San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico

We made it! Nick's dream of driving the Prius down into Mexico has finally become a reality. Crossing the border was a breeze. In fact, it was so easy that we were unprepared once we were in Mexicali and couldn't find the immegration office. I really thought there would be a sign or arrow pointing to the building, but even if there was we wouldn't have know because everything is in Spanish! 

We drove two hours south of the border and landed in San Felipe. We are staying in an awesome vrbo (still too cold to tent camp). It is a refurbished trailer that is perfect for the two of us. The people that are hosting us are two of the absolutely most amazing people and have really helped us out. They showed us around when we first arrived and this morning took us on an awesome hike. 

We are starting to pick up more and more Spanish and love all the new experiences. Like taking money out of an atm (1000 pesos feels like so much money!! Turns out it's about 58 dolores)

Getting gas was even more hilarious as the attendant asked how much money we wanted to put in to the tank, and Nick kept responding with "87!". We ended up getting 200 pesos worth, however much that is, since gas is in liters and I have no idea how to convert that to gallons. 

There is music playing so loud from someone's house or the bar 3 streets away that you can hear it right through the walls of the trailer and it might be driving us crazy. It's like the happiest repetitive polka and it really belongs at a carnival. Did I mention that it plays until 3am? This is real life. 

But Jackson absolutely loves it here. It's nice and cold in the breeze and the beaches are wonderful. 

We were invited to stay until next week, so we might stay in San Felipe until next Tuesday or Wednesday. ¡Buenos noches!

 View of our beach from the top of the beach access stairs

Ocotillo cactus on our hike this morning 

Selfie on our hike. Nick was gifted that walking stick from the people hosting us! 

This was an old nudest colony back in the 60s and 70s. They built some amazing structures and had to travel on a seriously crazy dirt road to get any supplies. 

New friends 

So far down!

Nicks only friend...

So much love

Family photo

This place was killer 

Gail and her real Mexican chihuahua! Check out that bedazzled collar! 

Gail and Mike are hosting us. They are some of the coolest people ever. Can't wait for more adventures!! 

White Sands to Las Cruces, NM

Today was my favorite so far. White Sands National Monument is a must see/do. It is a massive gypsum sand dune playground in the middle of towering mountains in western New Mexico. Nick, Jackson, and I had so much fun! We tried sledding down the dunes on the crazy-creek, but that was a huge fail. Everyone else spent the $20 to buy a sled, but we've been doing a great job not spending a ton while still having a great time. Check it out. 

Nick showing off his jumping skills 

And my attempt

Jackson face planted on that last one 

Like a real day at the beach, Nick walked back barefoot. 

And I did some yoga 

And now we're staying at an Airbnb in Las Cruces and it is weird!! But that's a whole nother story. 

Today it's White Sands National Park

Anna here! 

We spent a great day yesterday driving from Carlsbad to El Paso through the mountains. Snowballs at 9,000 feet to 70 degrees in the desert about an hour apart. 

Nick sure does love his Yeti from his momma!

We spent the day Sunday with Nick's old friend Phil, Sarah, and their baby twins. We had amazing eggplant parm and went for a nice walk around the neighborhood. Nick and I both thought that El Paso was going to be flat and boring. Instead it looks like this! 

We didn't go out at all, so we couldn't tell you about the town or nightlife, but it sure is beautiful here! 

We are currently on the border of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico right now. Technically 3 places at once!

We are headed up to White Sands National Monument today and then staying in Las Crucas tonight. 

Things are going really well so far. Jackson is really getting in to the swing of moving from place to place and then riding in the car. He's adjusting nicely, but you can tell when he likes one place better than another too. 

Nick and I are also adjusting, and it's getting better all the time. We suddenly have more room in the car and are more at ease with the constant changes and being around each other so much ;) 

Trucks and the land of enchantment 

Carlsbad, NM

We had a long boring drive through the oil fields of Texas into New Mexico on Thursday. Austin was so colorful! 

We arrived on Thursday to enjoy a great sunset behind our cabin 

And woke up to everything being frozen! Luckily we were able to get a cabin from my sisters friend Brian, who owns the KOA. Nicest guy ever, and this place is clean, welcoming, and beautiful, so I definitely recommend staying here. 

On Friday morning we were able to relax, make coffee, and enjoy ourselves. Then we headed to the Carlsbad Caverns. There were barely any people around and it was a beautiful sunny 70 degrees out. Nick went down into the caves and I stayed up top to hike with Jackson(pictured above). We finally are in the mountains. Jackson is so happy! 

Here are a few of Nick's favorite photos of down below:

Nick took this great one of me when he was done caving and we met up on the trail. 

Saturday was great too! We drove through the valley to Sitting Bull Falls and were the only people there! 

Nature Nick, explaining how the cave walls and overhangs were eroded by the winds and water. 

Trail maintenance 

Super clear water at the bottom of the falls 

Oh, and there were cows in the road