mesquito_creek
Member
I am pretty sure that we were at the Gas Station in Gonzaga the same time you were on Dec 26-29? In a full size white crewcab truck....
Viva Baja! First Timer's Baja Impressions
- Thread starter DVD
- Start date
DVD
Adventurer
Hi Nude Lobster (always wanted to start a conversation like that but never realized), no, we didn't have reservations. There are 2 relatives that run 2 separate sites at the hot springs. I read some suggestions for the one on the right (as you head in), but we couldn't even find the office, so we went to the one on the left and got a nice site. It was the weekend, and it seemed only half full (maybe 5 of 10 or so sites occupied). But I imagine that early January isn't high season. It was a unique thing and a highlight!
DVD
Adventurer
Hi, yes the truck looks familiar. Not many gas stations, so it's easy to remember. I think there was a truck with a camper too? Or was that on the return trip. It is a little community. Hope you had a good trip!
DVD
Adventurer
Good luck. Except for the rogue manta ray attacks that "Scotty D" mentioned (
), we didn't have any troubles.Ace is a big proponent of daytime travel - primarily because of open range cows that would be difficult to see at night but also I'm sure due to human element.
Also, we retired our Spot and got a Garmin inReach for this trip, which provided a bit of peace of mind that we could compose and send text message via satellite.
A big difference for us, compared to an "expedition" trip in the U.S., was that we didn't take a lot of trails. In many cases, the "roads" that appeared on the map were gravel or had gravel detours. Even when we were on paved roads, there was little traffic and beautiful scenery - I'm talking 5-10 minutes or more without any on-coming or coming-on traffic.
I should also add that we have little Spanish speaking skills, but I did download Google Translate for Spanish, so I could use that without mobile data.
It was encouraging when my wife started talking about "next time we're here..." Broad strokes of a plan to go south on the mainland and then take a ferry to Baja for the trip north, to include whale watching when the whales are teaching the babies to be sociable.
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WU7X
Snow on the Roof
Well done sir! Great write up and super photos.
Nanc and I will have our new trailer broken in pretty well by this time next year. So hope that Ace will be taking another group to Baja next winter. Ace is a wonderful travel companion and I’m looking forward to spending additional camping time with him in the future. How does he like his new trailer?
I’ll be asking Wifey to read your report. We’re both looking forward to getting down there.
Dale
Nanc and I will have our new trailer broken in pretty well by this time next year. So hope that Ace will be taking another group to Baja next winter. Ace is a wonderful travel companion and I’m looking forward to spending additional camping time with him in the future. How does he like his new trailer?
I’ll be asking Wifey to read your report. We’re both looking forward to getting down there.
Dale
alexplb
Active member
pictures or it didn't happen ?
)
Ace Brown
Retired Ol’ Fart
I was there with DVD on Dec 28 but can’t say I remember your truck.
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Ace Brown
Retired Ol’ Fart
Thanks for the compliment Dale but as you now know I’m not planning on a return trip to Baja. Ten trips over a 49 year period is enough. Earlier on in this report I believe DIrk called me a reluctant leader. He’s right; if he & Laurie and Jeff & Wendy hadn’t signed up I might have cancelled the trip. The Baja experience has faded for me.
Ace
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dizzyspots
Adventurer
Great report..we 1st went down as a group in 07...spent 10 days round trip from Yuma to San Ignacio lagoon and back...fell in love with Gonzaga Bay and have been returning twice a year since!! Thanks for refreshing our memories of the 1st trip (07 FJ Cruiser, kayak on top pulling a USA Venturcraft "Trailblazer" off road camper///now in a crew cab dually 4wd with a full size truck camper and towing an 18ft boat!!)
TheDirtLover
New member
The hot springs look awesome!!!
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Thanks for posting, great job: I was able to add a few spots to my own list.
dman93
Adventurer
I’m a 60+ year old California native who had never been to Mexico until the fall of 2017, when my wife and I crossed the border at Mexicali in our Tacoma and headed towards Laguna Hanson to camp in the Parque National, then on to beach camping in San Felipe, a night at Alfonsina’s, a stop at Coco’s Corner followed by a few nights camping in Bahia de Los Angeles, etc. Perfect weather though some wind, good food, friendly people, completely safe, and overall a great time. Why did I wait so long to discover Baja?