yankeeirishman
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We're back from Gonzaga Bay! Part 2
Before I finish up my trip log here, for all you novices that are planning to travel to Baja, do the following:
Buy these books: The Baja Catch and Mexico's Baja California (author is Automobile Club of S California). Both have excellent campsites, visitation
sites, detailed data and maps!
For fishing licenses and auto insurance: http://www.vagabundos.com these folks are my super heroes! I got it all done on the phone, and they delivered in 24 hours!
If you are applying for a tourist card: There?s an official office in San Felipe to obtain your card or go to Automobile Club of Southern California.
Easy as that! Did I get a tourist card to go past San Felipe? No. But you should. Makes you feel more secured as you travel through the checkpoints
Now?the travel log. Once again, floor your gas pedal to 120 mph as you approach Puertecitos. Leave dust, as you look at this dumpy hellhole your rear
view mirror! 12 or so miles further down, the best place to camp is right past ?Black Mountain?. A dirt road leads off the highway (any car can do
this), open land, totally paradise! This is for primitive camping and /or to overnight rest stop. A large crescent shape beach with a few old shacks.
Camp as your please. This place was once called Sharks Camp. Low tide there is shellfish and large sea snails for good eating! Bring charcoal for your
fire, no wood in Baja! The developed Campo La Costilla (a few miles before Black Mountain), Clean, showers, restaurant, and a bit pricey in the
restaurant. Anywhere else in this area is good open camping. Expect someone to ask you for a few bucks to stay at ?their beach?. Never pay more than
five bucks. If you run into a white mini camper with a Kayak up top of it, with an older woman driving it?DON?T PAY HER! She has nothing to do with
anything, anywhere! She tried to nail us for 10 bucks north of Black Mountain. If you see her, give her the middle finger! By the way, Black Mountain
beaches, the landlord owns the propane distribution company in Puertecitos.
It?s bout two more hours to Gonzada Bay from here, your road map says 58 miles! Go 30 miles per hour, and you are there in once piece. Another
Mexican Federal Check point is right outside of Gonzada Bay. These guys are a little uptight here. But polite, honest and will look into your car. It
helps if you can speak a little Espanola! Beyond this post (one mile) is gasoline to your left, to your right is a market. The market has filtered
water machine inside to fill your largest bottles! Buck a gallon. Groceries are basic. Very friendly folks here. If you want to stay at the campsite
in Gonzada Bay, pay at this store. The camp is on the sandy beach with ?toilet in a box?. I wasn?t impressed with this site, so we went to the right
of this area to Alfonsina?s. This is a small settlement area. Alfonsina?s Motel. Best deal in Baja!!! You are on the beach, clean simple room for
$45.00 bucks! Now wait a minute?where?s my room key?! This place is so honest, the have no room keys. And I tested the honesty with my camera left
behind for a day. Was still there. Great folks. We stayed here for two days. I had my clothes washed and folded, for no charge! The restaurant is
excellent. $15.00 for two. Fishing in the bay was slow, due to very cold water. Stay here at Alfonsina?s for a real treat. If you want a better
primitive campsite, go up the road (4miles or so) to Pointe Final. Very nice beach, cove, sand, rocks. I didn?t see showers here, but you can rent a
shower at the Alfonsina?s place.
The best of the dessert is here. Go past the Pointe Final turn off (you are on Mex 5) bout five miles. For the next 45 minutes on a decent road, the
dessert becomes surreal! Many types of cactus, rockscape, its another world up there! And then?you must stop at Coco?s for a cold soda. The old man
has great stories to tell you, prepare yourself for amazements Want more
information on a detail area, or pictures? Respond to this thread.
[Edited on 3-29-2004 by yankeeirishman]
[Edited on 3-29-2004 by yankeeirishman]
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Bob H
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Registered: 8-19-2003
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Yeah, would like to see photos for sure. Also, you mentioned gas on the left. That Pemex has been closed for years. Are you saying that it is now
open?
Bob H
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bajapablo
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Nice report
I enjoy your literary style. Show the PICS!
\"changes it lattitudes, changes in attitudes\"
J.Buffet
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yankeeirishman
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fill that tank up!
Gasoline is plenty at Gonzaga Bay! I don?t know how long it?s been open, for a while it looks like. Now don?t panic if you see them run towards the
side of the building as you drive up. They aint getting the M16s, they are turning on the power to the station?s fuel pumps! This gas station is
friendlier, cleaner, and brightest than any California joint! Hands down! The two men working the station are very professional, and helpful with the
local surrounding valley info. Will they rip you off, as you don?t watch? Hell no! But watch them at the Shell in Sacramento! J
[Edited on 3-29-2004 by yankeeirishman]
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Mike Humfreville
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Gas at Gonzaga
It's been posted previously just recently that Alfonsinas gas station is now open and charging the standard Pemex prices. Also, someone also said
that the Rancho Grande Store has its ice maker fixed. Life continues to improve! Ron y Coca con hielo. Arriba y adelante!
Thanks for the posts yankeeirishman. Mas porfavor.
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Bob H
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Well I'll be! I can't believe that station is open across from Rancho Grande. AND - the ice machine is finally working again. Some day that road
will be paved and there will be a triffic light right there at that intersection!
WOW
Bob H
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yankeeirishman
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Location: Kalifornia
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it's cold in there
We bought lots of ice there! Make sure you put in your quarter in the parking meter before entering the store
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