La Paz (again)

Another change of plans!

Last week we set out to bike on Mex 19 from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas via Todos Santos, and then bike back around the eastern side of the peninsula on Mex 1. The route from La Paz to Todos Santos is almost entirely a four-lane, divided highway with two meter wide shoulders. The last 25 km into Todos Santos was actually still under construction and half of the highway was not yet open, meaning we had the entire half of the highway to ourselves.

We camped in an RV park in Todos Santos for three nights and explored the town and surrounding beaches. We thought we might camp at some of the beaches south of town for a few days before biking farther south, but after a few trips along washboarded sand roads that led to beaches either far from food and water or dotted with resorts and expensive restaurants, we decided that we'd skip Los Cabos and bike back the way we came from La Paz. On the mainland it should be easier to find what is rare in the Baja - a beach near a town. Traveling by bike seems as though it would give you a good amount of choice of destination, but when the roads suck and there's no fresh water anywhere, it gets more complicated. So here we are in La Paz again!

Todos Santos was a pretty cute little town. It's humid and more lush than the surrounding deserts. I caved and bought some beautiful silver jewelery, my first non-consumable purchase since we left. We spent a day watching gray whales in the distance. We were lucky to see them spy-hopping and occasionally breach.

La Paz is also pretty great. There are five peso tacos and a walkway all along the waterfront. For the month before Christmas, much of the downtown is filled with a street market that starts every day at about 8 am and ends at 9 or 10 pm. Brydone's Santa photo was taken in this market...some Mexican children might be disappointed when they learn that Santa is too hungover to pack up the sleigh.

Last night we stayed up late to watch the meteor shower. While camping, I got really used to going to sleep shortly after dark, so I get pretty tired by the time 10 pm rolls around...but it was worth it to stay up! Too bad that we were in the city, but there was not a cloud in the sky and we saw many from the roof of the hotel. Hope the sky was clear back home.

Tomorrow (unless plans change), we will ferry to Mazatlan. Unfortunately the ferry goes overnight, so we probably won't see much during the 12 hour crossing. 

Just a few weeks left until we have to head back to San Diego to catch the train! 

Love,

Rill