BajaNomad

Heading north, questions

Iflyfish - 1-3-2011 at 10:25 AM

We are in Troncones, north of Ixtapa/Zihjuantanejo and fly back to La Paz on Tues. Ready to head north now, three months on the road so far.

Been offline for a couple weeks. Questions.

Are you being harassed by military on way north? Read some posts on this.

Any news from Ciudad Constitution? Police extortion of US/Canadians on the highway?

Came down though Tijuana without a hitch. Best crossing ever. Would you suggest return through Tijuana or Tecate. Bypassed Tecate on way down due to road construction.

Wonderful time in La Ribera and miss friends there. Look forward to seeing our amigos in the north.

Missed the Morelia siege by less than an hour going to see the Monarchs outside of Morelia. Things have calmed down since capture and killing of major La Familia figures. Now many of them are out of work and criminal activity increases though easier to deal with run of the mill criminals than cartel folks.

Life is good in the slow lane.

Iflyfish

sanquintinsince73 - 1-3-2011 at 10:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Iflyfish
We are in Troncones, north of Ixtapa/Zihjuantanejo and fly back to La Paz on Tues. Ready to head north now, three months on the road so far.

Been offline for a couple weeks. Questions.

Are you being harassed by military on way north? Read some posts on this.

Any news from Ciudad Constitution? Police extortion of US/Canadians on the highway?

Came down though Tijuana without a hitch. Best crossing ever. Would you suggest return through Tijuana or Tecate. Bypassed Tecate on way down due to road construction.

Wonderful time in La Ribera and miss friends there. Look forward to seeing our amigos in the north.

Missed the Morelia siege by less than an hour going to see the Monarchs outside of Morelia. Things have calmed down since capture and killing of major La Familia figures. Now many of them are out of work and criminal activity increases though easier to deal with run of the mill criminals than cartel folks.

Life is good in the slow lane.

Iflyfish

Only the "narcos" are being harassed by the military.

Iflyfish - 1-3-2011 at 11:41 AM

Sanquintin

True about Narcos, Military focused there including Navy Seals, who have been effective in a number of situations. Major live fire exercise off coast here before Xmas, maybe a word to the wise??

There are local cops and people who can deal with individuals better than entire organizations. One can only hope.

Time will tell if Zeta's or other similar groups take over the territory or greater violence takes place during the inter regnum.

Fishing here slow, "water too cold". Looking forward to being back in Baja.

Iflyfish

BajaBlanca - 1-4-2011 at 01:22 PM

Iflyfish - will you be doing an extensive trip report ???? we are going to the mainland for our first roadtrip and need all the advice/help/suggestions we can get !!!!!

BajaNomad - 1-4-2011 at 01:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Iflyfish

Are you being harassed by military on way north? Read some posts on this.

Any news from Ciudad Constitution? Police extortion of US/Canadians on the highway?

Came down though Tijuana without a hitch. Best crossing ever. Would you suggest return through Tijuana or Tecate.


Came back north to San Diego from La Paz in the past week.
- Nothing other than "routine" military stops for us. If anything, they were less time consuming for us than in the past, but we're a dad, mom, and 10 year-old traveling with camping gear. FWIW.
- No problem in Cd. Constitucion for us. Didn't see anyone out enforcing things either. No reports here recently about any troubles (that I've seen).
- Tijuana vs Tecate... personal choice. We came back through Tijuana. With the rain, I took the free road from Rosarito to Zona Rio (instead of dealing with a potentially flooded Blvd Internacional) and entered the lanes at San Ysidro in the lane furthest to the right.

Sunman - 1-4-2011 at 02:42 PM

Be careful in Burro Burracho, it can be DANGEROUS!:yes:

ddawson - 1-4-2011 at 07:02 PM

I drove North from Cabo on the 2nd, and had zero problems with the military. Their only question was about my LED blacklight flashlight I keep in my door. It was more of a curiosity to them rather than suspicious.

Driving both ways through Ciudad Constitucion I had zero problems. I made sure to stop completely at each stop sign. I did see a local car in town pulled over by the police on the way South.

Coming across we went through TJ and it took about 2 hours. Not bad for a holiday weekend (New Years). The route into the border was not the typical route. The local police had closed roads and were directing traffic. It moved along slowly, but was fine.

Iflyfish - 1-4-2011 at 07:15 PM

Thanks all for the input. This is good news indeed. Glad to hear that we are still not hearing negative reports from CC. Way to go NOMADS!!

Time to stop in CC and spend some cash! Mrsfish and I will do so now.

Just got into La Paz airport and most military I have ever seen there, drug sniffing dog did his thing with all bags. Waved us through.

Things quiet in Morelia, La Familia appears to have been dealt a powerful blow and have called for truce. Military not so interested in that offer. Lets hopw that things continue to improve in Merida and the state of Morelia. That is such a wonderfully rich area and tourism is at an alltime low.

BajaBlanca, we will provide a full report upon our visit. We are headed north tomorrow. Three months on the road and a bit road weary.

We stayed away from all Barracho Burros and Sunman, you are a very bad man indeed. Loved Troncones but chose not to drink with the burros. Some amazing quisine there at Del Sol!!

woody with a view - 1-4-2011 at 08:33 PM

two words-

stay there!:lol::lol::lol::lol:

Iflyfish - 1-4-2011 at 08:37 PM

No Woody, you come down here and fish Asuncion!

Iflyfish

woody with a view - 1-4-2011 at 08:50 PM

when the tuna come back to capistrano, no wait. that's another song!:lol:

shari - 1-5-2011 at 08:55 AM

hmmm...maybe the makings of another attempt at a shore fishing challenge...by the way Woodman....gracias for the case of microbrews...you are a man of your word!!!!

Mr&mrsflyfishwhennotlolligaggingaroundmexico...we anxiously await your arrival...it's been too long.

mike odell - 1-5-2011 at 12:20 PM

Hey Fish, You and the Missus travel safe!
Hope to see ya again sometime,here in La Ribera.

shari - 1-6-2011 at 08:57 AM

you guys should try to zip into san ignacio to see Mike and Don Kay & Sola...they should be arriving at Casa Leree today maybe...you would dig them!!!

Iflyfish - 1-6-2011 at 01:33 PM

Thanks all.
We are now in Loreto, love this little town.
Spent night in Mision in Ciudad Constitution. No police in sight!! Yea!!

Will stay here a couple of days and then NORTH!

Still looking for Noche Buena.

IflyfishinhopesofsnaggingacaseofNoche

shari - 1-6-2011 at 04:25 PM

Mike will be in san ignacio the day after tomorrow so you might catch him at Juanita's just off the square...really worth the quick stop...invite him to lunch and enjoy the show!

BajaBlanca - 1-7-2011 at 11:59 AM

yes !! Take Mike to lunch and hear the amazing stories ... ask him about the black stalion .... ask him about Solo and coyotes .... ask him about what happened when he got stuck in the mountains and then tell us 'cause he kept MUM about that one hahahaha !!

David K - 1-7-2011 at 12:10 PM

He didn't spill the beans on the Santa Catarina rescue?:o

Iflyfish - 1-7-2011 at 12:45 PM

Now that guy Mike is a modern wonder indeed!! They still make 'em like that! Amazing! Thanks for the heads up.

Iflyfish

DianaT - 1-7-2011 at 12:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
He didn't spill the beans on the Santa Catarina rescue?:o


Who knows, he may decide to never tell anyone about what all happened anywhere along the line---it is his choice.

David K - 1-7-2011 at 01:28 PM

Good thing most people like to tell their adventure stories, otherwise the world could be a pretty dull place and libraries would have a lot less books!

BajaBlanca - 1-8-2011 at 08:23 PM

he did not spill the beans on the mega rescue and that makes it all the more enticing to one day read the book that hasn't even been written yet !!

:yes::yes:

He is a treasure trove of stories and loves to talk and share .... he is one of those down to earth guys ..... having the experience of a lifetime ... reminds me of the wild wild west ... and the Cristopher Columbus's of the old world .... It is a real risk to do what Mike is doing ...and soooo fun at the same time !!

the most amazing part is how Don Kay is so relaxed and into the trip, and how Solo is the master at protection. Even here in La Bocana, she really barked at a group of coyotes that got to close to our house for her liking - our Rex was snoring away .....