so I suggested she pack her bags. We left San Diego about 4:30am on Saturday. We often leave an hour
earlier but I decided with all the recent excitement that we'd "sleep in" a bit. I am not one of those against driving at night but am also keenly
aware of the dangers...especially over the weekend between TJ and Rosarito.
Crossed the border with no hassles although something I've never encountered. All the lanes were closed as you crossed into Mexico and were corraled
into one lane that went through Mexico Secondary.
As we headed towards Playas, we came to a Police roadblock (both directions) and were waived through. About 5 miles north of Rosarito, though, I
started noticing oncoming traffic with their hazard lights on. I slowed down and kept looking for the accident or hazard. Sure enough, a car was
upside down in the middle of the lane (southbound) and another car was just to the side. There were no officials there yet and everyone looked dazed
and confused. I drove on knowing the Police were on the way but kept thinking about the inherent dangers in life.
Nothing else to note on the way down. As we approached the turnoff, I noticed a small cafe and decided to grab some breakfast. Good call!!! Cafe
Lupita is the name of the place, the building is yellow, and it's on the south side of the road. Breakfast will set you back $30 pesos with coffee
another $10. I'd definately stop there again...in fact, we did on the way home.
Did the drive up to SPM. This was the wife's first visit to the park so we stopped and took plenty of pictures. Arrived at the park to find the
Ranger's office locked up. We would return later to pay the camping fee of $10 pesos per person per day.
We set up camp at the far meadow to the south of the ranger station. After a nap and some exploring, we decided to explore some of the roads. We had
a great dinner, a few drinks in front of a roaring fire, and hit the hay early.
The next morning we relaxed some more before collecting our gear and heading back down the mountain. As we approached the border, I suggested that we
head straight to Otay Mesa as traffic would be heavy. As it turned out, we spent over 5 HOURS in line. Oh well, more quality time together.
ZacBajaboy - 10-2-2006 at 07:26 PM
Excellent breakfast at Cafe Lupita
Bajaboy - 10-2-2006 at 07:30 PM
Our camp
fandango - 10-2-2006 at 08:11 PM
bajaboy: sounds like a nice trip. what time did you arrive at the park? anyone else camping? did you see any wildlife? i think the
rosarito-ensenada bike ride was this weekend, maybe why the border wait was so long.Bajaboy - 10-2-2006 at 08:44 PM
Fandango-
We arrived at the park about 11:00, I think. As for people, we only saw a couple of biologists but nobody camping. I have camped there now three
times and have had the place to myself.
Zac
Cafe Lupita- Which turnoff?
thebajarunner - 10-2-2006 at 09:10 PM
I assume that you mean the turnoff that goes up the mountain to the park?
Which would make it just South of Colonett?
Is this correct?BornFisher - 10-2-2006 at 09:50 PM
Thanks for that report! Inspires me to try to get up there this month!
Bummer at the border! But not all is lost!! You now have the record for longest wait!!Bajaboy - 10-3-2006 at 04:18 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by thebajarunner
I assume that you mean the turnoff that goes up the mountain to the park?
Which would make it just South of Colonett?
Is this correct?
Yes, the turnoff to San Pedro Martir from Hwy 1.Halboo - 10-3-2006 at 05:14 PM
I can smell those Pinos from here!
There are some great views up there and the stargazing is the best.elgatoloco - 10-3-2006 at 08:37 PM
5+ hours!!!!
Your wife is a saint!
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!
We went down Monday to pick up some chairs we had reupholstered in TJ and were complaining about the 10 minute wait in Sentri!
