Trip Report -- San Juanico

We woke up in the Mission Valley Travelodge at 5AM. We were staying there because my son flew in 5 hours earlier from Costa Rica. This little dude got to go to Costa Rica for 10 days and 5 hours later was headed to Mexico. Must be nice to be on Summer vacation.

Crossed into Mexico at SY and headed south stopping for gas at Baja Cactus.











I always consider the real trip to begin south of El Rosario. It was there that I passed a few big rigs, after they gave me the left blinker of course. After I pass I give them the hazards as a "thank you" and acknowledgment for letting me pass. They flash the brights back at me and I feel like a little kid getting attention from someone important. These truckers are the kings of the highway in Baja right? Yes, but some are completely crazy as well......

The excitement and beauty of the Catavina area gets the best of me and my daughter.




















We arrive in San Ignacio about 11 hours later. We headed to the town square and checked out the old mission. Here's an ateo heading to church.
















We stayed at the Desert Inn and ate at Rice n Beans. The meal wasn't great this trip. Maybe we ordered the wrong stuff. We head back to the hotel and swim in the pool.
















The next morning I set my alarm clock for 4AM. I knew there was a south swell that had just started filling in and I wanted a piece of it. We wound our way thru town. We could smell tortillas being made so we stopped and bought a bag. Hot and tasty and we ate them while driving down the freshly laid blacktop leaving San Ignacio.













Driving out the North Road in the civil twilight (civil dawn) was cool. You know the feeling....a long road ahead, a road to be tested on, and hopefully arrival to a nice right hand point break if all goes well.










I stop to air down to about 18PSI and snap a few photos.

















The salt flats had some water in them. We had to turn around a few times. This was one such time.













This one I went thru. Shouldn't have take the chance but I did. We made it but the pucker factor was intense.











Hey hey.........we made it....................













Don't let these photos fool you. This place can be so small for long periods, as it was the rest of the trip. And as Woody says, "you can share this wave with 100 other guys" - most of the time.


Gotta go eat dinner. More to follow in a few days when I get more time.

[Edited on 7-8-2013 by Ateo]

some really good pics, the pool, the mud. i woulda sent your kids to test the road. i been waiting for some pics of the surf for over a week and i can't believe how amped i was scrolling thru to get to them. i woulda been running for the lineup before everyone got out of the truck.

I won't be posting the best photos of the surf....I don't want to get you depressed! I'll post them for you to see somewhere else.

Thanks I needed that

Our casa we stayed at. It was pristine and perfect for the 4 of us. If you ever need a rental check out http://www.scorpionbayrentals.com/Site/Welcome.html












We did a lot of side trips this time. It's not all about me and waves - someone once told me. =)

7th point area:











I read this book on the trip. Boy, the cosmic perspective it gives.











We drove down to San Gregorio and checked out the town of Chicharon.
















After we beach-combed, I said "wanna go to La Purisima?" "Yes" was the answer.










The old mission ruins of La Purisima:










For DK:







This man Trinidad, said he used to go to school at the mission. He is 92.

















We decided to hike up San Juanico Mesa after a local friend recommended it.
















We didn't make it to the top as the dogs had dozens of cactus thorns stuck in their feet. We aborted the hike.

[Edited on 7-8-2013 by Ateo]

The next day we drove down the beach and I let the kids take the wheel:

















We checked our emails............hahahaha. Not really, the wifi was toooooo sloooooooooow at the Cantina and the Burro was without power.










My wife went down the the boat launch area and procured a panga for a cruise.























The fabric of space and time started to rupture:











Time to go surf!










Halibut dinner after an all day surf session:






We played some RISK. What better thing for a family to do but fight for world domination amongst ourselves. I won.

















Took my daughter out to surf 2nd. Son came along for encouragement and swam the lineup.














Dinner:







Water camera failure:
















And just like that, it was time to go home! Air down...........















The sand on the way back was the worse I've ever seen. I was gunning it at 40 mph to not get stuck upon entering areas of sand.










These guys were hauling ice to Datil.. They got lost, then stuck. We got them out though.
















And we made it back the pavement!!!














And washed Baja of the truck..........and me. Until next time mi amiga....................

Good times!