BajaNomad - The Gold of Northern Baja NEW BOOK

The Gold of Northern Baja NEW BOOK

bajaric - 8-25-2023 at 03:09 PM

Hello Nomads,

Announcing the world premiere of a new Baja Book:

The Gold of Northern Baja, a History and Travel Guide

I am the author of this book, writing under my pen name, Jens Tobias. It went up for sale on Amazon this week and can be found here:

https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Northern-Baja-History-Travel/dp/...

or by going to Amazon, selecting category "books" and entering search words "Baja Gold". Look for the bright yellow cover.

The book is both a history and a travel guide. Here is a blurb from the introduction:

This book describes regions where gold has been historically known to occur in the northern half of the Baja Peninsula. I refer to this area as Baja California Norte* (BCN). I hope that readers will find this to be an interesting history of Baja, from pre-Missionary days up until the modern era, as well as a useful guide to exploring sone of the more remote areas of the peninsula. While this material is written from my perspective as a hobbyist gold seeker, a desire to dress up like an old hobo and dig in the dirt is not a prerequisite for readers. Nature lovers, extreme hikers, remote campers and off-road enthusiasts can all enjoy exploring the gold districts of BCN, even if their travel gear does not include a gold pan".

This is a "print on demand" book; if you purchase a copy Amazon prints it and ships it, usually within 2-3 days in the US. Then they pay me a few bucks.

I would like to thank all the nomads that have shared information on this forum. A few I know by name, Harald, DK, and many others I know only by their avatar; Geofff, Lance, Goat, TMW and all the rest. Some of the collective knowledge of the members of this forum made it into the book, as well as many past Baja authors; Heman Hill, Gerhart and Gulik, Crosby, Martinez, North, Nelson, Hale, and too many more to list.

I hope a few copies are sold. If you purchase a copy and are so inclined, please leave a review on Amazon and / or on this thread.

The book includes a few black and white photos, as well as about 100,000 words of text. Also ten hand drawn maps.

Thanks to all, bajaric aka Jens Tobias

DSC02372.JPG - 103kB

Baja California gold prospecting Real del Castillo placer placers Santa Clara El Alamo El Arco Calmalli tertiary gold mine Socorro Valladeres

San Roque placers Placer de Cota Juarez placers web site URL for mines and mining claims in Baja California maps of areas of gold mineralization remote camping primitive camping motels in Guerrero Negro San Quintin El Coyote Meling Ranch

[Edited on 10-31-2023 by bajaric]

bajaric - 8-25-2023 at 03:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

Quote: Originally posted by bajaric

This is a "print on demand" book; if you purchase a copy Amazon prints it and ships it, usually within 2-3 days in the US.

How interesting! I didn't know they did that.

Out of curiosity, did you have the option of offering a Kindle version? It's probably not an ideal format for a work including maps and other graphics, but I'm interested in how the Amazon ecosystem works.

Print on demand has been around for a while. I would have preferred to use a traditional publisher, but this is such a niche subject I did not really shop it too much. I sent one author query email that went unanswered and then just went the print on demand route. It is pretty easy; you cut and paste a work document into a book template. Of course, I had to write it first. It took five years to write it.

There is an option to make a Kindle version, but I prefer to publish it as a regular book printed on paper with ink. I doubt if it will make the bestseller list but hey stranger things have happened.

David K - 8-25-2023 at 04:44 PM

That was easy! It will be in my hand on Sunday!

bajaric - 8-25-2023 at 06:45 PM

Thanks DK! Unless someone bought one prior to 3pm today you got the second copy ever sold, the first being to my mother lol. Your book was really well done, great graphics. I could have used some help with the generic cover but oh well now it is time to set my creation free and see how it does.

The Amazon system (Kindle direct publishing) does enable one to make changes or corrections at will, but at this point I am so sick of editing that thing that it is just going to get sold the way it is. I think there might be one typo left.

Also thanks for invite to the Baja Expo. I for sure will bring a copy and sign yours if you want. I could have a stack of my books printed at cost and you guys could try and sell some and we could split the profits to defer your space rent if you want. Or just put one copy on the table with information on where to buy it. I really appreciate the offer.

4x4abc - 8-25-2023 at 07:31 PM

congrats to the book!

they are never easy

here is a great tool for your next books:
https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/

advrider - 8-25-2023 at 10:13 PM

Awesome, on my way to buy one. Is it legal for an American to look for and keep gold in Baja? Say by using a metal detector or gold pan? I was lucky as a child to have a grandfather that was a gold hunter, history buff and general collector, we had many an adventure.

wilderone - 8-26-2023 at 08:38 AM

Congratulations, Ric. So you told all your secrets??

bajaric - 8-26-2023 at 10:22 AM

I don't want to clutter up the forum with marketing, so will post replies on here addressing several comments at a time:

Harald, thanks. Some of the info in the book about the Pioneer Mine group south of Punta Final can be traced back to your contributions.

advrider, thanks for your purchase. To answer your question, with the permission of the property owner, searching the surface of the land for mineral deposits is perfectly legal. Beyond that it gets a little complicated, as discussed in the book. In practice, it is usually just a matter of getting to a long-abandoned mining area that is so remote that no one knows or cares that you are there.

Wilderone, (Hi Cindy!) That thought did cross my mind. Most of the information in the book was already out there, but it did take a lot of research to uncover it and put it all in one place. However, it is not as if this is plastered all over the internet for free, like giving away the location of a secret surf spot or an unknown cave painting. Someone has to buy a copy of the book, read it, then go to Mexico and drive on rough dirt roads and search around to see what they might find. Besides, what fun would it be if no one ever shared their experiences and kept it all to themselves? Sharing information is what this forum is all about and the world is richer for it. Hopefully I will be a little richer for it too!

In reality, it is pretty hard to actually find a decent amount of gold in Baja. Its Mexico. Labor is cheap. Most anything that can be easily accessed and dug up with a pick and a shovel is long gone. It happens from time to time, but usually by experienced prospectors with some pretty expensive equipment in some very remote spots. Occasionally an amateur will make a lucky strike, such as the "Boot of Cortez" a 26-pound gold nugget found in Sonora by some guy with a cheap radio shack metal detector in the 1980's, but that was a fluke, a one in a million chance.

I view it more as an interesting hobby and an excuse to visit some really cool parts of Baja. I also hope that many people will enjoy the historical aspect of the book even if they never go to Baja and search for gold.

[Edited on 8-26-2023 by bajaric]

David K - 8-28-2023 at 11:02 AM

Ric, I am impressed with the quantity of information and the newness of the books and websites you recommend.

I appreciate mentioning my book and website, as well. We like to help others find fun and adventure on the peninsula.

The book is slightly bigger than mine and a few more pages, too. I need to get back to reading more. After reading one chapter and thumbing through the others, I was comfortable to recommend it on my Facebook pages & groups. The cover image is added to the Viva Baja Books page and the book is mentioned in the 'What's New at Viva Baja" section.

Here again is the link to order the book:
https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Northern-Baja-History-Travel/dp/...

Thank you!

[Edited on 8-28-2023 by David K]

geoffff - 8-30-2023 at 10:31 AM

I ordered a copy Aug 26. Arriving today!

David K - 9-3-2023 at 05:54 PM

Reading update,
Just over half way through BajaRic's (Jens') book...
I am so amazed and proud of the content he included.
The Gold of Northern Baja shows you how much Baja gives us to explore and learn about!
More to come!
:light:

bajaric - 9-4-2023 at 08:30 AM

Hi DK, thanks for kind words. As it turned out my book does have several references to you and your website vivabaja and your book about the missions. That is not surprising, because Bajanomad forum is in the DNA of the book. Since you are the most prolific poster on here it was "bound" to happen.

I think I have probably read every post on this forum for the last ten years. There is a lot of good information on here sequestered away among political arguments etc. Especially pertaining to road conditions, safety concerns, accommodations. and the like, which all found their way into my book. Ten copies sold so far! Not bad since this is the first attempt to market it. About one out of fifty people that read the post purchased a copy. Pretty soon will post it on FB talkbaja, then plan to make some YouTubes, in addition to several YouTube videos I have already made about Baja Gold under the Channel Jens Tobias.

David K - 10-29-2023 at 03:21 PM

I made a page that includes some of bajaric's (Jens') YouTube videos of how to find (or not find) gold...

Prospecting is kind of like fishing... it's not called 'catching' after all!

Enjoy seeing 'bajaric' in Baja panning and detecting in many places:

https://vivabaja.com/the-gold-of-northern-baja/

Amazon now gives you a look into the book

David K - 10-30-2023 at 08:01 AM

See some sample pages of the book: Pages from the book, here

BajaBlanca - 10-30-2023 at 10:19 AM

Congratulations!

Don Jorge - 11-1-2023 at 09:41 AM

Ordered the book from Amazon and receiving it tomorrow. Will be reading it soon and will be happy to leave a review. Don't worry, I am going to love it.

Congratulations on finishing the project which no doubt had been thought about for a long time. You obviously have Gold Fever and there is no cure.

I have run across prospectors in Baja and the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica over the last 40 years and when you meet someone with Gold Fever and share stories over a few beers it is easy to understand how one can get the bug.

This being a Baja forum and Bahia de Los Angeles being a well known gold mining area it begs the question did you meet Herman in LA Bay? He always, with just a itty bitty bit of prodding, would go deep into gold storyland.

In the 90s in Bahia de Los Angeles a Canadian firm using water and cyanide chased gold from the tailings in the area. I once gave a ride to the border to a worker from Canada who hade been left stranded there, or so he said right? He talked about gold the entire 8 hour ride north. He had the fever.

Congratulations again, you are a published author!

David K - 11-1-2023 at 11:10 AM

Lencho and Don Jorge, RIGHT ON! :biggrin:

Have you watched 'bajaric's (Jens) YouTubes? They are very casual and honest about how it more of a hobby than a source of income.
There are 7 of his YouTube tutorials in this webpage: https://vivabaja.com/the-gold-of-northern-baja/

bajaric - 11-2-2023 at 12:11 PM

Never met Herman, though I read his book with great interest. He said he taught some ranchers in the Sierra Asemblea how to recover fine gold and purchased the gold they found to sell in Las Vegas. Herman kept his secrets close to his vest. He fit the mold of a true prospector, working by himself, literally covering his tracks. He got into some pretty hairy situations and there was no one to come to the rescue because no one knew where he was.

For me it is just an interesting hobby. It has an element of gambling in that you get an intermittent reward, but it is not a sure thing. Once in a while, if you are lucky, you get the thrill of seeing the yellow flash in the pan. Along the way you get to see some great scenery.

Diary of Richard Stevens

Don Jorge - 11-3-2023 at 07:38 AM

published for the first time. Research pays out. Nice find indeed.

I'm chapter jumping and Chapter 14 was the first I read.
I find your writing a pleasure to read. You have created a very interesting book about a place many of us know and love. Awesome job!

bajaric - 11-5-2023 at 12:16 PM

Thanks Don Jorge.

Richard Stephens.

In his early years, though he had been trained as a civil engineer, Richard Stephens worked on an apple farm with his father in central Canada. He left Canada to escape the cold climate in 1885 and went to work for the International Company of Mexico. This was an outfit with a concession from Mexico to survey the land and bring colonists to Lower California. He was hired to assist in the land survey. His living arrangements were split between San Diego and Ensenada. In 1890, fed up with what he saw as fraud and corruption, he resigned from the International Company and went to work as a freelance civil engineer and mining claim surveyor in Lower California.

As someone with a keen interest in the mining history of Northern Baja I kept running across his name. First, I found a map he had drawn in vivabaja.com showing a portion of Northern Baja. Then, on a rare map site, I found another map he drew; the original plot map for what today is called Ensenada (then called "Carlos Pacheco") drawn for the International Company. Then I found his diary!

The diary is in the archives of the San Diego History center. It consists of several volumes dating from about 1890 - 1915 written in a tiny hand so small that you need a magnifying glass to read it. I think it is an important part of the history of Baja. He made a detailed accounting of all of the people he encountered, the land, modes of travel, etc. He also copied his letters written to other people into the diary, including his sweetheart back in Canada. It really is an extraordinary work. I feel a connection to this man who left his home in Canada to make a life for himself in Baja 130 years ago.

In the diary he spoke of some ranch land that he owned. He was involved in a protracted legal fight over the title. Recently, I stumbled across a Bajabound article about a hunting and fishing lodge for American tourists. The former owner was guess who? Richard Stephens!

I was able to photograph just a dozen pages of the diary during the short time I was allowed access to it. I have considered requesting permission to transcribe the whole thing and publish it but it would be a monumental effort. Each page has to be photographed, then enlarged to read it, and painstakingly transcribed.

So for now, I want to share a short excerpt for the enjoyment of my fellow Nomads. This is a part the diary that did not make it into my book. To set the scene, in December of 1899 Stephens was at the tail end of two months of work in the mountains of the Sierra San Pedro Martir. The work was surveying that was being done in preparation for the construction of a proposed ditch near Rancho Buenavista. This is an old Rancho shown on maps about 5 miles west of modern-day Rancho Coyote. He fell off a horse and banged up his shoulder and ribs. Then it started raining. Stuck in the freezing weather with only one small tent, he and his companions decided to make their way about seven miles to "Rancho Colorado" a sort of traveler's rest stop near Rancho San Jose (today known as the Meling Ranch) that provided lodging and meals. He wrote a letter to his sweetheart, who apparently had a premonition that he had been hurt, and copied into his diary.

This is the story of Juan Colorado:

"In the morning it was still raining so we packed up and moved back to San Jose to Juan Colorado's camp where there is a little shelter in what is called a dug out. I was able to walk for my lower limbs were not hurt, and I was better able to walk than ride on horseback. After a six mile walk in the rain we got to camp Colorado. I believe the exercise did me good - it took out some of the stiffness. Here Don Blas the owner of San Jose Ranch prepared a tea made out of the roots of some "Yerba" good for internal bruises. It was the color of thin claret, and probably done as much good as any doctor's prescription would. Cures depend on faith and nature.

So I guess that was what the spirit told you about. Maybe he didn't know just what happened, it was done so quick that I don't know myself. The rain continued on and off for three days and we did not work on the line. It is a sight for lovers of art to see the clouds hang around the mountains and shift slowly from peak to peak, sometimes obscuring one gigantic range and then another, veiling their tops in mist or again filling the valleys with banks of fog. Such atmospheric effects are only seen in mountainous regions and recall some of Black's descriptions of Far Lochaban in the "Princess of Thule".

Laying in camp somewhat repaired my system and when the sun began to peep through the clouds was able to climb on the old horse again and ride out to finish the work. We had to go six or seven miles the last two days, but decided to go so far than risk the exposure of an unsheltered camp. It is no "frasear" to be out all night in a Cailfornia rainstorm.

Now I must tell about Juan Colorado - a man with the character of the old type. Such characters are fast passing away even from such out of the way places as Socorro. His camp is very characteristic of the man. He keeps a sort of boarding-house under a tree. We boarded with him as long as it was possible to reach our work from his camp. because he had a few more necessary articles to cook, and to cook with, than it was possible for us to provide and pack on a burro train - which is about the only mode of conveyance for everyone in these mountain regions. His bill of fare was not very comprehensive - usually beans and pancakes and coffee: occasionally beef or venison, and oftener quail or jack-rabbit. Potatoes or dried fruit are luxuries not often obtainable. But a splendid appetite makes up for all deficiencies. His camp is on the bank of San Jose Creek, in a grove of willows and elder bushes. A beautiful stream of crystal water springs from a meadow in front of the camp. Juan was born in New Orleans - his mother was Spanish - his father was German or of German descent. He came to Lower Calif. 26 years ago, and has never been out of the country since. Of course he speaks Spanish like a native, but he is well educated in the English language. His real name is John Mesicals but the Mexicans called him Juan Colorado - probably from the color of his hair in his younger days - and now he and everyone else prefer that name to the measly one. He has a very intelligent, long haired, greyish black coyotish wolfy looking little dog - named "Vampero" who will stand on his hind legs and dance all around a ring for grub. The dog is almost as well known in the neighborhood as Juan having been his inseparable companion for years.

Juan is a prospector of the old type of miners - a free rover - who digs everywhere outside of regularly denounced claims, washed the gravel and pockets the gold. Every morning after breakfast he and his dog start for the hills. Around 2 or 3 pm he returns to camp, prepares a fire, and cooks his supper. How much he makes no one knows, most likely- very often nothing - sometimes two bits a day - but on lucky days he may strike a pocket of gold dust or a nugget. He learnt long ago that if he ever made a few hundred dollars and went into civilization it would all vanish like a dream of the night. To indulge in in a jolly old spree and a gamble Juan could never resist; so knowing his own frailties he is wise to stay in the mountains where he can gamble to his heart' content, with fellows who are no more than his match, but only get drunk occasionally when some tenderfoot comes in laden with mescal.

Juan is a genial, generous, unselfish soul - ragged, dirty, uncombed, unkempt, unhouseled, unanointed, yet with all his imperfections on his head when he goes to his account - many an old Mexican or Indian with nothing but a ragged shirt, or a dirty blanket - will miss him. If they can pay for a meal, well and good, if not they feed all the same. Every day seems to bring some bare-footed old troglodyte - often two or three - around at mealtimes, and they do not go away as hungry as they come. Matt C. 6 - v. 34.- Where they come from is hard to tell, they seem to spring out of the earth, and vanish into the brush.

Whenever it does not rain which is about 350 nights in the year - Juan sleeps out under the sky - but he has a dug out for emergencies. Maybe you have seen an old-style potato cave dug out of a bank, with poles laid across and covered with brush and earth? Imagine one end left open and a campfire in front - as the ideal of a miners dug out. As usually made they are just high enough to stand on one's knees.

At the date of your letter, Dec 16, I was gaining another sort of experience of mountain life. We had finished the ditch line and were preparing to return to Ensenada. when I got a note from Johnson of Socorro - to come up- that Bob Anderson wanted me to survey a mining claim for him before I left that part of the country... It so happened that Osuna a Mexican teamster was was going up next day with a load of lumber..."

And thus ends the tale of one Juan Colorado aka John Mesicals, formerly of New Orleans, who lived for 26 years in the mountains of the Sierra San Pedro Martir before the turn of the last century.

The next portion of the diary, recounting a trip on a freight wagon up to Johnsons camp at the Socorro placers is included in my Book, The Gold of Northern Baja, by Jens Tobias.

A summary of Richard Stephen's diary collection can be found online in the archives of the San Diego History Center, here

https://sandiegohistory.org/archives/archivalcollections/ms2...

[Edited on 11-6-2023 by bajaric]

LaPazGringo - 11-6-2023 at 07:16 PM

bajaric, I was just at the San Diego History Center last week while visiting Balboa Park. If I'm not mistaken, it's in the lower level of the building that houses the model train museum. I'm not sure what is involved in arranging to see something like his collection, but it would certainly be fascinating no doubt. Wow, what a time that must have been and what a character "Juan Colorado" must have been. A simpler time with a different set of problems!

I wish I had known about your book when I was in California as I certainly would have ordered one. I'll be sure to have one waiting for me when I get back home to visit family next time!

bajaric - 11-9-2023 at 10:41 AM

To see the book on amazon.mx I selected "translate" then checked "books" and entered search keywords "baja gold" and viola!

https://www.amazon.com.mx/Gold-Northern-Baja-History-Travel/...

550 pesos

Kindle direct publishing, a subsidiary of Amazon, makes their books available anywhere in the world. They print and ship each book as they are ordered. Each book has the location where it is printed on the last page. I got one author's copy that was printed in Texas, and another printed in Monee Illinois, both shipped to California. If someone ordered one in Mexico I do not know where it would be printed. Only one way to find out, someone buy one!

David K - 11-9-2023 at 06:57 PM

Very cool, Ric!
I just checked to confirm mine was also there, in Mexico: https://www.amazon.com.mx/Baja-California-Land-Missions-Davi...

hiker_dave - 11-29-2023 at 05:33 PM

Hi Ric, really excited to hear about your book! I just ordered a copy a few minutes ago! I'm a prospector and mostly prospect in the mother lode area. I also spend a lot of time in Loreto and am interested to know if you have any information on that area. I'm planning a road trip to El Arco next week, any tips?

Thanks!!
Dave

bajaric - 11-30-2023 at 09:38 AM

Hi Hiker Dave, check your U2. Thanks for buying a book.

The California mother lode was pretty amazing; the gold in Baja was just peanuts in comparison. It is a quirk of history that the "Californios", Spanish and then Mexican cattle ranchers that colonized the mission towns in the coastal areas of Alta California in the early 1800's never made it east across the San Joquin Valley to prospect the Sierra Nevada. If the Mexicans had found the gold there before the Mexican American war we might all be speaking Spanish.

LaPazGringo, yes, the History Center is in Balboa Park. In the basement. They used to let people browse the collections for free but now there is a fee except for a very small window of time so not as user friendly as they once were.

wilderone - 9-4-2024 at 07:05 PM

I was lucky to get Ric's book at the last Travel South Baja event. Just finished it -- with the fascinating historical background of mining and realistic travel insight, this book is a treasure if you're interested in prospecting for gold in Baja.

David K - 9-5-2024 at 08:17 AM

Fun to visit with you at the Crossing South Festival on August 24! I had totally forgotten about our Kier connection... so that's why I was confused (getting old sucks)! Sorry Cuz

The Cali-Baja Cuisine book author Mike Gardner and his wife, and Jens Tobias (aka Ric Rust or ‘bajaric’), author of The Gold of Northern Baja sat on either side of me.

https://vivabaja.com/2024-crossing-south-festival/