Sierra de la Laguna

We have just returned to La Paz and the boat after a weekend exploring the edges of the Sierra de la Laguna, the mountains that create the central spine of the tip of Baja California. We had driven around these mountains, which straddle the Tropic of Cancer, on a recent weekend road trip, and were interested. The mountains rise to over 7000 feet, get more rain than the surrounding desert, and have been declared a Biosphere Preserve. We read about the wide variety of plants that flourish here, and about palm trees, waterfalls, and trails.

With help from Linnea and Carlos, both acquaintances from school, we found all of the above - beautiful rivers and waterfalls, trails, and an amazing variety of green trees and shrubs. Since the peninsula is only about forty miles wide here, views from the mountains lead right to the ocean. We were able to swim in the river, and hike among beautiful rocks.
It is the winter solstice. Our friend, Jane Kyle, wrote to us from Portland, saying that they understand the solstice sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer*, and asking if they could please have it back. Portland is buried in ten inches of snow; our son Sam has been skiing down the steep streets around the corner from his house. No, amigos, we cannot send you the sun, but we do send you our love.

*Sailing friends, who have the big picture clearly in mind, point out that the solstice sun is over the Tropic of Capricorn, way down south of the equator. Even here in Mexico, the sun is low in the sky. Regardless, we can only send our wishes for better weather to friends and family in the Pacific Northwest.