After the calf experience it was back to Highway 1 via El Desengano.
The road past El Desengano to Highway 1 was in pretty bad shape and it took awhile to get to the Highway.
Once there it was northward to Laguna Chapala, not the road but the actually dry lake.
One of the old books about Baja, I think Max Miller's book, mention finding arrowheads while they camped on the south end of the dry lake.
While I didn't find any arrowheads, it was cool anyways.
After some high speed imaginary car chases on the dry lake it was time to head north.
My plan was to spend my final night in Baja at the Green Pools.
I see that they are not using the current road across Laguna Chapala for the new road. The new road rejoins the old one where it climps up out of the
lake and zigzag a new course through the mountains in the general area of the old road.
Once on the other side of the mountains the new road makes a north bound turn completely bypassing Coco Corners. There is still 22 miles of dirt
before you hit pavement.
Due to all the roadwork I was unable to find the road to the green pools.
Once on the pavement the road was fenced on both sides so you are unable to get on any of the side roads out into the desert.
I ended up camping out by Punta Final.
I was up early the next morning. Though the checkpoint at bahia San Luis Gonzaga and I sped northward on the new pavement while lamenting the passing
of an era.
There was a naval checkpoint on the road north of Gonzaga which I thought was odd.
I was in San Felipe before long and then on to the long stretch to Mexicali.
Through Mexicali and a 40 minute wait to cross the border. Then on to my sisters in 29 Palms.
[Edited on 5-22-2016 by Fatboy]AKgringo - 5-21-2016 at 08:36 PM
Thanks for taking us along! Your trip unfolded much like mine do, loosely planned and scheduled, if at all.
You hit a few of the places I have been to, and a couple that are on my wish list for the next trip. Thanks for taking the time to document and
report the adventure.woody with a view - 5-21-2016 at 08:59 PM
What did they find at the checkpoint when they searched your "navel"?Fatboy - 5-21-2016 at 09:02 PM
Thanks for taking us along! Your trip unfolded much like mine do, loosely planned and scheduled, if at all.
You hit a few of the places I have been to, and a couple that are on my wish list for the next trip. Thanks for taking the time to document and
report the adventure.
Your so welcome!
Now matter how many picture you take or words you write about a place you really cannot capture it all.
The feelings. the smells, the sounds.
The desert in the evening as all creatures are stirring, some are ending the day shift while others are just starting the night shift.
The feeling of a cholla cactus as your boot kicks a segment up and into your lower calf.
The cool goodness of an ice cold beer at the end of a long hot day.
It is all pretty amazing.Fatboy - 5-21-2016 at 09:05 PM
Well done Fatboy. Really enjoyed your trip story! How was the road from Bahia Animas to BOLA?
The road was in 'normal' to above 'average' condition.
From the bay to the main dirt road has been rerouted somewhat and there seems to be more loose sand in the wash, but other than that the roads seems
pretty much the same as all my other trips there.
The main dirt road to town was in pretty good shape, the washouts from a couple of years ago have all been fixed and it was not too bad as far as
washboarding goes.