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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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To revisit my post of a few days ago I've copied the pertinent ideas followed by commentary.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Mulegena
We approached Punta Prieta (had transmission problems) ... asked for a mechanic and slowly drove to his house at the top of the hill.
He and his wife took us to the grocery store and got them to open up so we could use the town's only phone to call our family ... The next morning ...
We walked to the grocery store again to (use the public telephone). Again, the call was expensive and poor reception ...
Over a lunch ... our (Mexican) hosts gently told us they had heard of robberies and murders on the highway north. As we asked specific questions the
answers were always affirmative, even if ambiguous and contradictory. We realized that although they were sincere they could not substantiate their
story, it was simply "common knowledge".
Our take on this? Even though Punta Prieta is on the highway it is effectively a remote and isolated community. There is only the most basic of
phone services, and communication with the outside world occurs randomly and sporadic. Yes, of course we're cautious while traveling. However until
specific incidents are recognized and documented, with reservation, we put these stories in the realm of urban legend.
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These residents of Punta Prieta were trying to be helpful in speaking of these alleged incidents. They could not reference a timeframe, spoke in
contradictory ways i.e., "yes its only Mexicans" and 2 minutes later, "yes two Americanos were harmed". I'm pointing out that this information was
heresay. This is not to say it has no basis in fact. It is to say that this deserves careful and judicious substantiation.
Its human nature to embellish on fact. We may not be aware that we are doing so. A couple cases in point: the Mulege flood of 2 years ago: how many
drownings? The San Lucas Cove shootout in December: how many died? The highway robbery of tourists south of Loreto recently-- did it really happen?
I've heard so many different stories from so many sources, all sincere of course. Where lies the truth?
I believe somehing has been/is going on out on the highway. What? Until incidents are substantiated these allegations remain in the realm
of whispers in the desert.
Please continue to post your personal accounts as you travel the peninsula. Everyone needs to know.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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Ok, let's corroborate our info. Do you give credibility to those aforementioned Nomads and their sources?
Is everything reported in "real-time"in Baja? 
Are we obliged to believe reports flowing in from otherwise "trusted" Nomads? Hell yeah!
I'll bite, why would someone like Shari, who comprehends the locals quite well be posting something that would be considered rumor or gossip? She
wouldn't. I aint buying it, that it's just some rumor.
Still, I think whatever has been going on has been greatly exagerrated. It is something that is an everyday thang, the drama. Mexicans love drama.
Watch any TV channel, you'll get the picture.
Now before you get all wound up and cancel your next trip just remember the Nomad credo, "Don't be stupid, don't be stopped!" THese acts of random
jacks are nothing new.
There was a time not too long ago........ de ja vu..... that we heard the same bandito advisory much closer to border, remember the toll road?
Everyone take a deep breath and.........................chill. Oh and remember flare guns and pepper spray and spearguns and machetes are ok to
carry.
Tally ho...
[Edited on 4-1-2009 by Sharksbaja]
[Edited on 4-1-2009 by Sharksbaja]
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3812
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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I'm editing after reading all that was posted while I pecked away at the keyboard.
This report is current. Dern was heading south during the time period of March 14 - 15th.
He drove north from Bahia on Mar. 23rd.
Going south Dern came up on a Caminos Federales (C.F.) following a nice white 4x4 truck with a loaded down trailer. Dern was waiting for the C.F. to
pass the truck, but it stayed behind it from Laguna Chapala all the way to the wrecking yard at the Bahia turn off. They were doing maybe 55mph the
entire way.
Once they got to the wrecking yard, both the truck and the C.F. pulled in. Dern made the turn to Bahia so didn't see what happened next.
Two weeks as later Dern was heading north between Laguna Chapala and Catavina, Dern was passed by a Caminos Federal going south. As Dern looked in his
rear view mirror the cop flipped a U turn and came up behind him.
Dern was thinking, "Oh crap, here we go..." prepared for a shake down as he was only going 50 mph. towing a trailer with a cement mixer on it.
The C.F. followed behind them for about a half mile or so until Dern came up over a rise to find a Caminos Federales road block. They had a C.F. truck
and about four officers with machine guns. They were checking Mexican I.D.s and cars going in both directions. The C.F. that came up behind Dern got
out of the car and went to the C.F. group, smiled and waved at Dern.
Dern was waved through.
He didn't notice any radar, but going through the S.Q. and San Vincente area in both directions there was a greater presence of C.F. than usual. He
said he must have passed 4 - 6 just in that area.
Have a good trip EGL. We'll be in Bahia April 12th for the week...(hint hint)
Love to the Barbanator.
P y D y C
[Edited on 1-4-2009 by Paulina]
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Paulina: Thanks for the info. We'll be in PSR tomorrow with EGL (hint, hint)
Sharks: There is no reason to not to believe what Shari or anyone else has posted. But I am not going to blindly believe what has been passed on
from person to person to person as fact. Just because the lady at the taco stand said that she heard that someone was carjacked means that it
actually happened. It could be that the bus driver that told her had bad info. Thus, the taco lady is only passing on incorrect or incomplete info.
I think it is only prudent to ask questions and seek more information before coming to rash conclusions.
I'll report what I see and hear along the way when I return. Take it for what it's worth. I'm sure Pancho will have some second and third-hand
gossip for us to chew on.
Zac
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3812
Registered: 8-31-2002
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Zac,
You guys have a good trip. If you think about it, would you ask Pancho if he would ever consider selling that special chair that he has? I really NEED
it.
Enjoy!
P<*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paulina
The C.F. followed behind them for about a half mile or so until Dern came up over a rise to find a Caminos Federales road block. They had a C.F. truck
and about four officers with machine guns. They were checking Mexican I.D.s and cars going in both directions. The C.F. that came up behind Dern got
out of the car and went to the C.F. group, smiled and waved at Dern.
[Edited on 1-4-2009 by Paulina] |
That is what I like to hear---more police or army. We drove north three days after Dern, March 26 and noticed nothing different---so lets hope they
were successful, and/or will continue to increase stops and patrols.
Headed back soon---not sure when, so will be interested to hear what any one sees between now and then.
Diane
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paulina
Zac,
You guys have a good trip. If you think about it, would you ask Pancho if he would ever consider selling that special chair that he has? I really NEED
it.
Enjoy!
P<*)))>{ |
Will do...I remember when that whale had washed up. Poncho eventually collected most of the bones and assembled them up near his place. It was great
until the breeze would shift and the stench blew towards his place where we were playing checkers. Over the years, he fashioned the chair from the
bones and I have seen many people's picture taken there.
I was hoping our paths would cross on this trip....maybe this summer!
[Edited on 4-1-2009 by Bajaboy]
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schwlind
Nomad
Posts: 362
Registered: 8-30-2008
Location: Daytona Beach, FL/San Antonio Del Mar (Colonet)
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I am not fortunate enough to live in Baja full time or most of the time, but for years, when I crossed the border into Baja, something miraculous
happened, as all stress seemed to fall away. The only thing I ever worried about was some idiot driver passing on a blind curve or hill (and there
have been many)...
Over the last several years, the various reports of car jackings along the toll road to Ensenada, violence and kidnappings in TJ, Rosarito, Ensenada,
San Quintin, the shooting in El Rosario where an innocent restaurant owner was slaughtered, and the recent reports of car jackings, robbery, etc
between El Rosario and Guerrero Negro as well as too many other bad things to mention, have caused me concern, I doubt it will keep me away. What it
does for me is make me very cautious, (I often travel alone) make me extremely aware of my surroundings, travel during the busiest times of the day,
and do what ever I can to keep myself safe.
Perhaps these types of things have always occurred in Baja, but I was just never aware of them. So regardless of whether or not any incident reported
on BajaNomad is 100% accurate, or may be over blown, I am grateful for those that post this information as it heightens my awareness, and probably
keeps me safe.
Stangely enough, even now when I cross the border heading south to mi casa... I am so at peace.
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Petey
Junior Nomad
Posts: 40
Registered: 4-1-2009
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I drove that stretch of highway on 3/27 on my way from Mulege to El Rosario. (Saw this thread after I got home to California on Saturday -joy!)
There were very few cars on the road- even less than normal, but I did pass a Federale heading south near El Pedregoso and I saw two more cars parked
by the road a few minutes south of El Rosario - they all hd the big new blue patrol cars.
On a general note there is definately more military activity the length of the peninsula than the last time I drove it back in November of last year.
They're taking the searching of cars more seriously & recording everyone's name, tag number, kind of car and where you say you're coming from
& going to.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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I'm going off-topic here, but how would people react if our military set up checkpoints on the interstate highway system and recorded similar
information?
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13050
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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for what it's worth...our friends in Tortugas heard about the rumours and have to go to ensenada to a doctors appointment and so they called the
military to confirm...es verdad...yup, it is happening.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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| Quote: | Originally posted by shari
for what it's worth...our friends in Tortugas heard about the rumours and have to go to ensenada to a doctors appointment and so they called the
military to confirm...es verdad...yup, it is happening. |
What are the details from the military? Time frame? etc? Did they say? Thanks for sharing...
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13050
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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sorry zac...i am dealing with Sarah's shipwreck at the moment and didnt get the details...will try to later on...whew...its gonna be a long day. I
really need to find Juanchy's cell # in La Bocana so he can help...any suggestions?
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ELINVESTIG8R
Select Nomad
Posts: 15882
Registered: 11-20-2007
Location: Southern California
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While I was in El Rosario I was pulled over on two occasions at roadblocks set up south of El Rosario by the San Quintin Policia Federal de Caminos.
They were looking for robbers from the Cataviņa area. I do not know if they caught them or not.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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These states are turning into an active crime zone. The perps know they have little chance of getting caught. When the heat rises, they just settle
back and wait. This wouldn't be happening if guns were allowed. Good people with guns are still good people. Now, only bad people have guns and
the good are suffering.
Yeah yeah...I know. Blame the United States. Our guns made good people bad. Yeah...right.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
These states are turning into an active crime zone. The perps know they have little chance of getting caught. |
Still hoping to hear more about the army. If they told the people in Tortuga that is is happening, it would be nice to know how often, to whom, and
how are they planning of helping the situation.
The details seem very important---and yes, maybe they will just hang back if the heat is turned up, but it could help.
Diane
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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Zac, I think you may have misread my post. I believe Sharis' source. I made a slight edit because it could easily be taken out of context.
Now as far as credible and pertaining to current problems I'd like to think that word of(Mexican) mouth travels fast. Remember, they don't have many
phones or ways to communicate in that area.
If Shari believes the messagers than that's good nuff for me.
I wonder if any of the alleged jacked cars has been found. I imagine if a copter or plane was to sweep the area a stash of 50 vehicles would be
pretty easy to spot.
Anyone see aircraft patrols? Be careful.
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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Just came back along the Nogales-San Carlos corridor last night, after viewing a week's worth of ST baseball and the Sweet 16 tourney in Glendale, AZ.
Was carrying a dungload of visible goodies from the states including a virtually new ATV, a NIB inflatable and Costco and Volvo marine products up the
wazoo.
No incidents. One federale at the K21 checkpoint questioned whether I had "papers" for the ATV but when I replied that I am only going to San Carlos,
he waved me through.
Angel's offense looks to be the real thing, even without Tex. A's will be competitive...........but that's about it. White Sox will hit but starting
pitching looks thin. Cubs batting order is something to behold. Mariners will likely suck again.
UConn looks to be the team to beat, IMO. Damn..........I hate that school! Calhoun bites.
Scottsdale is ONE FUN TOWN, even for a old guy like me. 
Oh yeah, what ever became of the U-haul Couple for Jehovah?
[Edited on 4-1-2009 by Hook]
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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Thank you, Shari, for your update.
You're in a unique position within the whole of the Baja community,
a liason between the part-time visitor, resident visitor and citizen.
Yours is the most credible report I've heard, and gives total substantiation to these rumors.
We trust that you'll report in as you find out more details.
Sobering news.
Thanks again, Shari!
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Pacifico
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 5-26-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
These states are turning into an active crime zone. The perps know they have little chance of getting caught. When the heat rises, they just settle
back and wait. This wouldn't be happening if guns were allowed. Good people with guns are still good people. Now, only bad people have guns and
the good are suffering.
Yeah yeah...I know. Blame the United States. Our guns made good people bad. Yeah...right. |
Dennis - I gotta say that I agree with you! These guys would have tried to jack the wrong car and would have been in for quite a surprize! Would love
to be the one to show them the business end of a .45!!! You never know - I've heard of plenty of people that still take guns down south....Not the
smartest thing to do, but could save your life...
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