May 4, 2010 --- Rosarito Beach => Vicente Guerrero, Baja California

Last Update: Saturday, November 19, 2016

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So what started off as going off to Baja for three weeks to clear my head, feel the warm rays of the summer sun on the Tropic of Cancer and do a little networking for Baja job opportunities has turned into a 10-week sojourn including settling down for the month of June in my own little cabaña near the Villa del Palmar resort in Cabo San Lucas.

 

     Other TRIPS

Ever wonder why Los Cabos and other select Mexican destinations come into being and grow like crazy? It's not luck or coincidence. It's all very well-planned. Thanks to Fonatur, the "institution responsible for the planning and development of sustainable tourism projects." And with respect to the Baja Peninsula specifically, there is the vision of the Escalera Nautica, the Nautical Ladder --- a mega project; canceled "as is" in early 2010.
Google Earth Placemarks The Trip Maps
 

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Videos

Photographs

Be sure and order your own copy of this amazing atlas by clicking on the cover at left. You CANNOT travel BAJA without this guide.

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Video Clips

According to my little red journal ... I didn't even leave Robert's Motel until 9:00. Then with a couple of trip items to take care of, it was 11:45 before I even got to Ensenada.

 

 
File Name / Description File Run Time (mm:ss) File Size (Mb)
Foggy Rosarito HIGH-resolution file 1:25 26±
Foggy Rosarito LOW-resolution file 1:25
     
Ensenada Free Road HIGH-resolution file 1:04 20±
Ensenada Free Road LOW-resolution file 1:04
     
Beautiful & Blessed HIGH-resolution file 1:04 20±
Beautiful & Blessed LOW-resolution file 1:04
     
Santo Tomas Valley HIGH-resolution file 00:32 10±
Santo Tomas Valley LOW-resolution file 00:32
     

Photographs

Robert's K-38 Surfer Motel --- it's not pretty, but it works. may04_114.jpg (613140 bytes) may04_113.jpg (604414 bytes) may04_111.jpg (645446 bytes)
Crazy Kiwi Ricky. may04_120.jpg (594937 bytes) may04_119.jpg (620746 bytes) may04_117.jpg (613455 bytes) may04_118.jpg (578836 bytes)
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After gassing up at the Primo Tapia Pemex and stopping for ice & to say hello to Nicholas at Splash Bar & Restaurant, I was on the road, again. And luvin' it! may04_121.jpg (661971 bytes) may04_122.jpg (666117 bytes) may04_123.jpg (626320 bytes) may04_124.jpg (647913 bytes) may04_125.jpg (626359 bytes)
Off-grid surf camp from the 1950's, where yesterday I was poking around about rooms & apartments. Unique little place. may04_126.jpg (625987 bytes) may04_127.jpg (639229 bytes) may04_128.jpg (620437 bytes)
I drove the (inland) free road on a leisurely journey through the countryside instead of the spectacular coastal road. Once past Ensenada, I made the drive leisurely with stops as I felt like it. may04_129.jpg (687623 bytes) may04_130.jpg (595575 bytes) may04_131.jpg (666504 bytes) may04_132.jpg (624810 bytes) may04_133.jpg (658957 bytes)
Clearing skies. It's green and beautiful this time of year. may04_134.jpg (679161 bytes) may04_135.jpg (676489 bytes) may04_137.jpg (664935 bytes) may04_138.jpg (690432 bytes) may04_139.jpg (646759 bytes)
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Look! It's my market! may04_148.jpg (610882 bytes) may04_146.jpg (706219 bytes) may04_147.jpg (708323 bytes) may04_149.jpg (672529 bytes)
Beyond Ensenada is Maneadero, where traffic really thins out quickly and we climb through several valleys and ridges.

Yippie, last year's road construction thru Maneadero is finally complete.

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Las Cañadas Campamento ... I'd love to work here. Stopped at the store to buy some things and spoke with the Mexican guy, who used to work in the states, about getting employment here. may04_155.jpg (658419 bytes) may04_157.jpg (666650 bytes) may04_158.jpg (687839 bytes) may04_159.jpg (630320 bytes) 
After the (former) military checkpoint on the ridge, dropping down into the Santo Tomas Valley. pan_may04_santo_tomas_grade.jpg (407799 bytes)
Wine country. Gorgeous. And despite road signs, I still could not locate the Mission.

 

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But the economy is awful. There is no one around. I ate a small meal in a restaurant all by myself. Where are all the tourists? I'll spend what few pesos I can here. ANd all up and down the peninsula to do my part to help. pan_may04_santo_tomas_restaurant.jpg (176364 bytes) may04_174.jpg (603591 bytes) may04_169.jpg (574286 bytes) may04_170.jpg (607438 bytes)
Now on to Colonet & Vicente Guerrero where bridges were washed out during the last winter season storms.

Bridge update/pictures here.

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But before that, a dirt turnoff towards green trees told me water was nearby. And, yes, I took a 90-minute break to sit in a stream just before the Ejido Erindira turnoff to Coyote Cals.

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Passing, drifting or just cannot make up his mind?

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First itinerary change already ... visit Parque Nacional San Pedro Martir on the return trip instead of the down trip. may04_189.jpg (132413 bytes) may04_193.jpg (320491 bytes) may04_192.jpg (108534 bytes) may04_194.jpg (54664 bytes)
There is simply no way to drive 70 miles up an unknown mountain range to camp at 7-8,000 foot elevation and then hurry back down the next morning for my first delivery in Vicente Guerrero --- a blender for a restaurant. may04_195.jpg (40805 bytes) may04_196.jpg (160546 bytes)
Wow, these distance signs look a bit ominous; but they're in kilometers, not miles. Not quite so bad by a factor of 1.6x. may04_190.jpg (172614 bytes) may04_191.jpg (150183 bytes)
Please, God. Grant me a piece of your pharmaceuticals.
Hostel Cuatro Casas, Four Houses Hostel. I need to check this out some day. may04_198.jpg (202966 bytes) may04_197.jpg (625681 bytes)Greenhouses near Colonet, where my friend Enrique no longer ran the little mini-market. He'd returned to Toronto.
El Barco, The Boat  Campground, at Punta San Jacinto ... a bizarre little corner of the world. may04_199.jpg (177437 bytes)
Then Camalu, they finally got their first traffic signal.

 

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Then San Vicente. I need to be watchful for the turnoff. Signage sucks.

Lots of construction & distractions everywhere. No need for a traffic citation.

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Oops. Camera malfunction. Every now and then my camera changes setting when I'm not aware of it. Then resets. may04_209.jpg (536817 bytes) may04_210.jpg (557223 bytes) may04_211.jpg (565509 bytes) may04_212.jpg (620927 bytes) may04_213.jpg (611556 bytes)
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Posada Don Diego in Vicente Guerrero, run by Irene, her husband José and their son Eddie. The delivery went well and I was rewarded with a complimentary dinner and a free night of lodging. So far I've managed to avoid camping. may04_219.jpg (646005 bytes)guys. I hate I didn't take a picture. Your hospitality was awesome. I'll be back on my next trip by. may04_221.jpg (739893 bytes)