Baja to Lands End, 2005/06

[Ursidae69]

During my reentry into the US (into Calexico), I was sent by the entry inspector for a secondary inspection.

Of course, this was prompted by the fact that I had a dead goat skull secured to my platform with the Quick Fist mount... So, I drove over to the inspection station, where a USDA inspector greeted me kindly, and proceeded to mosey on back to my now regrettable mascot.

To my surprise, he chuckled a bit, and then asked if it was a dog skull. "nope, its a goat". "no problem" was his reply, patting it as if alive, and he proceeded to check the rest of the vehicle.

He walked around to the passenger side and took a look inside. "is that seaweed?" he asked, pointing at a bag near Stephanie's feet. Holding back a smile, Steph responded "No, that is my knitting bling" "a scarf". Clearly embarrassed, the inspector said "sorry, no offense I hope".

Of course now I am trying not to fall on the floor laughing, as the exchange between Steph and the inspector became too much to bear.

But, the inspection did continue, and he found one prohibited item: Eggs.

He was very kind, and just informed me of the fact that eggs are not allowed to be brought back from Mexico. He also gave me a list of items, some of which were new to me.

I have put together a little page to help all of you out too

Oddly enough, seaweed was not on the list

Great story Scott. I've never been pulled over for secondary inspection. I have a few suggestions for things to add to your list. Under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act it is illegal to bring in to the US any marine mammal specimens or parts, bones, etc. Also there is a whole list of plats,animals etc, banned form import into the US under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). The US and most other countries are members of this convention, pretty hefty fines if caught. Something like the green sea turtle carapace I found would be covered under CITES, which is why I left it. The chance of getting caught is slim to none, but the consequences, especially for someone in my field are pretty bad. There are also various Mexican laws/regulations regarding the collection of species. The state herpetologist for NM G&F is a friend of mine and on a recent trip into Sonoroa looking for Chiricahuan leopard frogs, he had to get several permits from the Mexican government to collect any species, dead or alive. Something to think about.

 

[blupaddler]

Chuck...

Stop!!! Forget all your other mods. Go out and buy a fridge NOW!

Having done all these other mods, bumpers, tank, winch, etc. They are all non-essential. I have been wanting a fridge for a while, and finally got one just before this trip. Now, mind you I knew that it would be a great addition, but Cat said after the second day how much she liked the fridge! And, like eveyone has said, you wonder how you ever lived without one.

Soooooo...don't hesitate, go out and buy one now.

:jump:

 

[Scott Brady]

Expeditions West Photo Review: Volume One

This first gallery covers our trip from Tecate to the shores of Bahia de Los Angeles.

For the complete story, look for the three part series in 4WD Toyota Owner Magazine.

Tecate to Bahia de Los Angeles

 

[DaktariEd]

Awesome stuff!
Just beautiful!
:luxhello:
Ed

 

[Desertdude]

Scott, Your photos are Stellar!

Thanks for posting those :wavey:

 

[Desertdude]

Vince the Baja Bohemian... wondering if you are still in Baja - :sunny:

You looked so at home on the beach at Los Cerritos - :suning:

 

[Scott Brady]

What I learned...

I thought it would be fun, and to the benefit of those considering a similar trip I all in attendance shared a few pearls of wisdom gained from 18 days in Mexico.

So I will start off:

Main Thought:
Expeditions are not vacations, it is a concentrated immersion into a place and culture. There are challenges and hard work; times when you are lost, and times when you are in awe. Most of the time, you will be tired and even sore, and when you get home you will rest, but as you lay clean in your soft bed you will dream of the place you just came from and a smile will cross your face.

The Trip-
What I loved:
A. An absolutely wonderful group of travel partners: We did not have one tiff, or disagreement. Plans changed, and there were times when things didn't go as planned, but everyone stuck together and had a great attitude.
B. The people of Baja are fantastic: Don't just drive by and wave. Spend time talking with them, or offer assistance if you can. Share a soda, or spend a few minutes looking past what you first see. Look at the details of their lives, like their garden, or the wear in their saddle, or the thickness and design of their leather chaps. Slow down as you pass their homes and show them respect by ALWAYS trying to speak their language (even if it is as simple as apologizing for not knowing any "lo ciento, no habla espanol")
C: The group meals were KILLER. It made the trip so much easier and more relaxing. Everyone did a great job and had something unique. MMMM Good.


What I would do different:
A. Too fast of a pace: Life just gets in the way of exploration, and forces us to speed through such a beautiful place. But, I guess that was also a blessing, as we were able to see all of the places we want to come back to. I tried to slow the schedule down from past trips, but it was still rushed.
B. Pack less food: Food is ABUNDANT in Baja, with clean, well stocked stores and great quality. We ate at a fish taqueria north of Loreto that blew our minds. I must have had 6 tacos, and wanted more. It is fun to stop and eat at these little places, or go into the Mercado and interact with the locals.



The Vehicle-
What didn't work:
A. My prototype front skidplate fell victim to the Puertecitos road and the welds broke, sending the skid panel into the dirt. Quite a noise, but easily removed. But, that is what the manufacturer wanted: Testing
B. My battery terminal connector loosened, causing the fridge and radio to be unhappy. After tightening it up, no problem. I will need to redo the battery connections to ensure vibration resistance.
C. I am over my weight estimates, so the Deavers sat too low. I have just ordered a set of 1.5" shackles to bring the rear up. I will also be installing long travel airbags to allow load capacity and a lift/level on demand.

Overall, with how complex my truck is, with thousands of feet of wiring, water and electric systems, etc., it all just worked. A very fast, efficient and comfortable way to travel.


What worked great:
A. Shower System: It rocked, along with the Paha Que enclosure, we had near endless hot water, great pressure and didn't have to run the engine to make it work. I would turn the hot water heater on about an hour before making camp and would have enough water for 2-3 showers.
B. Tent: It is so rewarding to have something work better than advertised. The Eezi-Awn tent was flawless, and never had one issue, or even sign of wear after nearly three weeks. Set-up became a one minute affair, and we could leave our bedding inside the tent and store our pillows under the cover. The cover became a bit of a pain as the trip went on, as it got so dirty that handling required gloves.
C. Power systems: All of the accessories worked great, and we had 120v power when needed, 12v outlets everywhere; power to run laptops and the fridge for several days. The Iowa Thin Film solar panels stayed ahead of the fridge and ran all of the systems during the day. easy connection too, with the panels mounted to the roof. I will upgrade the main battery to one of the new Odyssey units, which have a 70ah capacity. That will allow me to use the hot water heater on the second day in camp, without having to run the motor.

Sooo, those are my thoughts on a great trip. It has only wet my appetite for more.

However, I do think the next time I travel the entire peninsula, it will be under the winds power

 

[datrupr]

Scott, great recap. I know what it is like to be asked to pull over for the secondary inspection, a story better told around a campfire, because it is actually quite funny, especially if you have a few adult libations in you. It looks like you all had a great time and you had a good group with you. Looking at all of the pictures I am really getting my Mexico jones going, and am going to have to get down there very soon or I am going to loose it and that would ne be pretty. Kristina, great pics, you are the people pic goddess of this forum, you have a great nack for posting up the pictures of people that really help to capture the moods of those in attendance. And, it looks like Scott is a bit hungover on that pic of he and Stephanie on New Years Day. He could also just be in an absolute Mexico beach time to veg out trance as well. Again, thanks to everyone for sharing for those of us that could not be there. Keep it up, and now that Robb knows how to post up pics we all expect to see more really soon Robb.

 

[kcowyo]

However, I do think the next time I travel the entire peninsula, it will be under the winds power

Hmmmm.... I don't think you mean that you'll be adding a windmill/generator to the Tacoma....matey!

More awesome pics to completely distract me on a Monday morning.... Thanks Scott!! :beer:

 

[awalter]

Thanks for indulging us Pasquale, great photos! :wavey:

I'm looking forward to hearing and seeing where you guys actually stayed. Some of the beaches you found look really inviting! I assume you positioned the truck and roof-tent for the best sunrise viewing? :ylsmoke: :elkgrin:

12/26 camped at Rancho Santa Ines near Catanina, fee $5 per vehicle per night.
12/27 & 28 camped on beach south of town (LA Bay), north of Camp Gecko on the north side of Red Mountain near old mill ruins, no fee.
12/29 camped 3 miles NE of Mission Santa Gertrudis in an area mined for sand/gravel (mountain campground), no fee.
12/30 "camped" at Hotel Frances in Santa Rosalia, $60 per room.
12/31 & 1/1 camped at Playa El Requeson in Bahia Concepcion, fee $5 per vehicle per night.
1/2 camped about 10 miles SE of Mission San Javier in mountain campground, no fee.
1/3 camped in wash about 1 mile south of San Evaristo, no fee.
1/4 "camped" at Hotel Perla in La Paz, $84 per room.
1/5 camped at Playa Los Cerritos south of Todos Santos, no fee.
1/6 (Al only) "camped" at the La Pinta Hotel in Loreto, on the beach, $79 per room less 20% discount, upgraded to Villa Suite($100) at no charge, lucky I guess.
1/7 (Al only) "camped" at the La Pinta Hotel in San Quintin, on the beach, $84 per room. This hotel is actually south of San Quintin at Santa Maria.

 

[Scott Brady]

To complete the trip after Al left:

1/5 camped at Playa Los Cerritos south of Todos Santos, no fee.
1/6 stayed in San Jose Del Cabo (actually La Playa) at the hotel La Playita. $65 per room
1/7 Camped at Ensenada Blanca south of Loreto
1/8 stayed in San Ignacio at the La Pinta. Negotiated $55 per room
1/9 Camped at Punta Bufeo
1/10 Crossed the border in Mexicali

 

[VikingVince]

Hola amigos!

I got back last night...just barely...I had a terrifying experience the last 60 miles to the border at Tecate. I was way too close to being one of the many little white crosses you see along Mex 1. (I assume those are put up by locals in memory of locals killed on the highway...I wonder how many gringos are killed on Mex 1)

Anyway, here's the story...maybe it will help to tell you all about it because I can't seem to get this close call out of my mind. I was about 5 miles out of Ensenada going UP a fairly long grade with no cars in front of me. A flatbed 18-wheeler with some type of load on it comes wildly careening downhill around a curve about 100-200 yards in front of me...and going unbelievably fast...must have been well over 70mph...this big rig had either lost it brakes or it was one crazy or drunk driver out of control. And I can see he's gaining speed...the trailer part of the rig starts fishtailing completely in and out of my lane...it was a terrifying site, a big rig trailer fishtailing out of control and on the verge of jackknifing/rolling and coming right at me...AND THEN (and this is like the most amazing thing I've seen on the road)....as it's fishtailing, the entire big rig goes up on the edge of all its wheels/tires on one side, flops back down, and then goes up on the edge of it's wheels on the other side and flops back down (like stunt car drivers do). I though I was a goner...that rig was inches from jackknifing and doing multiple rolls at high speed right in front of me and I woulda been crushed...keep in mind this all happend in about 5-10 seconds...I was about ready to hit the ditch but even that might not have gotten my out of the way in time. The rig straightened itself out momentarily and roared past me. I was rattled...it was such a close call...I didn't even stop to see if the truck made the next curve or what happened...I just kept going. I was spooked when I met a big rig for the next 60 miles to the border...like I said, I still can't get it out of my head.

What's "weird" is how many thoughts go through your head in those few seconds...I saw the crash, I saw my death, I saw the ditch and assessed it was doable (although rough, steep, and I woulda had to go through a fence), I can remember every move that big rig made. I was just lucky...I feel like I played a round of Russian Roulette and the gun clicked on an empty chamber. In retrospect I probably should've taken the ditch immediately and floored it ...it would have been my only chance to get out of the way if the truck had rolled...but luckily it worked out. If I had taken the ditch I'm sure I woulda had heavy damage...but better that than dead obviously.

Sooo...Mex 1...hmmmm...a hazardous highway...very little margin for error...no shoulders...many places where you wouldn't have an option of taking the ditch...ALOT of big rigs...alot of small crosses on that road...I'm counting my blessings today...in that way, this trip changed me somewhat as well.

 

[BajaTaco]

Again, fabulous photos and commentary everyone. Thanks for entertaining us!

 

[Brian McVickers]

Vince, that's amazing. Way to keep your cool in the face of danger!
Glad your safe, Welcome back!:wavey:

 

[BajaTaco]

:smileeek: :smileeek: :smileeek:


Vince! Damn, I am really glad you made it through that. :victory: Yes, those narrow Baja highways are definitely a substantial risk. It is indeed "roulette" to some degree, which is why when Sharon and I go down there on our own trips, we avoid the pavement where the big trucks and buses can go, as much as we can. Obviously though, those roads cannot be avoided all the time so you just have to hope for the best.

Obviously, my last post was made about the same time as yours - I hadn't seen it yet.

So how was your solo time? Did you get into the "VikingVince" groove?