Country Mice Go to the City! Loreto Here We Come!

We are off for two nights of big city sights and sounds.  Well, let's just say, "city" sights and sounds.  We have made reservations for two nights at The Iguana Inn in Loreto.  Beach buddies John and Deb are going with us...and the "you know whos" are going too!

Thanks to Beach Buddy Norm and Jeri, who have a brand new Jeep, we are the happy recipients of their cargo web for their old Jeep!  Fits perfectly!  Skipper is ok with it, but Sparky ...let's just say, is not impressed.

How about I just hop over this thing and get back into your lap, where I belong?

It's an hour and a half trip to Loreto, but today we are going up to the Mission San Javier to have lunch before we go into town and check into our rooms.  This is about 32km up a mostly good road to the historic mission site and VERY small settlement.  There is the "Palapa Restaurant" and we have a great lunch there.

It's a hot day, even up higher in the mountains, so a nice sit in the shade is appreciated.

After delicious tostadas for lunch we head back down to Loreto and check into The Iguana Inn.  This lovely little hotel has four rooms all situated around an inner courtyard.  Each room has comfy chairs outside the door, a tiny refrigerator, toaster, glasses, mugs and coffee maker.

Everything is walking distance, and the cars park safely inside the gate.  It's off for a stroll through the main square and tonight's restaurant, Mi Loreto.

The margaritas are oh so fine, and check out this absolutely yummy complimentary appetizer!
(No, I can't remember exactly what it was, other than really really good!)

 This is our first overnight stay in Loreto.  We usually have to leave well before dark to return to the beach, following the rule: Always drive in daylight.  What a pleasure to experience a city after dark!  Here's the beautiful mission tower, with lights a-blaze.

Thursday morning we head over to Orlando's Restaurant, an easy two block walk, for breakfast.

We enjoy cafe, American style while we wait for omlettes....and what do you know?  The local pre-school marches down the street to school, celebrating the beginning of Carvival, which is tonight!

One of the local police women is the band leader....and lead she does!  Here come the kids!

Time for la cuenta....the check...which comes in this cool decorative gourd, and also serves to take the money!  

We do a little exploring today on the back roads off Mex. #1.  This one goes to the resort development of Villa Polamar....and now a second hotel being constructed.

We think it's going to be a four lane paved drive into the resorts.  I check on line and find out they will book you a room for a mere $1,080.00 USD a night!  Really.  Ah, but you can get a 60% discount...so maybe only $400 USD a night?

In the small village on the fence line this cowboy rides down the street.  The small tin roof and cement block houses are way beyond a "contrast" to what accommodations must be at the Villa property.  How can these two habitations be side by side?

Time to head back to the Iguana Inn and settle down for a happy hour in the courtyard.  Tonight is Carvival on the malecon (waterfront) downtown Loreto!