From Baja to Mainland: Crossing the Sea of Cortez

After the deserted coast of Baja, La Paz was a great place to stick around for a week, although unintentionally.  The 40 degree temperatures meant not much more than swimming or sitting in water could take place during day hours, not that otherwise was not attempted but once again mother nature won.  But as the night approached the Malecon beamed with activity.

Aside from beach and city wandering, time was taken up with scheming the upcoming route on mainland Mexico.  While the original plan was to follow the west coast highway, warnings from numerous people convinced us to go inland towards Guadalajara and Mexico City before heading south.

Wednesday morning ready for change we packed up and headed to the ferry, only to find out that this would not be happening.   The truckers ferry (which we chose over the passenger due to dogs being allowed on deck) did not allow women on this particular occasion.  Thinking this was some funny or not so funny joke we persisted trying various avenues but ended up in the same place.  We then decided to convince the passenger ferry to allow us to keep the dog with us.  This also, did not work.   But it did spark an idea.  We figured it was about time Ella got a job, or at least the title.  We went back to the city and visited a  vet who without much or any conviction seemed on board with the idea. However as Mexico does not seem to have special provisions for service dogs,  we compromised with having a health certificate that stated the dog had to stay with us for medical reasons.   Whether dog’s or ours was undisclosed.

On Friday we were back at the ferry terminal and shortly thereafter on the ferry itself.  The next 20 hours were spent sweating uncontrollably while we absorbed our surrounding.  Dolphins came around every so often and we squealed with excitement.    The sleeping arrangement which once again did not lead to much sleep consisted of a fully ventilated van to try and cool us down.  Both of our fans were running full speed and all windows, trunk and our side door were left wide open.  While the sea looked calm, the wide swells none the less rocked the ship, sometimes less gently having Brett almost fall out of our side door.  Morning confessions included worries of our van (which had a prime location next to the lowest side of the ferry) sliding overboard.