Stopping at Zion National Park on the way back

It was raining in the San Diego area when I crossed the border; then I encountered high winds in the desert on the way to Las Vegas.  In a few places visible from the highway, there were huge clouds of blowing dust and sand.  Fresh snow was magnificent on the mountains surrounding St. George, Utah.

It took me four days to drive back to Wisconsin from Ensenada--plus one and a half hours on Friday morning.  I met Liz at a Donald County Park, where we checked bluebird boxes.

I could have made the trip faster, if I hadn't stopped for a day hike in Zion National Park.  I started on the Subway hike (the left fork), which is considered one of the special hikes in Zion.  It's into a beautiful slot cannon.

However, I didn't pick the best day.  Temperatures were in the 50s, but down in the subway, there was lots of water in the creek, and a wind in the 40s was blowing through the tube.

The Subway of Zion in early April.  Burr.

La Paz and Madison WI--Sister Cities?

Here are some of the similarities between the two cities:

• La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, while Madison is capital of Wisconsin.
• Population of La Paz is 189,000, while Madison's is 232,000.
• Both cities have beautiful waterfront settings.
• Both are university towns.

A sad story behind the missions in Baja

San Ignacio, with its luscious groves of date palms, has the most magnificent mission church in all of Baja.

The mission church in San Ignacio.

Crossing the border at Tijuana

Monday, 4/5

As I left Ensenada, there were low clouds and patches of misting rain.

Rather than crossing the border in Tecate as before, I decided to cross at Tijuana. I had avoided Tijuana before because of all the stories you hear about long waits and drug violence. But this time, because my trip had been so trouble-free, because I wanted to see the scenic coastal highway to Tijuana, and because this route was a bit shorter, I decided to try Tijuana.

Guererro Negro to Ensenada--Cirios again

Saturday, 4/3

I love Baja. It’s barren, spiny, and filled with garbage. But it has personality. I swore I wasn’t going to take many more photos of cirios on my way north, but I can’t resist, because they have so much personality. Each one is more outrageous than the last.

North from Cabo to Guererro Negro

Monday, 3/29

I spent the morning getting the trailer ready to leave, and by noon, I departed. Unfortunately, the last hour of work was pretty hot. I think southern Baja is reaching the limit of tolerable temperatures this Spring, unless you’re paddling or sitting on the beach. I went into town, and took some photos, then went to Gordo Lele’s for a late lunch—taking some photos there. I had a fish taco, which was outstanding.