18 Days in Baja
I've been back since Wednesday late. Finally have a few minutes to give a trip report.
Those that have already reported. Covered the first week pretty well. I'll touch on the second, and third week.
I'll start with day 6. Wayne, and I left Bay of L A on New Years Day. Heading for Punta San Francisquito. Roughly 80 miles of secondary road (dirt). Would say the first 4 or 5 mile was pretty lumpy. After that, the road became not a bad backcountry road. The Desert Landscape was unsurpassed in natural beauty. Lots to see, and take in. We came into San Rafael at around noon. Saw a sign with an OlFarts on it. Thought maybe couple of the group might be camping their. Not to be. Found out later the Park had stayed a coupe of nights pryor. We got to meet Manuel. Who been living in San Rafael for the last thirty one years. By himself. Wonderful gentlemen. Well worth stopping. Beautiful beach. We continued on into San Franisquito. Where we meant up with Ace, Park, and Tom. The wind was howling, and the campo wasn't much. Remember this place is eighty plus miles from the nearest pavement. So where talking way out.........
Day 7. Wayne and I, reconnected with Park. Because we wanted to do a little more back road traveling. Ace, and Tom were heading more toward Mulege. So we ended up taking a side trip over to El Barril. To see what was over their. Come to find out. It's a small fishing town. Interesting part. Not many men were in town. Time of year.... Not much happing in the fish department. From their it was a long haul out to HWY 1. Took most of the day. When we hit the pavement. We back tracked to Guerrero Negro. Spent the night their.
Day 8 The three of us headed to Ojo De Liebre. Their a nice campo their, and we wanted to see the whales. Really nice day. So the plan was to go out on a boat early the next day. Had an english speaking guide lined up as well. ..
Day 9 Well it didn't happen for the Whale tour. The rain came early in the morning. We had plan on leaving after the tour. So we headed back out thru the Salt mines. What a mudd hole. Bad start for me. Went back into Gerro, and got the rigs washed up. Headed back out for more back country. Ended up in Bahia Asuncion. I stayed in a Campo in town, and Wayne, Park stay out on the north end of town by the beach. Small town. They do cater to tourist a little, but most of the locals fish, and trap for lobster, and crab.
Day 10 Was a beach day. We probably travelled sixty plus miles of nothing but sandy roads. Paralleling the Pacific Ocean. Got to a spot close to La Bocana. Decided to camp ot next to the Ocean. Lots of energry from the waves, and brisk windy air. Would like to comment here. Thinking we were pretty far out from population, and just people in general. The sad part was...... The beaches had trash everywhere. So to say that the area was pristine.....
Day 11 We continued south along the coast. making are way into Punta Abreojos. Again, mostly a fishing town. We were looking for a cafe to stop and have coffee. Nothing was open. We did meet one couple from Oregon, but for the most part. Not many Gringo's. From their, we headed back toward HWY 1. Onto San Ignacio. Really pretty Town. Beautiful Misson. Have a story. We came back from lunch. Two local Police were looking for us. Apparently. "Wayne, and I were in a red zone. Wasn't marked very clear, but none the less I gave them my License. They wrote me a parking ticket. The problem was. They weren't going to give me back my License until I go down to the station to pay for the ticket. Well the ticket was something lilke four hundred pesos($26.00). Anyway, Wayne negotiated it down to hundred pesos. From San Ignacio. I continue on down to Mulege. To meet up with Ace, and I thought maybe Tom would be their. Wayne, and Park were going out to Laguna San Ignacio.
Day 12-16 I had arrive late the day before. I found Ace, but know one else. He was camp at La Escondida. I also set-up my rig their as well. I ended up staying for five days. So I got to taste of the snowbirds life. Have to say not bad way to go. I got to hike, and bike a little while their. Tryed out Ace, and Wayne Kayaks. Not a big fan of kayaking. Did very little fishing, but did my share of drinking beer. lol Also got to meet quiet a few people from different parts of the world. That I really enjoyed.
Day 17 My last day at La Escondida. Got up early, was packed by eight thirty. Ready to head north. Took HWY 1 and crossed over to Gonzaga Bay, on up to San Felipe. Over four hundred miles. Stayed at Pete's Camp.
Day 18 Continued on up to Mexicali. Good road, and only four-five minute wait at the border crossing....
Great trip! Met some more Expedition Portal family..... Thats always good. Will post picture as well.
CW (cw90yj47)
