A Few Interesting Folks We Have Met Along the Way

In Cataviña, we met an 83 year old gent named Ralph.

Ralph is from New Mexico, where he summers and winters 6 months down here in Cataviña, and has done so for the last 30 plus years. He  doesn't even have a cell phone - not that we have any reception down here anyway. Ralph explained his parents and siblings were all missionaries but he missed the boat and is considered the black sheep.   Dan tells us he is a “survivalist" and is well stocked in both places - stocked with what we are not sure.   He told us of a tale where an RV had just recently broken down not far from his place. So, he loaded up his wire welder (automatic welder to some of us) and whatever tools he could think of and off they went to repair the broken spring frame (which holds up the axle) on the trailer.  Four hours later the guy was on his way.  Ralph doesn’t even charge for his services - so I guess he is really a “missionary" of sorts helping out one and all  - or even considered an  angel to those in distress.

At Playa Santispac, in Bahia Concepción

Johnny Walker

John lives full time on the beach at Playa Santispac, although he is a Floridian.

He is called Johnny Walker because he is out walking on the beach every day.  His name  is not a reflection on his Scotch preferences.  We chatted with him for a few minutes and he promptly told us of his land leasing woes with the local Ejido (pronounced Eh-Hee-Doe).  This is the land administration council that is leasing the land to John.  He paid his rent in mid-May, only to be told that he would have to leave by the federal government on May 20.  When he showed the federales that he had paid for one year in advance, they were shocked. Seems the Ejido hadn’t paid their taxes to the federales.  Johnny recognizes that he may end up moving, but like any good American negotiator, he is not going to do so without due compensation! Judging by outdoorsy additions, I don't think he has too much invested in leasehold improvements!!

Wolfgang and Alexandra

While continuing down the beach on our stroll, we met this lovely German couple from Bavaria - Wolfgang and Alexandra.

They flew to Anchorage Alaska with their bikes and whatever they could carry on their backs (including their tent), and set off. They came down through Canada and rode the Jasper-Banff Parkway and cycled all the way down through the USA and Baja California to where we are now on the Bahia Concepción.  They are cycling all the way down the peninsula and catching a ferry to Mazatlan then cycling down to Guadalajara, Mexico to catch their plane home to Germany on December 14.  They estimate that they cycle 85-110 kms each day depending on how mountainous the ride happens to be.  And we thought we were roughing it!

Since Dan was kind enough to bring a double kayak along, we set off to meet all the folks moored in the bay.  Here is a collection of the folks we met:

The California Sailor

While we were out kayaking in the Bay, we paddled out to a trimaran boat and chatted with a California gentlemen who lives in Nicaragua, but was up here on a vacation style cruise.

He had repairs to do on his boat, as can be seen in the picture by the need for a paint job, but he was taking a bit of the mańana attitude towards it.

Chantale and Pascal

Next we paddled up to visit a  lovely couple from France, Chantale and Pascal,  full-timers on their 17 meter boat.

They were quite surprised when I paddled up and announced our presence in French.  They are adventurous souls having cruised the world on this boat, but return to this area every year because it is just so beautiful.  They told us  of a couple from Montreal, they know who are sailing the world starting their journey on the St. Lawrence. Their boat sank in Central America but undaunted they bought new one and carried on.  They are now in Australia!  Now that is the spirit of adventure. Chantale and Pascal currently have no plans to return to France.  Oh, the places they may go!

The Ozzies

Our next kayaking stop was up to a boat  from Australia.

This lovely couple had just sailed in from Asia and where planning to make their way up to Vancouver.  They understand well that no matter what time of year they come, the weather will be a bit of a shock!  They have a knack for understatement it seems!

 Winnipeg Winter Escapee

While we were on a boat looking for whale sharks (yes that is correct),  we came across a fellow briskly rowing his little boat to shore.

Our captain, Emilio was looking for tips on where we might find the sharks!  We were quite surprised to find out that this gent was from Winnipeg!  Who would expect a Winnipeger in central Baja.

Pietra

We were curious about this rather military looking rig (called a Man and made by Mercedes-Benz) down here on the beach in Tecolote - looks a bit like a tank. So we walked over to say hello and to find out their story.

Pietra and her partner are from Germany and brought the rig over to Halifax and drove down through the Carolinas (got caught in a hurricane) , eventually heading west and now are enjoying a few months in the Baja before heading over to mainland Mexico. They plan to be on the road at least 5 years, "or as long as it takes". Now you are wondering where they are headed! From Mexico it is down to Central America, South America, then over to Africa, Australia and then Indonesia and Asia! Wow - that is adventure! They have a world map on the side of their vehicle to remind them of their objective!

There are many kind and interesting folks you “meet on the trail”!Until we next meet virtually on our trail,

Adios,

Paul & Sonya