BajaNomad

Military Checkpoints=faster!

GeoRock - 6-2-2009 at 09:18 AM

A few tricks we have up our sleeve for making it faster to get through the military checkpoints I will share, and hope that others will share their advice.

If asked to step out of the car, leave the keys in the ignition so that when the doors are open the ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding will drive them as crazy.

I speakem no spanglish. Less talk, less time.

I step out with my purse on my shoulder. In it are all cell phones, IPOD's, and money. They have never asked to inspect it.

I have found it is common that while one soldier is searching the car, another will start talking to me to distract me. I am not certain if this is a purposeful tactic or not. All I am saying is that I do not look at anyone but the person searching my car.

Just two days ago, at the check point just north of El Rosario, a soldier stepped to my side of the car to search. He saw what looked to be a purse, (it wasn't) on the floor. Glancing back quickly, he saw that I was watching. He moved his body to what he thought was a position of blockage. It wasn't. I could still see him. He unzipped the bag and I protested. I told him it was a personal bag. He quickly zipped it back up after feeling/looking inside likely for money, stepped back and smiled. He held his arm out, gestering that I could climb back into my seat. I am not claiming that he was dishonest, I don't know. I am just saying that it struck me as very suspicious.
So, watch them closely and make it obvious that you are watching.

Do not unlock the back of your car if you have a tailgate. When they try to open it, you will have to open it for them. Then you can watch.

They always, always look inside the ice chest. I don't know why, but they do.

They usually asks how much my hummer H2 cost. Curiousity.

I tend to be very friendly, and have no fear of them. I do not mind talking to them and answering their questions, but I always watch them closely.

If you have passengers, tell them to stand right by their door and watch all that goes on with the search at their location.

I have never had a single item stolen. Fingered many times, but never taken. But I always watch closely.

Your tips?

Secondary Inspection=faster!

fdt - 6-2-2009 at 09:41 AM

A few tricks we have up our sleeve for making it faster to get through the Secondary Inspection I will share, and hope that others will share their advice.

If asked to step out of the car, leave the keys in the ignition so that when the doors are open the ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding will drive them as crazy.

I speakem no inglich. Less talk, less time.

I step out with my purse on my shoulder. In it are all cell phones, IPOD's, and money. They have never asked to inspect it.

I have found it is common that while one CBP Officer is searching the car, another will start talking to me to distract me. I am not certain if this is a purposeful tactic or not. All I am saying is that I do not look at anyone but the person searching my car.

Just two days ago, at the Secondary Inspection at the San Ysidro Border Crossing, a CBP Officer stepped to my side of the car to search. He saw what looked to be a purse, (it wasn't) on the floor. Glancing back quickly, he saw that I was watching. He moved his body to what he thought was a position of blockage. It wasn't. I could still see him. He unzipped the bag and I protested. I told him it was a personal bag. He quickly zipped it back up after feeling/looking inside likely for money, stepped back and smiled. He held his arm out, gestering that I could climb back into my seat. I am not claiming that he was dishonest, I don't know. I am just saying that it struck me as very suspicious.
So, watch them closely and make it obvious that you are watching.

Do not unlock the back of your car if you have a tailgate. When they try to open it, you will have to open it for them. Then you can watch.

They always, always look inside the ice chest. I don't know why, but they do.

They usually asks how much my hummer H2 cost. Curiousity.

I tend to be very friendly, and have no fear of them. I do not mind talking to them and answering their questions, but I always watch them closely.

If you have passengers, tell them to stand right by their door and watch all that goes on with the search at their location.

I have never had a single item stolen. Fingered many times, but never taken. But I always watch closely.

Your tips?

Bob H - 6-2-2009 at 09:42 AM

Great tips!

We go through these checkpoints in our Cabover Camper. They will always want to look inside the camper. We have portatable steps stowed away so it's not to easy to get up in there. One thing I've noticed is that they will never climb up on the bed to look inside the cabinets and storge areas up there. I think that touching someone elses bed must be taboo.

My wife will sometimes pretend to be napping in the front seat and they have never disturbed her.

That's my 2-centavos.
Bob H

Cypress - 6-2-2009 at 09:55 AM

Must be lucky, the Mexican soldiers at the checkpoints all seem to be just doing their jobs. Not trying steal etc. :D US border guards can get sorta wierd.:O

BMG - 6-2-2009 at 09:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by GeoRock

If asked to step out of the car, leave the keys in the ignition so that when the doors are open the ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding will drive them as crazy.
We live next door to the Alamo car wash. I can guarantee you that the 'ding-ding-ding' does not drive them crazy. I assume the same with the military kids since they are pretty close in age.
Quote:
I speakem no spanglish. Less talk, less time.

I do not mind talking to them and answering their questions
:?:
Quote:
I step out with my purse on my shoulder. In it are all cell phones, IPOD's, and money. They have never asked to inspect it.
They've never inspected Ana's purse/backpack either.
Quote:
I am not claiming that he was dishonest, I don't know.
We have never had anything stolen but I'm sure it could happen. We take normal precautions on valuables.

Quote:
They always, always look inside the ice chest. I don't know why, but they do.
It's the opposite for us. Never once have they opened our cooler or Engle freezer that I can recall.
Quote:
They usually asks how much my hummer H2 cost. Curiousity.
Everyone knows how much our old Blazer is worth.
Quote:
I tend to be very friendly, and have no fear of them.
This statement surprises me. A question for all Nomads, do any of you fear the military checkpoints or soldiers?
Quote:
Fingered many times, but never taken.
Ana was mad at the kid at one checkpoint when he erased all her poker winnings on her handheld poker game.

Most of our experience is with checkpoints in Baja Sur. Every time through is different. Sometimes we get waved through and other times they want to inspect. The last time they were very interested in searching under the floor mats.

My only advice is to smile and be cooperative.

BajaGringo - 6-2-2009 at 10:05 AM

Never had a problem after passing through military and federal police checkpoints hundreds of times - at least 8 per week on average. And I do most of the opposite of what you suggested here.

I guess I am just lucky - go figure...

bajalou - 6-2-2009 at 10:06 AM

I have a Military Camo jacket hanging in the back. When they ask I tell them I was in the service a long time ago. 75% of the time, they then tell me to go ahead.

Bajahowodd - 6-2-2009 at 10:07 AM

Maybe it's just the scene of a bunch of guys in camouflage brandishing rifles that could make some folks feel uneasy. We've never had any problems. They've always been polite. Maybe it's just me, but is actually seems that more and more of the soldiers, at least the lead guys speak pretty good English.

rpleger - 6-2-2009 at 11:16 AM

Personally I'm happy that there there doing their job by keeping me safe. I step aside open the trunk, and drink some water until they are through with me...about 2-3 minutes.

estebanis - 6-2-2009 at 11:23 AM

I just wish they would point that .50 Caliber in the machine gun nest away from me! I hate staring down that barrel and poor gun safety...:o
Esteban

David A. - 6-2-2009 at 11:27 AM

Once, I pulled up to one of the inspection checks and the young man looked into the back seat floor of my truck and he sang the Cops song, "Bad Boy, Bad Boy, whats you going to do" when he saw all the empty Pacifico bottles and tequila bottles.:o I could not stop laughing:lol:. That was a 30 second inspection.

David K - 6-2-2009 at 11:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David A.
Once, I pulled up to one of the inspection checks and the young man looked into the back seat floor of my truck and he sang the Cops song, "Bad Boy, Bad Boy, whats you going to do" when he saw all the empty Pacifico bottles and tequila bottles.:o I could not stop laughing:lol:. That was a 30 second inspection.


That IS funny David!:lol:

DENNIS - 6-2-2009 at 11:34 AM

I have a new Jeep so I'm just gonna drive around them. That's OK...Isn't it?

David K - 6-2-2009 at 11:43 AM

Dennis, Google Earth is great for finding the roads that bi-pass the check points! :light:

I wonder what the guys on the El Rosario mesa would do if they see a dust cloud on the road that goes around the east side of the mesa?:?::lol:

toneart - 6-2-2009 at 12:11 PM

I have never had a problem with the military checkpoints. Some inspections are more thorough than others. I am friendly. I always voluntarily take my dog out and keep him on the leash, and then let them do their thing. I speak Spanish with them. Sometimes I make them laugh. I do keep my eye on them. I take out and carry my soft briefcase over my shoulder. It has my documents. I don't leave money in the vehicle either. I always have a diver's knife stashed between the driver's seat and the center console; seven inch serrated blade with a compass in the handle. Over the years many have asked me if they could buy it. I won't sell it to them and I am firm about it. I also stash a can of wasp spray within reach, that will squirt 30 feet. They never ask about that.Sometimes I give them a soda or a bottle of water.
Whether it is a deliberate distraction tactic, or not, they do seem genuinely interested in material things they see. They often ask questions about things. The inspections take as long as they take. I don't mind. I have never been unduly delayed.

At the U.S. border, I am always sent to secondary. I don't know if it is because I either tow a trailer or a boat, if I fit a profile or if I am in their computers as a suspicious character. Their attitudes vary, from curt to friendly. Almost always humorless. Never rude. Very officious attitudes. They spend a lot of time asking questions, inspecting, opening things and knocking on panels and opening compartments. The last crossing took about 45 minutes in Secondary. It is what it is! I just go with the flow. They used to always say, "Welcome back the U.S.A!" They haven't said that in quite awhile.:coolup:

DENNIS - 6-2-2009 at 12:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Dennis, Google Earth is great for finding the roads that bi-pass the check points! :light:

I wonder what the guys on the El Rosario mesa would do if they see a dust cloud on the road that goes around the east side of the mesa?:?::lol:


Thanks, David. I don't think they would do anything but, I'm actually not in the mood to find out how wrong I could be.

Fred - 6-2-2009 at 01:03 PM

My van is in the shop today because of the trashing they gave my van in 2nd inspection last time thru. $600 bill coming. Never had a problem with the miltary.

Heather - 6-2-2009 at 01:38 PM

We never have any problems when we have one or two sleeping kids in the backseat! Even faster when they were babies, I'd just roll the window down to give them a peek in, and they'd ooh and aah and then send us on our way! H.

My husband, who is from La Paz, has a gringo surfer-ish look about him, so we always get a big kick when they try and talk to him in English! He doesn't say much back in return and we usually leave pretty quickly.

ncampion - 6-2-2009 at 01:40 PM

I actually think the military are the "good guys", not the corrupt local cops. We are always friendly as are they. I think they must be terribly bored looking through cars and trucks in the hot sun all day. We often offer them a soda or water which they gladly accept. Sometimes candy works too.

Do you think their guns actually have bullets in them????

BooJumMan - 6-2-2009 at 03:17 PM

The best, fastest ways through?

Bring an assortment of adult magazines (They like Hustler the most). :D I store them in random locations, and when they find them, they all huddle around and look at the pictures. I tell them they can have it/them and then they just let me go through.

Buy a few cheap metal (maglite wanna-be) flashlights, and store them in the glove box. They will almost always want to buy one, I usually just give them away.

Haven't had this happen to me in the last few years, but, If I had some tequilia, they'd ask for a sip, and Id always say yes. But Im sure thats a big no-no these days!

Checkpoint

bajaguy - 6-2-2009 at 03:38 PM

Been stopped twice...As soon as I tell them I am a retired US Army Captain, I get a salute and passed through

shari - 6-2-2009 at 07:42 PM

today at the San Ignacio checkpoint, there was a big lineup cause the bus was there and they take a long time....half hour in the sweltering heat...sucked! The thoroughness of the revision depends on the guy. The vehicle in front was checked everywhere including under the hood and our guy just peeked in the doors of the cab...poked around in the glove box and that was it.
They ALWAYS ask Juan if he speaks Spanish...hahaha...and usually ask what the Sirius radio thingy is. Also they are suspicious of VHF radios...Juan has a permit from Proteccion civil to have one in his vehicle for emergency purposes but they are a no no too.

4baja - 6-2-2009 at 07:55 PM

had a dog, rarely checked. good times!!!

Paulina - 6-2-2009 at 07:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
...and usually ask what the Sirius radio thingy is. Also they are suspicious of VHF radios...Juan has a permit from Proteccion civil to have one in his vehicle for emergency purposes but they are a no no too.


We've been questioned about the Sirius radio too. We also had our VHF radio pointed out. They said it was illegal and asked us to show them our permit. We said it was a race radio and that it was broken and didn't work. That seemed to be enough info for them let us pass.

P<*)))>{

DENNIS - 6-2-2009 at 08:01 PM

I would imagine a scanner would get you executed on the spot.

estebanis - 6-2-2009 at 08:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Been stopped twice...As soon as I tell them I am a retired US Army Captain, I get a salute and passed through


I am saluting you now!!!:saint:

bajalorena - 6-2-2009 at 08:39 PM

We haven't driven in awhile ( our daughter works for United), but before that, we would go to the 2nd day bakery store and stock up before the trip down. Those poor guys are away from home, and love to have a treat now and then. It was the first thing they saw when inspecting the cooler (twinkies, hostess ho-hos, etc). And plenty of cold soft drinks and water.
We spoke spanish (limited) when we were stopped, the boys seemed to appreciate it. When asked if our dog bites, we would say not right now, she had breakfast............
They were always polite, we were, too.
At the check station at Guerrero Negro, we would leave a couple of puzzles. They love them, there are times when there is nothing to do, then they take them home to the kids.

postholedigger - 6-2-2009 at 09:12 PM

Quote:
This statement surprises me. A question for all Nomads, do any of you fear the military checkpoints or soldiers?


Aside from some random private trying to make sure I knew who was in charge, I've had nothing but good encounters with the soldiers manning the check points. Though one time, as I entered the checkpoint area, I began to roll my window down and maybe the guy was new or something but the movement must have startled him as he twitched and leveled his weapon at me. The twitch freaked me out a little as twitches by someone with an assault rifle aimed at you and your family tend to do.

inspections

noproblemo2 - 6-2-2009 at 10:30 PM

We always flash our FM3's, 95% of the time they wave us through.

k-rico - 6-3-2009 at 05:18 AM

I drive a camper truck. Many times they'll carefully inspect the cooler but never open a cabinet. Weird.

Don't carry contraband on ice. ;)

shari - 6-3-2009 at 07:23 AM

About giving the soldiers treats....while it is a lovely gesture...there are always like a dozen of em milling around...yesterday they were checking 3 cars at a time so had lots of guys there...it's kinda unfair to give goodies to just a couple of them when they all miss treats so have enough for the platoon.

The thing about VHF radios is that they see them as a threat...for example you can call a car with contraband behind you to tell them they are checking vehicles so they can avoid the checkpoint...also they are marine band and require a license which most dont have...thus illegal in your car I believe....we have 2 meter radios for emergencies.

BTW...the feds who check car papers havent been around lately. At this checkpoint they check everyone...flashing your FM3 wont cut it nor will your uniform....sir.

If you have any shellfish or things other than fin fish make sure you have the "Guia" from where you purchased them legally...which is why they often check the cooler.

[Edited on 6-3-2009 by shari]

[Edited on 6-3-2009 by shari]

Bajajorge - 6-3-2009 at 07:34 AM

QUOTE: They always, always look inside the ice chest. I don't know why, but they do.


One of the biggest dope stashes they ever found was inside an ice chest, the dope was hidden under a batch of clams that were starting to rot.

Tip: My wife has a habit of hanging crucifixes here and there in my RV. Mexican Customs and Mexican Military have never touched any cabinet where there is a crucifix. No, I'm not a smuggler.

Bajajorge - 6-3-2009 at 07:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Been stopped twice...As soon as I tell them I am a retired US Army Captain, I get a salute and passed through


Still using the gold card scam:o, huh:P:P:P

M & M's

roundtuit - 6-3-2009 at 09:11 AM

We always take medium sixe packages of them as they can be shared. Give them after inspection, also cold water. Have never had a problem with them. Big dog bite? su possibly,mi nada
:lol::lol::lol::lol:

fdt - 6-3-2009 at 09:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajajorge


Tip: My wife has a habit of hanging crucifixes here and there in my RV. Mexican Customs and Mexican Military have never touched any cabinet where there is a crucifix.


Vampires would avoid them also.

Gold card

bajaguy - 6-3-2009 at 11:25 AM

Works every time, George!!!!!.....never leave home without it

Smile

mooose29 - 6-3-2009 at 01:44 PM

I always go out of my way to try and speak Spanish to them. It think it shows respect for them and their culture and it seems to make things go quicker. Also I ask my children to always try and reply to questions in spanish they are 9 and 11 and getting pretty good.

I am with another poster it is what it is Here is what I have noticed that happens the most frequently during my 4 or 5 trips a year down to Punta Chivato. My cooler never gets looked in. They have asked to buy our portable DVD player a few times. They have never ask about our 2 way radio's we use when driving with another car. When they see the dogs in the back of the surburban about 80% of the time they don't look back there and waive us through. When they ask to have me take the dogs out I always put them on a leash. My wife keeps her purse with her and I keep my wallet with me with all our money and paperwork although honestly I don't worry about theft at the checkpoints we do it more to be on the safe side and as a matter of habit. I take my keys with me and always go with the person searching the car and my wife does the same on her side. All in all we are usually in and out in a minimal amount of time. Althought one time north of Jesus Maria they were searching everything and so I asked the guy what was up, why were they being so through and he said they had just found a car full of drugs the day before.

It used to make my kids a bit nervous but now my 9 year old son thinks the guns are cool. Last time down with friends of our from Michigan the 10 year old daughter who spoke spanish asked to take a picture with one of the soldiers and he said yes.

LaTijereta - 6-3-2009 at 02:18 PM

First, I have all the respect for these guys working in some tough conditions..
For a quicker inspection, our dog is removed from the car with a leash when asked.
We try and speak only english, to avoid conversations so they can go ahead with their inspection.
If you travel with a Mag-Lite, try and store it in the back, as this is always a conversation to show everyone if kept up front.
As we approch a checkpoint, I turn down the music and turn-off the display on the GPS in the front dash.. In the past I have been asked many questions how the GPS works, and they seem intrigued on showing others about the device and their location in Baja...
Our ice chest going north is duck taped to keep the fish cold, and they have never asked to cut-open the tape to look inside.. We have always confirmed that we were carrying fish.

Freebird - 6-3-2009 at 02:29 PM

I´ve been stopped twice. One time they were soldiers, the last time they were Ministeriales near San ignacio. Had no problem. They´re very professional.

BajaGeoff - 6-3-2009 at 02:34 PM

I have been searched by the military several times on the way back from Erendira. Never had a problem.....just had one of the soldiers offering to buy my video camera that he found in the back with all my gear!

David K - 6-3-2009 at 02:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mooose29
... Last time down with friends of our from Michigan the 10 year old daughter who spoke spanish asked to take a picture with one of the soldiers and he said yes.


They are nice guys, just doing what they were told... If you haven't any drugs, guns or ammo... there is no need to fear them.




(Photo from seatwill)




(Photo from Ken Bondy)

[Edited on 6-3-2009 by David K]

woody with a view - 6-3-2009 at 03:36 PM

we love interacting with the boys out in the boonies. the guys by santo tomas are not as friendly, or we are too tired by then to chat.

if you go to home depot they have a 4 or 5 pack of LED flashlights for $20. we usually hand out 1 or 2 at each stop if the guy is not being a hard asss.

burra - 6-3-2009 at 06:05 PM

Oreos !! I always have the BIG box from costco & when they spy it in the back of my pickup I pull out a cello-tube & give it to them.
Suddenly, they can hablo ingles - such as "Thank you very much!"
and I am on my way. Aside from that I have never been afraid of them and they are always polite....maybe I look too old to be a threat.

GeoRock - 6-4-2009 at 09:57 AM

“Bodacious Baja Blonds Corrupt Mexican Checkpoint Soldiers”


By Suzanne C. Ganatta


Rolling to a stop at the Baja California military checkpoint south of San Felipe, I told the soldiers we would bring them cold sodas on our return an hour later. At 104 degrees, heat waves swirled above the softened asphalt. They say dry heat isn’t so bad. Tell that to a Mexican soldier inspecting cars, in the desert, away from town, standing on a hot black surface with no shade and nothing cold to drink, in full long-sleeved uniform. Water drank at air temperature isn’t that pleasant when it’s hot enough to fry an egg on tar with sun rays.

After securing a supply of ice, beer, and ceramic parrot banks, I turned my Hummer away from town. Nearing the checkpoint I suggested we whip them up a batch of margaritas. It was a far more relaxed attitude than a few days earlier at the start of the trip. Baja’s magic was working.

Crossing the Tijuana border presented “no problema.” We were an ecliptic group, humming along to the tunes of Conway Twitty, the Drifters, and James Taylor. A quick two hours later we were seated at a favorite lunch stop in Ensenada, El Taco de Huitzilopochtli.

Jeans and myself (GeoRock) assigned nicknames to the Mexico first-timers while munching. I’m not sure why the skinny blond was named “Rope,” but it stuck throughout the trip. Purple was named for her love of the color, evidenced by daily wear of it. We came up with an egotistical title for our group of four women: Baja Bodacious Blond Babes. The shoe may not have fit, but we were wearing it anyway. At least we all laid claim to being blond.

Located on the slope of a mountain surrounding the town’s basin is this back street café, a hidden secret of Ensenada. A heavy Aztec influence dominates the menu. My favorite dish is the Huauzontles plate; a small leafed plant imported from the mainland, molded with cheese, dipped in egg batter and cooked in a mild red chili sauce. One eats it by using front teeth to scrap the plant off the woody stem.

Swilling the rest of my icy Pacifico beer to wash down a corn tortilla stuffed with limey, salty Oaxacan cheese and orange pumpkin squash flowers, I teased Rope and Purple with suggestions they order the lamb head cooked in a mesquite oven. Guess that was just too native, it ended our meal.

At least they became bicoastal after lunch, crossing the Baja Peninsular from Pacific Ocean to Sea of Cortez in one day. And they were taught a non-touristy secret: stomp the brakes hard when you see a roadside stand selling coconuts. For a couple of bucks you’ll have a refreshing drink and a snack. After drinking the cool coconut milk, the concessionaire scopes out the tender white flesh, douses it with hot sauce and then squeezes fresh limejuice over the top with a sprinkling of salt.

About 32 km south of San Felipe, we set up camp at Nuevo Mazatlan Campground. The owner’s father planted tamarisk trees, many of which have grown to over a 50-foot height to
provide much appreciated shade.

Our campsite was just steps from the beach. Hot enough to sleep with just a sheet; I watched a crisp full moon rise out of the sea. This moon had no rings or orange tints to it, just brilliant white.

Days were spent getting lobster red on the beach. Extreme heat was abated with dips in the 80-degree water, and by blended margaritas laced heavily with Gran Centenario tequila. Thank goodness for car battery powered blenders.

The soldier corruption wasn’t planned. As we neared the checkpoint, perhaps it was the dirty old shopkeeper in town who tried to sell Jeans a “porno” cactus that influenced us, which had began innocently enough. All of us gullible blonds were admiring a papier-mâché cactus. The shopkeeper kept repeating the word “porno.” In what is now an obvious blond moment, I thought it was a Spanish word I didn’t recognize. When none of us blonds seemed to comprehend, he took great pleasure in pulling off the cactus top to expose the, ah, well, a particular man-part.

Still laughing from our blond moment, we pulled onto the dirt shoulder as we approached the checkpoint. No other cars were in sight. I filled the portable blender with ice, a little margarita mix, and a lot of tequila. A group of 5 cars slowed to a stop. I grabbed a dishtowel to hide the blender, but lost my grip. Two soldiers laughed and pointed at my failed attempt to hide the evidence. In the passenger seat of a waved through pick-up gasped a late 60ish gringa, jaw hanging down and eyes bulging at the margarita blending.

The Bodacious Baja Blond Babes and the three camouflaged men burst with laughter. The soldiers didn’t care if anybody witnessed the whirling of the blender’s beverage. Pulling away, I noticed another car approaching. El jefe, sipping his more tequila than mix margarita under the boiling sun, impatiently waved it through.

Call me a bad influence, call me a corrupter, call me what you will. But the fact stands that us gals gave those guys a frosty drink on a hot day. I wonder if they will remember the loca Americana blonds whenever they drink a margarita.

Returning to the states through the Mexicali border crossing, a very friendly U.S. Customs guy was so surprised to hear four women had camped in Mexico, that he asked if we had a man on top of the Hummer (amidst the pile of sleeping bags and beach chairs). Purple yelled, “NO WAY!!” At that he laughed and waved us through with the parting words, “Go home to your husbands!” Driving away I added, “And corrupt them!”

GeoRock - 6-4-2009 at 09:59 AM

I don't always want to get through the checkpoints real fast. This overheated bunch of guys will surely never forget this frosty treat on that boiling hot day. Interestingly, none of them would touch a drink until the boss had been called out and he allowed them. I made sure his drink was very, very strong.

These guys remembered us whenever we went into town during that trip. We always brought them a cold drink back.

[Edited on 6-4-2009 by GeoRock]

Jepg Photo Suz with soldier t4.jpg - 46kB

David K - 6-4-2009 at 11:46 AM

Great story Suz... I bet the boys liked seeing your big yellow truck pull up!

Did Javier tell you his dad planted the trees?

"About 32 km south of San Felipe, we set up camp at Nuevo Mazatlan Campground. The owner’s father planted tamarisk trees, many of which have grown to over a 50-foot height to
provide much appreciated shade."

Luis Castellanos Moreno planted the trees from 1969 to the mid 1970's and had no heirs. He had a serious drinking problem and lost his land by the time the new road was built in 1982. I last saw him in San Felipe, begging, in 1989. Very sad...




Luis, me, Felecita in 1972... Felecita left him when he started drinking again with La Roca camp owner, Eduardo.

more at http://vivabaja.com/nm

[Edited on 6-4-2009 by David K]

806 007r.JPG - 26kB