CAMPING in MONTANA DE ORO STATE PARK, California

 

Montana de Oro is a little known secret on the central coast.  My dad takes a camping trip to this place every year for his birthday.  He’ll probably be somewhat upset that I am giving away his secret spot, as it is rarely very crowded there and he likes it that way.  I will say that the campground is considered “primitive,” and that will keep visitors to a minimum, anyway.  Montana de Oro means Mountains of Gold in Spanish and was named so for the gold-colored wildflowers that bloom in the spring.   Little beach coves are easily accessed by trails and are a beachcombers paradise.   This area is beautiful, and perfect for nature-lovers and outdoor activity enthusiasts.  Well worth a visit.

 

GETTING THERE

Montana de Oro is situated in San Luis Obispo County.  The park is located seven miles south of Los Osos and six miles southwest of Morro Bay on Pecho Road.  

 

Driving Directions

From Ventura:  Take the 101 freeway north towards San Luis Obispo.  Exit Los Osos Valley Road.  Follow this road 12 miles to the entrance to Montana de Oro State Park.

 

 

LOGISTICS

 

Camping

Montana de Oro State Park primitive and equestrian campsites.  Translation:  non-flush pit toilets, piped water comes out of a spigot for drinking and cooking.  These campsites allow a capacity of eight people and two vehicles.  The sites accomodate trailers and motor homes less than or equal to 27 feet long, but there are no hookups.  In addition, there are four hike-in only campgrounds without water, where neither campfires nor pets are allowed.  Call Parknet at (800) 444-7275 to reserve a  hike-in site and pay the nightly fee.  Finally, there are two Horse Camps for groups up to 50 people in size.  In these sites there is water available for horses, only.  People must bring their own water. 

 

To get to hike-in campground Deer Flat, drive to the Park Headquarters and continue 1.25 miles.  Park at the gated dirt road on the left.  Do not park at the Coon Creek Trailhead.  This is too far and may get you a ticket for overnight parking.  From the car, hike for about 15 minutes up the dirt road to the top of the bluff.  Once you get to an outhouse, table, trashcan, and flat spot meant for tents, you know you have arrived.  Access Deer Flats Campground from the same spot.  Hike up the trail with a sign labeling Badger Trail.    The camp is just before the intersection with Rattlesnake Flats Trail.  You’ll see it.  

 

Campgrounds are open year round and reservations can be made through Reserve America.  

 

 

Weather

The weather in this area is very changeable.  It can be quite warm and sunny, or very foggy, cold and damp.  It would be wise to be prepared for this range of conditions, as it is hard to tell ahead of time what it will be like.

 

 

Hotels

I have not stayed in any of the hotels in Morro Bay, but here is a list of what is available.  I would appreciate any recommendations, if anyone has any.  http://www.totalescape.com/lodge/california-hotels.php?group=M#Morro%20Bay

 

 

ACTIVITIES

 

Hiking

Spectacular wildflowers bloom in the park between February and May.  The Bluffs hiking trail follows the bluff along a steep drop off to the ocean.  Below, at the shoreline, hikers will find a rocky coast and an occasional colony of sea lions.  Another destination is Valencia Peak, 1,347 feet elevation.  This hike includes 1,100 feet of elevation gained over two miles.  Also, it can be very hot, so bring water.  It is worth it, though.  Views of the coast are spectacular.

 

Bluff Trail

 

Beach Exploration

Spooner’s Cove is located right across from Visitor Center turnoff and an excellent place to enjoy the beach.  Check the Visitor’s Center for a schedule of tide levels.

 

Spooners Cove

Backpacking

There are four backpacker’s campgrounds: Hazard Grove Camp, Bloody Nose Camp, Badger Flat, and Deer Flat.  Each one requires a couple of miles of hiking to reach.  Badger Flat and Deer Flat are the two best camps, each sitting on bluffs overlooking the ocean. Because they are high on the bluffs, they are an uphill hike.  USGS topo maps can be found at the Visitor’s Center. 

 

Horseback Riding 

Equestrian trails are found throughout the park and some equestrian campgrounds are available.

 

Mountain Biking

There are numerous beginner and moderate level mountain biking trails.

 

 

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Trip Report – Idyllwild, California

 

Taquitz Rock, Idyllwild, California

The San Jacinto Mountains are situated in the southern section of the San Bernardino Mountains.  Idyllwild is a small town in the San Jacinto Mountains, east of Los Angeles and above Palm Springs.  The quaint town of Idyllwild is set in a forest of pine trees, next to large rock formations.  Tahquitz Rock is the large rock formation on a hillside viewed from town. It has a history deeply rooted in the that of rock climbing.  It was the early 1930’s when a technical rock climbing group within the Sierra Club began climbing Tahquitz Rock.  Young rock climbers, such as Yvon Chouinard, Royal Robbins and Tom Frost, frequented this area.  Overall, Tahquitz is a historic destination, scenic and a great spot for adventure activities. 

Getting There

By plane Idyllwild is best reached via the Palm Springs International Airport, about an hour and a half drive from Idyllwild.  This airport  is a small airport and serves ten airlines and has 100 flights each day.  Los Angeles International Airport is another option for getting to Idyllwild.  LAX is about a three hour drive from Idyllwild.

Driving Directions

From Los Angeles (100 miles):  Take the 60 or the 10 to Banning.  Exit the 243 to Idyllwild.

From Orange County (93 miles):  Take the 91 to the 60, then the 10 to Banning.  Exit the 243 to Idyllwild.

From Palm Springs (47 miles):  Take the 10 to Banning.  Exit the 243 to Idyllwild.

From Palm Desert (47 miles):  Take the 111 to the 74.  Exit the 243 to Idyllwild.

From San Diego (114 miles):  Take the 15 to the 79 South, then the 371 to the 74.  Exit the 243 to Idyllwild.

Logistics

Camping

There are good family camping sites in Idyllwild at a few campgrounds including:  Stone Creek, Dark Canyon, Marion Mountain, Lake Hemet, Black Mountain, Fern Basin, Idyllwild County Park, and Idyllwild State Park.  

Idyllwild County Park is practically in town and has running water, i.e. bathrooms that include coin-operated showers.  This campground is walking distance to town, located on Riverside County Playground Road.  The Idyllwild Campground is just north of the town of town on Highway 243.  This campground has hot showers and flush toilets, as well.  A more primitive campground, The Stone Creek Campground, is six miles out of town, and has only pit toilets.  Tables and fire rings are in each site.  If you are a boulderer, Black Mountain Campground would be a good campground to stay in.  This campground has bouldering and some short sport climbs in the area.  Black Mountain has pit toilets, tables, and fire rings, but no showers.      

Weather

Camping, climbing and hiking in Idyllwild is most comfortable from late spring to early fall.  During winter months, snow and rain make the area very cold.  Summers can bring scorching temperatures, even though the town of Idyllwild is situated between 5,000 and 6,000 feet in elevation.  It is wise to check the weather forecast before heading up there, just to be sure you won’t be miserable.  But, I have to say, when the weather is good, this place is beautiful.  The walk-up to Suicide rocks is in the trees and the bottom of the climbs at Suicide are partly in the shade, so warm weather is a little easier tolerated than you’d expect.   

Hotels

I don’t have personal experience with these hotels, but they are listed online and look good to me.  

Idyllwild Inn 

Creekstone Inn 

Rainbow Inn on Strawberry Creek 

Strawberry Creek Inn

Mile High Country Inn

Restaurants

My experience with the Red Kettle is that all of the locals eat there, including firefighters, always a sign of good food.  The wait staff are friendly and you feel the small town feel when eating here.  It seems as if many of the patrons are regulars.  http://www.redkettleinc.com/ 

There is nothing like stopping for dinner at La Casita in town after a day of climbing.  This Mexican restaurant has great food, indoor and outdoor seating and good service.

Activities

Rock Climbing

Much of Southern California rock climbing first began in Idyllwild.  Good weather, good route variety and easy accessibility make this area very attractive.  The largest rock formation in Idyllwild is called Tahquitz, but Suicide Rock is a popular climbing area, as well.

To get to the climbing from the town of Idyllwild, take North Circle Drive (Fern Val ley road) through town to where the road ends at Humber Park.  This is the park ing area for the trailhead to rock climbing on Taquitz.  Begin on the Ernie Maxwell Trail and follow it over Strawberry Creek.  Continue 200 yards around a bend and along a trail and look for the non-maintained trail heading up the hillside.  For the Suicide approach take the trail across from Fern Valley Road at the first water tanks.  Walk down the hillside to the creek, across the creek, and up the paved road.  Take a right on Forest Haven Drive, staying straight until it becomes a dirt road.  Go to the end of the road and follow the unmaintained trail to the left and follow it up until you get to the base of Suicide Rocks. 

The longest routes on Tahquitz are seven or eight pitches long. Nearby Suicide Rocks provide two to three pitch crack and face climbs. Most all of the climbs in Idyllwild require traditional rock climbing gear. The approaches to both climbing areas are steep, but not very long.  Each has a trail, but neither are maintained. It takes about thirty minutes to reach the climbs on Suicide and forty minutes to the base of Tahquitz.  Bear in mind that the elevation here is about 7000 feet, so it can be more physically demanding than you’d expect, if you live at sea level.      

There are a few little topos of the climbs.

If you are new to climbing and would like a climbing guide, Vertical Adventures offers classes, guided climbs, and private instruction.  

Bouldering

There is a bouldering guide featuring many bouldering spots in Idyllwild in print called, Southern California Bouldering Guide, by Craig Fry.  A few good areas in- clude Idyllwild County Park, South Ridge, Relativity Boulders, and Black Moun- tain.  

In Idyllwild County Park, most of the bouldering is found on the west side of the southern side of the campground, situated on a hillside.  To avoid a fee for entering the campground, drive Highway 243 south of town, then take a right on Toll Gate Road at the sign for Isomata Campus.  Turn right on Delano Road and drive to the end.  Park there and walk north into the campground.      

To find South Ridge drive south of town on Highway 243.  Make a left on Saun der’s Meadow Road.  Turn right on South Ridge until you are driving on a dirt road that takes you to the South Ridge Hiking Trail parking area.  Find bouldering problems to the south and to the west.   

Relativity Boulders are on private property in Pine Cove.  It is important to be respectful when visiting this area, so land owners will continue to allow boulders to access it.  To get to Pine Cove, go north on 243 out of town to Pine Cove Road and turn left.  The boulders are 50 yards west of a small monument marking the location of where Speed of Light experiments were conducted by Nobel Prize winner Dr. Albert A Michelson.      

Black Mountain boulders are located four miles up Black Mountain Road.  

Hiking

Hiking trails are described on the Idyllwild.com website at this link.  http://www.idyllwild.com/trails.html

Backpacking

Information about backpacking near Idyllwild:  http://www.idyllwildchamber.com/to_do_backpacking.php

Mountain Biking

There are a good number of mountain biking trails in Idyllwild.  They are Hurkey Creek, Shlebski, Thomas Mountain, Coyote Run, Fobes Ranch, May Valley, Alvin Meadows, Ernie Maxwell Trail, and Sylvan Meadows.  

Mountain biking trails in Idyllwild:  http://www.idyllwildchamber.com/to_do_biking.php

Fishing

There is fishing in Lake Hemet and Lake Fulmor.  Lake Hemet is stocked with rainbow trout, and occupied by natural channel catfish, big-mouth bass, and  bluegill.  Trout can be fished out of Lake Fulmor.  http://www.idyllwildchamber.com/to_do_fishing.php 

The Dark Side of the Loon

A docuscience film by Gail Osherenko.

Film Showing 

Filmmaker will be present at event

Thursday, April 30, 2009, 7pm

Real Cheap Sports

36 W. Santa Clara Street

Ventura, CA 93001

Phone: 805-648-3803

This event is free and open to the public.  Please call for directions.

 ”As loons face the perils of winter, scientist seek ways to ensure their survival – and ours.”  

Docuscience Film, by Gail Osherenko

Learn how scientists in the field and laboratory unlock the mysteries of a bird that has survived for 60 million years. Discover how loons are helping scientists to understand the perils loons face in winter, and how humans can help ensure their survival – and ours. This film features the works of conservation biologist and ornithological expert Dr. Paul Spitzer, who works with loons on the east coast at North Carolina’s Cape Lookout National Seashore, biologist and aviculturist Darwin Long, who conducted the only long-term and detailed study of wintering common loons in Morro Bay, and wildlife veterinarian Dr. Mark Pokras, who has recropsied dead loons for 20 years to understand the causes of their mortality, both natural and human-caused. 

www.darksideoftheloon.com

 

The Dark Side of the Loon. A film by Gail Osherenko. Available at Real Cheap Sports, Ventura's Outdoor Store. All profit goes to loon scientists.

Adopt-A-Crag, Lizard’s Mouth Clean Up

Trip Report – Camping in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is a spectacular region. Joshua Trees and Creosote dominate the region and large rocks sit in jumbled piles. Prickly cactus plants are plentiful, and it can take some time to learn to avoid being pricked by sharp spines. Coyote and jackrabbits are commonly seen and views across the desert landscape are expansive. The muted colors of the desert become deep in the fall when the autumn sunlight changes the look of the landscape. It is often said that “the desert smells like rain,” and the smell of the creosote when it rains makes this so. A trip to Joshua Tree is a sensory experience and worth a visit by all. 

Getting There
Joshua Tree National Park can be reached by plane or car. The closest airport is in the city of Palm Springs, but Palm Springs is a good 45 minute drive and more expensive than flying into Los Angeles International Airport. There is no public transportation to the Park, so a rental car is essential. Joshua Tree National Park is 140 miles east of Los Angeles and takes about 2-3 hours to drive. The Park is a 4-5 hour drive, or 215 miles southwest of Las Vegas, and a 3-4 hour drive, or 175 miles northeast of San Diego. Joshua Tree can be reached from three places. There is a south entrance off the 10 freeway at Cottonwood Campground, a north entrance off Highway 62 in Twenty-Nine Palms, and, a most commonly used, west entrance off Highway 62 in the town of Joshua Tree.

Directions
From Los Angeles (2.5-3 hour drive): Take Interstate 10 or U.S. 60 east to Beaumont/Banning, and continue on I-10. 

From Orange County (2 – 2.5 hour drive): Take U.S. 91 east to Riverside, then take U.S. 60 east east to Beaumont/Banning where it merges into Interstate 10. 

From San Diego (2.5 – 3.5 hour drive): Take Interstate 15 eastbound north to U.S. 60, then head east to Beaumont/Banning, and continue on I-10. 

From Beaumont/Banning: Continue east on Interstate 10 past the Palm Springs/Highway 111 exit to the U.S. 62 exit north (to 29 Palms). Several uphill grades take you through Morongo Valley to Yucca Valley. The town of Joshua Tree is several miles past Yucca Valley. From Joshua Tree, turn right (south) on Quail Springs Road, and follow it directly to the monument entrance some 5 miles up the road. From Las Vegas (3-4 hour drive): Take I-15 to Barstow, then take Highway 247 south until it terminates in Yucca Valley. A good short cut to 29 Palms from Las Vegas begins about 55 miles west of Las Vegas (Interstate 15). Drive through the towns of Cima and Kelso, past the Granite Mountains, and cross Interstate 40. Drive through Amboy to 29 Palms. This is a desolate road and becomes a grated dirt road. 

Directions

When traveling from Los Angeles, a stop at Hadley’s Fruit Orchards is highly recommended. Hadley’s is located on Highway 10 in Banning. It opened in 1931 to provide local community members with fruits and dates. Today, the store carries a very wide assortment of dried fruits, nuts, honey, jam, cereals, sauces, and candies. They have a grill inside the store, so it is a great stop for a meal or a snack on your drive to or from Joshua Tree National Park. Do notice the ostrich burger on the menu, you might be dared to try one.

Hadley’s

Logistics
It can take as long as one hour to drive across the park from the west entrance to the south entrance, so be sure to allow enough time for this experience. The landscape throughout the Park changes and is consistently interesting and beautiful. Be aware that entrance fees are charged to enter the Park. Charges vary for walk-ins, vehicles, Joshua Tree National Park Passes, National Parks Passes, and Golden Eagle Passes, depending on your needs. 

Camping
Staying overnight within Joshua Tree National Park requires camping equipment. There are nine campgrounds in the Park. Hidden Valley Campground is the most popular with rock climbers, and Ryan Campground is preferred by climbers if Hidden Valley is full. These two campgrounds fill up first because they are close to a lot of popular climbs. Indian Cove Campground is accessed from a completely separate entrance near 29 Palms. This campground has family sites and large group sites available by reservation. Indian Cove is situated at lower elevation, so it is a warmer place to camp and climb during cold winter months. Sheep’s Pass has a few group sites, too and is located in the Park near Ryan Campground. It is recommended for groups during warmer months in the Park. A reservation is required for Sheep’s Pass, although not all campgrounds require a reservation. Most are first come, first serve, however, all campgrounds do require at least a $10 fee. Iron rangers are found in most campgrounds, so you’ll need to have cash or a check on you to pay. Note that there is no food or water in the Park, so it must be packed in, or found at local markets outside the Park boundaries in surrounding towns.

Camping & Reservation Information

Weather
The most comfortable times to visit Joshua Tree National Park are Spring and Fall when the temperatures are, generally, most moderate. During these seasons, temperatures range from 50 to 80 degrees F. Therefore, the best months for climbing are mid-October to April or May. Winter days only reach about 60 degrees, at the most, and dip into freezing temps at night. On occasion, it snows in the park. This can be a tough time of year to visit the park. It is hard to stay warm and strong winds often add to the chill. On the other end of the spectrum, summer temperatures consistently reach over one hundred degrees. I don’t recommend ever visiting the Park at this time. It’s just too darn hot to get out of the car and it would be a shame to visit Joshua Tree National Park and not get out of the car. 

Hotels
There are many generic hotels in surrounding towns, but also, a few that are very unique and worth pointing out. First, the 29 Palms Inn is a romantic, historic establishment with a pool and restaurant/bar.

29 Palms Inn

Second, the Oasis of Eden is located in Yucca Valley. It is a very entertaining place. The Oasis of Eden has fourteen theme rooms with in-room spas. I personally recommend the Cave Room and Jungle Room. These rooms are very cheesy, but the hot tub in the room is loads of fun, especially with stuffed monkeys and plastic vines hanging above.

Oasis of Eden

Restaurants
Restaurants located in the town of Joshua Tree are a 30-40 minute drive from Hidden Valley Campground in the Park. The Crossroads Café is probably the most popular with the locals and with rock climbers. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and beer is on tap. It is set up to order at the counter, then find a seat. Chairs are mismatched, giving the place an eclectic feel. I have to mention that the Coyote Burger (chicken, bacon, cheese) is especially memorable.

Crossroads Cafe

Another spot popular with climbers is Santana’s Mexican Food. It is located in Joshua Tree on 29 Palms Highway very close to the West Entrance. It is quite good. Another, known for its buffet, is the Royal Siam Cuisine Thai Restaurant. It is, also, located on 29 Palms Highway in Joshua Tree. 

Activities

Rock Climbing
Joshua Tree is one of the most popular rock climbing areas in the world. Climbers travel from all over the world to climb one of over six thousand routes in the Park. The rock is quartz monzonite, very granular, and provides a lot of friction. Rocks in Joshua Tree are, mostly, large boulders, providing one-pitch climbs and good bouldering. The rock varies in quality throughout the park, but, in general, hundreds and hundreds of excellent climbs, both crack and slab, can be found. Bolts have been installed on many routes on Joshua Tree “sport” routes, but the area is mostly known for “traditional” routes. This requires climbers to place protection and anchors. Therefore, cams, wired nuts, micro-nuts, quick draws, and runners are essential parts to a Joshua Tree rack. Nomad Ventures is a climbing shop located just outside the west entrance of the Park, in case you forget something. For specifics on climbing in Joshua Tree, visit the Mountain Project website.

Mountain Project

Backpacking
Joshua Tree National Park has over 794,000 acres of desert land, and backcountry travel is allowed. Joshua Tree backcountry travel is very rewarding in Joshua Tree. Remember that there is no water available, so it must be carried or cached. There are thirteen backcountry boards for registration in the Park, and registered vehicles can be left overnight in these locations. 

Wildflower Viewing
People visit the deserts of the southwest from all over the world to see the wildflowers bloom because the colors are so vibrant and spectacular. Desert wildflowers often bloom in Joshua Tree National Park in late February or March, but the cactus plants may not bloom until April or May. Bloom times vary from year to year and change depending on plant types and elevation changes. Therefore, it would be a good idea to call the park rangers to get a sense of bloom times before planning a trip to the Park that revolves around blooming flowers.

Birding
Birding in the desert is best in the Springtime. Over 250 kinds of birds have been recorded in Joshua Tree National Park. Resident birds include roadrunner, phainopepla, cactus wren, mourning dove, and Gambel’s quail. Winter migratory species and spring and summer nesting species can be viewed at specific times of the year.

Birding in Joshua Tree

Key’s Ranch Guided Walking Tour
For five dollars and a reservation, the ranch of a man named William F. Keys, who was a cattle rancher, homesteader, and miner can be toured. The ranch tour is begins at a locked gate, just past the Hidden Valley Campground entrance, left at the Y in the intersection. The walking tour includes a visit to the ranch house, school house, store, and workshop. From what I remember, the tour is very interesting, and includes many wacky stories about the man and his family. It is very intriguing to imagine a life built in that desert environment and how this man lived.

Key’s Ranch Tour

Geology Motor Tour
This driving tour is 18-miles long and takes about two hours to complete round trip. Sixteen stops along the dirt road are described in a brochure that can be picked up at the start of the road. I haven’t taken this tour, myself, so I can’t give any insight, but it sounds interesting. 

Slideshow of Ventura County photographs, Book Signing, and Narration by Tim Hauf

Slideshow of Ventura County photographs, Book Signing, and Narration

by Tim Hauf 

Thursday, April 2, 2009, 7pm

Real Cheap Sports

36 W. Santa Clara Street

Ventura, CA 93001

Phone: 805-648-3803

This event is free and open to the public.  Please call for directions.

Photographer, Tim Hauf

“Ventura County – Land of Everlasting Summers” captures the allure of not only one of the most diverse landscapes in the world, but also the wonders of this regions’ rare Mediterranean ecosystem, archeological treasures, geological phenomena, and the unique flora and fauna that are found nowhere else on the planet.  Tim Hauf is a travel/nature photographer who has traveled to many remote corners of the planet with a desire to create a better understanding and appreciation of the world around us through his photography.  www.timhaufphotography.com

Notes from the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show

Dan shows the fall '09 Vasque shoe line at the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show in Salt Lake City. 1/09.

This year’s Winter Outdoor Retailer Trade Show in Salt Lake City felt calmer than most, as buyers have scaled back on inventory loading and manufacturers do not seem to be putting a lot of money into drastically new innovations during these uncertain times.  

That said, there were a few new products worth mentioning.  Mammut, for example, has developed a new reflective black fabric, so black ski pants, for example, will stay cooler in warmer climates and can be used for a longer ski season.  Additionally, Go-lite has created a pumice-based long underwear, called Minerale, that wicks and dries twice as fast as other long-underwear fabrics.  It is amazing that these fabrics can get any drier.  Finally, Outdoor Research (OR) has a new glow-in-the-dark glove, called the OMNI.  How cool is that!  New, interesting, and improved products are created each year, regardless of the economic climate.

Jeff shows the Sigg waterbottle collection at the Winter Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, Utah. 1/09

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Keeping bags out of landfills and recycling centers.

Real Cheap Sports customers kept 2,278 bags out of recycling centers and landfills this last December!  2,278 customers declined the use of a bag for their purchases at Real Cheap Sports, and entered the No Bag Drawing!

1st Annual Romex 5K/1K Walk/Run for Health in Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico

370 participants ran a 5K run in Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico and raised a few thousand dollars for the Todos Santos Palapa Society. Friends of Real Cheap Sports, Tori and Oscar, organized and MC-ed this great event.  Participants all came together with smiles, laughter and positive energy to make Saturday morning, January 3rd, 2009, a most memorable date.       

The event had  50 +  volunteers on the course to wave people on or serve as checkpoints and water givers.  The event included a 5K run, a 1K run for the kids,  zillions of raffle prizes, a 50/50 raffle, cash prizes in 18 categories, music (theme song from Rocky and “Who Let the Dogs Out”, of course).  Cruz Roja and the Bomberos provided ambulances to follow the runners, the police directed traffic and drove the pace car, Delgado, Jose Luis Castillo, gave the key note address. Local markets provided watermelon and oranges for the runners and water for the checkpoints.  Local professionals took memorable photographs,  led warm ups, gave chiropractic adjustments,  recorded the finish, and sponsored the run.  Oscar and Tori were the MC’s in Spanish and English  so all was bilingual.  Many residents lined the streets cheering on the runners and several thousand dollars was raised for the Palapa Society who contribute so much to the town in terms of education and medical support for the local children.  All in all, a very successful community event!

 



Todos Santos, Baja Mexico - January 3, 2009