Steve&Debby
Nomad
Posts: 335
Registered: 12-18-2007
Location: Colusa,California/ Percebu
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Mulege, Santispec, Loreto 21 day Adventure
Trip report, Mulege,Santispec,Loreto
What a great trip my wife and I had. We have been going down to San filipe for years and our trip would be, leave the day after Christmas drive to
Mexicali ,stay in Wal-Mart parking lot, get last minute things and drive to San Filpe stay at Victors have lots of fun, load up head to Ensenada, Stay
at Estero Beach a couple of days Then head home. Wow what a mouth full. Well this year we changed it up. We had our Christmas for the kids and family
on December 16 and set for our trip on December 21 (NO KIDS!). On the 21st we left our house at 8:00 pm after my wife got home from a meeting
in Redding. In the states I would rather drive at night and get through the rat race in LA. So I drove to The rest area just past the San Onofre
nuclear power plant, Slept for a bit, Then off to the border. Filled up the motorhome in Otay Mesa(I know how stupid diesel is $1.40 per gallon
cheaper across the boarder) went back to the boarder crossing at TJ, crossed and headed for the toll road. Got on the toll road and made it to
Ensenada and Estero Beach campground. The next day we unloaded the Jeep and headed into town to Immigration to get our Visas and found the
immigration office closed, this was on Sunday the 23rd . So we went back to Estero Beach, on the way stopped at our favorite taco hut, Mi Ranchito
near Estero beach and had some great carne asada tacos and cold Sol. Stayed one more night at Estero. On the 24th Christmas eve we headed back to the
immigration office and found it closed again. We asked around and found that the immigration officer lived behind the office and he was probably home
sleeping. We went behind the office and knocked on his door and he opened up the office and let us in. Well were we in for a surprise when he said we
had to get our visas back in TJ. After some pleading(and 50 pesos extra per visa) we had our visas and were on our way. Went back to Estero loaded the
jeep and headed south. Now I would like to say that La Bufadora is the farthest south I have driven. Our motorhome is a 38 foot diesel pusher
and I pull a 20foot x8foot trailer with a Jeep on it, So I am thinking about these narrow roads I am going to be negotiating anyway off we go. We are
staying at the campgrounds that the book Camping Mexico's Baja (fondly referred to as the Baja Bible) by Mike and terry Church recommends. We
make it to San Quinten and take the dirt road in to The Old Mill campground. Well we get in there and find one other camper there and no one around to
register. We ask the other camper and while we are talking to him a pickup comes sliding around the corner and the guy we were talking to said that
was who we needed to talk to. He drove over to where we were and the guy we were talking to introduced us to Carlos. Very nice guy he told us someone
had called him and told him some kids were breaking in to his house. My wife asked him how much we owed him ,he said for what? My wife said for the
campsite. Carlos laughed and said no charge. I guess he is planning on taking out the campground and putting up a motel or something so not much works
in the campground, O well it worked for us. The next morning we were off again. I believe this is where the roads get pretty narrow. The roads
were not bad but you did have to be careful when passing trucks. This was Christmas day and everything was going good until about 25 miles south of El
Rosario when I looked in my passenger side mirror and saw white smoke. I slowed down and told my wife we had problems. No place to get off the road so
I drove real slowly until I could get off the road. We got out of the motorhome and saw that the front axle on the trailer had lost the wheel and the
rear axle was bent up so far that the tire was rubbing on the bottom of the trailer deck. What a mess. We were looking at the axle and figuring out
how to get it going again and while we were looking my wife counted 12 cars with American and Canadian plates who just drive by, the first Mexican
truck driver that came by managed to get his big rig off the road, pulled over and helped us get it going. His name was Jose, he was headed for Lapaz
and we are forever indebted to him for his kindness. After we got it fixed he did not want to take anything for his help, but we insisted he take
$50.00 to buy his wife something, we appreciate his help very much. We put the spare on the trailer and limped back to El Rosario and the tire
shop was open on Christmas day. They took the axle off the trailer and said that the machine shop was closed but he would take it to be fixed in the
morning, he told us to plug in to his electricity and stay the night. The next morning we had everything fixed and on the road by 1pm. We drove to
Guero Negro and stayed at Mallermo RV park for two nights. The next morning we were going to go out and see the whales but it was too windy, so we got
in the jeep and went exploring. We drove out to the salt mine pier and looked around and had some more Sol and picked up some nice shells. Went back
to the campground. Hit the road the next morning and headed south again made it to San Ignacio filled up with diesel and had a great meal at Rice
and Beans and more Sol. Then off to Mulege. We stayed at Maria Isabelas for two nights. We went into Mulege did some shopping and had dinner at and
some more Sol. Went back to the campground went to bed. The next morning went back to Mulege went out to the light house and beach had some more Sol
and went back to town and ended up at Scottys, had a great meal and more Sol. While we were at Scottys we met some nice people from Canada!!!. They
asked where we were staying, they said to come down where they were staying. Wow what a beautiful place, Santispec beach is. We stayed six days
with our new Canadian friends, Great people. We went with Gord and Cindy to Loreto had lunch and some more Sol then squeezed in some shopping for the
ladies then went to the Mission de San Javier (I think was the name) very pretty and a nice drive, beautiful mission .Headed back to Santispec.
Stopped at El Burro and ate dinner at Berthas and some more Sol. Got back to camp at about 9:30 . Next morning found out we had been grounded by Buzz
because we got back too late. We awoke to another beautiful day and Gord and I set out to get some scallops. So loaded with cervasas we went
scallop hunting. We returned a while latter with scallops and Bloody fingers. Cleaning the scallops was interesting, almost every one had a baby
lobster in it. After cleaning about half of them a Mexican beach vendor came by and laughed at us the way we were cleaning the scallops. He
then showed us the way to clean them was to break off the bottom of the shell with the knife and cut the scallop from the bottom, he also said to use
a small rope and put it around the top of the scallop and pull them out of the sand so you don’t cut your hands. My wife took them and cooked them in
butter and garlic very good with Sol. (Is this a Sol commercial ? :lol  After six great days in Santipec it was time for us to start making our way
back. We wanted to see Bahia de Los Angeles, and it truly is the "Bay of Angles" so we headed there. Made it to Bahia,very nice but a little windy. We
stayed at Guerrmos.The next morning we took the jeep and went exploreing.Went to the turtle sanctuary and saw the turtles, then headed north past the
sanctuary exploring. Lots of neat campgrounds on the beach and a neat little hotel ,restaurant on the beach that we stopped at for lunch and cervasas.
Went out toward the end of the road and out a sand bar to an island. The sand bar was full of shells on the south side. We stopped and gathered up
a couple of big zip lock bags of shells. While we were gathering up shell and drinking cervices our dog, a miniature fox terrier that thinks she is a
pit bull (no mirrors in our house at her eye level), was yapping and we were throwing rocks and shells for her. Well after a while my wife got up and
went to the jeep to get some more Sol and saw a coyote standing about 30 feet behind the jeep, she yelled at me to get the dog, so I picked her up. We
took pictures of the coyote. I think he heard our dog yapping and thought it was an easy meal, Well he did not know our dog thinks she is a Doberman.
One lucky coyote!!!! . We then follow a trail north for a ways until the trail turned into a motorcycle trail that was to narrow to drive a
jeep on. We turned back on another trail and ended up at the dump. Returned to camp. The next morning we loaded up and headed north. Went to
El Rosario and stopped at Mama Espinosas and had a great lobster dinner. Then on north. Drove to Estero Beach in Ensenada.Got up the next morning
drove to Rosarito and stayed for two nights to get our Mexican junk fix. The next morning headed for the border in TJ. Got to the border line
spent about 1 1/2 to 2 hours waiting. We were about three cars from the boarder and a suburban squeezed in front of us(wish I had a big push bumper on
the motorhome).Well when the suburban got to the inspector about 10 officers surrounded the vehicle took the driver out and handcuffed and hauled him
off. Teach him to squeeze in front of me!!!. When we got to the inspector he told us the guy had a phony drivers license and 10 illegal in the
suburban. Well back home and back to reality . Can't wait until next year. Will post pictures if we can figure out how to do it. (we are
thinking that Cindy and Gordy have the right idea, go home and sell everything and live like nomads.......
[Edited on 1-31-2008 by Steve& ebby]
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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Steve and Debby,
It sounds like you two had a wonderful trip and met some outstanding people, both Mexican and Canadian.
I think your friends Cindy and Gordy have the right idea...
Cheers to your next baja adventure!
P<*)))><
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
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Mood: mellow
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Thanks for the report.
But to become a "real" Nomad you should get rid of that disgusting Sol habit and become a 'Pacificoan" like the majority of us.
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
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Yes, I agree with Van - try the Pacifico. I enjoyed the report, but it was a bit difficult to read without an extra space between each paragraph.
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Steve&Debby
Nomad
Posts: 335
Registered: 12-18-2007
Location: Colusa,California/ Percebu
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Sorry about the paragraphs, or lac of. Can anyone give me any hints on how to post pictures? Thanks
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64587
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Steve & Debby
Sorry about the paragraphs, or lac of. Can anyone give me any hints on how to post pictures? Thanks |
Thanks for sharing Steve & Debbie!
Use the edit key to go back and double space the paragraphs if you wish... It does help to read your story... Too bad you weren't a Nomad sooner
because you would know about the INM iofficer in Ensenada who doesn't like to do his job issuing FM-Ts!
The people of El Rosario are great, like most in Baja!
San Javier is in the mountains behind Loreto... You probably went to the mission in Mulege: 'Santa Rosalia de Mulege'
For how to post photos on Nomad go here: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=24603
I just bumped that post, it's on the Nomad Baja Photos forum...
Thanks again for sharing... Looking forward to more from you!
[Edited on 1-29-2008 by David K]
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djh
Senior Nomad
Posts: 936
Registered: 1-2-2005
Location: Earth mostly. Loreto, N. ID, Big Island
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mellow fellow, plays a yellow cello...
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Thanks!
.... for the Sol-full story !
Glad you had a good time and met Jose, the helpful Mexican truck driver. Always remember his kindness and pass it on !
The rest of the US / CAN. travelers who passed you by.... well.... they must NOT have been Baja Nomads, eh?
djh
Its all just stuff and some numbers.
A day spent sailing isn\'t deducted from one\'s life.
Peace, Love, and Music
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rpleger
Super Nomad
Posts: 1087
Registered: 3-12-2005
Location: H. Mulegé, BCS
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Mood: Was good.
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Next time your at Villa Maria Isabel..come by and see me...Richard on the hill...I have a house in the park.
Richard on the Hill
*ABROAD*, adj. At war with savages and idiots. To be a Frenchman abroad is to
be miserable; to be an American abroad is to make others miserable.
-- Ambrose Bierce, _The Enlarged Devil\'s Dictionary_
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Steve&Debby
Nomad
Posts: 335
Registered: 12-18-2007
Location: Colusa,California/ Percebu
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David K , Thanks for the info on posting pictures we will try that. The mission we went to was the mission behind Loreto way back in the hills,San
Javier very nice. Where does that road go if you keep going past San Javier? Also I would love to hook up with you and do some back country
exploreing,We have a jeep that is very offroad capable.
Paulina it was a great trip and we can't wait till next year. We go to Baja every Christmas. We have a 9 year old, so only 9 more years 
then we sell everthing and head for Baja 
Richard,what house are you in,one down by the river?
DJH, we were very gratefull for Jose's help.
Van&Packo,Sol,Pacifico,Tecate,Modelo what ever as long as we are in baja
Soulpatch, no buttweiser shirt on Gord, maybe he hid it.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64587
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Steve&ebby
David K , Thanks for the info on posting pictures we will try that. The mission we went to was the mission behind Loreto way back in the hills,San
Javier very nice. Where does that road go if you keep going past San Javier? Also I would love to hook up with you and do some back country
exploreing,We have a jeep that is very offroad capable.
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Okay then, it was San Javier... that road continues down the arroyo to the highway between Constitucion and La Purisima by Santo Domingo. a dozen
miles from San Javier is the visita ruins of La Presentacion... I have not driven past San Javier... yet.
The Baja-Rosario Festival is in July and I have been asked to lead a caravan to Las Pintas or some other point of interest as before... http://vivabaja.com/pintas
As for other back country trips, sure... I usually post my travel plans here in advance. A great trip for your Jeep is in to Mision Santa Maria... The
squarecircle joined us in his Land Rover (what he calls an English Ford) last May: http://vivabaja.com/msm
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Steve&Debby
Nomad
Posts: 335
Registered: 12-18-2007
Location: Colusa,California/ Percebu
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David The Baja-Rosario Festival trip sounds good, but where
is it. Is it in El Rosario? Also what is the festival about ? How many days would it take to do the trip? Thanks,Steve
[Edited on 2-1-2008 by Steve&ebby]
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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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HAHAHAHAA! Boy that was helerious love your story Steve and Debby cannt wait for the next one hAAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!I needed that.
The last part what a way to end your Baja experience
READY SET.....................
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wakemall
Nomad
Posts: 183
Registered: 7-17-2006
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Nice story.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64587
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Steve&ebby
David The Baja-Rosario Festival trip sounds good, but where
is it. Is it in El Rosario? Also what is the festival about ? How many days would it take to do the trip? Thanks,Steve
[Edited on 2-1-2008 by Steve&ebby] |
Sorry I missed seeing this before!
Yes, the Baja-Rosario Cultural Festival is in EL ROSARIO, hosted by the good people of that frontier town. The concept was the brain child of Baja
Nomad 'BajaCactus' (Antonio Muñoz) who runs the Pemex and Baja Cactus Motel, next door...
Held in mid July, which is the anniversary of the founding of El Rosario by the Dominican Padres in 1774... Many events and presentations on display,
tours to nearby points of interest, lots of good food and fun.
Antonio puts on a special feast for Baja Nomads and their guests at the Motel Saturday afternoon... when our 4WD tour returns from the Las Pintas
Fossil Grotto (or where-ever we go)!
On Baja Nomad, search back through the trip reports forum to see and read about Nomad experiences at the festival. Here are my photos (after #1, we
continued to the gulf side and after # 3, we continued down the Pacific coast, Shari's, and Concepcion Bay):
See Baja-Rosario #1: http://vivabaja.com/705
See Baja-Rosario #2: http://vivabaja.com/706
See Baja-Rosario #3 http://vivabaja.com/707
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Steve&Debby
Nomad
Posts: 335
Registered: 12-18-2007
Location: Colusa,California/ Percebu
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Thanks for the info David.We would love to go to one of these gatherings but the summer time is my busy season.Is there any gatherings between
Christmas and the 2nd week in January?
Steve
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64587
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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It's my busy season too, but you deserve a vacation... work to live, not live to work, right?
Between Christmas and mid January...? Like a 3 week window: well, that usually family time... But family time can be in Baja, too! Arvada George from
Utah goes to Nuevo Mazatlan and explores the desert and canyons out from there with his group of friends... BajaLou has a turkey feast at his El
Dorado Ranch place near San Felipe on New Years Eve... several Nomads go there.
We enjoy the heat, and a bathtub warm Sea of Cortez, so May-Oct. is our favorite time fo Baja...
Nomad get-togethers are/ have been Matomi Presidents Day Weekend every 3-4 years, Pyramid Resort Book Signing May 3, Baja-Rosario Cultural Festival
July 18-20, Viva Baja party every once in a while, BBBB campout ??, Gee, whenever someone calls for one here!!
Ken Cooke leads Jeep owners and others on trips over the WWII Pole Line Road (south of Laguna Salada/ north of Mex. 3) and to Gonzaga/ Mision Santa
Maria...
Just keep reading Baja Nomad for opportunities to join up on a trip or party!
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