Fatboy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 716
Registered: 6-28-2005
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Wild Baja -- Part Seven The End
After the calf experience it was back to Highway 1 via El Desengano.
The road past El Desengano to Highway 1 was in pretty bad shape and it took awhile to get to the Highway.
Once there it was northward to Laguna Chapala, not the road but the actually dry lake.
One of the old books about Baja, I think Max Miller's book, mention finding arrowheads while they camped on the south end of the dry lake.
While I didn't find any arrowheads, it was cool anyways.
After some high speed imaginary car chases on the dry lake it was time to head north.
My plan was to spend my final night in Baja at the Green Pools.
I see that they are not using the current road across Laguna Chapala for the new road. The new road rejoins the old one where it climps up out of the
lake and zigzag a new course through the mountains in the general area of the old road.
Once on the other side of the mountains the new road makes a north bound turn completely bypassing Coco Corners. There is still 22 miles of dirt
before you hit pavement.
Due to all the roadwork I was unable to find the road to the green pools.
Once on the pavement the road was fenced on both sides so you are unable to get on any of the side roads out into the desert.
I ended up camping out by Punta Final.
I was up early the next morning. Though the checkpoint at bahia San Luis Gonzaga and I sped northward on the new pavement while lamenting the passing
of an era.
There was a naval checkpoint on the road north of Gonzaga which I thought was odd.
I was in San Felipe before long and then on to the long stretch to Mexicali.
Through Mexicali and a 40 minute wait to cross the border. Then on to my sisters in 29 Palms.
  
PART ONE
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=83137
PART TWO
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=83138
PART THREE
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=83141
PART FOUR
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=83142
PART FIVE
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=83143
PART SIX
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=83144
[Edited on 5-22-2016 by Fatboy]
[Edited on 5-22-2016 by Fatboy]
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5818
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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Thanks for taking us along! Your trip unfolded much like mine do, loosely planned and scheduled, if at all.
You hit a few of the places I have been to, and a couple that are on my wish list for the next trip. Thanks for taking the time to document and
report the adventure.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15937
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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What did they find at the checkpoint when they searched your "navel"?
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Fatboy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 716
Registered: 6-28-2005
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Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  | Thanks for taking us along! Your trip unfolded much like mine do, loosely planned and scheduled, if at all.
You hit a few of the places I have been to, and a couple that are on my wish list for the next trip. Thanks for taking the time to document and
report the adventure. |
Your so welcome!
Now matter how many picture you take or words you write about a place you really cannot capture it all.
The feelings. the smells, the sounds.
The desert in the evening as all creatures are stirring, some are ending the day shift while others are just starting the night shift.
The feeling of a cholla cactus as your boot kicks a segment up and into your lower calf.
The cool goodness of an ice cold beer at the end of a long hot day.
It is all pretty amazing.
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Fatboy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 716
Registered: 6-28-2005
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Hmmmm I should fix that. 
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13033
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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I loved your report and did get the feel of it...yeah..maybe Doug can develop a scratch and sniff trip report app!
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Fatboy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 716
Registered: 6-28-2005
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| Quote: Originally posted by shari | | I loved your report and did get the feel of it...yeah..maybe Doug can develop a scratch and sniff trip report app! |
Yeah, Doug, get on that would ya?
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13165
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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Wonderful trip report - that was a lot of work, so thanks again.
Now, could someone have an adventure and document it like this once a week? So much fun to read and dream.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64490
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Baja is a drug... we get a little and then we want MORE!
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barcodemarco
Junior Nomad
Posts: 58
Registered: 6-14-2015
Location: Oceanside
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Well done Fatboy. Really enjoyed your trip story! How was the road from Bahia Animas to BOLA?
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Fatboy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 716
Registered: 6-28-2005
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The road was in 'normal' to above 'average' condition.
From the bay to the main dirt road has been rerouted somewhat and there seems to be more loose sand in the wash, but other than that the roads seems
pretty much the same as all my other trips there.
The main dirt road to town was in pretty good shape, the washouts from a couple of years ago have all been fixed and it was not too bad as far as
washboarding goes.
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