After breakfast, we decided to ride our bikes to an organic farm Janice found on Google, nestled in the hills about three miles from our campsite. We packed a bag, hoping to bring back some organic produce and maybe even some fresh goat cheese.
Just as we were about to head out, I noticed my front tire was going flat. Fortunately, Janice quickly found our tire repair kit and electric air pump. In less than 30 minutes, we had the tire fixed and were back on track.
We rode south from the campground for about half a mile before turning west onto a smaller, even sandier road. Navigating through the deep sand was tricky at times, but we’ve learned a key technique—keeping the handlebars straight and pushing forward, almost like surfing through the dunes.
Our destination: Rancho Baja Verde, an organic farm with goats and bees, dedicated to sustainable living in the desert.
https://ranchobajaverde.com
After following a narrow road to the entrance, we parked our bikes and walked up to a gate, where we were greeted by a chorus of barking dogs. Janice called out, “Hello?” and soon, a small woman emerged, eyeing us cautiously.
She introduced herself as Pilu and, fortunately, spoke English well. Janice explained that we were looking for Rancho Baja Verde. Pilu told us that while they aren’t officially open yet, they’re working on finishing housing for community workers to create a sustainable community. Their funds had run out, delaying progress. She mentioned her partner, Henri, was away but invited us to call him if we wanted to arrange a tour.
Pilu, originally from Spain, and Henri, from the Netherlands, have been part of the Cabo Pulmo community for 18 years. She pointed to a nearly completed house about 50 yards from the communal housing and invited us to ride up and take a look.
When we arrived, we were enchanted. The small house looked like something out of a storybook, with a stunning ocean view. We hadn’t realized how much elevation we had gained on our ride up from the main road. The return trip was much easier—downhill and far less bumpy.
Back at camp, we took a siesta before a Zoom call about the KQUA 90.5 radio project—an endeavor with more twists, turns, ups, downs, and potholes than a Baja highway.
Our construction permit for the antenna on Scott Mountain expired on March 3, but we managed to get the antenna up on February 28. Then, on March 7, the FCC sent an email stating that the antenna’s coordinates didn’t precisely match the ones on the Proof of Performance we submitted. Now, we’re working through the bureaucratic hurdles remotely—an interesting contrast to the peaceful paradise surrounding us.
During the evening, our hosts, Randy and Kim Webb, invited us over for steaks on the grill. Randy, an architect, wanted to share plans for an incredible building they’re about to construct near their home in Mapleton, Oregon. He and Kim own Webb Core, a successful company specializing in clean rooms for semiconductor manufacturing.
Randy’s architectural brilliance was evident as he showed us the blueprints for both the upcoming project and The Last Place, which they designed with the same thoughtful vision.
We spent hours sharing stories, laughing, and soaking in the warmth of their friendship. The meal was incredible—steak, music, and even chocolate clams on the grill, which Randy and I both found surprisingly delicious.
As the evening came to a close, we couldn’t help but feel humbled by their generosity and grateful for the time spent in this paradise.
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