yawaraman - 10-4-2007 at 10:37 AM
Hello Nomads; After a couple of years of reading posts, (lurking is such a negative word). I thought i would finaly post something. After more than 30
years of plesant traveling in baja I knew that eventually we would have a bad experience, most of which I take full credit for.
Normal start to the trip Tecate to El Rosario and Baja Cactus. By the way i strongly dissagree with it's critics, where are you going to get as
nice a room for 350 pesos? We were on track to be at the playa before dark the next day when we were the 1st vehicle to come upon the tragic wreak in
the vado just n of Santa Rosalita. Both vehicles and all the fuel and the cargo burning furiously, stopped a couple of hundred yards back but was
uncomfortable as we were sitting on the steep downgrade and i worried about another truck with hot brakes not being able to stop. Moved the van down
into the wash and pulled off the road, but then things started exploding, Oh no, now too close.Backed up some turned on the flashers and kept a close
eye on the rear view mirror. As the trucks were at the S end of the vado there was NO way around, Bomberos from SR showed up but no way to put out
that fire with 500 gal of water. Finally realized that our window of opportunity to reach Mulege before dark was gone so returned to SI for the night.
1st misstake-going to Mulege in early Sept.WAY TOO HOT for camping, in the past have gone in mid Oct. but we were anxious to return. MY 2nd
misstake-camping on a beach alone. Have enjoied staying a P Escondida many times as the rough entrance road seems to discourage motor homes and their
generators. 2nd day set up the Zodiac and decided to go for a short ride to the islas close by, keeping the camp in sight. Gone hour and a half and
returned to find rear window of the van smashed and all camera equipment and cash gone.
Decided to move to Santispac for greater security by the nice family at the entrance. Spent 5 or 6 days hiding from the sun, but at least we
could go into town for hielo y agua.
One pm the campground was almost full and we had a young couple w/ 2 niņos next to us, we went out early to fish and see the dolphin pod that
were usually around, returned to camp and noticed tire tracks in front of the palapa leading from their campsite, Ice chest, tool box. snorkel gear, 2
bags w/ misc camping gear and Litas clothing bag gone.
Decided we had had enough, packed up and returned home. We will return someday, but only when there are enough other tourists to form some
mutual lookout arrangement.
Iflyfish - 10-4-2007 at 10:43 AM
I am saddened to hear of this terrible experience. My condolences.
Iflyfish
bajadogs - 10-4-2007 at 11:20 AM
That makes me so mad. 
I had a very similar experience 8 years ago on Playa
Escondida. Out for a quick ride in the zodiac only to return to a burgled camp, cash, video camera with a very sentimental tape inside, dive watch
etc. Man how I'd love to catch the scum! We reported it to the Mulege policia who actually drove their old Camaro out to look around and talk to other
campers way down the beach. They were friendly but nothing came of it. Our homeowners insurance actually covered the loss, aside from the video tape.
Now we only leave our camp if we get to know and trust our neighbors to keep an eye out and we don't leave valuables.
So sorry yawaraman.
Did you happen to report it to the policia?
shari - 10-4-2007 at 11:27 AM
Lo siento mucho for all of this...this is what has motivated us to urge folks to camp here with us to avoid all that mess...so maybe next visit, why
don't you come over to the cool, uncrowded pacific side for a change...safety is getting to be a very real issue for camping and we need to address
it. hope you don't lose your baja urge though...