I make this last post in a Comfort Inn in Flagstaff, AZ expecting to be home mid-afternoon tomorrow. Our brief stay in San Quintin was pleasant though I was sorry I could not ride on a beach. We spoke with some dirt bike beach riders who said the recent storm made all of the access roads we would need to take too difficult for our larger dual sport bikes. A beach ride will be high on the list for the next trip.
The ride from San Quintin to Ensenada was only about 115 miles, enough ride to experience the cool fog and clouds coming off of the Pacific. Neither Dave nor I wish to return to Ensenada, a bustling, chaotic town that left us frazzled on the way out. We watched gorgeous, huge Pacific surf to our left as we rode about 15 miles to Mex 3 that would take us about ten more miles to our hotel for the night, El Meson del Vino. It sits in the Valle de Guadalupe, very beautiful wine country.
We chose some good wine there to bring home and had interesting conversation with Francisco who offered the wine tasting. We also felt the progressive tug of home. That, combined with ordered out pizza that was not up to Baja standards helped us leave the next morning before sunrise. On the way out our access road was block by a semi trailer that rolled off the turn of the main road. Thankfully there was another access point we had not known about and could be on our way. It reminded us that riding at night on Mexican highways is verboten.
We planned to ride the 50 miles to the border crossing and have breakfast but we got lost in Tecate. Road repair blocked the path on the GPS and I did not realize I should just go the wrong direction on a one way street as a detour. Over the next one half hour we rode around Tecate slowly making our way to the border but no longer thinking about breakfast or the excellent panderia I hoped to visit.
We rode up to a group of armed Mexican soldiers near some concrete bulkheads hoping to ask directions. Instead they just waved us through a narrow gap in the bulkheads allowing us to cut to the front of the line at US Customs. I declared the two bottles of wine, thankfully accepted by the agent since one bottle is supposed to be the max. We were both through the border in less than five minutes. Perhaps our country was anxious to have us back or Mexico was anxious to be rid of us. I don't care. We were back in the US of A. We knew how lucky we were. Now I would stop at stop signs again, drink the water and look forward to a salad for dinner.
Finding a place for breakfast required about a 30 mile ride in 39 degree temps. When we found an open Subway with good food and hot coffee I was already shivering. I yelled with joy. It would have been a great Subway commercial. Since we rode uneventfully to Yuma, trailered our bikes and now stay in Flagstaff where it will be 13 degrees when we wake up in the morning.
Dave and I have had a trip together we will remember for the rest of our lives. We have learned much about ourselves and each other and had a great time in the process. I have learned much more Spanish to be helpful when Joyce and I celebrate our 31st anniversary in Costa Rica in one month. Dave and I both look forward to coming back to the enchanting land of Baja with experience now to guide even greater adventures. I have learned how to share all of this with all of you by blogging and it has been my pleasure. My thanks to all of the fine people of Baja whose hospitality and kindness enriched our experience. I look forward now to seeing my wife, Joyce, my son, Creighton and home again. My Best Wishes to all of you.
No comments:
Post a Comment