BajaNomad

Burritos

Mike Humfreville - 10-11-2005 at 12:11 PM

Burritos

This time of year there are so many interesting, even exciting things happening in Bahia de Los Angeles on the Sea of Cortez. Yesterday a change in the wind slammed into the coast from the west and by early evening blew a few kayakers out into the bay in a threatening way and caused some caring folks to get their boats into the water and go to their rescue. Doc Abraham and others brought them all in to a secure environment. We were there to see the event, to help pull a kayak or two out of the water and wind and to safety.

Today we went into town for supplies and a meal. It takes us a half hour in each direction but there is no rush now and we enjoy the ride. We ate, e-mailed, and bought our stuff and eventually headed back down the 4 mile dirt track for home. A mile or so south of the village we encountered a strange sight that we couldn?t identify at first, in the dusty distance. As we drew closer we see three or four gringos leading three burros, tiny beasts. The burros are tied by ropes to an aging Volkswagen bug. They are pulling it in the direction of the village. What a sight Mary Ann and I agree: burros pulling a VW and led by the owners of the vehicle. It really was something.

As we approached we pulled off the road to allow them to past. The man in front of the lead burro smiled.

?Isn?t this classic?? he said.

?Wish I had my camera!? I responded. ?I have a tow rope if we can help.?

?We?ll be OK.? He said. And they were off toward town, a wagon train if you will.

I have no clue how this all turned out. I?m sure they got to town. The gringos most likely found the burros wandering wild in the desert. While they belong to the old Diaz Ranch, they aren?t fenced in and go where they please. They cause problems at Gecko and they try and break my PVC water pipes during the dryness of summer with the complete lack of water, but they are sweet and will allow you to approach them at times, occasionally will allow you to pet them. There is an old one, scared and worn down. I wonder if that one might have been at this same location when we lived here. There were no homes here back then and we had nothing but time. There was a small band of burros that came by occasionally to entertain us. We loved their visits, looked for them in the otherwise deserted desert.

Doc Abraham tells us they can live up to forty years. Just possibly the oldest one was part of the band that helped us while away the months in the early ?70?s.

Sometimes I think of putting water out for them. But that would be sporadic support and I don?t want to do that. And then they?d just look for more water and I won?t have it.

In the end, I guess tonight, we?re pretty much on our own to develop our lives. While the human race has caused a few changes to this concept, independence is pretty much what we see when we watch the natural environment here from day to day across time. Most of us in the animal kingdom are on our own.

Sharksbaja - 10-11-2005 at 12:20 PM

You animal, Mike. Good story! Thanks.

bajajudy - 10-11-2005 at 12:21 PM

These dont have the VW but arent they cute. I didnt realize that they lived so long. They certainly dont have an easy life.

bajaden - 10-11-2005 at 01:30 PM

Hose, you animal you. God I love plagiarism. Well, off to my daily chore of hiding things from myself.

hey bajajudy,

eetdrt88 - 10-11-2005 at 01:36 PM

can i call you b.j??.:lol::lol:just kidding,i dig that pic...in fact i just made it my screensaver,it reminds me of a photo i saw at an art show recently except it had 3 burros and it was titled "Three Amigos":lol::lol:

bajajudy - 10-11-2005 at 01:46 PM

Up close and personal
eatdirt...no problema...
BJ

bajajudy - 10-11-2005 at 01:48 PM

oops

Bajagato - 10-11-2005 at 03:21 PM

I loved the story Mike. Of course, hearing of Doc, and the wind and kayakers, made me ache to get my butt to Bay of LA. It really is one of my favorite spots, Gecko in particular, and always stop to see the turtles. Caught my first Trigger at Gecko. All fond memories. Those burros are great and heres one we encounted on the way south on the road out of Bahia de los Angeles on our honeymoon.
Mike...do you guys live there full time now?

Bajagato - 10-11-2005 at 03:23 PM

here is our burro friend...

David K - 10-11-2005 at 03:47 PM

Thanks for sharing Mike!

Baja Angel and I are anxiously looking forward to a return to The Bay of the Angels! Hopefully again for New Years!??

Will you guys be up for a repeat attempt at finding the 'ghost town' using Doc's advanced directions? How are Mary Ann's hiking legs now??

You lucky dogs, living on L.A. Bay!! ;):biggrin::yes:

Frank - 10-11-2005 at 04:19 PM

How do you wrap them up in a tortilla?

Bruce R Leech - 10-11-2005 at 05:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajagato
here is our burro friend...


are you sure that is not a mule?

Are these the Beasts of Burden?

Bedman - 10-11-2005 at 07:04 PM

I took this shot in July as we were leaving Bahia.

We call them Manny, Moe and Jack!


Bedman

bajaden - 10-11-2005 at 07:17 PM

All this time I thought a burrito was something you ordered at Taco Bell. I always wanted to own one so I could tell my friends to kiss my Ass. Come on Doug, that is a legitiment name. Pleasssssssse.

bajaden - 10-11-2005 at 07:18 PM

I bow to his Dougness.....

Paulina - 10-11-2005 at 07:33 PM

David,
Is your lost ghost town the grave yard I've been searching for? If so, I claim first rights to finding the place again! If these two places are one and the same, then unfortunately you're going to have to postpone your adventure until New Years when we can go along too.

Bedman, the photo you posted can be used as a wanted poster for the buggers that ate the bottoms off of the cacti in our garden. Have a safe trip, and thanks for keeping an eyeball out for the unwanted gardeners.

Hector and Sunshine could use a fresh set of fur...That might make those burritos think twice about their shananagans...

Regarding Burros vs. burritos...Our favorite restaurant here, Tacos de Mexico, told us that a burrito is called burro and a small burro is a burrito. There're both edible, so I guess it just doesnt' matter.

Good story Mike. Hello to M.A.!
Wish we were there.
P y D

Tucker - 10-11-2005 at 07:44 PM

My friend tells me that burro makes the best machaca.

David K - 10-11-2005 at 07:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulina
David,
Is your lost ghost town the grave yard I've been searching for? If so, I claim first rights to finding the place again! If these two places are one and the same, then unfortunately you're going to have to postpone your adventure until New Years when we can go along too.

Bedman, the photo you posted can be used as a wanted poster for the buggers that ate the bottoms off of the cacti in our garden. Have a safe trip, and thanks for keeping an eyeball out for the unwanted gardeners.

Hector and Sunshine could use a fresh set of fur...That might make those burritos think twice about their shananagans...

Regarding Burros vs. burritos...Our favorite restaurant here, Tacos de Mexico, told us that a burrito is called burro and a small burro is a burrito. There're both edible, so I guess it just doesnt' matter.

Good story Mike. Hello to M.A.!
Wish we were there.
P y D


Hi Paulina,

No not there... BUT, that is a good search as well.... Sarah and I scouted the base of that mountain looking for your site a couple years ago...

The site that Bedman, Emma, Mike & Mary Ann joined me hiking to is north of La Gringa... We just didn't go far enough according to Doc, when we returned... Mary Ann hadn't had her surgeries yet so I am not sure if she is more able to hike now???


Photo of Hector and Sunshine with Baja Angel last New Years...

bajajudy - 10-11-2005 at 08:25 PM

Were those burritos near here?

Bedman - 10-13-2005 at 12:32 AM

Judy, My Burritos were......

Pretty close to the Gold depository/Jail/Dynamite room/?? (What is the REAL story on that building?).....North of there and North of Gecko. South of BOLA town by about 4 klicks.

Bedman

bajajudy - 10-13-2005 at 06:22 AM

I have no idea what the story is on that building. If it was a jail, I bet that everyone was a little bit better person because of it. If it was a huge safe for whatever they were mining, it looked bullet proof to me.

Paulina and DK, there was a grave site near that building. I cant seem to find the photos. Will post them when and if I do.