"On the Trail"

The Journals from the Road

November 19:  I make a friend from Down Under - San Quintin, BC Mex

I wanted to head out pretty early today so that I could make it all the way to San Quintin.  I enjoyed the trip through a few small villages and was going at a good pace.  My plan was to travel almost 50 miles by lunch and I was right on schedule.  I had read in my guidebook about the mission ruins of San Domingo and I read that very close to these ruins was a little park with a SWIMMING POOL.  This sounded perfect and it was only 2.4 miles off the main road. 

Well, the gap between theory and practice was quite large in this little adventure for a lunch spot.  First, the sign for the mission had been taken down so I went into town and then backtracked upwind to find the road.  Then the 2.4 miles was on a boulder strewn/sand/washboard dirt road.  I would go for a while and then get a bit doubtful and finally ask for directions and every time those giving directions would say that it was just a little farther.  Finally, I arrived, took some pictures of the mission (I hope you appreciate them) and then ate a quick lunch and chatted with the custodian of the mission.  He told me about the place and the festival of Santo Domingo during the first week of August, complete with horse racing, dancing, and lots of food.

At least going back I had an idea of how far I had to go. I got back on the main road and headed to San Quintin.

As I was taking a quick break before descending into San Quintin I spotted another loaded cyclist coming up to me. I soon realized that I recognized him from a previous meeting, slightly south of San Luis Obispo.  I told him that I was heading toward a campsite near the beach on the far side of town and he decided that sounded like a good idea. 
In about half an hour, and a discussion with a local woman, we realized that we would not make it to the site in the daylight.  Instead, we decided to split the cost of a room at Hotel Chavez. 

We had a great time comparing road shoulder stories, and anecdotes from our travels through Baja so far.  It was great to have someone to chat with. By the way, I should introduce him.  His name is Justin and he is from Melborne, Australia.  He is taking a little break after selling his restaurant and before he buys another.  He has ridden from San Fran and thought he would go to San Diego.  He had a little extra time before meeting his partner in New York so he thought he would head down to La Paz.

We ate dinner and heard about tomorrow's big festivities.

Peace(Bike),

TAD

An 'edu-venture' around the world for peace.

"We seek to connect young people around the world to each other so that their friendships build a peaceful world for us all.

-Tad Beckwith

Notice- A Sholder in Baja!!

After a dusty, bumpy road - the ruins of Santo Domingo.

Ruins of the Great Belly Button of Santo Domingo.

Ruins continued . . .

The Eye Exam of Santo Domingo.

Ruins still continuing.

Museo de Ruinas (Museum).