I got used to the military dropping by my camp for an agua refill at kilometer 67, Los Cerritos Baja in early 2003. On this particular day, my brother
had just arrived from the airport and was a little freaked out when the military showed up at my motorhome door. The captain told me they had walked
all the way from La Paz and were headed to Cabo. That's a long haul in 10 days. Of course we got the big bottle of agua out to refill their canteens.
My brother wanted a photo, so I grabbed an ice cold 6 pack of Moosehead beer from Nova Scotia Canada (available at Sorianas in La Paz $9.80 for a 24
pack) and my friend snapped this photo. I never had any problems with the military. They liked the Moosehead.
I hope others post their favorite military photos.
Alto Alto: Hike from Cerritos beach to Todos Santos
RandyMacSC/SO - 3-3-2004 at 10:54 PM
On a 17 kilometer hike from Los Cerritos along the coast north to Todos Santos I had the crap scared out of me as a young military private jumped down
onto the dirt road from the bank above.
I almost threw my camera over the bank. I was exremely startled while taking some photos of the beach below. It was like out of nowhere; the green
crusader jumped into my path yelling 'Alto Alto, Agua Agua'. I snapped this quick photo (below) of him and then turned to capture the next photo
(below) of two military guys watching me closely from the bank above the old dirt road.
Thankfully they only wanted agua, of which I had none left. After checking out my digital camera and my packsack, they said adios and I was on my way.
I'm sure glad my amigo Richard didn't insist on bringing along his daily supply of fatties for the long hike that day.
RandyMac
[Edited on 3-4-2004 by RandyMac]
Agua Agua - Cerritos to Todos hiking trip Jan 2003
RandyMacSC/SO - 3-3-2004 at 11:00 PM
Nice machine guns boys!!!!!Ken Bondy - 3-4-2004 at 09:59 PM
Awesome photo Ken.
RandyMacSC/SO - 3-4-2004 at 11:00 PM
What part of the Baja was this photo taken?
I'm sure you gave them a feature tour of the Big Red Hummer. Nice wheels.Ken Bondy - 3-4-2004 at 11:06 PM
RandyMac
Gracias! It was at a checkpoint just south of Catavina. They sure like Big Red!
++Ken++David K - 3-4-2004 at 11:40 PM
Sent to me by Seatwill, from a surprise checkpoint near Catavina.
A Pleasant Hummer Distraction for the Checkstop Boys...
RandyMacSC/SO - 3-5-2004 at 02:32 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Bondy
RandyMac
Gracias! It was at a checkpoint just south of Catavina. They sure like Big Red!
++Ken++
At 5 bucks a day, blistering heat, raging hormones and thoughts of a leggy night in G-Negro, I'm sure the BIG RED HUMMER was a pleasant distraction
for the young men in hunter green.
A black HUMMER Cal plates passed me heading north past the G-Negro fruit checkpoint last May. I saw the boys in green taking turns crawling in and out
of it, much to the anger of some people in the line. I'd seen the black one a few times in the south area near San Jose Del Cabo in the spring.
Like the look of BIG RED though. Black shows too much dirt.
Not to be outdone at the G-Negro checkpoint, I performed some magic tricks and had 6 of the hunter greens stuffed into my rig, machine guns and all,
watching a short street magic show. Like I said, 5 bucks a day, one needs some nice distractions at the checkpoints. A HUMMER at each and every
checkpoint. What a thought to make the time pass quicker.
Take care,
RandyMac
The Baja checkstops are much more relaxed than...
RandyMacSC/SO - 3-5-2004 at 02:38 AM
in other parts of Mexico. I tried to take a photo at one checkpoint just north of Veracruz. What a mistake that was!!!! I'm glad they only crunched a
disposable camera. My digital camera doesn't like the end of a gun butt much.
The young and serious look. I'll bet he's thinking of his last few days before his mandatory 2 years is up.
Maybe a positive effect will come of these photos...
RandyMacSC/SO - 3-5-2004 at 02:44 AM
I remember my first checkpoint. No matter how much I tried to prepare myself for it, I have to admit I was a little intimidated.
All that hunter green, with off grey black gun metal conjured up my worst nightmares of watching TV newsclips of hit squads in El Salvador.
As one young Baja checkpoint captain said, "We're here for your protection. No drugas, no guns, no problemo!"
David
Debra - 3-5-2004 at 08:45 AM
can you post the one of the guy up on the rock in Catavina? (do you remember the one I'm talking about?) That is a GREAT PIC!
Sure wish I could share the video I have of the guys (machine guns and all) playing soccer with Brendan (age 4) on the beach....now that was a sight!
[Edited on 3-5-2004 by Debra]David K - 3-5-2004 at 04:40 PM
Hi Debra, I checked and I do not have a photo of the soldier up in the boulders by Rancho Santa Ynez. However, here is the photo I took just before
that checkpoint stop. All of us from the Viva Baja Van trip eating at Santa Ynez... Seated (L to R): Sarah, Miguelito, Chris, Mary Ann, you (in dark
glasses), Desert Rat, and standing: David Eidell, El Camote, and Mike Humfreville, (I took the photo).
Oh, those big closed doors behind Sarah are to the indoor dining room for the restaurant... You were wondering where it was at one time.
[Edited on 3-5-2004 by David K]
los cerritos
El Jefe - 3-5-2004 at 06:26 PM
Hey Randy, that first photo is almost right in front of my place at Los Cerritos. We have the property with the little two story palapa with the
overgrown weeds on our little road, just up the wash from the break in the dunes, just south of your campsite. We were going to lease it to some yoga
folks this year but it didn't work out on advice of our lawyer. Oh well, hope to get back down soon. TomKen Bondy - 3-5-2004 at 06:39 PM
RandyMac
The young men in hunter green always seem to spend an inordinate amount of time inspecting Big Red, often to the annoyance of travelers behind me.
But frankly I have always enjoyed the experience. I have received many offers to trade mine for one of theirs. On my last trip I even got an offer
for TWO of theirs for Big Red. I probably should have thought more carefully about that one.
For the picture I posted I of course asked permission before taking it. I was at first denied by the older soldier who was obviously in command. But
then HE produced a small camera and asked if HE could take a picture of Big Red, to which of course I agreed. After he had fired some shots of the
Hummer it was all over and he and the young guys posed for us in front of Big Red.
++Ken++
Cuando Soldados Cenan
Nikon - 3-5-2004 at 06:47 PM
I always eat with my rifle slung over my shoulder, don't you? elgatoloco - 3-5-2004 at 07:50 PM
We had the local brigade visiting us twice a day while patrolling the perimeter of the island. They told us they got two nights in Guerrero Negro once
a month. They were friendly and professional young men. This fellow was a veterano officer who loved practicing his very good ingles on this guero.
Please note that it was early in the year and I had not had an oppurtunity to get my usual deep,bronze skin tone.:
[Edited on 3-6-2004 by elgatoloco]RandyMacSC/SO - 3-6-2004 at 04:36 AM
Quote:
........
Please note that it was early in the year and I had not had an oppurtunity to get my usual deep,bronze skin tone.:
[Edited on 3-6-2004 by elgatoloco]
ON e 2 maNY beEr toNiGHt.
And I THOught I was GLoIN in tHe DArk.
RMc
No photo joto!
Don Jorge - 3-8-2004 at 10:03 AM
RandyMac......
Tucker - 3-8-2004 at 07:09 PM
I checked yesterday with my Mexican Army seargent friend, he indicates that military service in Mexico is not obligatory, just like the US, 100%
volunteer force.RandyMacSC/SO - 3-8-2004 at 11:42 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Tucker
I checked yesterday with my Mexican Army seargent friend, he indicates that military service in Mexico is not obligatory, just like the US, 100%
volunteer force.
Tucker. You're right. Yes, the Mexican army is volunteer. It's the Swiss army that young adults have to give 2 years of service.
RandyMac
and Israelis
Debra - 3-9-2004 at 07:39 AM
Canada Tests New Fighter Jet...
RandyMacSC/SO - 3-9-2004 at 08:43 AM
Canada announced today that it has blown it's entire 2004-2005 Military Budget of $100 million, by purchasing ten new ultra modern fighter jets to
defend it's territory against possible hostile attacks.
Photo of the new fighter jet just before initial test flight.
the baja chihuahua - 4-20-2004 at 09:04 PM
hee hee...Randy we get enough razzing from the Yanks without us taking the crap out of ourselves
: