We did our annual Shell Island trip 6-12 to 6/18. Air temperature high of 95 and low of 69. Water temperature 78-80 degrees. It was very humid, made
nights very damp and sticky. One day of moderate winds, lowered our canopies and used trucks as wind shield. Had a wonderful week of sun, sand, warm
water, beers, margaritas, bloody mary and ate too much food. Looking forward to next years return.
We crossed Mexicali border around 9 am. Needed to get our tourist permits stamped. After crossing border we were not able to find any open parking
spots. The immigration guys allowed us to double park right in front of their office (all three big trucks). They scanned and stamped all of our
passports. All adults had to be present for this process but kids did not need to. Parents were able to sign kids permits for them. This process took
about 30 minutes to complete. As usual (like every other year) military checkpoint north of San Felipe, never asked for tourist permits.
No one got stuck getting on to the Shell Island this year. My HEAVY RAM 2500 Diesel fully loaded with 7 day of camping stuff floated on soft sand just
fine at 17 psi.
We were there just a few weeks before you guys and had a dead whale carcass wash up on shore. It was interesting. Was it there when you guys were
there by chance?
Also, did you catch anything from shore that's worth mentioning?
Very nice indeed! We hope to make it out there the 4th of July or later in July on our vacation. Did you access the beach next to the bridge (1984
road) or over by the fishing camp on the original road? Happy Times!
That is our favorite time of year for Baja... June-Sept., May and October are nice, but the water isn't as warm as we like.
Hot is healthy, joints don't hurt, the sea is bathtub warm, and you can float in it all day and all night... it is just as warm at night.
Usually there are no wind issues in the summer (between the chubascos). The exception was 4th of July 2011, when the wind came up after sundown and
destroyed our camp... and as we learned later, sank the Erik killing those poor fishermen near Gonzaga Bay.
We were there just a few weeks before you guys and had a dead whale carcass wash up on shore. It was interesting. Was it there when you guys were
there by chance?
Also, did you catch anything from shore that's worth mentioning?
Funny you'd mention about whale. The first day we noticed bit of stench but not bad at all. Our kids found several large whale ribs and vertebrates.
Fish wise usual suspects trigger fish, spotted bay bass, corbina, catfish, porgy and sting rays. After several years of trying to eat the plentiful
clams, meaning tough and chewy when cooked. This year we tried shelling them and batter frying them...Yum Yum.
Very nice indeed! We hope to make it out there the 4th of July or later in July on our vacation. Did you access the beach next to the bridge (1984
road) or over by the fishing camp on the original road? Happy Times!
We did used the beach access by the bridge, it was bone dry. Last two days were 18 ft tides and getting off the Island was not an issue. By the way we
registered 119 F at the border crossing at 3:30 pm. Thanks for all the info you provided for our trip.
Great looking Yellow Lab......how old???....M or F??
That large mutt is 3 1/2 yr old. Mix of golden retriever, yellow lab, German short hair and Australian sheep dog. I agree he does look like a yellow
lab. He weights whopping 70 lbs. Very good with our 6 and 8 yr old kids.
Very nice indeed! We hope to make it out there the 4th of July or later in July on our vacation. Did you access the beach next to the bridge (1984
road) or over by the fishing camp on the original road? Happy Times!
We did used the beach access by the bridge, it was bone dry. Last two days were 18 ft tides and getting off the Island was not an issue. By the way we
registered 119 F at the border crossing at 3:30 pm. Thanks for all the info you provided for our trip.
119 at Mexicali, but a perfect 95 on the island, great!
I take it there was no sign of the new marina and golf course being built on the salt flats between the access road and Bahia Santa Maria? LOL
You are welcome, sharing a great place in Baja with my Nomad amigos (with four wheel drive) is my pleasure.
looks like a pretty place. Anyone ever tell you guys its unlawful to drive on the beach. But then I guess most of Mexico (and its Gringo guests)
ignores the law.
It's an island, not a beach... lol. A joke, but not good enough for you?
Mexican fishermen also drive it to launch boats and set nets, so it isn't just a gringo deal. Does that make any difference?
Driving on the beach didn't kill that whale. Do you care? Would you see the whale or the beach if we didn't drive on sand to get there?
Thank goodness people like hayb and deanfootlong continue to share so we all can see more of Baja, despite the potential harassment by the
holy-than-thou Nomads.
Speaking of laws, do you obey the 80 KPH speed limit on miles of endless deserted highway?
Dave, you guys are hard core! The 4th can go either way. When we had the house in Percebu, beginning of June was checkout until early Oct. The heat
can be bad, but combined with the high humidity, unbearable at night. Unless you ran a/c off a gen, you did not sleep. Went down one August, stayed 1
day and came back! Even the locals leave for 3-4 weeks (Ensenada) during late July and August.
"If it were lush and rich, one could understand the pull, but it is fierce and hostile and sullen.
The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back
if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt
"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them or to them." - Malcolm Forbes
"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others
cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn
"The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer." - Cunningham's Law
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