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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64948
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Memorial Day Weekend 2009 was soooo fine! Josh's Photos added 6-3-09
We were in need of a Baja Fix... It had been over four months since our New Year's trip that included such great events as Baja Lou's Turkey Festival
and seeing the Lost Mission site, discovered in 1966! http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=36237
With only 3 days off from work, something close to the border was called for and the choice was our favorite beach camping location... the place I
named Shell Island some 31 years ago. Located between Percebu and Bahia Santa Maria, this barrier island remains an undeveloped paradise of sand and
sea to those wishing solitude and no services, what-so-ever.
This weekend trip we had Baja Angel's son Josh and his lady, Kelly joining us. We left our North San Diego County home Friday afternoon afternoon and
crossed into Baja at Tecate where a stop at El Güerito Tacos was in order.
No gunshots were heard, so we didn't rush our dinner along the main street there! The El Hongo toll was 52 pesos/ 4.00 dollars and it got dark soon
after the La Rumorosa toll, where we paid $1.25 (or 15 pesos)... The final toll is where the Libramento de Mexicali meets Highway 5, and was 52 pesos
($4.35).
We arrived in San Felipe about 10:30 pm and topped the gas tank... Magna was 7+/ litre (I didn't note the centavos)and Premium was 9+/ litre and the
exchange rate was 12.70 pesos per dollar (~$2.20 regular and ~$2.80 premium/ gallon). Off to Shell Island, where we wanted to beat the 1 am high
tide... (I call it 'Island' for a reason)!
We had 3 great days on the beach... During our stay, we had a nice visit from BajaRob and Connie who rode out to us on their quads. The next day, we
drove to their home for a visit and also saw 'steekers' who was hanging out at Baja Warrior's area, nearby.
The trip home was easy... first, we stopped in San Felipe at a one man car wash to get the salty mud washed off from the Tacoma, while the kids were
during some tourist shopping. He spent a long time on the job, asked for only 80 pesos ($6.30) and appreciated the additional 40 peso ($3.70) tip he
earned. Then we went to the fish taco plaza for some delicious fish, shrimp and carne asada tacos, ceviche, beer, margarita, soda, etc. With drinks we
all ate well for only $26 + tip.
San Felipe seemed very quiet for Memorial Day... tourism has to be hurting for Baja merchants. The lack of tourists makes Baja all that more
attractive for vacationing and the prices are right-on!
We drove back to Tecate and had only a 37 minute border wait starting about 5 pm Monday. The highways were all excellent and even the 10 mile dirt
detour north of San Felipe was great... fast and nearly dust free! The military checkpoint was a bit slow, but this is Mexico and you should never be
in a hurry!
Baja was a great place to be for Memorial Day Weekend... once again!
Now some photos...
[Edited on 6-3-2009 by David K]
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ELINVESTIG8R
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Registered: 11-20-2007
Location: Southern California
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David I'm glad you guys had a wonderful Memorial Day in Baja. I can't wait til October to go see Mama! Photos would be great. Thanks David.
David M
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David K
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Posts: 64948
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Baja 5-09 Photos (Shell Island)
Our camp in the dunes:
Saturday morning low tide:
Plovers (mama y papa?)
Baby plover (soon?):
Baby tern seen last year in the same area:
The tide really goes out far... See our camp? In a couple hours I would be several feet under water and a half mile from shore!
Starfish:
Hermit Crab:
Josh tries fishing:
Sand Dollar:
Josh and Kelly shell hunting:
Baja Angel with Josh and Kelly under the sun shade:
Stay tuned for more...
[Edited on 6-2-2009 by David K]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64948
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Baja 509, cont'd.
High tide with the lagoon filled up (looking north):
By the water's edge, looking south on the gulf coast of Shell island:
Baja Angel chillin' and on vacation!
Sundown Sunday:
Josh and Kelly:
Think I have too many stickers?
Low tide Sunday evening:
The campfire is started:
Until next time... Have a GREAT Baja trip, everyone!
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Bajahowodd
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Great photos, David. Thanks for sharing. Gotta admit that it made just a tad jealous.
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shari
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Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Wow...looks so great...that's it...I'm packin up to go camping at our secret beach this weekend! thanks D for the inspiration.
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ELINVESTIG8R
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Wow David great photos!. Makes me want to leave right now.
Shari hope your hideaway getaway is wonderful too. Remember take pictures and share them here with the rest of us "Not in Baja right now types." Well
share the ones you can share anyway. Hahahahaha. Take care girl. David
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BajaGeoff
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Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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Great stuff DK!
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BAJACAT
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I see you updated your tent david,thanks for the trip report and pix. for the longest time I always go out in Memorial day but this year nothing for
me, I stay home due to my son's senior prom was in friday, maybe next time,i know Baja will be there for me when i get back...
BAJA IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE, FUN,DANGEROUS,INCREDIBLE, REMOTE, EXOTIC..JUST GO AND HAVE FUN.....
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Cypress
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Location: on the bayou
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David K, Thanks for the report! And your pictures are super!!!Thanks again! 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64948
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thanks amigos for the comments!
As you know, I mostly use photos for 'color' and the text part of my reports are the 'black and white' for the basic facts and details of my trip.
It was a great weekend and the lack of any drama (shootings, corruption, breakdowns, etc.) made it very easy to make plans for a return very soon!
The Toyota has over 92,000 miles and is 3.75 years old this month... still strong 'like ox'!
Jose, yes... the tent on the right is a new one for us... one we can actually stand up in... and makes getting dressed, so much easier!
Thanks again for reading and viewing my trip report...
I may have more photos (from Josh's camera) and can share once I get them.
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Bajaboy
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DK-
I appreciate you taking the time to share your trip with us. Looks like a great, quick getaway. How were the temps?
A little over a month for me....
Zac
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Woooosh
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Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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What a beautiful spot. It looks very toasty. The trip details were a nice touch- with all the tolls, petrol rates and timing. Thanks.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64948
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajaboy
DK-
I appreciate you taking the time to share your trip with us. Looks like a great, quick getaway. How were the temps?
A little over a month for me....
Zac |
Daytime was about 85º-90º with a nice sea breeze... Very comfortable 72º at night.
The sea was 'refreshing' to swim in, but on the slight cool side of what we usually like. We like 'bath water' Cortez temps. and will return in the
next 4 months for that 'Baja feeling'!
Driving home, across the desert it was 100º near Mexicali and 77º up at La Rumorosa.
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fishbuck
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Great photos David! Always makes me feel good!
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64948
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thanks Fishbuck, and de nada Woooosh!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64948
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Anybody else go to Baja last weekend?
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steekers
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sorry we missed you!
Hey David:
We missed you there that morning. Apparently you drove by but the couple we were with didn't recognize your truck until later when I asked. I rode up
on my quad but not far enough to spot your camp. We went to Chuck's place and they were on the way to play in the bay so we followed. We had a great
time there and too bad all of us couldn't connect up.
I wonder why you didn't come by to see our place at EDR on the way out! Maybe next time.
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
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Mood: Anxious to get south
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| Quote: | Originally posted by steekers
Hey David:
We missed you there that morning. Apparently you drove by but the couple we were with didn't recognize your truck until later when I asked. I rode up
on my quad but not far enough to spot your camp. We went to Chuck's place and they were on the way to play in the bay so we followed. We had a great
time there and too bad all of us couldn't connect up.
I wonder why you didn't come by to see our place at EDR on the way out! Maybe next time. |
Hey Michael,
Good times in the lagoon! Nice job waterski'ng! Jim too, he was tear'n it up.
We are there at the lagoon each trip for some smooth water, it holds up well even when it's blowing white caps on the outside.
Nice to see you guys again...
Chuck
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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woody with a view
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what's the deal with the sand bags?
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