After leaving Santa Cruz, which was nothing more than a few houses along the road, I found the road to be great.
I had been strongly warned about the bad condition of the road in my email directions,
but these seemed better than the Alaska State Highway! Very peacfull, and the evening was beautiful.
Every now and then I came across a low spot that had been filled in by sand in the rainy season, but nothing too exciting.

I passed lots of catus but in this area this was the biggest one around.
and I discovered later that these birds are the National bird of Mexico.
They are about the size of a vulture.

Then just like that the pavement ended and I was on a nice wide, graded but washboard road.
It really was in great shape. Though I am told it can get really nasty before they get to grading it.
So according to my directions I had 6 miles to go!