BajaNomad

Baja New Years 2005 Trip Report (Part 3)

David K - 1-4-2005 at 06:55 PM

Sat., Jan. 1, 2005:

Today is our one relaxing day, I go outside to see my back tire... flat! Hmmm, these are new tires, but no problem I will pump it up and find the leak. I can plug it with my kit or take it to town for a repair. I pump it up, don't hear or feel any leak, so I back the truck up a bit to roll the tire and still don't find a leak. After several minutes, I check the pressure and it is unchanged. Could it be that my Pep Boys' Futura Dakota's are SELF REPAIRING??? (the tire never leaked again)!

We go into town and at China's (Chee-nah) taco stand (north of the new Las Hamacas restaurant, in front of the Internet/Long Distance market), Elizabeth has her first fish taco!!! She orders more... Baja Fever is taking hold. We go next door and I post on Nomad and she emails her kids (19 & 20) that she is still alive and well!

We next go to the turtle research facility and see the turtles. One of the students asks if we would like to see the baby turtles who are in an indoor tank to stay warm. Elizabeth is even handed a baby turtle to hold! She is so thrilled... everybody is so nice... Baja is so cool!

Next, we drive north to La Gringa and get some 'Magic Rocks' for the campfire and to take home. Then we go to the gravel beach opposite Smith Island and later to the beach on the bay. Several starfish are waiting for hightide. The bay is perfectly calm and some fish jump and some birds dive for a meal... Elizabeth is so impressed and I can only smile. She understands how Baja has casts its spell of magic over me.

I wanted to drop in and say hi to Marv and Gail Sherrill, but missed their driveway on the way back to Gecko. The museum was already closed, so we will see it tomorrow we thought.

Back at Camp Gecko, we mix some drinks and go to our Canadian friend's camp fire, with drinks and Magic Rocks. We have fun talking with Kirk and his family of B.C.
In the dark, a truck pulls up and a voice asks for David K... It is TW, who drove with his wife all the way from San Felipe to join us for campfire and fun. They were at BajaLou's big turkey feast at El Dorado. What graet fun! We mix some more drinks and the campfire attracts more Gecko neighbors. The fire gets going good and I toss in some Magic Rocks (copper ore) and the colors impress us all. Elizabeth is really enjoying the Baja Feeling...

TO BE CONTINUED...

Baby turtle time...




[Edited on 1-5-2005 by David K]

David K - 1-4-2005 at 06:58 PM

Looking at the goodies at La Gringa...

David K - 1-4-2005 at 07:07 PM

The Magic Rocks add color, but it is hard to capture with a camera. Bedman did at http://vivabaja.com/bedman2/page2.html

[Edited on 1-5-2005 by David K]

David K - 1-4-2005 at 07:12 PM

Here's Bedman's photo from 2002 at Camp Gecko

David,

Mike Humfreville - 1-4-2005 at 07:13 PM

it was quite clear the baby turtle was waving at us. Keep posting amigo.

Wow!

Debra - 1-4-2005 at 07:26 PM

Thanks for the picture David and Elizabeth! that baby turtle has really grown since last July!

bajalou - 1-4-2005 at 07:28 PM

Glad to hear TW made it there safe and reasonably sound. We had a great time when he was here at the Turkey Smoke in San Felipe.

:biggrin:

David K - 1-5-2005 at 09:49 PM

Photo web page: http://community-2.webtv.net/boojum1/105

[Edited on 1-6-2005 by David K]

Can I follow in your foot steps?

rogerj1 - 1-5-2005 at 10:58 PM

Sounds like a good blueprint for a short trip.

David K - 1-6-2005 at 12:36 AM

It was (for me) one day two short, but it was important to see if Elizabeth was going to enjoy my lifestyle (Baja, camping, socializing, fish tacos). The answer was YES to all of it. Even if I didn't have a new girlfriend, I wanted to visit with Bedman & Emma and attend the Diaz fiesta with Paulina and Dern.

If you are coming from Gig Harbor, you should have 2 weeks in Baja! Debra in Port Orchard will stow away in your camp box!

3 day trips really need to be within 300 miles from home (for me that's Nuevo Mazatlan on the gulf or El Rosario on the Pacific) or closer.

4 day trips within 500 miles...