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David K
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Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Labor Day 2014: Baja Beach Get-a-way! All 3 Parts Posted!
The best cure for civilization I know is a trip to Baja and camping totally on your own.
Now, one would think that Labor Day, the last big weekend of summer, would mean no beach is going to be uncrowded or totally empty?
Not true!
Last Labor Day (2013) a tropical storm was dumping rain on San Felipe, so our customary 3 day beach get-a-way didn't happen. We had gone down on
Memorial Day 2013, but the water temperature is still a bit chilly for our liking. July-Sept. the Gulf of California near San Felipe is like a warm
bath, still cooler than the air, but so nice and relaxing that it is therapy to us. Over a year since our last visit to Shell Island really had me
stressed, as I am so connected to that beautiful beach, nearly 20 miles from San Felipe.
Saturday Aug. 30, 2014
I loaded up the Tacoma with the essentials for a beach weekend in Baja: Sun canopy (Coleman Easy-up), Tent (Coleman Instant Tent), chairs (yup,
Coleman), table, stove (guess what brand!), two X-treme ice chests (one for food using block ice and one for beer and water and some mango-ritas using
crushed ice). We have an air mattress with an electric pump that I plug into the 110v outlet that Toyota puts in the bed of the TRD Tacomas.
Another reason for Shell Island as our destination is that my wife Elizabeth ('Baja Angel' on Nomad) loves Shell Island and it is her birthday around
Labor Day... works for me!
We were on the road at 8:09 am, stopped for gas in El Cajon at 8:54 am, topped tank at El Centro at 10:40 am and crossed into Mexico at 11:00 am.
The drive from Mexicali to San Felipe was fast and easy. There are no more detours along the way as all highway widening is now complete.
The mirage at the base of the mountains around Laguna Salada was going on... it was 108ºF
We made a stop and saw that a lot of water had been falling from the sky sometime earlier in the month from the puddles and dried mud...
We stopped for gas at the El Dorado Pemex station (1:05 pm), which is just past the giant Rockadile sign. The station was fully open, as was the
convenience store there. Magna Sin (Regular unleaded) gasoline was 12.95 pesos per liter. 500 pseos topped my tank (38.6 liters). The exchange rate
offered was 12.80 pesos per dollar. I paid $39.00 for the gas and a dollar tip to the attendant (who did not wash the windows) but was otherwise
friendly and wanted to speak to me in English.
As there was some interest in the gas station situation in San Felipe, I noted the other stations...
There was a second Pemex station open, a few more miles south, before entering town. Just past the arches (town entrance) is the third Pemex station
on the right. A few stop signs, a couple of new super markets, and the Clam Man building is passed before reaching the traffic circle where we turn
south (right) to leave town. At the traffic circle are two Pemex stations. Just south, about 3/4 mile from the traffic circle, the final town Pemex
was closed and the pumps had their hoses removed.
The drive south was easy and almost no other traffic on this U.S. holiday weekend. Near Km. 20 the road to Rancho Percebu is passed (this is not a
ranch, but a beach camp for tourists along with private homes). Some years ago, many of the campos became 'ranchos', perhaps for tax reasons the name
change was made. Before, it was called Laguna Percebu. It is the lagoon that begins here which creates the barrier island I call Shell Island which
runs all the way to Bahia Santa Maria, 5 miles from Rancho Percebu.
The access road to Shell Island is by the Km. 26 marker and some cinder block columns. It is less than two miles to the beach. During high lunar
tides, the road is under water the final half mile... it really does become an island!
Some photos on the road and on the beach...
Instead of heading towards the old concrete bridge along the once elevated causeway onto the island, we took the more traveled and original access
road that veers to the right towards the fish camp site/ shack. If you find this area underwater (full or new moon), the best bet is to stay on what
appears to be the heaviest used track, as that will be the most compact... and often the most water as it is lower by a couple of inches. This trip,
the moon was closer to a quarter phase, and the high tides were about 14 feet. When they are over 18 feet is when Shell Island becomes surrounded by
water.
We were on the island at 1:55 pm, less than 6 hours from home (North County San Diego). The temperature was 98º
Camp set up... our view from under the sun canopy...
There was NOBODY else on the entire beach, even the fisherman camp was abandoned... Where else can you go on a Labor Day weekend, 6 hours from
Southern California cities and have an entire island/ beach to yourself?
Sundown Saturday... view of Diablo Mountain...
Stay Tuned for the second half of our beach weekend photos!
[Edited on 9-3-2014 by David K]
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desertcpl
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you didn't say anything about airing down, what PSI do you use
and how do you air down,, as it can be time consuming, I know their is a air down devise, ( forgot the name of it )
what do you use or as air compressor,, I know in the past you have used some from Harbor Frieght, as I have one,, sure is slow, wondering if you have
gone to a onboard air pump
also do you stay on the island or go to one of the close restaurants
what does your usual meals look like, we know your not a fisherman,, just wondering
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by desertcpl
you didn't say anything about airing down, what PSI do you use
and how do you air down,, as it can be time consuming, I know their is a air down devise, ( forgot the name of it )
what do you use or as air compressor,, I know in the past you have used some from Harbor Frieght, as I have one,, sure is slow, wondering if you have
gone to a onboard air pump
also do you stay on the island or go to one of the close restaurants
what does your usual meals look like, we know your not a fisherman,, just wondering |
Thank you for the questions... Earlier this morning I responded to a thread on tire pressure with a photo and description of the air pump...
As this was the first time on Shell Island for this tire on this model truck, I drive as far as I am able to see how well it does... and I was amazed
that with my heavy load in the bed (2 ice chests, etc.) that I drove onto the beach and down to the surf line and even continued about 1/4 mile before
the truck struggled. The tires (Destiny Dakota AT) were at 35 psi and I was in 4WD-HI with traction control (limited slip) on.
I stopped, Baja Angel began shell searching while I deflated the tires. I simply use a tool on my car keys that is like a small screwdriver to depress
the air stem valve. It takes like 2 minutes and 15 seconds (I am counting as the air is released) to remove 15 pounds. Since the tires did so well at
35 psi, I only dropped to 20 psi... and sure enough, they did great the rest of the time driving to our camp spot and back to the road-head. We camp 2
miles down the beach from the road-head.
After I switched from a cigarette lighter connected compressor to the Harbor Freight battery connected compressor, the fill time was 3 times quicker
(2 psi per minute to 6 psi per minute). However, I had issues with the Harbor Freight compressor fuse holder melting, and fuses melting. I was later
given a 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. It is a little slower at 5 psi per minute, but that is the one I use.
We did not leave the island for meals or anything. In the past we gone to or have joined with Baja Rob and Connie, and eaten at the places in Colonia
Delicias sometimes. This is rare compared to eating simply while we are on the island.
Since these beach trips are a get-a-way from the usual for us, and I usually cook at home, there is not much to our eating... and we want to lose
weight anyway!
Breakfast is cereal (oatmeal or raisin bran was brought), we had some bananas also. Baja Angel likes coffee. We have orange juice, too.
Lunch is sandwiches, and Baja Angel makes great ones. We have tomatoes and sweet onion, use sandwich buns. Chips and beer (Tecate Light) with lime
juice complete that meal. Snacks are cheese and crackers or chips and salsa.
Dinner can be sandwiches, snacks, or a hot freeze dried meal in a bag (just add a pint of boiling water) and plenty for two. We had beef stew Sunday
night. Our favorite is the beef stroganoff and I also like the chicken and rice.
We drink lots of water, beer, ice tea, mango-ritas. We enjoy a camp fire, and in the summer, we just don't need to sit close to it! We bring a couple
of those 4 hour instant logs and a bundle of store firewood. This last weekend, some fisherman had camped at our spot and left a pile of local wood
there (see it in the photo above).
The whole idea is to unwind and not work any more than what is needed to set up and tear down camp. We haul out any trash that doesn't burn along with
the mess the fishermen left when they went away (cans, tequila bottle). We are fine with simple camp life and the only use for the stove is to heat
water for coffee and the camp meals in a bag. When we were younger and took our kids camping, we cooked up scrambled eggs, burgers, etc. Now that it
is just us, we don't need to do that, so we don't! 
I was a fisherman and may be again still... I just didn't fish much after my dad died... it was his thing and reason for going to Baja. My reason to
go to Baja is to explore, relax, photograph, write travel stories. I love to eat fish, but am just fine if they are caught by someone else. I did
mention to Baja Angel as we were floating in the Sea of Cortez and had fish jumping out of the water all around us, that I would like to bring a pole
down and maybe fish off the beach again, as I had with my dad in the same area from 1966-1983.
[Edited on 9-2-2014 by David K]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Sunday (Part 2)
Good Morning Shell Island!
Looking north to Rancho Percebu, which is across the lagoon from the north end of the island.
Looking west from the island.
Looking south.
Yes, the vehicle that takes us where we want to go, a 2010 Toyota Tacoma 4WD TRD Off Road Double Cab.
The day was beautiful, but about 11 am the wind picked up and stayed with us until about 5 pm. In the past, the wind in September was none existent.
That keeps it hot, but the sea is flat and nice for swimming/ floating. With the wind created waves, swimming at high tide was not easy. High tide was
about 4 pm. We did go to the lagoon at high tide where it is as calm as a lake and floated in there to almost sundown... NICE!
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3397
Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
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Looks like you scored---the heat might keep people away, does me anyway--after spending a summer in Texas I'd be heading to the Pacific!  Nice pics---love the one with Diablo in the background. Shell Island
looks wonderfully pristine, will stop there next time on the gulf, eh, maybe when the weather cools down a bit.
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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 Mexitron
Looks like you scored---the heat might keep people away, does me anyway--after spending a summer in Texas I'd be heading to the Pacific! Nice pics---love the one with Diablo in the background. Shell Island
looks wonderfully pristine, will stop there next time on the gulf, eh, maybe when the weather cools down a bit. |
Yes, but at 98º it is no warmer than we are!  
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
Posts: 2396
Registered: 10-26-2008
Location: yuma,az
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by desertcpl
you didn't say anything about airing down, what PSI do you use
and how do you air down,, as it can be time consuming, I know their is a air down devise, ( forgot the name of it )
what do you use or as air compressor,, I know in the past you have used some from Harbor Frieght, as I have one,, sure is slow, wondering if you have
gone to a onboard air pump
also do you stay on the island or go to one of the close restaurants
what does your usual meals look like, we know your not a fisherman,, just wondering |
Thank you for the questions... Earlier this morning I responded to a thread on tire pressure with a photo and description of the air pump...
As this was the first time on Shell Island for this tire on this model truck, I drive as far as I am able to see how well it does... and I was amazed
that with my heavy load in the bed (2 ice chests, etc.) that I drove onto the beach and down to the surf line and even continued about 1/4 mile before
the truck struggled. The tires (Destiny Dakota AT) were at 35 psi and I was in 4WD-HI with traction control (limited slip) on.
I stopped, Baja Angel began shell searching while I deflated the tires. I simply use a tool on my car keys that is like a small screwdriver to depress
the air stem valve. It takes like 2 minutes and 15 seconds (I am counting as the air is released) to remove 15 pounds. Since the tires did so well at
35 psi, I only dropped to 20 psi... and sure enough, they did great the rest of the time driving to our camp spot and back to the road-head. We camp 2
miles down the beach from the road-head.
After I switched from a cigarette lighter connected compressor to the Harbor Freight battery connected compressor, the fill time was 3 times quicker
(2 psi per minute to 6 psi per minute). However, I had issues with the Harbor Freight compressor fuse holder melting, and fuses melting. I was later
given a 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. It is a little slower at 5 psi per minute, but that is the one I use.
We did not leave the island for meals or anything. In the past we gone to or have joined with Baja Rob and Connie, and eaten at the places in Colonia
Delicias sometimes. This is rare compared to eating simply while we are on the island.
Since these beach trips are a get-a-way from the usual for us, and I usually cook at home, there is not much to our eating... and we want to lose
weight anyway!
Breakfast is cereal (oatmeal or raisin bran was brought), we had some bananas also. Baja Angel likes coffee. We have orange juice, too.
Lunch is sandwiches, and Baja Angel makes great ones. We have tomatoes and sweet onion, use sandwich buns. Chips and beer (Tecate Light) with lime
juice complete that meal. Snacks are cheese and crackers or chips and salsa.
Dinner can be sandwiches, snacks, or a hot freeze dried meal in a bag (just add a pint of boiling water) and plenty for two. We had beef stew Sunday
night. Our favorite is the beef stroganoff and I also like the chicken and rice.
We drink lots of water, beer, ice tea, mango-ritas. We enjoy a camp fire, and in the summer, we just don't need to sit close to it! We bring a couple
of those 4 hour instant logs and a bundle of store firewood. This last weekend, some fisherman had camped at our spot and left a pile of local wood
there (see it in the photo above).
The whole idea is to unwind and not work any more than what is needed to set up and tear down camp. We haul out any trash that doesn't burn along with
the mess the fishermen left when they went away (cans, tequila bottle). We are fine with simple camp life and the only use for the stove is to heat
water for coffee and the camp meals in a bag. When we were younger and took our kids camping, we cooked up scrambled eggs, burgers, etc. Now that it
is just us, we don't need to do that, so we don't!
I was a fisherman and may be again still... I just didn't fish much after my dad died... it was his thing and reason for going to Baja. My reason to
go to Baja is to explore, relax, photograph, write travel stories. I love to eat fish, but am just fine if they are caught by someone else. I did
mention to Baja Angel as we were floating in the Sea of Cortez and had fish jumping out of the water all around us, that I would like to bring a pole
down and maybe fish off the beach again, as I had with my dad in the same area from 1966-1983.
[Edited on 9-2-2014 by David K] |
thank you David,, it all makes since,, you guys have been doing this for a long time now,, and have it worked out nice for your needs
Ken/Jane
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Bob53
Senior Nomad
Posts: 661
Registered: 2-24-2014
Location: Fallbrook, CA & Bahia de los Angeles
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Nice pictures. Looks like you had a relaxing trip.
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ehall
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Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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looks like a great trip. I think I might camp there Thursday night on my way to Gonzaga.
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BajaGeoff
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 1-11-2006
Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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Nice pics DK! Glad you got a Baja fix....
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ncampion
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Location: Loreto
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David, Always love you trip stories. This one brings me back many years when we used to pack up the kids and head off to that very place for 3-day
weekends whenever possible. Always good memories and the trips that are less than perfect or had some type of "fail" are the ones that the kids talk
about the most. "...remember that time we all got stuck in the sand?" (we would call it San Felipe ice)
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Thanks amigos. When I get home later I will post Part 3 with the details of driving home via Tecate.
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3397
Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by Mexitron
Looks like you scored---the heat might keep people away, does me anyway--after spending a summer in Texas I'd be heading to the Pacific! Nice pics---love the one with Diablo in the background. Shell Island
looks wonderfully pristine, will stop there next time on the gulf, eh, maybe when the weather cools down a bit. |
Yes, but at 98º it is no warmer than we are! |
Plus the air is probably drier, even next to the gulf......sorry, been sweating it out this summer.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Good stuff...glad you were able to get south. Less than three weeks for me....
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Taco de Baja
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Thanks for sharing. Good times, even if it was for only a short time.
Here's a hint, try wrapping your easy-up with shade cloth on three sides. You don't have to chase the shade all day long, and the cloth allows the
breezes to flow.
Truth generally lies in the coordination of antagonistic opinions
-Herbert Spencer
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El Vergel
Nomad
Posts: 197
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: San Felipe - Puertecitos Rd., Km. 35 and Santa Mon
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Bravo David and Baja Angel! Yikes... 108 degrees????
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Maron
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Thks for the pics and info. Looked like a great trip.
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BajaNomad
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| 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.
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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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Taco de Baja
Thanks for sharing. Good times, even if it was for only a short time.
Here's a hint, try wrapping your easy-up with shade cloth on three sides. You don't have to chase the shade all day long, and the cloth allows the
breezes to flow. |
Thanks... in the past, I would attach a tarp to the west side and block the afternoon sun. We wanted a low work weekend, so with just the two ice
chests and two chairs to keep in the shade, it wasn't a big deal sliding them and didn't bother attaching the tarp.
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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 El Vergel
Bravo David and Baja Angel! Yikes... 108 degrees???? |
The 108º was on the Laguna Salada driving down... It was 107º in Mexicali at 11 am! Near San Felipe it was under 104º and as I said, on the beach it
was under 100º. It is called summer, and it is a desert... we like it because that makes it different than home, and vacations are to experience
different things!
Naturally, when we are going to do a lot of walking outdoors, like when searching for lost missions (or lost graves), I would want it to be cooler!
Being lazy on the beach, with lots of ice cold cerveza, then 98º is just fine... in the shade!
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