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Bajagypsy
Super Nomad
Posts: 1416
Registered: 8-31-2006
Location: BahÃa Asuncion BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Living the dream
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Our first trip was in 2004, when Mr. gypsy was sad that we couldn't afford the air line tickets and hotel costs to fly from saskatoon - cabo, that is
when I told him we could drive. We have both been hooked ever since.
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Bajagypsy
Super Nomad
Posts: 1416
Registered: 8-31-2006
Location: BahÃa Asuncion BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Living the dream
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we took the gypsy kids for there first trip in 2005. The youngest is now hooked on baja as well.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13033
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Wow, this is a terrific thread...such interesting stories and really neat to hear about baja before the highway was built. It is especially meaningful
to hear the stories from our beloved nomad elders...gives me some prespective.
My first baja experience was sailing down here in I think it was 1979...just after the big hurricaine in CAbo where lots of yachts got beached. I was
totally baffled and kind of grossed out by the puerto in Ensenada where we cleared customs...you miss that crossing the border thing in a boat...and I
remember how stunned I was at the chaos in the market where we provisioned.
I crewed on a Bristol channel cutter named "Cosmic Dancer" for an old Dane who ate only sprouts and was a nudist but a darn fine sailor and artist. He
painted sexy ladies on peoples wind vanes for his cruising kitty.
We sailed nonstop to Cabo and I will never forget how beautiful it looked when the cape came into sight with the famous arches. The anchorage was
pretty empty and the beach was littered with wreched boats and had people camping in them. Cabo was totally awesome with only one restaurant that we
knew of....a big palapa place close to the anchorage(first palapa I'd ever seen)...and some funky beach clothes stores, beer stores and a couple bars
where I tasted my first margarita too...heaven. But there were alot of lot markers everywhere....a hint of what was to come.
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Martyman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
Member Is Offline
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1964 Puerto Penasco when I was seven. My dad loved Mexico and we went to Half Way House 3-4 times a year as it was a quick trip from LA. Flew down to
Loreto, Mulege, BOLA, Bahia Ballenas with my rich uncle in his Beechcraft Bonanza when I was 12.
Got all our money stolen out of my brothers VW van promptly after setting up camp south of San Felipe (don't go swimming!!)
I have trouble convincing people that I'm part mexican with my red hair and freckles!
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Bajalover
Nomad
Posts: 227
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: The Cottage at Ocotillo Hills
Member Is Offline
Mood: Strongly - Missing Baja
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Paulina, David, Caboron
Great photos. I can only wish I discovered Baja in those days. My first trip was in a newly purchased Landcruiser in 1989 (FJ62). Fun years and now
"finally retired" looking to lease a lot in BOLA or Bahia Conception or??? Shall see. Hope to get this done this winter.
You folks really have had the best of ALL Worlds !! Congratulations to all.
Rudi
Sometimes you really do question; why you are and where you are.
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Bajalover
Nomad
Posts: 227
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: The Cottage at Ocotillo Hills
Member Is Offline
Mood: Strongly - Missing Baja
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Okay alittle more details. I was petrified to trave into Baja. Had a friend and her brother come along to BOLA as protection. Driving down was an
adventure, lots of pot holes, big trucks, and cows on the highway - everywhere!!! Arrived at Celito Lindo for the first night.......wow -- the
waves glimmered green "like neon lights" - couldn't believe it. They rolled in and it lit up like christmas lights. The SAND it also lite up like
lightning. Fun times. Once in BOLA.....2 nights and felt comfortable " a couplbe of maggies,,,,,,,," Wow. Fun indeed - also alot younger. Spent 10
days down there discovering Fransisquitos, Guerro Negro, and the beaches.
Great fun. That hooked me forever !!!!!!!!
Sometimes you really do question; why you are and where you are.
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Mike99km
Nomad
Posts: 178
Registered: 5-23-2007
Location: San Dimas and ? in baja
Member Is Offline
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These are killer stories. My first trip was is1961 and I was 4. My mom hated all 4 days we were there, camping on the beach. Started going down with
friends to la bufadora at 9 years of age mostly camping and snorkling. In high school we would drive 2 hours party all night and go home with my
parents not knowing what we doing.
The first time south was to drop off a sewing machine to a couple in Santa Rosalia in 75. It was a very eye opening. I met very poor people were very
giving and warm.
2 years later a friend and I spent 2 flat weeks at Punta Pequena and drove home not talking to each other.
I took a girlfriend camping at San Miguel for her first time. We drove to la paz for honey moon and have a place in San Miguel today.
You live the life you settle for.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W. C. Fields.
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El Camote
Senior Nomad
Posts: 514
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Above the clouds
Member Is Offline
Mood: y Blues
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Had almost forgotten about this brief taste of Baja since the real exploring didn't start until 14 years later.
Summer 1982. Passing time at Santa Barbara City College I had met 3 pals in a Human Sexuality class who were up for an adventure...I mean a traveling
adventure.
One pal, a spicy Latina classmate, had relatives in Mexicali and often visited during the summer. Another buddy had a sister with an empty apartment
in El Centro who was a school teacher and got the hell out of Dodge for the summer. Having never been to the Imperial Valley in July, we found out
why.
Since I was the only one who owned a vehicle, we loaded up my '67-69 Volkwagen squareback. It was a real Frankenstein which had been assembled at a
junkyard called Wright's Parts and Pieces - a fitting name although it should have been Wrong's Parts and Pieces.
South of LAX on the 405 the Volksy starts sputtering and coughing but since it didn't stop, we were a third of the way into the trip and young and
stupid, we continued on. It started really sucking up gas but we on and somehow made it to El Centro. Turns out it was an engine temp. sensor for
the crappy fuel injection system which was always blowing injectors. I later had it all ripped out and replaced with dual carbs.
We hung out in exciting El Centro for several days, soaking in the apt. pool and generally being 3 juvenile, spastic marooons and all that entails.
One of our many favorite practical jokes was to wait until someone was in the shower, sneak in the bathroom with a camera and violently pull back the
shower curtain while the third stooge snapped a picture. If you want to capture pure terror on someones face, give it a try.
Saturday night rolls around and we make plans to cross the border and pickup our amiga in Mexicali for a night on the town. We had never been in
Mexico but what the hell. She tells of a hot night spot so off we sputter to the Lucerna Hotel nightclub. I don't remember a lot of details of that
evening, there was mucho cerveza involved. But everytime I drive through Mexicali to the border and past that hotel, I think of that night, the
blind luck of youth and driving all over Mexicali in the sorry condition both the car and I were in.
Knowledge is good. - Emil Faber
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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: up on step
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gosh, sooooo long ago...hitchhiked down to baja with a buddy and erected a driftwood shelter on the beach at punta banda....literally NO ONE there on
the beach...stayed there for 10 months living off the land; digging clams with our hands, spearing and catching fish in the surf and off the
rocks....befriended some locals and they would join us in our camp at night for cervezas and other stuff...just a blast!...would help pull surf nets
with the local fishermen for a meal of pescado...would hike into maneadero to the bakery and get loaves of fresh bread for 10 cents....we had $22
total when we crossed the border heading south and had money in our pocket when we crossed back over 10 months later....that was in 1970....seems like
yesterday...just great memories!....now headed down to our casa in mulege to dig out from hurricane julio...whatta change!....lovin' baja!
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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mulegemichael, Good story! "Seems like yesterday." Hope your casa wasn't hit too hard. Good luck with the recovery.
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Fred
Senior Nomad
Posts: 500
Registered: 3-15-2007
Location: Las Vegas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Laid Back
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1959.....High School........only to TJ...........but just after that many surfing trips. Been going for the past 17 years camping in my own rig
instead of a sleeping blanket on the beach............with cooler of course.
Fred
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
Member Is Offline
Mood: wait and see
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Barry A.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Oso
TJ, 17, on back of stolen Harley with Hell's Angels buddy, The Blue Fox, busted in Imperial Beach, buddy got time. I didn't know he was stealing the
bike. They shipped my butt back to mom & stepdad in Maryland. |
Ahhhhhhhh, the "Blue Fox"---------such memories!!!! 
--------and Barry (aka "Oso") , the year was--------??????
Barry (aka Barry A.)
PS ---I first visited San Carlos Bay (Sonora) in 1955, and there was NOTHING there but a beautiful bay, and an outlying Rancho nearby. We camped
alone for 8 days, skindiving in the pristine waters, and never to return-------I understand there is "more" there now???  |
Hola Tocayo,
Sorry I didn't respond right away, I just now looked over this thread from work. All the later pages showed up but this first one was blocked by our
firewall which thinks there's porno here.???
I believe that was 1962. I also thumbed thru San Carlos sometime in the mid-60s. There were a few houses, not much else. About the only people
there were gringo scuba divers.
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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stimbo
Nomad
Posts: 289
Registered: 3-4-2008
Location: Crowley Lake, CA
Member Is Offline
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Wow! Fun thread to read....
My first trip to Baja was in the mid to late 60's with my dad. Weeks before our departure, my dad started constructing a coffin sized, home-made ice
chest, which filled the back end, side-to-side, of an old Dodge, 1/2 ton, 2 WD pickup truck. After many layers of fibre glass and hand rubs to a
sheen, we left for Mexico, hoping to fill the ice box full of fresh fish. We camped in San Felipe the first night, at the time, a sleepy fishing
village. Then we left for the long drive to Gonzaga Bay and Papa's. To this day I can still "hear" and "feel" the sounds; grinding, scraping and the
shuddering of the truck as it bottomed out along the old road.... I tip my hat with respect to Dodge, we survived.
We gorged ourselves on Baja catch... sauteed in butter, garlic, onions, and herbs, roasted on the campfire. AND we made it home with an ice chest full
of fish and tall tales.
Now, with my own kids, we usually make it down south a couple of times a year. We are all "hooked." Jim
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Yakfishing
Junior Nomad
Posts: 72
Registered: 3-2-2007
Location: N. Hollywood, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Onshore wishing I was offshore
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Bitten by the Baja bug
I cringe at telling this story, but:
It was in ’82 with my girlfriend at the time. Some of the details are a bit fuzzy; I was 22 and quite a stoner back then.
The trip started out bad – my girl didn’t close the car door on my old Datsun 510 when she got out to open the driveway gate and when I backed up, the
door swung open and caught the gate. It bent the hell out of the door and screwed up the hinges. We used a bungie cord to secure it and then headed
south. We stopped in TJ to get something to eat. It was in an industrial area and I remember the locals laughing as we tried to order some food using
our non-existent Spanish. After we ate, we got in to our car and drove away with some guy from an auto body shop chasing us with a hammer offering to
fix my car real cheap. I declined.
We stopped at a beach between TJ and Ensenada – not exactly sure where. We were hanging out on the beach and drinking with another gringo couple we
had just met when a handful of local guys showed up. We started drinking our mescal with them and toasting each other’s country, family, etc. As the
drinking progressed, the local guys were getting “very friendly” with our girls, so the other gringo guy and I decided to send our girls on an errand
to ensure their safety. The girls disappeared and we continued to party with the locals until the cops showed up. The locals took off, but apparently
we exchanged base ball caps as a goodwill gesture – I don’t remember what I gave them, but I ended up with a Bomberos Ensenada cap. I think I still
have it somewhere in the house.
The girls came back hours later falling down drunk – much like the state their guys were in. The rest of the night is a blur, but I remember waking up
on the beach in my sleeping bag to the sound of horses galloping toward us, nearly getting trampled.
That was our cue to leave. Apparently I was bitten by the Baja bug – literally. I (but not my girlfriend) ended up with a case of the crabs! I freaked
out when I discovered them, but got rid of them quite easily by using some special shampoo.
We stopped in TJ and bought some trinkets, but I should have gotten a t-shirt that said:
“I went to Baja and all I got was crotch crickets.”
Good times…
I never finish anyth
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Sallysouth
Super Nomad
Posts: 1835
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Capo Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: missing Baja...
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I was about 6 or 7 years old when my Mom and Dad took me to Estero Beach .My Great Uncle was the first of my family to venture to Baja.My Dad has
fotos of Estero with old model T's parked right up to the beach, which is now a breakwall of sorts, where the restaurant is now.Soon after my Grampa
put a little trailer in there, left it year round, and my parents follwed suit.Our first trailer was pretty much where the patio is in front of the
outside bar at Terrazas.Mom and Dad would go to Pta. Banda and meet up with the local fishermen, but could not purchase any bugs until a round of
Dominos was played.Didn't matter who won...50 cents a peice back then, alive, fresh and frisky! At nightime, us little brats would go Grunion hunting,
filling our shirts, buckets, and sneak back up (from No-No beach) and dump them in the shallow wading pool in front of the restaurant.We were BAD,
very Bad kids!!In those days, I spent all my Summers there.When Mom and Dad had to go back up to work, I would find some kind family to keep me there
with them.God I loved that place and the freedom we had.Used to ride horses every day, almost all the way to Ensenada, on the beach.Many of our days
were spent on the penninsula, waterskiing, swimming and surfing. When I got married at the ripe age of 16, My x hubby and I went to live there and my
first born was delivered in Sanatorio Del Carmen in Ensenada, 1968. Much more history after then, had a permanent place for decades, lived in Loreto
for some time. Mija has been living in Baja much of her life, at one time, a few years back, captaining her fishing boat, charters , out of Loreto.I
love Baja, it is a huge part of my soul and who I am.
Happiness is just a Baja memory away...
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3326
Registered: 12-13-2002
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mellow
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Sallysouth
I was about 6 or 7 years old when my Mom and Dad took me to Estero Beach .My Great Uncle was the first of my family to venture to Baja.My Dad has
fotos of Estero with old model T's parked right up to the beach, which is now a breakwall of sorts, where the restaurant is now.Soon after my Grampa
put a little trailer in there, left it year round, and my parents follwed suit.Our first trailer was pretty much where the patio is in front of the
outside bar at Terrazas.Mom and Dad would go to Pta. Banda and meet up with the local fishermen, but could not purchase any bugs until a round of
Dominos was played.Didn't matter who won...50 cents a peice back then, alive, fresh and frisky! At nightime, us little brats would go Grunion hunting,
filling our shirts, buckets, and sneak back up (from No-No beach) and dump them in the shallow wading pool in front of the restaurant.We were BAD,
very Bad kids!!In those days, I spent all my Summers there.When Mom and Dad had to go back up to work, I would find some kind family to keep me there
with them.God I loved that place and the freedom we had.Used to ride horses every day, almost all the way to Ensenada, on the beach.Many of our days
were spent on the penninsula, waterskiing, swimming and surfing. When I got married at the ripe age of 16, My x hubby and I went to live there and my
first born was delivered in Sanatorio Del Carmen in Ensenada, 1968. Much more history after then, had a permanent place for decades, lived in Loreto
for some time. Mija has been living in Baja much of her life, at one time, a few years back, captaining her fishing boat, charters , out of Loreto.I
love Baja, it is a huge part of my soul and who I am. |
Sally you are a real treasure. I love reading your stories about your experiences in Baja. Thank you for just....being you! With great affection,
++Ken++
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Sallysouth
Super Nomad
Posts: 1835
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Capo Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: missing Baja...
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Wow Ken! That is one compliment that I will never forget! Coming from you, one of your biggest fans!!No culo kissing here, just the facts! I think I
may be inspired to share more of my history in Baja now.
Happiness is just a Baja memory away...
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JaraHurd
Nomad
Posts: 203
Registered: 3-21-2007
Location: Los Angeles County
Member Is Offline
Mood: probably annoyed
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1981 when i was in sonar school in the USCG. I ended up helping all of my drunk buddies back across the border (I don't drink). Had to do a lot of
fast talking with my broken Spanish to keep some of them out of jail......
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bajagrouper
Senior Nomad
Posts: 964
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Rincon de Guayabitos, Nayarit, Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: happy and retired
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1948...........
I hear the whales song
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Baja-Brit
Nomad
Posts: 138
Registered: 8-28-2008
Location: London, England & La Paz
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy in Baja!
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Reading through your posts tells me I'm a Baja newbie.
My first visit to Baja proper (save for a day trip to Tijuana) was in 2002 when I flew over to la Paz from Guadalajara for a few days.
I fell in love! .....in more ways than one! 
As you were.
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