BajaNomad

Book suggestion?

Frank - 2-23-2009 at 06:46 PM

Since Im no longer racing my way down the penninsula and have found that its not just about the fishing, I need some help.

As we are driving along Mex 1, I see that the geology changes constantly. Huge openings of faults and old Volcanos, lava flows, boulder mountains without dirt on them. Has someone written a book that tells the story as you drive down?

Has someone written a book on how each little village started and what makes them special? Im not looking for short cuts or for anyones secret surf spots.

I just hate driving past somewhere and then finding out later that I should of stopped, to sleep in a Yurt:lol: for example.

osoflojo - 2-23-2009 at 06:52 PM

AAA has a book that does a pretty good job of explaining most of the important places and sights along the way. Not very technical but more of a travelogue. Dont know if that is what you are lloking for though.

marv sherrill - 2-23-2009 at 07:14 PM

Just what the doctor ordered - check out John Minch's book roadside geology of baja california (or something like that) my copy is in Baja - explains exactly what you are looking for!!!!

Ken Bondy - 2-23-2009 at 08:57 PM

"Towns of Baja California, A 1918 Report by David Goldbaum" is an interesting little book, translated by William O. Hendricks. Goldbaum was born in Mexico in 1858, lived in Ensenada for over forty years, and writes about the early development of: Calamahi (Calamajue ?), El Barril, San Fernando (?), Santa Catarina, El Rosario, San Quintin, Santo Domingo, San Telmo, San Rafael Abajo, San Vicente, Santo Tomas, Punta Banda, Real Del Castillo, El Alamo, Valle de Trinidad, San Felipe, Guadalupe, Ensenada, Collnett (sic), and El Centinela. Those are all the way the towns are listed in the table of contents. My copy has a great old map dated 1919.

David K - 2-23-2009 at 10:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by marv sherrill
Just what the doctor ordered - check out John Minch's book roadside geology of baja california (or something like that) my copy is in Baja - explains exactly what you are looking for!!!!


That be the one!

Roadside Geology.JPG - 48kB

David K - 2-23-2009 at 10:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Bondy
"Towns of Baja California, A 1918 Report by David Goldbaum" is an interesting little book, translated by William O. Hendricks. Goldbaum was born in Mexico in 1858, lived in Ensenada for over forty years, and writes about the early development of: Calamahi (Calamajue ?*), El Barril, San Fernando (?), Santa Catarina, El Rosario, San Quintin, Santo Domingo, San Telmo, San Rafael Abajo, San Vicente, Santo Tomas, Punta Banda, Real Del Castillo, El Alamo, Valle de Trinidad, San Felipe, Guadalupe, Ensenada, Collnett (sic), and El Centinela. Those are all the way the towns are listed in the table of contents. My copy has a great old map dated 1919.


* actually he means Calmallí, a gold mine center near El Arco.

[Edited on 2-24-2009 by David K]

Towns.JPG - 28kB

Goldbaum's Book 1919 Baja Map

David K - 2-23-2009 at 10:54 PM







[Edited on 2-24-2009 by David K]

Barry A. - 2-23-2009 at 11:07 PM

David----------do those maps actually come with the book?

------and are they attached in some way??? Just wondering that if I ordered a copy on e-bay (or somewhere) would it probably have those maps within?

Barry

Frank - 2-24-2009 at 12:18 AM

Thanks for the info. I've got to find a copy of the Roadside Geology and Biology! Goldbaums book looks like a tough one to find.

DENNIS - 2-24-2009 at 09:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Frank
Thanks for the info. I've got to find a copy of the Roadside Geology and Biology! Goldbaums book looks like a tough one to find.


Here's a used copy for you, Frank.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001K5F162/ref=sr_1_o...

David K - 2-24-2009 at 10:12 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
David----------do those maps actually come with the book?

------and are they attached in some way??? Just wondering that if I ordered a copy on e-bay (or somewhere) would it probably have those maps within?

Barry


Yes Barry... it is one map (of Baja Norte), I showed it in three pieces so you can get more detail... It is in browntone, and not real easy to read... here is a closeup of the San Quintin area I did for Baja Gringo a while ago:

David K - 2-24-2009 at 10:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by osoflojo
AAA has a book that does a pretty good job of explaining most of the important places and sights along the way. Not very technical but more of a travelogue. Dont know if that is what you are lloking for though.


books 044.jpg - 50kB

805gregg - 2-24-2009 at 07:09 PM

So David where did you get all those cool old maps? Were they hard to find?

David K - 2-25-2009 at 09:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by 805gregg
So David where did you get all those cool old maps? Were they hard to find?


Many are in books... and I have a pretty big collection of Baja books... Others were found online... I have been collecting Baja books and maps since I was 10 (1967)!

I think I have shared all of the old maps here on Nomad... check the Nomad Baja Historic Interest and Literature forum.

If you have any specific requests for a close up off any of the 1701-1970 maps I have, just tell me what area of Baja you seek!

Barry A. - 2-25-2009 at 01:10 PM

There are several copies of Goldbaum's book, "Towns of Baja California" in AMAZON.COM running in price from $12 to $250.

Barry

Roadside Geology

Dave - 2-25-2009 at 01:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
That be the one!


You have that?

Then read about the boulder mountain southeast of Catavina and tell me. Always wondered about that.

David K - 2-25-2009 at 03:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
That be the one!


You have that?

Then read about the boulder mountain southeast of Catavina and tell me. Always wondered about that.


I think I can give you an answer without going to the book... (I did have geology in school):

All boulders were once part of the granite mass, that is the old earth (before the more 'recent' volcanic period).

The boulder mountain between Cataviña and Laguna Chapala on the west side (right side, southbound) of the highway is 'El Pedregoso'. It was once a solid block of granite, and the tallest mountain in the area (just like Diablo Mtn. is today).

Heavy volcanic activity 'flooded' the region with molten lava... leaving just the top part of the granite mountain... millions of years of erosion from rain, wind, earthquakes break down solid granite into: 1) Giant boulders then into 2) rocks and eventually 3) sand.

You are seeing the tip of a giant granite iceberg at El Pedregoso!

David K - 2-25-2009 at 03:22 PM

Okay, I just looked... and that is basically what Minch says (but with fewer words than I used!).:light:

DianaT - 2-25-2009 at 04:19 PM

There are some interesting things in the Lonely Planet Baja Book---

Of course, nothing is ever totally up to date.

David K - 2-25-2009 at 04:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
There are some interesting things in the Lonely Planet Baja Book---

Of course, nothing is ever totally up to date.


Agreed! There are interesting things in many books on Baja... Good to read or them all, then go see for yourself, and in the meantime... stay tuned to Baja Nomad for the MOST up-to-date details on Baja from Baja Nomads in Baja or from those who just returned home from Baja!

LaTijereta - 2-25-2009 at 04:47 PM

So those rocks are older than the broken down soil around them..
I will have to take a closer look next time by..

Catavina.RockPile.50k.jpg - 50kB

David K - 2-25-2009 at 06:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by LaTijereta
So those rocks are older than the broken down soil around them..
I will have to take a closer look next time by..


Yah Kris, notice the soil color is not the same as the boulder hill color??:light: