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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Graham
Head for the silence. Do your days and nights in the desert. It can be pretty intimidating at first, but I find the longer I'm out there the more
reluctant I am to leave. The descending peace can be life changing. At least it has been with me. But, of course, you know that from my books. Every
trip I take is essentially a spiritual experience. Tears and laughter come easily... and I always return refreshed and much more of a "gentleman." I'm
sure every day I spend alone in Baja adds at least three to my life. |
Well said, Graham.
It certainly would be great to be able to have this sort of 'quiet time' every year to recharge oneself. I can see how walking the desert would do
that about as well as can be done in baja. Perhaps I should do it. Slowing dowwwwwwn. Slow down and live. It's kind of different than what we
currently value: fast and exciting.
I think I will purchase your book. I'll buy it for just the 5 sentences written in this post. Well, all except the part about being a "gentleman" -
too Brit for me. 
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Graham
Head for the silence. |
Then, you must understand what I meant when I said you conquered yourself.
What was your most heartfelt reason for embarking on your journey? Was it Baja or was it you?
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Graham
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 6-16-2006
Location: San Diego and DeTour, MI
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Dennis,
A tough question -- “What was your most heartfelt reason for embarking on your journey? Was it Baja or was it you?”
It’s difficult to give a simple “heartfelt reason.” Yes, I’m conquering myself, but my connection to Baja is deeply felt.
As I said at the end of Into a Desert Place:
“I wasn’t an 'adventurer.' I wasn’t about to dash off up the Amazon, or trek the Kalahari, or go searching for something one step ahead. I had found
what I wanted. I belonged to Baja and to those who felt that they belonged. Again it was the feeling that was the undeniable truth, the absolute
certainty that this land was sacred to me.”
Then again, on page 3 of my new book:
“People come to Baja for many reasons… But for me its attraction is the sense of freedom it conveys and the spiritual feelings engendered by its
majesty and its vast (if now rapidly) receding emptiness. I keep returning not because I live in San Diego less than ten miles from the border, not
because my experiences down there are generally positive, but because Baja keeps calling me; calling me most loudly in the heart-piercing silence of
its lonely shores and cactus-studded mountains. Calling me to stand awed, sometimes overawed, alone and fearful… to confront it and to confront myself
once again.”
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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| Quote: | As I said at the end of Into a Desert Place:
“I wasn’t an 'adventurer.' I wasn’t about to dash off up the Amazon, or trek the Kalahari, or go searching for something one step ahead. I had found
what I wanted. I belonged to Baja and to those who felt that they belonged. Again it was the feeling that was the undeniable truth, the absolute
certainty that this land was sacred to me.”
Then again, on page 3 of my new book:
“People come to Baja for many reasons… But for me its attraction is the sense of freedom it conveys and the spiritual feelings engendered by its
majesty and its vast (if now rapidly) receding emptiness. I keep returning not because I live in San Diego less than ten miles from the border, not
because my experiences down there are generally positive, but because Baja keeps calling me; calling me most loudly in the heart-piercing silence of
its lonely shores and cactus-studded mountains. Calling me to stand awed, sometimes overawed, alone and fearful… to confront it and to confront myself
once again.” |
Wow, your words sum it up eloquently as the reason many of us go to Baja, over and over-------maybe it's the "English" in us (??) (Tho a 3rd
generation Californian, I have English ancestry on both sides of my family.)
Must go out and buy your latest book, for sure-------I have gazed at that huge island for years-----but never braved the waves inbetween it and BOLA.
barry
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Barry, you can get the book from Graham directly... and I am sure you can get an autograph included!: http://grahammackintosh.com
Graham... Page 3 sums it up real well for my addiction, too! Many thanks!
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Graham
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 6-16-2006
Location: San Diego and DeTour, MI
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Thanks Barry,
You are right to be wary of running to the big island. A large chunk of my "Marooned With Very Little Beer" documents the stories of several boating
and kayaking tragedies that occured in the waters between LA Bay and Guardian Angel, and some of the tales of suffering of those who found themselves
washed up on the island with no food or water.
Then again, I also recount the stories of hardy souls who visit regularly in 12 foot aluminum boats and sea kayaks.
The great danger of course is the wind, especially those sudden vicious west winds that can seemingly come out of nowhere and be gusting 50-60 mph
before you know what's happening. Particularly dangerous when you're relying on paddle power. Such winds combined with sweeping currents and deep
upwellings of cold water have taken many lives.
I recall one perfect flat calm day on the island when I was paddling south from my campsite on a glassy, flat calm sea, exploring under cliffs and
drifting into coves without a care in the world... imagining it would be a piece of cake to paddle the 15 miles back to LA Bay... but within an hour
or two a blasting wind was threatening to send my tent to Sonora and kicking up a roaring Pacific style surf.
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Graham
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 6-16-2006
Location: San Diego and DeTour, MI
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Beachcombing and exploring on a perfect day...
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Graham
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 6-16-2006
Location: San Diego and DeTour, MI
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And here's a picture from the color spread in my book. Makes me want to be there right now.
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sd
Nomad
Posts: 487
Registered: 3-19-2008
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Graham -
Outstanding photos!
Please post more!
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Graham
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 6-16-2006
Location: San Diego and DeTour, MI
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OK,
Another picture or two from Guardian Angel Island.
This is me clearly suffering beneath my shade palapa of agave poles and fishing net. Note the small tarp which I could roll out if the February sun
felt too warm.
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Graham
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 6-16-2006
Location: San Diego and DeTour, MI
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And this is the sunset view that I had to look at every evening. Looking to Las Animas on the peninsula. I'm in the beautiful cove of Este Ton.
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sd
Nomad
Posts: 487
Registered: 3-19-2008
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Thanks Graham,
Incredible photos!
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Graham
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 6-16-2006
Location: San Diego and DeTour, MI
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One more.
The front of my sit-on-top kayak loaded with useful beachcombing finds. After a couple of weeks alone, I started to talk to that stack.
That kayak weighed 60 lbs and could carry 600 lbs. Hard to beat a sit-on-top in those circumstances. I could jump off and climb back on in about five
seconds. Really important with water temp about 60 degrees.
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Von
Senior Nomad
Posts: 961
Registered: 10-1-2006
Location: Poway-Rosarito
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Mood: getting ready!
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What an awesome adventure Graham sure enjoyed your book review early
April, wish I could muster the courage to do what you do amigo....
READY SET.....................
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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Graham,
Sitting under the shade reading a book...............How did you keep your socks so white?
You look like you're resting up for another set at Wimbleton!
Cheers
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
Graham,
Sitting under the shade reading a book...............How did you keep your socks so white?
You look like you're resting up for another set at Wimbleton!
Cheers |
I want to know how many seconds it took Graham to set the timer on his camera and run to the chair and pick up the book as if he'd been sitting there
all day.
Fantastic photos!
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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RockhouseTom
Junior Nomad
Posts: 73
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Atascadero, CA. / Bahia De Los Angeles
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Mood: Really Ready to Go!
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Great Photos! Thanks.
Surf is up on the big Island!
I have watched the boat launch jetty at camp Gecko with the wind howling and thinking if I was 15 years younger It would make a great Photo. (surfing
gecko).
\"FREEDOM\" William Wallace
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Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Graham
And here's a picture from the color spread in my book. Makes me want to be there right now. |
Me, too!!!
Thank you so much for your posts here, Graham. I am truly enjoying them, especially with the addition of photos.
Nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Skip_Mac
Nomad
Posts: 102
Registered: 4-25-2008
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Graham, thanks for FINALLY showing up here. I was beginning to think that the Mackintosh Clan was not going to be represented by it's most Baja
accomplished member. Good to read you here..Keep up the good work. It's not a Job...It's An Adventure!!! (sorry for the sarcasm)...
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Graham
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 6-16-2006
Location: San Diego and DeTour, MI
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Just time for a quick reply – getting ready to head south to the Pyramid Resort for the author’s book signing.
So for a hasty run-together reply to all the recent questions and comments… hope this makes sense.
The white socks. The socks are deceptively white I’m sure… they’d probably been washed a few times in the sea by that point.
I’ve got pretty good at putting myself in the picture. Had years or practice… close to two years with the Into a Desert Place “Walk around Baja” trip.
I’ve learned to put the camera on the ground, on a rock, or a backpack, and run back into frame. Oddly enough, such positioning has often given me my
most interesting photos.
I used to use a three or five second timer, but as I’ve got older I find it takes me ten seconds to shuffle back, look poised and natural, or suitably
posed and grimacing.
And I have to confess with that palapa picture, not only did it look like I’d been sitting there all day. I HAD been sitting there all day.
That was my bird field guide I was consulting. After befriending a belted kingfisher and an orange-crowned warbler, I wrote in my new "Marooned" book:
“I identified with and felt protective of both of these birds. They were part of my growing family. I had my family and my mansion. God, how little we
really need to be happy.”
I’ve never enjoyed hurrying too much… walking and slow paddling are my preferred pace. I usually get there in the end. So, I guess its better late
than never with making an appearance on Nomad. But as I writer in the middle of a book, I do prefer to isolate myself from too many contrary opinions
to let my own opinions emerge and have the courage to state them no matter how un-pc or far out they may be.
That’s the only courage I aspire to. Anyone who knows me or reads my books knows that my normal state is to be pretty courage-challenged. Actually
pretty wimpish. My wife can’t believe I did any of my Baja trips.
I credit having a great respect for the sea and the desert, even to the point of paranoia, with always bringing me home safely.
God help the clan if I’m the foremost representative in Baja. But as a Mackintosh, I do like our family motto: “Touch Not the Cat Without a Glove.”
A lesson I took very much to heart after seeing all those scary vampire cats on the island.
Thanks for all the interest and encouragement. Means a lot to this very over-the-hill, weird, wimpish, writer.
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