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2007 Baja California Mexico DXpedition Jan. 29 - March 17, 2007
Green line = Caravan Route Black line = our travels after leaving the Caravan
Auntie Em " This is not Kansas "
Find the story behind this Art Work below
Featuring
Spontaneous 4am entertainment by Bandito Poncho Villa & the Red Sash,
proudly terrorizing Texas and New Mexico for over a hundred years
Day 1
January 12,
2007 hooked up the 
& stay @
Anna, Illinois
Elks Lodge Illinois mile marker 30
Day 2
Hot Springs, Arkansas
...staying just ahead of a mid west ice storm
Day 3 Heading to Dallas the road starting icing @ Texarkana Texas. ...so we turned the Ziggy Buggy south and headed to Centerville, Texas
& stayed w/ Airstreamers & Texas Ranchers Larry and
Francis
...had the opportunity to be a cowboy and feed the cattle out on the Ranch.
Day 4 & 5 Fort Cark @ Bracketville ,Texas ...iced in & will spend an extra day
Day 6 Jan. 17 We get word the road to Del Rio Texas is open so we hook up and head to Balmorhea Hot Spring S. P., Texas on Route 10
Day 7 Lordsburg, New Mexico Elks Lodge ...broke camp & left at 11pm because of expected 8 inches of snow & the interstate will be shut down at 1am so we drove to Tucson & got some sleep behind a Red Roof Inn till day break.
Day 8 made it to
Why, Arizona
& the
BLM
just N/O Organ Pipe National Park
& the Sun came all the way to the ground, ...the desert smell, warmth of the sun, dry air, "This camp is very Cool,"
Day 9 - 16 Jan. 20 Quartzite, Az. Ham Rally @ mm99 6 miles S/O of town
http://www.quartzfest.org/html/main.htm
living in the desert w/Gordon West aka "Gordo" WB6NOA ...the Guru of Amateur Radio ...Aircraft Class
...Portable Antenna Class ...Antenna Tuner Class
...check out the High Frequency Back pack rig & Portable Yage during a Antenna walk around
Sunrise @ Quartzfest & Kathleen's Famous Bacon & Egg Sandwich & tomato juice w/morning Antenna walk around ...
4WD trip into Kofa National Wildlife Preserve about mm85
...notice the burnt volcanic rock in this area common t the Quartzite Kofa Wildlife Preserve,
(will have Sierra Antennas ship over night so I am ready for HF contacts in Mexico.
Kathleen w/show & tell
at the many Ladies Coffee's (Martha
modeling her new desert boots)
...Quartzite Chopper Port
...when we got back to Quartzfest I find out that my High Frequency Antenna Whip had shook loose and is lost in the
Day 16 on the way to Holtsville, California Hot Spring BLM we pass through the Imperial Sands Dunes of California
camped at the far end of Hot Springs BLM Holtsville Calf., we just walked back from a
Dip
in the Hot Springs
located in the Palm Tree Oasis on the upper right
Day 17 Elks Lodge El Cajon, Calf.
Time to enter Mexico
Caravan Day 1 " Baja California Adventure N-36-B " Jan. 29 - March 17, 2007 2,205 mile 48 day adventure deep into Mexico
to Cabo San Lucas & back, Sea Kayak w/ birthing whales, snorkel, hike the Baja Desert, deep Sea fishing, live on the Beaches of Baja
Caravan Day 2 Took the Trolley to Little Italy in San Diego for a historic walking tour & Lunch
Caravan Day 3 went to Tijuana to purchase my Amateur Radio Temporary License. Took a Taxi across town to the Mexican equivalent of our FCC.
...paid the $94 US dollar fee and received my Mexican call sign XE2/W9DET
Caravan Day 4
Feb. 1,2007
Baja California Adventure begins
we enter Tijuana, Mexico with the Airstream at 0915hrs this morning
...as we cross the Mexican Boarder I sign on to the 20 meter RV service Net & get my 1st Mexico Contact with my Mexico Ham License XE2/ W9DET
...We are on the parking committee today & will be with the firsts 4 Airstreams to enter Mexico
Caravan down the coast in our group of 4 Airstreams
stop for a roadside break
Down town Ensenada ...have to stop at the ALTO signs while heading to our camp resort in Estero Beach
Kathleen on the parking team @ Estero Beach Camp resort directs arriving Airstreams down to the Beach for the parkers
camped @ Estero Beach & will walk down the beach to dinner
Caravan Day 5 Estero Beach
Caravan Day 6 we will be leaving the tourist area of Baja California and heading out into the countryside heading for a beach camp @ San Quintin
going through a Mexican
Government check point.
Breakfast on the Beach
start off today's road trip w/
Espinosas
for Lobster Tacos
several hours of mountain travel
this morning, when on coming 18 wheeler trucks pass they use your side of the
road, there is no should, none and the road drops off any where from 1 to 100
feet. You ride with your elbows inside the truck.
9 1/2 foot lanes (8 1/2 wide
Airstream) as run through a valley, the lead Airstream notifies the
Caravan of on coming traffic from the front and the caboose, last Airstream
warns every one of passers from the rear. Sound easy but on this narrow
road it is interesting.
traveling a National Park through Jumbo Rocks & unique cactus only found here
Martha is not sure of this rest stop & the crowing roosters and Mexican dogs has her attention
coming up on one of many drug & weapons Military Check Points ...sometimes they wave you through, sometimes they go through everything
Auntie Em " This is not Kansas "
we pass through
Baja California South
inspection
& get our vehicle inspected & sprayed for fruit flies for 20 Pesos. The inspector took our Grape fruit and apples from our Frig.
Free camping @ Mario's with Dinner and whale watching boat trip in the morning.
dinner at Mario's Campground Supper
Club
Day
9
Feb 6,2007
Whale school before heading
out into the Bay
Mother Whales & Calves in all directions, including under the boat
Mom and her calf
As the Mother Grey Whales and their calves bang the bottom of boat. Our boatmen says, "no problemo"
Mating Whales
heading back to the dock we visit Harbor Seals
back to the dock after 3 hours
in the bay
Day 10 and headed for the Sea of Cortez ...trucks our a hazard on these narrow roads, this road is a bit better, notice the several inches of shoulder, normally there is none
the winter storms we encountered in Texas came through Baja California Mexico, those rains produced these beautiful desert flowers.
notice how the desert is always changing with different plants, cactuses and terrain as you travel
Date Palms in this town ...we notice a tire loosing air south of town and head back to a local tire repair shop
descending back to sea level and our camp is across this bay ...down on the beach heading to our camp for the next 4 nights
Day 10 Bahia Concepcion BCS Four days of living on a sand bar
Kayaking
the Sea of Cortez
w/ crystal clear water and plenty
fish
Kayaking to the mangroves across the bay
...1 mile north I find a safe haven and a couple pops
evening entertainment on the Sand Bar
10am breakfast on a sand bar, fresh shrimp & scallops from local fishermen
Kathleen heads out to sea ...Martha waits on shore
hiking the coast of Bahia Concepcion
crystal clear bay waters
hike to the top
Shoes tell the story, today
it is ground sea shells
Bartering for a hand carved Grey Wale souvenir ...Spend money, why not, almost Free!
sun set w/ fresh scallops & shrimp on the grill
Day 14 time to head back to the highway and head further south we all have our own description of a Castle on the beach
coastal road as we begin our climb into the mountains
dangerous narrow roads, Mexican Military assist with traffic as a trucker tipped over on the curve
stop for lunch @ Carrizal in Ciudad Insurgentes
Day 14 Camp @ Ciudad Constitucion BCS ...Cotton plants as shrubs
...This inland community has irrigation thus is a farming community
We had to use the Spanish dictionary today. Looked for a "Washo Closo" & found the Lavanderia ! ...I found "Cerveza" @ that beer sign n the left
time for happy hour and evening entertainment
visiting old missions
Day 17 Valentines Day Feb 14,2007 & on the road to the coastal town of Los Barriles on the Sea of Cortez
...We are Caravan Deparkers today. Kathleen check the tail lights & equipment Airstreams exit the camp
...heading south ...Kathleen looks for things to see on the road, only one road. Mexico 1
the desert land scape continues to change from eroded desert ...to mountain roads
leaving the mountains for the coastal Whaling town of La Paz on the Sea of Cortez aka Bay of California
entering La Paz & it's Whale Fluke Monument aka the Dove of Peace Monument
entering the Gold & Silver mining camp of El Triunfo, the mines closed in 1926 ...stone streets
Mission in this one time prosperous
town
Blast Furnace of the old Gold & Silver mines
Welcome to Los Barriles
weaving through town ...crossing a wash on the beach north of town
Our camp on the beach
Dinner @ the Los Palmas resort
The Moss's of Denver Colorado
...Bob, Sue & Laura
Someone you should know
This time of year the winds blow off
the Sea of Cortez & wind surfers come from all over the world to enjoy
Day 17 we take a short ride into Los Barriles for breakfast @ one of the many resorts
heading for some Pops @ our camp
ground Bar
...last Septembers Hurricane blew away the old one. This beach was full of Palm trees that are also gone.
...wind surfers from around the world store their gear in those tents on the right
Kathleen takes a practice ride on her ATV getting ready for tomorrows ride
On your Mark, get set, "GO" For awhile until I fell off & broke my camera while riding backwards and taking pictures
...w/ no camera you will have to imagine how we went over the mountain, drove for miles through 200 foot streams and water falls until we were soaking wet and covered with mud & colored Gold form the Gold dust in the streams.
Buzzard airing out its feathers
This beach bar in our camp got to be a favorite stop ...just before happy hour, in a few moments this place will be full w/dollar beers and $2 tequila
Sunset, have to get up in the morning and do it again
Day 20 on way to Cabo San Lucas we will cross the Tropic of Cancer 23.5N Latitude Tropic of Cancer Link
Day 20 - 27
Cabo San Lucas
Feb 17,2007
We leave the Caravan 2 days early to
meet up with Chris & Jamie in town and head back to camp in the evening.
Slims Elbow Room Kathleen purchases some whistles
Fun in Cabo
Our first night in Cabo San Lucas, Ouch!
Day 21
Feb 18,2007
0400hrs
Banditos
pry my truck lock & smash my truck door window trying to get my Ham Radio.
My Ham Radio
was in his hand but he dropped it as I ran @ the 30 year old medium build
Mexican from my Airstream in my boxer shorts as
Kathleen hit the truck panic alarm. As the other campers hear me yelling
every camper hit their vehicle panic alarm and the large motor homes all kept
blowing their very loud air horns. Actually pretty cool to have all these people
I did not know come to help.
the next day my Bandito Burglary Alarm starts to take shape ...it turns out that the 5 plus Burglars will come back every night for the next 5 nights. Caravaners took turns on guard duty through out the night. I refused in that I made my own schedule. The Bandits came at 4am. Thus I was on patrol from 3:30 - 4:30am nightly
Lovers Beach
Dances with Hump Back Whales just off show @ Lovers Beach Dance
Dinner with the Airstream Caravan
Glass Blowing Factory Tour,
probably the guy who was in my truck
time for a Sunset Free Margaritas Cruise w/ Hump Back Whale watching
...right up close at the famous Cabo San Lucas
Arch
&
Lands End
on the Baja California Mexico
Peninsula
Pelican ...Frigate Birds are plentiful through out Baja Sir & Norte
Sunset in the Bay of Cabo San
Lucas
Caravan Day 28 we Leave Cabo San Lucas today after seven nights & again wake up to vehicle Burglar alarms. Time to move down the road
If you ever been
"Standin'
on the Corner "
in Winslow, Arizona
...Then "Hotel California" in Todo Santas, Mexico is a must.
Caravan Day 28 Feb 25,2007 ...Why in the Hell our we driving around & living in this Third World Country? Then ask the question, have your been to Hotel California?
Pulling into our gated community in The City of La Paz, a very Mexican City
...Notice my Truck Mirror has taken on a new look. With the narrow roads mirror banging w/ on coming traffic at 80 Kilometers (50 MPH) is common.
...I was able to replace my camera that broke on the ATV today on the way into La Paz
Dinner & entertainment @ the Marina
Martha goes for a walk just outside
out gated community
waterfront in La Paz Basilica, being rebuilt with an estimated time of many years
Day a touring
La Paz,
Kathleen checks if these Mexican colors would look good in Wheaton, Illinois
Harbor in La Paz, full of shops ...stopped at this local little place for some Pops
downtown on the water front
a day trip out of La Paz to the beach & a hike across the beach to Mushroom Rock
wading the clear warm waters
tide in tide out
fish for 2 on the beach caught several hours before by this woman's
son
a day of checking out the water front markets and shops
Last day in the City of La Paz, we will be on the road heading north to Loreto again in the morning.
Caravan Day 33, 50 days on the road March 2,2007 & headed for the beaches Loreto the old Capitol of Baja California Mexico
received a picture of our Grandkids via email today
pulling out of La Paz we again pass the Dove of Peace, the last time we saw this was February 14, Valentines day. We will now be back tracking the same / only road north. We will stay at different places but the highway will be the same. Mexico Highway 1
Stop for some beef soup & Taco's at a road side cafe in Ciudad Constitucion
potty break for Martha along the road ...notice how I have perfected the bright orange tape on my Ford F250 mirror. I do notice that the on coming big rigs give me an extra foot with the tape
rolling into the town of Loreto ...the oldest settlement on the Baja Peninsula and the original Capitol
Our Camp @ Loreto Shores is surrounded by these attached town homes that makes sort of a Fort effect inside for our Airstreams. Very secure here. The town home people leave their grills etc. out unattended.
Inside our Loreto Shores Camp
Airstreamers Bernie & Anne find a cool place under a big tree some pop's & some shade from the mid day heat. In this part of the country the shops all close for Siesta. Anne is checking out what the Mexicans are doing outside our perimeter. Numerous Mexican men hustle & bustle all day long playing music and moving around. I checked them out and they are the maintenance area for a fishing fleet that is 100 feet away on the beach in front of Loreto Shores Camp. They are servicing the out board motors. Scraping barnacles off the boats etc. It is windy today so a good day to service the fishing fleet of about 10 small boats
We walked to the Saturday
Flee Market in the Arroyo
(wash) & came across this Canadian that I met @ the Kayak shop in La Paz.
He just got done telling me he don't think he will buy anything. Notice
his negative response with the crossed arms. The fresh vegetables looked
good & I got a couple home made tamale's from a lady selling them out of a big
pot for a late breakfast
Civic building, Mayors office, courthouse etc. ...from a roof top of a hotel you can see the historic mission down the street
Sunday Mass @ Mission Nuestra Senora de Loreto established 1697w/ the mission being completed in 1752, a settlement was established in La Paz in 1535 but was abandoned after 2 years making Loreto the oldest permanent settlement Baja California
beautiful shaded streets
filled with quaint shops run by local venders, very cool !
down the beach we found the remains of this apparent one time fancy resort with
the bar stools sitting in the pool that fell victim to a
hurricane.
With the nearby huge mountains flash floods come down the many Arroyo's (wash)
to the Sea of Cortez that add to the storm surge following the hurricanes.
sunrise over the off shore island in the Sea of Cortez
some pops & then brunch on
the Malecon after Mass
Caravan Day 36 March 5, 2007 heading 165 miles to San Ignacio for some world class Whale watching, but first
we are stopped and searched by a Military check point and then sent on our way.
historic Iglesia Santa Barbara Mission in Santa Rosalia built by the French
Caravan Day
36 @
Rice & Bean Campground in San
Ignacio for Grey Whale
watching in the Lagoons 40 miles away down a dirt road & a 4WD trip into the
mountains for ancient pictographs
layers of Airstreams ...fresh shrimp & scallops on the grill
40 mile rough gravel road by van to Laguna San Ignacio ...8 to a boat for 1st of 2 trips into Laguna San Ignacio the last pristine coastal Grey Whale Ecosystems in the world
Grey Whale bones on shore
Dolphins ...and then comes the whales, hundreds in every direction
Grey Whale petting ...but don't tough the Whales Blow Hole, Eyes. If you touch the Whales tail you will learn to fly!
Grey Whale have Barnacles & will rub on the bottom of our boat to scratch them ...spy hopping Whale
this Whale stayed with us for quite a while apparently liking the attention
...and then, there she blows as Kathleen got the full blast of the blow hole as it shot high into the air & into our boat. I hit the camera form the water blast
Love to pet those Grey Whales
heading back to shore ...a Burrito and some pops in the shelter after Grey Whale Petting, 40 Pecos for a pop
heading into the town of St. Ignacio ...these date palms were planted by the Jesuits 200 years ago ...town square
Historic Jesuit Mission of San Ignacio
Caravan Day 38 back to Laguna San Ignacio for a second day of Grey Whales
Caravan Day 38 back to
Laguna San Ignacio
for a second day of Grey Whales petting, 8 to a boat
after about a 10 minute ride to the mouth of the Laguna San Ignacio we are again surrounded by hundreds of Grey Whales
need to pet whales, this is the place ...this is not a petting zoo, we are far out at sea in the last pristine birthing grounds for Grey Whales in the World.
In a few weeks the Whales will head for Alaska just south of the Bearing Straight for the summer
...hears look'n at you
now that's a blow hole on this Calf & notice no barnacles on this 7 week old calf ...check out the barnacles the mother whales
Dolphins share the Laguna as the male Grey Whales guard the entrance to the Laguna San Ignacio from predators to protect the birthing mother whales
another mother with calf approaches
Satisfied whale watcher
Save the Gray Whale
Link
Save the
Whales.org
After lunch & a pop time for a walk on the beach & watch the tide go out waiting for our ride back to camp
...a fishermen collects his fish he netted for the day. A ice truck will meet him to transport the fish to town.
driving to the Pueblos of San Francisco de La Sierra
At the top of the mountain at more than 1,100 meters we register with the keeper of the mural site @ the Pueblo of San Francisco de La Sierra
...the Pueblo has a small school & church for the people who live on this mountain
Kathleen loved using this unique Banios (toilet) that was located hanging over a steep cliff. Notice the ropes holding the Banios to the mountain side. If the ropes go, so do you. No need to flush!
these cave wall paintings are 20,000 years old
Caravan Day 40 March 9, 2007 heading for Bahia de Los Angeles & some kayaking, Sea Turtle exploration
...we will go through 2 military check points along the way
We have been leaving our camps on our own lately but in a short time often catch up to our other Caravaner and tag along with them.
About 35 miles from Bahia de Los Angeles we develop a flat. "No PrablemO"
back at sea level as we head for the beach camp at
Bahia de Los Angeles
Dry camp'n on the beach at the Sea Turtle Project
Poncho Villa Banditos
lives on!
we notice
more tool marks
on our Ford F250 passenger rear window.
...It probably happened @ our last camps in San Ignacio did not know it
Sea Turtle Project
designed to Save Sea Turtles from extinct by educating the fishermen and town
people. These Turtles are all Japanese. They live to be 70 years old
and ride the currents on the equator back and forth to and from main land Japan.
tanks and Laboratory for wounded Turtles caught by fishermen
no touch, they bite!
heading to Sunday mass @ the mission
Parroquia Ntra Sra De Los Angeles
Museum tour after Mass then back to the beach for some Kayaking
putting the Kayak in Bahia de Las Angeles
in the sea of Cortez
Surfs up, great ride
after dealing with the white caps out at sea, time for some pops ...Sea Gull @ sunset
Caravan Day 44 March 12, 2007
Moving down the road again we pass members of our Caravan taken a break ...pulling into Rancho Santa Ynex for the night
Rancho Santa Ynex
Lunch & dinner at Rancho Santa Ynex, 50 Pecos a meal because they have good FUD here!
Senorita Martha
move'n down the road Everyone get searched at this Military road block
...about 10 miles back in the Mountains on a 200 foot cliff a 18 wheeler semi came at me on a blind curve in my lane by 4-5 feet. I had about 15 inches to the right of the white line & then a 200 foot cliff. Kathleen Screamed I hit the drivers window and laid on the horn and pulled my mirror in as the truck came by. We both came to a halt and both rigs were shaking and wobbling from the quit stop. I was inches from the truck. So close I could not see out the window back at the trailer. We inched away from each other. In this same area of Mountain curves another caravan member had their drivers mirror ripped off by a passing Fifth wheel RV who pass on a curve and dip in the road. Ouch!
No pain, no gain.
Dinner & Pops @ the Estero Beach
Hotel & RV Resort
Ensenada,
Mexico
Caravan Day 45 March 13, 2007
Caravan Day 46
March 14, 2007
After more than 4 weeks we take time our to visit the Lavamatica & do some
Laundry. The Mexican lady washed & folded our 8 bags of Laundry for 420
pesos, about $38 while went down town to the historic
Hussong's
for some pop's.
Hussong's
Ensenada,
Mexico
After living in Mexico for over 47days we our down town Ensenada, Mexico only 100 miles from the USA. A tourist ship is in the harbor. Our desert weathered hiking boots & sun tan faces give us away as not being boat people. Even the Gringo's who live here nod to us as one of them now. The ships arrive & tell people they are in Mexico but in fact the cruise line has made a pretend Mexico just for the Boat People. The clean tidy shops line the streets. But just a mile away the streets are made of desert sand, the houses are simple, home made mostly & everyone speaks Spanish because this is Mexico.
Capala
San Filipa Parish
Stopped to pick up some Pollo, aka chicken cooked over Mesquite logs for supper back @ the Airstream. Turned out to be very bland & then you put the chicken on tortilla & use the salsa to flavor your Chicken to taste. Added treat was the beautiful art work inside the Polla establishment
heading back into Estero Beach Hotel & RV Resort ... sun sets over Ensenada Harbor
Caravan Day 47 March 16, 2007 Heading into vineyard country as we head up Mexico Route 3 to Tecate, Mexico for our final Caravan Banquet tomorrow night.
Caravan Day 48
March 17, 2007
Final Banquet Day camped 15 miles
w/o Tecate.
Poncho Villa
lives on! Banditos
punch out Larry Warren's door lock and took 3 cameras, prescription Sun glasses
and all the memory with all the pictures that Larry took on this trip.
Ouch! Caravan Member Larry
Warren of Sacramento California went to dinner in Tecate last night and just
after sun down Bandits. Larry and his wife Kathy are retired school
teachers and Larry is also a retired California Park Ranger.
Caravan Day 49 Sunday March 16, 2007 w/ a final catered breakfast over the " Baja California Adventure N-36-B " comes to an end after over 2,530 mile and 48 days deep into Mexico to Cabo San Lucas. WOW!
...Leaving our Guarded Camp Resort
The
Adventure continues as we set out on our own & head back to the Sea of Cortez
We will stay & travel in Mexico on our own and head 400 kilometers (325 miles) plus to the east to Puerto Penasco on the northeast corner of the Sea of Cortez aka Bay of California for 4 nights of beach camping. Eventually head north to Sonoyta, Mexico and cross the border into the USA by Organ Pipe National Park.
On the road again w/ constant changing scenery
Notice the cars on the side of the mountain that didn't make the curve
we take the bypass around the farming community of
Mexicali, Mexico
Just about out of gas we double back through a rural community to find the Pemex. The Mexican Government owned gas stations throughout Mexico.
...On our own and feeling comfortable to be out and about in the countryside.
w/o Mexicali we will road 200 miles along the Mexican Border, but on the south side in Mexico. Arizona is a few hundred feet to the north.
Notice the border fence how it changes from a fence ... to a fence under construction were no fence had existed
Stages of construction ...closer to Organ Pipe National Park the border becomes iron posts to deter vehicles from running over the Organ pipe cactus, but no actual fence
$5 US to camp on the beach w/o town @ Puerto Penasco, Mexico ...very nice!
great sunsets & 28 foot tides
Poncho Villa is back @ 3:30
as the Banditos
attack us for the 3rd time this trip. The try for the 2nd time to pry open
my truck window but were scared off by a couple who were sleeping in the back of
a pick up truck next to us. I heard some noise. Got up and seen our
neighbor walking about not knowing until morning that he chased off 5 Mexicans.
This place is to nice to leave so I start to prepare my Cabo San Lucas beer can Burglary alarm for tonight
We opt to move a 1/4 west on the beach to this gated / guarded RV park called The Reef for 3 more nights
same beach, full hook ups but $40 instead of $5 ...hopefully no Bandits tonight
watching the shrimp boats off shore
shrimp boats docks @ Rocky Point Puerto Penasco, Mexico ...you want to buy shrimp? Almost Free!
...spend some money, why not!
Puerto Penasco, Mexico tourist area @ Rocky Point
native costumes
walk on the Sea of Cortez
even in this guarded RV camp @ the
Reef we park our truck next to our bed &
keep an ear
open for Poncho Viva and his crew
28 foot tides on the north shore of the Sea of Cortez ...checking the tidal ponds after dark
time to say good bye
to the Sea of Cortez and head for Nogales
Still on our own we head 200 miles further southeast in Mexico, east of the Sea of Cortez to eventually to head north & cross the Border into the USA @ Nogales, Mexico passing through vineyards & farming communities & stop for lunch in a road side cafe
rural areas are much the same as Baja California ...Town of Santa Anna, Mexico
coming into Nogales, Mexico & the Mexican Border
...notice no real fence & that the people here are tougher, more street wise & seem to have an agenda
unlike the fisherman & farmers that we met deep into Mexico
Thurs. March 22, 2007
After 51 days, 70 Days, on the road & 3,450 miles in Mexico ...we Cross the Border back into the USA @ Nogales, Mexico
Time to leave Mexico
Back un the USA
Patagomia Lake State Park on the road to Tombstone Az.
...remove the Red Tape that I installed to help from being hit by the trucks on the narrow roads of Baja California
the trendy town of
Tubac,
Arizona
March 23, 2007
Day 71
pops & free camping @ the Lordsburg New Mexico Elks Lodge
Martha tries out her Boots that we bought in Quartzite earlier in the trip ... the boots make her Trot but when it is time to go out she paws at the boots knowing that the Sand Burrs our no fun
the boots work
Back road to Truth or Consequences New Mexico ...Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Truth or Consequences
Elks Lodge for Pops & free camping
106 degree Hot Spring over looking the real grand in Truth or Consequences New Mexico. The towns original name was Hot Springs New Mexico
Sunday Mass in Truth or Consequences
Abo Pueblo ruins w/o Belen New Mexico
a pleasant evening @ Red Rock Canyon in the Mountain above Abo Pueblo ruins w/ the bears and Mountain Lions
...on the road to Dodge City we visit Dorothy's House
Dodge City, Kansas & a T-bone steak at Casey's Steak House
March 29, 2007
Day 77 Kansas City, Missouri & Hereford Steak House
...stayed @ the County Park s/o Independence
Day 78 visit Sarah's in St. Louis, Missouri
Day 79 Bloomington, Indiana
April 1, 2007 Home on Day 80 After 9,200 miles & 80 Days our Baja California DXpedition Adventure to Baja California Norte, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Mexico on our own comes to an end. Always great to leave on a DXpedition. Always great to come home to Wheaton, Illinois & back to Chicagoland to maintain the equipment & make preparations for another DXpedition.
"Time to reflect on why we feel comfortable traveling the
back roads and countryside of Mexico"
Our WBCCI Caravan ended in Tecate, Mexico & we proceeded on our own for 5 more days & 600 miles S/E back to the Sea on the Cortez. As we crossed the border into the USA on March 22, 2007 @ Nogales, Mexico we came to realize that we have improved our traveling skills, that we now not only feel comfortable traveling with a Caravan in Mexico but also on our own. Not just on main highways and toll roads but on the back road, mountain road, villages far from the black topped roads & to places the average tourist does not see. We get around in the big cities by bus & learned how to prepare for & deal with the Bandits. We have learned how to communicate in Spanish good enough to make every day purchases like getting a tire fixed, doing the laundry, buying groceries & getting directions.
We also learned that there are many many very nice, friendly people in Mexico. Many people who went out of their way to be friendly, to make sure we were not cheated in purchases & to help us in our travels & these were the real people of Mexico
& someone you should know
24
barefoot & Mobil Amateur Radio High Frequency contacts this DXpedition as
Mexican License XE2/
W9DET
36 barefoot & Mobil Amateur Radio High Frequency contacts this DXpedition