BajaNomad

Trudi Angell & the vaqueros of the sierras in National Geographic

gueribo - 6-29-2021 at 07:39 PM

Stunning photos and a well-done National Geographic article about the current struggles of the sierra vaqueros...

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/mexicos-c...

David K - 6-29-2021 at 07:47 PM

Thank you!

BajaNomad - 6-29-2021 at 08:53 PM

Subscription required apparently? fyi

mtgoat666 - 6-29-2021 at 09:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaNomad  
Subscription required apparently? fyi


I got in using a jibberish address

gueribo - 6-29-2021 at 09:51 PM

You should be allowed 3 free articles a month.

LancairDriver - 6-29-2021 at 09:54 PM

I got in using the link and signed in with my e-mail and got a message of 3 more free articles before having to sign up. The article was very interesting but there were no pictures only captions where the picture would be.

4x4abc - 6-29-2021 at 11:37 PM

nice!

LancairDriver - 6-29-2021 at 11:58 PM

If anyone has contact with these Ranchers and can get some cash to them, PM me. I would like to cover the cost of some feed for their animals to help get them through the drought.

Maderita - 6-30-2021 at 02:48 AM

Quote: Originally posted by LancairDriver  
If anyone has contact with these Ranchers and can get some cash to them, PM me. I would like to cover the cost of some feed for their animals to help get them through the drought.


https://www.makeacommitment.org/food-distribution

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=95852

edit to add: Rancho Santa Martha Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/santa.martha.1481

[Edited on 6-30-2021 by Maderita]

gueribo - 6-30-2021 at 07:07 AM

It's worth a little effort to read . . . the photos are really lovely. Also, if you contact Trudi Angell, she can assist in finding ways to help the ranchers financially. https://www.saddlingsouth.com/contactus.php


Eleonary “Nary” Arce Aguilar and his daughter, Guadalupe, take a break after hard work at Rancho Mesa San Esteban in the Sierra de San Francisco of Baja California Sur, México.

gueribo - 6-30-2021 at 07:18 AM

LancairDriver - 6-30-2021 at 10:56 AM

Quote: Originally posted by gueribo  
It's worth a little effort to read . . . the photos are really lovely. Also, if you contact Trudi Angell, she can assist in finding ways to help the ranchers financially. https://www.saddlingsouth.com/contactus.php


Eleonary “Nary” Arce Aguilar and his daughter, Guadalupe, take a break after hard work at Rancho Mesa San Esteban in the Sierra de San Francisco of Baja California Sur, México.


Thanks, contact made, moving forward.

advrider - 6-30-2021 at 11:04 AM

Donation made, hope to visit next year. Hope others see this information and join in, has this been posted on FB at all?

TMW - 6-30-2021 at 11:13 AM

It's a tough life and for many it's the only one they know. I wish them the very best. One of the best books I ever read was "The Last of the Californios" by Harry Crosby.

advrider - 6-30-2021 at 02:34 PM

David K, is that one of the books you sell or is it out of print? I would love to read it, I find that area very interesting. On the Mule trips into the canyon to see the painting would they allow you to walk or do you have to ride? I prefer to hike but it would be nice to have my gear packed for me.

David K - 6-30-2021 at 02:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by advrider  
David K, is that one of the books you sell or is it out of print? I would love to read it, I find that area very interesting. On the Mule trips into the canyon to see the painting would they allow you to walk or do you have to ride? I prefer to hike but it would be nice to have my gear packed for me.


Sorry, no.
I have several new copies of Harry's last Baja history research book, Gateway to Alta California. It is about the final leg of the Serra/ Portolá expedition from San Fernando de Velicatá to San Diego. An excellent book!
'Last of the Californios' was republished with a different title, however! Go to Sunbelt Publications to order it.

[Edited on 6-30-2021 by David K]

Don Jorge - 6-30-2021 at 02:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by advrider  
On the Mule trips into the canyon to see the painting would they allow you to walk or do you have to ride? I prefer to hike but it would be nice to have my gear packed for me.

They definitely prefer you ride the mules. Their barn, their rules.

Truly a unique and wonderful place and inhabited by fine folk like Nary and Nacho. Afraid their way of life is just about over for all of the reasons Trudi mentioned and a few she did not. In the meantime if you get the chance do a trip on mule into their life.

Lots of us on Nomads have traveled into their country and posted trip reports here also. Here is one of ours:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=86135

If you have a Baja bucket list this should be near the top. Cheers!

Beagle - 6-30-2021 at 03:42 PM

Slightly off topic, Wasn't there a new movie about the Vaquero culture and life that was recently released? Can't remember the name though!

Edit-Not Corazón Vaquero....

[Edited on 6-30-2021 by Beagle]

Maderita - 6-30-2021 at 04:33 PM

Are you referring to "La Recua"?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYZZ8T9qfz4

Also, there are several video clips, including on YouTube, if you search "La tradición del vaquero en Baja California"

[Edited on 7-1-2021 by Maderita]

AKgringo - 6-30-2021 at 04:39 PM

I really like the picture of the vaquero, and "daddy's girl"! :yes:

Beagle - 6-30-2021 at 05:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Maderita  
Are you referring to "La Recua"?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYZZ8T9qfz4

Also, there are several video clips, including on YouTube, if you search "La tradición del vaquero en Baja California"

[Edited on 7-1-2021 by Maderita]


That's it! Thank you. I thought it was a whole film for some reason but that's it. Maybe the whole film isn't released yet.
Thanks!

[Edited on 7-1-2021 by Beagle]

gueribo - 6-30-2021 at 07:10 PM

If anyone feels moved to help, Trudi recommends Andy Schouten in San Diego, who has an NGO called Commitment that has served many projects in the Sierra San Francisco area over the years. Gifts are tax deductible.

The website is https://www.makeacommitment.org/food-distribution

A note from the Baja Nomad site about him and the focus (thank you David): http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=95852

gueribo - 6-30-2021 at 07:18 PM

In Baja, these leather lower-leg guards are called polainas. I was very grateful to borrow a pair once, on a ride through thorny thickets.



[Edited on 7-1-2021 by gueribo]

gueribo - 6-30-2021 at 07:25 PM

Photo of Trudi from the National Geographic article. I love this photo of her. She's wearing her "Mula Mil" vest, reminiscent of her 1000-mile mule ride a few years back.

wilderone - 7-1-2021 at 10:52 AM

A little off topic but I just finished "Mission Walker" by Edie Sundby. Part of her story is about walking the California missions along El Camino Real, and then she got inspired to walk all the Baja California missions. She essentially had a Baja vaquero guide to find and follow the El Camino Real, usually on a mule or horseback, with a mule for gear - she walked when she could, when she wasn't injured or the pathway too dense with thorn thickets to go through on foot. The handling of the animals and terrain by the vaqueros was fascinating. They and often ended up at some rural far-flung rancho that always put them up with a welcome. Almost always these ranchos were hard-scrabble, barely getting along. I was so impressed with her journey (AND that her lung cancer surgery took part of her lung), and the ranchero guides who participated; descriptions through her "lens". Another glimpse into this unique aspect that is Baja California. Trudi is mentioned and had a hand at facilitating some of Edie's travel.

gueribo - 7-1-2021 at 11:57 AM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
A little off topic but I just finished "Mission Walker" by Edie Sundby...


Edie has been interviewed on the Slow Baja podcast if you want to hear more about her cancer and Baja journey.

Pricey book

BajaBruno - 7-1-2021 at 12:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
One of the best books I ever read was "The Last of the Californios" by Harry Crosby.


I am rather astounded at the price of that book, which ranges from $350 to over $900 in the places I have checked.

Maderita - 7-1-2021 at 01:03 PM

Currently a used copy is as low as $95 on Amazon. I bought one for $40 on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Californios-Harry-Crosby/dp/0913...

TMW - 7-1-2021 at 01:08 PM

I purchased mine a few years ago and I think it was in the $30-$40 range. Some of these books are selling high since they are out of print especially the really good ones.

Story about Baja cowboys

PaulW - 8-1-2021 at 09:52 AM

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/mexicos-c...

motoged - 8-1-2021 at 10:11 AM

.... and a nice video as an accompaniment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gycdok8tHZU

KasloKid - 8-1-2021 at 02:20 PM

A great way to spend part of my Sunday afternoon!! Thanks!

The YouTube clip of Corazón Vaquero: The Heart of the Cowboy is 22 1/2 minutes long and stops abruptly... a quick search indicates the full movie is just over an hour long, and it's nowhere to be found at a reasonable price. I'd love to see the rest of this!! Anybody have a lead on where to buy/borrow/rent the DVD?

David K - 8-1-2021 at 02:41 PM

I have it on DVD, a well-done piece of film work. I believe I ordered after a Nomad posted about it.? His name was 'McClintock' and he or a family member was a producer, along with Eve Ewing and Harry Crosby.

Here's my review from 2008: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=29881

For sale now on Amazon ($28-$84): https://www.amazon.com/Corazon-Vaquero-Heart-Cowboy/dp/B001C...

A nice online review with photos: https://www.wilderutopia.com/landscape/culture-landscape/cor...





[Edited on 8-1-2021 by David K]

KasloKid - 8-1-2021 at 02:50 PM

Thanks David. I checked Amazon. Shipping to Canada is exorbitant pricing, so if and when the border allows us Canadians to cross back into the U.S. (I spend my winters there....) I'll order one up then. Hoping I can find one closer to home first though.

David K - 8-1-2021 at 03:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by KasloKid  
Thanks David. I checked Amazon. Shipping to Canada is exorbitant pricing, so if and when the border allows us Canadians to cross back into the U.S. (I spend my winters there....) I'll order one up then. Hoping I can find one closer to home first though.


Yes, tell me about it!
I have to add $15 to the price, if one of my books is mailed to Canada, plus the paperwork I need to fill out. What happened to our free-trade deal? Sorry about that!
If you get across the border, you are welcome to come here and watch the movie and the beer is on me! Viva Baja! I am freeway close in San Diego County!

KasloKid - 8-1-2021 at 06:52 PM

Thanks! If I'm in the neighborhood, I'll look you up! And I'll bring the beer....

David K - 8-1-2021 at 07:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by KasloKid  
Thanks! If I'm in the neighborhood, I'll look you up! And I'll bring the beer....


Any visitor from the Great White North leaves here with plenty of Baja insight (and a book or two)!:light:

Meeting the cowboys of Baja

Don Pisto - 12-21-2021 at 11:50 AM

from Nat Geo UK worth a read:D
https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel/2021/12/meeting-...

TMW - 12-21-2021 at 03:35 PM

It is a good read, thanks.

Toobman - 12-23-2021 at 07:21 PM

Thank you for sharing this. I remember reading an older, from the 80s, NatGeo article about the Californios ,as a young boy growing up halfway around the world from California. It made quite the impression on me.

15 years later, I was living in San Diego, beginning to explore Baja, and never imagined that I'd actually get to keeping going year after year. My wife still doesn't get my obsession.

David K - 12-23-2021 at 11:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Toobman  
Thank you for sharing this. I remember reading an older, from the 80s, NatGeo article about the Californios ,as a young boy growing up halfway around the world from California. It made quite the impression on me.

15 years later, I was living in San Diego, beginning to explore Baja, and never imagined that I'd actually get to keeping going year after year. My wife still doesn't get my obsession.