BajaNomad - Several questions

Several questions

boe4fun - 1-23-2009 at 11:06 AM

Hola Nomads, Our group of volunteers will be leaving Sat. Feb. 21 for our La Paz clinic with the La Balandra Rotarians. One of our group, Dr. Bob Haining (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) has invited his college buddy Victor (an Orthopedic Surgeon from Mexico City) to join us during our trip to whale watch at Guerrero Negro or San Ignacio and also take the mule ride to the cave paintings at San Francisco de la Sierra. On our drive south I plan on seeing Coco at his "Corner" to measure and cast him for his prostheses on Mon. Feb. 23rd (if he's ready), and deliver them to him on our return trip. So here are my questions:
Does anyone have a VALID email address for Alfonsina's? (It is my understanding that she can communicate with Coco via radio or send him messages with offroad travelers.)
What shape is the road between Mex. 1 and Coco's Corner? (I may be pulling a 14' tin boat on a trailer - will I need to air down my truck and trailer?)
Can anyone recommend a place to spend a night in San Ignacio and where I can safely leave my boat and trailer during the few days that we are on the mule ride?
Does anyone know the hours of operation for the office in San Ignacio that handles the permits and guide/mule reservations? Also, can we begin the mule ride at mid day or must we leave in the morning?
Would it be easier for Victor to fly into Tijuana from Mexico City, or take a puddle jumper from Guaymas or Hermosillo to Guerrero Negro? (He may have some time constraints.) He will probably be flying back to Mexico City out of Loreto.
Any hotel recommendations for Santa Rosalia? Thanks in advance for any help and/or recommendations. Vaya con Dios, Paul Boe

mulegemichael - 1-23-2009 at 11:27 AM

In san ignacio it's really secure at ricardo's rice and beans...also at san ignacio b & b....the b & b folks can do all your permits for the whale watching and the mule trip...a really nice place with fab food..

Bajahowodd - 1-23-2009 at 12:01 PM

Ditto on what Michael says. If you choose the B&B, be mindful that they have limited rooms. Ricardo's has more rooms, not as nicely done as the B&B.

On your question about Santa Rosalita, I was wondering if you had work planned there? It is so close to San Ignacio, that if you are heading to La Paz, you could easily make Mulege, or even Loreto. Anyway, as for Santa Rosalia, just South of the town up the hill are two places. Las Casitas , and El Moro. Las Casitas has newer, better appointed rooms, but if you are towing a boat, not sure about the parking situation as the hotel is built in tiered fashion down the hill. The proprietors are members of this website, so you may hear from them. El Moro has an enclosed, large, flat parking area.

BajaNomad - 1-23-2009 at 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by boe4fun
Any hotel recommendations for Santa Rosalia?

Super cheap, "rustic"; Hotel Blanco y Negro:

One of the nicest in town (and with great history behind it) is the Hotel Frances (see attached image taken January 3rd, 2009).

Others include the Hotel El Industrial (along the highway close to the central part of town); Hotel Minas de Santa Rosalía; & I didn't specifically notice my last time through, but the Hotel El Morro should still be open.

More of my commentary - most of which still holds true here:
http://www.escapist.com/baja/rosalia.htm

Remember to try the fish tacos at Pepe's cart near the entrance to the main part of town, just west of the highway.

:smug:

-
Doug

Paula - 1-23-2009 at 12:35 PM

One more hotel possibility in San Ignacio is Casa Leree, although I'm not sure Juanita has parking for the boat. It's a great hotel 1 block from the plaza. Juanita, the owner has collected stories and photos from SI's past that are fun to look at, and she has a small shop in the hotel with a good book selection, and locally made arts and crafts.

I think that the INAH office opens at 8a.m. Some phone #'s that might be helpful:

INAH in La Paz: 612 122 7389 or 612 123 0399
INAH in San Ignacio: 615 154 0222
email questions: lukero2@hotmail.com

The info above is from a handout from the SI office. Have a great ride!

[Edited on 1-23-2009 by Paula]

boe4fun - 1-23-2009 at 12:38 PM

I was asking about hotels in the Santa Rosalia area because my buddy (who is driving his own car) will probably want to stay at a hotel while I camp at San Lucas Cove and spend 1 morning fishing (if the wind isn't up) on our way south. I've stayed at Rice and Beans before, both in our 5th wheel and rented a room once, very nice.

[Edited on 1-23-2009 by boe4fun]

Bajahowodd - 1-23-2009 at 01:45 PM

Doug-
Do you have reason to believe that the el Morro is closed? I haven't stayed there for a few years, have recently passed by mid-day, turned off and drove into the courtyard. There were some cars there. I always thought it was a fantastic piece of property(location and grounds) that could easily be upgraded to first class.

wilderone - 1-23-2009 at 02:00 PM

" can we begin the mule ride at mid day or must we leave in the morning"

If you get your permit in the morning at San Ignacio (because maybe you spent the night there or even got your permit the day before you spent the night there), then you could possibly start your trip that day. The guide has to get ready too. And you have to drive to San Francisco in the mountains (maybe 80 miles??), some of which is a twisting slow drive; check in; and find your way to the ranch where the guide is. If you're hiking the route, instead of riding mules, you might be able to start walking and let the mules get packed up and follow you in later. Be sure your stuff in packed in gear that can be efficiently tied onto the mules.
In Feb. the days are still rather short, and you'd want to get to camp before dark.

Best to come down the peninsula from TJ - the bus station is at the airport.

David K - 1-23-2009 at 02:10 PM

Paul, the road from Gonzaga to Hwy. 1 (via Coco's) was in great shape on Jan. 1... ie. as good as it has been in years.

Recently, Corky1 posted the phone numbers for Alfonsina's... used Nomad search....

Need help for Coco
The latest numbers I have for Allfonsina's

Message: 011-52-664-648-1951
Fax: 011-52-664-626-262 ...

[Edited on 1-23-2009 by David K]

BajaNomad - 1-23-2009 at 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Doug-
Do you have reason to believe that the el Morro is closed?

No, I have no reason to believe they are closed. I simply did not notice if they were still in operation this last time through the first week of January - and thusly didn't have first-hand info either way.

-
Doug

boe4fun - 1-23-2009 at 04:13 PM

If we decide to whale watch in GN we'll go out with the Malarrimo Eco Tours in the morning and then drive to SI that afternoon to get the mule and guide permits, spend that night in SI and leave early the next morning for San Francisco de la Sierra. If we whale watch out of SI we'll probably do it the same way. Thanks to all for your imput and suggestions. Paul Boe

Paula - 1-23-2009 at 04:15 PM

"And you have to drive to San Francisco in the mountains (maybe 80 miles??), some of which is a twisting slow drive;"

It is actually not much more than 50 miles, but it can seem like 80. :lol:

, and takes most of 2 hours to drive.

If you are riding to Santa Teresa camp on the first day, as many people do, it is not a long ride, and you'll have plenty of time. Your stop at the office in San Ignacio won't take much time, and the time it takes for the guides to pack up depends on the amount of provisions and number of riders.

boe4fun - 1-23-2009 at 04:26 PM

The latest AAA map shows it is 23.2 miles from Mex. 1 to the end of the dirt road, a location AAA has named "San Francisco de la Sierra." We will probably leave my friends car and my tin boat at the B&B or hotel in SI and all drive out to San Francisco in my 1 ton GMC crew cab 4X4. I'll be able to air down as we'll have compressors. I expected that that portion of the drive would take about 90 minutes. So if we get the permits the day before, and leave SI fairly early that morning, I would think that we should be able to hook up with our guides by 10 AM or so, load up the gear and hit the trail by noon. Sound reasonable? Thanks again, Paul

Corky1 - 1-23-2009 at 04:46 PM

Paul,
Try this . E-mail address: alfonsinas@hotmail.com.

Good luck,
Corky

Bob and Susan - 1-23-2009 at 04:59 PM

there is only one really good place to stay in santa rosalia

you WILL NOT be disapointed

here it is...
http://www.santarosaliacasitas.com/

Ignacio Springs Bed and Breakfast

CaboRon - 1-23-2009 at 05:24 PM

Awesome to stay in the Yurts

Great Food !!!!!!!!!!

http://www.ignaciosprings.com/

Here are a couple of pics

Enjoy your trip,

CaboRon

Paula - 1-23-2009 at 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by boe4fun
The latest AAA map shows it is 23.2 miles from Mex. 1 to the end of the dirt road, a location AAA has named "San Francisco de la Sierra." We will probably leave my friends car and my tin boat at the B&B or hotel in SI and all drive out to San Francisco in my 1 ton GMC crew cab 4X4. I'll be able to air down as we'll have compressors. I expected that that portion of the drive would take about 90 minutes. So if we get the permits the day before, and leave SI fairly early that morning, I would think that we should be able to hook up with our guides by 10 AM or so, load up the gear and hit the trail by noon. Sound reasonable? Thanks again, Paul

That sounds very reasonable, of course allowing 1/2 hour here and there for hellos, goodbyes and cultural perceptions of time.

And I'm sure your 1ton 4X4 will get you there WAY faster than my little Honda CRV :dudette:

osoflojo - 1-23-2009 at 09:07 PM

The El Moro is open and doing well in Sta Rosalia. Stayed there inJan 09. Management is very helpful and the restaurant has well prepared home cooking. Plenty of parking, secure and decent rates. Many of the rooms appear to have been remodeled from years ago.

[Edited on 1-24-2009 by osoflojo]

boe4fun - 1-25-2009 at 11:59 AM

Hola Todos, I emailed Alfonsinas on the 23rd but haven't got a response yet:
Hola, comprendo que Coco ha vuelto a su Rincón. Estaré parando por su casa el
domingo, febrero 22 en medirlo para nuevas prótesis. ¿Puede comunicar usted con
él asegurarse él estará en casa cuando visito? Gracias en avance, Paul Boe
Hello, I understand that Coco has returned to his Corner. I will be stopping by
his house on Sunday, Feb. 22 to measure him for new prostheses. Can you
communicate with him to make sure he will be home when I visit? Thanks in advance, Paul Boe
Any other suggestions? Thanks, Paul Boe
Yellowtail67: Hey Matt, check your U2U.

[Edited on 1-25-2009 by boe4fun]

Debra - 1-25-2009 at 04:22 PM

Paul, If you decide to do the whales at SI, Ricardo at Rice & Beans will radio out to the guides so they will know you are coming. Also, if they ask you if you want lunch when you return say Yes! If there are several of you ask for family style, it's great.

And even if you don't stay in the yurts, go to breakfast there anyway.

If you guys have time stop by, you can stay the night at my place if you want (and have your camper) is Brad with you this trip?

PS, last spring when I was at R&B Ricardo showed us his new RV park he is building not far from the hotel....I don't know if it's open yet, but, you might check. It looks beautiful!

edit for PS

edit for PS

[Edited on 1-25-2009 by Debra]

mulegemichael - 1-25-2009 at 04:50 PM

yes!....all those new sites down off the main road...ricardo is indeed an industrious type guy, debra...and a cool guy to just sit down and chat with also...i'v e enjoyed many years staying in his place....one year, about a half a decade ago, i pulled into his place and there was a caravan of folks there, maybe 20 rigs, and at least half of them were out duct taping their rear view mirrors back on...seems a renegade trucker wanted to make a statement...and he did.....i sat on my porchstep with an amigo and a bottle of hornitos and chuckled the afternoon away...such a fun ride down!!!

Debra - 1-25-2009 at 05:04 PM

Funny! Yes, I think most loose mirrors between SI and S Rosalia. I once saw a guy duct taping his wife's make-up mirror to his rig. Once you've done that trip you learn to bring spares.

boe4fun - 1-25-2009 at 06:40 PM

Hi Debra, Yes Brad will be making the trip too. I don't know yet if he'll have to drive his car down as well as me driving my truck. We have so many donations to take down this time I'm not sure we can fit it all in my truck and boat!!! 38 pairs of boxed shoes, about 150 bras for mastectomy patients, multiple huge boxes softgoods/bracecomponents/prosthetic supplies. If I can put the lighter weight stuff in my tin boat we may be able to all go down in my Jimmy, but I won't know that until Brad gets to my place the day before we leave. Will you be out at Gecko during March? Not sure if we're staying at GN or SI to whale watch, but I've often stopped and eaten at rice and beans, great margaritas! We'll have our camping gear with us for the mule ride, so we may stop by to say hey. Bien Salud, Paul

[Edited on 1-26-2009 by boe4fun]

wilderone - 1-26-2009 at 10:35 AM

"I would think that we should be able to hook up with our guides by 10 AM or so, load up the gear and hit the trail by noon. Sound reasonable?"

When you get the permit ask them if they are in contact with the guy at San Francisco who will contact the guides right away. If the guides don't know you're coming until you check in at San Francisco (they have radio contact), then you'll have to wait around for them to get themselves packed and the animals ready. Depending on how many people are going, walking or riding, that may be a lot of gear and supplies to deal with. All kinds of things can happen. Sometimes all these ranchos attend someone's wedding celebration that lasts 3 days, or they all leave to go to church in town because the priest came that month; or they all go to some town for a funeral; maybe they have to borrow a mule from another ranch. These are working ranches and they do the cave mural thing as it comes up. Bring extra gear and food (the guides will appreciate that) and a little gift for the women and children.