BAJA CALIFORNIA - Leaving Baja Mexico for New Mexico USA

In Todos Santos, Baja California, there is a  hotel with a famous name...

 

Many wrongly believe that this was the inspiration for the very popular Eagles song by that name. Of course, there are many stories and tales about this hotel leading many leading people to think that this is it! So tourists are always taking selfies in front of the building.

 The hotel itself no longer promotes the myth or mentions the song due to a lawsuit by the song's composer, Glenn Fry of the Eagles. Though the Hotel existed with that name back in the 1950's Glenn says he was not aware of the place, had never been there nor heard of it. 

But who allows the facts to interfere with a good story...? 

So the selfies continue...

Since Todos Santos is a tourist destination, "art" is for sale in the street... 

as well as leather goods, purses, sundresses and ice cream.

 

Still there are a few great restaurants in Todos Santos, as well as shrines to the Virgin...

 

Images of the Virgin are everywhere in Mexico, as well as in communities in the US where many of Mexican descent have settled. The skills of the artist who create these images may vary in quality, but never in their faith and sincerity.

 

After leaving Mexico, I headed northwest to the mountains of northern New Mexico for a week.

Sunrise in Gallup New Mexico was stunning, with cool temps, but still a stunning wake up view from the hotel window.

 


Trying to cross the pass between Taos and Moreno Valley, traffic came to standstill due to a two-vehicle accident just ahead. The wreckers coming to clear the road were stuck in the stopped traffic unable to move. Roadway ice was blamed for the accident.

 

Once in the Taos area, had lunch at one of my favorite spots, Ranchos Plaza Grill in Ranchos de Taos.

 

This family-owned-operated restaurant shares the Plaza with the most photographed church in North America, the San Francisco de Assis Mission. Ansel Adams photographed the mission back in the 1920's.

Inside the restaurant is a Mexican-style mural with a New Mexican theme dominating a wall. Note the original vigas (beams) supporting the roof and the thick stucco walls.  This was a person's home before being converted to a restaurant. 

 


Now safely off the road in Angel Fire,

 awoke the next morning to the aftermath of the previous night's snowstorm.

 

Which is why I trailer my rig...

Thanks for following along with my tale of riding Baja California.

Maybe next year we'll ride it together... till then, 

Vaya con Dios.

BAJA CALIFORNIA - Returning North to Bahia Concepcion

After reaching San Jose del Cabo at the southern tip of Baja, it was time to turn the Goldwing rig north, riding solo for the return trip.

How about some color photos from Baja? The Mexican people love their vibrant colors. Be it a modest casa or a storefront...

 

The GoldWing rig is handling the trip with no issues. One of the objectives of this ride was to demonstrate that a cruiser bike or a long distance highway machine can handle the Mexican highways of today. A dual sport rig is not needed. On the long flat straightaways, the GW can hit speeds equal to any US highway. Am averaging about 30 mpg... except when I twist the throttle a bit too much. 

The artwork in AirBnB motels can be eye-catching... anyone know her name? Dolores...? or Maria...? or Miranda...?

 

In the restaurant, more colorful paintings...

 

Finally reaching Bahia Concepcion to meet up with Princess Jamaica and FlyingMonkeys. The view from the rooftop deck is impressive.

 

Only three sailing rigs taking cover from the high winds these days. What is not seen in the photos is the cold winds blowing in from the northeast. Went up top to snap a quick photo then back down inside. In a few days, it will be warm again.

 


For those who drove their RV down, finding a sandbar to set up on was easy, and crowded but there are many beach spots along here. The tide does not vary enough on the Sea of Cortez side to threaten those campers.

 

Alas, FlyingMonkeys was sidetracked in California with food poisoning, ending his ride down to Baja. I thought that was supposed to happen drinking tap water in Mexico, not in the USA. Last word was, after recovering in Scramento for a few days in a very pricey motel, FM is back home in Washington. 

PJ and his wife put on a great food spread for four hungry motorcyclists and one sidecarist. Great food, cold drink, interesting conversation... was noted that among this well-traveled group, all of whom have ridden in numerous countries around the world, none could remember having an unpleasant experience with locals. In fact, most noted only help and good fortune was received from strangers everywhere.

Most people are the same as you and I, willing to help someone in true need. It's the tiny group that create the problems that dominate the daily headlines. If we believed all the negative news, no one would ever leave their homes.

Noting the cool weather here both this year and last year in early February, am thinking a mid-March trip down Baja might be a good idea. Not too hot, not too cold.

BAJA CALIFORNIA DAYS FIVE/SIX

As we reach the older southern sections of Baja, old Spanish churches are on the agenda. 

Churches over 300 years old that are still in use today, not just tourist magnets like in Europe.

In the town square in San Ignacio

 

Due to the very thick stone walls, the actual interior dimensions of the nave are narrow.

 

On the outskirts of Mulegé, another stone mission, 

 


The thick stone walls keeps the interior cool in the desert heat.

 

Of course in the evening in Baja, it's fish tacos and cold drinks on the plaza...

The San Ignacio church can be seen in the background.

 

What is the waitress at the end of the table doing.... better enlarge that image to see

 

Ah, pouring a row of tequila shooters...

Oops you blinked..., this is what a tequila shooter looks like... now!

 

BAJA CALIFORNIA DAYS: THREE/FOUR/FIVE

More photos from days 3 thru 5..

Long stretches of two lane highway, watch for potholes...

 

Sunrise on San Felipe beach

 


Tides out at San Felipe

 


When there is no PEMEX, you do what you have to do...

 

The Englishman in the group does not drink coffee, but insists on his tea everyday.
He was upset when I told him this restaurant had no "T".

 

Sunrise the next day on the way to whale watching.

 

One small boat for twelve persons...

 

Getting in was a step

 


But we got to see the grey whales up close.

 

There is a small tent camp at the point overlooking the whale lagoon. Windy but could be an interesting spot to stay for a few days.

NORTHERN BAJA CALIFORNIA - DAY THREE, or is it FOUR?

Arrived in Loreto this afternoon, after stopping to see Pricess Jamaica for a few minutes. He and I will have more time to talk next week.

Here are some photos from the first couple of days of the trip that could not be posted due to slow internet service.
 

 

A rest stop for thirsty bikers

 

What's Baja without fish tacos?

 

Group gas stop

 


San Felipe, shuttered hotel/club, lighthouse and waterfront shrine

NORTHERN BAJA CALIFORNIA - DAY TWO

Today the ride south begins: woke to rainy overcast, streets wet, but riders are ready, let's go...

Riders gathered at MotoQuest to pack their bike, receive final riding instructions before heading out.
 

Soliitary Honda GoldWing sidecar rig being outnumbered by BMW GS's and F's. The rig attracts more attention everywhere than all the Beemers put together, but we sidecarists are familiar with the SDF (Sidecar Delay Factor).

 

Utilizing the HOV lanes, we are quickly out of the urban areas and into the well known rider's dream land of Southern Califonia foothills. First restroom break happens at Cook's Corner, a very well know bikers gathering spot.

Wonder why Cook's is famous? Here's the sign....

 


Cook's was followed by miles and miles of twisting foothills, Sunday traffic but not too bad. Next stop for a late lunch was Josie's Hideout... another infamous motorcycle gathering spot.
 

Bikes line both sides of the country road out front...

 

And what is a biker saloon without live entertainment????

 

Another hour or so riding the twisting roads before we reached out destination hotel for the night in Julian, CA.

Here we rest to prepare for the Mexican border crossing in the morning.

2022 Photo Review - Part B

Continuing on from the previous post, 

here is the balance of my culled photos from 2022.

Italy - Olive grove with San Gimignano skyline

Italy - San Gimignano, the locals pass time, tourist-watching

Looks like a jury deciding everyone's fate.

Italy - Arno River - Florence

Italy - Old section of congested Grand Canal - Venice

Italy - Foggy morning - Venice 

Italy - Dining alone with his book - Venice

Valladolid, Spain - Texting while riding

Spain - Santiago de Compostela

Resting Pilgram

Spain - Llanes country church

Spain - Llanes beach, tides out

Valladolid, Spain, Cobblestone street

Madrid, Spain - Juxtaposition

Texas - Three generations

Granddaughter

Mother

Grandmother

A Texas Cowboy

And that concludes most of my favorite images captured in 2022.

More travel, adventures, and images to come 

in 2023. Hang on to your hat friends, 

I have a few surprises in store.

Stay safe, be safe,

CCjon