Today a beach caravan travels to the box canyon on the other side of Conception Bay. We are five vehicles, 10 folks, and 4 dogs. Leaving at 0900 hours, (well, maybe 0930?) we arrive at the turn off ,km76 marker, about forty minutes later. Then it's off road around the bottom of the bay.
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| Court and Ann crossing the flats |
The first part of the trip is easy. Although this is an area washed "clean" by lots of water during tropical storms and hurricanes, the track is easy to follow...until...arriving at river beds...and small drop offs.
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| John and Deb follow us |
There are some strange "Topes" out here! (Mexican roads are famous for the "slow you down or else" technique of building topes aross the road and sometimes alerting you to the fact with yellow paint.) Sometimes is the operative word here! We don't expect topes out here....but then, Mexico is full of surprises!
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| The Jeep pops over this one easily |
How to find the access to the box canyon and the wall art? Easy! Turn RIGHT at the cactus leaning to the LEFT. Of course!
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| Road sign? |
This rock carin seems to be another clue that we are on the right track. Right turn it is!
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| Rocks are handy for lots of things....turn off markers included. |
Now is the time to try out the new tire pressure reducer toy! Attaching one to each tire we let out (on purpose!!) 15 pounds of air per tire! Now the tires carry 20 pounds of air, and the ride over rocky terrain is really smooth!
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| Pressure reducer ready for action! |
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| Boys and toys..... |
It just doesn't sound right to hear all that hissing air...ya know?
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| Entering the canyon |
This canyon is a perfect waterway during storms. The road has changed this year. Rocks are exposed that didn't seem to be there on our previous trip two years ago. Hurricanes change things.
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| Keen eye Steve spots a tortuga! |
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| A fisherman's record of his catch? |
We are humbled thinking...that we are 66 and 67 years of age...and the people who painted these pictures, in place of written words, lived in this very place a long, LONG, time ago. Our life span is a small scratch on the ruler that marks this kind of time.
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| Something that swims? |
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| Plant? Or....Menora? Seaweed?!! |
We wander around gazing at the canyon walls, thinking about...basically..."Time."
Who were these people? Was this a place to live day to day? Was it a seasonal fish camp? Imagine: turtle for dinner!
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| Lunch at the end of the canyon road |
We stop for lunch at the box canyon wall, where the road ends...except for a few, who climb up the wall and hike up the canyon further. Most of us gather around and dig into the picnic packs...and dodge the 100 or so mangrove wasps who have invited themselves to dine with us. They are attracted to the yellow and red Jeeps! (thank goodness!)
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| Box canyon wall |
That black furry mass is Samantha, Court and Ann's dog. She is trying her best to scale the wall with Court. (note his legs at top of photo!)
Time to return to the bay and collect a few shells and wade in the cool water...without wasps. But first it's return to where Lynn and Doug left their truck...stuck.
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Many shovels make light work
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| The road out.... |
There are a few sharp "s" turns through rocks revealed by the last tropical storm. The river that results with each storm continues to carve away and shape the canyon floor....adding height to the walls.
Soon someone mumbles, "Cerveaza frio...." and we are off for a quick stop on the route home. Buneaventura here we come!
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| The way in, is the way out...is the way in...is... |
This is the last of the off road trips for this year. The addition of Ruby the Rubicon has made these adventures much more fun...oh, and did I mention, comfortable?
But what about trips on the water? Time is short on the beach...the wind finally dies a bit and we load the kayaks for a quick paddle!
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