Day 11 - Last Cabo day

The last of our four days in Cabo, and the weather was perfectly cooperative. We were awakened at 6:30 am by our wailing alarm clock next door so had eaten breakfast and were ready to go when the first tenders started just before 8 am. We met our tour group about 40 minutes later, and were loaded in to a small tour bus. We headed through downtown and north out of the city. As we have learned is customary in Mexico, posted speed limits are optional - even in a tour bus – and we were at our destination in a mere 30 minutes. Climbing off the bus, we found ourselves at what looked to be a large roadside stand just off the highway. Numerous ATVs reassured us that we were in the right place. We signed waivers, paid our $3 park entrance fee, and took our turn being “suited up” by the staff. For this particular tour our gear consisted of a bandana, goggles, and a helmet. Being a Sabey, the later item was foreign to me, but I was told it was required so I acquiesced.

Andrew had signed us up for the longer of the two tour options, and we ended up being the only two doing the long tour in the large group. Our guide took us to our quads and, after a brief orientation (basically: here is the gas, here are the brakes) we were on our way. We spent the next few hours motoring (albeit a little slowly for my taste) through the hills of the Baja desert. It was very dry and dusty, without any signs of water. The landscape was cacti, eucalyptus, and also mesquite trees. Many of the residents there use the mesquite wood to cook with creating a delicious smell throughout the area! Frequently, we’d come across a small herd of very skinny cows and, every few miles, we’d pass a small ranch. We also drove through a very small village where they were holding mass for Ash Wednesday.

After about 2 hours we reached what our guide told us was the “river bed”. I did not see any river, nor any evidence that water had ever flowed in that area, however he insisted that in September (the rainy season) it would be lush. I’ll bet those cows can’t wait! The sand in the river bed was quite soft and drifted in to small, hard ridges. For several miles the ride was so rough that it was difficult to keep your feet from bouncing off the foot rests. At one point I think at least one kidney shook loose from its fat pad. Good thing I have two!

Finally, the trail smoothed out and we rounded a corner to see the ocean come in to view! Our guide led us up to the beach and then told us we had an hour to zoom the quads up and down the beach while he waited for us. It was fun to race up and down the beach, finally at a much faster speed. The view was beautiful and the day was cloudless and 75 degrees! Eventually, it was time to return to the “corral” where they fed us a sandwich and a Pepsi before they loaded us back on the bus to town. Andrew loved this tour and I will add that it was fun to get outside of the city and away from the crowds!

Tonight it is dinner in the steakhouse, and tomorrow is our last stop in Puerto Vallarta.

The beach

Look Barb - a helmet!

The dusty trail

Andrew at the beach