Baja Sin Nombre: March 18-25, 2007

[articulate]

You can never start to teach 'em too early.

Brooke (my pregnant wife) and I are headed into Baja Norte on March 18. 10 years ago, I experienced gray whale watching from a rusty, leaky boat the size of this desk from which I'm typing now. It was so thrilling, I want to do it again and my wife wants to go. Our little one is due in July, so it's likely we won't get a chance for a significant trip this summer.

So off we go now.

Some goals and targets include:

1. Preparing little kid for a lifetime of Mexico travel
2. Exercising my Spanish
3. Seeing some whales
4. Getting to the beach
5. Tasting comida tipico
6. Revisiting that funky little undefined thing that happens to our brain, nerves, and (dare I type it?) heart when we get on the road to embark on an adventure. Don't know what it's called, that feeling, that sensation, but I like it. That's the main reason to go

We will likely catch up with a few friends who shall remain nameless to protect the guilty.

"So many different colored boats I see
Are all leaky, lonely, and driftin'
Just like me"

This trip will cover Norte only. To see the whales, I'm not sure if we have to go all the way to Guerrero Negro or not (for a reasonable percentage of success, anyway). Input in that department is surely welcome.

Otherwise, here's to a happy corazon.

Mark

Baja is found on Earth:

Itinerary:
March 18th: Leave Phoenix area about 6:00am, cross at Algodonez or Mexicali; get to San Felipe to assess the situation; likely camp between Puertecitos and San Felipe.

March 19th:Continue down the coast, and re-connect with Mex 1 at Chapala; Head to Pacific Coast to camp somewhere near Santa Rosalita

March 20th:To Guerrero Negro by way of San Borja mission; Assess time for whale watching either at San Ignacio or at GN.

March 21th: Whale watching/exploration out to Santa Gertrudis
March 22th: Northbound - Camp at Punta San Carlos, south of Rosario
March 23th: Unsure . . . Northward. Likely a Hotel.
March 24th: Camp within Parque Nacional San Pedro Martir
March 25th: Cross the border at San Luis or Algondones again

 

[awalter]

Mark,

I'm not aware of any whale watching operations between San Diego & Guerrero Negro(which is in Baja California Sur). I'm sure your not looking for the motel/hotel, cabin cruiser whale watching experience. There are plenty of operators in Guerrero along with some nice motel accommodations. For beach camping around Guerrero you need to stay on Mex 1 & follow the signs a few miles(10?) south of town & turn west to the water.

Just another 2.5 hours south of Guerrero & you'll be at San Ignacio Lagoon with the best whale watching on the peninsula. The only other whale infested area is yet again further south to Magdalena Bay.

 

[articulate]

Guerrero Negro(which is in Baja California Sur). I'm sure your not looking for the motel/hotel, cabin cruiser whale watching experience . . .
Just another 2.5 hours south of Guerrero & you'll be at San Ignacio Lagoon with the best whale watching on the peninsula. The only other whale infested area is yet again further south to Magdalena Bay.

Excellent information, Al, thank you (El Sabio). I jumped the gun and misunderstood that Guerrero Negro was actually in Baja California Sur. The only thing this changes is my outlook. That lagoon at San Ignacio is what I'm aiming for. I'll check my maps more closely in the future. . .

We only have a week, but I think this is reasonable.

 

[Ursidae69]

I think you need to leave a few days earlier and arrive at the lagoon in San Ignacio on the 17th and do whales with us on the 18th. :wavey:

 

[articulate]

I could do that, but Brooke has a commitment on the 17th. Otherwise I'd love to do that.

I'm now considering driving down the penninsula to San Ignacio and ferrying back to Guaymas. Considering. Guaymas to home is failry quick. We could see some of the missions in the southern penninsula that way.

 

[Ursidae69]

I'm all loaded up and ready to roll. Just have to get through one more week of work... Hope we run into ya Mark. :smiley_drive:

 

[kcowyo]

Some goals and targets include:

6. Revisiting that funky little undefined thing that happens to our brain, nerves, and (dare I type it?) heart when we get on the road to embark on an adventure. Don't know what it's called, that feeling, that sensation, but I like it. That's the main reason to go

I once read about that sensation phrased like this -
"How do you go about telling someone, I'm just out here trying to regain my feet and pounding heart. Try interrupting with that one...."

Pretty eloquent in its simplicity I thought. Man was not intended to live life in a cubicle, punching holes in paper all day.

My cell phone has a banner space for any personal message on the main screen. Everytime I open my phone, I see a pic of my kids and the two words I put in and always want to remember - "Live Well"

I hope the Stephens family has a safe and memorable journey to Mexico - :1888fbbd:

 

[flyingwil]

Damn! I think I am the only one not going to Mexico!

I think Kevin, Robb, Chuck, and handful of others are all going South around the same time.


Mark-
FYI... Wendy's OGBYN or what ever it is called (baby Dr.) told us that off-road travel would be bad for the baby (severe turbulence too). Have you guys asked your Dr? I think it is BS as it is the same amount of bouncing as exercise so I am interested to see what your Dr. says.

 

[kcowyo]

I'm all loaded up and ready to roll. :smiley_drive:

Nice Yak dude! :clapsmile

The Chuck-Wagon is looking ready for another big Baja adventure. The only problem with the truck is I can't see the new gears and fridge....

Wish I was rolling with you on this trip. We'll try again next Spring. Hope you have an awesome time and that you get to see the whales, drink some cold beer and chill the F out. You deserve it!

You want me to call the gf and keep her company while you're gone? rngartis

 

[Ursidae69]

Nice Yak dude! :clapsmile

The Chuck-Wagon is looking ready for another big Baja adventure. The only problem with the truck is I can't see the new gears and fridge....

Wish I was rolling with you on this trip. We'll try again next Spring. Hope you have an awesome time and that you get to see the whales, drink some cold beer and chill the F out. You deserve it!

You want me to call the gf and keep her company while you're gone? rngartis

Yeah, wish you could have made this trip amigo. You slacka!! I'll let my new flame know you might be calling. :shakin:

Mark-
FYI... Wendy's OGBYN or what ever it is called (baby Dr.) told us that off-road travel would be bad for the baby (severe turbulence too). Have you guys asked your Dr? I think it is BS as it is the same amount of bouncing as exercise so I am interested to see what your Dr. says.

I went to Baja in March 05 with some friends, one of whom was ~6 months prego. We had to make a lot more stops because the washboards would upset the baby and the baby would kick the crap outta mom. As long as we took it slow, it was good though. She ended up riding with me a lot because my truck was a lot smoother of a ride that their older Yota.

I think Kevin, Robb, Chuck, and handful of others are all going South around the same time.

Yeah, I might be able to meet up with Robb and Mark if everything goes well. Here is my rough itinerary, subject to modifications on the fly.

March 10th: Leave Tucson, driving mainland, ferry overnight to La Paz
March 11th: Cabo Pulmo
March 12th: Cabo Pulmo
March 13th: Punta Evaristo
March 14th: La Poza Grande (south on the coast in the mangroves)
March 15th: La Poza Grande
March 16th: San Juanico
March 17th: San Ignacio
March 18th: Whales in the morning, then to Malarrimo
March 19th: Malarrimo
March 20th: To San Borja Mission, maybe all the way to BoLA
March 21st: Campo Archelon BoLA
March 22nd: Ensenada Alcatraz
March 23rd: Ensenada Alcatraz
March 24th: Punta Bufeo w/ Allen and Dianna
March 25th: Back to Tucson by 5pm. Somehow, back to work the next morning....

 

[articulate]

Chuck:
Dude, are you traveling solo? Are you going to be standing by on the famous 146.460 frequency?

Boy, that KC, what a freak.

Damn! I think I am the only one not going to Mexico!

I think Kevin, Robb, Chuck, and handful of others are all going South around the same time.


Mark-
FYI... Wendy's OGBYN or what ever it is called (baby Dr.) told us that off-road travel would be bad for the baby . . . I think it is BS as it is the same amount of bouncing as exercise so I am interested to see what your Dr. says.

I don't know if it's necessarily BS, but I suspect that since there isn't a clear definition of off-road travel (and we all know that what we do is still on roads), doctors and skeptical family members are worried about the worst case scenarios of rock crawlin' on 37s. Um....that's not Baja travel. I'm being somewhat brash, I know. We did talk with the doctor, and he didn't think there was anything to stop the trip. We're going to be camping on the beach in Mexico - what could be better for a baby?

Obviously, we'll adjust as needed. Just like every trip is subject to adjustments.


Update:
Downloaded LBMaps and I'm getting thrilled about a route that takes us down the Sea of Cortez Coast on the first days to San Ignacio Lagoon (Robb's suggestion). Then we will probably go back northward up the Pacific side, more or less heading to the beach to set up camps along the way. Maybe see some surfers?

I'd love to see some old missions as well. My old Moon guidebook indicates that there are a couple between Rosario and Chapala (if I recall correctly).

 

[Ursidae69]

Chuck:
Dude, are you traveling solo? Are you going to be standing by on the famous 146.460 frequency?

Boy, that KC, what a freak.

I'm travelling with my good friend Brian (Wolfsoul on this board). I think you met him on that botched backpack trip last year. He has a passenger from his work and I am riding solo. We will be on the party frequency 146.460.

Yeah, KC is smacktalker for sure.

 

[awalter]

Mark,

The best missions/ruins to visit north of San Ignacio are Santa Gertrudis(2-3 hours of the highway), San Borja(1-2 hours off the highway), Santa Maria(11-12 miles off road, with lockers & sliders recommended, not to be done solo) & San Fernando(3 miles off the highway). South of San Ignacio are Santa Rosalia(in Mulege), Loreto, San Jose de Comondu(3-4 hours off the highway), San Javier(1-2 hours off the highway), & San Luis Gonzaga(1 hour off the highway).

PM me if you need more info.

Al

 

[blupaddler]

I don't know what you all are talking about...That KC he is such a gentleman! He also could be jealous that Bella has been to Baja more than times than he has.
:xxrotflma



I need to get a new Garmin GPS so I can download that LBmaps stuff. I am just trying to get rough coordinates off the Almanac, and Google Earth.
Mark, my second itinerary will put us on the Pacific side up in the Punta _______ area (swell riding!), if you care to swing by.

I'll email you the suggestion.

And I will be monitoring the "party channel" as well.
Are either of you planning on bringing a sat phone?

 

[Ursidae69]

Are either of you planning on bringing a sat phone?

I rented one, but it doesn't get delivered until the 9th. It is an Iridium 9500, the cheaper model. It can accept free texts, but not send them. I will PM you guys the number when I get the phone. It will have voicemail.