The trip up the Baja Peninsula on the Trans-peninsula Highway feasts the eyes on rocks, mountains, volcanoes, cactus, and occasionally, the Sea of Cortez or Pacific Ocean. But think: harsh, barren, brown. For hundreds of miles. Truly it is an amazing experience: miles and miles of a 2 lane road winding up and down the rugged terrain. A few other travellers and the occasional long haul truckers broke the scene.
Oh yeah, and the drug check points (we had 5 total) where the solders were friendly, polite, and curious about items packed in the back of the car. The cribbage board was really a puzzle to them and I never did figure out how to explain the game in Spanish..... We gave them cookies after they waved us on. What a lonely life.
We were into day 2 of heading north and our goal was San Ignacio -- a small oasis town with a splendid old cathedral from the mission days. And lots of green trees! We found a wonderful guest home with a garden and towering trees. And small world: the owner was a Drake High School Graduate (from many, many years ago!) We didn't think that BULLFROGS would be hiding along the creek, and what a racket they made all night! We also bought a few dates that are grown locally.
The mission was started in the early 1700s, lasted awhile and then the Indians died off. I don't know when the rebuilding occurred.
In the mountains north of San Ignacio, there are enormous rock paintings. We weren't up for the 3 day hike to the paintings, so we visited the small museum and imaged how the "larger than life size" animals and humans were painted on the overhangs of cliffs 20 feet above ground. A mystery.
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| Mission Church in San Ignacio |
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| Quite the Interior |
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| The Virgin of Guadalupe |
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| Cactus in Bloom outside the church |
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| Rock Art in the Area..life size figures painted 20 feet up on the cliff side |
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