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Although I didn't have time to stop much yesterday I was able to grab a few photos during the occasional pit stops...

Beautiful photos Ron... If I didn't live 200 miles from you, I would have joined! Love that country!

Nice shots! Tough decision whether I like the first one best or one of the light & shadows across the area! That area must get more frequent rain that we do further south.....very green!!

Oh, the massive disconnect. I was struck by the absolute tranquility in those shots, compared to what seems to be daily turmoil throughout the world; political, military, social. Given the choice, I be riding shotgun with you as you passed through such beauty.

Gorgeous pics, thanks BG!! I like all of them.

It was an amazing trip. If I hadn't been on a mission it would have been nice to have taken my time and really enjoyed the day more. Will definitely be going back...

Thanks, for all...

You did good and the pictures were great. That scenery is the reason i am in this part of the world.

They're all great photos, but the one of the road is my favorite. It's nice to see green! On the BCS Pacific coast it's dry as can be.

Really nice work.

#2 or #3 for me. I like them both.

Amazing Grace!

I'm chomping at the bit to get some of these views. I love the desert.

Thanks for the stuff to dream on!
M&M

I know this was several years ago but how did you wind up going through Santa Catarina? I didn't realize there were even roads to get there.

or maybe Im not looking at the correct Santa Catarina, is this Santa Catarina way south of San Quintin or just east of Ensenada?

-Roger

Originally Posted by Uzun

I know this was several years ago but how did you wind up going through Santa Catarina? I didn't realize there were even roads to get there.

or maybe Im not looking at the correct Santa Catarina, is this Santa Catarina way south of San Quintin or just east of Ensenada?

-Roger

Way south of San Quintin, a farm village of Santa Catarina is between tghe higway and the coast. The fishing camp on the coast called Puerto Santa Catarina , or Santa Catarina Landing (from when Onyx from El Marmol was transported to ships to take them to San Diego).










The Santa Catarina east of Ensenada has no cardon cactus. The Santa Catalina Spanish California mission was founded there in 1797 (42nd California mission)... about 6 miles east of Ejido de los Heroes de la Independencia, on Hwy. 3. Low mounds of melted adobe wall is all that remains of the mission






Not much to see, but history happened here. In 1824 this mission had the highest number of neophytes of any Dominican missions, at 600 members. Located on the trail that connected the Pacific coastal missions and the Colorado Desert Indians for trade, Raids by hostile Indians were a frequent problem.

I wonder where the closest Cardones and Organ Pipe (pitaya Dulce) cactus are to Ensenada? Maybe have to go east to San Felipe and that valley of the giants area? I dont recall seeing much in the way of Baja Cactus until you go past San Quintin and head towards Catavina.

Gorgeous pics! #2 hits the spot for me. Such color!

Nice pics David. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Uzun

I wonder where the closest Cardones and Organ Pipe (pitaya Dulce) cactus are to Ensenada? Maybe have to go east to San Felipe and that valley of the giants area? I dont recall seeing much in the way of Baja Cactus until you go past San Quintin and head towards Catavina.

Pretty much south of Bahia de los Angeles to the tip of Baja... Really heavy on the Magdalena Plain as you come down towards Indsurgentes from Loreto. The Sour Pitahaya does grow north to El Rosario, and its fruits is excellent eating as well... not sour!





'BajaCactus' (Antonio) of El Rosario's hotel and Pemex station shows me how to prepare and east a pitaya, sold at roadside vendors, in San Quintin

What time of year can you buy (fresh local) Pitayas in San Quintin? Do they have any Pitaya stands North of San Quintin but is that about as far north as they sell them?

Originally Posted by Uzun

What time of year can you buy (fresh local) Pitayas in San Quintin? Do they have any Pitaya stands North of San Quintin but is that about as far north as they sell them?

The Pitayas (Pitahaya) for sale in San Quintin, along Hwy. 1, were imported from Baja Sur, near La Paz... the vendor said. There were about three pickups loaded with pitayas for sale along the highway (in the same area where the many taco stands and other produce vendors are lined up).

This was on Thanksgiving weekend, 2004. I have not seen them for sale since... and in 2005 and 2006 I made trips to El Rosario or beyond nearly every month. A real disappointment, as the fruit is wonderful. I understand the reason for the desire for it with the Cochimí Indians of Baja!

Last summer, (July 2012), Pitayas were being sold from trucks along the highway between San Pedro and El Triunfo... but they were a different variety, almost white in color... we missed getting any, thinking more were around the next bend! Should have turned back!

My wife got her first taste that trip when we spotted a small, ripe one while hiking to the Real de Santa Ana (south of San Antonio)...



Both varieties grow next to each other... along Hwy. 1, east of Insurgentes:

They are sold in La paz around July I know, and when you drive between the Los Frailes area and La Paz they are sold on the street anytime between Around June and Aug. I've never seen them for sale anywhere north of La paz though, would be nice to buy some in the summer within a few hours of San Diego. Even if we had to eat them down there.

-Roger