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.
[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/
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
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!
