Some pictures and a ride report from our trip to Ensenada Mexico to party with El Jefe...

My scooter on Rim of the World Drive	R.E. and Dick Emrich in Cabazon	R.E. cruising down Baja's Highway 1
The beautiful Baja Coast in February (ain't it cool?)	Pasadena Jim's favorite lobster place in Rosarita	The Hotel Mission Santa Isabel party before...

....and after (damn bikers!)

...yep (Zzzzz!)

The Ride Report...

Thursday the 7th: John (aka Redbeard Emeritus or R.E. for short) had planned to arrive at my place on Wednesday night from Jackson in NorCal, the first leg of his journey to Cabo Mexico and then on to Daytona for Bike Week and down to the Florida Keys before heading home some six weeks later (no, he's not crazy, the DOF has just forgotten how to get off his bike). Unfortunately, due to intermittent electrical gremlins, his bike decided he should leave a day later so the local day ride on Thursday was cancelled. Upon his arrival Thursday night, we made a quick run to the market for some "essential" supplies before settling in for an evening of tall tales.

Friday the 8th: Off to Dave Nichols' place for a SoCal Netscum party in Poway. The plan was to make the best of an otherwise boring freeway ride. Our trip began with 138 out of Palmdale, up the 18 past Lake Arrowhead and over the 7000 ft. Rim of the World Drive (lots of snow but the roads were clear), and down the prime high speed sweepers on 330 to the 10. Dick Emrich got wind of our plans so we arranged to meet up with him at the "place with the dinosaurs" (Cabazon) off the 10 for the second leg of our ride which was to take us through Palm Springs (way too much traffic!) to the world-class twisties of Highway 74, over 371 to 79, down to 76, and eventually to 78 and Poway. As it turned out, we decided to cut the ride short after the 371 and burn down 79 to Temucula and the 15 because we were an hour late meeting Dick (couldn't find the damn dinosaurs) and it was getting too cold and dark to make it worthwhile. Arriving at Dave's place, we were greeted by lots of smiling faces and all the beer and food we could stand. I left early with Dick for a nearby hotel to rest while R.E. stayed the night and entertained the natives.

Saturday the 9th: Having survived the party at Dave's place it was off to Mexico early. Oddly, Pasadena Jim and his wife Lisa were the only ones who said they were going the night before that actually went with us. Must have been the killer beer. Last year, Jim supposedly stood up R.E. on this ride so Jim offered to make it up to him by taking him to his and Lisa's favorite Lobster place in Rosarita on the way down. Can't argue with that! The ride down was incredibly windy. Tijuana trash flying everywhere and I think their dirt is bigger than ours. By the time we got to Ensenada, the parade was already on so we had to take the really nasty back roads to get to the Hotel Mission Santa Isabel and check in. We wanted a room with two queens (very funny) but had to settle for a king and a pullout couch. R.E. volunteered to take the couch (what a guy!). Three or four trips to the front desk later, R.E. finally got someone to bring up some linen to finish making up his bed. You would think they would have thought of that. I guess hospitality is not a priority in Mexico. The heater didn't work, the water was lukewarm, and the lights would get dimmer the more that you turned on but it was all just part of the fun. The party was on so after settling in, we headed into town to sample the local hot spots including Papas & Beer to see if R.E. could figure out what to do with all those beaded necklaces around his neck (he did). We then went back to the hotel for the "real" biker party. A pretty neat all drums kind of tribal band thing was playing and everyone danced and drank the night away.

Sunday the 10th: After an early breakfast we suited up for the ride North with El Jefe to his place near Rosarita for another party. Sadly, I had to leave just when things were getting good because I had to be back to work on Monday. R.E. on the other hand was grinning ear to ear as this was only the beginning of what would surely be another awesome adventure for him. Hugs were exchanged as I reluctantly headed back for civilization. R.E. stayed to enjoy the party and to camp there overnight before heading for Cabo in the morning. The ride home was terrible. 80 MPH winds, fires everywhere, and overturned semis on 15 all conspired to make it a ride worth forgetting but the good friends and good times won't.

• I highly recommend that you insure your bike with American Mexican Insurance Services before you head south of the border.

• For more info check out ensenadabaja.com "Where Baja Rocks & Tacos Rule!"