BajaNomad

Favorite descriptions of Baja

superbusydad - 8-21-2014 at 06:54 AM

I am putting together an photo album of our epic trip in July w my family, and want include some short quotes that describe baja (geography, social/laid back environment, freedom, sea of cortez, etc...................) in it. I am excited to hear from you!

elgatoloco - 8-21-2014 at 08:39 AM

The Baja - where all roads lead to adventure

bajalearner - 8-21-2014 at 08:52 AM

My thoughts;
I don't try to change Mexico and Mexico doesn't try to change me.

I am a guest in another country and I respect that.

nandopedal - 8-21-2014 at 08:54 AM

How about Mr. Noel's quote from Expedition Portal that I have at the bottom of my posts.

Osprey - 8-21-2014 at 08:56 AM

Fiesta, siesta, crudo, menudo. (start over)

David K - 8-21-2014 at 08:57 AM

So much Baja... so little time!

motoged - 8-21-2014 at 11:49 AM

Superbusydad,
When you get a moment, would you be willing to share your own impressions and "sayings" about your recent trip? I am curious as to what your impressions were/are following your own plan as well as of those suggestions offered by Nomads. :light:

woody with a view - 8-21-2014 at 01:18 PM

it's hard to describe......:cool:



[Edited on 8-21-2014 by woody with a view]

[Edited on 8-23-2014 by BajaNomad]

willardguy - 8-21-2014 at 01:37 PM

hot, dirty, bandito ridden? :lol:

MulegeAL - 8-21-2014 at 01:38 PM

Arriva...avaho...el centro...el dentro!

MMc - 8-21-2014 at 01:55 PM

Superbusydad,
Try some of these writers, The Log from the Sea of Cortez, John Ernst Steinbeck, Jr. King of the Moon, Gene Kira. The Baja Feeling, Ben Hunter The Grinning Garroyl Spills The Beans, Jimmy Smith There it is Baja, MikeMcMahan The Sea of Cortez, Ray Cannon. Anything written by Harry W. Crosby about Baja.

These are not in any order

There are plenty more these will get you started.

I would start with Steinbeck,

superbusydad - 8-21-2014 at 02:00 PM

I will share my experiences and photos within a week, and I love the quotes and PLEASE keep them coming!

mulegemichael - 8-21-2014 at 03:44 PM

anybody heard of "peace, love, and fish tacos"????.....just kidding...

buzzbar - 8-21-2014 at 05:15 PM

On another forum I read a post on Baja from some snobby “Baja is not the real Mexico” guy.

"You folks in Baja California are in a tourist zone, a rather free place, and generally have little idea of what lies beyond. In the interior of Mexico, laws and rules are enforced and proper behavior is expected from everyone, but it’s a different world all through the Baja Peninsula that has little connection to the rest of Mexico. It seems to be a sort of anything goes, hippy beach party suburb of San Diego."

durrelllrobert - 8-21-2014 at 05:32 PM

...Land that I love... (not to hijack something from the US)

grace59 - 8-21-2014 at 05:32 PM

Here are two of my favorites:

Whenever I hear that rainy, chill wind blow. I think it may be time to head for Mexico. Tengo que obedecer mi corazon!---Carlos Santana

"If it were lush and rich, one could understand the pull, but it is fierce and hostile and sullen. The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez

BajaBlanca - 8-21-2014 at 05:51 PM

Where the wild sometimes unforgiving desert meets the waters of the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez.

The Forgotten Coast.

It's gotta be 5 o'clock somewhere!

Manana

Margaritaville

805gregg - 8-22-2014 at 06:55 PM

You should have been here yesterday

Katiejay99 - 8-22-2014 at 07:07 PM

Hey Buzzbar:
I feel so sorry for the person who wrote that. They failed to see the real beauty of Baja. It would be like someone from New York in the 1890's commenting on the "Wild West".

We are a very unique crowd here and pretty darned proud of it. We fit in as foreigners and we honor the local customs, we don't try to change anything, we accept (and for my part, I learn), we live and we love our life. The only waves are in the ocean.

Life in Baja is like none other.

Whale-ista - 8-22-2014 at 07:18 PM

Bad roads, good people.

David K - 8-22-2014 at 07:29 PM

A lot of books had great titles that expressed Baja emotions... here's a few more...









baja and mexico

captkw - 8-22-2014 at 08:45 PM

its been a large part of my life since the age of 7 and love it !! and bld &blu am not a gringo as this is one of my many "homes" ....Me Sangra??..........vino tinto? always gets a laugh !!:wow:

[Edited on 8-23-2014 by captkw]

windgrrl - 8-22-2014 at 08:50 PM

Many a trip continues after movement in time and space have ceased.
~ J. Steinbeck

MMc - 8-22-2014 at 10:22 PM

There are lots of great quotes from Baja lit. A little digging is required. digging is the best part.... I wait for the report if your digging.
Missing Earl is like missing Matt in the second book, if you get my point...
Swing and a Miss.
Ray Cannon and Earl Stanly are part of the writing foundation of Baja.

[Edited on 8-23-2014 by MMc]

The Baja HWY

captkw - 8-23-2014 at 07:44 AM

Till a few short years ago........."Driving the Baja highway is like being on a 727 jet trip... Hours of Boredom...and moments of shear terror !!!""

bajacalifornian - 8-23-2014 at 10:37 AM

Baja . . . God tapped me on the head, with a wand.

Pappy Jon - 8-24-2014 at 07:06 PM

Not exactly short:

"People come to Baja California for many reasons ... for me its attraction is the sense of freedom it conveys and the spiritual feeling engendered by its majesty and it's vast (if now rapidly) receding emptiness. I keep returning ... because Baja keeps calling me; calling me most loudly in the heart-piercing silence of its lonely shores and cactus-studded mountains. Calling me to stand awed, sometimes overawed, alone and fearful ... to confront it and to confront myself once again." - Graham Mackintosh, Marooned With Very Little Beer.​

"Baja? Don't go ... and leave more room for me." ~ Pappy Jon

Skipjack Joe - 8-25-2014 at 12:30 PM

Kurtch and Humphreyville both wrote well about baja. Especially Krutch's Forgotten Peninsula.

volcano - 8-27-2014 at 06:31 AM

Osprey needs to post here his short essay describing fading footsteps on the beach in the haze......did your neighbor really see you down there? were you really there?

David K - 8-27-2014 at 08:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Kurtch and Humphreyville both wrote well about baja. Especially Krutch's Forgotten Peninsula.


Krutch (original 1961):



Krutch (newer edition):





Mike Humpfreville:

Marinero - 8-27-2014 at 08:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
hot, dirty, bandito ridden? :lol:


Keeping out the Pilgrims?

Marinero - 8-27-2014 at 09:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by buzzbar
On another forum I read a post on Baja from some snobby “Baja is not the real Mexico” guy.

"You folks in Baja California are in a tourist zone, a rather free place, and generally have little idea of what lies beyond. In the interior of Mexico, laws and rules are enforced and proper behavior is expected from everyone, but it’s a different world all through the Baja Peninsula that has little connection to the rest of Mexico. It seems to be a sort of anything goes, hippy beach party suburb of San Diego."

Clearly never been there........or was looking for Baja in all the wrong places.

StuckSucks - 8-28-2014 at 10:52 AM

I always loved this line from Dust to Glory: "Baja, where the wild west meets the Twilight Zone."