David K - 10-24-2005 at 06:19 PM
We drove slowly through the quiet fishing and resort village of Bahia de los Angeles after topping my gas tank... When we came to the town plaza, I
remembered that on her first visit to Bahia de los Angeles ( http://vivabaja.com/105 ), Baja Angel didn't see the wonderful museum... so we turned up the street and parked...
'Ron' who helps Carolina run it gave us a personal tour!
On the outside of the museum is a display of some of the railroad system from the San Juan mines, high up the sierra...
We drove past our favorite fish taco stands, not sure if that was the right thing to do (it was)... Because it was late in the afternoon, and I wanted
to try and find where the Humfreville's place was...
We did stop to visit Hector and Sunshine...
[Edited on 10-25-2005 by David K]
David K - 10-24-2005 at 06:25 PM
Well, we drove right by their place, but I didn't know it, as their Suburban wasn't there. So, we continued south past Paulina's place, Beach Bob's
driveway, and into Camp Gecko... and we found them!
Mike and Mary Ann were visiting with friends at Camp Gecko, and Doc just brought his boat ashore after showing a marine biology student a whale shark,
just a few hundred meters in front of Gecko's beach... It was the first whale shark of the season, and was a well known one Doc had a name for from
previous encounters!
We followed Mike and Mary Ann back to their beautiful home, on the bay... Mike said it was okay for me to take photos and share with you folks...
David K - 10-24-2005 at 06:30 PM
Mike had some more good news to share... His first Baja book is at the printers right now and will be out in time for the holiday season... Sunbelt is
publishing it and they want Mike to attend the Discover Baja Christmas Party to show it and sign copies! That is usually in early December...
The book's title may be 'In the Shadow of the Volcano' (in reference to Smith Island) and will be his chapters on their two times living on the bay,
before and after the boys were born...
David K - 10-24-2005 at 06:31 PM
Really nice for them to finally get established at the place they love so much!
David K - 10-24-2005 at 06:32 PM
Inside, upstairs...
David K - 10-24-2005 at 06:33 PM
The sun was going down, and the changing colors on the mountain above Rincon are always beautiful to observe... This is their front porch view...
David K - 10-24-2005 at 06:42 PM
Mike had just purchased some fresh shrimp and invited Baja Angel and I to join them for dinner... Mike is a gourmet cook, by the way! We had a few
Pacificos to share and I helped clean the shrimp with Mike, as Elizabeth and Mary Ann sat out on the porch and had a nice visit!
Even though we were invited to stay in the guest room, we wanted to get back to El Rosario so we could have a full day beginning there for Sunday.
Thanks Mike and Mary Ann for your hospitality! You have a most beautiful home!!
We left Bahia de los Angeles and Casa Humfreville aroung 8 pm and it was an easy 3 hour trip back to El Rosario (with tummies full of shrimp)!
Of interest... we switched driving tasks at one hour intervals... about 60 miles each.
It was one hour to Laguna Chapala, one more to San Agustin, and the third hour ended at Baja Cactus, Room 204!
David K - 10-24-2005 at 06:50 PM
Sunday we had breakfast at 'Baja's Best Bed and Breakfast' (Ed Lusk's and familia)... They still have great chorrizo and egg breakfast burritos (with
cheese and potatoes)... and I ordered a plate of three (not on menu). Baja Angel had Machaca and eggs (with beans and tortillas)... it was also very
good... As mentioned before, there are some flys that will 'entertain' you... But, we call it Baja rancho atmosphere and don't let it ruin a good
meal!
We took another ride into La Lobera, the sea lion crater with the dramatic coastline... Awesome as before!
David K - 10-24-2005 at 06:50 PM
For scale, do you see my truck???
David K - 10-24-2005 at 06:52 PM
The tide was higher on this visit, so it was interesting to see them crashing over a place we walked last May!
David K - 10-24-2005 at 06:53 PM
It was overcast Sunday, but that didn't make it a bit gloomy...
David K - 10-24-2005 at 06:59 PM
My photos can not compare to being there in person!
The turnoff is between Km. 47 and 48 (5.9 miles north of the Baja Cactus Pemex station)... a well graded dirt road (2WD okay)... at 0.5 mile is a
junction, go left staying on the newly graded road. When you reach the open gate a short distance beyond, ignore the keep out (in Spanish) sign...
At mile 3.0 you are there! The caretaker (Hernan Cortes) will greet you... maybe ask for a parking fee (he didn't this time, 20 pesos last time).
Mision Santo Domingo 1775-1839
David K - 10-24-2005 at 07:04 PM
A modern addition is this replica of a stone mission entrance...
David K - 10-24-2005 at 07:13 PM
The ruins are just 4.7 miles east of Hwy. 1 on an easy graded road... The turnoff is well signed, just north of Colonia Vicente Guerrero, north of the
bridge over the Santo Domingo River...
The turnoff is at 30?44.77', 116?00.06' (NAD27) elev. 108' and the mission is at 30?46.26', 115?56.16' elev. 145'.
David K - 10-24-2005 at 07:14 PM
A small farming ejido is located near the mission and their community hall is across the road. This mission has been extensively preserved...
David K - 10-24-2005 at 07:16 PM
As close it is to the highway, it is often missed... This was even my first time here! (so much Baja, yadda yadda yadda)
David K - 10-24-2005 at 07:18 PM
Here are some walls that are not yet coated with the new protective casing...
The mission was originally located in a cave (passed on the the way in) at the mouth of the canyon.
David K - 10-24-2005 at 07:25 PM
Well gang, that's another short but great Baja trip... If you live near Baja it is easy to duplicate what Baja Angel and I are doing. Otherwise, pick
what interests you and enjoy your adventure!
On the way home we stopped at the Half Way House (again) for another fantastic meal prepared by Chef Johnny. We wanted a light dinner so we ordered
his special beef strogenoff and split it, along with cesar salad and dessert. Naturally, we had L.A. Cetto red wine with the beef. Not sure if that
all added up to a light dinner, but it was sooo good!
Border (San Ysidro) wait began at 9:08pm and we were in in 38 minutes.
The future web page for this trip will have more photos.
Adios Amigos!
[Edited on 10-25-2005 by David K]
David, I am envious of
bajapablo - 10-24-2005 at 07:27 PM
your ability to get to baja as often as you do and am extremely grateful that you share your adventures and travels. Thanks Amigo.
David K - 10-24-2005 at 07:32 PM
It is my pleasure Pablo! Thank you for the nice words.
If you have Baja Fever and can't get to Baja soon enough, then Baja Nomad and Baja Trip Reports are a great treatment!
bajalou - 10-24-2005 at 07:41 PM
Thanks David for another great trip report.
wornout - 10-24-2005 at 09:11 PM
Great report David, thanks...
Packoderm - 10-24-2005 at 09:20 PM
I would like to congratulate Mike H. and his wife on their little piece of the Baja Dream.
Bob H - 10-25-2005 at 09:40 AM
Great report David! Is anything happening with that resturant at La Lobera yet?
Bob H
David K - 10-25-2005 at 10:17 AM
Nope, the restaurant never opened... whenever it does, it will have one helluva view!
Diamante Del Mar will be their neighbor to the south and so maybe he is waiting to open for the future residents of the exclussive resort?
Taco de Baja - 10-25-2005 at 01:42 PM
Thanks for a great trip report David. Too short for me though, I like to spend a week at a time in lovely Baja.
David K - 10-25-2005 at 05:52 PM
Oh, I would too... I would too (or longer!)...
The last photo on Sunday
David K - 10-25-2005 at 08:47 PM
Baja Angel took this of me reading about Santo Domingo in my well worn 'Lower California Guidebook' written by Peter Gerhard and Howard Gulick almost
50 years ago!
We were just having a Baja History tailgate party at the mission (note: beer, chips, sub sandwiches)! 
Spyderman - 10-26-2005 at 01:42 PM
Thanks again
David K - 10-26-2005 at 05:36 PM
It's my pleasure amigos!
great stuff,David
eetdrt88 - 10-26-2005 at 07:36 PM
i agree about the quick trips,i'd love to stay in baja a few weeks at a time at least but the longest i've ever been is about 9 days due to
responsibilities at home,so for now i'll take anything i can get,even 3 or 4 days is way better than no baja at all