BajaNomad

Remembering a get-together, pre-Baja Nomad.

David K - 5-9-2025 at 10:22 AM

In February of 2000, we were using the Amigos de Baja forum as well as Fred Metcalf's message board. Tim Walker (of TimsBaja.com) and I wanted to meet up, and so did several of the other amigos on the Baja Internet. San Clemente was a logical midway between San Diego and L.A., the two regions most of us lived in.

Here are a few photos posted on Nomad a dozen years later. Anyone on Nomad in 2025 know any of these folks from 2000? One still posts on Nomad, besides me!


Giesla Van Bree, Mike Humfreville, Mary Ann Humfreville, Graham Mackintosh.


Graham Mackintosh, Michelle (M).


Lorenzo de Baja (LdB) arrives.


El Gato Loco (egl/ Matt) and Baja Barb and Norm of BajaLinks.com


Ferna de Tijuana (FdT)


Jens (Yens) of Baja-Web.com and his guest.


Whistler (Glenn)

Also there was Timothy Walker (TimsBaja.com), Carlos Fiesta (BajaExpo.com) and Dick Van Bree (BajaLinks.com)... sadly, I didn't get their photos on my little camera.[/rquote]
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The success of this meeting had my past webhost, Dick Van Bree insisting I produce another, and not make them wait a whole year! So, that is how my Viva Baja events got their start, in October of 2000. Then there were three more, a year apart ('01, '02, '03) with a final one combined with Antonio's desire to meet us and show us a grand time, in Tijuana... That one was called Viva Baja Cactus, in 2006.

See photos of all five, in my Photos section: https://vivabaja.com/photographs/

David K’s Viva Baja Party Photos:
A Message from Choral Pepper: https://vivabaja.com/choral-pepper/
October 2000 Viva Baja #1: https://vivabaja.com/vivabaja/
May 2001 Viva Baja #2: https://vivabaja.com/vivabaja2/
February 2002 Viva Baja #3: https://vivabaja.com/vivabaja3/
February 2003 Viva Baja #4: https://vivabaja.com/vivabaja4/
November 2006 Viva Baja Cactus: https://vivabaja.com/vivabajacactus/


[Edited on 5-9-2025 by David K]

Tioloco - 5-9-2025 at 10:28 AM

A blast from the past.

David K - 5-9-2025 at 01:09 PM

We had some great get-togethers...
Inspired by Viva Baja, Michelle ('M') organized the Boojum Buddies Baja Blast camping trips, in Baja. The name was shortened to BBBB and there were four. I was at three (-01 and -02 were in 2001 and -04 was in 2002. Photos of those are listed in my photographs section, under the years.
https://vivabaja.com/van1/
https://vivabaja.com/bbbb2/
https://vivabaja.com/bbbb4/

Also inspired after attending my Viva Baja #4 party, was Keri, the manager of the Pyramid Resort (near La Misión), who created the Baja Book Authors signing and wine & tequila tasting events. They were hugely popular and I attended them all:
#1: https://vivabaja.com/p503/
#2: https://vivabaja.com/p504/
#3: https://vivabaja.com/book3/
#4: https://vivabaja.com/book4/
#5: https://vivabaja.com/book5/
#6: https://vivabaja.com/book6/

Other than our Nomad group trips of three or more vehicles (Matomí Canyon, twice; Mission Santa María, twice), I wasn't at or knew of any other group events for Baja Nomads... I guess, at heart, we are indeed nomadic! LOL

At BBBB-4, was the great Mike Humpfreville, toasting us from his room at Cielito Lindo:


Great times, great memories!

Ken Cooke - 6-2-2025 at 03:54 PM

I think I was there with my ex-wife.

Good to see you back on Nomad, Ken!

David K - 6-3-2025 at 07:47 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Ken Cooke  
I think I was there with my ex-wife.


Hi Ken,
The charm of Baja has quite the grip on many of us. To show that it was not unique, I hosted the Viva Baja events... Lot's of work, but well worth it to meet you and the others, twenty-five years ago.
Yes, you and Suzanne attended my very first Viva Baja, Oct. 28, 2000...
https://vivabaja.com/vivabaja/

Some of my comments on that webpage:

VIVA BAJA

A grand get-together of book and article authors, website creators, and gobaja ‘roomies’ was held in San Clemente on Saturday, Oct. 28th. The party was organized by ‘David K’ with the intent to further constructive communication for the benefit of ALL who use the Internet to learn (or share things) about Baja California.

Nearly fifty guests attended and included those who provide or represent the following….

Amigos de Baja, Baja Links, Baja Expo, Baja-Web, Baja Public Message Board, Baja Nomad, Baja Traveler Magazine, Baja California Language

College, and the San Nicolas Hotel in Ensenada.

Authors attending included Graham Mackintosh, Greg Niemann, Kacey Smith, and Mike Humfreville…

Frequent contributors to the discussion boards present included… Lorenzo de Baja (LdB), David Eidell, Michelle (M), Ofer, Dave in 29 Palms, DP Dave, Paulina, Neal Johns (Aridologist), Alejandra, Jack Swords, and more!

Ken Cooke (Baja Ken) who shared his San Pedro Martir photos on TimsBaja.com and DavidKsBaja.com, provided music for us. Ken’s guest, Suzanne, showed us her beautiful collection of Baja landscape photography. Lorenzo showed us his very interesting movies of early trips into Baja from nearly 40 years ago. Graham provided his entertaining slides from both his first and latest Baja walking adventures. Many others shared a bit of Baja during the ‘Show and Tell’ presentation. We all learned some new things that day.

Door prizes offered included Deluxe hotel accomodations for two nights in Ensenada (from Tillie of the San Nicolas), and in Rosarito (from Ferna de Tijuana); $100 cash from ‘Wayno’ of BB Bait and Tackle, in Blythe; A copy of ‘Into a Desert Place’ from Graham Mackintosh; A copy of ‘Baja Fever’ from Greg Niemann; A copy of Ray Cannon’s ‘Sea of Cortez’ from David K; Two Hellerwork sessions from ‘jeans’ (Mindy); and two full fare sportfishing tickets at ‘Pierpoint’, from ‘Whistler'(Glenn).

The more than thirty photos will give you a sample of some of your ‘fellow amigos’ enjoying that day. If you have a photo of a guest that was missed please scan and email to me (jpeg), and I will add it! A list of links from attendees completes the page.

Thank you all so much for making VIVA BAJA a great day!