We woke up early … In the parking lot.

Annabelle had a walk and we were off! Much nicer today without the rain. We drove into Mulege but nothing worth stopping for. It was still early and not a lot going on. Many people cleaning up after the big rain and mud.

We made it down to the Baha’i de conception and found a great camp spot on a sand bank. A couple others around but not too busy. Annabelle loved running around. We got a palapa for some shade and did a whole lot of sun bathing!

I think I got a little burnt even after applying tons of sun screen.

It’s thanksgiving today! I don’t have anything thanksgiving like for dinner but I decided to make sweet potato tacos… that’s a thing right?

Annabelle and I sat around a neighbors fire and then off to read and bed. It was a very relaxing thanksgiving!

We got up and headed off

I stopped and aired down my tires to make the long 2 hour washboard a bit easier.

We made it to San Ignacio but it had started to rain and everywhere was deserted! Guess we will move on. We restocked at a great store along the way with good produce.

We came into Santa Rosalía and it was pouring rain. The roads were starting to flood and poor Annabelle has been stuck in the car all day. We pulled off to a hotel and checked out a room. It was nothing, a bed and shower in a closet. Moving on.

The next place they said I couldn’t see the room first because I would get the floor wet as it was pouring rain. So I asked to camp in their parking lot instead. They said yes!!

Score! Free and they let me use the lobby bathroom. He also said the restaurant opens at 5pm which was coming right up.

I let Annabelle go for a really rainy walk and the poor thing was wet and sad when she had to get back into the car.

I met another solo traveler and we enjoyed dinner together! A couple margaritas and I had a really good shrimp cocktail.

We were the only ones in the whole restaurant. I got to call and talk to Julia and then hit the sack early!

Caught a wave!

The tide here right now is up high when I get up and the waves don’t start until about 11:30 when the tide is going out.

I kinda like the Morning to read, sun tan and nap without feeling like I should be surfing. So I did just that! Even had a good nap with the door open and a great view!

I head out to surf and had a great time! I caught a few waves but wasn’t standing for super long. I was about to go in but decided to go for one more to take me to shore. It was the wave of the day for me! I stood up, I rode the wave and I had a blast! I was riding that wave for so long and loved it!!

Even the person who gave me pointers was on the shore and cheered!

Thought I should end it on a high note and head in. More sunning and I hooked up my solar shower, AKA black bag with hose on the side of the van. I enjoyed washing my hair and not feeling super salty.

Someone came by and said they were going to learn how to clam! So I tagged along. Annabelle had a great time too! We got many huge clams and soaked them to get them ready for dinner.

I went and hung out in their camp and had some tequila while watching the sun go down and some of the longest and most killer waves of the day!

I made a couple clams but they were way over done… whoops. Better luck next time but it was so fun!

Reading and peppermint hot chocolate. If I haven’t mentioned before every night here it’s falling asleep to massive crashing waves. I love it

I packed up Annabelle and we decided to move spots. In the same camp there is another cove with only 3 cars and a nice spot on the hill for us to park. I’m so happy we did.

It’s much quieter, I can’t see any RVs and we have our own space! We might even be level after some trial and error.

I had some food swept, reorganized the van and waiting for the waves to pick up. Around 11:30 there were waves! Not a ton but I wanted to get out before it got more hardcore. I picked the right time! All of the kids were out this morning along with their parents. Some on the board with their parents and most on their own boards. They all were amazing and I was put to shame but was able to pick up some tips.

A couple other older surfers decided we all needed a dad in the water encouraging us!

I caught a few waves! I even had to ask how to turn back into the break because I would catch it, stand but my board would loose momentum because these waves are so freaking long.

I was out for hours! And had a great time. I finally came in and had some food. Annabelle and Ollie played again. They could go for hours! I just let them wrestle and eventually Annabelle sleepily and tiredly walked back to the van. We enjoyed some fresh air on the new chair and a killer sunset.

All and all a great day!

Well we headed out early and stopped for breakfast and WiFi.

Back north it was and then a long 35km on a terrible road. It was the worst. Washboard all the way and I’m not confident enough to know how to deflate my tires. Two hours later we arrived at our destination!

The beach was gorgeous and the waves perfect! The camping however was not my favorite. There are a ton of people here. More than anywhere else I have camped since I have been in Baja. Also big campers and families. The only space left near the other people I knew was super unlevel. After many failed attempts at level I just settled for not level.

I let Annabelle run and she had a blast playing with her new friend Ollie. Ollie is 9 months old and loved wrestling with Annabelle! I was very happy to have a worn out pup after a long day in the car.

Sarah emerged from her van and we decided a surf was in order. She is also Celiac and we shared some peanut M&Ms before suiting up. She is really good at connecting people and is working on a career to go with that! She is a UX designer in BC so it was interesting to hear about her life.

Rough go at it this first time heading out here. It’s easiest to walk around the surf and then jump in from the side. But the first time we got sucked out and took me forever to get back in the right position.

I just chilled on the side lines for a while and then Sarah finally convinced me to go in closer and just have at it. I caught one wave and just body boarded it. Then I caught a couple white waters which was great and exciting to actually catch something.

My arms were toast pretty quick but it was a good day in the water.

Annabelle did some more running around and really loved all of the other dogs.

Super gorgeous sunset tonight that I enjoyed behind all the RVs.

Made some super good tacos for dinner! Sweet potatoes, pepper, onion and leftover chicken!

Put my ear plugs in to drown out the noise of a gaggle of kids playing near by. I sound like the Grinch but I’m in the middle of no where to try and enjoy some middle of nowhere silence and these surf child prodigies are harshing my mello

Not super keen on this camp spot but the surf is amazing.

Well just keep on tuning in! I have lots of photos and blog posts that I can’t upload without decent WiFi and that is hard to come by in Baja! I’m working diligently to get more uploaded!

Up with the sun at 5:45!

Annabelle and I packed up and headed off to Guerrero Negro. About an hour and 45 minutes drive. I am out of clean clothes and gas. Time to restock!

Drove past some cows this morning. Why did the cow cross the road?

A couple recommended I stop at the small town before Guerrero Negro and get breakfast at the cafe and use their WiFi. It was fantastic WiFi and it’s hard to come by. I ordered huevos con chorizo and enjoyed getting my blogs scheduled for the next few days.

I drove into Guerrero Negro and dropped my laundry off. In my terrible Spanish I understood come back in two hours. She also gave me a slip that said 1:30. Not sure if that means 130 pesos or 1:30 this afternoon.

This town has some funny second hand stores around. They are just crammed stalls with everything under the sun. A ton of stuff was the clearance items from target still with the sticker.

I found a gem of a chair for sun tanning and also a “beer cooler” no room for beer in my yeti!

I checked in at the “camp ground” in town and grabbed a shower. It was hot! It was about $10 to stay for one night with dump, bathrooms, showers and WiFi. That was about it but I would have paid that for a hot shower!

It’s basically a big parking lot that is kinda secure.

I stocked up on some groceries. M&Ms were very hard to find and no good avocados so I must find them on the way out. I filled up my empty tank and dumped my grey water. Surprised I had only filled it 1/2 way (3 gallons) over the last two weeks! Pretty good! I was taught a strict lesson from Phelan that I was wasting too much water. I think I’m getting pretty good at a process for dishes now where I only have about 2 cups water used and that’s 3 days worth of dishes!

I learned how to pronounce ice correctly today. I keep wondering why no one understands me. Hielo is not pronounced like helium but like Yellow. Baby steps!

I walked with Annabelle to the near by taco place on the street corner. I ordered 2 carne tacos and 2 pastor. They were mui bien!

Annabelle was very well behaved even after being a feral surf dog for the last few days.

I headed to a bar and grabbed a tequila mojito. It was not very impressive but only cost me $3.40 so I’ll survive! My evening plans are to read! Maybe FaceTime Julia and map my route tomorrow.

I’m headed back north (Norte) to El Cardon. Supposed to be friendly waves and meeting back up with a few people I left this morning. Goal is leave at sunrise and arrive in time for some morning surf!

Supposed to be rough road!

There is to be zero driving at night here. Livestock are cause of 80% of accidents here. They apparently like to sleep on the road. And some people don’t have the money for headlights and some people are just drunk. So daylight is key.

Woke up pretty early but by 7am others were already in the water! Took Annabelle for a beach run and made some coffee. I suited up and headed out. 

Sarah was so sweet in helping and encouraging! I didn’t catch a single wave but it’s all about that arm workout. 

After a while in the surf I came in, cooked and enjoyed the sunshine. My two goals for Mexico were get better at surfing and get a tan! I’m working hard at both.

I reorganized the “garage” of the van, refilled Annabelle’s food bag and put away my surf board.

I grabbed a ride into town with a Canadian and Aussie couple in their super cool old van. It’s super basic and full of life! 

I picked up some ice for my cooler and enjoyed a few minutes of WiFi. 

Annabelle and I did some more walking on the beach and enjoyed watching the police come by and play a yard game with some fellow van liters. 

Many people showed up this evening and I played some boccie with a couple groups of them. Also passed around the tequila bottle. Who doesn’t like tequila? And I had some limes that needed eating. 

Annabelle and I had some dinner and then in bet by 6pm. It gets super dark at 5 so it’s really hard to stay up later. But I will ready for a while! We plan to head out to a nearby town tomorrow.

Surf is up! Sarah and Luke went out first. They were out there for hours! Everyone else joined in even a few that just came for the day. 

I finally got up the nerve and put on my suit and headed out. It was super windy and bumpy and I didn’t last long but at least I went out! Goal for the day! 

I didn’t catch any waves but I also didn’t position myself to. I’m always afraid of being in someone’s way. And this beach is rocky. But I did paddle around, got my ass handed to me and then paddled more. Gotta build up that arm strength! 

Annabelle and I lounged the rest of the day in the sunshine. Not too hot which was perfect but maybe enough for some tanning? 

Annabelle ran all over today and enjoyed soooo much being off leash. She even found me a few dead bird bones. Eww

I walked into the village, about a mile for the supposed WiFi at the convenience store. Not super sure where I was going but passed another surfer on the way and they directed me. I had a fanta and the woman at the counter gave me the WiFi password. They sold toilet paper, some veggies and beer. It was very small. But she showed me the patio out back where I could sit and use the WiFi. The view was of the little neighborhood and the ocean! It’s amazing how I live at the beach and yet I can’t get enough of it. 

I walked back to the van and joined with a couple people watching the sunset surf session. About 6 people in the water as the sun went down. I got to pick their brains about Baja and they were very encouraging for surfing. Both beginnerish and one super beginner. So that made me feel better and I’m actually excited for tomorrow.

Also van tours tomorrow! Guess I should clean up a little tonight. I had a lacroix explode apparently and soaked my hammock and some shorts. Looks like the pergo floor is doing its job as no issues to be seen.

I’m debating hanging around here, surfing and tagging along with some people. If so there will be very little service so I might need to get an upgrade on my GPS so I can text. 

Let’s go south! We decided to head south today. After some google searching and some snuggles with La La, Roberto, the handymans dog, we were off. Someone at camp said I was making something out of nothing with my clicking noise so that gave me the encouragement I needed. 

I got a text from Lindsey and Conner that the road south was passable but really bad. So I had my go at it. 

I was planning to camp before this road about 3 hours south of where I began but I missed the turn so… I just kept driving. It was also 12 noon so. I felt like I had plenty of daylight to work that hard road.

It was actually smooth sailing on new pavement until about the very end when it was awful and I felt like I was on the wrong road many times. Luckily I made it through no issues. 

I searched out a spot in a small fishing village about 14KM off the main highway. Not sure what I was getting into off I went. After some round about driving and almost giving up I just kept pushing on this awful road and then there it was! Gorgeous sand bay with some good camping! One other van in sight.

I found a flat spot and let Annabelle loose. She hated the bumpy roads. I also lost my fruit hammock and a box fell out of my cabinet and made a big dent in my yeti cooler. Rude. 

We were followed in by another van and they stopped and chatted for a bit. The couple who was already here came over and gave me some good camp spot ideas for further south. They also really liked my pink cabinet. Also there was some jealousy over my full size bed that goes across ways in my van. 

Annabelle was very friendly and even got some pets from another van on our evening walk. 

Being solo I try and take Annabelle out right at sunset and she sleeps super well until morning. I also try and take myself out to pee so I don’t have to get up in the middle of the night. 

I have however had to! I just open the door , hop out and pee near my front tire. For a very sketchy place I always have my trusty Nalgene just Incase! 

It’s 5pm and already dark. I have no service for the first time since I crossed the border and I’m kinda happy about it. I never get any books read or writing done while I have service. 

Annabelle is currently snoring on the bottom bunk from her evening beach run.