December 17, 2013 – Today we returned to the USA crossing before lunchtime from the Sordo Mudo RV Park on Hwy 3 in the Valley of Guadalupe. Everyone enjoyed the tour and tasting at LA Cetto, we basically had the winery to ourselves as we did the 3:30 pm tour on a Monday afternoon. Rueben was our guide and was well informed about the wine making process and the history of LA Cetto started in 1928.
The gang enjoyed the dinner the night before at the Baja Fiesta dinner after a day on the road from Catavina. Catavina was windy on our arrival and departure however the gang enjoyed the cave painting excursion. We arrived to a charity event involving local cyclists which wound up a couple of hours later. Lots of enthusiasm, music and prizes to go around for the crowd of young folks attending. Many in the group were anxious for a hot shower before dinner, they were not disappointed as the water was really hot for sure. Our drive from Catavina was slow to start as the wind was up again, those darn Santa Annas. Speaking of cyclists, we came across a couple on this journey and a young women was blown directly in front of John’s motorhome, he was worried about giving the last rites for sure! Things did settle down and we had a great Sunday brunch stop at our very scenic KM 93.5 pull out, it was warm with little wind.
Our time in Bahia de Los Angeles was windy to start when we arrived but settled down nicely for the next 2 days, this was really spectacular, a 10 out of 10 for LA Bay. The Dolphins put on quite a show on our first full day, swimming by the campground on multiple occasions. Hank got to see them up close and personal from his Kayak, he was surprised how big they were. Our tour of town included a drive by of Herman Hill’s residence. Sadly Herman passed away 3 days before our arrival in a single vehicle on Hwy 1, folks had really been looking forward to meeting him. As always the museum was a big hit with the group, they do such a good job running that place with local volunteers. We spent time with our friend Antonio and got to see the 2 kids, Antonio Jr and Alejandra, they sure have grown up. We also tried out a new beach restaurant just a short walk from the Brisa Marina RV Park we stay at. The whole caravan went for breakfast and everyone agreed it was great. The donuts and empanadas were particularly tasty, we purchased them all!
Another great 45 day tour is now history, we are really looking forward to seeing our family at Xmas back home for the first time in 6 years. We will be back in San Diego for New Years and raring to go back to Baja with our next group January 5, 2014. Thank you all for choosing Baja Amigos RV Caravan Tours and Feliz Navidad to all!
Did you know?
In the RV Caravan Tour business it is as important to finish as strong as you start, hence Rancho Sordo Mudo is our final stop on all of our tours. Located on Mex 3 at the 75 km mark, 39 km (24 miles) north of Ensenada, Rancho Sordo Mudo is a Christian-based residential school for deaf children in Mexico. The Ed and Margaret Everett founded the school 40 years ago after their son, Luke, lost 85% of his hearing from a series of illnesses at the age of five. During a trip to visit missionaries in Mexico, they learned that there was nothing being done educationally or spiritually to fill the needs of the poor and orphaned deaf children in Mexico. This led the Everett’s to sell their home and business in North Carolina and relocate to Mexico as Faith Missionaries. The RV Park, which is across the highway from the school entrance, was originally constructed for use of visitors helping out at the school. The founders then purchased 500 acres in the beautiful Guadalupe Valley becoming pioneers to a ministry to the deaf.
The RV Park itself has seen better days, although fundamentally intact and in reasonably good shape, the campground has several back in spaces and 20 pull thru sites that will accommodate rigs of all sizes. There is a great large covered eating area with lots of picnic tables, a fire pit, washrooms with showers (unfortunately not open), 15/30 & 50 amp outlets and water at each site (also not working) and a common pull through dump station. Situated among the vineyards of the picturesque Valley of Guadalupe, you are surrounded by palm and citrus trees (you can pick al the fruit you want) and the fee is by donation, most often someone drives over from the school. Although the park has suffered in more recent years from the lack of RVers experienced by Baja in general, the school operators are now prepared to re-invest in the campground ensuring all facilities are returned to working order. This initiative includes recruiting Campground Host(s) to assist in operating the campground, maintaining services and participating with school activities. Anyone interested in becoming Campground Host(s) should contact Howard & Janet Grobstein, Rancho Sordo Mudo Managers at janet@deafdisciples.co or (805) 341-6919.