Naturally the day we leave is the most beautiful with blue skys! Packoderm, Bedman, Doc and others are by our cabin as I load the truck.
I do want to mention that we had a surprise visit by AMIGOS DE BAJA's Earle and Eric who were in L.A. Bay and came down to Gecko to say hi. They
looked well and were interested in how Bajaddict caught the 10 halibut at San Rafael.
We didn't get on the road until around 11 am and forgot all about making a stop at the museum! Not to worry, Elizabeth tells me she will definately be
returning to Baja (with me I hope!)...
We make the side trip to Montevideo to see the colorful rock art discovered there 42 years ago. On the way out, we stop by some boojums for a desert
walk and make an easy lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and pieces of cheese.
We make a stop before Chapala and two ravens come for a visit... we fed them some peanuts! Elizabeth heard some nice things about Gonzaga Bay and Coco so we elect to add a couple more hours to the driving time and come home via
San Felipe.
Coco was looking real good, using his prosthesis, and entertaining some German and American mountain bikers riding to Cabo. We bought a couple beers
and signed his guest book. Coco put one of my small 'got baja?' stickers on his fridge. He also related the reason he requested a camping fee at this
year's Baja 1000 (that was commented on this web site earlier). The previous 1000 that passed his way, he invited everyone to camp free... they left
him mountains of trash... not nice to do to a one-legged host in the middle of nowhere! This time, he was going to collect a fee from the off road
teams or spectators who were so messy before.
Next stop was at Brandi's Cantina de Floyd to show Liz where I camped Thanksgiving 2002 and 2003... then she saw that BIG BEACH! Elizabeth had her
shoes off and rolled up her pants to check the water!
We then went on to Alfonsina's and Antonio greeted us with a big smile. He asked if we wanted margaritas. I had a soda as a long drive was ahead, but
Liz had the margarita. When I tried to pay, Antonio said it was his gift for New Years! Elizabeth now knows that Baja is really a great place with
great people!
On the grades north of Huerfanito, we stop for a final photo as the sun sets, showing the Enchanted Islands.
In Puertecitos, we stopped for tacos but they didn't have fish (Liz is hooked on fish tacos). They did have BIRRIA! Liz tried mine first and ordered
her own bowl!
We took a drive along San Felipe's main drag so she could get an idea of the town, but it was dark and not very busy.
We arrived in Mexicali about 9pm and waited an hour at the west gate. Arrived home at 1 am.
Elizabeth has seen a small amount of Baja, met some Baja loving people (of Mexican, American, and Canadian nationalities) and has caught Baja Fever!
She also is reading Baja Nomad right now, so keep up the nice words and lets help her with a handle. She drives a Jeep CJ-5, by the way.
[Edited on 1-5-2005 by David K]bajalou - 1-4-2005 at 09:49 PM
Thanks for the report and the pictures. I checked out the album and Liz sure looks happy - must be that Baja Fever.
Diver - 1-4-2005 at 09:57 PM
David,
I've been married (and dead) for so long I get tickles the way you talk about Elizabeth. I hope you two remain as happy as she looks in the photos.
She's a very handsome lady !
Thanks for sharing and best wishes.David K - 1-4-2005 at 10:04 PM
Wow, thanks a lot Diver and Lou... that is really nice. I did warn Liz that I am a public person and she seems to take it well... The great amigos she
met in Baja on this trip helps to let her know how special Baja loving people are, and safe to be friendly with. Just a tiny minority being nasty, the
great majority of you all are really great friends.
nice pix
BajaVida - 1-4-2005 at 10:07 PM
is Montevideo reachable with 2WD?
do you have your wonderful waypoints to get there?
Thanks for the great report and photos David
Ken Bondy - 1-4-2005 at 10:12 PM
Wish I could have joined you, maybe next year. Liz is a keeper, I'm happy for both of you. Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2005.
++Ken++Neal Johns - 1-4-2005 at 10:36 PM
Hummmmm, Liz drives a CJ-5 huh?
My maiden sister, Marian, used to drive a CJ-5 way back when....and she is getting older every day....Hummmmm....
No worries, Mate - Trust me!
Recent picture, Liz:
Neal...
Mexray - 1-4-2005 at 11:30 PM
Which is the 'recent picture'...the guy with the spiffy navy uniform, or the old f..t in the red shirt?
[Edited on 5-1-2005 by Mexray]Neal Johns - 1-5-2005 at 12:10 AM
Quite, Mexray!
Give me a break, David will be after me soon enough.Mexitron - 1-5-2005 at 12:15 AM
Sounded like a great trip David, thanks for the stories. I've got a wonderful significant other who is still waiting for her first Baja trip--maybe
Elizabeth's smiles in those photos will inspire her to come on the next trip!David K - 1-5-2005 at 12:16 AM
Yes I will Neal! Last time (2001)I 'borrowed' one of your wives in waiting, and you were able to keep her in your stable. This time, I found her
first! I knew the Jeep connection would get to you!
Mexitron, thanks... lets get together in Guadalupe Canyon (anytime) or Shell Island (when it is nice and warm)!
[Edited on 1-5-2005 by David K]
Elizabeth's 'handle'...
Mexray - 1-5-2005 at 12:35 AM
lets see...if her CJ has a manual tranny, we could use 'Stick Liz'...with the add'l association of the famous Baja 'Stick Lizards (Gecko's)...
or how about...'Lower Liz'...of course, code for 'Baja Liz"....
Then theres...'Got Liz'...don't know where that came from...
I guess that's all for now...I'll need a couple of Pacifico's to try again...
Great reports, and some more great pic's as well...looks like you both had a 'Baja Ball'.tunaeater - 1-5-2005 at 01:24 AM
David thanks again for sharing your wonderful trip experience. Looks like you have a great traveling partner. I'm glad TW made was able to hook up
with you. We hooked up on the way to San Felipe and then over to Lou's. You mentioned Viva Baja 5. Do you have any dates yet. Keep us posted. Take
care and Happy New Year...PaulDavid K - 1-5-2005 at 02:25 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaVida
is Montevideo reachable with 2WD?
do you have your wonderful waypoints to get there?
Yes, it is a 2WD pick up truck road... 6 miles from the good San Borja road. The GPS details have been in my GPS web page (see link in my notebook,
below)!David K - 1-5-2005 at 02:27 AM
Thanks Paul! bajaandy - 1-5-2005 at 08:50 AM
Ahhhh.... Spring is in the air, as they say. And spring seems to be all over Baja right now. What a perfect time to be introduced to the peninsula.
It only makes the 'fever' that much worse!
Thanks again for the report and the photos! If one can't be there in person, one can live it vicariously through David K's trips.Bob H - 1-5-2005 at 09:30 AM
David, fantastic trip report. You can see Elizabeth's face lighting up with Baja fever in every shot! I really enjoyed the photos.
I think a spring trip to Shell Beach, errrr Island, or another camping event at Nuevo Mazatlan (or both) would be great! It's just a great location
to see so much and still be close enough to everything.
Happy New Year!
Bob & Audrey HDavid K - 1-5-2005 at 09:50 PM
How were the road conditions from Coco's Corner to Puertocitos?David K - 1-6-2005 at 12:13 AM
Very good... we did 50 mph on the level runs and 25 on the hills (and she never complained about my driving speed or skill, even when asked her if I
was going too fast)... Some rocks in the roadbed about 10-15 miles south of Puertecitos was the worse part of that section.
Worse was the bad paved road for about 15 miles from Puertecitos north. Coco says new pavement coming starting next month and going all the way to
Chapala! Yah, sure, uh huh...
Elizabeth heard some nice things about Gonzaga Bay and Coco so we elect to add a couple more hours to the driving time and come home via
San Felipe.
I knew the Jeep connection would get to you!
