The image above is on Mex.1 just below Burro Beach. It shows the "Old highway", which was the only route south through the Baja before Mex.1 was built in the 70's. It's not much more than a path about 6 ft. wide. I imagine a trip down here would be more like an expedition, making only 10 or 20 miles in a day.
One of the major cautions about driving down here is to look-out for things on the road. Driving at nite is a no no. Above is an example of what I mean. Other encounters we had on the drive included a flock of buzzards having lunch beside the road. When they scattered upon our arrival, one flew directly in front of the windshield, obscuring our view completely. I swerved enough to avoid it coming through the windshield. Those suckers are big! Several road construction crews were encountered, as well as a herd of goats. The best thing to do if you have to drive at night is to follow closely behind a semi truck. They always take care of obstacles.
Another type of obstruction are the military check points. These young soldiers are very serious about their job - especially ferreting-out AA and AAA batteries for their MP3 players. The only way to get them to smile is handing a few over. They are supposed to be looking for guns and drugs.
As we progress towards Loreto, we enter a low, flat valley. Loreto is on the left, in front of the small mountain range in the background. My guess is that the mountains provide some fresh water, originally allowing Loreto to grow.
This is the terminal of the local airport. Gotta love a terminal with a palm-thatched roof!
Finally in Loreto. This is a nice, old hotel near the square. It has a swimming pool with a glass bottom that looks cool from underneath. Unfortunately, they don't allow tourists in there to take pictures any more.
A high point of our little trip was lunch at the Mita, a small restaurant on the square. Really good food at a reasonable price.
A view of the town square from inside the Mita. In the middle of the day, hardly anyone was around. Siesta time?
We started-off with a nice Caesar salad for two. Soaked in dressing and covered with Parmesan cheese - then sprinkled with anchovies. Mmmmm !
Mimi had a rib eye steak, potato, salad, and some dipping sauce. I had a marinated flank steak. Ordering iced coffee threw them for a loop, but they provided a nice French press and glass of ice so that I could assemble it myself. Mimi splurged and ordered a glass of Mexican wine. So so.
After lunch we walked among the shops, browsing.
A distinctive feature of Loreto is this canopy of trees off of the square. It provides shade from the hot sun as well as beauty. We found a Thrifty ice cream shop for desert.
This blanket begged me to take a picture of it.
So did this pottery!
Upon returning to the car, we drove several blocks east to the bayfront. This is a deep bay, and cruise ships stop here periodically. I think the population of the town doubles when a ship arrives and disgorges its passengers. (So do the prices in town).
We stopped at an RV park near by to say hi to some friends known to hang-out there at this time of year. However, the manager said that they were spending the winter in Puerto Vallerta. O well, time to head home and a late siesta.
Hasta luego...
No comments:
Post a Comment