Travel through the Sierra Gigantic Back to Loreto 12.5.21

    We were all hitched and ready to pull out at 8:00 am for a long drive to Loreto. We stopped for two 10 minutes "body breaks" 1 gas stop, and a lunch stop of about 30 minutes. It was more stressful than most of our drives due to the length of time on the road, traffic and the mountainous conditions.  I give credit to Darlene as she kept up with announcing on coming traffic to help get the cars and trucks behind us get around. Our schedule change was necessitated by construction at one of our planned stops. 

     There was a wonderful outlook site as we got closer to Loreto. It was large with lots of parking, even some vendors with an other look at the Sea of Cortez.

There was a tribute to this woman at a large shrine in the outlook. I don't know if it was dedicated to just her or is for the many travelers lost to this long mountainous stretch of Highway One in Baja. 

Many of the shrines, like this one are protected from vandals and many appear to be regularly tended. Some even have chairs or seating places for those that come to remember the individuals who lost their lives in particular places along the road. These are the places the souls lifted up to heaven different from the graves their bodies were interred. All are so different. Some obviously done with few resources but no less love. Some look even professionally constructed, but all memorialize the moving of the soul from one plane to another. If we were not traveling in a caravan, I think I could stop at many and photograph them as they represent an art form in them selves. 

At the base of the memorial, candles remained some currently burning with a sweet scent. 

  We arrived back in Loreto at the Rivera Del Mar RV which is again, the challenge to get all of us in but a joy once we are set up. It has a cooling patio and tables to visit around at some of our sites. We had a dinner at Orlando's at 6:00pm and almost to a person raved about the food. The restaurant is highly regarded in the area and we were unable to get reservations at our last stay. Most of us attended and were not disappointed. 

From the right are Mary and George, Bill and Liz. Bill was highly enjoying his margaritas!

Greg had just taken his first sip of the Orlando's famous margarita and this was his reaction. We all had a giggle at his expression. 

Kristina and Paul having an in-depth conversation perhaps about when they are going to eat these great leftovers making two dinners at Orlando's. It was a wonderful evening.