Morning came and we left our secret hush hush surf spot for La Paz.  We had a 12 mile drive through the usual cactus fields,

and the dirt road was relentless and bumpy, but much more interesting in the daylight.

We had another look at the surfer's diversion:  they'd placed rocks over the cattle guard to make it look like the road is closed.  There's a detour around the rocks, but you can't see it from the main road. Clever.

The only other marker for the road is about 100 yards past the entrance.  Sssshh, don't tell anyone, it's a secret.

 

We were a little low on gas since there hadn't been a "gas station" for awhile, so we dumped our reserve tanks in.    A bounty of $50 was placed on a photograph of Ryk caught in the process of shitting, so he was chased through the woods while searching for a place to relieve himself.  A good time was had by almost all.

He outsmarted the hunters, but we did find this beautiful old car.  The roadsides are so littered that I've heard the debris called "Mexican snow."

We went through the usual Federales checkpoint, which is getting easier to handle.

We put on our gringo smiles and gave them the usual cop deference and everything went well.

The checkpoint sign reads "The Mexican army is putting into effect the federal law against firearms and explosives and the permanent campaign against drugs.  We apologize for the convenience."  Ah yes, the American tax dollar at work.