BajaNomad

BOLA - A guy named Doc - Que Paso?

SoCalAngler - 10-26-2020 at 03:15 PM

Whatever happened to a Mexican physician named Doc that lived and worked in BOLA? I read he was a physician from Mexico City that had moved to BOLA with wife and children and began running fishing charters, renting palapas to campers, and was also a practicing physician to the locals.

Is my recollection correct?

What became of this Doc?

David K - 10-26-2020 at 03:56 PM



2002 photo of 'Doc' from 'Bedman'

Doc is fine, last I heard...
After his medical service to the republic was completed, and having fallen in love with Bahía de los Angeles, he acquired the bayshore land a few miles south of town and named it 'Camp Gecko'. It was a popular campground with cabins for many years... Around 2006 he converted the cabins and lots there to long-term leases, and no more camping. Many Nomads have or have had leases there. Dr. Abraham Vasquez or "Doc", has a home there.

Here is Doc and I when he and I hiked up the Las Flores railroad & terminal/ tramline canyon in April 2002:





larryC - 10-27-2020 at 07:05 AM

Quote: Originally posted by SoCalAngler  
Whatever happened to a Mexican physician named Doc that lived and worked in BOLA? I read he was a physician from Mexico City that had moved to BOLA with wife and children and began running fishing charters, renting palapas to campers, and was also a practicing physician to the locals.

Is my recollection correct?

What became of this Doc?


As David said Doc is fine. Most of your recollection is correct but Doc is from Tijuana as is his wife Sylvia.

David K - 10-27-2020 at 08:38 AM

Thanks for confirming, Larry!
I hope you are doing well... I can't wait to get back down there and explore more, even though 'age' happens!

Marc - 10-28-2020 at 08:46 AM

Last time I saw Doc was about 8 years ago out on the water looking at wale sharks. I loved His camp. Image taken 1995

What does he do now?

SoCalAngler - 10-28-2020 at 11:40 AM

Thank you for the updated information.

So is, Dr. Vasquez currently a full time resident at his home in Camp Gecko?
Has anyone seen/spoken to him recently?
What does he do for a living if not renting campsites? Full time physician?

I'm just fascinated by the willingness of a physician to live with his family and young children in such a natural remote area, which is not such a forgiving environment, and a NOT a city. I am so conditioned to believe that physicians are tied to cities not somewhere in remote/rural Baja.

Thanks!

[Edited on 10-28-2020 by SoCalAngler]

[Edited on 10-28-2020 by SoCalAngler]

David K - 10-28-2020 at 11:54 AM

I hope a current Camp Gecko Nomad pops in this conversation...

Doc's daughters are in probably in their 30s now (as they were about the same age as my kids). When they were ready for high school, they moved to Tijuana where Doc and his esposa also had a home. Not sure of that status today?

Again, he does not run a campground anymore, that ended around 2006. There are many long-term leased lots at Camp Gecko, so that is a bit of income.

December 2003:

Doc's daughters Jessica and Vanessa with Katie, Tony, and Chris (in back). Chris (my son) was 15 then and turns 32 this year.

Paulina - 10-30-2020 at 01:06 PM

I walked over to Camp Gecko this morning and told Doc Abraham about this thread. He said to let you know that he and his family are doing great. His daughters are grown, have their degrees, doing well in life. He is currently working on making improvements to the camp with the goal of opening the camp again to Eco-Tourism in the near future.

P>*)))>{

David K - 10-30-2020 at 01:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Paulina  
I walked over to Camp Gecko this morning and told Doc Abraham about this thread. He said to let you know that he and his family are doing great. His daughters are grown, have their degrees, doing well in life. He is currently working on making improvements to the camp with the goal of opening the camp again to Eco-Tourism in the near future.

P>*)))>{


What wonderful news, but a surprise indeed about camping.

Whale-ista - 11-4-2020 at 05:59 PM

Good to know- hope to return with the trailer!

I camped, kayaked and fished offshore from Gecko a looooong time ago, when Abraham was just getting started.

Paddled with whales (Brydes?), that were also fishing. They got more than their fare share with their large mouths, and lifted up our kayaks while doing so!

Also spent some quality story telling, campfire & stargazing time with an American who lived there... can't recall his name- Mike? He passed away several years ago, but not before compiling an incredible record of weather and other BOLA knowledge.

David K - 11-4-2020 at 06:15 PM

Yes, Mike... of Mike's Mountain fame. Graham Mackintosh knew him back in the 80s during his walking around Baja adventure.

SoCalAngler - 12-28-2020 at 04:49 PM

Thank you all for the updates and clarification.

It's been over two decades since I last travelled past Ensenada. My travels along the peninsula were between 1981 and 1996. I've been to many places along the 1000 miles of Baja, but unfortunately never turned off the hwy to check out BOLA....my loss!

Paulina, thank you so much for inquiring and informing Doc of this post. I'm happy to hear he and his family are doing well!

Looking forward to see what the Eco-Tourism Camp will look like when he launches it. Hopefully, it will be soon, as I'd love to go down and stay there.

JZ - 12-28-2020 at 06:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Paulina  
I walked over to Camp Gecko this morning and told Doc Abraham about this thread. He said to let you know that he and his family are doing great. His daughters are grown, have their degrees, doing well in life. He is currently working on making improvements to the camp with the goal of opening the camp again to Eco-Tourism in the near future.

P>*)))>{


Great intel. Much appreciated.

Will.swing by the next time we are down there.