jamesbee - 11-22-2024 at 06:49 AM
This was our 2nd time pulling our travel trailer into Baja and camping. Last time we met some good friends that have a house in Rosarito, they invited
us to come to their house then we'd travel together to Santispac.
We crossed into TJ and was pulled over within a few minutes. Officer stated I had a light out and did not stop at a stop sign. Made me get out and go
to the back of the trailer. He said as long as I don't have guns or drugs he'll let me go then yells "put your hands up". I have my hands on my
trailer while one searches me, had keys and my wallet, he asks if there's drugs in my wallet, I reply no. As he's looking, I'm watching, the other
goes hands up, distracting me. He looks at my license, asks if i'm a commercial driver, yes I am. Hands me back my wallet. I look inside, 1000 peso
bill is gone. I ask, I'm good to go? He says yeah good to go. Off to Rosarito. BTW, I'll never pull a TT through TJ ever again!
We took HWY 3 over to 5, there was a few pot holes but seemed generally in good shape, no problem puling a TT. We stayed the 1st night in Gonzaga. I
had a check engine light come on and decided to go back to San Felipe the next day to fix it while our friends head south. I fixed it then we drove
San Felipe to San Ignacio.
5 is in pretty good shape. There is a few pot holes before Gonzaga that look like axle breakers. Hwy 1 is in pretty good shape, a few miles of very
rough road North of Jesus Maria.
We made it to Santispac where our friends were waiting, had a great time!
Heading North we left Santispac and drove to Gonzaga, 2nd day to Mexicali East. All went smooth, no problems at military check points, the only one
that stopped us was San Ignacio.
On state side, our truck broke down on I5 about 100 miles S of Sacramento, looks like Injection pump, found a shop that specializes in Diesel and can
store our trailer there. Had AAA tow us there then the owner Tom drove us to Enterprise. They could only offer a small car for a 1 way trip . Me , my
wife and our 2 large Rottweilers crammed into a little Mazda 3 and headed to Redding.
The next morning, I5 is closed in both directions so we had to stay another day in Redding. Made it home, finally. Now I get to fly to Sac, get a
rental and go pick up the truck once it's done.
That's it for now
[Edited on 11-22-2024 by jamesbee]
towntaco - 11-22-2024 at 07:48 AM
Sucks that it broke but glad to hear it made it that far north!
David K - 11-22-2024 at 11:14 AM
Thank you for the report. So sad you were robbed and had mechanical issues.
mtgoat666 - 11-22-2024 at 04:29 PM
Driving in some areas, seems like it is advisable to never keep more than 100 pesos in your pocket, and bury the rest in a secret stash not easily
found by their typical cursory searches.
Lee - 11-22-2024 at 05:58 PM
Suggest if you meet your friends again, do it in San Felipe. I'd stay out of TJ, and Tecate is a crappola shoot. Mexicali East is an excellent
choice going and coming.
I expect to be stopped in multiple places but never am. I think your experience is right up with the worst of them. Welcome to Baja.
Well written narrative thx for that.