We are off again… heading south to warmer weather for a few months!  We met our good friends, Kevin and Jill Fraley, in Palm Springs and headed to the border. We are so happy that they are able to ride with us for the first 5 days of our trip.

Crossing the border

Scott and Kevin

Dinner at El Nino’s

Rosarito

The Rosarito Beach Hotel hasn’t changed much since we were there 15 or so years ago, but they have added a huge new building and pool complex next door.  Jill and I enjoyed a little sunshine next to the new infinity pool the first day while Scott and Kevin rode back to the border to import our motorcycle.

Rosarito Beach Hotel

Thrifty Ice Cream of course!

After two nights in Rosarito, we rode south to Ensenada, then across Baja to San Felipe.

South of Rosarito

Kevin & Jill

The drive took us up in elevation through high desert.  When the temperature dropped to 54, we stopped to add some layers to our jackets.  Not much between Ensenada and San Felipe – a small village and a couple of military check points.  After a good meal in San Felipe (with a view of the Sea of Cortez), we rented a beautiful condo just north of town.  Nice area, but our condo was mixed in with mostly unfinished buildings left from the crash of ’06.  Scott and Kevin golfed while Jill and I sat poolside.

Jill and Vickie enjoying the sun (and the wind!)

San Felipe Condo

San Felipe Condo

El Dorado Ranch, San Felipe

On Friday, Kevin and Jill headed home and we started south again.  The pavement ended and we rode the 20 miles on dirt.  Stopped at Coco’s Corner for a soda.  Coco came to this spot in 1990 – the only person out here for miles.

Coco’s Corner, Baja

The highway is being paved through, but there is a portion that has not been completed.  Not too bad, except for one section of soft dirt that dumped us.  We were struggling to get the bike upright when a guy appeared out of nowhere to give us a hand.  My box took the brunt of the fall – it will need to be banged out at some point.

dirt section below San Felipe

As we rode toward the Sea of Cortez, the contrast of the desert ad blue water was stunning. We reached Bahia de Los Angeles, a small fishing village.  After looking at several hotels (that didn’t pass the “test”), we drove north of town and found a little resort called Los Vientos.  Our room is steps from the water.  Fell asleep hearing the waves lap on the sand…

Early morning walk on the beach

Bahia de Los Angeles, La Vizcaino Resort

Papaya juice for breakfast

A thunderstorm convinced us to stay for another day.  We enjoyed a magnificent lightning show through the night.  We got up early on Sunday and headed toward Guerrero Negro.   The desert, after the rain the night before, was amazing.  The Baja desert is much more beautiful and diverse  than I could have imagined!

Birthday breakfast

We had a very late breakfast at Guerrero Negro – Scott chose the perfect place for breakfast… pancakes with a birthday serenade from the waiters.

The singing waiters

Guerrero Negro is on the Pacific side, known for salt exportation and whale watching during January and February.  The town was very quiet at this point as we drove through.

Santa Rosalia

Stopped for the night at Santa Rosalia on the Sea of Cortez.  The hotel we stayed in was pretty nice – settled in for a good night of sleep…. until 4:30 am when the biggest cockroach I have ever seen decides to drop onto my head.  I think the entire hotel woke up with me.  AAAAHHHHH!!!!!!

We left EARLY the next morning and drove south along the Sea of Cortez and Concepcion Bay.

Bay of Concepcion

Playa Buenaventura

Good lunch with a great view

swimming in the Sea of Cortez/Concepcion Bay

sea shells through the clear water

Sea of Cortez

Sea of Cortez – Bay of Concepcion

The views are incredible, overlooking the crystal clear water and white beaches.  Great place to camp under a palapa on the beach.  We had lunch at Playa Buenaventura and talked with the owner Mark, and his son, Nathan.  Beautiful spot and delicious coconut shrimp and yellow tail.  Only regret was that Scott left his new leather sandals on the beach… didn’t discover they were missing until we were three hours down the road.

We ended up at Loreto – staying a few nights here – this town is great!  Friendly  people, beautiful malecon that begs to be walked, great restaurants and hotels due to the Canadians and Americans that winter here.  An airport nearby and beautiful weather makes this destination one we would like to visit again.

Loreto

Haircut in Mexico

We got a great deal on our hotel in Loreto…Posada Del Cortes.   The backhoe that was determined to dig up the road every morning seemed to deter the majority of guests!

Pelicans at Loreto

Enjoyed Loreto for four days…back on the bike and riding south to La Paz.  The temperature keeps getting warmer 🙂  Baja is a great place to visit – we are surprised over and over of how friendly everyone is and the beauty of this part of the world!Sierra de la Giganta – beautiful mountains covered in green just south of Loreto.

La Paz malecon

La Paz – La Concha Resort

 

La Concha

Sunset over the Sea of Cortez….