BajaNomad

I hope everyone here had a nice Thanksgiving!

David K - 11-28-2025 at 04:30 PM

Time with good family and good food or just time in good ol' Baja are great times.

Did you get down the peninsula?
Are you there, now?
How about telling us about it in a trip report, here: https://forums.bajanomad.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=50

There was a blockage on Hwy. 5 by protestors, near La Puerta, that caused some problems in getting to/ from San Felipe. Were you affected?

My family would use the 4-day holiday to go fishing south of San Felipe... here are some photos from Thanksgiving 1967 (I was 10 and we took my school friend, Shawn), at Campo Nuevo Mazatlan, 23 miles south on the Puertecitos road and then 5 miles east from the sulfur mine:





Camp founder Luis Castellanos Moreno entertained us!



My dad gives it a go!

Happy Thanksgiving!


AKgringo - 11-28-2025 at 04:47 PM

I planned on being somewhere on the peninsula right now, but my passport renewal went FUBAR and still hasn't gone through. I suspect that the shutdown also added to the delays.

Alm - 11-28-2025 at 09:54 PM

Already forgot about it, in Canada Thanksgiving is in mid-October :). Now, which "here" - the here where I am now or here in Baja in general, or here in this virtual internet BB? Pretty quiet for a Friday in this town. And much, much warmer than back North. Not bad at all.

Tioloco - 11-28-2025 at 10:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
I planned on being somewhere on the peninsula right now, but my passport renewal went FUBAR and still hasn't gone through. I suspect that the shutdown also added to the delays.


Life is short amigo. I advise you to go enjoy your Baja trip and worry about the details when you cross northbound. A drivers license and a smile gets a guy a long way. You are running out of winters in Mexico. Just do it!

bajatrailrider - 11-29-2025 at 09:19 AM

As you know David Im full timer. I had to get amigo here to Doc in San Quintin emergency. Roadblock protesters I don't put up with that crap. There was just enough room on dirt shoulder left side to pass. So, pedal to metal made my pass. Hospital told him in another 4 hours he would have died. He is now doing great good news

BoenBaja - 11-29-2025 at 10:44 AM

Well, been down in beautiful Bahía Asunción for the last 8 nights. Our daughter Courtney, hubby Jonathan, sons William and Jon Jr. joined us over Thanksgiving week for the ride south from Poway, but had to leave yesterday (Friday) to get back in time to rest up and get back to work/school. We spent the first night in Mexico at the El Capitan hotel in San Felipe, then on to BA Friday. The kids spent the following week fishing from shore, learning to drive a stick shift and how to use 4X4 high and low on the beach in the Suzuki, snorkeling and spearfishing up at San Roque, using my Samurai to explore the pueblo and surrounding area, experiencing some of the wonderful cuisine here, enjoying nighttime fires in our new fire ring, etc, etc, and on and on. The sheephead they speared made the best ceviche I ever tasted. My only regret besides them leaving was that I was unable to take them out in my 18’ Klamath to fish and also snorkel with the juvenile seals at the rookery on the island. Mechanical issues sidelined that and my local mechanic was too busy with his regular job as a Longostero to do all repairs necessary to assuage the concerns of mother and grandmother. On their trip home they left at 7 AM and arrived in San Felipe so early (around 2 PM) that they all decided to just continue on. So after 12 1/4 hours of driving they were in Poway. Jonathan says that they’ll probably do the drive the same way on their future trips down as they didn’t mind the long road trip, plus it would give them an extra 2 days of time here to relax, play, and enjoy the pace of life in our wonderful little pueblo.

David K - 11-29-2025 at 03:23 PM

So great to read these reports!

A long day drive is doable (when we are young), but Paul... I think I am not so much in a rush... of course I no longer have school or a job to get back to!

Larry, I enjoy hearing about the activities you are into around San Vicente and Baja. I sure hope your friend recovers fully.

Crazy Uncle, I bet AK wants to have an FMM so that's why no trip without a passport. Yes, any American can return to his country without documents, but it just means he may be delayed while they can prove one's citizenship.

Alm, do you guys do the same kind of family meal gathering in the Great White North?

AK, you are probably correct. It has been pretty quick up to then. My passport expires next year so I will be renewing soon.

AKgringo - 11-29-2025 at 04:28 PM

David, I actually had another year left on my passport, but I misplaced my passport card. I was using it to travel because my drivers license was not eligible for a "real ID" the last time I renewed it.

I reported it missing at the Anchorage passport office, and it was their recommendation that I just renew both the card and book with an explanation why I did not have the card to turn in.

The Vermont agency that issues the documents did not understand that, and wanted me to start over with new fees and photos. I found the missing card and returned it to them by registered mail, but they do not respond to any of my mailings and all of their e-mails are "do not reply" status.

David K - 11-30-2025 at 09:40 AM

Today, we are (Baja Angel is) cooking our own turkey. We didn't take any leftovers from Josh's house on Thursday. I can't wait to smell the bird cooking! :light::biggrin:

BoenBaja - 11-30-2025 at 09:41 AM

“The Vermont agency that issues the documents did not understand that, and wanted me to start over with new fees and photos. I found the missing card and returned it to them by registered mail, but they do not respond to any of my mailings and all of their e-mails are "do not reply" status.”

Typical gumment…

BoenBaja - 11-30-2025 at 09:51 AM

“A long day drive is doable (when we are young), but Paul... I think I am not so much in a rush... of course I no longer have school or a job to get back to!“

I am of the same mindset David. I enjoy the journey as much as the destination, although that’s less important when it comes to Bahía Asunción! I couldn’t begin to consider a long days drive as it would play havoc on my 2 knee replacements and sciatica.

David K - 11-30-2025 at 12:52 PM

For sure ... I am wondering how many more trips are in my future? My last trip camping solo was in 2018. In 2019, I was on two TV show trips riding. In 2022, I was riding with TW to Mission Santa María, and this year riding with Dave W on our northern Baja loop tour to historic sites.
I am now awaiting back surgery for my sciatica (spinal fusion). Ugh!

AKgringo - 11-30-2025 at 01:37 PM

Well I have ten years on you David, and I am not done yet! I will probably spend my 79th birthday this January by car camping with my dog somewhere near the center of Baja.

My left hip and knee don't allow much hiking these days, but my arms and back are still good enough that I wear out things like chainsaws and hand tools.

I don't have any problem with 12 hour drives north of the border, but I look forward to two-day trips from one coast of Baja to the other. Flat, straight roads are the only part of my trips that I don't enjoy.

I also agree with Crazy Uncle about heading south without a passport. If it gets here in time I will head to the border and get the FMM that nobody has ever asked me for, but I am willing to travel without it. I may get delayed on crossing back north without the passport, but I believe that the paperwork I have will keep me from having a major problem.

David K - 11-30-2025 at 03:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Well I have ten years on you David, and I am not done yet! I will probably spend my 79th birthday this January by car camping with my dog somewhere near the center of Baja.

My left hip and knee don't allow much hiking these days, but my arms and back are still good enough that I wear out things like chainsaws and hand tools.

I don't have any problem with 12 hour drives north of the border, but I look forward to two-day trips from one coast of Baja to the other. Flat, straight roads are the only part of my trips that I don't enjoy.

I also agree with Crazy Uncle about heading south without a passport. If it gets here in time I will head to the border and get the FMM that nobody has ever asked me for, but I am willing to travel without it. I may get delayed on crossing back north without the passport, but I believe that the paperwork I have will keep me from having a major problem.


Super!
You are doing great for your age. My big deal is to be able to... and I have lost 40 lbs. (225 to 185) since those photos or videos of me in 2019 with Cameron's group or Scott Wolter's TV crew. Now, to end the back and leg sciatica pain with this upcoming surgery.. I hope to be renewed and be like you in Baja again!

Just finished eating our turkey dinner... and Baja Angel did an awesome job cooking! It was super flavorful and moist. Green or 'Martian' jello, pumpkin pie, peach pie, and cream cheese pie are the dessert choices... in a while!