Estero beach

The last night in Mexico was at the Estero Beach Resort. Dave had been saving this stop as a surprise since it is very nice and at $45 per night who could resist. We soaked in the spa for awhile and then it was off for our last dinner together. A nice last night.

Rock City

Catavina holds many wonderful memories for me. I spent a month there one night in 2005 at Linda's Motel as I heard John having an argument with a taco he had eaten earlier in the day. Every time I get near that little town I remember that night. What I need to remember are the house size giant boulders that are scattered for miles all around the little village which is really nothing more that two hotels, a pickup backed up to the edge of the highway selling gas out of the back and maybe 20 little homes filled with families. As I mentioned the other day, we were tired and it was so good to settle in there. It was the first time we had to ride in the dark.

San Javier

Part of the inspiration for this Baja trip was to ride part of the Race course that Team CORE raced in the 2007 Baja 1000. Yesterday we covered a section from Loreto through San Javier and then on to the coast. I am sure I can say this and represent the rest of the guys when I say that we have a new appreciation of the guys that raced in the 1000. The area around San Javier has been called the Grand Canyon because it has some of the same characteristics, beautiful, bright colored mountains and canyons with streams and plenty of palm trees along the banks. The riders would not have noticed any of that because they were racing at break neck speed along a one lane windy gravel road knowing that coming up behind them are 800 hp trophy trucks that will use them for traction if they don't get out of the way.
To Garrett, who rode that section, great job!

Later in that ride we even had a taste of the silt beds. Although it was only 50 yards long as compared to the miles that the race guys faced, two of us managed to fall down.
The guys are yelling that it is time to hit the rode, so more later.

Get giddy for 2 fiddy

We spent the night in Catavina after crawling it there at dark, very cold and a bit tired. We ran into some Oregonian`s from Newport. Soon after daybreak we left the hotel and made our way to St. Rosalia at 60 mph because we have been afraid we would run out of gas--200 miles between gas stations. We made it and as we were filling up some guy and gal pulled up next to my bike. It was our neighbors from Medford, Brian and Jeannie Porter. They saw us ride by and they turned around and came back to find us!!! I can never find him when I need to borrow something from him but here we bump into each other 1000 miles from home.

Everybody is doing fine and I will write some more after breakfast.

Coco with the wire we brought to him

Scene of the opps!

The 4 amigos on road to San Ignacio

Dave trying to get lovin` from the big fish

The BIG fish

First I have to say how pathetic we are. Last night as we found our lodging I could hear Cliff say that he loved this place and had to bring Peggy here sometime--John chimed in with similiar comments--then David......I was already making reservations with Juanita, our host, to return. We are hear having an incredible adventure but really excited about sharing it with our loved ones.
We spent the night about 50 yards from the town square in San Ignacio. This has to be one of the coolest little villages in the Baja.
Anyway, back to the adventure part. We decided to ride over to San Ignacio lagoon and swim with the whales. I exaggerate.
We found a eco group that takes groups out in the bay. There were eight of us and the skipper. After about 15 minutes we started seeing whales blowing all over the place. Soon there were several near the boat. The big moment came when a GIANT, HUGE, MONSTROUS really big whale snuggled up to our boat. Dave immediately leaned over and kissed the beast. Moby apparently didn't appreciate the gesture because she hocked (sp) up 3 squid and an old fisherman´s boot right back in Dave's face---we have it all on video. Cliff, John and I also made complete fools of ourselves trying to get our picture taken with this huge animal. It was pretty amazing.
Tonight we are staying in Santa Rosalia, a European village in the Baja. They pulled tons of copper out of the mines here over the years. Now there is no mining and I really don't know what keeps the place going but it is a fun little town. The Panaderia is the heart of it all in our opinion.

We have run into many other bikers at every meal and overnight stay. It really has been one of the joys of this trip as we share information on other rides, find friends in common and learn of other cultures and lifestyles. Over lunch today we met a guy who shipped his BMW 800 gs over from England to Texas and was on his way to Panama...... by himself... PLUS he was really old--maybe even 60! He wisely decided not to go further south.
Side note: Caroline, if a guy shows up in the next few days with a very British accent asking for his room, well, just consider yourself forewarned.

Tomorrow looks to bring more adventure. We appreciate your prayers-you have ours. d j d c

Bahia san luis Gonzaga

After San Felipe we made a particularly difficult run to Bahia san luis Gonzaga. On the road we noticed about 6 buzzards circling. It always makes me nervous down here when I see those birds. I thought I was riding pretty fast but apparently one of those buzzards figured I must already be dead cause I wasn"t moving fast enough for him. The next thing I know I am goggles to beak with the ugliest red headed turkey buzzard I ever want to see. Cliff was right behind and thought it was really funny.


We spent Monday night in Gonzaga at Alfonsina"s-the best place in the Bay....the only place in the bay. When we pulled up to Alfonsina"s there were dirt bikes everywhere and lots of noise coming from the bar. We walked in to claim a room and the guy said he was sorry but there were not rooms available. John made some wimpering noise and mumbled something about sleeping on the beach. Dave puffed himself up as big as he could, gave the guy a cold stare and Cliff was in a fetal position at the guys feet. The guy hesitated a minute and then to wait and he would see what he could do. Apparently he thought it was a funny joke--we weren"t laughing.

Tuesday morning we made the run to Coco"s Corner to meet the legend himself. Coco was holding court to 6 or 7 other bikers as we pulled up. He was standing at a very short table telling stories and jokes. I mentioned it was a short table because Coco just had his last leg amputated a few months ago. While he was in the hospital thieves stripped his place, taking his beer (huge quantities, according to Coco), tires off his trucks and all the wiring from his buildings. John bought 250 feet of electrical wire to replace what was stolen and we presented it to him. He really appreciated it. We took some pictures, laughed abit, drank some cokes and hit the road.

Tuesday night was in Bahia de Los Angeles, commonly known as Bay of LA, at Larry and Raquels. A great place with a bunch of other bikers and quad heads. Larry was our host and really took care of us.
We went into town and soon Cliff was inquiring about the next leg of our trip from people he met--teacher types, always gathering information. John was out making friends with every kid and adult he could find, Dave was texting everybody he knew that couldn"t make the trip and teasing them for not coming and I was looking for somebody to talk to about "end of life issues"........I was having the least success! We all revent back!

Today, Wednesday was the day we feared the most because of the amount of dirt road we had to cover. It all worked out find......................................................well, it almost worked out fine. John, being the oldest and most experienced of all of us when it comes to biking, gave us an example of how to approach a fellow biker that has stopped in the road as well as create a fine memory that will not soon be forgotten as well as prove that a moving object creates real havoc with a stationary object. The stationary object would be John"s buddy Don"s bike. The moving object would be John"s bike and the result was all caught clearly on video as John PLOWED into the back of MY bike. Fortunately no one was hurt but the left pannier on my bike has been DESTROYED! I was video taping the whole event so if we can find a 13 year old kid to show us how to down load it you will all be able to see it.

We are in San Ignacio which is probably one of the nicest stops on the trip--my opinion. Tomorrow we go to the Pacific to play around and then on to Santa Rosalia the next day. We will try for some pictures then. Blessings to all.
P.S. Can you believe John would just run into the back of my bike like that?

We are in San Felipe after having a nice lunch--John screamed "no lechuga" as soon as we sat down. So paranoid! A residual of a bad experience in the Baja several years ago. We spent last night at Mike's Sky Ranch--I know, I know, you are wondering how four novice riders managed to get reservations at Mike's. Well it wasn't easy! The fact that we were the ONLY ones staying there might have helped. But it was really amazing to realize how much bike history has passed through that place. We spent the night in rooms 4 and 5 --no doubt the accomadations of George Washington, Malcolm Smith, Ricky Johnson and others. John took a souvenoir home unintentionally when he sucked in a curtain during the night while he was snoring up a storm. Caroline, we honor you!!

Dave has been blazing the trail and complaining about all the extra weight in his gas tank. Get over it!

Cliff, Dave, Don and John have all reaffirmed our love for our bikes. Cliff has been especially obnoxious since he has the newest bike. It was 28 miles of dirt road getting into Mike's and fairly slippery in some places---NO PROBLEM for the big beemers.

I, Don, am spending most of my time fantasizing about the kitchen that Donna is designing back home. We are all very appreciative of loving lifemates back home and we express that at each meal time-in our pray of thanksgiving.

Note from Cliff,

For Brain and Matt who say I never write, the bike works great. Everything I added to the F800 GS BMW works as I hoped. So far the trip has been a great experience, we're headed for another couple of hours of off road. Wish you guys were here to experience the adventure. To my wife, Peggy, I miss you, but relax the trip hasn't been eventful and so far you have nothing to worry about.

For the four guys making this trip, Don, John, Dave and Cliff, this will be the first ride that we have all been on together. We are connected by a common faith, college experiences, great life-.mates (our wives are sending us out with their blessings) and a real love of two-wheeled adventures. The plan is to leave from Grass Valley CA on February 28. We will transport the bikes to Chula Vista and leave early on the morning of March 1 for Mike's Sky Ranch.