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Author: Subject: Baja Newbie with Airstream
BajaBlanca
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[*] posted on 1-21-2012 at 09:44 PM


I have driven down and it is scary but do-able. The roads are just very narrow with no shoulder...a trailer the first time might be quite the experience, just take it slow.

for kayaking and swimming - gotta be the sea of cortez side. we have waves and freezing water onthe pacific ocean side. but we have good fishing !!

for fishing - bay of los angeles, bahia asuncion, and por supuesto (of course) our village, La Bocana :))))

if you dont take the trailer
1. el rosario - baja cactus hotel and mention you are a nomad for a discount
2. bahia asuncion - there is a campsite available - campo sirena
3. la bocana - we are building an outside bathroom if you want to camp
4. casa leree in san ignacio. reasonable. small. Juanita.
and then you can go whale watching for the day and come back
5. loreto - coco cabanas. mention you are a baja nomader !





Come visit La Bocana


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And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.
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grizzlyfsh95
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[*] posted on 1-22-2012 at 08:46 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
Quote:
Originally posted by Utahchic
I am just worried about the roads with my vehicles, might be too stressful.


stay home.... it's less stressful there, i'm sure!


Now THERE is the Baja Nomad attitude we know and love.:biggrin:




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ElCazadorAZ
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[*] posted on 1-22-2012 at 09:59 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by Utahchic
Staring to wonder if it is a good idea to take the trailer down there for the first trip:(


UtahChic, we just did our first Baja California Sur trip, a 3200 mile roundtrip, to Bahia Concepcion with our old Dodge diesel and 5th wheel. Trailer pulling is ALWAYS an adventure. Anywhere. Mexico presents its own challenges. Be prepared! Do ALL your maintenance in the States. Its a Helluva lot easier to buy tires and repack bearings in your hometown than it is out on the lonesome highway. You think tires are expensive? If you blow one out you'll wish you'd bought 4 new ones. Make sure your truck and trailer are in top condition and have spares. Its Murphy's Law: If you have spares you won't need them. If you don't....

Don't be A-Skeered of the trip. Take plenty of time, be smart and careful and you will have a blast. We sure did! If you wait until you're perfectly prepared..... You will never go. Shove off that dock and GO. You'll wish you'd gone years sooner. H



[Edited on 1-22-2012 by ElCazadorAZ]




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Sweetwater
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[*] posted on 1-22-2012 at 10:22 AM


Been down a couple of times on motos.......I'm in the SLValley.....headed back for trip #3 next month.....I have maps, pics and plenty of time.....give me a U2 and I'll be happy to share the areas I've explored....btw, the folks on this board are great and there's some really good people in Mulege......Very good spot for your trailer.......



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willyAirstream
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[*] posted on 1-22-2012 at 10:26 AM


If it is a new Airstream or you worry about dings, install rock shields as you will throw pebbles and rocks to the rear. My first trip was pulling an Airstream Tradewind, it was a white knuckle experience and tiring, but worth it. Bring 2 spares for the trailer as well as the TV. Where ever I stopped, truckers would always pull in behind me to see if I needed assistance, which was a pleasant shock.

Go for it, and enjoy!




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tripledigitken
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[*] posted on 1-22-2012 at 10:35 AM


Is your tow vehicle up to the task?
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Sweetwater
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[*] posted on 1-22-2012 at 10:35 AM


Hey Willy.........my best to everyone......will be in touch as the plan solidifies........if it ever, really does......:saint:



Everbody\'s preachin\' at me that we all wanna git to heaven, trouble is, nobody wants to die to git there.-BB King
Reality is what does not go away when you stop believing in it. -Philip K Dick
Nothing is worse than active ignorance. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe(1749-1832, German writer, artist and politician)
When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I\'ve never tried before. - Mae West
Experience is what keeps a man who makes the same mistake twice from admitting it the third time around.
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Bob H
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[*] posted on 1-22-2012 at 10:48 AM


Take your trailer down and enjoy the trip! You MUST spend at least a few days in the Mulege area... (MOO-la-hay)

http://www.baja-web.com/mulege/index6891.html

While in Mulege, you must stop and eat/drink at Scotty's El Candil restaurant, for sure!! If they are serving their beer battered lobster chunks... get it! To die for, along with a large margarita!

[Edited on 1-22-2012 by Bob H]




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Spearo
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[*] posted on 1-22-2012 at 03:19 PM


Utahchic...don't get freaked out by the words of caution from us veterans. If you have never driven in Mexico you will a little taken aback by the situation. Go slow and be prepared for contingencies. You may try finding a travel partner to caravan with. I followed a long time Baja dude down my first trip and it was very helpful.



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scouter
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[*] posted on 1-22-2012 at 03:29 PM


you will be sorry if you don't drag the trailer , the RV parks in BAJA especially further south are great and quite the experience , some great folks and if you have any problems there are people looking for things to fix .......enjoy
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[*] posted on 1-22-2012 at 04:57 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Utahchic
Hi! I am considering a trip to Baja Mexico for my maiden voyage with my new trailer.


Before setting out, take your RV out on the road to get used to driving with it and stay in it for a few days. Learn how everything works and whether anything needs to be fixed before you go. Get your trailer and tow vehicle set up correctly (anti-sway, equalizer hitch). Have your tow vehicle maintained and tires checked as there are steep grades and curvy roads.

The roads are narrow at times and you need to carefully assess whether you can pull off the road as the shoulders are tiny and sharp in many places. Spend some time acquiring/looking at your route on a variety of maps (Googlemap, CAA, Baja Almanac and maps on Bajanomad). Having a passenger along is helpful. Carefully watch for road repairs, potholes and traffic signs.

The Church's book is okay, but I think it needs updating. With their GPS coordinates, you'll have references to potential stopping places. Some things have changed and some of the recommended camping sites can be a challenge with an RV. They have a good reference page for Mexico traffic sign translations.

Enjoy the journey, it's a world of wonders,
w




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windgrrl
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[*] posted on 1-22-2012 at 05:00 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Utahchic
Staring to wonder if it is a good idea to take the trailer down there for the first trip:(


Consider caravaning with a seasoned Baja RV nut.




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David K
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[*] posted on 1-22-2012 at 05:08 PM


Mexican Auto Insurance can be purchased ONLINE before you leave home by the company that sponsors THIS web site... They are good, with the best rated insurance and great personal assistance if their are any issues: http://www.BAJABOUND.com Baja Nomad memeber 'Baja Geoff is co-owner and a regular here on Nomad.

Remember, if you tow anything, THAT must me specified on the policy. Daily, or Annaully sold policies (an annual policy may be cheaper if you travel to Mexico more than 3 weeks a year, and no worry about it expiring if you get delayed or want to stay longer than your daily policy was made for)!

Oh, sure I am biassed... because they are good, but also they ask me to write little travel articles for their web site :light::cool: LOOK: http://www.bajabound.com/bajatravel/
Give you a few ideas on what is down there... Also see my photos of various Baja places, indexed on this page: http://vivabaja.com/tours to get some ideas on what might be interesting for you to see!

[Edited on 1-23-2012 by David K]




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BajaBlanca
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[*] posted on 1-22-2012 at 07:27 PM


you can ask for a caravaner right on this board ... at least then you will have another vehicle - person - to help out should something go wrong !

It is an adventure .. much more than a vacation !





Come visit La Bocana


https://sites.google.com/view/bajabocanahotel/home

And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.
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Mulegena
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[*] posted on 1-23-2012 at 09:21 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Take your trailer down and enjoy the trip! You MUST spend at least a few days in the Mulege area... (MOO-la-hay)

http://www.baja-web.com/mulege/index6891.html

While in Mulege, you must stop and eat/drink at Scotty's El Candil restaurant, for sure!! If they are serving their beer battered lobster chunks... get it! To die for, along with a large margarita!

[Edited on 1-22-2012 by Bob H]


Mulege is correctly pronounced "Moo-la-HAY" with emphasis on the last, not first, sylable; but no worries. If I'm speaking English I use Bob H's pronunciation, too.
...and, Yes, I know I spell my moniker incorrectly, but I'm using it as a personal name.
Technically, someone who is from the town of Mulege, male or female, is a Mulegino (Moo-la-HEE-no).

Yes, Mulege is a destination with lots to see and do (and eat).

Another couple cool things to do in Mulege are to go to the Mission and climb the steps overlooking the river and vista of town. If someone's in the church ask if you can climb the spiraling labyrinth of steep interior steps up onto the rooftop-- that's a gas! Also go see the museum up on the hill; its in the old prison which has its own, colorful and recent story.

You'll have lots of fun, make lasting friendships and tons of great memories.

The whole of the peninsula is a wonderland.
Get ye down here!

[Edited on 1-23-2012 by Mulegena]




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Bajamatic
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[*] posted on 1-23-2012 at 09:34 AM


Plan for an overnight in or just south of Ensenada. Then wake up nice an early with no hangover and tackle the road from Ensenada to San quintin. That is a fantastic intro into what you're about to experience from that point on. Spend the night or two in San quintin and when you're ready, make the run to guerrero negro or bola depending on your itinerary. By then you'll have it wired. And don't drive at night or tired. Prepare for it. It's white knuckle every time a big rig passes, but it's very doable. Take your time and you'll be fine.



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David K
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[*] posted on 1-23-2012 at 09:49 AM


There are long sections of winding, mountain road with few turnouts and small or no shoulders... The first is south of Ensenada to Colonet... They are working on adding wide shoulders to the first section (other newly modified roads in Baja now have wide 'bike lane' type shoulders... However, most of Hwy. 1 south of San Quintin is the original 19 foot. wide ribbon that was hurriedly built and finished in 1973 to meet the deadline made by the president of Mexico during his campaign tour.



[Edited on 1-23-2012 by David K]

DSCF0034 copy.jpg - 26kB




"So Much Baja, So Little Time..."

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Mulegena
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[*] posted on 1-23-2012 at 09:53 AM


Two days in San Quintin?
How 'bout an overnighter and a shorter run to Catavina and the boulder fields, one of North Baja's natural treasures?
Then Bahia de Los Angeles.
Then on to San Ignacio for the whales.
Mulege.
Loreto.
and points south




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David K
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[*] posted on 1-23-2012 at 09:55 AM


Of course, if you can handle a few hundred miles of 19 ft. wide road with semis, busses, and RVs towing boats, you will find peace!




Bahia Concepcion, south of Mulege (Playa La Perla)



Do stop for a burger and beer at Mike and Olivia's restaurant next to the abandoned motel Playa BuenaVentura, just north of El Requeson and La Perla:




El Requseon, about the neicest beach camping spot on Bahia Concepcion.

[Edited on 1-23-2012 by David K]




"So Much Baja, So Little Time..."

See the NEW www.VivaBaja.com for maps, travel articles, links, trip photos, and more!
Baja Missions and History On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bajamissions/
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David K
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[*] posted on 1-23-2012 at 10:08 AM


Magnificient Spanish Missions were built in Baja, long before the padres wondered north to San Diego!



Mision San Francisco Javier, founded in 1699 is about 20 miles west from Loreto on a good road that is nearly all paved now. This is California's SECOND mission, after Loreto. See other stone missions at San Ignacio, Mulege, Loreto along Hwy. 1 and San Borja, San Luis Gonzaga, Comondu on dirt side roads... other ruins from the 27 missions in Baja are also of interest and many are along Hwy. 1 or within 5 miles: El Descanso, San Miguel, Santo Tomas, San Vicente, Santo Domingo, El Rosario (2 sites), San Fernando.

See and read more about them: http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions




"So Much Baja, So Little Time..."

See the NEW www.VivaBaja.com for maps, travel articles, links, trip photos, and more!
Baja Missions and History On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bajamissions/
Camping, off-roading, Viva Baja discussion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vivabaja


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