David K
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Location: San Diego County
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4th of July 2010 Amigos on Shell Island (Part 3)
Continued from Parts 1 & 2 here: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=46599
There was a pretty strong breeze coming off the water that created waves and made swimming difficult, so we drove up to the north end of the island
(across from Rancho Percebu) where the lagoon entrance was calm.
Lot's of shells, naturally...
On Monday morning, Art fired up his motorhome and took a drive on the beach... He was so happy to achieve floatation with his monster on wheels!
He parked by our camp and that beast created wonderful morning shade for us all...
Art had to head back home on Monday, so we all went with him back to the highway to make sure he got off the island safely and Ken had his air system
to offer re-filling help.
Because Ken and Leidys ice supply was low, we also refilled our tires and drove south the 9 kms. to Colonia Delicias (Km. 35) where there are stores
that sell bags of ice (30 pesos).
Baja Angel and I returned to Shell Island, Ken and Leidys went to San Felipe for a couple hours.
Hard to believe that such a beautiful beach is deserted on a 4th of July weekend! There were only a couple of campers at Percebu... so many empty
palapas.
Monday night we had another nice campfire time... and Leidys had her first roasted marshmellows!
no flash
flash
Hate leaving... but it was time to go!
We headed home via Hwy. 3 to Ensenada to avoid the long dusty detour south of Mexicali. However, Hwy. 3 is in pretty bad shape with many miles of
patched potholes that made driving rough, as well as some detours around sections they are repaving.
We pulled over north of Valle de Trinidad and found this bush that reminded us of eels in coral feeding...
We took the free road north of Ensenada to the Half Way House to have a Chef Johnny dinner... It was great.
Filet mignon and Chicken Cordon Bleu (with Caesar salad and cheese cake) and three cokes... total cost $28!
We took the excellent Blvd. 2000 to the free Tecate Hwy. 2 and to the Tecate border where there was only a 15 minute line Tuesday evening about 7:30.
They are allowing cars to park on the right lane on the border road, so get into the left lane to cross north. We were home by 9 pm.
A great trip to a great place with great Baja Nomads!     
[Edited on 7-8-2010 by David K]
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
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california plates on the van? isn't Art from AZ?
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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edm1
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Capt Mike, yes, my old Cali plates in front (moved to Phoenix 2.5 years ago), AZ plates at rear. Don't wanna leave a hole in front.
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wessongroup
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Mr & Mrs DK .. again, thanks for taking your camera.. and showing what is still left for those who "camp" .... it is really hard to believe that
there was no one at all... on the beach
Liked the campfire shots also... that is one thing I miss a lot, campfires out in the sand.. by the ocean... thats nice.. .
Thanks for sharing ... glad your trip was such fun.. nice group of folks also..
[Edited on 7-8-2010 by wessongroup]
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Bob H
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David... really enjoyed this thread and all of your photos. Shell Island is still a treasure for sure.
Bob H
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Thanks amigos!
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TMW
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Double Ditto on all the above thanks DK. Glad everyone had a great time and got home safe.
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David K
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De nada Tom... Hope to see you down there on the island or elsewhere in Baja, on a future trip!
It was so 'cool' last weekend, we will need a trip in August or September to get a dose of real summer conditions!
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edm1
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Pics
Northern tip of Shell Island
[Edited on 7-10-2010 by edm1]
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edm1
Senior Nomad
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Location: Oak Hills, Ca
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another pic
[Edited on 7-10-2010 by edm1]
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irenemm
Senior Nomad
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WOW
Thank you for sharing all the wonderful photos. I so enjoyed them. It is nice to see such a beautiful area.
I would not be able to leave with out the bed of the truck full of shell. my friends makes the nicest wind chimes out of the shell. She get hers at
Socorro..
Beautiful
Thanks again.
opps glad everyone had a great time too.
Irene
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David K
Honored Nomad
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You may enjoy seeing other trips to Shell Island, with more shell photos... They are all listed in my trip web page, just scroll down to the trips
section at http://VivaBaja.com
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BAJACAT
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Art I notice that you carry two spare tires in the back, you never had any problems crossing the border...
BAJA IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE, FUN,DANGEROUS,INCREDIBLE, REMOTE, EXOTIC..JUST GO AND HAVE FUN.....
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edm1
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BAJACAT
Art I notice that you carry two spare tires in the back, you never had any problems crossing the border... |
hi Jose,
I've heard/read other Baja visitors having problems bringing unmounted tires but I've never had any problem with them during the last 3 visits,
through both Tecate and Mexicali border crossings. And I've been always through the secondary. Perhaps because they're mounted in a tire carrier like
they belong there with the truck and not for sale or something?
Likewise, no one has ever bothered me regarding the two 5-gal mil gas cans I carry under the rear overhang of the motorhome.
[Edited on 7-10-2010 by edm1]
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sancho
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Wessongroup, Like the term 'those of us who still camp',
a lot of Baja Travel back in the day began with
camping. I think some of the 'demographics',
if that is the right word, of Baja Visitors has
moved from camping, to say other ways
of experiencing Baja. Not that there is anything
negative with the new comfort requirements,
just that they are different,
maybe just a bit less connected
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Having a motorhome like Art's is a nice touch to the camping required to stay on Shell Island (and other remote Baja destinations).
The older we get, the less fun it is to set up camp or tear it down and pack up the truck... Once it is set up, we are good for as long as we want to
stay out there. Ice is good for up to 4 days (using the 5 day rated ice chests 
). The electric air mattress is very comfortable. The pop up shade (new one) is pretty easy to set up and take down. Our tent is big enough to stand
in and uses just two poles, so it is easy. So, it still is not a problem, but having a bedroom already set up (and a fridge, too) is mighty appealing.
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Ken Cooke
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I like a combination of camping and moteling. Remote camping is peaceful, and taking the Jeep down some difficult routes is a rush. But, every 4
days the ice chest needs to restocked, hair needs to be washed, etc.
I think the more capable the vehicle, the challenge the Baja traveler looks for becomes greater. Countering adversity with technology becomes a focus
for some of us.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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"I think the more capable the vehicle, the challenge the Baja traveler looks for becomes greater. Countering adversity with technology becomes a focus
for some of us."
That is true Ken... The new traction controls (TRAC & A-TRAC)* on my Tacoma sure have been amazing and have enticed me to go places without the
slightest worry of getting through... like the 4 foot deep water in the bog near Mision Santa Maria.
While I did need to deflate the tires for Shell Island's bottomless sand, backing into my spot by my tent was done with ease when I turned on the
A-TRAC, after attempting it in 4-High first.
*Trac (Traction Control) is automatic limited slip differentials and A-Trac (Active Traction Control) is automatic locking differentials. Both use
sensors at each wheel to monitor spinning and use the brake system to slow or lock the free spinning tire and transfer torque to the tire(s) with
traction.
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