The travel world does seem to be opening back up as our flight from San Francisco to San Jose del Cabo was completely full. Thankfully, the flight is only three hours long. After the flight, the drive to La Paz is another two hours. The roads are so much nicer than I recall them being over thirty years ago. Of course, there were no toll roads then and in the mid 80’s the population was 35,000 and now this bustling city currently has over 250,000 residents. People have moved to La Paz for security and employment opportunities in maritime, mining, agriculture but mostly tourism. COVID has been difficult for the city but they are making strides to slowly reopen, currently at 30% capacity in hotels, restaurants and bars. Of course the mask, thermometer gun and hand sanitizer are forever present.

La Paz became the capital of Baja, California by default, after a large hurricane destroyed Loreto in 1829. Prior to that (much prior) the native people did their best to fight off the Spanish conquistador, Hernán Cortés in 1535 and then again a century later they fought the Jesuit missionaries. The missionaries finally became a permanent fixture in the region in the early 1800’s, quickly followed by a brief occupation of American forces during the Mexican American War from 1846 to 1847 ending with the signing of the Neutrality Law between Mexico and the United States after the American invasion.

Larry and I feel fortunate to be in this welcoming and charming city while we wait for the Daisy to arrive with the independence. After her arrival, in a few short days, we will move a few miles out of town to the Costa Baja Marina and will most likely keep her there until the end of hurricane season in November….but again you know what happens when you make plans…