First day at Santispec

 November 15, 2021

           I am writing this from Santispac, a beach that is protected by being in a small bay of the Bahia Conception. We had a short drive  but challenging drive from Rice and Beans RV yesterday. Part of getting here was crossing from the Pacific side of Baja over inland mountains and desert followed by a steep descent to the Sea of Cortez. The area proceeding the steep decent is named Cuesta del Infermo as it passes through the rough volcanic area dominated by Las Tres Virgines. The Devil”s Grade required us to take it very slowly, geared down or some using truck breaks on their RVs. All the memorials to the dead at certain curves in the road were a bit unnerving. This was one of the most challenging grades many of us had experienced but as luck was have it, it was relatively short and we all did well. 

Just as we left this morning, we spoke to the Baja Racers who had worked all night doing repairs. They are a Mexican team who have high hopes. 

        We had a gas stop then another 40+k to Mulege and 20 minutes more to our Santispac beach. As you see from the pictures, it is an unexpected pleasure as the mountains behind us are rugged desert but here is an oasis of quiet beach. The water is shallow for many yards so you can wade quite far out enjoying the water. It is clear enough to see the minnows swimming about and watch the pelicans fish for them. Another being fishing constantly is Cleo, Dave and Darlene’s poodle. She wades in watching for minnows, and then diving her muzzle in to try and catch them. She wags her tail constantly and she does this non stop all day long. Dave said she comes in and drinks copious water only to throw up the good water and the salt water. She then comes in a while later and repeats the process. It seems that she considers this her life”s work. 

         For all the dogs with us, our first day was all out joy.  Tucker, the name sake of this blog and his good friend Pipi ran non stop up and down the beach, running in and out of the water and barking at each other. This went on for several hours until they began to wind down. They finally realized that we were not going to tie them up and they could stay close and hang out with us. Of course, still a bit of greeting other dogs, lots of sniffing, hanging out around their people. For Tucker, this freedom is a new experience. He has been doing a lot of work keeping up his blog. 

 We will be here for a total of four days with no cell connection or wifi so writing off line till Tucker gets a connection to get to put his thoughts online for his followers.  It is hard to describe the feeling of relaxation we are experiencing. The morning starts cool, but warms quickly. By 7:00 am, several of us were enjoying coffee, at 7:30, a young woman, recommended by Darlene, brought us the tamales and shrimp, we had ordered the night before. Our group bought her out, all tamales, ceviche, shrimp and scallops. We all know what we are cooking for dinner tonight. The tamales quickly became breakfast. As the day goes on, by noon or 1:00, the wind picks up coming out the the mountains behind us and blowing toward the sea. It is intense sun but any shade blocks the intensity. Yesterday afternoon, many of us waded out in our suits, got wet and visited out in the water. Later we moved to chairs and some napped in the sun. It was a fine afternoon. In the evening, Paul and Kristina, Jim and Judy had a barbecue and sat in the evening light. Jim was thrilled to finely bring out his Cobb barbecue for the first time this trip. Tonight shrimp will go on the Cobb. 

       The vendors here have water to sell, will wash your truck, great food, shirts, hats and even Baja stickers. Am sure by the time we leave, we will have things to add to our loads to take back home.