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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The Beach, Birds and Bumps in Baja: July 17-20, 2010 (Part 4 of 4)
Continued from Part 3:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=46887
We pull up to Coco’s Corner a little after 3:30 Monday afternoon and learn that Coco is in Ensenada for a couple of months. Ramón is watching the
Corner in Coco’s absence. We buy a couple of ice cold Pacificos and add my cards to Coco’s wall of cards. Hanging overhead is a collection of
underwear and other paraphernalia donated by passers-by.
We say goodbye to Ramón and head south. The final 13 miles to Highway 1 are better than the previous road by a bit. However, my BFG Rugged Trail tire
on the right rear got punctured, within sight of Highway One!
My low tire pressure warning light came on before I felt the flat. Before the tire was totally flat, I found the hole and we rolled the truck to where
I could plug the hole. It took two plugs, but the air stopped leaking and held after refilling the tire. It would be good for the 108 miles to El
Rosario. A sign at the highway advertised tire repairs and gasoline at Rancho Nueva Chapala, 1 km. south.
Cataviña is about 32 miles from Laguna Chapala and we pulled into Alfonso’s gasoline sales trailer (across the highway from the Desert Inn Hotel, just
north of the abandoned Parador gas station).
Desert Inn as seen from the gasoline trailer.
Two young ladies were on duty and we purchased 5 gallons of gas for $16 dollars ($3.20: gallon). This gave us security that we could reach El Rosario
as my gauge showed us close to ¼ tank from San Felipe.
Nearing El Rosario, we see that the widening of Highway One is underway from the edge of town to the previous section of widened road done last year.
The bridge over the El Rosario riverbed was damaged last January. A paved detour crosses the valley alongside the bridge.
About a mile of new, unpaved roadbed at the entrance to El Rosario.
We arrive at Baja Cactus to check in and meet BajaFam, who are just ahead of us, checking in. I get to vouch that they are Nomads, as Lionel couldn’t
find his Nomad card, for the special discount. Remember, Discover Baja Travel Club members have the same discount, as well!
We freshen-up and walk over to Mama Espinoza’s for dinner. We pick the big round table as BajaFam said they wanted to visit with us, alas they didn’t
arrive until we had finished (getting small children ready sometimes takes longer!). As we were eating (crab and carne burritos), a couple approached
us and said they recognized us, and wanted to say hello. They were Nick and Kathy ‘ncampion’ on Baja Nomad, heading to Loreto.
What fun it was to meet new Baja Nomad members this day, and both in El Rosario.
A new special treat was in store for us after dinner when we returned to Baja Cactus Motel. The front desk manager, Carmen informed us that we could
have ‘His and Hers’ massages by Roxana. Oh boy, another great reason to spend the night at Baja Cactus!
Roxana brought the massage table up to our room, plugged in the sound of waves and sea gulls (like we were back on Shell Island, other sound choices
available, too) and gave Baja Angel and I the most relaxing massages. I picked the Swedish massage, which is a head to toe relaxing massage for the
long day’s drive. Baja Angel was next, with the Sport Massage that concentrated on the back and legs. The motel desk has a list of massages and prices
available. This is one treat well worth the cost (under $35) for an hour of soothing comfort.
The next morning, we awoke totally relaxed and in no great hurry to leave El Rosario. I did want to have a patch put in the tire that I plugged
yesterday, even though the plugs didn’t allow any air to escape, overnight. The tire shop next to the plaza, on the same side of the highway did the
work ($10). Next, we drove to Primo’s La Bocana Beach (Sinahi Motel) Restaurant for breakfast. We didn’t get to see Primo, but the service was fast
being the only customers there.
After checking out of our room at Baja Cactus, we went to the gas station, next door and topped the tank. We had traveled 267 miles since filling up
at El Dorado Ranch north of San Felipe. 12.8 gallons was added at Baja Cactus Pemex, plus the 5 gallons added at Cataviña, meant my mileage (including
a bit of deep sand four wheeling and the 63.7 dirt miles from El Huerfanito to Laguna Chapala) was 15 MPG. Now, the pure highway driving from El
Rosario back home to Oceanside via Tecate (303 miles, 15.8 gallons) gave me 19.2 MPG, my best mileage so far in my 2010 Tacoma.
For a second time, we stopped to have our car washed at this place in San Vicente, on the north side of the bridge construction.
They did a very nice job, as before after our Mision Santa Maria trip. He worked on it an hour and only wanted to charge us 70 pesos. I gave him 140
pesos and still believed I got a great deal. There is a nice taco stand with tables there, and they speak English.
North of Santo Tomas we came upon the widening of Hwy. 1 project. The work goes all the way to Maneadero.
Highway 3 from Ensenada to Tecate was great with 4 lanes to San Antonio de las Minas completed and new, wider 2 lanes on past Guadalupe (Francisco
Zarco). However, from Valle Las Palmas to Tecate (14 miles) there are 4 dirt detours as the road south from Tecate is being widened. The four detours
totaled nearly 7 miles, and will make the trip run longer than expected.
The border wait was only 12 minutes starting at 7:14 pm that Tuesday. The three military checkpoints we encountered (El Rosario Mesa, Santo Tomas
North, Valle Las Palmas) were all fairly fast and easy. Gasoline (south of the border zone) was $2.52/ gallon at Pemex stations and $3.20 at
Cataviña’s ‘emergency depot’.
As before, this was another great trip into Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula with no problems caused by crime or cops. Businesses were all nice to
deal with, and they all expressed the hope for a return of tourists.
Until our next trip south, adios amigos!
David y Elizabeth
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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What is the NOMAD card that you mentioned for Baja Cactus discount?
The "underware" hanging around Cocos Corner just don't do much for me.
[Edited on 7-26-2010 by surfer jim]
[Edited on 7-26-2010 by surfer jim]
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
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Location: Buena Vista BCS
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Thanks DK, great trip report.....dt
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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Did David leave his underwear there? He looks pretty excited in the picture.
Maybe just a wedgie
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by surfer jim
What is the NOMAD card that you mentioned for Baja Cactus discount?
The "underware" hanging around Cocos Corner just don't do much for me.
[Edited on 7-26-2010 by surfer jim]
[Edited on 7-26-2010 by surfer jim] |
Look here... and Doug also has a link for the card (however, it has a 2009 expiration date! DOUG!??
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=36824
http://www.bajanomad.com/club/card.htm
[Edited on 7-26-2010 by David K]
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BajaNomad
Super Administrator
Posts: 4999
Registered: 8-1-2002
Location: San Diego, CA
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Expiration updated to 2011. 
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
https://www.regionalinternet.com
Affordable Domain Name Registration/Management & cPanel Web Hosting - since 1999 |
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Marc
Ultra Nomad
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Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
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There used to be a tire shop at the Chapala road & highway one. Back in August '08 we stopped there to re-inflate after going through Gonzaga from
S. Felipe. The shop compressor was not working so we asked one of the 18 wheeler drivers parked by the road if we could use theirs. They have on board
compressors. Several of the truck drivers had their whole families with them. The shop was gone the next time i went by next October.
[Edited on 7-26-2010 by Marc]
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Thanks for the report DK, love the pixs.
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Marc
There used to be a tire shop at the Chapala road & highway one. Back in August '08 we stopped there to re-inflate after going through Gonzaga from
S. Felipe. The shop compressor was not working so we asked one of the 18 wheeler drivers parked by the road if we could use theirs. They have on board
compressors. Several of the truck drivers had their whole families with them. The shop was gone the next time i went by next October.
[Edited on 7-26-2010 by Marc] |
In the top five on your list when traveling in Baja should be to always carry an air compressor. I actually carry two as I have had one fail on me in
the past.
Great report David - how long was the drive from Coco's to Cataviña?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGringo
| Quote: | Originally posted by Marc
There used to be a tire shop at the Chapala road & highway one. Back in August '08 we stopped there to re-inflate after going through Gonzaga from
S. Felipe. The shop compressor was not working so we asked one of the 18 wheeler drivers parked by the road if we could use theirs. They have on board
compressors. Several of the truck drivers had their whole families with them. The shop was gone the next time i went by next October.
[Edited on 7-26-2010 by Marc] |
In the top five on your list when traveling in Baja should be to always carry an air compressor. I actually carry two as I have had one fail on me in
the past.
Great report David - how long was the drive from Coco's to Cataviña? |
Coco's to Hwy. 1 is 13.1 miles, and took us 47 minutes with a flat tire repair included... That tire repair time was only about 20 minutes max. (I
think).
I stopped logging at the highway, other than to record the mileage to El Rosario's Pemex (108.8 miles). It is about 32-34 miles to Cataviña from
Chapala... and took maybe 40-45 minutes.
So, Cataviña to Coco's was about 46 miles, and 1 hr. 15 min. time.
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
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Location: yuma,az
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David
as usual great trip report,
How can I get a Nomad card and a sticker?
the Tienda here is not working
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by desertcpl
David
as usual great trip report,
How can I get a Nomad card and a sticker?
the Tienda here is not working |
The card link is above (and here: http://www.bajanomad.com/club/card.htm )
Doug must be working on the Tienda, as it doesn't open for me, either.
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Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2802
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Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGringo
| Quote: | Originally posted by Marc
There used to be a tire shop at the Chapala road & highway one. Back in August '08 we stopped there to re-inflate after going through Gonzaga from
S. Felipe. The shop compressor was not working so we asked one of the 18 wheeler drivers parked by the road if we could use theirs. They have on board
compressors. Several of the truck drivers had their whole families with them. The shop was gone the next time i went by next October.
[Edited on 7-26-2010 by Marc] |
In the top five on your list when traveling in Baja should be to always carry an air compressor. I actually carry two as I have had one fail on me in
the past.
Great report David - how long was the drive from Coco's to Cataviña? |
You are quite right! I have all the info on compressors. I'm just to lazy to go out and get one. I have a small battery/compressor from the Harrington
Cataloge that will probably work if I need it....maybe.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Harbor Freight and Baja Nomad Tienda sell units that fill three times faster than the cigarette lighter air pumps... both are well under $100... under
3 minutes from 10 to 30 psi (6 psi per minute), where as the others take about 10 minutes per tire. (2 psi per minute)
[Edited on 7-28-2010 by David K]
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wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
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Location: Mission Viejo
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Wow, that is some tough road DK.. as you have a new rig.. with relatively new tires..
How many and type plugs do carry..... sounds like a very good idea..
Have a couple of XPower Powerpack 400 Plus, which have 250 psi compressors.. and have used it to inflate a low tire and it was not too bad...
Thanks for all the work.. always like travel pictures... and you guys seem to be having a really good time.. Cheer UP!!! 
[Edited on 7-28-2010 by wessongroup]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by wessongroup
Wow, that is some tough road DK.. as you have a new rig.. with reality new tires..
How many and type plugs do carry..... sounds like a very good idea..
Have a couple of XPower Powerpack 400 Plus, which have 250 psi compressors.. and have used it to inflate a low tire and it was not too bad...
Thanks for all the work.. always like travel pictures... and you guys seem to be having a really good time.. Cheer UP!!!
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Oh, nothing fancy... I think it came is a tube shaped cardboard can. Has a couple sets uf the gooey plugs, the reemer tool to clean out the hole, and
the insert tool. I really should pick up a better kit (as long as I have BFG tires on my Tacoma)!
Here is the muy rapido air pump from Harbor Freight...
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wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
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from the look of your tire.. that road is a tough one..... as it appears to have a lot of meat on it... some sharp ones, out there..
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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That photo was taken in Feb. 2007, different truck (2005 Taco), different tires (Cooper Discoverer STTs), same air pump (was new then). It is the only
photo I bothered to take of the muy rapido air pump.
The new Taco has BFG Rugged Trail T/As (They are called 'Rugged Fails' on Tacoma World Forums, lol). They have about 13,000 miles on them when the one
got a flat. I had 3 or 4 flats on the BFGs back in 2001/2001 New Years trip... what apain. They were much more worn then these, however.
The Cooper Discoverer STTs or Cooper Discoverer ATRs I also had never got a flat... Nor did the Toyo Open Country ATs I also had on my 2005 Taco.
[Edited on 7-28-2010 by David K]
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Udo
Elite Nomad
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The best tire plug kit is the BLACK JACK
http://www.backjacktirerepair.com
I bought all of mine (one in every car plus one for the RV), from the internet. I don't remember whom, but I paid about $40.00. The kit has a metal
insert tool and reamer, plus you get a nice case that holds about 100 plugs. Along with the kit, you should add a pair of wire side-cutters and a
small screwdriver/icepick so you can poke out the nails/cactusneedles/twigs, etc., Plus you need to add a single edge razor blade to cut the left-over
tire plug sticking out of the tire (yes, you can use the side cutter, but the razor leaves a cleaner cut).
| Quote: |
How many and type plugs do carry..... sounds like a very good idea..
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Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Thanks Udo... I would like to get that... as long as I have BFGs on the Toyota!
http://www.blackjacktirerepair.com/
[Edited on 7-28-2010 by David K]
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