OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...

Hi Baja Nomads,

I'll be posting on this thread sections (PARTS) as permitted by the server when uploading pics of our trip to Mulege (Sept. 19 thru Oct. 04 2015), it was a trip full of events and great experiences... we enjoyed it, we hope you do as well...


PART I...




So we left Chula Vista around noon and crossed into Baja thru TJ, when going over the speed bumps into Tj our boat got unhitched from the truck so we got out of the truck while traffic had to go around us and we did our best to be as quick as possible, hitched it back on again and this time put the lock on the hitch, I was lucky this did not happen on the road at a higher speed… thank God!!!



We used the “AUTOS ONLY” lane at the far right: lucky for us because we were sent; crossing over other
lanes while the traffic was stopped to the “BUSES -“AUTOBUSES” / “DECLARATION LANE”–“CARRIL PARA DECLARAR” (https://bajadock.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/new-tijuana-border...) to the far–far right, then the “officer” who approached us here told me that I would need to unpack everything to have it inspected, I asked to talk to a supervisor who did come over right away and I told him if “por favor”: could I just use the X-Ray lane?, he looked at me like asking… ¿WHAT? To which I told him it took me a couple of days to pack, and then he looked at the “officer” (a real empowered AH) and gave him a look with a grin like saying: you’re at it again?...



”PASELE POR FAVOR” he told me and in our way we went to the XR, parked and while waiting to be “liberated” got my tourist card and…



off we went to the Tj-Ensenada toll road. Stopped in Ensenada to pick somethings for Mr. Armando Naranjo in Mulege…



…and off we went on our way down Hwy. 1



stopped in El Rosario for gas on our way to Guerrero Negro…



Never considered an encounter with a four legged milk producing friend at the bottom of a vado… we spent the night in GN, in the morning the clouds started building up and some droplets were making themselves present, so we went on to cover our cargo with a tarp (which harmed the paint all around the truck bed) I logged onto BN and asked what was the scenario down in Mulege and I was told to stay put:

Quote: Originally posted by carlosg

Thanks to everyone.... I packed up, tarped the truck bed and checked the boat.... then I read your postings and went to check out at Terrasal, they told me if I was sure I wanted to check out because later they'll be overbooked due to the storm coming.... I just booked back in again, disconnected the boat and here we are at Malarrimo enjoying some entries and drinks before lunch... asi que lo unico que vamos hacer es relajarnos y disfrutar....

Quote: Originally posted by carlosg

Our drive south.... Well.... we didn't stay at GN and drove to Mulege that day.... we got stranded at Sta. Rosalía arroyo for about under two hours.... then we DID stay in SR overnight, the drive down to SR during the strong storm was an adventure to say the least, ...

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART II...




And off we went into a storm… we stopped in Vizcaino for some ice cream…



Volcan Las Tres Virgenes



and on to San Ignacio straight onto Santa Rosalia (no stops)



That’s when it started raining…



As we’re driving to SR this truck on the right was falling from the road in repair onto its side to the arroyo on the side of Hwy. 1

[Edited on 10-17-2015 by carlosg]

[Edited on 10-17-2015 by carlosg]

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART III...





This is when the sky broke open… and rain started pouring down…!!!



Driving down the first downgrade driving south to SR water was flooding the road…



Rock slides everywhere…



The arroyo before starting the second and final downgrade to SR



[Edited on 10-17-2015 by carlosg]

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 4...





Sea of Cortez in SR not the usual calm one...



First arroyo before SR…



The arroyo that stopped traffic for about an hour or so, while driving down to here I noticed NO traffic going uphill…



Big ship in port



Finally….

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 5...




We spent the night at “El Morro”



And so did this bikers as well...



Had dinner in town before bed…



In the morning we go on our way to Mulege…

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 6...




Hwy. 1 South of Palo Verde



...are we there yet...??? ...just arriving to Mulege....



[Edited on 10-17-2015 by carlosg]

[Edited on 10-17-2015 by carlosg]

[Edited on 10-17-2015 by carlosg]

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 7...




Ahhh… Finally… Mulege…!!!...



Stopped at “Quinta Real” thinking about staying overnight and waiting for the road into “Los Naranjos” to improve after the storm but we’re told that it’s okay so we have lunch at “Los Equiplaes” and head on our way…



We finally arrive at our destination… “Los Naranjos”...



Our friend Diego and family stop by and we go hand- line fishing in the bay for “cochito”



Enjoy a day in the bay…



[Edited on 10-17-2015 by carlosg]

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 8...




and enjoy “cochito sarandeado” style… mmm… mm… m…!!!



...we pass our time in the water...



[Edited on 10-17-2015 by carlosg]

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 9...




…enjoying “Los Naranjos”



…enjoying the boat rides…



...we take a drive around the bay to “Santispac”, unfortunately I hit a car while backing up: the other driver tried to beat me and just couldn’t… darn it!!! It spoiled the day but what tha…. I have insurance…!!!

[Edited on 10-17-2015 by carlosg]

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 10...




in the evening we enjoy a fresh “callos de hacha” and “cabrilla al ajo” dinner at “El Patron” a great option any time, the freshest fish and scallops, we should know… the day before my friend Diego fed us some in the bay right out the water… mmm… mm… m….!!!



In the morning my son and I go to town to the bank and stop at “el tope” for goat tacos….mmmm…. mm… m…!!!



Thank God I have a designated driver...



...and a look out...!!!





We get to enjoy the full “Blood Moon” eclipse at all its splendor… in Bahia Concepcion at "Los Naranjos"...!!!

[Edited on 10-17-2015 by carlosg]

[Edited on 10-17-2015 by carlosg]

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Thank you for sharing a great trip (other than hitting the car)! The Baja Feeling lives on!

Quote: Originally posted by BornFisher

Wow I thought the greenery was great in the beginning but now it looks like you are well into the tropics!!! BTW there are two part 5`s but who`s counting??? Great report, look forward to more!

...thanks...!!! go it...!!!

good ole motor

good ole motor

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 11...


When we planned our trip we were hoping that we would do some hopping around Bahia Concepcion enjoying the local’s gathering places (watering holes, eateries, hangouts..) and our first attempt was the day we went to Santispac, the events that followed didn’t deter us at all: someone (the significant other of Ana the restaurateur) tried to beat me to a backing-up maneuver and he lost and I paid… it’s the night we went to “El Patron”, the following day we decided to take a day trip to Loreto: this was a great decision as we enjoyed the trip every step of our way… these are some pics of this trip:



…seems like some water left after the rains or high tides…









…just reeeelax…






Bahia Concepcion Volunteer Fire Station

[Edited on 10-20-2015 by carlosg]

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 12...






JC’s Place, he’s the local guide that has a pontoon and will take you out for a day of adventure in the bay, he dives for scallops, clams, lobster and then cooks them right on the pontoon’s “kitchen”






This place has a satellite public phone and WiFi…




…relaaaax…




…drought???




“Buenaventura”




Remains of the “Old Road”…




…right next to the present…

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 13...






It's GREEN all over…




A trucker’s stop at an oasis along the way to Loreto










We arrive in Loreto



Enjoy the day…



…along with the tourists that were visiting aboard a cruise ship



..we enjoy lunch at ”Almejas Concho”: an excellent place to have lunch that is well known by locals and state politicians like the ones next to us (remnants of the “power” –mayor- transition that took place a couple of day before)…

Love. Love. Your report. This is what it's albout.

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 14...






…we meet the Owner-Cheff: Mr. Davis (a local name: the state Governor is a Davis as well) a very entrepreneurial person, has a plan and a goal.... and is following it step by step…!!!





…hand wash?... a whole experience at Conchó's...




…a display of ingenuity!!!






...then after lunch.. a walk thru “andador turistico”




…they sure take pride in the local restaurant industry…



A milestone on the "El Camino Real"... did it actually start here? that's for the experts to say... or not David?

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 15...








Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó, or Mission Loreto, was founded on October 25, 1697 at the Monqui settlement of Conchó



The interior...



A walk down the street…



Nice hotel, even though it looks an old building it’s actually a modern building constructed not long ago by a Mexican Architect






Hotel interior...

[Edited on 10-20-2015 by carlosg]

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 16...






Hotel interior...



A surrounding street to the Mission



Business as usual… in Loreto...



“El Malecon”



Nice hotel on “El Malecon”






Maybe what Loreto used to look like…

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 17...










On our way back to Los Naranjos we stop at “Buenaventura” and are greeted by Nathan and Olivia (the owner)…



…so we decide to come back the following day… in our boat…








…enjoy a day at Grill…



…THEN… we decide to return home… I don’t know what these “little” waves are telling me at all…!!! They seem a lot bigger when out in the bay!!!

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 18...





…so off we go… ajúa…(gulp!!!)... little did I know what was to follow… we lost the engine, it froze on us!!!...



…NEVER even thought of using this flag at all...!!!



..or rowing for the rest of the day trying to reach land without hitting rocks…




…good thing the crew stuck together!!!




…enjoyed TOTAL darkness until moonrise…






…kept on rowing… sh…!!!



…enjoying the view… ‘til we made it back to Buenaventura, moored the boat with the help of Nathan after about six hours of drifting, rowing, counseling children, sticking together and calling (yelling), blowing two whistles as loud as we could, waving hands and flags for help (our radio ran out of battery…&^@*?+!!!) …when it got dark we lighted four hand flares… NO DARN RESPONSE…!!! …we’re floating adrift right in front of Buenaventura... sh...!!! …but we finally made it!!! After we got out of the water and sat for a drink at the bar, I asked if our flag wasn’t visible ... as it was!!! or if our flares weren’t visible, Mark (Nathan’s dad) replied that he thought it was some guys just celebrating a catch and were just fooling around… YEAH!!! FOR SURE!!! FOOLING AROUND WITH AN INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS SIGNAL FLAG AND FLARES!!! …waving desperately out in the bay!!! …trying to catch these guys attention at Buenaventura!!! I would think anyone living or making a living near the beach or bay (a business owner...!?!?!?) should know better, it’s probably my own stupid perception, but that’s how I felt with me and my family in deep distress… but we made it… !!! A couple of years back (Oct. 2013) we rescued Nathan as he was fishing at the mouth of the bay just before entering Mulege… he had a broken motor as well but we didn’t disregard his call for help!!! Our Captain and friend, Alex Bukovekz told me: that boat hasn’t moved in a long time: they’re in trouble, sure enough then the distress flare came up and immediately Alex went to HELP!!! ....After the whole ordeal Mark asked me if we needed a ride back to Los Naranjos to which I replied: YES, okay he said, for two hundred gas money pesos Nathan will drive you home… I just wanted to get back and rest, so off we went (the one way trip is about 40 to 50 kms.) Next day we came by with the trailer, loaded the boat and back to Los Naranjos we went…

This was a huge learning experience for all four of us: we stuck together, kept our cool, prayed, enacted our faith and made it...!!! THANK GOD!!!

...aún hay más...!!!... more to come...!!!

[Edited on 10-20-2015 by carlosg]

Great Post w/great pics !!

Quote: Originally posted by captkw

A old two stroke mercury,,that will out live any Yammee four stroke made....ConGrats !! enjoy having a REAL boat motor !!

Really? Let's take another vote on that review

Re ignoring signs of distress, they probBly don't want visitors when cooking turtle soup or shipping and receiving contraband, eh?

Thats what happens when u dont get serviced

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone

Wow - incredibly green. I enjoyed your report. JC's?? is where?

Quote: Originally posted by captkw

crazy they saw your flares and did nothing..I assume you did not have a radio ? btw that's a great old motor,,but it MUST be serviced to keep running..the impeller must be changed once a year.....great pics

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca

wow....simple day gone totally haywire. I think lots of folks have this experience or similar and then are extra careful from then on. caramba!

Quote: Originally posted by motoged

Quote: Originally posted by captkw   A old two stroke mercury,,that will out live any Yammee four stroke made....ConGrats !! enjoy having a REAL boat motor !! Really? Let's take another vote on that review

Just do the complete opposite of Capt.klownies mostly bad advice and you`ll be alright.
Those black pos don`t even make a good anchor.

Quote: Originally posted by gallesram

Forgot to mention that Nate has helped me in the past when we had bad last-minute weather conditions, so I'm surprised that he and/or Mark weren't helpful this time. We offered to pay Nate when he drove us to Bertha's but he refused. He did accept a few beers and shrimp tacos however!

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 19...


Well… we spent our last couple of days relaxing and enjoying the beach at Los Naranjos, making our minds up that our return to the rat race was imminent so we just relaaaaxed… barbequed, swam, many couple of drinks, enjoyed chatting with Don Armando and Doña Delia: these are loving, wonderful people in what our experience has been since we met them a couple of years back…

















Then it was cleaning, organizing and packing time, getting our return ready for a safe and not wanting to do so return….

[Edited on 10-24-2015 by carlosg]

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 20...








We start our drive home






The ocean in SR looks “normal” not like it did a couple of weeks before






We start our ascent after SR… wow…!!! no rockslides or overflowing water….





Our first glimpse of “Las Tres Virgenes”

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 21...







…some four legged friends…








“Las Tres Virgenes” and it’s valley…






San Ignacio….

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 22...








We have a great lunch at “Mauricio’s” in Rosarito



Punta Prieta












…on the road north..

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Re ignoring signs of distress, they probBly don't want visitors when cooking turtle soup or shipping and receiving contraband, eh? Quote: I just scratched them off of my list. [Edited on 10-25-2015 by Marc]

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 23...








…just south of Cataviña… little did we know…




…a blown tire…!!! north of Cataviña…








Got all the help I need in a situation like this…



Replace the wheel… and find out it’s not only the tire but a broken spring… make a quick fix with a 6x6 piece of wood as a leveler and head back to Cataviña…



[Edited on 11-5-2015 by carlosg]

[Edited on 11-5-2015 by carlosg]

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 24...










We’re referred to Pancho, we find him and get on with the work…












About four years ago (2011) after I got stuck in the river bed at the dip in Cataviña ,he and the other Pancho got us out of the oasis with the help of his transformer truck called “El Sueño” (the dream)… talking about coincidences in this trip… I asked him how much for the repair: one hundred and fifty pesos… well we settled for a very different amount in dollars, plus tip in pesos and a good bottle of tequila… Muchas gracias Pancho nos vemos la próxima vez… ADIOS AMIGO…!!!! See'ya... la próxima vez...

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 25...








We sleep in El Rosario at Baja Cactus and start on our way north in the morning…




First glimpse of the Pacific…









We stop for lunch at “La Parcela #12” just before San Quintin



TAQUERIA “La Parcela #12”, clean restrooms, excellent all-u-can-eat real homemade food in the community of “Nueva Odisea “south of Los Pinos Ranch, Kilometer 16.5: https://www.google.com/maps/@30.3836167,-115.8562018,3a,75y,...

OUR TRIP TO LOS NARANJOS IN MULEGE... A JOYFUL ONE... to say the least...


PART 26...












Our drive north along the “Carretera Escenica” (Ensenada-Tijuana toll road)






♪ ♫ ♪…back in the USA…♫ ♪ ♫…!!!

...we made it…!!!! ...we made it…!!!!... What a beautiful ordeal…!!!!

We would do it again at the drop of a hat…!!!! or not honey…???


Thanks for yor patience and all of your comments and wishes… MUCHAS GRACIAS AMIGOS NOMADS…!!!

♪ ♫ ♪…...lástima que terminó, el festival de ....…♫ ♪ ♫ ...bda... bda... bda...

What a lesson in life for your boys. Take the bad with the good and keep on truckin.