Danger, mystery, Lust and greed combine for travels into the unknown bowels of a faraway place. Three pieces of silver yet to be paid. This all
started at the request of an unknown Texan nobody knows or has seen. His code name Elbeau, nicknamed Elbow by a goat. While analyzing piles of data
from maps, books and satellite photos has determined something is amiss in a remote location of Baja, California, Mexico. A preliminary exploration
only peaked his senses and after much prodding enlisted the help of several Baja explorers and myth busters. Being one of a group of eight, better
known as the dirty eight, my story begins on the morning of Thursday April 28th.
It is another beautiful day in southern California as I leave Hemet with my brother Bill for the drive to Tijuana and the border. At the border there
is some question about my fire wood and I’m told never to bring that type again or I will be turned around. She was a beautiful guard, all smiles as I
said Si and took off. The gold coast of northeastern Baja was alive with action. Fishermen and surfers filled the water. We pass thru the rich farming
communities of Colonet, Camalu and San Quintin. Past the huge tomatoe operation near Santa Maria. In the historic town of El Rosario we stop for lunch
at Mamma Espinosa’s. She is known as the matriarch of Baja. While there we meet another member of the dirty eight, DT. He would spend the night in
town and join us the next day at the camp site. We push on and make the turn for the onyx mine of El Marmol. On past the mine and into the the arroyo
of El Volcan. We are greeted by two more of our fellow explorers, dirty eight members Phil and Lou. We unload and setup camp as night is soon coming.
We are all a little tired of the long days drive and hit the sack a little earlier than usual.
Friday morning brings a cool breeze and warm sun light over the mountains. We have a light breakfast and prepare for a side trip to the old mine of La
Olvidada, spelled Olividada on some maps and the almanac. The road in had been reported to be washed out and our mission was to fix it if possible. We
also were to scout an area where satellite photos show an unusual large X shape on the ground. First to the mine. Phil and I have brought our
motorcycles. Lou brought his 4x4 ATV but much to his dismay the right front tire has been cut from bouncing over the rough Baja roads and rubbing on
the trailer tire. To his delight the side walls have enough strength that he is able to ride it as is. Bill is driving my Toyota Tacoma. So off to the
mine we go 2x2, two on MCs and two in/on 4 wheelers. We make a brief stop in the area of the X but see nothing unusual. The road has been recently
graded and a couple of times there is a junction with two roads which come together later as we discovered. The road is completed to the mine and is
just over six miles. There is recent digging in the area. From the mine area we can see the Sea of Cortez and several islands. After looking over the
area and taking pictures we start back.
About four miles from the mine or two miles from the El Volcan arroyo we stop at the coordinates where the X should be. Again nothing unusual is seen.
Phip and Lou return to the camp site in case other dirty eight members have arrived. Bill and I walk over the ground and notice that only in that
section of hills has Elephant trees. The hills/mountains to the left and right do not, nor is there any behind us on the other side of the road. The
area we are at is several hundred feet wide of the trees. After studying it for a while we both conclude that the large X seen in the satellite
pictures is an area of Elephant trees growing in shape of an X. The ground itself is no different in color but the tree bark is lighter and we believe
from space it gives the appearance seen as the X. We are open to suggestions but for now that’s our conclusion.
We start back to camp and a short distance from the arroyo we stop to check out another mystery Elbeau (Elbow) ask about. His question why did a small
area look blue in satellite pictures and gray from the ground. At first glance I thought it was an area that had been on fire. It covers both side of
the road. A closer look shows it to be rock, a dark shale like rock.
Back at camp we’re running out of ice so Bill and I go to Catavina for ice and other drinks. On our way back we meet up with David K, Vern and Bajacat
(Jose). Soon we are in camp and DT Bushpilot arrives to complete the dirty eight team. After dinner a fire pit is made and we settle in to discuss the
days explorations and plans for tomorrow among other things only men of adventure would discuss in the wilds of Baja. The night cools down and the
wind picks up. The howl of the wind leaves sounds as if to tell us to beware, the risks may be great. It’s a restless night with the anxiety of
tomorrows arduous walk and the possibility of what may be there.
To be continued. Photos to follow.Brian L - 5-4-2011 at 11:55 AM
Good tale so far, thanks!elbeau - 5-4-2011 at 12:01 PM
Great tale! X-shaped elephant tree formation? Didn't see that coming. Thx!Brian L - 5-4-2011 at 01:35 PM
I am noting the lack of details on the actual "lost Mission" from DavidK's and this post. I think we are being snookered into thinking somehting big
is about to be divulged!elbeau - 5-4-2011 at 02:09 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Brian L
I am noting the lack of details on the actual "lost Mission" from DavidK's and this post. I think we are being snookered into thinking somehting big
is about to be divulged!
Methinks games are afoot! A vast conspiracy involving at least 8 nomads...but I owe those nomads my thanks, so I won't swear out warrants against
them just yet. After making such a trip at my prodding, if they think I deserve a little mental torture then I'll indulge themBajaBlanca - 5-4-2011 at 02:32 PM
definitely we want to read more !!David K - 5-4-2011 at 05:16 PM
God stuff TW! Here are the nine photos you sent me and asked me to add here:
La Olvidada Mine
Phil at Olvidada mine
Islands from Ovidada mine
X area
Creature in X area
Wash on the road
Shale area
Shale-2
Shale-3marv sherrill - 5-4-2011 at 05:52 PM
Hmmm - reminds me of Al Caopnes vault and Hiraldo Rivera - glad you guys checked it out though.capt. mike - 5-4-2011 at 06:23 PM
that creature looks scary!!Ken Cooke - 5-4-2011 at 07:02 PM
TW - From your narrative, it appears that we might have missed you in El Rosario by about 3 hours or so. Bummer!
