Day 7 Cactus Country

After arriving at Los Olivos Campground last night to find that it really wasn't operational we were allowed to stay at one of their 6 RV slots with full hookups. The place is set up for the future with a pool and full restrooms, a zip line, playground, tent camping, large indoor event room and more. The only down side was the smell of manure which we were sure was not us since we just had showers at the last place we stayed. We didn't see a lot of cows so we are guessing that the manure is used for all those strawberry fields.

In the night, the coyotes came right up to the motorhome, dumped the trash can over, and taunted the dogs. The cat was not amused but took it in stride.

In the morning after banana pancakes, we swept the motorhome and got it ready for another day of driving.

We departed the parking lot and as is sometimes the case, found a much more pleasant road to drive to get back to the highway. 

As we climbed out away from the coast, the vegetation changes were dramatic with cacti dominating the landscape and flowers in bloom.

The cirios and Cardone cactus towered above the desert floor. The cirios are cartoon like cactus described in the book as something out if Dr. Suess and they remind me of those veiled attempts at disguising cell phone towers. Miles of narrow road lay ahead of us and the yucca plants were blooming. We had to stop to take some pictures and carefully crop out the roadside debris. 

The dogs are traveling well and sometimes try to direct the activities. Tad is always good for comic relief. Our campsite is just south of Catavina and Diana was hoping for a hotel room but the hotel is full of off road vehicle travelers. Apparently the same ones that precluded her from getting a room at Rancho Meling. So she is camping near us again. 

We took the dogs out for a walk on a trail to the peteoglyphs being careful to avoid the stickers and watching for the local poisonous fauna. It is warmer today so they emptied a full bowl of water.

The petroglyphs were interesting and a short walk. Apparently 1000 years old and drawn by the Cochimi peoples.

Diana was really enjoying the flora. If

 that big Cardone didn't have spines, I would have bet she would have hugged it.

These Cardone are hundreds of years old.

On the way back to the camp site, we stopped at the mini market to pick up some beverages and had dinner at the local hotel. There Diana met some if the off roaders up close. She glared at them seething and expressing her utter disappointment and disgust that they had taken all the coveted comfy beds in this little town of 200. This particular group reserves 4 years in advance. She didn't have a chance. Our timing was.unfortunate.

 So far, we are missing our favorite restaurants back home. We will keep looking for that famous outstanding Baja food. We are not saying that the food has been bad, but we are just not wowed yet, or as they say in Spanish "grow"ed.

We do like the margaritas though. This pine beverage was too salty for our taste but at least we tried it. 

One last walk for the day in the arroyo near our camp site finding interesting rocks and shells. 

 The shells must be fossils since this is the mountains. 

The evening was capped by a beautiful sunset. That is all tonight.