BajaNomad - Drivin' to Fishin' for the Mission!

Drivin' to Fishin' for the Mission!

Baja_Girl - 7-1-2007 at 07:41 PM

Hola amigos...I purchased my 4WD 4Runner after getting really great advice from the baja nomads - and I'm ready to take off for a slow, happy trek from Los Angeles to Loreto this Saturday, July 7th and hope to arrive July 10th.

Welcome all advice about driving through Mexicali to Coco's Corner. I have hotel reservations in San Felipe, Guerrero Negro and Mulege.

I have "the list" - again, thanks to you! So, if there is something I can pick up for my friends in Loreto - would be happy to help.

I am bringing fishing and baseball equipment, clothes and toys to donate to the Mission.

I am planning to store my 4runner in Loreto for future trips and baja exploration. What is the proper way to store a car? Someone said something about "disconnect the battery." Any other suggestions?

Hasta luego, amigos!

lisa marie

[Edited on 7-2-2007 by Baja_Girl]

[Edited on 7-2-2007 by Baja_Girl]

[Edited on 7-2-2007 by Baja_Girl]

toy.jpg - 34kB

DENNIS - 7-1-2007 at 08:10 PM

Take off all wheels and tires---radio, CD player and speakers, Battery, mirrors, bumpers, doors, windows, seats, headliner, drive shaft, ashtrays and peel all the paint off your car and keep it in a plastic bag.
If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

Oh yeah.... steering wheel. Secure that, for sure.

Paulina - 7-1-2007 at 09:05 PM

lisa marie,
Nice vehicle you've got there. Have a fun, safe drive!

P. (trapped in Texas) <*)))><

bajamigo - 7-1-2007 at 09:12 PM

Gee, Dennis, that's helpful. You forgot to tell her what to do with the Baja talcum powder she'll pick up along the way. And how about the seat belts???? :lol:

amir - 7-1-2007 at 09:16 PM

FELIZ VIAJE !!!

Baja_Girl - 7-1-2007 at 10:59 PM

i wuv you grover, but how do I get the paint back on the car?

Bob and Susan - 7-2-2007 at 05:50 AM

forget the battery...just take the key out and walk away

when you return you will have MUCH less problems

Loreto Airport has long term parking for a $1 a day

LaTijereta - 7-2-2007 at 05:51 AM

Baja-Girl,
Have a safe trip down to Loreto..We will be there for the Fish'in for the Mission also

Nice Toyota, have a white one simular that has been in Loreto now for 10 years > They continue to run and store very easly by just removing the "+" terminal when you leave.
I am sure it will get a good "Baja" welcome after you drive through the 3-Sisters below San Felipe :wow:

What boat (team) are you fishing with in the tournament?

Ships passing in the day

bajalou - 7-2-2007 at 07:51 AM

I'm heading north from San Felipe on the 7th to meet my wife in Yuma and head east for the rest of the summer. Would have enjoyed meeting another Nomad on a Baja Trekk.

car storage in LTO

djh - 7-2-2007 at 09:39 AM

Check your U2U !
djh

Hook - 7-2-2007 at 10:55 AM

Driving the route south of Puertecitos, I sure hope your tires are at 50% of tread or above. Same for your spare. Bring Spare Air or an equivalent.

Damn, that's a hot time of year to be driving that stretch alone..........bring temporary shade if you need to replace a tire.

I believe you will need to do a temporary importation dance to legally leave your US registered vehicle in Baja while you return to the States. Others are more familiar with this baila than me.

Bob and jane - 7-2-2007 at 10:56 AM

Lisa Marie,
From your home, you're taking the long, slow road. From experiece, and all the reports of the road from just north of Puertocitos, to the junction with mex 1, the road has been just trashed. Washboards like no other road, ever. I know, I've been on many a washboard in baja, I still say, this is the worst. Granted, the 1st 180 miles from Tecate or T.J. isn't much fun. We usually cross at Tecate. San Quintin is a easy mellow 1st day-and go from there.
Buena Suerte, Bob

Hook - 7-2-2007 at 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and jane
Lisa Marie,
From your home, you're taking the long, slow road. From experiece, and all the reports of the road from just north of Puertocitos, to the junction with mex 1, the road has been just trashed. Washboards like no other road, ever. I know, I've been on many a washboard in baja, I still say, this is the worst. Granted, the 1st 180 miles from Tecate or T.J. isn't much fun. We usually cross at Tecate. San Quintin is a easy mellow 1st day-and go from there.
Buena Suerte, Bob

Amen, regulars say that road is in the worst condition in years and years.

Baja_Girl - 7-2-2007 at 11:35 AM

Need Your Most Honestest Opinion...

I have heard scary things about the road from Puertocitos to Mex 1.
I've seen the photos...it looks difficult, but it also looks spectacular.

I have all day Sunday to do this part - a 4wd vehicle in great condition, a satillite phone, lots of cold drinks, and "my list" of things to bring to be safe. The whole point of the 4wd was to explore the less traveled roads, take a slow ride and smell the cactus - but certainly I do not want to endanger myself or my friend, Roseann, who will be going with me.
So, what would you do?

bajalou - 7-2-2007 at 11:40 AM

I would go for it - the scenery is amazing and with reasonable driving you won't have a problem. If I had to stay on Mex 1-2-3 or the paved part of Mex 5, I'd get the hell out of Baja. (Some probably think I should anyway).

osoflojo - 7-2-2007 at 11:51 AM

I took a brand new Bronco over that road years ago when it was likely better than it is now and I can still hear the ratteling of "things" I loosened up on that trip. That said it is a pretty drive, if you are turning your toyo to a Baja-mobile then what the heck........go for it. Just a thought remember that once you get to Laguna Chapala you will still need enough daylight to get to GN.

Hook - 7-2-2007 at 12:05 PM

I understand the need for a less-traveled road fix, but JULY AND SOUTH OF PUERTECITIOS???

How about taking the route out of Loreto into the Comondus instead, and out to the Pacific? Save the Puertecitos route for a cooler time of year when it will be a little more traveled in case of trouble.

Honestly, the Puertecitos route is beautiful but between La Costilla and Papa Fernandez's place, the road does not have all that much access to the water. You are seeing the views from a distance away. I'd consider doing the route in from Chapala and going north as far as Papa's on some other trip.

You gals should practice changing a tire at least once before you go, if you havent already. Remember that you need a firm, level surface to do it safely. Bring a 2x6x8 piece of wood to use as a base for the bottle jack that the vehicle came with.

Baja_Girl - 7-2-2007 at 12:35 PM

Great suggestion, Hook, yes, we will change a tire at least once...I'm beginning to get a sense that the smarter thing to do is as you suggest - save the Loreto via San Felipe journey for another day...

So, now its down to San Quinten via Tecate (ain't no way I'm going to Tijuana) - to NG to Mulege to Loreto.

Are we in agreement, everyone?
xoxoxoox
mucho mas besos y abrazos - you have been so kind and helpful!
xoxo
lisa marie

Pops - 7-2-2007 at 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LaTijereta
They continue to run and store very easly by just removing the "+" terminal when you leave.

Please remove the negative (-) terminal instead.....much safer.

mtgoat666 - 7-2-2007 at 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja_Girl
Great suggestion, Hook, yes, we will change a tire at least once...I'm beginning to get a sense that the smarter thing to do is as you suggest - save the Loreto via San Felipe journey for another day...

So, now its down to San Quinten via Tecate (ain't no way I'm going to Tijuana) - to NG to Mulege to Loreto.

Are we in agreement, everyone?

I think 2 people in a sound car, with extra food and water can do fine taking your trip as originally planned via San Felipe. Heck, you have a sat phone, which 99.9999999% of people traveling in remote lands do not have.
The drive southbound thru TJ is fine (it's the return northbounds that is a PITA). If you can drive in traffic in the US, you can drive in TJ -- and going southbound the high-traffic road is less than 1-mile long before you get on a clearly marked easy road that will take you to toll road. The drive southbound via TJ and the coast south of TJ is more pretty/interesting, compared to inland route. ... and driving inland to Tecate is like a 50-mile detour compared to the easy shot down the 5 to TJ.

Sharksbaja - 7-2-2007 at 01:52 PM

Twas 105F in the Puertocitos area lately, smart to go inland. Also, if you have Globalstar sat phone change to Irridium or you'll be sorry. Abreojos seems the place to be this time of year. In fact they are thinking of changing the name to Nomadialand. :lol:

Hook - 7-2-2007 at 01:53 PM

Yeah, so who you gonna CALL with that sat phone when you're half way between Costilla and Cinco Islas? Triple A ?????

[Edited on 7-2-2007 by Hook]

BajaWarrior - 7-2-2007 at 03:37 PM

Quote:

Lisa Marie,

We'll be camping south of San Quintin/Lazaro Card##as from this Wednesday to Monday. We will be at Pabellon campground south of the bay, and north of Soccarito by 4 miles. Well signed, easy beach access (1 mile) restrooms, good graded road.

White Ford CrewCab with Black lumber rack Ca. license plates read "SANFLPA" pulling a Toy House trailer.

Check your map, might make a good rest stop before heading across the desert.

Stop on by if you like...

Hook - 7-3-2007 at 01:49 PM

El Pabellon makes for a great first nights stop if you are leaving the border area even as late as noon in the summer months. Easy to negotiate, inexpensive and I like the fact that you can get up early any morning and be near the cool air of Guerrero Negro before the day gets really hot. Easier on the rig.

Lisa Marie, I think you should take him up on his invite.

This is building into one hell of a heat wave. Death Valley is predicted to hit 127 this week. I think 110-115 is possible around SF and below.

[Edited on 7-3-2007 by Hook]

Baja_Girl - 7-3-2007 at 03:16 PM

Hook,
I am a little crazy, but not stoopid, I am taking your advice.

...I made reservations at the Old Mill Hotel - and I will be looking for Mr. Warrior some time during the day - either Sat. p.m. or Sun a.m. - depending on how ambitious we are. I think it just makes sense to go through the traditional Mex 1 route this trip - store the car in Loreto for a few months - then drive back and see what happens.

many many thanks - I can't say enough how grateful I am - and excited too!

I got my insurance through bajabound - spoke to Geoff - a great guy!!

Many thanks you awesome Nomads...what took us so long to meet?

xoxoxoxoxox
lisa marie

pappy - 7-4-2007 at 08:42 AM

baja grl i think you have made the best choice given his heat wave.one more thing, if you don't have one, i suggest you get a hi-lift jack for your vehicle . cost is about $65 but they are easy to use, heavy duty, multi-purpose jack that is made for the 4wd, offroad adventure types....have a great trip!

jerry - 7-4-2007 at 09:28 AM

baja girl have someone show you the dangerous things about using a high lift jack they can eat you alive be carefull have a good one

pappy - 7-5-2007 at 02:07 PM

jerry -like what? i have not heard anything negative about the high lift jack...i've even used it to lift out sections of horse corrals that had corner posts cemented in....if there is some dnager i would like to know so i won't get hurt and be able to pass it along to all the people i know that have and use them.thanks...

Cypress - 7-5-2007 at 02:29 PM

A high lift jack can slip!

The catch/keeper can disengage.

The handle turns into a deadly weapon and you don't want to be under whatever you've got jacked up. If you use a high lift long enough you'll find out.

mtgoat666 - 7-5-2007 at 03:35 PM

Hi lift jacks can hurt people that don't know how to use them. The jack that came with the car is good enough for most folks needs (and the hi lift is heavy and takes lots of space). You don't need a hi lift unless you start taking your car in foolhardy places where you need more reach than kit jack that came with car.

Baja_Girl - 7-5-2007 at 05:11 PM

thank you for all of this...

I will get the extra fuel, water, make sure I can change a tire (which I have never actually been required to do - because most men are kind and helpful)...and otherwise, take it slow, have fun, stay cool and be grateful for the nomads!!!
xoxoxoxo
love, peace and fish tacos to all of you,
lisa marie

805gregg - 7-5-2007 at 08:56 PM

Watch out at El Pabellon, there are signs everywhere that say your stuff will be stolen, we were there with our sons, on the last day of a trip, had to drink all the beer, and forgot, we lost boggie boards and chairs. Didn't notice till San Diego. I thought we packed faster.

[Edited on 7-6-2007 by 805gregg]

pappy - 7-6-2007 at 11:02 AM

thanks for the hi-lift info. i've used mine for 15 years now and yet to have a problem, but will keep those issues in mind....

Hook - 7-6-2007 at 11:21 AM

For quick, light and cheap, nothing beats these small floor jacks from China.

Of course, I still bring a single jack stand. I wouldnt trust one for long.