Rented a car today and drove to Loreto, about 20 miles north. Visited the lovely church there, built in 1697, and had lunch looking out at Isla Carmen. Then drove 34 km inland and way up into the mountains (1700’) to see Mission San Javier. It was founded in 1699 and the present building you see was begun in 1744. Famous in part because it has withstood a number of earthquakes without restoration. It is the home of the oldest olive trees, citrus and wine grapes in the Californias (Baja including the US state of California). Also said to have the first glass windows installed west of the Mississippi. Totally worth the drive. The mountains were remarkably green with millions upon millions of saguaro cacti and many water crossings due to the rain from TS Javier.
The iguana below was alive and just hanging out in a display case in Loreto. Guy said he’s had it for 10 years. And the kid holding up the refrigerator in the pickup truck driving down the freeway just had to be captured – safety third!
