Sticking to the, stay off the Mex 1 as much as possible motto, we decided to take the coast road from Conejo to Todos Santos.  We will soon find this was an overly optimistic decision.  As we rolled into Conejo we found the camping spots full and the surf grande.  Much too grande!

 

Happy to continue south, we pushed for Punta Marquez.  After locking the hubs and airing down the tires we started on our way, pulling off to two large coyotes crossing our path.  We all locked eyes.  Rather than grabbing the camera, we instead stared, marveling at their wild stature. They were beautiful and healthy, resembling more of a German Shepard than the small coyote we are accustomed to seeing in Virginia.  The roadrunner and jack rabbit population must keep them well fed.  

 

The road was rough and washed out but never called for the 4×4.  Pulling into Marquez at nightfall, we picked a sweet spot overlooking the Pacific.  We say it over and over, but it repeatedly blows us away that we are able to simply pull up to absolutely beautiful, oceanfront property and camp for as long as we like, all for free!  Locals have warmly explained to us multiple times, “Mexico is for everyone to enjoy, it is mine and it is yours.”  Hmm, what an interesting concept.  

 

 

After enjoying Punta Marquez, we headed south towards La Bocana.  A few miles south of Marquez the road got hairy, really hairy, and quickly.  It was slow going, plenty of steep, off camber, and washed out sections to navigate.

 

We were so glad to see these sections of coast, but we probably will not be returning for quite a while!  We had a full day of extremely stressful, sketchy driving conditions, better suited for a light jeep or four wheeler.  The further south we traveled, the less traffic the road had seen, eventually leading to it probably has not seen another vehicle this year!  We were forced to backtrack and blaze new routes at certain points where the road was washed away, totally impassable. 

 

Finally we reached a point where the road started improving.  We had not seen another soul all day except for the abundant coyotes, rabbits, roadrunners, and cattle.  Finally at dusk, we pulled onto a new beach and popped the top. Kind of like on a cold one after a long, hot day.  It felt like that.  Ahhhh…..