edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
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Over-planning a trip
Is that possible in Baja? I'm starting to feel I'm depriving myself of the spur-of-the-moment excitement by having everything planned.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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back in my teens, when we were just discovering baja we forgot a can opener. we were only bringing canned foods, soups etc... since then we over pack.
but everything we need is in there somewhere! as far as spur of the moment.....just go where your rig takes you.
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Bajagypsy
Super Nomad
Posts: 1416
Registered: 8-31-2006
Location: BahÃa Asuncion BCS
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Mood: Living the dream
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We have a plan everytime we leave for Baja, but that plan never happens!! Somehow, our gypsy soul's take over and we just travel where our hearts
tell us to!!!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65303
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Have some goals or a plan, but let the 'spirit of Baja' guide you... Go with the flow... If you find a spot that becons you to stay, then leave the
other locations in your plan for the next trip!
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805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
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I always over plan, it makes the trip last that much longer plus it gets the juices flowing.
[Edited on 6-30-2007 by 805gregg]
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Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
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Mood: Bajatastic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Have some goals or a plan, but let the 'spirit of Baja' guide you... Go with the flow... If you find a spot that becons you to stay, then leave the
other locations in your plan for the next trip! |
David K has it right.
Setting goals for your trip is a great way to go. If you think about it, most of your plans revolve around your goals already. It's all about what
you want to do with the time you have. Each trip and each person is different. One person may love sitting on a beach drinking beer; another, may
love exploring old ruins.
Prioritize your goals, then pick a few places you want to see or things you want to do. Then go see or do them. If you find that mid-trip, that
someplace you planned to go is going to be a big hassle, or detract from the great time you are having, blow it off until a later trip. Don't let
your plans for tomorrow or next week get in the way of having a good time today or this week. Conversely, don't spend all your time camping in the
mountains in the North if your main goal is to see La Paz area and spend two weeks on the beach.
During your travels you will find new places to see and new things to do that you will either put on your mental list for "next trip" cause you to
change your plans on your current trip. In the past I've taken advice of locals, fellow travelers, etc.. and thrown out all or part of my "plans"
mid-trip after finding someplace else that fit my goals better. (Great secret beach town only the locals knew, nice mountain town, etc)
Try to "plan" to have at least one extra day per week that you can add or subtract from any particular place that you are staying during your trip.
If you planned 3 days somewhere.. and don't like it.. move on after 2 and pick up a day to spend somewhere else.. If you planned 3 days somewhere and
love it; stay two extra days. This method of "planning" offers built in flexibility to counter things like finding the perfect beach but having no
time, or needing to stay in town an extra day because you got a flat tire, etc..
Find your spirit, then let it guide you.
Except during Christmas/New Years and Easter, I generally don't make, nor recommend, making reservations. I will reserve a place for my first night
and last night; but, I try to keep everything else flexible. It's ok to make reservations if you have your heart set on staying at a particular
hotel/resort in a particular place; but, I'd try to do it a few days ahead of time if you are traveling around or it may become an immovable block in
your otherwise flexible schedule.
In the end... you really need to plan 3 major things for a trip to Mexico.
1. Leave home
2. Have a great time
3. Return home
That 3rd one is optional for some; and, unfortunately a necessity for the rest of us.
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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Good advice, Mango man
Flexibility is a must for life in Baja...and patience!
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