We have done so many things and have had so many experiences over the last 21 days. Now it is time to begin the five day journey home.
The seven of us saying goodbye to Cindy and Jose as we leave Campestre Maranatha.
Some of the rugged mountains on the way to our first stop at Playa Santispac.
Playa Santispac for two nights.
Katie and Brody going kayaking
Jeff and Elijah kayaking and fishing off the point of this island.
Linda and me on a hike up a hill near the beach.
Katie and Brody had hiked this hill and came back with reports of amazing views from the top. So off we went to see for ourselves. They were right!
On our hike.
Looking back to Playa Santispac where we are parked.
Brody's first experience with something like this in a bathroom!
At the border of Baja north and south at Guerrero Negro.
Guerrero Negro.
Returning to the boulder area of Cataviña.
1600 miles from home.
We noticed that every small and larger village that we drove through people were selling a bread that was shaped in a circle. We stopped at a vendor in a small village at bought one from her. She also explained the Mexican tradition that goes with this bread on this date. January 6 every year.
Rosca de Reyes.
The Rosca de Reyes,
or ring-shaped Rosca de Reyes is a sweet round, cake or oval shape
Mexican bread, decorated with slices of crystallized or candied fruit
colors. The King cake is also called: biscuit, cake or sweet bread to
celebrate the three kings.
The celebration of Epiphany to enjoy the Rosca de Reyes
is a Mexican tradition that takes place, 12 days after Christmas, each
year in social reunions with family, friends or colleagues in offices or
homes. This meeting is usually done a few days before or after January 6
at the offices or places outside the home, however for the family
reunions they are normally held in homes on the sixth day of January in
the evening, Epiphany Day or the appearance of the Wise Men or Magi
Kings: Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar.
This tradition of eating together and sharing a rosca de reyes bread with a hot chocolate
to remember the Holy Kings, is made as a snack or pre-dinner at an
early hour in the late evening, so that children are present and can
participate in the tradition of getting together to enjoy and share a
slice of rosca de reyes.
Rosca de Reyes with plastic doll
and it is important when you cut a slice, that on both sides of
the rosca, does not appear the figure of the infant Jesus (plastic doll
symbolizing Jesus newborn). It is worth to mention that also a small
showing inside may bearly appear in the sweet bread. Now in days
another figure of a Wise Men of plastic may be hidden inside the bread,
so that two people who are to split the party cost. It is said that the
person who finds the baby Jesus, should put the house for a party on Candlemas Day on February 2. On this day your guest are expecting to eat tamales
and Mexican appetizers, so it is important to re-join the same group
that was present when the rosca was cut. Incidentally, the person who
finds the plastic wise man or Magi King in his or hers slice, normally
must pay the costs of the party, in reality the expenses of the party is
shared by both persons. It is considered to have good luck and that
you are fortunate if you find the baby Jesus and/or the Wise Man.
Jeff carefully cutting the Rosca de Reyes.
Madalyn finding the baby Jesus doll.
The totally surprised, Elijah found another one!
Then Linda was just about surprised as Elijah was as she found one too!
El Rosario next night.
Next night we stayed at the same place we stayed at on the way south. It was a very muddy place then because of the recent rain. Now it is dry but very dusty.
It is located near the ocean and has an abundance of sea food. After parking for the night it felt great to stretch the legs and walk the 0.9 mile walk to Momma Espinosa's.
This place has a long history in the Baja and was a stop place for many of the early travelers of the Baja.
Lobster burrito's at Momma Espinosa's.
Lobster at Momma Espinosa's.
The next morning as we were warming up the engine for our drive north there was a sound coming out of the engine compartment that didn't sound right.
Down into the engine compartment.
Collection of dirt in the engine compartment.
Just a loose fan belt.
At least I know how to fix a loose fan belt! I am glad it was not a bearing going out. A couple of reasons: It was Sunday morning. We were in a small Mexican town!
We were glad to arrive at the border in Tijuana while it was still daylight.
The vendors where everywhere for the 2 1/2 hours it took to get to the front of the line. The lanes became narrow and there was less than an inch between carts at time. Some of them were willing to move the cart to let us pass.
Booths along the waiting line. Man in white coat is holding sign that says "Mobile Pharmacy". Last minute pharmacy needs!!
We were sent to Secondary Check and all we lost were about 5 oranges and an avocado which we expected.
Literally within one mile after crossing the US border the rain started. It was dark and there were 2000 miles of bugs on the windshield. But the roads were WIDE!! Who hoo!
Orland, California. We are going to get some oranges.
Citrus sorter.
Small family business. Oranges and mandarins. Very sweet!
This was a Jersey Dairy and a family farm since 1911.
They gave Brody a pummalo. Looks like a giant grapefruit. We stowed all the citrus below and are ready to get home.
