Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
|
|
Camp Gecko & BOLA area questions...??
I am thinking that Camp Gecko must be located about the same place that a few of us camped at around 1987 or so. We were just a couple miles out of
town to the south..onshore.. and spent some time there .. had a ball. We also sailed into the protected bay at Refugio and had more great days and
nights there. (Later my friend, Johnny Tequila, crashed his airplane near there!)
While we were at that campsite south of town..must be very near where Camp Gecko is today..a young man surprised us by walking into our camp out of
the desert. He was on a walkabout around the entire Baja penisula and doing it for donations to the Brittle Bone Society of London. I recall he was
not particulary well equipped for such a mission and we gave him some better items. He gave us all a very nice recount of his days on the trail and
stayed with us overnight...impressing everyone with his zeal. He promised to check in with us when he reached our area in Bay of Conception, but we
never heard a word about him after that. I often wondered what had become of him. Does anyone recall this hiker? (Not Graham M... know him from
other events.) This young man was doing the walk strictly for charity. I sure have hoped over the years that his bones are not bleaching the
landscape between here and BOLA.
I also remember meeting a German fellow, Herman, married, I think, to a Mexican senorita named Lupe? He had, again 'I think', a store or ? in town.
Short guy...dark hair. He came south a couple of times of the next 2-3 years, then never saw him again, either. Does anyone recall him?
I will have to return some day to BOLA and take stock of the new places. Still sounds like a great Baja spot.
I hope somebody will remember those people. Gracias.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
|
|
|
Mike Humfreville
Super Nomad
Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
Pompano
I read your post and I can't imagine where you were camped. Gecko's is located 4 miles south of the village. Apparently you were closer than that.
Mary Ann and I lived in the same place Geckos is located over the summer of '74. There was little development in that area in those days. While some
time back they built a graded and graveled road that is a different route from the older one, I don't know what year that happened, somewhere in the
'80's I think. You might remember the old one which left the village heading south, ran along the coast to where a few houses existed (still do) at
Vista al Mar, turned southwest and climbed a gentle hill (where the mine is still visible), continued along the hill through a dump, and turned back
east along the south side of the hill. From there it went back to near the coast and continued south. The newer one is less subject to runoff and is
further from the shoreline.
Regarding the townsfolks, there are numerous posters on nomads that know more than I do. I'm sure you'll hear from them.
|
|
|
Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
Member Is Offline
|
|
Herman and Tomas
Pompano,
As far as I know there's only been one Herman in Bahia. He is not German, but I have heard him refered to as "Herman the German", although I don't
know why. He can be quite the story teller, so maybe one of his tall tales led to the name. He doesn't match your physical discription. I don't
believe Herman is the man you met.
There was a German man who lived in town who may have been the man you are remembering. His name was Tomas. He spoke with a definate German accent.
He just recently passed away and will be missed by all who knew him.
We met your friend "Johnny Tequila" at
the 2003 Baja 1000 at Laguna Chapala. He was photographing the vehicles as they came into their pit stops. We chatted with him briefly that evening.
Interestingly enough, the next day after the race we were visiting with Herman in Bahia and Tomas came by. As we shared cold cervezas on Herman's
picnic table Tomas told a story about a man who crash landed a plane... long story short, it was the same Johnny Tequila. Small world baja is at
times! Thinking back on it, that leads me believe more that Tomas is the man you met as you both were friends with Johnny. He was also affectionately
known as "No Mas Tomas".
I don't have a photo of Tomas, although you can see him on his website, and that of his "Mia". She has a wonderful site on Bahia which I refer to
daily for weather updates and town photos.
www.mias-desert-art.com
Attached is a photo of Hermas taken on Dec. 30th 2004. He is seen sporting one of his two new suits, celebrating "the next to the last day of the
year" as he proclaimed. He recently bought two new suits, "One to dance in and the other to be burried in." Although he claims that it will be out of
fashion by that time. He hasn't changed much over the years.
Hope this helps jog your memory.
P.<*)))><
[Edited on 31-1-2005 by Paulina]
|
|
|
Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
|
|
Paulina, glad to hear you met my old compadre, Johnny Tequilla. One of my favorite Baja characters..did he have Cindy with him? He was with us on
that camping/boating trip many years ago just out of BOLA. The Herman photo person I don't recognize at all...must have been 'Tomas' as you
mentioned...it was a long time ago.
Johnny did crash near there and walked away from it. Also a good amigo, Killer Caine, was around back then, too. Did you meet him by any chance?
He just recently passed away. Killer was a videoer of the first magnitude and filmed every event he could in Baja..and elsewhere. He was
'Relentless Production Company'. Johnny and him used to do Colorado River rafing trips years ago through the Grand Canyon.
Johnny & Cindy lived on their trimaran, Quetzal, in Coyote Bay for many years..from 1986 to 2003..and also built a home in the desert. A truly great
songwriter and singer around the fire. We had some times and events over the years! And will have some more.
My wife and I visit JT and Cindy at their Utah home ...little hamlet of 15 people...has a 100 year old barn he restored and built a new house next to
it to play his guitar in while watching the sage grow.
Did anybody up there at BOLA ever hear about the Baja hiker on a walkabout for the Brittle Bone Society? He seems to have vanished forever.
Here's JT and Cindy at my bar about 5 years ago and Killer Caine below with Patti...a charming gal who posed for Killer as Monroe look-a-like. Like I
said, we had some fun.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
|
|
|
4baja
Super Nomad
Posts: 1339
Registered: 9-4-2003
Location: morro bay ca
Member Is Offline
|
|
you may be talking about graham mackintoch who walked around baja i believe in 85.
|
|
|
Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
|
|
NO...I know Graham
I hosted his slide show and talk many years ago...also next door at NOLS he presented his 'walks' after I introduced him. Then later around Mulege
at Jungle Jim's, etc.
This other younger man was doing his hike with very little equipment and totally alone. He was committed to never taking a ride. Also he was doing
it strictly for charity.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64856
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Pompano, back in the late 60's Capt. Munoz (Baja Air Service & Erle Stanley Gardner friend) built a spare runway 4 1/2 miles south of Casa Diaz (where
he usually landed. Camp Gecko is just a hundred yards north of the end of the runway.
|
|
|
Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
Member Is Offline
|
|
Killer Caine was the man we met at the race. When we saw your photo we said, "That's him!" He was driving a van with another man. Could the other man
have been Johnny? We can't remember, only the story of the plane crash, his love for Bahia and photography and then he was gone the next morning.
I have never heard about a young walking man, other than Graham. But as you said in your first post, it wasn't him. I'm trying to think of who you
could ask in town. Maybe try Carolina at the museum.
Good luck!
P.<*)))><
|
|
|
capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sling time!
|
|
Pompano - Killer was a friend to me to, used to bring him
shoe glue, he always was running out, what becomes of Lefty? i wanted to attend his memorial 1st of the year but got weathered in , in phx. Capt.
Dave went down but had to leave early for a family emergency. What happened to his digs at the beach? did you see the videos from his adventures in
s.e. asia with Mitch last year? priceless.
Killer cain was one of a kind for sure.
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 |
|
|
Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
|
|
KILLER CAINE.......
when I get back from a trip I will post a more fitting memorial to an old Baja friend. He was my paparazzi amigo and photographed/videoed dozens of
my fiestas. He went on many camping trips with us...came to our volleyball sessions regulary (there's where we all elected Killer to be Lefty's
master after Lefty was run over and abandoned by a less caring owner...and that's how Lefty got his name..game left foot))A character of the first
magnitude...and sorely missed.
Mike...Lefty is doing fine. Here's a pic of him atop a car in my driveway during a fiesta. I saw him just the other day. Great dog..and well
traveled...We ran into Lefty and Killer in Alaska a few years ago. Killer and I had a ball one day long ago making a pic/video shoot on the sidewalk
and an old building in downtown Mulege. Killer had a wardrobe full of dresses and costumes..ready for any opportunity. We need more like him.
I'll never forget the day Killer got 'married' on Playa Escondido to Donna Moe. I did double duty...was best man..and gave away the bride. 'Mission
Jim'..ALL HAIL JAIME!..performed the ceremony. What a hoot that was! What are you filming, now, Killer? Whatever it is..I know we'd like it.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
