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9 December 2011

Well the night at La Paz passed fast.  This campground is quite nice and one that we had never heard of throughout all the years we’ve traveled the Baja.  We found the history on the property and the owners to be very interesting.  The Maranatha Campground

_has only 12 hook-up areas and 6 casitas besides a large play area and picnic grounds to handle a couple of large family groups.  They also offer a great little coffee/bakery shop right outside of the gates.  In 1957, the family flew down in their small single engine plane to La Paz as missionaries from the mid-west and stayed in their own little paradise…  Pictures of their arrival in ’52 still grace the walls inside the office of the campground and if you inquire about them they will tell you the very interesting story of her life as a young child from her birth in La Paz to running the campground today.  Well it was time to continue heading south but before we pulled out, all 8 of us had to stop off at the coffee shop and do a little sampling.  With coffee and a fresh cinnamon roll in hand we all gathered around a table and said good-bye to Bonnie and Doug.  They wanted to stay over another day or two before heading down to Cabo to see what had changed over the years that they’ve been away.  We had heard that Hwy 1 just south of Todo Santos was under construction with heavy off road detours so we opted to take Hwy 19 (the mountain route) the rest of the way to San Lucas.  El Trunfo was the first little town we came to once we started into the mountains.  At one time, El Trunfo was the largest community in all the Baja because of the gold that was found in these mountains.  Item number two:  Eifel (who designed and built the Eifel Tower) designed and managed construction of one of the two smelting stacks in El Trunfo.

_Item number three:  When the mines were going full out, the wife of the mine manager taught piano to the other women and children that wanted to learn.  Being a fine musician and lover of the piano, she decided to donate her piano to the local museum and with that started others to donate theirs.  Item number four:  The church was and still is a major part for the people of El Trunfo.

_For the size of the town now it is quite large, but back “in the days past…” it was quite a place for giving Thanks.  As we arrived today we found a crowd painting and caring for the interior and getting ready for their Christmas celebration…I felt I should have grabbed a paint brush because they all looked and sounded like they were having a blast.

_Today this little town, far from the border and the larger cities, and far away from the average “tourists”, sports a fine “Piano Museum”.  Unfortunately it was closed the morning we were in town.  What was fortunate was that we found this remarkable restaurant/bakery…  It was located a block off of the main road running through town and in this very old “Hacienda”.  The front part of building was the bakery ( this is Bob and Evie looking over the bakery goods thinking about what to buy for their 59th wedding anniversary)

_and as you followed the passageway toward the back of the building you found yourself choosing a table at one of three very different patio locations (notice the brass covered wood rails)

_that lead away from the outside cooking area

_of the restaurant and looking out to the dormant gold mines and the Eifel smelting stack.  The menu was small but the quality… amazing.  I really don’t think this restaurant/bakery could accidentally make a bad meal or bakery item.  The lunch specialty was pizza so we all opted for pizza’s around…

_definitely not a bad idea.  One thing was for sure, Bob & Evie, Jack & Kathy, and Louise and I were very impressed with our stop and look forward to coming back as we head back north this spring.  If we were to make San Lucas before dark we had better be on our way.  This route through the mountains and along the Sea of Cortez is really the more picturesque route but it does take another 30 to 45 more minutes of travel time from La Paz to San Lucas.  It wasn’t long before we were running past the Cabo San Jose airport and heading into the center of San Jose.  Right away it was evident that things had changed a great deal in the last 5 years since we were here last.  The traffic was at least 10 fold heavier and the building…amazing. Traffic and all we still made it to San Lucas before 3 and then found that we couldn’t turn across the highway and into the Vagabundo RV Park.  Now what…well we continued past and found ourselves taking some “very interesting” roads through and around the narrow and heavily traveled streets of San Lucas until we made a huge “U” turn and made it back to Vagabundos and into our campsite for the next few months…”we’re finally here”!!!

12 February, 04 Thursday. We have had our last breakfast at Jauncho’s Sand Bar and the beach of Cabo San Lucas for at least the next 2 years. We leave with a sad heart and will miss not only our many friends of Cabo but of the wonderful and exciting elements that Cabo San Lucas offers it’s self. It has been quite a ride having the opportunity that we have had in living in San Lucas from 1988-91, being in business general real estate (yes, even time-share sales), meeting the many Mexican families and becoming very close with them, and driving the Baja from one end to the other with all the many attractions that the Baja has to offer. We spent yesterday at the beach hoping to get the final rays that the sun would offer for the last couple of days. There were many friends that we met on the beach from all over the west coast and we all gathered together for one more time. At the close of the day we all decided to gather at our condo for a barbeque and finish off the case of Pacifico and the Tequila . It was a real good time.
As we sat down at the beach table, kicking our tennis shoes off and putting our feet into the warm sand we were joined by Leslee & Sid, Doris & Juancho, Bonnie & Doug, and Ernie and Sheila. A wonderful group to gather for our last breakfast and to say good-bye too. THANK YOU ALL for being there and wishing us well on our next adventure.
We look forward to being with you again soon.

Monday, 9 Feb 04. Time has arrived and we must say good bye…. To Goldie that is !!!!
We have really enjoyed the time with Goldie and how reliable and trustworthy she has been. There were times when we had a little doubt of her reliability, there were times when we wondered just how much gas she would really take or how much gas we would have to take from her, and there were times when we, were looked at as if something really exciting might happen right there and now, like she might have a large explosion, a final cough, and a huge cloud of smoke. Well, that said, we presented her with a gift of a Yellow Chicken Bobble Head which we mounted to the dashboard with duct tape. Now you must understand, all of this does a good job of enhancing her interior….well, maybe, enhances might be a little strong (you’ve got to use your imagination a little on this) and we named it Goldie in her honor. She really liked the gift and I’m sure will always remember us for it. We decided to drive together into town for lunch at Casa Dorado and then onto Eddie Feinstein’s Custom Design Jewelry (please call 044-624-1432559) to take Goldie back to Eddie (all washed and looking fine). Just a side note, the lunch was wonderful and we highly recommend this restaurant to all who might find themselves in Cabo San Lucas and looking for a very good restaurant that is NOT going to cost them an arm and a leg. It was a really difficult day….well, that didn’t last long !!! After riding the bus back to the condo we found that Ernie and Sheila had finally arrived. We invited them up for a “Welcome Back” Pina Colada. By the time they had made it up to our place, we had Leroy & Claudia Ostrem, their friends (and ours) Scott & Ronda, Leslee & Sid, and Charolette (our next door neighbor) all here to partake in the smooth tastes of our Pina Colada’s and the “fine hors d’oeuvres”. WE ALL HAD A GOOD TIME !!!!

Here it is, already day four of our seven day vacation. I have to say the old saying “Time flies when you are having fun.”, is exactly what Sid and I are experiencing. When Dad asked if I would write today’s entry, I jumped at the chance! Today is Friday, February 06, 2004, a holiday in Mexico. It celebrates one of their Constitution Days. We slept in (8:30am) on account of the holiday, and possible over consumption from last night. We didn’t waste much more daylight and after enjoying one of Sid’s famous breakfasts of chorizo and eggs on tortillas (Mexican train wreck), we were off to visit the old lighthouse. Sid and I had ATV’d up to the lighthouse, along with mom and dad when we were here for our honeymoon almost fifteen years ago but now it is closed to all traffic except pedestrian. I don’t know whose idea it was, but I poured at least a cup of sand out of each shoe and coughed up a lung before the experience was over. We all concurred that we deserved a cerveza and headed in search of a super mini (convenience store). After being teased by beer signs in the distance (a mirage, I think), we finally found one that was open. Everyone else bought pop, so I decided I better just follow suit. We experienced quite a bit of the outskirts of Cabo on the adventure, and it really makes you thank God for all he has blessed us with. When we got back to the condo, mom and I decided to head to town for a little souvenir shopping. Dad graciously offered us a ride in Goldie, and we went in and out of the same store at least 30 times. They all have the same best junk, and they all say they have “best price for you today”. I asked one of the store owners what the price was tomorrow, and they kindly asked us to leave! We were told to be back by 3:30, and at 2:55 we were on a bus headed for home! Juancho and Doris invited us all out for a sunset cruise on their new boat. Bonnie and Doug, Mom and Dad, and Sid and I were treated like royalty and witnessed many things we had never seen or heard before. The whales were spouting and the skates were belly flopping, the sun went down, and a full moon arose from the water. We were given a Latin lesson by Juancho, and drank a little wine and enjoyed some wonderful snacks. While driving home, we happened upon a festival of Spanish dancers and stopped and watched as they twirled around the plaza. It was an awesome day, and aside from the lung thing, a day that I will treasure for years to come.

4,5 Feb.04, Wed/Thursday “No Alcohol, just WATER TODAY PLEASE !!!! Now that is a statement!! I didn’t think I would ever hear that statement coming on the first morning of the 2nd day but, there it was…. We were all up and looking for the first cup of coffee before 8am and that alone was a good sign. I called down to the BUNGALOWS BED & BREAKFAST to see if we can get in for breakfast and they are expecting us at 9:30. We are looking forward to the breakfast burritos . Well, we all had a good time in Cabo yesterday. After breakfast of bacon and eggs …. Sid has just told me that I’ve got to talk about the ”bread”. Well, yes we had bread too. It is home made and quite wonderful. I even have to slice it prior to toasting. Yes Sid, it is some wonderful bread !!! Now, back to the journal, we went out to catch a bus to JUANCHO’S SAND BAR at the beach. While waiting, one of the neighbors here at Brisas came by and offered us a ride so we decided to save $1.20 and accept it. That did buy us another cerveza you know. This day turned into quite a BEACH PARTY…Les and Sid made sure that all those that came to the SAND BAR were made to feel at home. I’m sure they will soon be offered a job by one of the Time Share companies or who knows possibly even the SAND BAR (maybe I could get a free cervasa once in awhile). We all got a lot of sun, but Sid won the prize. He went to bed with a very cold wrap around his head. This morning he is applying a lot of 45 lotion before the sun can even find him. He’ll make it, he’s tough…. Coming back from the beach we walked up and caught one of the small buses back to the condo. This is the first time that we’ve ridden on one of the buses with hardly anyone on it. This gave Leslee and Sid a chance to practice their Spanish. They felt right at home as they tried to get everyone involved. It just wasn’t the same cooperation that they got back at the beach, but we all had fun anyway.

3 Feb. 04, Tuesday. Don’t look so sad Joelle, we all have to go back home some day…
She has had a sad face and lacking the energy she once had when she arrived last week. She just said it was “The Cabo Blues”. Ya, that’s what I thought too (she has to leave for the airport in 15 minutes). It has been a fun time and we have had our days filled with lots of beach time, cervasa time, just plain bumming around time. We are glad she could make it down. We were invited to another dinner party last night. Juancho and Doris invited Bonnie, Doug, Roger, Joelle, Louise and me to join them at their wonderful home for a great meal of Lasagna. What a great night to spend with a wonderful family that we have come to know and love here in Cabo San Lucas. I must say that they have a lot of Love that is so obvious to their family and friends….it’s never hidden. Arriving at the airport and checking in Joelle found that she would depart much later than she thought so we wondered over to a bar to have a beer while waiting for Leslee and Sid to arrive. I must say it was refreshing and it gave us a little more time with Joelle. Leslee and Sid appeared walking down the hall so I went to pay for the beer….now understand, we had one beer apiece and we just happen to be at the airport in CABO SAN JOSE. Well the bill was one of the HUGHE SURPRISES of this trip….$5.00 EACH (I pay 40 cents at the store) PLUS TAX….$15.00 for 3 standard sized beers….I was PSST…. Oh well. Bye Joelle….Hello Leslee and Sid. Welcome to Cabo, come on, lets go for a ride in ‘Goldie”.

2 Feb. 04, Monday. Well a few days have gone by and I haven’t spent anytime on the journal. I really appreciate all the birthday wishes and look forward to next year already…not knowing exactly where it may be. Sunday we (Louise, Joelle, and myself headed off to town for breakfast and check in with Eddie. Eddie had offered his Chev Suburban for us to use for the rest of our stay…..Isn’t that the GREATEST!!!! Thanks Ed ! Well “GOLDIE” as it is called was a wonderful addition to our experiences here in Cabo. “Goldie” truly is a “Cabo Car”. If you’ve spent any time here in Cabo you know what I mean. They are similar to the Cabo dogs as they don’t look so great, don’t run to smoothly, have wonderful personality BUT, are just wonderful to have for transportation when you need them (the cars, not the dog’s). On Sunday evening, Bonnie & Doug asked us to join 3 other couples and their families for a fish barbeque at their “casa”. First off, what a great meal…Doug, you out did yourself at the barbeque and Bonnie, you have continued to put a wonderful meal together for all of us to remember. Now I must mention the brownies as well, many thanks for these wonderful morsels with the candles go to Gerri (from Boise and a little while back from Post Falls). Next I must mention our memorable trip to San Jose (where the Rohrers casa is located) with “Goldie”. We all prayed a few times for our and others safety as we zoomed down highway at 35 mph (I wouldn’t really want to travel any faster with her) and the other vehicles ZOOMED past us (sometimes I would see them coming and other times WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT !!!).

We are soooo... relaxed here. Think of you every day and miss you all. Louise, how was opening night of the play? Wish we could of been there and can't wait to see it on the 14th. Yesterday we got up late. Grampa made French toast. It was very good, fried in bacon fat, olive oil and butter. Yum! Yes that ole Atkins thing and got away from us. We will need to get real serious when we get back. We caught the bus into town and went to Eddies shop and picked up GOLDIE. A 1980s something Chevy Suburban. We will send pictures, what an adventure. We took her up over Pedregal and to the Pacific beach. Joelle and I gathered some shells. It was very quiet, just the surf and wind. We were trying to cut down on the sun a little. Then we went for lunch on the Marina. A place called the Amazon. They had two bright green small parrots, who enjoyed chips and salsa with us. Dad will send a picture. We had to get some olives for Bonnies get together today, so we stopped at the grocery store CCCs. They have the best olives, fresh picked and cured. Being Saturday they were really busy. Came home with our goodies and read and laid around until dinner time. We decided to walk to Sorianas for dinner, and try the Mexican deli at the back of the store. But alas our espanol was not good enough for us to understand how it works, so it was Mickey Ds for us. Then we checked out Titty's Boutique. Cute store for girls and women. Nothing inexpensive there! Walked back to the condo and just veged. This morning the weather is cool and windy, clouds and sun.

Every day is more beautiful than the last. We really got a lot of sun today. Spent most of the day at the beach. Two cruise ships were in. The water was a deep tropical blue and alive with para sailors, wave runners, glass bottom boats and water taxis. We just sat back and enjoyed the scene. The sail boat that had been on the beach is now submerged in the bay, just the mast protruding above the water. Have not met the woman that this boat belongs to. Evidently she thought the hole in the bottom had been fixed and they moved the boat into the water it made it about a hundred yards and sank with all her belongings aboard. She has insurance but there is a lot of red tape.
She is still camping in a tent on the beach. Also someone on the beach told us her boyfriend died of carbon monoxide poisoning in San Diego. Evidently when she tried to cast his ashes in the bay she was arrested for polluting and had to pay a big fine. A very interesting story, I'd like to talk to her and find out if any of it is true.
We had lunch up the beach at Tabascos next to Club Cascades, where Joel and I Worked years ago. We got some good exercise walking up and down the beach a couple of times. Met some interesting people, locals and tourists. On the way home from the beach we stopped off at La Picazon. Imelda and Alex the owners were both there. What really nice people. We had one of Imelda famous margaritas. They are like Mt Rainier piled high in margarita glasses. Topped with slices of lime. She serves them with shots of very smooth tequila. Wow!! You only need one but they so good....
We are really getting this bus thing down, pretty soon we won't have to walk at all, just get the right bus. We are continuing our early to bed late to rise routine. And are reading a lot, what a great time

29 January 04, Thursday. If I must say so myself (which I didn’t have to because everyone else complimented me on it) my breakfast was great. Aaa heck, it was nothing…. I just threw a couple of eggs in the frying pan and wa-la (well they wanted the yokes broken anyway). We donned our walking clothes and headed for town via bus this time. This bus ride is not only cheap but you get quite “close” with the people on it. We rode the smaller bus this time which is more like a large van with about 25 people riding, stopping (every time a finger goes into the air), and riding another few yards. We were on a hunt for shoes but ended up with a swimming suit for Louise. A good trade off with the exception of the pocket book (I’d take shoes anytime). We took in the “New Mall” again as it has been 3 years since Joelle had seen it and it has really changed since then. I was looking for a “Latte” (can you imagine that?) and there is a wonderful Mexican Coffee Shoppe that I’ve been looking forward to trying. I wasn’t disappointed. Off across town we wanted to stop by Eddie Feinstein’s Jewelry and let him know that his software was on it’s way. He has offered his “Baja Buggy” for the rest of our stay so I think we will pick it up Saturday just to have around in case we have had enough of the walking (thinking of Joelle, isn’t that nice?). We left Eddie and went looking for a Taco Stand that we had noticed earlier. We had a great lunch and look forward to seeing him again in the near future…very near future!! Caught a “Kamikaze” bus on the way back…wow !!! I was got off at the grocery store and Louise and Joelle were to go on to the condo but, it didn’t work out quite like that…. I got off OK and went off to the store but, when Louise and Joelle tried to stay on the bus and travel another 300 yards (which the driver didn’t know yet) he wouldn’t move until they disembarked. They tried to tell him that they wanted to travel just a little further but NO…you have to get off, I don’t stop up there !!!! So, off they went… oh well, it was to be a walking vacation anyway. Besides, they just wanted to get back so that they could get one of my MARGARITAS anyway….or was it three.