Rancho Santa Inez stop 14

March 8 and it is Winston’s Birthday. We and Firman and Cheryl were deparkers. A number, finding out it was Winston’s birthday, gathered round and sang Happy Birthday to him. Everyone was in such a hurry to leave that although we were to begin at 9 we had little to do. There were only 4 left to check. As we traveled we played leapfrog with all of the others. Cheryl wanted flower pictures since they had not gone back in the dessert to San Borja. We stopped often, got out, took pictures. It was a good drive. We had lots of cactus: cardon, pincushion, barrel, prickly pear to name a few. We also saw the elephant tree. What an interesting plant it is with its twirled and gnarled trunk and branches. It protects small cactus and other dessert plants that grow under it. Frank said that he and Carol had walked as far as 5 miles looking for one near their home and here they were everywhere you looked. As we had started out after filling up the diesel tank and the water tank we had a coyote run in front of us for at least a quarter of a mile. He was so frightened he stayed on the road. I was so disgusted I couldn’t get my camera to work fast enough. Again we saw a truck that had not stayed on the road. He had fruit as his load and it was spread everywhere. We arrived at the campground. It is a nice oasis in an area where there are many huge boulders and lots of cactus. We saw a smattering of rain on the windshield. Then we realized it had turned chilly. The wind was blowing. The paved road leading in has white rocks on each side. We later found out that the lady who built it was good friends with the Mexican President and he had “helped” her. There is also an airport that can be seen from the campground. This was built at the same time and used to have at least 6 planes in every day but since the drugs have become such a problem it has become nearly empty. No one flies much here because everyone who does is suspected of drug dealing. Ralph, an American, gave us a lot of information about the place and the area. Lois came over and said, “We have TV, do you want to watch?” Can’t remember how long it had been since we had seen TV except in a couple of restaurants (in Spanish). We had dinner at the “local” hotel. We had made our selection earlier and I always seem to choose the wrong one. The choices were beef or shrimp. The beef was the best looking steak I have seen in quite awhile. The shrimp was okay but it was wrapped in tin foil and steamed, I guess. We had a game of Joker with Dick and Judy.

March 9 and nothing is scheduled. Of course that doesn’t seem to stop anyone. Betty, who is writing the journal at this stop, had talked to Ralph and he had told her he would show anyone who wanted to go some cave paintings. We finally drove about 7 miles, got onto yet another dirt road and parked. We got out and looked at a “hill” with lots of large rocks. The flowers were beautiful. There was even a cactus that had a disease (crustacized??) that looked like a ninja turtle. We climbed up and over the rocks until we reached the top of the hill – mountain. Then we got on our hands and knees or rears and inched into a cave. These were the best cave paintings and so well preserved since they are not out in the open. We scooted or got back down as best we could. It was an experience. As we headed back, Dick and some others came up and told us our missing 2 trailers had finally come home. Alex & Arlene and Cliff & Marcia had returned. Alex had gotten the transmission fixed in his Suburban after many frustrating moments. We were so glad to see them. Cliff & Marcia had stayed behind in case they needed any help. It took them 9 days to get everything fixed but they are back! It was time to get ready for another move. Dick had asked if we would be parkers since he was not sure if Cliff and Marcia would be here so we head out at 6 in the morning. We understand that Bruce & Enid always seem to be ready to go long before the posted time. We had a “GRAM” or a get reacquainted meeting with all of us talking about the Baja Adventure. One of the main things I will always remember is the dust and dirt everywhere. I have no idea the motor home and Jeep will ever be clean again. We use the California Duster a lot and it does seem to help some, particularly on the Jeep. This stop has really shown the colors of the desert – the pinks, yellows, whites, purples and reds as well as the greens of the cactus.