More pics from Baja Rosario fest 2007

Had hoped to leave San Diego either Thursday afternoon or early Friday... to no avail... left late Friday afternoon (early evening) and arrived late at the Baja Cactus Friday night.

In the morning, all I could personally think of was a cup of coffee over at Ed's Baja's Best B&B. We slept in, and on the way over to Ed's we saw DK and convoy heading from there back to the Baja Cactus. Knew we were in trouble, timing-wise, and hoped we weren't too far behind to catch up with David's trip to Las Pintas. But coffee (and breakfast for the boys) was #1 priority at this point.

I did not recall what the actual "start time" for his trip (not sure I really ever knew to begin with), but was hoping we weren't too far off.

David had seen us either heading to Ed's or parked there as the trip convoy headed down the highway out of town - and he graciously stopped in to check in with us and find out our intentions.... which were to join he and the others. He let us know the plan, and gave us instructions as to where to exit the highway, about how many miles out to an arroyo (17.5 - and if we reached the ranch with the satellite receiver we went too far), and then 7+ down the arroyo to the left at that point. There was a side remark about taking the correct left before the rancho.

Anyway, we did find the road leaving the highway, and did reach an arroyo about 17.5 miles in (although I'd headed left at a "Y" in the road which left me slightly questioning if I was in the place DK described). Where we arrived at the arroyo, we did head down the arroyo about 3+ miles where we reached a fence across the road (just tied, not locked). Since DK had not described a fence to me, and my uncertainty at this point as to if we were actually in the "right" spot (and figuring time-wise they would have to be returning soon anyway), the decision made was to turn back around and head down the road at a more leisurely pace on the way back than on the way out.... and see if they caught up to us heading back towards the highway - or at the highway (where we paused for a few minutes to air up the tires).









We had returned to the Baja Cactus just after 3pm - as Antonio and Lorenia had indicated a meal for Nomad's in attendance at 3pm. The Las Pintas trip participants did return later and said their time had been enjoyable and well spent.

I asked the boys to catch a nap - and did so myself. I think Jonathan bypassed this opportunity. We did revive from our naps in time to catch most everyone still out enjoying the food prepared by Lorenia, et al. Nice ceviche again this year, and fish cooked in foil on the grill that was nicely poached (among many other choices).

I was greeted by some new & friendly faces out in the courtyard, but was a little groggy in recovering from my nap and likely did not offer the most positive hello I would have wished to share with everyone.















Many went their own ways after this early evening event. We prepared for the pageant/dance/etc later. This year instead of under the tent at the basketball court, they had a roofless building just off the side of the park/zocolo on the side of the highway next to the police station. I thought it a pretty good venue for this.

The place was pretty empty when we arrived, but did fill up just a little later.

Michelle and the kids were pleasantly able to share their time and table with Roger and son Spencer. I believe Roger (from Seattle) indicated this was his first time south of Ensenada.

The surprise of the evening was the organizers of this year's Festival arranged for a troupe of dancers (Toltecatl) from Tijuana that put on a fantastic dance program - opening for and closing after the evening's beauty pageant.

A great (albeit long) program that really was a very, very special treat for the evening. The dancers went through MANY outfit changes while performing dances from many eras and regions of Mexico... and did so with great skill and energy. Fantastic.

http://www.myspace.com/toltecatl

The pageant went until about 1am and the dancers were finishing their program at 1:45a-2:00a or so. The band for the dance hadn't even begun at this point. We left around 2am and I don't know how long the band played continuing through the evening.













The following four pictures were taken towards the end of the dance performance - AT 2:00 A.M.!!!




















Former contestants in attendance:








More later....




[Edited on 7-29-2007 by BajaNomad]

Sunday

Sunday I believe we slept in somewhat again, took in the parade of old cars, beauty queen and her princesses along the highway through town. We enjoyed lounging around the Baja Cactus. Lorenia orchestrated the cooking of a large Sheepshead fish and some mussels from a very large sack of them that were brought in.

We were not in a hurry to hit the border traffic - and last November, on Thanksgiving weekend, I was surprised to find little to no wait at the border on Sunday at about midnight and thought I'd try that plan of attack for this weekend's return as well. Thought it was good as any for a summer weekend return. In reality, it was one of the longest-length lines I've ever hit crossing back into San Ysidro - and it was 11:50pm on Sunday. Luckily I chose the right line... and I mean the RIGHT line. Took us 50 minutes to get across.



































Self-portrait:

The pictures aren't "attached". I hosted them in a different location online, then inserted the multiple pictures into one post by using the "Insert an Image" button (code) into the single post. Instead of attaching the image and uploading it to this site, it actually just references the image in its location elsewhere and inserts it into the page here.

The "Insert an Image" button is this one:





The downside of using a picture hosted elsewhere is that based upon history - that over the long-term the photo will likely still be hosted/available if attached here, but will not remain hosted/posted long-term elsewhere, and thusly eventually become unavailable in the post you make.

I leave myself open to criticism here, as there are photos still not reposted to the forums here when I needed to switch equipment in September.... but I do still have them, and will re-insert them here.... only I've been - and continue to be - on "Mexican time" in doing so. "Mañana!"



--
Doug

[Edited on 7-30-2007 by BajaNomad]