Day 1 - Chandler, AZ to Ensenada, Mexico

We left Chandler today a few minutes before our planned 7:30 time under sunny skies and 71 degrees.Our route through Maricopa, then through Dead Cow Highway (238) to Gila Bend was uneventful although I think Dead Cow Highway is preparing us for Mexico roads. Nonetheless, that part of the trip was uneventful and we headed out for I-8 towards Yuma. Steve and I were prepared with headphones - he listening to Sammy Hagar and Mas Tequila and I listening to my audio book. After we crossed the California border, the temps started getting cooler and after we turned off off on I-94 we stopped and added another layer of jackets. We followed 94 to the 188, although the road markings were scarce, we eventually found the signs to the border and crossed into Mexico at Tecate. We stopped right after the border so that Steve and I could go into immigration to get our tourist visas (Carol and Ryaan still had valid visas from their trip to Belize) and although we could not pay because the banks were closed for the rest of the weekend, we were still able to apply for the visas, get them stamped, and now have 7 days to pay our fees to the bank. We found a great little place for lunch at La Placita across from the city plaza and after some Tecates (in Tecate), tacos and burritos, we headed out for Ensenada. What a beautiful ride! The roads were better than most of Arizona back roads and about 1/3 of the road was 4 lane with wide shoulders. We passed by wineries backed by mountains and green vineyards. We arrived in Ensenada right on schedule, found a quaint hotel at $40 a night, and set out to find the best margarita in the Baja. Ensenada's best choices are Tequila and Los Amigos with Hussongs having the worst even with the 2 for 1 margs. We explored the immediate area of Ensenada where we posed with Superviagraman, watched the barking sea lions on the pier, and listened to mariachis (much to Ryaan;s chagrin).We met Armando at the Licores Plaza store with the saddest story of immigration and deportation from California's legal system. Tomorrow we set out for San Quintin, El Rosario, and Catavinia.