A Day of Discovery in Loreto 12.6.21

 12.6.21

      I did not mention in the last blog as we came into the RV park in Loreto, and also into the RV park in La Paz, people already in the park, commented to several of us that we looked like a well oiled machine. In both cases our caravan had been to the park before and we had a good idea where we were going to park. It was like a bit of a dance performed by 8 trucks, trailers, 2 Class C, and a very large RV. We did look like we knew what we were doing although practice makes perfect. The first go round, not so much. The park in Loreto was especially challenging  as it is small and crowded. We had to enter according to how we could best get everyone in. 

     Lovely morning and at the crack of ten, Kristina and Paul offered to take us in to the Loreto Square. Our pickup, which was unhitched and wedged into a small unused space blocked by Liz and Bill’s jeep, Ann and Greg’s pickup and Paul and Kristina’s pickup. A good example of how closely we were wedged in. 

This Mission at San Loreto is one of the oldest in Baja. The marker for the start of the Camino Real is just below it. 

     We had made a previous visit to the square in our earlier stay but we had seen only a very small area of this lovely town. The mission church which anchors the square was built in the late 1700’s and just beyond it starts the El Camino Real which runs north all through the mission areas of what is now the U.S. state of California. On the same square is the original capital building of Californias. Baja and the now U.S California were on area owned by Mexico but the upper California was lost in the Treaty of Hildago in 1848. Mexico refused to cede Baja as it had already conceded to the huge loss of resources in the Upper California. 

This building which is still in use was built at the same time as the church about 1720. It is still in use as a shop and is remarkable for it long life and beauty. Paul is in front taking it in. 

This building was the original Capitol for the entire Upper and Lower Californias before the 1848 Treaty.

The little streets which are an extension of the square had brilliant creative ideas. These are some of the cement benches which line the walk. A wood top which includes a seat and backs make comfortable seating. 

     We so enjoyed the area doing serious shopping in the shops that held many tempting items. We needed to start using our pesos and I did my part to lighten our load. We met up with Greg and Ann who pointed us to Tony’s, a great shop which the artisans doing some of the pieces. This intense shopping was followed by a lunch stop with a place that had at least 30 offerings of different fresh fruit margaritas. We have had so much great Mexican food, we all ended up splitting hamburgers and papas frites. Even they were delicious! Perhaps, food just tastes better in Baja when time seems to slow when you are just discovering. 

After a very productive shopping day, Kristina declared the margaritas very good! They make them "deadly" in Baja. 

      At four o’clock, we had a party scheduled back under the patio at the park. It was Darlene’s 67th birthday, so we all gathered for appetizers, conversation and cake. It was a good get together after a day we all enjoyed in our own way. After the party, it was time to take in the awnings, pack away the grills and empty the tanks for our departure at 8:30 am.  We were to find out why we were leaving so early for a rather short drive of about 3 hours. 

Darlene is cutting her cake in the patio area. The roof is a very large palapa with an always shining red tile floor. We spent some good time in this area while in Loreto. 

From the left are Dave, Darlene, Diane, Ruth, Euclid and Kirk enjoying Darlene's Birthday.

 This picture has Jim's knee, Paul's hand holding Pipi's lease, George, Mary, Dave and Darlene. Not the best picture but a great party for our last day in Loreto.