Mulege - San Diego - May 1st to Cinco de Mayo

We shall do the same, La Tijereta. This is some of what you will see coming towards you. And if you see us on the roadside or in the desert, come on over for some barbeque and a visit.
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Heading south same time.. Looking forward to a safe trip down..



Look for the c-cker hanging out the window...



[Edited on 4-14-2009 by LaTijereta]

Your c-cker Co-pilot is doing the job, La Tijereta.

You hit the magic button...dogs.

You've gotta love that excitement of adventure and those silky ears flying in the wind. I share the ride with similar characters on my trips, too. (I had a spaniel, too...my childhood buddy.)

Either of the other two may be heads out the window as we pass by.


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Keep a lookout...the chocolate lab is easy to spot..the little guy will look like a dust mop.

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano This is some of what you will see coming towards you.

Pomp,
May I suggest taking in the awning while traveling.
Raises hell with those oncoming 18 wheelers.

You know after a long day on road as "co-pilot" watching out for cows, burros and "Baja Pirates"...

Ginger is ready to relax with a cold beverage....



Happy Trails...

We are looking to convoy this fall with someone who can tow an F350 and camper in an emergency !!
See ya on the road !!

Quote:

Originally posted by LaTijereta You know after a long day on road as "co-pilot" watching out for cows, burros and "Baja Pirates"... Ginger is ready to relax with a cold beverage.... Happy Trails...

La Tirejerta, I see Ginger has a finely developed taste in beers...Pacifico! Muy bien.

Cheyenne is not adverse to a beverage now and then either. Shown here as a pup taking a taste test of some lager on a hunting trip to Alaska. She seems to prefer the lighter pilsners and does not care for whiskey at all.

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Bumping this back up ...the clock is ticking on the convoy/ride share north from Mulege/Coyote Bay. Arriving San Diego 3rd. A safe, casual trip. Quiet and scenic overnight campsites.


Planning to leave Conception Bay May 1st.
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We have moved the date back to May 2nd crossing border.. Just too much going up here in SoCal
Should make GN to first night..
Pompano.. You still on track for th 1st?

Northbound and down....

"Breaker one nine, this here's the rubber duck. Mercy sakes, I think we got us..a convoy..with eleven long-haired friends of Jesus In a chartreusse microbus"

Hi La Tijereta, Yes we are still on track to leave Mulege on May 1st, Friday. Northbound. Hope to cross into US border late afternoon of May 2nd or early morning of May 3rd at Tecate. Will be marking trail as we go. Look for the telltale crushed kilometer markers on the right side of the road as we avoid the big trucks.

Notice: Driver Wanted. I am looking for anyone needing to get back to the USA and can drive a pickup truck behind my motorhome without rear-ending me. Will keep in contact via short-range hand held radios. Easy 2-day trip, will pay for all fuel, food, lodging, and a bonus of $100 USD.

See you on the Baja Road..if you dare.

"Cause we gotta great big convoy, rockin' through the night
Yeah we gotta great big convoy, ain't she a beautiful sight?
Come on an' join our convoy, ain't nothin' gonna git in our way
We're gonna roll this truckin' convoy, cross the Baja Way
Convoy... Convoy..."




[Edited on 4-30-2009 by Pompano]

Heading north tomorrow..Friday, May 1st

We will be headed out manana.

Going from Mulege to California.

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Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano We will be headed out manana. Going from Mulege to California. .

Love that one Roger.
Reminds me why my bloodpressure goes up 50 points going north accross the line.

Safe travels

Thanks.. Safe trip to Everyone
Crossing early Saturday morning (SY)..Should be at IMS to get papers stamped around 7am..On to Ensenada.. Stopping for breakfeast at El Polmario in Santo Tomas around 9am

Now we are in Baja!

Sorry,
Didn't mean to overlook Trex and Bajagypsy.
You travel well too. Look me up when in Mulege.
Tony

This sounds like a great idea!
Bob H

Good Trip down..

Passed Pompono in Camalu, going north..
Looked like he had his hands full at the wheel of the motohm

I can report the awning was "missing" on the left side

Looked for a Dodge PU behind, but they must of got separated...

Goodtime on the hwy..little traffic.. staying at the Serenadad in Mulege (they have wifi and allowed dogs)

You can be assured that Pompano has everything under full control. He's been here and back a time or two.

Mulege to San Diego trip report

Well, that Baja Road trip is over. We are now on the waterfront overlooking beautiful San Diego Bay.

In 36 years of driving The Road from Conception Bay to San Diego, this particular trip was thee most 'uneventful' we have ever made...which is good. 'Uneventful' meaning no crashes, flat tires, near misses, errant trailers, cows head-on, constant road repairs, or washouts in the vados.

We had NONE of this:

Previous trips...




In fact, the traffic both ways was so sparse, it reminded me of the first year the highway went in..1973. I tried to keep count of the camper/tourists coming south and could only identify 3 obviouis US or Canadian vehicles...all pickup campers towing boats. That was a total distance of 645 miles from Conception Bay to Tecate...May 1st through May 3rd. I'm sure we missed quite a few here and there, but shows the slowdown in Baja tourism caused by many factors, not the least of which are the drug war news, a worsening US economy, and of course the swine flu scare.

Our trip was full of all the usual great scenery and good weather all the way. Starting from Coyote Bay..

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Santa Rosalia came before we had our second cup of coffee.


None overheated going up the El Diablo grade north of Santa Rosalia!


Said Hola to the Tres Virgens.


We were all waved through the checkpoint at GN without a check for FM papers, visas or whatever.


We overnighted the first night at Rancho Santa Inez next to Catavina. We were the only rigs there and enjoyed a great campfire and cold ones discussing our trip so far. We had left mid-morning from Conception Bay and arrived at Santa Inez well before dark..a pleasant drive of about 320 miles. An interesting note: I thought I might get some reception on my DirectTV satellite so gave it a try. Surprisingly, I got a strong signal with my 18" roof-mounted dish. I watched a bit of World Series of Poker before the tv was shut off by a majority vote.

Very quiet and secluded, we always try to make this an overnight spot. We grilled some great marinated Sonara steaks and baked potatoes with sour cream on the mesquite campfire coals. After fireside tall tales made believable by more libations, we went to sleep listening to the coyotes yoodle, which reminded us that later this summer we will be hearing thier big brothers, timber wolves. Now THAT's a sound you never forget...gets you right in the shiver mood.

Next day was stunning..some moisture glistening on the desert landscape. We are deep in the Land of the Giant Rocks..as my daughter called this place so many years ago.



After some campfire coffee that boiled over and was pretty much undrinkable (except by Folger drinkers), I made some excellent (I thought) french press coffee made with 'Peets' on the motorhome stovetop. Hey, campfire cowboy coffee is okay for savages, but I have newly refined tastes, thanks to the Food Network.

We start out early..well, about 9 o'clock...and drove north. North being a good choice, as we are heading for San Diego.

Again, very little traffic out of Catavina..past Virgen of the Rocks, Graffiti City, past the roadside cafes, Tres Hermanos and Enriques..and all the way to El Rosario, where we stop for fuel at Antonio's, pumped by his always polite staff.


Next door, of course, is BajaCactus Motel..a good Baja Road motel.




No activity at any of the normal cafe haunts in El Rosario, but it's between breakfast and lunchtime, so not too strange.

All the military checkpoints were manned by soldiers wearing facemasks and gloves to protect against swine flu. They came inside the rigs and were thorough with thier inspections. They all were very polite and told us that nobody was sick to thier knowledge..just following orders on the protective gear. Nice kids doing thier jobs.


We took the Tecate road from Ensenada..Hwy 3...The Wine Route, Ruta de Vino. The construction part was a short 3-5 miles and we really did make better time than expected..about 1 hour 25 minutes from Ensendada to the US border station at Tecate.


Our wait for the US crossing was no more than 15 minutes (it was a Sunday) and made pleasant by the addition of great reception at the US Customs booth. We were told 'Welcome back' after our passport inspection and sent on our way without any delays. No facemasks or gloves in evidence on any of the personnel.

Our first campsite in USA was at Portrero County Park. This park is just north a couple miles from the highway intersection you come to when leaving Tecate northbound. Very nice wooded park with full hookups = $24 per night.


A quiet pleasant experience..the last one you will find before entering San Diego and RUSH HOUR.


We are now safely off the freeway and enjoying the view from Shelter Island Marine Park overlooking San Diego Bay. A great sojourn in the middle of the city...and right across from Humphrey's for c-cktails and a great Sunday brunch.


...now to catch up a little with the posters:

Thanks to all for the good wishes.

Mike, glad to hear you will be back in Mulege for the Dorado tourney. I plan to get back there, too. See you in the Jungle!

La Tijereta, sorry we missed you in Camulu. When you're piloting this land barge through villages, you need to keep your eyes on the drivers ahead and behind all the time. The rigs were separated there, but we all converged again at Papillon's near the Los Pinos farms. Glad to hear your trip down was good. The Serinadad is always a good place to rest and refresh.

Well, that's all for now. Will be soon enroute to a new boat, like this one, and a return to Baja for some dorado action.


Hasta pronto, Pompano