OK, I’m doing this post up by the hotel pool where we found a good wi-fi connection. I’m really just biding time waiting for a boat project I don’t want to work on to progress. The holding tank vent is clogged. That means I had to take everything out of the lazarette, climb down (pour myself) into it and disconnect one end of the hose to try and clear it (the “other” end is impossible to reach, buried underneath the engine). So far, I’ve tried blowing it out with the dinghy pump-didn’t work. I’m now progressing to a mild acid to try and dissolve the build up, which is why I’m now waiting-to see if it dissolves the clog.
OK, back to the story. Land Cruising. More specifically, a road trip in the “Baja Van” which is Richard and Cynthia’s 1970 something Dodge Van. They bought it for $500 at a state auction. OK, so it runs, that’s the main thing. No legal seats, so check out the “crew” seating. I was in the navigator’s seat and so thankfully had a seat belt. Good thing Richard is a good driver. We call him; “The Wheelman”
The objective? Cabo Pulmo, a federally protected marine reserve. The only living coral reef on the Pacific side of North American (or something like that). We snorkled the South side when we did the death march across the desert from Los Frailes on our way up here to La Paz. The other, supposedly better North side was a couple miles further on. Farther than we wanted to travel on foot across the desert, but only a couple hours by van out of La Paz. Well, three and a half hours it turned out, but a fun day. Mostly good roads, a few small towns and the last 10 miles on a dirt road out to the shoreline. Decent snorkeling, but there was some wave action so a bit on the cloudy side. Here’s the pics:
The boys, ready for a road trip in the Baja Van
Ann got the lawn chair
Luxurious "cabin class" seating
Lovely Countryside
We stopped for a break and this kid was the only person minding the store. He took the money, made the change, etc. No one else in sight.
Our "ride"
The prize at the end of the ride. A dive and a lovely beach to hang out on...
...and a beer with our friends.
By the way, the correct pronunciation of our mode of transportation is: ba-jaw ban. The correct pronunciation makes the story better. And we all signed the inside of the van (ban) too!