Gonzaga Bay - Coco's Corner

Having settled into Baja pace while in San Felipe, Petey loaded up after two nights and headed south along the Sea of Cortez.  With no set destination for the night we ended up stopping in Gonzaga Bay which is an easy drive from San Felipe.  Beautiful beach setting with camping right on the beach. One other camper on the entire beach which is probably over a mile in length.  More hanging out around camp and taking Petey for long walks while watching the sunset.

Gonzaga Bay on the Sea of Cortez. 

Camp for the evening.

Necessary item for fish taco's.  I've eaten about 50% of my body weight in fish and shrimp taco's and I've only been down here about a full week now.  God help me if I stay a full month.

After a night in Gonzaga Bay we headed to CoCo's corner the following morning.  For those who are not aware who CoCo is ... a little background or you can simply go to YouTube and type in CoCo's Corner and watch videos.  He's a legend in the off road community and has been out in the middle of nowhere now for 24 years.  He has lost both legs to diabetes and is now 73 years old, or so he says regarding his age.  He gets around with some heavy leather type protection over his stumps and via his quad.   He is quite a character and a fun place to stop in.  He also loves the senorita's and has the women who stop in donate a pair of panties which he proudly displays throughout his establishment.  Establishment is a loose term here.  A one of a kind....they don't make many like this anymore.

It's about 40 miles of some rough road once the pavement ends until you hit pavement.  CoCo's is a about half way in.

CoCo's Corner

The famous CoCo himself holding court.

He wanted me to leave Petey with him.  Stated that if he didn't work out as a guard dog he'd make good Carne Asada.

Had a sticker from my friend Brian who owns Atomic Moto so I got CoCo to hold the sticker prior to placing on the wall of fame.

CoCo is not shy and decided I needed to help him out for awhile since I had no where to be.  Didn't mind at all and we spent the time erecting a new pole at his entrance while Petey chased his cats around the enclosure.

After leaving I had stopped to let Petey out and saw a biker coming up the road from quite a ways off.  Waited and realize it's a scooter with a young girl on it.  If you've been out here on this road you'll know it's really not scooter terrain.  Thing was loaded and she was headed for CoCo's.  She rides and the stop at CoCo's is a must among riders in Baja.  She had been on the road, solo out of Rhode Island, for the past ten months with 21,000 miles to her credit.  Had been all the way down to Cabo and was working her way back to the border. Was fun to talk about her trip and talk motorcycles and previous rides we'd each been on.  Solo woman on a scooter in the middle of Baja....you've got to give her some major points.

More to come.  Whale watching from Laguna Ojo de Liebre.

San Felipe - Gonzaga Bay

Still working our south where we spent two nights in San Felipe exchanging some american funds for pesos.  Camped on the beach at at park called Kiki's.  Full of Canadian's who spend their winters down here.  Petey laid around in the road with the rest of the dogs which roam around and drop for a nap at a moments notice.  Mornings and evenings spent walking Petey on the beach.  Easy walk to the malecon downtown for people watching and a couple of cold ones.  Headed for Coco's Corner and Gonzaga Bay next.   More to come..................

Back in the day....

After arriving in Yuma decided to go on base to restock on some supplies.  Just as I was driving through the main gate I noted that a change of command ceremony was getting underway.  Brought back many memories as I've participated in many of them over the years.  I also noted that the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team and the Drum and Bugle Corp was there and would be performing.  Of course, I found a spot to park and grabbed the camera.  These Marines are the real deal when it comes to drill and the handling of weapons.  It's an emotional performance and makes you realize that this country still has some quality young men coming up through the ranks.   Unlike the morons you see running around with their pants down around their knees,  no discipline, disdain for our country, etc.. Hell, don't get me started.  It's a bit sad to be around all this again though as it makes one realize just how time has passed.  Being around these young Marines with their life and career in front of them makes me want to turn back the clock.  As I watched I only wish one could go back.  I was once stationed here in Yuma as a member of the worlds finest.  Now look at me.....on second thought, let's not!

Slab City

After leaving Joshua Tree I wanted to go check out a place called Slab City which is on the east side of the Salton Sea.  I had seen news reports on it over the years and had always thought if I was ever out this way I'd go.  Place used to be an old military installation where Patton trained troops for WWII.  It's outside a dump of a town called Niland in California.  An old grocery store, liquor store and a gas station.  Pretty sure the liquor store does a good bit of business.  Place is run down to say the least.   This place is reported to be the last free spot in America.  It is an weird mix of hippies, war vets, homeless people, drug addicts, eccentrics, artists, etc., etc.  You name it and I think it's in Slab City.  I unloaded the bike and just rode around checking out the place and talking with some of the nut jobs roaming around.  Place is something like you'd find in a Mad Max Movie.  No power, no running water and people living in everything imaginable.  Only time the law even comes out here is if a murder takes place from what I was told by some of the inhabitants.  Basically the state just allows it to exists.  No one owns the land nor pays rent.  Drag your crap out here and settle in!  Was a fun way to spend an afternoon.  I ended up camping out here amongst the crazies but kept the 9MM tucked under the pillow.  No problems though and am now headed for Arizona.

 

 

Salvation Mountain.  Guy spent 20 something years building this and recently passed away. 

 

 

 

This was my new found buddy in Slab City.  Kinda gave me the grand tour and let me know how life is out here.  Guy was a little off to put it mildly.  Lived in a clapped out trailer with a yard full of trash.  Never really could ascertain the memorial dumpster thing but it was interesting.  Not sure if this guy was Mike or he just liked to look after the dumpster.   Excuse the language in the sign but you had to be there.  Not posting due to the language just wouldn't be  right.

 

 

 

 

He lives out here ..... year round.  Stated he'd seen it 120 degrees before.  Remember, he has no power nor running water.

 

 

 

 

 

Joshua Tree

Finally finding some warm weather the further south I get.  Last two nights were pretty cold once the sun dropped but Joshua Tree National Park was nice during the day.  Spent two days and nights exploring the park.  Could easily spend a full week here poking around but needed to keep making tracks to the south so only two nights.   Joshua Tree is a climbers paradise.  Most routes are bouldering style but there are some single and multi-pitch routes.

Climber finishing up for the day.

Driving around in the park the first evening.

Some night shots from a couple of campsites near mine.

While I was having dinner observed this Hawk take a small rabbit right outside my camp.  Was able to grab the camera and get a couple of shots while both of us were fed.

Luckily, the Hawk didn't spot this guy lounging around camp and took the rabbit instead.

Some really nice campsites throughout the Park.

Hiked in the following day to an old gold mining area that was operational back in the 1930's.

This old guy never made it out and now stands guard over the old crush house.

 Loved Joshua Tree and hope to return.

Leaving the park headed down to Twenty Nine Palms Marine Corp Base.