First, thanks to our Tijuana intrepid correspondent, FDT, for his warning about recent construction on free road.
Being the most frugal and independent Baja Nomad in my neighborhood(and ONLY B.N. in my nbhd), I decided to risk the ride north on the free road.
Here are my findings from my Punta Banda to San Diego round trip past 2 days:
1. Mileage on Free Road v. Toll Road is equal. If you look at a map, you can see that F.R. and T.R. are nearly mirror images of each other.
2. Time difference is approximately 15 minutes longer on Free Road due to speed limits, a few blind curves and slowing down to enjoy the better view
v. T.R. . Avoid TJ during rush hour each way. I usually get to TJ at 9-ish for crossing and come back by 4 to avoid evening rush. Got a late start,
but never needed to pass a truck on the beautiful 2 lane highway from north Ensenada to La Mision. Comparing 4-6 lane interstate roads and 2 laners,
give me the country side every time.
3. I have not crossed north at TJ for 8 months. Tried yesterday, 9/9/09, but Padre Kino Ave was backed up to the 2+ hour mark so I jumped over to
Otay in about 15 minutes.
4. Otay wait at 10am was 66 minutes. Border guard took my passport, entered my new license plate, looked into rear of my 1989 Jeep Cherokee "classic"
through the rear left side window that I always leave down when crossing for their convenience. He motioned me onward without saying one word.
5. Did my usual 60 day household shopping effort in Otay Lakes area.
6. Stayed overnight in Ocean Beach. I enjoy this eclectic little berg and the Obecian lifestyle.
7. Found a Sonoma cabernet that is within my free road budget and purchased more than one bottle at Big Lots.
8. On way home, stopped at Mr Lucky's doughnut shop on Palm Ave in Imperial Beach for my favorite and lucky peanut butter frozen yogurt. I have never
been stopped at MX border when accompanied by a Mr. Lucky's frozen yogurt for approx 3 dozen crossings and counting.
9. Guy in a small Toyota pickup ahead of me with box spring and mattress was red lighted. Traffic was heavy at 3:30PM and he just moved on and was
not chased.
10. Did find a small cone zone on hill from downtown TJ on free road halfway to Rosarito. Other than that, lots of new pavement and all clear.
Email or U2U me if you would like directions on Free Road alternative. As written before, my round trips this way fund a case of beer instead of
paying the tolls.
Sincerely,
Your Baja on $20/day correspondentfdt - 9-10-2008 at 09:51 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajadock
Obecian lifestyle.
Next time, let me know your'e schedule and I'll be happy to show you a "Tijuanense" oneCaboRon - 9-11-2008 at 04:46 AM
Could you please reduce the size of your photos, they exceed guidelines. Thanks, Martyman - 9-11-2008 at 08:15 AM
Thanks for the big pics. I can really see something!bajamigo - 9-11-2008 at 08:21 AM
Nice photo! I love the big expansive view.fdt - 9-11-2008 at 08:25 AM
Oh, I forgot to mention how great the picture is. Perfect size also to save as my new desktop, thanksDENNIS - 9-11-2008 at 08:32 AM
Dock......
The photo is nice but, when and where? Not from your house and really green.tripledigitken - 9-11-2008 at 08:36 AM
Nice wide angle photo, love it. Greeeeeeeeen, looks like Ireland.
Thanks for posting.
Kenbajabound2005 - 9-11-2008 at 08:41 AM
I'm going to bet that photo was taken in the Spring after the rains!shari - 9-11-2008 at 08:43 AM
PEANUT BUTTER YOGHURT ICE CREAM...man you're killin me DOC!! I'd trade a yellowtail any day for a pint of that stuff!DENNIS - 9-11-2008 at 08:51 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
I'm going to bet that photo was taken in the Spring after the rains!
Any bets on location?
Photo resized
bajadock - 9-11-2008 at 11:46 AM
How much?
Dave - 9-11-2008 at 11:52 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Any bets on location?
I'll bet you know exactly where it is. DENNIS - 9-11-2008 at 11:59 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
I'm going to bet that photo was taken in the Spring after the rains!
Any bets on location?
No, wait. I'm not betting. BB2005 was wagering bets. I was hopin she would fill me in on where it is. I'm thinking it's on the free road not too
far inland from the Ensenada toll gate. Either that or it's from the Pali on Oahu with Diamond Head in the background.bajabound2005 - 9-11-2008 at 12:44 PM
I agree with you Dennis, north of the toll gate near the turn off to El Tigre...fandango - 10-11-2008 at 08:26 PM
one month since this trip report on the free road. has anyone taken it since? i am hooked on this route and would like an update if possible.
thanks.fishingmako - 10-12-2008 at 09:41 AM
This picture looks like it is about 1.5 miles north of Miracle Ranch ORPHANAGE on the free road.
Look across the bay and see the microwave towers on the far hilltop, and if you go straight down from tho micro towers that is the spot for the Tiger
Woods development. nice picturefishingmako - 10-13-2008 at 10:28 AM
Still waiting, where was the picture taken, was I close?
