BajaNomad - High Tide at Gonzaga Bay

High Tide at Gonzaga Bay

bonanza bucko - 2-11-2009 at 10:39 AM

High Tide at Gonzaga Bay

Here are some pictures of High Tide at Gonzaga Bay last summer. We have a 22 foot range of tide when the moon is full or dark. The runway is under five feet of water at the north end and three feet at the south. The waves break on some porches.

It's lucky "The Boss" (AKA: Wife) is a farm girl because she just naturally grabs a shovel when the waves threaten her kitchen. I tend to go to the hammock and have a Pacifico... :lol:

When you get to the web page with the pictures you can click on the "slideshow" button on the bottom left of the screen for full size shots.

I have recently gotten a web page that lets me post these pictures....that's why I am sending so many. Hope you don't get bored. :-)

[Edited on 2-11-2009 by BajaNomad]

desertcpl - 2-11-2009 at 10:51 AM

great photos,,, we love Gonzaga bay,, we have some friends that have a place at pt final,,, been going there for over 35 yrs

David K - 2-11-2009 at 10:54 AM

Thanks Bonanza for all the photos you share!

Here is Alfonsina's airport runway on Sept. 1, 2008... a very high tide!

Lindalou - 2-11-2009 at 10:56 AM

What really nice pictures and what a beautiful spot you have. Thanks

DianaT - 2-11-2009 at 10:56 AM

Keep posting the pictures---they are really great.

Talk about beachfront property!

Love Gonzaga ---

Diand

Water on the porch

Skipjack Joe - 2-11-2009 at 11:06 AM

Wow!

I was so envious of those people when we visited a month ago. Now, I'm not so sure anymore. If there was a storm during high tide half of those homes could go. But until that happens - what a life!

How to post a picture link

bonanza bucko - 2-11-2009 at 03:47 PM

For David K:
I think you told me to use the blue paper clip button to post a link to photos without showing the URL. I have tried that twice and both times the URL showed....but this time it doesn't anymore and I suspect that is so because you...or somebody smart...fixed it for me.

Please tell me again so I don't forget how to do that...I wanna post some more pictures in a few days.

Thanks a big bunch!

David K - 2-11-2009 at 05:06 PM

To post a photo FROM another web site (like photobucket.com or ??) that has http:// at the start of the photo name/url (in properties) and ends in .jpg or .gif etc. COPY the url with your mouse...

Use this button, right above the place where you type in the words:

and paste the photo url in the pop up box that appears.

David K - 2-11-2009 at 05:10 PM

To post a photo from your PC's photo folders/ files, click on the 'Browse...' button located right below where you type in words and pick a photo from your folders/ files... NOTE: in this case, the photo size must be below 50 kb.

High Tide at Gonzaga

MrBillM - 2-11-2009 at 05:23 PM

The first time we camped South of Alfonsinas ('74) on the beach, we setup our tents well back to avoid the High tide that night. In the very early a.m., I was awakened by my friend saying "we've got a problem". I crawled out of my tent to see our Baja Bugs in about six inches of water percolating up through the sand and the tide still rising. Being unsure how much we had to look forward to, we raced to get the vehicles moved. During that time, our tents and bedding were soaked. Good lesson. It doesn't matter how far back you are, but how high.

Many years later, staying at the same friend's casa at Alfonsinas, a group of Bonanzas flew in for the night, setting up camp across from the Cantina. I asked "I wonder if they know that area will cover over on tonight's tide" ? My buddy answered "Well, if they don't and nobody tells them, they'll find out".

Nobody told them, I guess.

A lot of wet gear the next a.m. Everybody needs to learn life's lessons. When we walked up to look, our smiles drew some dirty looks.

One of the few Super 8's I transferred to videotape many years ago was taken back when the wreckage of the small tandem 2-seat plane that crashed flying "backwards" was still off to the side of the runway and the high tide covered the runway up to a foot deep. Hours later, planes were landing on it.

[Edited on 2-12-2009 by MrBillM]

Von - 2-11-2009 at 07:59 PM

WOW what some amazing breath taking pictures!

Re High Tide and Mexcian fishermen

bonanza bucko - 2-11-2009 at 08:27 PM

30 years ago we had a 14 foot aluminum skiff with an outboard motor on it. A buddy's son took it out fishing and had a few too many Pacificos so he pulled up on the beach in front of our place and took a nap in the sand. Fun...I've done that.

The tide came up and the boat floated away on the west wind...out of sight. We said adios and wrote the boat off to not taking naps.

A month later a Gringo came to San Diego and called my buddy's office to say that a fisherman had found the boat out in the Sea of Cortez and had towed it to shore and spent two days walking the beaches to see who owned it...somebody said it was ours so he dragged it up in front of the house and left it there.

We never knew his name. He could have sold that boat and motor....or used it himself...because it was worth about what he'd make in a year.

Try that in Washington D.C. among senatmutts or congressthings!....or almost anybody else in a "modern" urban society.

I love Mexico and it's people!!....and not just because of that magnificent fisherman.

pascuale - 2-11-2009 at 09:58 PM

Your right north of Hussongs place. I grew up going to the house two to the south side of Hussongs, the Martins home. I love it there.

BajaWarrior - 2-11-2009 at 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
The first time we camped South of Alfonsinas ('74) on the beach, we setup our tents well back to avoid the High tide that night. In the very early a.m., I was awakened by my friend saying "we've got a problem". I crawled out of my tent to see our Baja Bugs in about six inches of water percolating up through the sand and the tide still rising. Being unsure how much we had to look forward to, we raced to get the vehicles moved. During that time, our tents and bedding were soaked. Good lesson. It doesn't matter how far back you are, but how high.

Many years later, staying at the same friend's casa at Alfonsinas, a group of Bonanzas flew in for the night, setting up camp across from the Cantina. I asked "I wonder if they know that area will cover over on tonight's tide" ? My buddy answered "Well, if they don't and nobody tells them, they'll find out".

Nobody told them, I guess.

A lot of wet gear the next a.m. Everybody needs to learn life's lessons. When we walked up to look, our smiles drew some dirty looks.

One of the few Super 8's I transferred to videotape many years ago was taken back when the wreckage of the small tandem 2-seat plane that crashed flying "backwards" was still off to the side of the runway and the high tide covered the runway up to a foot deep. Hours later, planes were landing on it.

[Edited on 2-12-2009 by MrBillM]

Watch out for that high tide...

Mr. Bill, these photos are from 20 years ago at Percebu. This is back when you could trade a sheet of plywood pilfered off of the job for two nights rent.

Everything looked ok as we arrived, there's the high tide line way over there, full moon tonight, no problem, hell, they wouldn't build a campground IN the Sea of Cortez!?

Well they did, we got a rude awakening about 2 a.m., but managed to keep our bed rolls dry, the dog got wet and was perturbed, but the Mexican family of 8 camped next to us in a tent got the suprise of their life that night. :lol:

[Edited on 2-12-2009 by BajaWarrior]

r.FloodedPercebu.JPG - 47kB

High Tides in Percebu

MrBillM - 2-11-2009 at 11:51 PM

People still camp up against the bluff south of the arroyo and find themselves in the water on the Big tides. It's kind of funny. We'll drive by and notice, but not say anything. Obviously none of the other residents do either and the campers get wet.

At least 20 years ago (probably more) we were sailing our Capri way back (south) in the estero on a really high tide when I saw a RED "something" in the water. Sailed closer and saw that it was a Honda 90 ATC. Beached the boat and pulled the ATC to shore. Checked the oil and found no water. Started it up and rode it back to the casa while mi esposa sailed the boat back. Parked it in front of the casa on the road. Nobody around. Awhile later, Jim Rigsby (the guy with the airplane out front) came up and claimed it. He said he had a friend come down from the states who borrowed it to go out surf fishing. Although he said he'd warned the guy about the tide, his friend parked the ATC and walked over the peninsula (DK's Shell Island) and, when he came back, the ATC was gone. Thought somebody had stolen it.

With that "explanation" and without a thanks or an offer of a beer, Jim rode off. That was the first time he'd ever spoken to me in the years since I'd been there and probably the last, but that was Jim.

Since '82 I've seen probably a couple of dozen vehicles that the tide (and stupidity) claimed and there were many that went under while I was gone.

I'm not sure if the dumbest incident was the one during Easter Week when we watched Three FWD Trucks one-by-one follow each other off of the sandbar into the mud and get stuck OR the July 4th holiday when a Jeep arrived to find his "Group" of people on the beach south of the Arroyo with the tide already in. With a Jeep full of people and gear, he backed up as far as possible, floored it and took a run. The water was about Four feet deep at that point. Fortunately, his friends all had Jeeps and winches. Surprisingly, at the end of the day he got it started.

On the other hand, it was probably the guy in the BRAND-NEW 4WD Dodge with paper plates that went out in the Lagoon to help out a Jeep Cherokee that got stuck in the mud. Those two vehicles went through about four tide changes before a group got together and used Plastic 55 gal barrels for flotation to tow the Dodge and Jeep back to the beach adjacent to the Cantina. Needless to say, they were both trash.

BTW, that recovery was one of the funniest scenes yet. They took a Bayliner out after securing the barrels at low tide. First they towed the Cherokee back and beached it, then went back to get the Dodge. However, the tide was still flooding. While they were hooking up to the Dodge, the Cherokee floated off and headed South. At some point, they looked up, saw what was happening and dropped everything to come back for the Jeep. After they secured it a second time, they went back for the Dodge. It was great entertainment for us sitting up on the Bluff, drinking Beer and taking pictures.

bbbait - 2-12-2009 at 06:33 AM

So you get a big kick out of watching others in trouble! I always thought you were an A-hole, this confirms it!

Hltoppr - 2-12-2009 at 09:14 AM

Hope this isn't too much of a hijack...but since you're in Gonzaga...

Is the Pemex station open there? If so, do they sell diesel?

If not open, is the market still selling fuel/diesel?

Thanks for the help...heading down there in March with the wife and daughter.

-H-

David K - 2-12-2009 at 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
... Awhile later, Jim Rigsby (the guy with the airplane out front) came up and claimed it. ...

Fuel at Gonzaga Bay

bonanza bucko - 2-12-2009 at 09:51 AM

The Pemex is kinda open some of the time. They run out of gas a lot...they were out for two weeks in late January and then got 1K gallons on about the 22nd.

I'm sorry that I don't know if they have diesel.

I would bet that Rancho Grande does, however, because they use it to power their reverse osmosis system and some earth moving equipment.

The Ranch can't sell gas when the Pemex has gas...against the law. But they do sell it when Alfonsina's Pemex is out. I think they could sell diesel all the time but I don't know for sure....maybe somebody else on here does.

If I were going in there I would take all the diesel gas I needed along......fuel is always iffy there.

Air Mail Plane

bonanza bucko - 2-12-2009 at 09:53 AM

David:
I can't tell exactly what kind of airplane that is but it's an antique for sure because of the tail....might be a Wacco.

Is that shot a spoof or did somebody prang an antique in Baja...again?

David K - 2-12-2009 at 09:59 AM

That is the plane MrBillM mentioned (in front of Jim Rigsby's yard).

Photo from about 1978... at Laguna Percebu (now 'Rancho Percebu')... Looked like wreck that someone turned into a gag front yard decoration... bones were layed out like the pilot holding a tequila bottle... a bra was hanging from the tail wing...

Long Gone

MrBillM - 2-12-2009 at 10:58 AM

The Plane was bulldozed and hauled off to the dump shortly after Jim was hauled off to spend his final days in a U.S. "Care" Facility.

Little by little, his trailers and assorted stuff are being "cleaned up". It won't be long before the most distinctive place is Percebu is just desert again. Sort of sad. Not Jim's departure, but the Plane's.

I was told that the plane was one of many crashes in Baja and he "bought" the wreckage and had it hauled in for a yard decoration.

Back in the old days, it seemed to be common practice to simply leave those wrecks wherever they were, like the one next to the runway at Alfonsinas.

BTW, I had heard that it was an Aeronca, BUT I'm not an expert on Old Tail. However, MOST Light-Aircraft of that genre looked awfully similar. It would take something of an expert to distinguish a Piper, Aeronca, Luscombe or even a Cessna 120 or 140. I know a guy who STILL flys a C-140 and, until recently, a Luscombe Silvaire.

Quien Sabe ?

[Edited on 2-12-2009 by MrBillM]

shari - 2-12-2009 at 11:14 AM

NOw I like a good laugh for sure....BUT...I never could understand why anyone wouldn't warn poor ignorant campers about possible high tides reaching their campsites. Whenever I see unsuspecting folks camping where they will get wet...I always let them know...some move...some dont. I figure we were all newbies once and people who arent aware of tides just dont think about it....I always appreciate good advice and try to give freely of my knowledge to those who obviously dont know the local problems one may encounter....please be kind to others!

Doze Po Folks

MrBillM - 2-12-2009 at 11:33 AM

Not having kept a comprehensive log over the last 30 years, I can't give a statistical breakdown on the percentage of TOTAL A-Holes who makeup the Beach-Camper crowd, but it is a substantial figure.

After years of witnessing Wild Animal antics all night long played to the beat of Crap music at earth-shaking decibels along with Un-Muffled vehicles roaring around and the rockets being launched willy-nilly and sometimes landing at the front door, one becomes jaded to the possible "Discomfort" of that crowd.

And, it is only "Discomfort" that is easily corrected.

Oh, I forgot to add that the majority of those campers seem to feel that it is proper etiquette to simply leave their garbage right where they were. Makes for a beautiful scene, especially after a big holiday.

Schadenfreude is good.

[Edited on 2-12-2009 by MrBillM]

bbbait - 2-13-2009 at 06:21 AM

It looks like you have picked the perfect place to live! Enjoy!

biglar - 2-13-2009 at 09:25 AM

I can't believe that someone would sit there and watch un-knowing people set up camp in a flood zone and not say something to them.

I know what you mean about wild all night parties - I don't like them either - and booming music.........and the mess left behind, but those're a small minority of visitors.

Most are good folks, down to have a good time. Why wouldn't you warn them of the tides ??

Lar.

[Edited on 2-13-2009 by biglar]

David K - 2-13-2009 at 10:55 AM

From what I have seen at Laguna Percebu (and other Baja beaches), those that make the most noise all night and leave all the trash behind (including soiled diapers), don't speak English and probably would not understand or be receptive to an old gringo telling them what to do in their country...?

desertcpl - 2-13-2009 at 12:03 PM

good point DK

DianaT - 2-13-2009 at 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
From what I have seen at Laguna Percebu (and other Baja beaches), those that make the most noise all night and leave all the trash behind (including soiled diapers), don't speak English and probably would not understand or be receptive to an old gringo telling them what to do in their country...?

If you are going to criticize those people who don't speak English, why not mention who they are? The Mexicans perhaps? :rolleyes:

We have also been camping both in Baja and on the Mainland where we have seen some of "those people who don't speak English" leave the cleanest of cleanest campsites and be very considerate of others.

We have also seen "those people who do speak English" leave terrible messes and be extremely rude.

IMHO your generalization is right in line with the post about the car jacking where spi619 suggested that it was a good idea to only stop to help other Americans.

So, if you know they will get wet in the night, but they don't speak English, ignore them---but warn them if they are English speakers :?:

And some of "those other people" do appreciate it. Just one example, we warned a large group from Ensenada while camped at El Requeson that they were setting up camp where the water would be later that night---they smiled, moved some, and thanked us---especially the next day when they saw the water.

Diane

[Edited on 2-13-2009 by jdtrotter]

Diver - 2-13-2009 at 01:12 PM

Quote:

Amazing logic !!
If they don't speak english, they won't appreciate a kind suggestion !?
Sounds like someone is prejudiced against someone else !? :wow:

Or maybe just afraid to talk to non-english speakers with babies who party lat on nights when he doesn't ?? :lol:

David K - 2-13-2009 at 02:25 PM

You know Diver and Diane... it is MrBillM who said he doesn't help those people... yet both of you quote me...???

I was responding to biglar, with an opinion based on personal observation over 40 years of Mexico travel... Most of the mess and noise has been observed in more recent years, I will add...

I have camped right next to "Mexicans" as you like to say, at El Requeson... all I know is they spoke Spanish... and there are several nations that have Spanish as a national language as well as all of Mexico (why I didn't say "locals").

How about posting some photos jd ... or more Ford horror stories Diver, instead of picking apart my replies to others??

It is getting old... and stinky... like the beach below MrBillM's house on a Semana Santa! :lol:

Diver - 2-13-2009 at 03:12 PM

Oh my gosh !!
You really camped right next to Mexicans and they spoke spanish ?
You really didn't move your camp next to some more gringos ?
So what ?

We have camped right next to many folks from many places who spoke many languages at El Requeson. I have often cautioned newcomers about the high tide concerns. I don't recall and didn't care what language they spoke - I speak friendly sign language !!

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
... yet both of you quote me...???

Yes we were quoting you; it is what YOU wrote.
Yes you did sound like a bigot to me.
Perhaps you should consider what you write before you post it.
Perhaps you should consider your inner self.

Of course I expected;
"But guys, how could you say that, I love Baja, I post more than anyone, I didn't mean it that way, why do you guys pick on me, you know I didn;t mean that, ...... why don't we all post some pictures and be happy......"

Can we please see another photo of your Tacoma on Shell Beach ? :lol:

DianaT - 2-13-2009 at 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
You know Diver and Diane... it is MrBillM who said he doesn't help those people... yet both of you quote me...???

Yes, I quoted you because of your defense of MrBill, and because you brought in the ethnic card with quite a bigoted statement. Sorry, but the bigotry is annoying. At least MrBill is consistent, he doesn't want to help anyone in that situation.

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

I have camped right next to "Mexicans" as you like to say, at El Requeson... all I know is they spoke Spanish... and there are several nations that have Spanish as a national language as well as all of Mexico (why I didn't say "locals").

Yes Spanish is spoken in many countries, and none of it sounds like the Spanish spoken in Mexico---if you listen or try to communicate with them, you would hear the difference.

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
It is getting old... and stinky...

Yes, I would agree, but for different reasons---all of which have been pointed out before, but you will never get it.

I am disappointed, however, this time you didn't drop in one of your political "truths". :lol:

Diane

[Edited on 2-13-2009 by jdtrotter]