Day 1
We departed San Diego around 8:45, with the vans to full capacity and the leaders in need of coffee; the last to be had for 6 days. As we headed east to catch the 94 we encountered a gang of bikers that had to be at least 2 miles long. Unfortunately we had to interrupt their parade to get on the 94 east so we could head south towards the border. What would seem to be an easy task proved to be very difficult as we all watched our exit go by, and had to deal with the scowls and finger gestures of over 200 hundred angry bikers in front and back of us. We were to not be deterred; we flipped a U and continued on thru the gloriously green rain soaked hills of Jamul and Dulzura. Many of us have never been to this part of San Diego, we had not even left the country yet and we were already seeing new things. As we proceeded across the border at Tecate and headed on to Parque Constution I warned my excited passengers to enjoy the paved roads, as we were about to be on bumpy dirt roads for the next hour and half. As the vans dipped and went over around and thru various bumps and puddles the landscape changed from lush green hills to desert and slowly to a pine tree forest at 5,000 feet elevation. We arrived at the ranger station and were led to a remote campsite away from the road and surrounded by huge boulders and towering pine trees. We staked our tents and prepared for our stay at Parque Constitution.
Day 2
We awoke to some frost on our tents and some frozen toes, but after some hot cocoa by the morning fire everyone woke up and chowed down on delicious breakfast burritos. We headed out to the ranger station to get debriefed on the flora and fauna of the land. There are many species of birds, pine trees and varmints roaming these parts. Today we would plant some pine trees and hoped the little saplings would survive some of the harsh weather the park faces.
We departed San Diego around 8:45, with the vans to full capacity and the leaders in need of coffee; the last to be had for 6 days. As we headed east to catch the 94 we encountered a gang of bikers that had to be at least 2 miles long. Unfortunately we had to interrupt their parade to get on the 94 east so we could head south towards the border. What would seem to be an easy task proved to be very difficult as we all watched our exit go by, and had to deal with the scowls and finger gestures of over 200 hundred angry bikers in front and back of us. We were to not be deterred; we flipped a U and continued on thru the gloriously green rain soaked hills of Jamul and Dulzura. Many of us have never been to this part of San Diego, we had not even left the country yet and we were already seeing new things. As we proceeded across the border at Tecate and headed on to Parque Constution I warned my excited passengers to enjoy the paved roads, as we were about to be on bumpy dirt roads for the next hour and half. As the vans dipped and went over around and thru various bumps and puddles the landscape changed from lush green hills to desert and slowly to a pine tree forest at 5,000 feet elevation. We arrived at the ranger station and were led to a remote campsite away from the road and surrounded by huge boulders and towering pine trees. We staked our tents and prepared for our stay at Parque Constitution.
Day 2
We awoke to some frost on our tents and some frozen toes, but after some hot cocoa by the morning fire everyone woke up and chowed down on delicious breakfast burritos. We headed out to the ranger station to get debriefed on the flora and fauna of the land. There are many species of birds, pine trees and varmints roaming these parts. Today we would plant some pine trees and hoped the little saplings would survive some of the harsh weather the park faces.
After our reforestation project we headed out to conquer Hanson’s Peak. “What there is no trail?” many asked and “Nope, we make our own” was the answer. Trailblazing our way thru the boulders, brush and trying to keep track of the wayward dog that took a liking to our group, we slowly but surely made our way up. This hike definitely required team work as we had to pull and push each other up certain parts of our trail. The dog made it as far as his four paws could take him and had to turn around and head back down.
We kept trekking upward and all 18 of us made it to the top of Hanson’s Peak.
Day 3
Santo Tomas has to be one of my newest favorite places in Baja. Tucked away on the coast about an hour or so south of Ensenada, this small fishing village takes your breath away as you round the last corner and take in the ocean view and rocky coastline. We met up with Sam and Paco and checked out our new digs. We were all excited about getting to take a shower and sleep in a bed. I personally pitched a tent, how many times do you get to camp on a bluff of the Pacific Ocean? We awoke at the crack of dawn to get the fishing crew out on the pangas, and as soon as a line went in the water we had a fish!
The ocean was generous to us that day and Jackson made us delicious fish tacos for lunch. We had yummy fish again for dinner, as Sam laid out a beautiful candlelit spread for us at his restaurant. While the fishing crew caught our lunch and dinner the rest of the group went on a trek thru the poppy covered hills; finding tide pools and rock islands shaped by the ocean.
We talked to seals and watched as our panga went by heading back in with our lunch. The lush green valleys were incredible, bursting with orange, yellow and purple flowers, amongst various cactus and succulents .
Day 4
The lesson we taught at the school in Santo Tomas was one of the many highlights of this trip. We went into a class of first and second graders and taught numbers, colors, and animals in Spanish and English. While we taught the little ones, the older students taught some of us to dance. The school was going to be putting on a celebration the following day and they had to practice, so we jumped right in. Everyone was so sweet and engaged as the American students tried their hand at Spanish, and the little ones shouted their animals and numbers in English. The kids of the school got their first hand at bingo,the shouts of their favorite animals got louder as the m&m markers quickly disappeared.
We unfortunately had to leave the wonderful maestra with her students hopped up on sugar and face paint and head to Tijuana. These kids were so sweet and eager to learn I cannot wait to go back and visit. We were all sad to leave Santos Tomas but were ready to get to work at the community center in Tecolote and the Orphanage.
No comments:
Post a Comment