Graham - 9-4-2015 at 11:57 PM
Returned from a trip with my dog to the San Pedro Martir last week.
Entered Mexico at San Ysidro. Vehicle was X-rayed. Process took about 30 minutes. About 15 minutes waiting for three more "suspect" cars to enter the
machine area, then about the same time awaiting the results. You have to exit the vehicle and wait out of sight of the vehicle and its contents...
Obviously preferred old days when I'd peel back the tarp and explain - that's my tent, camping gear, food, cooler, etc, and be on my way in a minute
or two.
Then on to the Parque Nacional Sierra de San Pedro Martir. Beware major road works around the park entrance, probably for months. Road is down to one
lane in places as power cables are being laid to operate the new telescopes soon to be in operation. Flying around tight curves not recommended.
At last, able to camp and enjoy the antics as my corgi explores the forest and has a wonderful time chasing through the rose sage.
Not even a few dramatic thunderstorms and several inches of rain could dampen her enthusiasm for one of the most beautiful spots in Mexico.
Sad to leave... last look back.
Well, maybe we got out just in time!
ehall - 9-5-2015 at 07:00 AM
I love that part of baja. No fires when you were there? Glad to see the rain. Plan on taking my wife up there on her very first baja trip in march.
SFandH - 9-5-2015 at 08:29 AM
Yes, it's a great place to camp. Corgis are cool dogs. I don't see many but I always smile when I do.
Thanks for the photos.
Ateo - 9-5-2015 at 08:45 AM
Thanks G.
I'm planning on heading up there in the next few weeks. How were the daytime/nighttime temps? Bringing a surfboard with me too, on what I call a
"surf and turf" trip. Mountains and Oceans.............hit 'em up both.
I too was sent thru x-ray last month. Had to wait in that tiny alcove next to the 2 way mirror booth and felt a little nervous, till I realized I had
nothing illegal in my truck, except for that gun I found later in my suitcase. Just kidding.
Thanks.
[Edited on 9-5-2015 by Ateo]
Maron - 9-5-2015 at 08:53 AM
Thanks for the photos.
TMW - 9-5-2015 at 09:23 AM
Beautiful area up there, thanks for the pictures. Tell us more about the new telescopes.
Whale-ista - 9-5-2015 at 10:02 AM
Thanks for reminder of how beautiful it is up there.
Love the corgi companion. Ever have trouble with coyotes or mt lions, when you've had your dogs with you?
PS- what day did you enter Mexico? I've often driven my truck and camper down and have never been x-rayed. I wonder how they choose who gets the
special treatment.
Was this a weekend or a week day crossing?
Thanks again!
[Edited on 9-5-2015 by Whale-ista]
Mexitron - 9-5-2015 at 11:50 AM
Ahhh, the San Pedro Martir, thanks for the report!
Graham - 9-5-2015 at 01:17 PM
I've seen it all up there...
mountain lions (in the distance), hungry coyotes, big horn sheep, forest fires, trees destroyed by lightning strikes, huge trees crashing to the
ground in front of me while hiking.
Fir tree close to my camp... suddenly shrapnel.
Most of it described in my 2003 book, when I spent four months there camped with my two dogs at the time... adopted street dogs Penny and Pedro.
Most of the year nights drop below freezing - I'm mostly camped at 8500 feet. Even had water freezing in June/July.
On that recent visit it was mild with lows about 50, and highs in the upper-70s. Rose sage was everywhere.
September is a great time to visit - aspens lend their reds and golds, making for super photos.
Pili, the corgi, is a great little watchdog and alerts me to any coyotes.
She's been going there with me for at least 5 years... and has more than once found herself locked in the vehicle while master is out shooting (with
camera of course) the resident California condors.
She has even found a modicum of fame lending her name to the happy NutriLeche cow!
No wonder she's such a happy little girl... especially in the Martir.
BornFisher - 9-5-2015 at 01:24 PM
Graham--- looks like your dog is taking good care of you!!
Great destination for a change of scenery!! Thanks for the report!
Graham - 9-5-2015 at 01:36 PM
Mr Fisher... looks like you've got some nice fish there.
Yes, Pili is a great companion, and its good to have somewhere in Baja to take her in the summer without worrying about rattlesnakes, scorpions and
heat stroke. Hope you get a chance to visit.
mtgoat666 - 9-5-2015 at 02:06 PM
I thoughts spm has rattle snakes? Never seen one up there, but I see them in the lagunas, so figure they are up there. Anywho, get your dog snake
avoidance training.
Graham - 9-5-2015 at 10:19 PM
Certainly there are rattlesnakes at the lower levels of the SPM, but camped and hiking at the 8500-foot plus level for maybe 200 days and nights I've
never seen a rattlesnake. All the rangers I asked hadn't seen one either. But best not to be complacent... minutes after one ranger told me he'd never
seen any kind of snake there my wife walked up to him with a very lively garter snake in her hands!
I'd never been x-rayed either till it happened at SY. It was a Thursday morning. The other folks put through the procedure just looked like ordinary
families who just happened to have loaded vehicles.
Only problem for me was the 30 minutes it took, and not being able to see my vehicle for maybe ten of those minutes.
Don't even think about smuggling a gun across. You might be delayed a bit longer if you do.
Graham - 9-9-2015 at 04:38 PM
And today being the day that corgi lover Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest reigning monarch in British history (63 years), Pili was determined to
celebrate, grab her favorite tea cosy and put on her own little English crown...
David K - 9-9-2015 at 08:27 PM
Rule Britannia!
Maron - 9-9-2015 at 08:55 PM
Thanks again
Spotted Dick
Skipjack Joe - 9-9-2015 at 10:05 PM
Enjoy -
BajaBlanca - 9-9-2015 at 11:55 PM
thoroughly enjoyed the pics and the writing
when are you coming all the way down to la bocana, BCS ?
we love dogs and our dog likes them too!
Graham - 9-9-2015 at 11:56 PM
That was funny...
Graham - 9-10-2015 at 12:01 AM
Hi Blanca, I'm long overdue for a visit... thanks for the invite. Tied up for a couple of months but hopefully soon after.
maryellen50 - 9-11-2015 at 01:46 PM
Thanks for the photos & info.
I'm going to the lunar eclipse at Rancho MeiLing on Sept. 26 and eclipse is on the 27th. I'm taking my Pekingese dog as well.
Hopefully the weather there will be cooler than the crappy Punta Banda weather has been for the past 2 weeks.
Chupacabra - 9-12-2015 at 09:18 AM
Great pics and report! I got X-rayed on the MX side recently, it is a little creepy how you can't watch what they are doing but it ended up being
quick and painless.
I actually like the MX machine better than the US CPB one. You have to drive through the US one, exposing the occupants to unnecessary X-ray
radiation.
