As I write this, gecko lizards are chirpping overhead. Perhaps they are laughing at me laying here pushing tiny key images on my cell phone?
This trip, #6 in 2017, is another to gather road and location details as well as map points for a future road guide and map we hope to produce. The
previous 5 trips are shared here in the Trip Reports forum. They contain lots of details, photos, and some personal experiences.
This trip began over a week ago and will be the longest of them, given that it took me to the end of Baja and furthest from home.
On Trip #2, I went to Loreto and west to the mission villages of San Javier, Comondú (both), and La Purísima.
This trip, the research began on the road south from San Ignacio along the Pacific, new stuff for me. I then popped up to La Purísima and Comondú to
complete the mapping through those two places.
I went to Lopez Mateos, Puerto San Carlos, then east to Mission San Luis Gonzaga.
I met Canadian Fat Tire bicycle riders Mike and Rebecca, riding on dirt roads as much as possible, down from San Diego!
I found the second Dolores mission site of La Pasión, hidden under a goat ranch and hiked to a 1,000 ft. high cliff to see Mission Dolores, far
below.
The road from there to La Soledad and down to San Evaristo was dramatic as were the canyons... such a rugged landscape!
The past few nights, I have been a guest of Harald, 4x4abc, and enjoyed talking and going to dinner when I return from my day trips.
Monday, I did the Todos Santos-Los Cabos-El Triunfo loop. Today, I did the,Tecolote-El Sargento-Ensenada de los Muertos-San Antonio loop.
I can only do so much in a day and the guide is not a tell-all in any way. There is just TOO much Baja... and so little time. I just want to give a
taste of some of what's out there and hope you will enjoy exploring and discovering new places.
I bought a bag of pitayas today in El Triunfo for Harald and I to enjoy for breakfast.
It's a tough job, but happy I can do it!
I still have several days of driving and exploring to do to fill in the guide back to Ligüí, near Loreto... and get back home to my wife, Baja Angel
(Elizabeth)!
I hope my photos come out looking as super as these places were, in person.
Oh, the weather has been great! Mostly about 92° at noon and moderate humidity. Got some rain today between San Antonio and El Triunfo, great
tropical weather.
Well this one gecko is still chirping at me, I guess to sign off and get some rest?
Goodnight from La Paz!
Frank - 8-8-2017 at 09:18 PM
Hey David, we couldn't find the Bat Cave on our trip this year. The arroyo looked so different, maybe it caved in? David K - 8-8-2017 at 09:31 PM
I took a photo of it yesterday... it is still there.
You drive up the arroyo (west then south) from the big bridge at the La Ribera highway. Maybe a mile and its on the left (east) side of the arroyo. chuckie - 8-8-2017 at 09:56 PM
Sounds as if you are getting it done, and enjoying the experience! Be safe..David K - 8-9-2017 at 07:32 AM
Thank you, very kind!Russ - 8-9-2017 at 07:51 AM
Looking forward to your photos tooBarry A. - 8-9-2017 at 08:28 AM
Well done, David. I too am looking forward to your photos. Stay safe, my friend.David K - 8-9-2017 at 04:59 PM
Thank you!
Today, not a long day drive, but 20 dirt miles and some slow and rough driving ... It was easy to Punta Conejo and then half of the coast road drive
was rough, south to 'bajalinda' & 'rob's Playas Pacificas at Rancho La Aguja. www.playaspacificas.com
Wow is this coast beautiful!
Sunny, clear sky, ocean breeze, sound of pounding waves, 85° earlier, when I arrived.
[Edited on 8-10-2017 by David K]
[Edited on 8-10-2017 by David K]chuckie - 8-9-2017 at 04:59 PM
RE Bats: I and Buddha were on Ted Turners Armenderiz ranch last year and went to a Lava Tube, into which close to a Million bats migrate and have
babies...every year...I'd like to go back when they are there, but then I would have to drink Buddha's Martinis , enjoy Greek food and have
fun...fugdatDavid K - 8-9-2017 at 05:04 PM
In my July 2012 trip report are photos from me and BajaTripper of the bats at the Santiago cave. Very cool animals!chuckie - 8-9-2017 at 05:16 PM
Are they animals? Most of them looked like my 2nd wife...OH Oh. jajaja she was an animal..David K - 8-9-2017 at 09:37 PM
I don't care who you are, that's funny.
I cannot describe in words the sensation right now. Total darkness until the nearly full moon rose behind me and the sounds of the crashing surf out
in the starlit darkness in front...
Wifi cutting out, so I will fill in the rest of this later.
[Edited on 8-10-2017 by David K]David K - 8-10-2017 at 10:16 AM
Good morning (is it Thursday?) gang.
Well, the night passed without incident. Only the waves to provide serine sleep until well after sunrise.
This morning Rob gave me a tour of Playas Pacificas and the project plans. We then drove south to Punta Marquez and out to Conquista where the paved
road from Hwy 1 ends. We then circled back to La Aguja.
Looks like Rob and Linda's hospitality may keep me here one more night?
I will say that having traveled so many miles and making so many notes, a less involved day, now and then, is okay with me!
So, hasta pronto mis amigos.
AKgringo - 8-10-2017 at 12:21 PM
That is a fun area to explore, I did a few day trips around there from La Paz and an occasional overnighter.
If you start checking out the back roads south of where you are, you will find that the 'most used' roads frequently dead end at the busiest ranch.
The 'main road', frequently looks like a trail.
My GPS sorted out a couple of the wrong turns, but was not consistent. At one point it showed me trolling parallel to the beach about a quarter mile
off shore!shari - 8-10-2017 at 02:47 PM
give Rob & Linda a big hug from me....been a long time since we had a beer together! Look forward to seeing the photos.David K - 8-10-2017 at 03:56 PM
Will do. Rob told me how he met you. I recall that story from the past. Nice to have someone in Guerrero Negro who speaks Canadian, eh?David K - 8-10-2017 at 10:04 PM
Holding back my Baja excitement is not something I do well.
If I tell all now, in this preview, will it spoil the actual trip report, several days away?
Naw, I think you guys can take the tease!
Thursday, Playas Pacificas at Rancho La Aguja:
Nomads 'bajalinda' and 'rob' have the hospitalty of a small town' Welcome Wagon! Leaving today was just not going to be an option!
Following a most tastey breakfast and coffee, Rob guided me as a co-driver does across this vast property, and beyond.
We saw some of the homes already built on the large, ocean view lots and the rock-outlined other lots in Phase 1 of the exciting development.
Next, we flew down the Baja 1000 and Cabo 500 race course (in my Tacoma) to Punta Marquez and the lighthouse there. We then circled around through the
two agricultural villages and back to Rancho Aguja.
I took the afternoon to do some swimming and body surfing. Let me tell you, I was stunned at how clean and clear the Pacific Ocean is here. If not for
the waves, you would think you were in the Sea of Cortez or Caribbean! I watched fish swimming near me betwee breakers and gazed ar the sandy bottom.
There are millions of small clams that get exposed with each wave and burry themseves out of sight before the next wave. Just like sand crabs do in
more northern beaches.
Rob and I did some property maintenance (well, I just supervised, not having a work visa!). Fun to see such a large project in its early stages!
Mangos grow very well here, too. Along with bananas, guavas, tamarind, neem trees, and more, the climate is ideal. A grape vineyard is included in the
project goals down the road.
A gourmet dinner with sweet as honey cantelope desset was Linda's creatin we all devoured happily.
Tomorrow, I must pry myself away from such amigo kindness and continue mapping Baja Sur, as I head north.
Thank you Playas Pacificas Linda and Rob for your warm hospitality. I hope to return and build a beach home for my Baja Angel and I to retire in,
here.
[Edited on 8-11-2017 by David K]shari - 8-11-2017 at 06:56 AM
I am so envious of you getting to visit all those magical places..albeit at warp speed. I sure hope to find the time this winter to get down and visit
Rancho Aguja! and my beloved San Miguel de Comondu...sighTMW - 8-11-2017 at 04:57 PM
DK you may have out done yourself on this trip. I can hardly wait for the trip report and pictures. Sounds like one heck of a trip.bajalinda - 8-12-2017 at 06:18 AM
give Rob & Linda a big hug from me....been a long time since we had a beer together! Look forward to seeing the photos.
Hi there Shari......right back at ya! Yes, you're right, it's been a long time. I see from David's photos that your place has really changed from
when we were last there how many years ago??? (I think back then that Juan had just started working on the stone wall!) Congrats - it looks great!
[Edited on 8-12-2017 by bajalinda]shari - 8-12-2017 at 07:45 AM
yes Linda...poco a poco we have been improving and adding on to our Inn...we now have 6 rooms! I bet your place has come a long way too...hope to see
it sometime.bajalinda - 8-12-2017 at 08:16 AM
any time, Shari. Just give us a heads-up when you're going to be in the neighborhood.bajalinda - 8-12-2017 at 08:27 AM
Wow - Thanks for your report and kind words, David K.
Safe travels and we look forward to seeing the finished guide!BajaBlanca - 8-12-2017 at 10:20 AM
Your guide is going to be priceless!David K - 8-12-2017 at 09:01 PM
Hi Gang,
What a wild couple of days after leaving Rob and BajaLinda's Playas Pacificas at La Aguja!
First, I arrived at a Pemex in Ciudad Constitucion to fill up and my truck's battery was dead! No indication of a problem up to then, but it was a few
years old. So, I guess it just was its time.
One of the attendants drove her car to mine for a jump. An Auto Zone was just a block away. They did a diagnostic with print out and it said the
battery needed replacing.
The price included the install, so that worked up well... as it always does in Baja.
I drove out the Agua Verde road (pavement ends at km. 10) to the drop-off view (km. 17+) but didn't want to be stuck down there if the battery was not
the only issue.
I camped last night at La Perla on Bahía Concepción and it was perfect! The sea was ideal for bathing and relaxing.
This morning (Saturday), I got an early start as I wanted to see the mission site of Guadalupe from 1720! The road was very tough for most of the 40
miles from Mulegé and took 4 hours, each way. The great news is I found the mission walls of old photos and other building foundations. It was not
easy to get to or find. I had to get through some physical and cattle barriers. The mission was on terraced levels, high up from the arroyo. The auto
road that gets close was wired shut. But, not a long ways from the mission and that was about 500 feet west of the mission sign, on the road from
Mulegé.
Tonight, I am at the home of Russ, where the beautiful sunrise photos are taken. Russ has been chatting with me through most of my trip through the
inReach satellite device.
Tomorrow, I leave Baja Sur for el norte.David K - 8-14-2017 at 05:12 PM
Hola Amigos,
I am back home...
Had a nice visit with Russ at Punta Chivato Saturday PM and Sunday, drove north to Shell Island (between San Felipe and Puertecitos).
Today, north and over to Tecate to cross.
Much news and I will begin trip report work tomorrow.
I am muy tired from 8 hours drive, etc.
I drove on some new Hwy. 5 stuff, will report in the Road Conditions forum.
A big GRANDE thank you for the Nomad hospitality from 4x4abc, fernweh, Osprey, rob and bajalinda, and Russ... I am so tired, I apologize if all are
not mentioned... See the actual trip report, coming soon!
14 Days, lots of new (to me) roads driven... camping, motel-ing, guest housing. Those nauseating details, a few enjoy, will be shared.
Maps? We'll see!
Mileages and kilometer markers? Plenty!
Pemex (and other brands now), detailed!
Missions? Naturally... and sites I have not been to before. Filled my bucket list of all missions reached by road and one way down in a canyon.
Photos? Oh YES.
Now, my Baja Angel will be home soon... So, you understand if you don't hear from me for awhile! Russ - 8-14-2017 at 06:22 PM
Enjoy being home..... Later amigoDavid K - 8-15-2017 at 08:44 AM
Thanks, I just looked over my 400+ photos and most look good. Now, to download them, and start to document the 14 days.
I will add a link here to the Trip #6 Report/Photos.
Here is what the Contents will look like, mas o menos:
2,946 Miles (Home to Home)
DAYS:
1) San Diego North County to Shell Island (south of San Felipe), 298 miles (via Mexicali).
2) Shell Island to El Datil south, 396 miles.
3) El Datil south to Lopez Mateos, 229 miles (via La Purisima & Comondu).
4) Lopez Mateos to Dolores Overview, 201 miles (via Pto. San Carlos, Mission San Luis Gonzaga, La Pasion).
5) Dolores Overview to La Paz, 181 miles (via La Soledad, San Evaristo, tire slow leak).
6) La Paz (Tire repair, a rest day otherwise)
7) La Paz to Todos Santos, Los Cabos, La Ribera, and back, 272 miles.
8) La Paz to Tecolote, La Ventana/El Sargento, Punta Arena, San Antonio, and back, 177 miles.
9) La Paz to Punta Conejo and La Aguja, 88 miles (Days 9 & 10).
10) La Aguja to Punta Marquez, Conquista, and back.
11) La Aguja to Constitucion (dead battery), Agua Verde Overview, Bahia Concepcion, 285 miles.
12) Bahia Concepcion to Mission Guadalupe to Punta Chivato, 135 miles.
13) Punta Chivato to Shell Island, 392 miles.
14) Shell Island (south of San Felipe) to North San Diego County, via Tecate, 292 miles.
Give me a day or two!
[Edited on 8-15-2017 by David K]
Sample photo from 3 days ago, west of Mulegé:
David K - 8-15-2017 at 11:36 AM
StuckSucks - 8-15-2017 at 11:49 AM
Green and lush! Did the area receive recent rains?David K - 8-15-2017 at 12:43 PM
Yes, there was wet dirt and fresh puddles. Nice and hot last Saturday. It clouded up, but no rain while I was up there. That photo from the road west
of Mulegé, about 1.800' elevation, I recall... near El Aguajito.David K - 8-15-2017 at 04:56 PM
