Land of the Boojum Trees

On our way to the next campground, we stopped for lunch in El Rosario at Mama Espinosa's, famous for crab and lobster burritos.

 I had Burritos de Langosta (lobster). Prices are in pesos.

 They lived up to their reputation.

 Beth had a lobster omelet, and Mitch had a meat burrito.

This is Mitch after tasting the hot sauce...muy picante.

After lunch, our route began climbing into the mountains,...

and into another world...the world of the boojum trees.

Boojum tress, or, cirio, are a type of cactus, but there are no others like them anywhere in the world.

Some say they resemble an upside-down carrot, but I think they look like a skinny Christmas tree, and their yellowish tassle of flowers on top look like a crooked star.

Boojum trees can grow to 50 feet tall and over 500 years old.

This other-world scenery becomes even more fascinating as we enter the Catavina boulder fields. Around and among them grow several types of cactus.

We have passed many signs warning of a "vado" ahead. A "vado" is a ford where water crosses the road. On the road to our campground we crossed one that actually had water in it.

We stayed at Rancho Santa  Inez, a large open camping area with a view of the surrounding hills, desert, and boulders.

This sign calls this area "Valley of the Boojum Trees"

In 1767, the Jesuits established a mission in the area.

Our campsites

Palms, cactus, and boulders.

Whatever dies in the desert is left for other desert animals to clean up.

Open areas invite you to walk among the cactus and rocks.

There is a wide dry wash that made a good place to walk the dogs.

A lot of good sniffs out here.

You can tell there is water here, not far beneath the surface.

We seem to be alternating between desert and seaside. Today we will split into two groups for a few days. Mitch and Beth will go on to seek out another beach, and Tina and I are going on a whale-watching adventure. We'll catch back up with them soon.