Highwayman - 3-31-2016 at 03:25 PM
We enjoyed a week at Playa Grande and a week at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach. Cabo has recovered quickly from Odile. It seems like the entire corridor
from San Jose to Cabo will soon be filled in with hotels and resorts. Santa Maria Bay now has paved parking, permanent restrooms and a high end resort
being built. Another resort going in at Chileno. Spring break was on. Lots of good food and drink: The Office, The Road House, Salvatores's,
Hooliganz for St. Paddy's day, Misiones de Kino? - outstanding, Maria Coronas, Tequilas Sunrise and Shut up Franks in Todos Santos. It was always fun
to tell some of the people we met that we drove down. Lots of interest and questions about the trip.
We were on the road at 0730 on Sunday March 20th, headed to Mulege. Not sure why but getting out of La Paz and back on Hwy 1 was a major pain. A lot
more traffic on the road with locals going camping. All the beaches were full from south of Loreto to Mulege. Stopped at the Clam Shack just as you
come out of the mountains and still south of Loreto. Beer was cold, food and service not so good. We checked in to the Casitas Hotel and relaxed in
the courtyard before dinner. The grill was fired up and the steak was very good as were the Margaritas from the bar. I want to say the room was $29.
Up early and out the door on Monday, headed for Jardines, San Quintin. An eventful day with two birds strikes. A pack of buzzards took to the air
from a carcass feast as we approached. The fat one didn't get airborne quite quick enough and smacked the windshield as I was braking. An hour later
a low flying roadrunner came across from my left, struck the windshield and was later found tangled in the roof rack. Enjoyed lunch at Mama's in El
Rosario. She had recently passed away. A large black ribbon and bow were on the front door. Photos of her, along with articles detailing her life
were on display as well. After gassing up it was a quick ride to Jardine's in San Quintin. First time staying here, excellent accommodations and
beautifully kept grounds. The restraunt was closed, so we found Don Eddy's a short distance away....we would not have found these places had it not
for all the postings I've read on these pages. Thanks.
Up early and on the road Tuesday morning headed for Tijuana. Took the toll road north from Ensenada, spectacular views of the coast and light
traffic. Got a picture of the giant Jesus statue for my 85 yr old mom. Determined not to get lost in Tijuana we followed a CA plated Acura off the
highway at the landmark Pemex station. All was good on the one way street to where you make a left turn onto another one way street. While stopped at
the light about ten squeegee boys tried wash the car windows. One got the job done and he got a tip. The light turned green and I followed the Acura.
I was immediately cut off by a tan S10 Chevy pickup. He turned hard left, cut directly in front of us and I narrowly avoided a crash. This was the
second time on this trip that an event like this happened and I have to say it had to be an intentional. What better way to scam some cash out of a
gringo headed for the border....and this truck has several left side dents. Anyway, proceeding up the one way street I failed to stay to the left and
missed the approach to the border lanes. A couple of turns around the downtown we made it into the regular border approach lanes around 1100hrs. More
squeegee boys, lots of vendors with everything you forgot to buy and wall to wall traffic that barely moves. It took about an hour and ten minutes to
get to the CBP checkpoint. Just a couple of questions from the officer and we were on the 805 looking for an In n Out Burger joint. High winds on the
grapevine out of LA, almost to the point it should have been closed to trucks and motor homes. Got home around 9. Looking forward to next year to do
it again. Cheers.
woody with a view - 3-31-2016 at 06:16 PM
Excellent adventure! Looking forward to your next one.
DMenscha - 6-1-2016 at 11:28 AM
The traffic was from Semana Santa. The Holy week. Every Mexican gets out of town.
AKgringo - 6-1-2016 at 01:31 PM
Thanks for the report! It sounds like Cabo is getting busier every year.
I was sitting next to a sun-burnt fisherman from San Diego a few years back, and he asked what it was like to drive all the way down there. His eyes
got big when I told him that it was 40 below driving through the Yukon territory, but a nice drive by the time we got through B.C,!
David K - 6-1-2016 at 03:53 PM
Here is his Part 1 (I think?): http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=82661
Bajahowodd - 6-2-2016 at 04:59 PM
We just plan to stay elsewhere when the Jardines wonderful restaurant is closed on Mondays. I get that Esmeralda and Carlos run another restaurant in
town and have two kids. Just don't know why they cannot let other trusted employees run the Jardines resturant on Mondays.
BornFisher - 6-3-2016 at 03:12 PM
Thanks for the report, sounds like a great time.
Bajahowodd - 6-3-2016 at 03:39 PM
On a Monday, we usually go out the the Los Pinos folks hotel on Santa Maria Bay. They upgraded the rooms and brought in a great chef.
I understand that Don Eddy's in quite close to Jardines, but I never want to get back in the car after we have checked in after a full day of driving.