| Pages:
1
2 |
ElCazadorAZ
Junior Nomad
Posts: 58
Registered: 11-6-2011
Location: Arizona Territory
Member Is Offline
|
|
FNG's - New to the Baja, But Not Mexico - Xmas 5th Wheel Trip??
Hey Amigos. Friend recommended this site. My wife and I have 2+ solid weeks of vacation 12/23-1/9 and seriously need a break from aging parents and
recent 15 degree Northern New Mexico nights. Planning on staging our ol' Blue Moose Dodge Cummins and 24' 5th wheel in Cottonwood, AZ in prep for a
trip down Baja California. Been heading to Puerto Penasco since about 1963 (I was 5 then) with my family and friends. Leonardo was the only guy who
sold ice and shrimp then. Anybody remember him? Folks finally confessed to us that the all-night dancing on the tables at the Playa Hermosa Cantina
was a direct result of Tio Hector's Margaritas AND good ol' SKF Dexedrine. Ah, the 60's....
Swanyway, we have a couple good weeks and don't want to kill ourselves trying to get to Cabo. No point, I'll bet. We're thinking Mulege' for our first
trip. What do you think? Cottonwood to Tecate is a bit over 400 miles, or one day. A couple- three more days and we ought to find ourselves far enough
south to be warm. Thinking about leaving the small 5th wheel in Mexico for future 2011-12 winter trips (can we do that?) and taking the ferry back to
the mainland on the way north. Just thinking out loud. Looking to set up the camper for 10 solid days in one spot, searching out the best deal on
Noche Buena and de-compressing from work and disintegrating parents. Any advice is appreciated. We already know the part about carrying spares and not
driving at night, etc, etc. We speak fair espanol and treat locals with respect. I'm looking for local knowledge and recommendations about where to
head to. Dry camping is OK for a few days, but we prefer a small park, oceanside with hookups, a nearby restaurant and cantina. Who doesn't? Thanks
for any help making the trip go smoother. If you're in Mulege' and see a '93 blue Dodge p/u with a 24' Komfort 5th wheel attached, please come by for
a cerveza. Hunter & Charlotte
Still have the wife. Daisy the Bullmastiff died 11/4. RIP Daisy, best dog that ever lived.
[Edited on 11-10-2011 by ElCazadorAZ]
"If we're all thinking alike, somebody's not thinking." Gen. George S. Patton
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Hi there---
Mulege is probably a very good idea. While it can be nice on our side, it can also be quite cold at that time of year. Someone will give you some
good ideas for Mulege---it has been a few years since we have been there.
I just wanted to suggest one place for camping on your way down or back and that is the Rancho Santa Ynez in Cataviņa----no hook-ups, but you will be
in the middle of the most beautiful and unique deserts in Baja.
You might also consider a stop at San Ignacio, one of the prettiest towns around-- it is a palm oasis with a beautiful mission and town center.
However, do park your trailer at one of the campgrounds by the river you cross at the turn off----probably not a good idea to take the trailer into
town.
Where ever you go, you will have a great time. Allow lots of time as the highway is very narrow in places---nothing like that super highway to Puerto
Penasco. Sure liked Puerto Penasco better in the old days.
Buen Viaje!
|
|
|
ElCazadorAZ
Junior Nomad
Posts: 58
Registered: 11-6-2011
Location: Arizona Territory
Member Is Offline
|
|
Diana, Santa Ines looks to be about halfway down to Mulege. Good call, thank you.
Mulege isn't really much further south than Guaymas, true, but we want to get to the Baja side for a change. It'll be warmer than NM, no doubt.... H.
"If we're all thinking alike, somebody's not thinking." Gen. George S. Patton
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Welcome to Nomad 'Hunter'!
Mulege along the river or maybe better, a few miles south along Bahia Concepcion would be fine choices for your first Baja center of operations...
Leaving a 5th wheel behind, however gets into a technical area on immigration unless you have the correct visa (FM-3, FM-2)... Tourists (people with
FMM, 'Tourist Cards') are supposed to not leave any personal property behind when they return to the U.S... However, if you do, you won't be alone...
Just hope your first Baja experience is a good one!
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by ElCazadorAZ
Diana, Santa Ines looks to be about halfway down to Mulege. Good call, thank you.
Mulege isn't really much further south than Guaymas, true, but we want to get to the Baja side for a change. It'll be warmer than NM, no doubt.... H.
|
Since you have the trailer, you don't want to miss the entrance to the ranch. As you enter the small town of Cataviņa going south, there is not much
there. On the left you will see the bright pink Linda's motel and on the right the quite nice Mission Cataviņa Hotel.
It is only a short distance to the turn-off on the east side of the highway, but the sign is small---go slow and watch for it. It is not much bigger
than the sign right by the ranch that is shown below.
[Edited on 11-7-2011 by DianaT]
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
|
This foto brings up a serious question. We've all seen millions of white painted rocks along the Byways of Baja, but has anybody ever seen anyone
painting them?
I'll bet not. 
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
This foto brings up a serious question. We've all seen millions of white painted rocks along the Byways of Baja, but has anybody ever seen anyone
painting them?
I'll bet not. |
Once, just once and it was at an army stop---but I don't have photos to prove it. 
|
|
|
CortezBlue
Super Nomad
Posts: 2213
Registered: 11-14-2006
Location: Fenix/San Phelipe
Member Is Offline
|
|
I left you a U2U message
But you should take a look at Bob and Susan's place in Mulege
I have visited it many time if only via the web, but it is on my bucket list.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
Once, just once and it was at an army stop---but I don't have photos to prove it. |
Sorry. Appreciated, but inadmissible as damning evidence.
buzzzzzzzzz......try again.
.
|
|
|
rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6700
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
This foto brings up a serious question. We've all seen millions of white painted rocks along the Byways of Baja, but has anybody ever seen anyone
painting them?
I'll bet not. |
Once, just once and it was at an army stop---but I don't have photos to prove it. |
Just the facts Diane. Just the facts. Do you have GPS coordinates for the turnoff pls.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
Just the facts Diane. Just the facts. Do you have GPS coordinates for the turnoff pls. |
Give her Hell, Ralph. She's tryin' to slip one in on us. 
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
Just the facts Diane. Just the facts. Do you have GPS coordinates for the turnoff pls. |
Give her Hell, Ralph. She's tryin' to slip one in on us.
|
Ralph is bad, very, very bad. Besides, I don't want to see ElCazadorAZ driving off the road while he is checking a GPS.
I believe the turn-off is about 1 hour 34 minutes and 16 seconds from the bridge in El Rosario---I think.
|
|
|
ElCazadorAZ
Junior Nomad
Posts: 58
Registered: 11-6-2011
Location: Arizona Territory
Member Is Offline
|
|
I don't use a GPS! They suck the brain right out of your head! Gimme the papyrus version of a map any day...
Thanks, all, keep 'em coming! H.
[Edited on 11-7-2011 by ElCazadorAZ]
"If we're all thinking alike, somebody's not thinking." Gen. George S. Patton
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by ElCazadorAZ
I don't use a GPS! They suck the brain right out of your head! Gimme the papyrus version of a map any day...
Thanks, all, keep 'em coming! H.
[Edited on 11-7-2011 by ElCazadorAZ] |
SANTA YNEZ (ranch owner's spelling)/ SANTA INES (most maps)... Is close to 1 mile south of Cataviņa, on a paved side road (since those are rare, an
easy to spot specially with the white rocks).
Close up Almanac folding map and AAA map of the area:
Baja California Guidebook map of 1975:
Just for fun, Cliff Cross Guide Map of 1970 (before Highway One was built here):
Edit: On the above map, Cataviņa is where Rancho Resolana was before the highway was bulldozed through in the summer of 1973.
[Edited on 11-7-2011 by David K]
|
|
|
Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5938
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by ElCazadorAZ
I don't use a GPS! They suck the brain right out of your head! Gimme the papyrus version of a map any day...
Thanks, all, keep 'em coming! H.
[Edited on 11-7-2011 by ElCazadorAZ] |
SANTA YNEZ (ranch owner's spelling)/ SANTA INES (most maps)... Is close to 1 mile south of Cataviņa, on a paved side road (since those are rare, an
easy to spot specially with the white rocks).
Close up Almanac folding map and AAA map of the area:
Baja California Guidebook map of 1975:
Just for fun, Cliff Cross Guide Map of 1970 (before Highway One was built here):
Edit: On the above map, Cataviņa is where Rancho Resolana was before the highway was bulldozed through in the summer of 1973.
Once again David K comes thru with the epic maps. DK: check your U2U.
[Edited on 11-7-2011 by David K] |
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
As long as I am able, I will be a conduit between the past 'dirt road days' of Baja and the present!
Here is a 1962 map of that region...
[Edited on 11-8-2011 by David K]
|
|
|
Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
|
|
-------interesting David that "Catavina" shows up on the old Gulick/Gerhard map, but not on the Cliff Cross map. I wonder what's up with that?
Barry
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Barry A.
-------interesting David that "Catavina" shows up on the old Gulick/Gerhard map, but not on the Cliff Cross map. I wonder what's up with that?
Barry |
Cataviņa was an old abandoned ranch... located below where the hotel is. G&G were big on history, and included it for that reason... But, in the
mid-late 1960's when Cliff Cross (and I first) traveled the area, there was NO Cataviņa... Just San Luis and Santa Ynez. Resolana may have been a real
new rancho that popped up after my trip of 1966..? But, per Cross's map, that is where they built the El Presidente hotel (later to be called La
Pinta, Desert Inn, now Mision Cataviņa).
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
1974 Auto Club Map (from Barry A collection):
|
|
|
Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
|
|
Wow, nice map, David. 
Barry
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
