So it finally got warm enough to drive me from my lovely isolated camp on the beach. The water at the surface was in the 80s for snorkeling, but if
you dive down a couple of feet it was still chilly...perfect! I spent a lot of time in the water, as the air was often a 100-degree katabatic blasting
convection oven.
I was on my way to Phoenix, and scooted up to Guerrero Negro for the night. I was in a crappy 500 peso hotel, the San Ignacio, when I saw Shari's post
about Asuncion being nice.
I turned around and went down there. It was great! Cool weather, nice people, especially Shari and her daughter and company. The blowholes were
blowing, sun was shining, and I wasn't sweating. Didn't need to try the ocean. What s great place to spend the summer.
I drove back up to Guerrero Negro and spent an extra $7.50 for a nice room by Mex 1 at the turnoff, the Malarrimo.
I was enjoying the Pacific coolness, so decided to head to Santa Rosalillita. Tried to go south of town, but hit a scary looking steep rocky road.
Went north instead and visited a wonderfully shabby looking surf camp a few miles up.
Next stop was a place off the road, who knows where, coyotes, mice, rattlesnakes we're all in attendance, but no pesky humans. I planned on driving
up through San Felipe, but I heard on my Sirius XM radio that my Cheeto faced dimwitted insecure egomaniac Prez was visiting Yuma and Phoenix.
I decided to go up the west side instead.
Got a room at k193 at the Tres Reyes. 1000p for two nights, pretty okay. Hit up Cielito Lindo happy hour at 4pm. No beer available, but killer (in an
antiseptic way) margaritas for 50. Nice to meet the expats there. Still no covid. Unless I brought it.
Drove up to my favorite crossing at Tecate. It was a couple of minutes past 2pm. They closed the border at 2. Oh well.
Drove to San Luis on Rt2. 110 pesos tolls, but really nice scenery and no CHP. Crossed border Mexicali west, and back in the USA.
Some details:
My FMM expired
My passport expired one month
My passport card expired
SUV loaded with crap
Massive amounts of prescription meds, for which I always have a boring story
No problems.
The checkpoints:
K24 north of Loreto. They rummaged through everything that was in reach. I spent 15 minutes just past them to rearrange and make sure nothing was
missing.
San Ignacio: one 30-something year old officer asked me politely to open one door. He would search and have me open the next door.
There was a huge military checkpoint heading west as I passed east on Rt 2 near Sonora.
Roads were good, Agua Verde passable for a Porsche you don't care about.Tioloco - 6-25-2020 at 01:13 PM
Nice trip report. Minus the political stuff.JZ - 6-25-2020 at 01:22 PM
Sounds like a lot of stuff is opened up.
Bajazly - 6-25-2020 at 03:20 PM
Except for the border going south for non essential travel... still... til July 30th.vandy - 6-26-2020 at 10:46 AM
I saw a few nice rigs with surfboards headed south.
Looked like tourists to me.
I'm in Phoenix now.
Not much attention being paid to facemasks and distancing.
I'd think people would love the masks.
Facial recognition software could go f√✓¥ itself.
No makeup.
No dealing with beggars/homeless without them.
And sooner or later, I'll get to use my bear spray on idiots in Walmartehall - 6-26-2020 at 11:52 AM
Except for the border going south for non essential travel... still... til July 30th.
Absolutely false. If three guys in a truck with 3 dirt bikes can easily cross at will it is not closed.shari - 6-26-2020 at 05:41 PM
It was a nice surprise to see you and enjoy a Michelada with you at my daughters Tidepool Bistro...thanks so much for supporting them!
It was swell to hear what's going on in Agua Verde..glad you made it home without mishap.BajaBlanca - 6-27-2020 at 03:14 AM
Great trip report and it seems travel in Mexico changes almost day by day.
Tidepool bistro? Say what?? Perhaps start another tread and tell us about it!vandy - 6-27-2020 at 04:37 AM
Ah, the little hut at Campo Sirena where Shari's daughter is selling home-made pizza and BYOB drinks. Killer red beers complete with celery.
She makes her own pizza dough, so no fast food.
God, Phoenix sux.AKgringo - 6-27-2020 at 07:35 AM
Tell me more please! Are you referring to the central hut that is the library/shower, or one of the neighboring buildings?David K - 6-27-2020 at 07:52 AM
Ah, the little hut at Campo Sirena where Shari's daughter is selling home-made pizza and BYOB drinks. Killer red beers complete with celery.
She makes her own pizza dough, so no fast food.
God, Phoenix sux.
The campground is by the bayshore as you come into Bahía Asunción on the paved road from Vizcaino. It is just before the two-story La Playa motel.AKgringo - 6-27-2020 at 01:28 PM
David, I have stayed at the camp several times, as recently as late February, and I don't recall seeing the Bistro. I would have bought a pizza if it
was open, and I knew how to find it! David K - 6-27-2020 at 01:40 PM
David, I have stayed at the camp several times, as recently as late February, and I don't recall seeing the Bistro. I would have bought a pizza if it
was open, and I knew how to find it!
I think it has been very seasonal... and depended where Sirena was... as she did live in Ensenada for a time. vandy - 6-27-2020 at 03:15 PM
Take a left after the gas station.
Look on the right.
You'll find it.
The poor women were bored out of their skulls.
It was really nice to sit on an outdoor bar stool.
No flies.
No heat.
Fun Mayberry gossip. AKgringo - 6-27-2020 at 05:55 PM
Thanks Vandy! I hope it is still open when I finally get down that way.
I logged on to Google earth to see what I could find, but the image was way too fuzzy, and it was only six months old (Nov 2019).shari - 6-29-2020 at 08:47 AM
Sirena has moved back to Asuncion(wooohooo) so has re-opened the Tidepool Cafe & Bistro. She bakes artisanal bread, baguettes, awesome pizza,
loaded fries(a favorite with the locals), nachos, sushi balls, desserts, cinny buns for breakfast. It is across the street from Campo Sirena which she
has breathed some new life into. Now all we need are some visitors!
Now that the village has opened up, the cruising yachties are coming ashore and enjoying the Tidepool groove!
AKgringo - 6-29-2020 at 09:08 AM
Thanks for the feedback Shari! When my dentist in La Paz feels it is safe to resume non urgent care, and I feel like I have a relatively safe place
to stay there, I will be on the road!
I will be sure to visit on the way down if you feel visitors are welcome in Asuncion. The Corona virus is just about everywhere, but my community in
northern CA has been almost Covid free!shari - 6-29-2020 at 09:59 AM
We are Covid free as well here so you are welcome anytime...and I bought the ranchito so you can hideout there....jeje.David K - 6-29-2020 at 10:55 AM
Fantastic news, indeed!
So happy your daughter and grandsons are back home, too!
