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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65247
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Save Mision Santa Maria Project
The idea was proposed by Jack Swords and I have been making some connections to delay the falling of the east wall. I am exchanging emails now with
people in Mexico and with INAH on this. I have shared the email with some of you I know are interested and have a fondness for this magic place in
Baja.
Rain water has only one exit from the inside of the mission church, and that is out through the doorway. This has caused some rapid erosion as seen in
the photo below.
I propose a simple and inexpensive fix that will not involve any digging through existing walls.
To install a 3 or 4 inch flex drain pipe from a few feet inside the doorway where a 6 inch catch basin with removable grate will be located, and out
through the doorway several feet so the water will flow to the arroyo and no longer erode the wall base. A small berm or slope will be made to act as
a dam preventing the water from flowing through the doorway, and forcing it into the drain.
Repairing the missing adobe has also been discussed, but that invoves more technical skills and is better left to the experts when they decide to do
something.
If nothing is done, the wall will certainly fall. Until a formal INAH team has the finances and desire to preserve the site better, the above method
can only help and will cause no damage to the walls.
The Baja-Rosario Cultural Festival in El Rosario will be the weekend of July 22-24... Before the next hurricane dumps on central Baja, I hope. From El
Rosario, I propose to go to Mision Santa Maria and with some help, install the drain.
I have already a couple of volunteers... If you would like to help or if you would like to see this oasis mission with fellow Baja Nomads then please
consider going after the festival. You will need a sturdy, high clearance 4WD vehicle to negotiate the three hour/ 14. 5 mile road from Rancho Santa
Ynez. A winch or tow strap is a good idea. Photos of the road start at http://vivabaja.com/403/page2.html
Here is a Jack Swords photo looking out the doorway showing the erosion under the walls...
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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I'm going to see if we can make it.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Mexray
Super Nomad
Posts: 1016
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: California Delta
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Mood: Baja Time
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Got my new 4.10 gears and an 'E-locker' in the rear of the Bronco last week...the 'juices' are flowing...sounds like a tempting excuse for a trip...
I would expect some kind of 'permission' would have to be acquired to attempt this kind of project...sounds like a winner from here.
Can you promise that the Rattlesnakes will keep away?
[Edited on 4-21-2005 by Mexray]
According to my clock...anytime is \'BAJA TIME\' & as Jimmy Buffett says,
\"It doesn\'t use numbers or moving hands It always just says now...\"
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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I may be able able to do this also....will bring some RAP MUSIC to keep snakes away......
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65247
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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That will keep away more than just snakes Jim!
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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David, I'm not making any promises until the time comes, but I would like to volunteer and help.
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academicanarchist
Senior Nomad
Posts: 978
Registered: 9-7-2003
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Info on Mission
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
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Mood: In love!
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academicanarchist, us poor folks don't have Excel to open Book1.xls
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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yankeeirishman
Banned
Posts: 1070
Registered: 3-5-2004
Location: Kalifornia
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I cant come, but.....
DavidK....
I cannot make this trip...but ....are you taking cash donations for this project? If so...where so I mail in a check?
[Edited on 5-1-2005 by yankeeirishman]
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academicanarchist
Senior Nomad
Posts: 978
Registered: 9-7-2003
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Population of Santa Maria de los Angeles
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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an engineers opining.
from the photo it looks like the damage may be caused by the natural decay of the adobe. these walls always deteriorate at the bottom first because of
the moisture that rises in the wall from a wick effect. the straw in the adobe stays moist for a longer time at the bottom of the wall and rots away
so the clay sluffs away. in the photo the undercut seems to be about the same on the ends as it is on the sides of the wall. if this is the case your
project will not have much effect on the integrity of the wall in the years to come . if you have more photos please post .
this opinion is only based on one photo so it is not worth much.some one who has been their and studied it certainly knows more than I
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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academicanarchist
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Santa Maria
Bruce. There are a couple of photos from both the interior and exterior at the Baja Mission site: http://www.davidksbaja.com/bajamissions/page8.html
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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I should add It appears that it is ground water not run off water that is causing this problem. If after a rain their is water polling on in or around
the structure then It would be beneficial to drain this water away from the structure as far as is practical. if the only benefit will be to stop
water from passing trough the door opining then the benefits will be limited.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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academicanarchist
Senior Nomad
Posts: 978
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More shots
Here are several more shots.
http://davidksbaja.com/403/page4.html
Obviously perculation of ground water through the lower reaches of adobe structures is a serious problem. At Sta Cruz mission, in California, the
stone foundations of one adobe structure rise above the ground level.
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academicanarchist
Senior Nomad
Posts: 978
Registered: 9-7-2003
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re-enforcing foundations
Would a long term solution possibly be re-enforcing the stone foundations?
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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it doesn't look like there is a problem with the foundations. if there are any.there have been many attempts to save this type of structure from this
kind of problem and none that work are cheep.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
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It's not a wise idea
to try and change Mother Natures plans!
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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that is right Jr. it is vary expansive and rarely successful.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65247
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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GOOD NEWS from INAH!
Thanks Bruce for your advice, and thanks Robert for posting those links.
The adobe was constructed upon stone foundation, I recall reading... as the stone is out of sight, below the melted adobe and sand.
I doubt if it is percolation up from the soil, as it is sand and drains well... The interior of the roofless church is like a huge valley to collect
water when there is rain (rare, but happens), and it slopes to that doorway, the only exit for the water.
IF we can make a dam inside, in front of the doorway with a drain to take away the dammed water... that may be a good, simple, quick solution.
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Now, the news...
Between good people who love Baja (antigua California) history, a lot can be done. Ed Vernon, author of 'Las Misiones Antiguas, The Spanish Missions
of Baja California'
has connections... from his effort I got this email on Apr. 25, 2005:
Hola David:
I have received a email from Ed Vernon regarding much needed work at Misi?n Sta. Maria. We have tried to get a response from Julia Bendimez the local
director of INAH however she is at a meeting in the U.S. and not available at this time. As Ed may have told you, CAREM is a group of public citizens
that are trying to save what is left of the Missions in Baja California. We also are attempting to educate the public about them and prepare them for
presentation to the public. Our membership primarily consists of Baja Californians however we have members in the U.S. also. We do have a fund, the
International Community Foundation, that will allow citizens of the United States to donate to us and receive a letter from the Foundation that will
allow them to deduct their donation from their taxes in the United States. This explains who we are and a bit of how we operate. We have other
projects but we are now here to discuss Misi?n Sta. Maria. Ed explained a bit of what needs to be done. I thought that we must have the approval of
INAH but we are unfortunately waiting and I pray that the damage has not continued. What do you propose that we do and how? How much money will it
take and where should we try to obtain the money? I will continue trying to contact INAH about some approval, if needed, for the work.
Thank you for your interest and help,
Regards,
Zella Rushing de Iba?ez (Zella)
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Ed Vernon is assisting me with reaching INAH personal... here is his email of Apr. 29, 2005...
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Hi David,
I just spoke to Julia Bendimez, the Director of INAH in Baja California, and she is very interested in preserving Santa Maria. It appears that she
would be willing to send an INAH expert with you during your proposed trip late in July.
At that time perhaps the first steps to prevent further undercutting of the doorway could be taken. The INAH preservation expert could determine what
further work would be practical and possible.
Will you please contact Julia and be sure to send her the photo of the eroded doorway so that the two of you can coordinate your efforts.
Good luck on this important project!
Ed Vernon
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Good news is that INAH is excited that we are doing this and will have one of their people (perhaps more) to join us in July!!! Now, I will share an
email I got this weekend from Julia, dated Apr. 30...
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Thank you David,
The architect in charge of mission conservation is already informed about
the Santa Maria de Los Angeles site's problem. We have successfuly diverted
rain water in the case of the other more accessable missions such as San
Vicente Ferrer. Sta. Maria is as you know very difficult to reach and we
have'nt a vehicle that can even get into a days walk. Ed told me you do and
that you are going to El Rosario in July. Carlos can go with you and work on
a short term solution and asses what needs to be done to conserve the whole
site. Taking advantage of the opportunity perhaps we can send a couple of
signs to be instaled with information about the site for those fortunate
tourists that can reach it.
Regards.
Julia Bendimez
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and this email of May 1, from Zella...
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Great news everyone; We, CAREM, are very interested in this work also and hope to have some people there in July to followup. Dr. Mathes has a great
idea to develop a "911 emergency team" with INAH experts to immediately respond to these most serious issues. Please let us know if we can assist in
any way. So many thanks to you, Ed,Mike,David, and Jack. We are so happy to have Julia back and ready to help with this project. We know she loves
our missions and will use the necessary INAH resources for these efforts.
Again, many thanks,
Zella
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Again, this is just a beginning, a simple effort which is more than has been done to date... If INAH can see the enthusiasm we Baja Nomads can have
for helping preserve such an important historical site, it can only bring more attention to this and other missions on the peninsula that are
disappearing at an alarming rate.
I hope we show up brave enough to handle the heat of summer, which can we quenched with ice cold drinks and dips into the wonderful oasis pools,
nearby... No money needed for what I have in mind... just show your support by coming, and if you are healthy enough give a hand with the trench... I
will obtain the drain pipe and catch basin, bring a couple trenching shovels and picks... if this ends up with the okay from INAH.
In this photo, the drain would go right through the doorway my daughter is standing in, from a short distance behind her... and out towards the
arroyo:
In this photo, you can see once we are out of the doorway, the slope will easily carry away the water that falls in the mission, so not much trenching
away from the doorway is needed... maybe an hour of work or less:
A half mile from the mission is this view:
So, come to Antonio's El Rosario Baja Festival July 22-24, then continue on with us to help Mision Santa Maria de los Angeles, 1767... the LAST Jesuit
mission in the New World!
Note: 4WD, high clearance, experienced off road driver... locking rear differential would be a plus.
[Edited on 5-3-2005 by David K]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65247
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Cooling off near the mission
A mile past the mission is this nice sandy swimming hole (that's chicagoross and Rose):
Here is Ross, and Sarah (tad pole hunting)
Ross cooling his toes...
Plenty of shadey places to sit!
More photos of the mission valley, including petroglyphs and Inky the mystery dog (as told in Discover Baja's newsletter) at http://vivabaja.com/403
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