Baja 5-25: Missions & More. PART 3
Continued from Part 2: https://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=101809
LA LOBERA
The last time I drove the three miles from Mex #1 to the Sea Lion Crater (La Lobera) was in 2016. I had already been there several times since the
first, in 2005. Each time it is interesting to look down on the marine mammals and a thrill with that dramatic coastline. I recall that someone had
posted there are a species of seal down there, as well.
In 2016, the arroyo crossing was pretty steep, 4WD was used, and a detour going a bit west was best. This last weekend, the original crossing was
fine, but overall, I don't recommend any passenger cars attempt the rough drive. It is maybe the longest three miles to drive in Baja!
There was s few people at La Lobera and an American couple who was walking back to their car, which they parked at the arroyo crossing. I think I saw
more sea lions/ seals inside the crater than ever before. Their was a fellow living inside the building and asking for money to use the bathroom.
On to El Rosario and our room at Baja Cactus Motel...
We had a little visitor... I called him Gilligan (because he was our little buddy):
Looking towards the highway from our balcony (Room 205), the unfinished Baja Cactus restaurant and tourist services/ community center will block some
of the highway noise. The truckers love to use Jake brakes coming into town!
Tacos Misión for dinner!
The town seemed pretty dead for a Saturday night. We drove the length, past Ed Lusk's Baja's Best B&B and the Turista Motel/ restaurant, both were
pretty dark or closed. Hugo Lopez' Taco's Misión was brightly lit with cars in front, so that was a given as a place to eat.
Hugo was very happy to see me as it had been several years! Baja Angel (Elizabeth, my wife) and I own two of his paintings. He has a few still on
display...
This was a new (to me) one... the Cataviña 'gas station':
Hugo said he wasn't painting (much) anymore... which he said to me back in 2017, too. He sure cooks some great loaded potato bowls (Papas Rellanos)
and burritos, however. I had the Papas Misión and Dave had a quesataco, both were enjoyed. I couldn't eat all of mine, it was so filling.
The next morning we would visit both mission sites (El Rosario has two sites of mission ruins, 2+ miles apart) and La Bocana Beach...
Sunday May 11, 2025
We talked about breakfast, but neither of us were that hungry (for food)... but we were hungry for adventure!
Turning right, where Mex 1 makes the sharp left is how you get to the sister village of Rosario de Abajo and the second mission location. The first
location is just off Mex 1 and we will go there when we head southbound. This road to Abajo is paved for a distance through 'Arriba' and passes one
road to the left that can be used (we came back on it) before curving left to cross the riverbed, near the seafood processing plant.
The river was dry this trip but has had water flowing in the past. On the south bank this road curves west and passes through El Rosario de Abajo. A
church, on the right, has one of the two surviving mission bells. The other one was reportedly sold in the 1960s when the village needed money. Where
it is now is a mystery, but one report puts it at a San Ysidro, CA church.
 Oddly, this one bell looks a bit different than the original. Unless the hanger loop was modified or replaced?
 Both bells and the mission ruins, in a 1930 Margaret Bancroft photo.
In 1961, both bells we at this chapel (Howard Gulick photo)
Two Dave's bringing Baja to you!
La Bocana Beach
Driving back, we were stopped by a 'Guardia Nacional' (I hope I got that spelled right) truck full of armed officers... what used to be done by the
army, performing a search of our truck. It was all friendly, and we were soon back in El Rosario and topped the gas tank at Antonio's (BajaCactus)
Pemex.
Next, we see the first Rosario mission then on to Mission San Fernando, the petroglyphs, and much much more!
Continues in Part 4: https://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=101817
[Edited on 5-16-2025 by David K]
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