V3N2B

San Felipe, Baja California, Norte, Mexico

A trip south of the Border to Baja California was on our agenda this year. After having spent 4 days at Puerto Penasco last year, we acquired a taste for Mexico. We left as part of a 45 vehicle RV Caravan on a Wednesday from El Centro, California, and 4 hours later we were in San Felipe, B.C. Norte. (North) The road down was atrocious and several times I swore this was the last time we'd come here. I would temper that judgment on the way back. Miraculously the same road was smoother on the return trip. Go figure. We arrived at the beautiful El Dorado Ranch, only to find our reservations were for another campground. Another campground, owned by the same individual, without the amenities of El Dorado. Speaking to several persons the night before, we wondered why there were only 2 rigs going to El Cachanilla Campground. We found out the next day. We attempted to rectify our mistake that day to no avail. The campground was full. Maybe Manana.

We attended the Margarita Mixer for the newcomers that evening and met some very nice people. One couple from Tower, MN, Ron and Ev Muster turned out to be fast friends and we enjoyed their company for most of the week. The Campground provided the Margaritas that evening and as the song goes, ''We had too much Tequila last night.'' Sharon attended the campground orientation the next day, by herself. Her ''Honey'' was nursing the ''Self-inflicted Flu.'' She attempted again to get help for us to change campgrounds, and got the run-around. Later that day we found our own site and moved into it, with permission. We were now ready for the fun to ''begin.''

El Dorado is a beautifully appointed campground with Pool, Hot tub, Tennis Courts, a Lounge and a poolside bar, w/waiter. Is this going to be good or what? We used the pool and hot tub every chance we had, either at night or during the day. Ordering Margaritas or beer at $1 a pop was going to be heaven. This almost erased the memories of the lousy road to get here........almost. But that bone-jarring, teeth rattling, blacktop nightmare was still fresh in our minds. Not enough Tequila yet. (Continued Below)

Thursday was Steak and Chicken Dinner night, at Juanito's Cantina, the bar at the beach. We attended with Ron and Ev and Don and Sharyn Finley, (Oregon) who we also met at El Centro in the gravel Parking Lot (Drycamp) for $14 a night. Desert Trails Resort will never see another dollar of mine. (I wonder if they care?) We had all been to the Margarita Mixer together and survived....I think. After dinner it was Karaoke night. Yours truly got up and crooned ''Boot Scootin' Boogie.'' It was another fun night. I don't know how many more we can take. We have to take a siesta every day now it seems.

By Friday we (the 4 musketeers) conjured up enough energy to take a trip into the Metropolis of San Felipe. Surprisingly the town is very clean compared to the US/Mex border towns. The people are so friendly and they manage to understand us even though they speak little English. We speak 'money' and they nod their heads. It works very well in the end. We all managed to find something to buy except Ron. The poverty is not so obvious in San Felipe unless you look at more than the surface environment. Then it becomes increasingly evident that these people have a very low standard of living.

By Monday at the pool we started hearing the stories about the Mexican Military checkpoints on the return trip. The hassle that people endure trying to get home. Not trouble per se, but rather unexpected surprises that are just better to endure. The guards manipulating items away from you. Coke, Pepsi and food items that they like to eat.

Tuesday had arrived and we were on our last full day here. We (The 4 of us) had planned to rent 4-wheelers and ride the sand dunes and hills around the campground. We left about 9 and three hours later after traversing 10 miles of hills, dunes and beach, we returned to the campground feeling like we had ridden 'fat horses' all day.

The next morning we were up and headed toward the Mexican Military Checkpoints by 8:30. The stories about the hassles never materialized, and we were waved through at both points. We just continued our journey toward Mexicali, at the border, where we promptly got lost trying to find the crossing. The signs are all in Spanish and very difficult to follow if you don't understand them. The return trip was uneventful except for the road being surprisingly smooth. As usual, nothing is, as it appears on the surface. Adios.