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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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Holaq/Hi DK
Have you gone NORTH with eyes open ??? I respect you and know you are are true asset here !!! IF you get the chance to drive .....Say to
ALASKA,,B.C.>>>>> YUKON,,.it may change your thought's,,views about this spinning ROCK !! Thanks Mate for your Time and "ayuda"......
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaNomad
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Tsunami MV-50 red compressor... it is less bulky, has a smaller carry case than the Harbor Freight one, and does not melt the fuse folder or fuse when
used.
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I suggest you carry extra fuses with this one too. Just sayin'. 
Enjoyed your pics - as well as your recollections about time in Baja with your dad. |
Thanks Doug... I do have a small case of 30 amp fuses for it, just in case!
My dad was really a special man in that he always made sure everyone was enjoying themselves, having fun... he never complained or missed a day of
work being sick... Most of all, he supported my love of four wheeling, Baja and camping by going places I wanted to see in the years before I could
drive.
Here is a photo my mom took of my dad and I when I was 15, on the road to the observatory, San Pedro Martir in Oct. 1972...
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by captkw
Have you gone NORTH with eyes open ??? I respect you and know you are are true asset here !!! IF you get the chance to drive .....Say to
ALASKA,,B.C.>>>>> YUKON,,.it may change your thought's,,views about this spinning ROCK !! Thanks Mate for your Time and "ayuda"......
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Yes, but it seems my Toyota only knows how to drive south! I have been as far north as Vancouver, Canada as well as the Northwest of USA. Maybe the
trees are just too big to me, or I prefer boojums?
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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LOL !!! LOL !!!
A K&t..... TrUE BaJA RAT !!! With Respect !! HEFE !!..
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jbcoug
Senior Nomad
Posts: 709
Registered: 9-24-2006
Location: Vancouver, WA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Needing Baja!
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Thanks for sharing David, loved the dried puddle pictures. Suggest you drop a line in the water once in a while, it will remind you how much your dad
enjoyed it!
\"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.\" Andy Rooney
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Monday (Labor Day 2014), Part 3 of trip report:
Since we wanted an early start, we collapsed the sun canopy and packed it in its case the night before... We had our breakfast of orange juice and
crunchy raisin bran, burned all paper trash and cleaned up the cans and bottles left by the previous camp site guests. There was a surf board and a
glove box along with some plywood that was a wind break, I didn't have room to haul away.
We were packed, washed, and driving away at 9:23 am. It was 78º and a beautiful morning!
Wow, I hate to leave this perfect place!
Off the deep sand and on the hard-dry mud flats, I stopped to refill the tires back to 35 psi from 20. We were once agian driving at 9:53. The
distance from the beach to Hwy. 5 (Km. 26) is 1.9 miles and just under 1/2 mile is on the mud flats. During a high tide of over 18 feet, the sea
floods the flats as the lagoon from Percebu and the back bay of Bahia Santa Maria connect and make Shell Island surrounded by water, as the map
shows...
The umbrella is close to where we camp.
It's about 22 miles back to the San Felipe traffic circle, where it is 10:30 am and 95º. No need to buy more gas, as I am still above the 3/4 full
line. We head north on Hwy. 5.
The military check point at the Hwy. 3 junction was the fastest ever. This was the first time we were not asked to get out of the Tacoma for a search,
northbound!
At Km. 106+ we take the graded road east towards the Arroyo Grande wells that supply water to the large gold mine that is passed north of El Chinero
mountain (north of Hwy. 3). We take a break about a mile into the desert and make lunch. Soon I see a large earth mover scraping the road and when he
nears us I hold up a cold bottle of water and a mango-rita for him to enjoy. He tells me he is grading the road to the water pumps (wells). I take a
photo as he drives on west...
Here is the arroyo gully by our lunch stop...
We leave at 11:49 am and it is 99º... La Ventana restaurant/ store is just north of the Arroyo Grande well road, maybe 1/4 mile.
We are headed to Tecate, and the fast, Libramiento de Mexicali goes over Hwy. 5, about 10 miles south of the Mexicali/ Calexico border crossing. To
get onto it, you must drive a ways north and make a U-turn and enter it going southbound on Hwy. 5. The toll booth is soon reached and it is 68 pesos.
The time is 12:40 pm, and it is 105º.
Hwy. 2 is reached in 18 miles, 1:02 pm (we made a stop along the way) and still 105º.
The next military checkpoint was interesting in that the first gun holder asked to see inside my ice chest... I offered him a cold water. He ordered
me to the pull over lane where his comandante wanted to see inside the same ice chest. I again offered them cold water (Kirkland bottles) but the
comandante wanted a mango-rita... and the machine gun holder reached in and helped himself to a can of ice tea. OK, but maybe ask to be polite amigos,
right? Before going to the back of my truck, the comandante did search behind my seat and unzipped the tote bag of my air pump, before asking me to
show him my ice chests. That's it... adios!
The toll both at La Rumorosa would not take any U.S. coins (we were out of pesos), just paper bills and she asked for $2. Then she gave me 3 pesos in
change! It was 1:34 pm and 92º. The final toll booth is El Hongo, it was US$5.05 (the nickel coin was ok). It was 1:49 pm and 92º.
Stopped at the Pemex on the right coming into Tecate on the free road, the final miles to the border access road. Magna Sin was the same $12.95 pesos/
liter (as it was at San Felipe). The exchange rate was 12.70 pesos: dollar. I put in 69.5 liters (18.3 gallons) per the pump (which I know was not
accurate as my low fuel light comes on at 17 gallons consumed and it hadn't come on yet). It was 900 pesos or US$71 (really $70.86). The attendant was
really nice and did a great job washing the windshield, which was pretty buggy, told me he has family living in the L.A. area, and I gave him a big
tip.
New surprise at Tecate border line northbound... the street along the border fence has been extended along the fence further east and it was long! So
instead of turning west to head up the big hill the line began to the east a half mile away, where we drove and made a U-turn to get into the back of
the line. Not sure how far this new border fence road goes or how to get on it without doing the U-Turn from the previous entrance. One thing it does
is removes long lines from in front of businesses along the free Mexicali highway.
Here is the big hill, west of the access road.
Here is a look in my mirror at the line back, east of the access road which was new road to me since I was last here. The truck with a black door is
on the access road from Hwy. 2.
The end of the border wait line was reached at 2:21 pm Monday (yesterday). It took one hour to travel 0.4 mile (not quite to the access road from Hwy.
2). In 2 hours, we traveled 1.0 mile. The border had 3 gates open. The standard two and one of the commercial truck lanes was being used for
automobiles to help the line. We got to the border at 4:33 pm (2 hr. 12 min.) after driving a snails pace in a 1.2 mile long line. The U.S. officer
was great (and a pleasant change from the one we got here a year and a half ago who asked us the most bizarre and racist questions). I handed him our
passports, rolled down my rear passenger window, removed my dark glasses and exchanged greetings. He only asked what was in my ice chests, and sent us
on our way.
We were home in less than 2 hours, and while the wait was little fun, it didn't ruin our quick Baja beach vacation!
Going to Shell Island (our favorite beach get-a-way spot) was really needed by both Baja Angel and myself after a hard summer of work and health
issues. We both needed it, and Baja didn't let us down!
Sad that so many Americans are afraid of going to Mexico. Sure it is different, but it is not dangerous. It is wonderful and does for us something
that I have not found north of the border. It is probably the same for most of you who do go to and enjoy Baja California?
THANKS to Baja Angel for being such a wonderful partner in life and sharing my love for camping and four wheeling. A big happy birthday to you as well
today!
THANKS to Baja Bound for great service, easy to use on-line purchasing, and great people at their office!
THANKS to Toyota de Baja California for building such an awesome truck and Toyota Corporation for great quality in the engine, transmission and four
wheel drive system!
THANKS to Baja Nomad for great friendships, an opportunity to share and to help others!
[Edited on 9-3-2014 by David K]
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JohnK
Junior Nomad
Posts: 69
Registered: 3-11-2012
Member Is Offline
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Great trip report, David K, as usual. I have a pop-up camper for my Tacoma, would I be OK driving the road to "Shell Island"?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Sure... the road to the island is not too rough or bouncy, and you can always drive it slow.
The pucker part of getting on the island is when it is an island and you drive through the sea water and mud to get on the beach! See the tide chart
for when you will be there on the San Felipe web site, weather/ tides page http://www.sanfelipe.com.mx If it is over 18 foot high (around full or new moon phases), the water will be on the mud flats that are dry in my
photos from last weekend.
Here is the access road taken during one of those high tides:
It really is an island!
In July, 2011, Art (edm1) tried to drive his 4WD (with front and rear lockers) motorhome onto the beach... and the mud was just too slippery for his
tires and the weight stuck him. The fisherman at the nearby shack was there with his truck and pulled Art's beast out of the mud.
Out at Hwy. 5, edm1 is a happy camper!
[Edited on 9-3-2014 by David K]
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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Excellent DK, thanks for the report and pictures.
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JohnK
Junior Nomad
Posts: 69
Registered: 3-11-2012
Member Is Offline
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Dude! Thank you! I'm going to stop living vicariously thru you and do it myself!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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That's what I like to hear... Viva Baja!
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mcnut
Nomad
Posts: 177
Registered: 12-9-2013
Location: Dammeron Valley, UT
Member Is Offline
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David, any chance you could post a GE or map image of what you perceive the new Tecate boarder approach to look like and possible access points which
don't involve a "U" turn or tight side streets?
Bruce
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BajaNomad
Super Administrator
Posts: 4999
Registered: 8-1-2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: INTP-A
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mcnut
new Tecate boarder approach to look like and possible access points which don't involve a "U" turn or tight side streets?
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Looks like the new road snaking in from Hwy 2 to the east has been "completed"?
[Edited on 9-3-2014 by BajaNomad]
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
https://www.regionalinternet.com
Affordable Domain Name Registration/Management & cPanel Web Hosting - since 1999 |
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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It's before the Pemex Circle K store on the right before the curve to the right going into town. There is a sign for it. But it looks like the Pemex
turnoff will get you to it too.
[Edited on 9-3-2014 by TW]
[Edited on 9-3-2014 by TW]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by TW
If I remember correctly the turn off coming from the east is at the Pemex Circle K store on the right before the curve to the right going into town.
There is a sign for it. |
I wish the guy that pumped my gas would have clued me in... and maybe there were new signs, but I didn't notice them.
I will do a close up Google Earth as the one Doug posted is not clear as to the east end junction with the free road (Mex 2), but does show it all.
Stay tuned!
OK, on edit, I see that TW made a good GE map. I wasn't looking for any signs back that far, plus I needed gas first. The street that comes in at the
gas station looks like it goes all the way to the new entrance road.
Was this new road posted on Nomad, and I missed it?
On Doug's overall map, the end of the border line for me was where the new road curves around that hill.
[Edited on 9-3-2014 by David K]
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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Great trip report and photos David. Even though Audrey and I don't camp any more, we still enjoy the reports from those who still do. Looks like you
had a great time!!
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob H
Great trip report and photos David. Even though Audrey and I don't camp any more, we still enjoy the reports from those who still do. Looks like you
had a great time!! |
Thanks Bob!
You know if you guys need to get onto Shell Island, you can always hop in back of my Tacoma... like 10 years ago...
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5901
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
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Thanks for the report David. I always wonder why the Tundra doesn't have the 110v Outlet in the bed. Seems like a simple addition and would add a
ton of value. Anywhoooo, thanks for posting. Looks like a gentle, relaxing weekend.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ateo
Thanks for the report David. I always wonder why the Tundra doesn't have the 110v Outlet in the bed. Seems like a simple addition and would add a
ton of value. Anywhoooo, thanks for posting. Looks like a gentle, relaxing weekend. |
Is your Tundra a TRD? Only the TRD Tacomas have the 110v outlet.
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El Vergel
Nomad
Posts: 197
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: San Felipe - Puertecitos Rd., Km. 35 and Santa Mon
Member Is Offline
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Nice!
What a beautiful image! DK & BA, thanks for the share!
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