Southern California Club Xterra

Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX Xcursion Pictures => Topic started by: Blackx on January 23, 2011, 09:36:03 AM

Title: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on January 23, 2011, 09:36:03 AM
I just got back from a two week drive down to Los Cabos and back and had quite an adventure.  

Follow this link for a more detailed account.  http://crawlernews.com/?p=2678
Second report added.  http://crawlernews.com/?p=2697

My business partner, Chris, and I had been looking for an excuse to travel down through Baja.  He kept a boat in San Jose Del Cabo and decided that it was too expensive there and he wanted to find a small fishing village to keep it.  We are real estate developers and heard of a new marina being built down there and also decided to take the chance to search for possible development opportunities.  Since we were towing his boat we decided to take his Yukon.
The plan was to take mostly dirt roads on the way down for the 1,000 mile trip and explore villages along the way.
We crossed in Mexicali and made our way down to San Felipe for the first night.  It was a ghost town.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3505.jpg)
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3502.jpg)
The next day we headed down the hwy to Puertecitos where the road ends.  The road doesn
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on January 23, 2011, 09:36:58 AM
Typical secluded beach.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3518.jpg)
We arrive in Bahia De Los Angeles (LA Bay) that afternoon.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3538.jpg)
Enjoying a beer with our dogs.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3541.jpg)
Just south of LA Bay we hit the dirt again and discover an old adobe jail in the middle of the desert.  This was built in the late 19th early 20th century by Dick Daggett.  The area was mined for gold, copper and silver at that time.  The jail was placed between town and the local saloon so that if any miner got too drunk he was apprehended on his walk back into town and had to sleep it off in jail.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3547.jpg)
More desert expanse.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3560.jpg)
And more secluded beaches.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3565.jpg)
Dogs taking a break in the shade on one of our multiple stops to rearrange gear that gotten thrown around in back of the truck.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3575.jpg)
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on January 23, 2011, 09:37:57 AM
At this point we break down in the middle of the desert.  The real adventure begins. 
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3576.jpg)
There was no indication of what was wrong.  No warning lights, no overheating.  It felt like an electrical connection came loose.  We unplugged and re-plugged in everything.  No luck. 
I can tell by looking at the map that we
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on January 23, 2011, 09:39:05 AM
Success!  It points me toward Rancho Escondido where I walk another
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on January 23, 2011, 09:40:27 AM
The next morning Chris waits for coffee heated over a fire.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3607.jpg)
The ranchers were not concerned about our situation.  That morning they offer to take us for a horseback ride out to see some cave paintings.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3612.jpg)
Here we are being led by a true vaquero.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3617.jpg)
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3623.jpg)
He shows us the paintings.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3625.jpg)
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3628.jpg)
After a couple days without a shower we decide it
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on January 23, 2011, 09:41:04 AM
Time to load up the truck.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/Rancho%20Escondido%20January%202011/IMG_3636.jpg)
But how is it done?  The bed of the flat bed doesn
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Soylent Yellow on January 23, 2011, 12:44:16 PM
Awesome story!
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: XterracerX on January 23, 2011, 01:56:43 PM
What an adventure Jeff! Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Paul on January 23, 2011, 01:59:28 PM
Doesn't look like much fun. Who/what dug the hole for the flatbed? That's amazing.
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Ghost65 on January 23, 2011, 04:30:31 PM
Great adventure!  Have to tell you, very courageous traveling in Mexico these days.
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on January 25, 2011, 08:53:04 PM
First post updated with a link to more info for those who are interested.
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on January 25, 2011, 08:55:41 PM
Doesn't look like much fun. Who/what dug the hole for the flatbed? That's amazing.
I was definitely a little nervous when we broke down.  Turned out to be a great experience.  They had a dozer and a front end loader to dig the hole. 
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on January 25, 2011, 08:56:53 PM
Great adventure!  Have to tell you, very courageous traveling in Mexico these days.
I understand.  I couldn't believe how many Americans and Canadians we met. 
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Oz on January 26, 2011, 07:44:40 AM
I understand.  I couldn't believe how many Americans and Canadians we met. 

What a great trip (and adventure) ! Kudos to you for making that trip. I have a friend with a house South of San Felipe. Sadly we dont go there anymore
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: boomer818 on January 28, 2011, 12:44:46 AM
WOW sounds like a hell of an adventure you had. So they dug the hole and loaded you truck?
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on January 28, 2011, 08:24:29 AM
Yes, they dug a hole, backed their flatbed down into it like a ramp, and then we pushed our truck on to the flatbed.

First post updated with a link to the second report.
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: FrankB on January 30, 2011, 12:34:07 PM
Jeff, looks like quite an adventure.  Also looks like you met a really great group of folks at the Rancho Escondido.
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on January 31, 2011, 09:20:27 PM
Jeff, looks like quite an adventure.  Also looks like you met a really great group of folks at the Rancho Escondido.
We did.  They were incredible hosts. 

More details on the trip up to the breakdown have been published here.  http://crawlernews.com/?p=2722

And details on my hike for help are published here.  http://crawlernews.com/?p=2749
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Impact619 on February 01, 2011, 07:15:20 PM
Awesome!  As in any crazy remote situation, you were very fortunate to run into some good and helpful people down there!
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: GUANO on February 04, 2011, 09:03:25 AM
that's a great story, i know ppl who have some property in Cabo san Lucas and a few other places out there... They travel the remote baja trails at least a few times a month...   They are investors and coordinators of the races...   I'd like to head out there myself...   Very cool story...
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on February 05, 2011, 11:59:23 PM
that's a great story, i know ppl who have some property in Cabo san Lucas and a few other places out there... They travel the remote baja trails at least a few times a month...   They are investors and coordinators of the races...   I'd like to head out there myself...   Very cool story...
I kind of thought about going down for the San Felipe 250 race.  I talked to Team Xterra Racing and they aren't going this year.  Too far and too expensive for them.  Since I won't know anyone I doubt I'll go.

The saga continue here.  http://crawlernews.com/?p=2797

And a little bonus here.  http://crawlernews.com/?p=2786
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: FrankB on February 06, 2011, 10:31:33 AM
I kind of thought about going down for the San Felipe 250 race.  I talked to Team Xterra Racing and they aren't going this year.  Too far and too expensive for them.  Since I won't know anyone I doubt I'll go.

The saga continue here.  http://crawlernews.com/?p=2797

And a little bonus here.  http://crawlernews.com/?p=2786

Jeff, the movie trailer "bonus" is great.
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on February 08, 2011, 10:05:32 PM
Thanks.  Just something fun my business partner wanted to put together.
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on February 18, 2011, 02:46:43 PM
Next part has been posted.

http://crawlernews.com/?p=2943
Title: Re: My Baja Adventure
Post by: Blackx on February 23, 2011, 09:27:27 PM
Part seven of the adventure has been posted.  http://crawlernews.com/?p=3008