It's just the desert

It never fails when I enter a conversation with non-Baja types about driving to BCS I get a question. This is typical, "what do you find so enjoyable about driving 600+ miles each way on a two lane road mostly through the desert?" I explain the solitude, the unusual plants, and so on, they just don't get it, it falls on deaf ears.......

taken adjacent to Mex 1, Desierto el Vizcaino, Feb. 2015.

It's like going to another planet... SERIOUSLY!

Yes, those of us who dearly love the desert understand!

"If God would choose a plant to represent him, I think he would choose of all plants the cactus. Because this has all the blessings he tried, but mostly failed, to give to man. Let me tell you how. It has humility, but it is not submissive. It grows where no other plant will grow. It does not complain when the sun bakes it back or the wind tears it from the cliff or drowns it in the dry sand of the desert or when it is thirsty. When the rains come it stores water for the hard times to come. In good times and in bad it will still flower. It protects itself against danger, but it harms no other plant. It adapts perfectly to almost any environment. It has patience and enjoys solitude. In Mexico there is a cactus that flowers only once every hundred years and at night. This is saintliness of an extraordinary kind, would you not agree? The cactus has properties that heal the wounds of men and from it come potions that can make man touch the face of God or stare into the mouth of hell. It is the plant of patience and solitude, love and madness, ugliness and beauty, toughness and gentleness. Of all plants, surely God made the cactus in His own image? It has my enduring respect and is my passion."

Doc, speaking in the book "The Power of One," by Bryce Courtenay

bajabuddha is right - don't show them pictures of the desert's beauty. Show them what they expected anyway.

Matomi wash

Sometimes there's a little bit of water.....to keep the desert alive....

Hiking above Mission San Borja

On the way to Yubay

On the way to Mission Santa Maria

"I Taut I Taw a ...What?"

Above Mulegé . . . more Baja beauty

Bahia de los Angeles. View from Mike's Mountain

[Edited on 4-29-2015 by BajaNomad]

Baja at night.




[Edited on 4-29-2015 by BajaNomad]

Baja at night -




[Edited on 4-29-2015 by BajaNomad]

Baja at dusk:

Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

The first or the second. Actually, I took them both on the same trip. The canon 6D lets you take images at a very high ISO without much noise.

Bahia de Los Angeles

[Edited on 4-29-2015 by BajaNomad]

This one has been photoshopped. Pure Baja.

When it's the only one around.....another Baja pura.

Baja y Italia pura?

Near L.A. Bay

Boojum Love at Las Pintas

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Great photos Zac... so sharp! I think my camera need glasses!!

thanks David...no fancy cameras, lenses, etc. And I could care less if anyone shares my photos either

[Edited on 4-30-2015 by Bajaboy]

Quote: Originally posted by tripledigitken

Our beloved highway -

Guerrero Negro salt flats -

Off the beaten path...

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Where is that Perry? Beautiful!

The day that the setting sun through haze, fog and clouds turned this Baja desert bright gold.

Quote: Originally posted by vgabndo

Quote: Originally posted by David K   Where is that Perry? Beautiful! Taken from Rancho San Ramon above the Arroya La Destiladera, a branch off Arroyo El Tecolote. Pico El Gato on the right, and Cerro Cirio under the Palo Fierro. In the Santa Claras.

Me and Matt pondering Matomi



Arroyo Matomi, looking from up on Mesa Avion on our search for the WWII B-something plane that crash landed there.

Sierra Juarez

I remember overhearing a guy tell his young son: "It's only desert - there's nothing out there but rocks and dirt."

a living fence.....





native fauna.....

Quote: Originally posted by vgabndo

If I were looking for that mission I'd look at the big water hole up in the mountains by the big stone corral. About 12 miles from the nearest vehicle tracks! I accept PayPal for the coordinates! On edit: 27 degrees 01' 06.56" N 113 degrees 37' 22.71" [Edited on 5-1-2015 by vgabndo]

That would be where to look, no water, no mission!

The 1757 Jesuit Map (drawn form data of about 1747) is what caused the excitement for the idea... Blue arrow points to 'Started' Mission San Juan Bautista in the Santa Clara Mountains, west of San Ignacio (circled). Santa Gertrudis (Dolores del Norte started), and Guadalupe are also circled, as the next closest missions. Mulege, La Purisima and Comondu have smaller circles...

Near Coco's Corner.

Quote: Originally posted by Mexitron

Sierra Juarez

From our 2007 trip...

[Edited on 5-1-2015 by redhilltown]

That looks familiar redhill though we usually fish on the ledge off to the right or on the other side of the point you're on...if its the one I'm thinking of here it is in winter:

Hmmmm, does look familiar!

The blowhole down around the way:



[Edited on 5-1-2015 by BajaNomad]

[Edited on 5-1-2015 by Russ]

[Edited on 5-1-2015 by BajaNomad]

Mexi and Woody you know all the best spots! Such a great place in summer when the rest of Baja is boiling.

Back to the Desert...

On the road north of San Borja

Sunset camp in the land of the giant rocks.

"We're on the road to nowhere!" from some song....

[Edited on 5-1-2015 by woody with a view]

No rocks here

Be careful out there! Take your eyes off the road and POOF!
Here's what's left of my adventure with unintentional off roading. Taken in the auto grave yard at the turnoff for BOLA. I fared much better with only a few broken ribs. All better now.


[Edited on 5-1-2015 by Russ]

Tres Virgenes in late afternoon.

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view

the trail goes up into the palm grove and it is surprising to see a trough of spring water and a couple of large houses back in the oasis.

Quote: Originally posted by Mexitron

Beautiful scenery requires mountains and trees and a creek. Something alpine.

A variation on tripledigitken's theme:

Sunset near San Ignacio Lagoon:

Oasis

Quote: Originally posted by Mexitron

Oasis

I love that shot it looks just like a painting, must have Photoshopped it.