10 December ‘06
After leaving Ensenada we continued heading south on Hwy 1. Now we were in the hunt for our next campground, and hoping that we would find it before dark. Louise was going through all the books, gathering the campground information for the next 50 miles ahead. Finally we chose one that was off the highway about 8 miles and on the Pacific shoreline. As we approached the area for our right turn towards Punta Banda and our next campground Villarino RV Park. It was nice to get away from the heavy traffic of Hwy 1 for a while. This little road that heads toward the coast is used little and the campground was left pretty much for just us and one other motor home. We pulled up next to this wall of Plexiglas screening that allowed us an unobstructed view out to the sea. There must have been room for another 50 or 60 RV’s, but we were to find the place to ourselves for the night. All we heard throughout the night was the waves crashing on the beach…not too bad. The next morning we pulled up stakes about 10 and headed back to that wonderful Mexican Highway 1. Finally leaving the outskirts of Ensenada, we were on our way. Now the road didn’t change much, but the view did. I personally didn’t have much time to look, but when she felt it appropriate, she filled me in on what I was missing. There is no doubt that there is a big difference driving a motor home on these roads vs. driving a Chrysler mini-van. Prior to leaving, I had talked with a number of people about this drive and they all warned me about the truckers, the corners, and the narrow roads without shoulders. Let me say this…you don’t want to get off on the shoulder. Unfortunately, I did twice and it was a struggle to bring it back safely. The day on the road wasn’t too terribly long, but it seemed like a century by the time we found our next campground. About 4 we pulled into Catavina and our next place to stay. This campground had no hook-ups, but that didn’t matter because “we have solar” now…
It was located about 2 miles into the hills and was nothing but a huge dirt field that had two large trees and a small ranch that the owners lived in. It cost us $6 for the night. We are in the Catavina Boulder Fields, and let me tell you, these huge boulders are everywhere. It goes for miles on miles, even with large hills stacked 100’s of feet high with these boulders. And the cacti seem to grow directly out of the solid granite rocks. It is quite a beautiful site. After kicking ourselves out of bed prior to 8, we headed out into the boulder fields for a short hike before breakfast. Getting the “up and close” look at these “boulders” was incredible. Now for the second “incredible”…we chose to go to the campground restaurant for breakfast. Now you’ve got to understand, this is not the usual “restaurant”. There is no electricity, no water, no fancy dishes and silverware, and “instant coffee” is the norm. BUT, the huevos rancheros were to me, one of the best I’ve have ever had… what a teat.
After leaving Ensenada we continued heading south on Hwy 1. Now we were in the hunt for our next campground, and hoping that we would find it before dark. Louise was going through all the books, gathering the campground information for the next 50 miles ahead. Finally we chose one that was off the highway about 8 miles and on the Pacific shoreline. As we approached the area for our right turn towards Punta Banda and our next campground Villarino RV Park. It was nice to get away from the heavy traffic of Hwy 1 for a while. This little road that heads toward the coast is used little and the campground was left pretty much for just us and one other motor home. We pulled up next to this wall of Plexiglas screening that allowed us an unobstructed view out to the sea. There must have been room for another 50 or 60 RV’s, but we were to find the place to ourselves for the night. All we heard throughout the night was the waves crashing on the beach…not too bad. The next morning we pulled up stakes about 10 and headed back to that wonderful Mexican Highway 1. Finally leaving the outskirts of Ensenada, we were on our way. Now the road didn’t change much, but the view did. I personally didn’t have much time to look, but when she felt it appropriate, she filled me in on what I was missing. There is no doubt that there is a big difference driving a motor home on these roads vs. driving a Chrysler mini-van. Prior to leaving, I had talked with a number of people about this drive and they all warned me about the truckers, the corners, and the narrow roads without shoulders. Let me say this…you don’t want to get off on the shoulder. Unfortunately, I did twice and it was a struggle to bring it back safely. The day on the road wasn’t too terribly long, but it seemed like a century by the time we found our next campground. About 4 we pulled into Catavina and our next place to stay. This campground had no hook-ups, but that didn’t matter because “we have solar” now…
It was located about 2 miles into the hills and was nothing but a huge dirt field that had two large trees and a small ranch that the owners lived in. It cost us $6 for the night. We are in the Catavina Boulder Fields, and let me tell you, these huge boulders are everywhere. It goes for miles on miles, even with large hills stacked 100’s of feet high with these boulders. And the cacti seem to grow directly out of the solid granite rocks. It is quite a beautiful site. After kicking ourselves out of bed prior to 8, we headed out into the boulder fields for a short hike before breakfast. Getting the “up and close” look at these “boulders” was incredible. Now for the second “incredible”…we chose to go to the campground restaurant for breakfast. Now you’ve got to understand, this is not the usual “restaurant”. There is no electricity, no water, no fancy dishes and silverware, and “instant coffee” is the norm. BUT, the huevos rancheros were to me, one of the best I’ve have ever had… what a teat.