Img_4494
Clint in front of the Mission San Javier. We have finally arrived after a long, bumpy, hot trip. There is a restaurant to the right with a sign for cold beers. I think Clint was ready for one of those.

While rummaging through my piles of paper, trying to find some artifacts from my last visit to one of my Adobe government customers, I stumbled across two sheets of paper marked with my familiar scribble.

On the top of the first page were the words, “San Javier” and “Danny”. And so dear readers, I bring you the last installment from our latest trip to Loreto Bay.

After several visits to Loreto, Clint and I finally decided we had to take the journey to the Mission San Javier. I emailed a couple of tour operators before we flew out to Loreto but was not able to arrange anything prior to arriving. This turned out not to be a problem as Roberto, the Inn at Loreto Bay concierge, made a few phone calls to arrange a private tour with Daniel Gallardo, who introduced himself as “Danny” – the name we proceeded to use throughout the trip.

Img_4455
The adventure begins, heading to San Javier along the arroyo.

Saturday arrived and promised to be a scorcher. Danny picked us up promptly at 9 am in a well air-conditioned, shiny white jeep and took us up a rough road to the mission. As we bumped along, Danny shared with us some interesting stories. Here is a recounting of them, deciphered from messy scribbles on my two pieces of paper and my memory:

– He pointed to some wild fig trees (“higuera”) that were growing along and inside large boulder formations telling use that when food was scarce, people would take the fig, smash it up and make tortilla. When water was scarce, the locals use to follow the roots of these trees to locate water.

Img_4453
Wild fig tree. Amazing how the roots have been able to penetrate into the rock in search of water and nutrients.

– December 1-3 is the San Javier Festival where people from all over Mexico come to party and there is only 1 hotel that has 4-5 rooms so most of the visitors sleep in cars, tents and no one sleeps for days.

– The silhouette of the mountains as you drive up to San Javier have the profile of a sleeping woman. Clint saw the silhouette correctly before I did. I mistook the “head” for another part of the female anatomy which made both Clint and Danny chuckle.

Img_4451
Silhouette of the mountains on our way to San Javier, can you see the Sleeping Woman?

– Zumba, a latin dance exercise craze has reached Loreto where they hold classes. Danny says only the women participate as the men don’t think it is very macho.

Img_4456
This is a shrine, I did not write down the significance of this in my notes. For any of our smart readers, if you know the significance of this, please write in.

Img_4458
The cactus that is all over the desert. Danny told us it is illegal to chop down cactus this large, however, some people still do it to make products such as floor lamps.

Img_4459
The fruit on a cactus. Danny noted this fruit was not very tasty.

Img_4463
Photo opp! Danny and I in front of his jeep. Clint, behind the camera.

Img_4468
Before we reach our final destination, we stop to look at some cave paintings.

Img_4470
The black markings here are part of a larger cave painting. Danny noted that many of the areas with cave paintings have been destroyed due to the illegal cave painting trade. People would carve out large pieces of cave paintings and sell them on the black market. The government has put in legislation to protect them as national treasures but this has not stopped this practice.

Img_4472
A leaf.

Img_4475
Clint went exploring as Danny and I continued to talk.

Img_4480
Winding path to San Javier. I was glad it was Danny driving.

Img_4486
Small mission on the way. To the left of this mission is an orchard. Unfortunately the owner was not home so we couldn’t go visit the orchard.

Img_4488
Inside the mission.

Img_4490
We arrive in San Javier.

Img_4496
Building details above the front door.

Img_4499
Old mission door. I have a thing for doors.

Img_4500
Inside the mission. The two women on the left had a guest book that both Clint and I signed. On the right is a women who had travelled for several days to arrive at this mission to pray for her sick husband.

Img_4501
Sign inside the mission.

Img_4508
Front of the mission which is still very well preserved.

Img_4515
The cemetery to the left of the mission.

Img_4519
Prison cell on the left side of the building. There are rumours that it once held a nun and her lover. [Clint: I believe it was a priest that was jailed when he made a woman pregnant. I could be wrong on that, but I think that’s the story…]

Img_4520
Nice details on ths side of the building.

Img_4529
Behind the Mission: an orchard and farm.

Img_4536
Standing beside a very old tree.

Img_4531
Danny showed me these beans(?) which are used by locals to make necklaces and other jewelry.

Img_4539
The restaurant in San Javier where we stopped for lunch.

Img_4540
Inside the restaurant.

Img_4542
Lunch looked very good after a long trek to San Javier. The refried beans were exceptional, the best I’ve ever had. When we asked the restaurant owner about them, it turns out she actually grows the beans and has a special recipe for them. They were the best part of the meal. [Clint: the best part of the meal was actually the ice cold Corona. On a day that was scorching hot, well above 105F, it was the absolute best beer I have ever had!]

Img_4548
As dessert, the owner made us some crackers with home made fig jam. The fig jam was delicious but unfortunately we could not buy any because she had sold out of last season’s jam stock and would not have any more until later in the year.

Img_4549
View as we left the restaurant, got back into the jeep and headed back to Loreto Bay.

If you’re interested in an adventurous trip to Mission San Javier, here’s Danny’s contact information, or you can talk with Roberto at the Inn at Loreto Bay.

Loni Stark
Loni Stark is an artist at Atelier Stark, self-professed foodie, and adventure travel seeker who has a lifelong passion for technology’s impact on business and creativity. She collaborates with Clinton Stark on video projects for Atelier Stark Films. It’s been said her laugh can be heard from San Jose all the way up to the Golden Gate Bridge. She makes no claims to super powers, although sushi is definitely her Kryptonite.