We are staying at a magical place called San Ignacio. In 1728, a mission was established on the site of the Cochimi settlement. Sadly, many of the indigenous people here were decimated by disease as was the case of so many millions of indigenous people in the Americas. The Mission San Ignacio Kadakaaman was built out volcanic rock! The bell tolls several times a day. We went into the mission and marveled at the old architecture.
We are staying at the Paraíso Misional Campground, just 2 blocks from the mission. The campground is such a peaceful, relaxing place to stay and the staff couldn't be nicer. We got our laundry done! There were several campers from the Pacific Northwest. We visited with Mark and Robyn from Washington who have been in Baja for several weeks and are now headed home. They gave us a lot of great information on areas to visit as we head south.
We love walking 2 blocks to the town center across from the mission. There are several shops and restaurants and we had had dinner at the Bar Ranch Grande and enjoyed the "best margarita in Baja". The flowers are beautiful and the fragrance mixed with the smell of cooking drifts in a slight breeze. Laughter, music and conversation in Spanish and English filled the evening.
The town is nestled in a little valley between ridges of volcanic rock. Viewed from above it looks like an oasis with hundreds of palm trees and there is a little creek running the campground. There is a little black dog known as the town dog. She hung out at our campsite with the Boys and came along when we took walks.
Today (Sunday), Janice and Diana spent half a day at the lagoon while I worked on a grant for Umpqua Watersheds. We then went back to the Bar Ranch Grande and listened to live music while I did my fantasy baseball draft. It was like a dream. 10-15 people were sitting outside listening to Hector play the guitar and sing. I chatted with him and the waiter in Spanish. After Diana and Janice walked back to the campground I finished my fantasy baseball league draft, a horse without anyone on it galloped down the street.
Living the dream!
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