BajaNomad

Camping in San Felipe

Bajame - 10-19-2005 at 10:28 AM

Had a few days of good weather then a storm hit, lightning, thunder, some rain and strong winds that made a full time job trying to keep my tent from heading north. near the check point out of town they had heavy rains, hail and strong winds. I was hoping that the winds would die down but they kept up and finally I had to give up and pack up. In town it was nice and just a little wind. Ate dinner a baja mar and it was so good! Spent another day in town but my two week trip ended in five days. still it was great! Never seen so many clams as their were. at low tide you could see them squirting all over the beach. It was good to see so many of the lager shells with life still in them. camped at Punta Estella it was $20 a night but it had what I needed to feel safe as I was camping alone. It has a great beach showers ect, trampolines and vollyball nets. And for a few days after the weekended I had the place to myself. Did some kayaking but mostly walking on the beach and swiming. Lot's of birds that stay by the etchuary.Should have some good pic's.

Thanks for your report....

zforbes - 10-19-2005 at 10:46 AM

I have been curious about how you would fare, since I imagine I will be doing some solo traveling as well in the future. First I need to feel safe driving. I anticipate I will be getting some driving experience under my belt in December, when my son, daughter-in-law and I go down to Baja to camp and explore. (I'm assuming my son will be willing to share the wheel occasionally.)

Any hints you care to share about getting around as a single female will be greatly appreciated. :bounce: Zoe

bajajudy - 10-19-2005 at 11:12 AM

Zoe
I have friends who are over 60 who still drive down and back by themselves....they both have dogs but neither dog is bravo. As a matter of fact one sat in the car not barking nor biting while someone stole my friends purse.
I guess what I was trying to say poorly, is that even though they have dogs they are more for company than protection.
Although I have never done it, I would not hesitate to drive by myself.

zforbes - 10-19-2005 at 11:54 AM

So far, I have heard only positive things about women traveling alone in Mexico...at least from the people who would know. Here in the states, there are any number of friends who have voiced their concerns about bandits, mordidas, etc., when I have invited them to share a bus ride from Tijuana to La Paz, or share driving. As for me, I'd rather have the adventure. Somehow I've always managed to survive whatever misadventures came my way, and I'm a lot more curious than I am fearful. Thanks for the words of encouragement. I like the idea of traveling with a dog, especially for the companionship. Zoe

Bajame - 10-19-2005 at 01:27 PM

Common sense is the most important thing you can take along on your trip when traveling alone. it was awsome when some RVer's realized I was alone and a young woman said that I want to do what your doing to feel that confident! Most people invite me over for happy hour to chat.
I always camp where there is some sort of security as an attendent, most will take it upon their selfs to make sure your safe. Don't drive at night and have good tires. The funny thing is I have to talk myself into going as the little kid inside of me is scared of it's own shadow! Just getting through the the boarder towns is the hardest part for me. I would rather go with a friend but I would not let that stop me from enjoying the land that i love.

Packoderm - 10-19-2005 at 04:37 PM

20 dollars a night at Punta Estrella seems pretty steep. I hope it is just during this time of year, or it seems that I am getting priced out of camping in that area.

David K - 10-19-2005 at 04:52 PM

Camp here instead... ???








Packoderm - 10-19-2005 at 04:54 PM

Dave, how is the wind protection at Campo Nuevo Mazatlan? Do you have any photos from the beach looking toward the camp with trees?

David K - 10-19-2005 at 05:41 PM

That is exactly what the first photo is of... Facing west, then facing east... same spot.

The trees offer great wind buffering, although it has rarely ever been windy there, when I was... The salt cedar needles also keep dust/sand from blowing... really nice!

Some more photos when we had the Matomi Gang reunion last year at Nuevo Mazatlan... showing the trees, etc.


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Sarah and a friend... note the pink and blue buildings in the background... those are the running water showers.


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Here's Mike Humfreville on the left and other Nomads ...


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Here's TW and his brother, on the right by truck and other Nomads...

Packoderm - 10-20-2005 at 05:52 PM

Thanks for the info and photos David. Nuevo Mazatlan looks like a pretty good spot to kick it for a while. I have yet another question: Are there good trails nearby for cruising around on mini bikes? I bought my son a mini bike with a 2 hp motor, and I am thinking of getting one as well so that I can cruise around with him. I'm thinking of either getting a new Chinese 125cc motor on Ebay for my Honda trail 90 or buying the $400.00 mini bike from Pep Boys.

Packoderm,

eetdrt88 - 10-20-2005 at 07:17 PM

i'm planning on being in this area in early Nov. and we'll be bringing some bikes too,maybe we can hook up for some rides...i've never camped at this spot but it looks great...camped at Percebu which isnt far away, it was really nice and also free...

Packoderm - 10-20-2005 at 07:54 PM

eetdrt88, (Or would that be Dirt Eater 88?) We'll be in Baja from after Xmas 'till about the middle of Jan. Also, my son is only 5 yrs old, so I don't think he'll be able to accompany other riders on but the easiest of trails. Thanks for the invite though.

ArvadaGeorge - 10-21-2005 at 07:17 AM

We camped at Nuevo Matzalan between Christmas and New Year Last year and are planning to go back this year .We have a group this year (4 to 8 families) of dirt riders & atv?s
We have camped at Pete?s before but the ridding out of Pete?s is getting harder.
Especially for the kids and the girls (to far to travel)
The ridding out of Maztalan is great they have some sand hills adjacent to the camp ground
You can ride up and down the beach and just across the road there are a lot of 4wd roads
Race courses and a sulfur mine to explore. The rocks from the mine are neat to burn in the fire.
I work on M/C for a living. You would be better off buying a used Honda (or Kaw.Yam Suz) than a Chinese. They are 1970 technology, parts are hard to get and when you sell it they aren?t worth much.
We are having a Baja Planning party 11-12-05 in the Denver area
Call me if interested
George Gangler
george@arvadacycle.com
www.arvadacycle.com
Arvada Cycle
10940 W 44th Ave
Wheat Ridge Co. 80033
303-422-3957

bajalou - 10-21-2005 at 10:10 AM

George

Pete's is getting tougher and tougher - quite a change since last year already.

Let me know about how many of your group will be to the 10th Annual Turkey Smoke at our place on the 31st if you can.

Looking forward to seeing you again.

:coolup:

ArvadaGeorge - 10-21-2005 at 10:28 AM

What parts are tougher?
Ridding ohv?s in camp? Or on the beach?
Fireworks?
Theft?
Late night parties ?

When I get a idea how many will come to your party I will let you know

most likely we'll be down then to...

eetdrt88 - 10-21-2005 at 12:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Packoderm
eetdrt88, (Or would that be Dirt Eater 88?) We'll be in Baja from after Xmas 'till about the middle of Jan. Also, my son is only 5 yrs old, so I don't think he'll be able to accompany other riders on but the easiest of trails. Thanks for the invite though.
so we might run into each other anyway...have you ever been to the New Years potluck party in Puertecitos?...its right down at the clubhouse by the palapas,the locals put out some real good grub and usually some interesting folks show up

bajalou - 10-21-2005 at 04:44 PM

I'm told by owner that he is reducing the camping area, and they have layed out streets to sell lots netween the firehouse and Hghy 5. Put in a new entry street. They moved the Poker run North to his property at El Moreno this year a so much is developed along Hghy 5.

Haven't heard of any thefts etc.

:O

wornout - 10-21-2005 at 08:08 PM

The road to the mountains through El Dorado will be gated soon so leaving Pete's camp one would have to go towards town and take the new road to the mountains. This road goes around the development and should remain available for some time. It is about a mile south of the current road.

When Pete's sells out the homes from the current location to the road and when the golf course homes are in at El Dorado, I think ATV and dune buggy riding through the campo streets will become a thing of the past.

Spyderman - 10-26-2005 at 05:39 AM

Bajame, Were you camped at Punta Estella or Punta Estrella? I used to camp at Punta Estrella every year with a bunch of insurance agents.

David K - 10-26-2005 at 07:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Packoderm
Thanks for the info and photos David. Nuevo Mazatlan looks like a pretty good spot to kick it for a while. I have yet another question: Are there good trails nearby for cruising around on mini bikes? ...


Pack, I think George gave an excellent answer... YES!

Neal Johns - 10-26-2005 at 07:57 PM

Pack,
I think there is too much sand for a Trail 90 with its narrow tires. I have looked at (no experience) the Pep Boys/Kragen bike and for $400, I think it is a steal and should work well on sandy roads/trails. I do have a $300 gasoline 120v generator made in China and am amazed at the quality.

Check out Trail 90s on Ebay, they are over $1,000!

Bob and Susan - 10-26-2005 at 09:15 PM

Mexray and his Wife got two from PepBoys...$400ea

These are SLICK....

BIG tires...run GREAT!!

Now Susan wants one...

Packoderm - 10-26-2005 at 10:14 PM

I am leaning toward the Pep Boy special myself. I think I might be able to make some sort of rack in front of the bumper of my VW van to carry it. Also, I see on Ebay that there is a sort of variable ratio transmission for those bikes called Torque-A-Verter that might do the trick for hills. I'd be very interested in hearing from Mexray about his bikes. For $400.00, you can't go too wrong. That is the price of a repair bill for a real bike.

Spyderman - 10-27-2005 at 01:13 PM

Bob & Susan, great webpage.