Live and Learn

I was already breaking one of my cardinal rules while on another roam about.  A schedule!  I had been on the road for less than a week and I had to be somewhere on a set date.  A big no-no in my book. I never make reservations and just go where my mood strikes me at the time. I had agreed to meet up with 8 other Overlanders that I had been in contact with via a forum on the internet I follow and had to be in Yuma on the 27th of December to rendezvous with the group prior to crossing the border.  As I was working my way south towards the border I was questioning my decision but convinced myself, with the help of Tiffany, that it would be good for me to travel with a group.  Security, meet new people, share the experience, etc., etc.  What a crock of shit that turned out to be.  To put it bluntly, traveling with a large group is torture. I'll take the solo or maybe one other rig route anytime.  Traveling in mass is like herding cats, each with their own special quirks.  Now, I'm sure I've got my own quirks but good god. All members of the group were nice enough guys/gals but unless you really know everyone, and know them well, traveling as a group is for people who want to socialize and not explore.  I like to seek out some solitude, get back in out of the way places, and encounter the locals in hopes that some adventure will follow. Rolling up on a locals little ranchero and their Mexican family with 9 other rigs and they think they're being invaded by a herd of Gringos. I definitely prefer the solo route.  Damn the security and socializing.  I really knew it wasn't going to work out when on the first day, Petey, whose pecker is maybe two inches off the deck, took a piss on one of the rigs tires and the owner of said rig admonished Petey and then, you're going to love this, proceeded to wash it off with a water bottle.  Understand, we're in four wheel drive off-road rigs in the desert, in Baja, and said driver is worried about a little dog piss on his friggin tire. If you've been to Baja before you know that every time you stop numerous stray Mexican dogs descend on your vehicle and begin to mark it as their own. So you can understand my amazement as I'm standing there watching this and thinking.... you've got to be shitting me, he's actually washing that tire off?  A later discovery revealed that one of the group didn't want to get mud on his rig! For gods sake, why don't you just set up in an RV park somewhere. It was almost comical to me that someone with an off-road rig had this mentality. Following morning, I took off on my own but had second thoughts and waited for them in Gonzaga Bay. I convinced myself I was waiting as I was actually sitting around talking with some locals at a little store when the group came rolling in.  I realized I shouldn't have waited and opted to move on and camp solo that night. I would run into the group about 4 days later after being solo where I met and became friends with one of the group, Wayne Long and his dog Ike, who is from the Calgary area.  Wayne and I left the group but ran back into the group remnants, as most had already turned north to the border, at Bahia Concepcion where we camped for about 6 days. Wayne has become a real friend and is a great traveling companion as he's well prepared, has a laid back personality, is open for any type of adventure, is a great cook and doesn't mind all my stopping for pictures.  Plus, he puts up with my giving him a hard time about his tent camper, among other things.  More on that later. He also doesn't give a shit if Petey takes a piss on his tire and damn sure doesn't mind getting his rig a little dirty. We've had some adventures, met some interesting locals and seen the real Baja as we've been off-road in some of the more remote sections.   Had we stayed with the group there is no way we would have had the adventures we've encountered. This is my fourth extended trip to Baja and it has been my most memorable so far. Anyway, this starts the first segment of my roaming around Baja.  I'm way behind as I crossed into Baja on the 27th of December.  I just haven't had the time or availability to wi-fi to keep up but hope to catch up soon.

Wayne and his pal, Ike.

Camped in a canyon on the second night out.  Shared it with a couple out of Vancouver who had quit their jobs, sold everything and were taking a year to bicycle down to the tip of South America.  Sat around a campfire that evening over some cold beer and discussed their travels to date.  Nice couple who I hope to keep in contact with to hear more about their travels south.

 Cier and Michele from Vancouver

 Camp visitor early the following morning.  These guys are a major concern for me down here with Petey.  That can become pretty brazen and some seem to have no fear of humans.  I've had a couple come right into camp.  Petey would be a nice snack for one of these guys if given the opportunity.

Appeared a truck had gotten stuck out on the flats at low tide outside of San Felipe.  With the tide at the high mark the truck disappeared.  Not a good day for whoever owned this rig.

 Cloud formation that evening.

 A dog's life in Bahia de Los Angeles

 Walking Petey out on the point near camp in Bahia de Los Angeles

 Old prison just south of Bahia de Los Angeles

More to come..............................