Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2021 01:29:51 +0000
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Trip Report, Baja Aug 2021, about 1,500 miles
In-Reply-To: <CAFdLW6mXQv3ByqcinkfkiL9vuWMm2y=hmXdU0_PTALTJ9haEQg@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
I would offer, a Baja trip via Vanagon should be on everybody's Bucket List. Many would agree. Sure, there are possible things (mechanical) that come up and they probably will; I have witnessed it amongst the best of the best. So, best to travel in a small group of likeminded folks. Both for security and just the general fun of it all, the comradarie happens. Get van topnotch before; must all be super duper before crossing border. Also, Don't try to outdo Mother Nature--meaning, ideal time is late February to early April. But, so many sights to see, so much awesome food to eat. Very safe too. Roads are good. Dan's photos give you a little glimpse.
On Friday, August 13, 2021, 11:41:18 AM PDT, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
Baja 2013... some more photos...
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1036521
(Mark is the guy on the far left)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1036524
(Baja landscape in March 2013)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1036515
(cozy campfire)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1036516
(stop over for the night before the storm on the way to Bahia de Los
Angeles))
On Fri, Aug 13, 2021 at 11:02 AM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
> Here's a picture of the front of the caravan with Mark leading the pack...
> 2013 Baja trip.
>
> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1212317
>
> On Thu, Aug 12, 2021 at 8:02 PM Bruce Todd <beeceetee@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Sounds like some very good summer memories - I also enjoyed reading the
>> report and was happy to hear all the van ran well! Probably some really
>> good star gazing and good sleeps.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Bruce
>>
>> On Thu, Aug 12, 2021 at 1:16 PM vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@cox.net> wrote:
>>
>> > After a year and a half of no Baja trips due to the current health
>> > concerns, I finally was able to put a trip together.
>> >
>> > Some local newish Westy owners have been nudging me for a while to take
>> > a trip down to Baja Sur to a highly regarded surf spot over 600 miles
>> > below the border. We had 2 families of 4 each in their late "Weekender
>> > Westy" Vanagons, plus me in my tintop Syncro. The 4 kids were all in the
>> > 9-11 age range, each family with a boy and a girl. The kids got along
>> > great and had a wonderful time, requesting to stay longer.
>> >
>> > The trip went very well, no van issues other than 2 tire punctures from
>> > sharp objects on different days. Each of these was repaired in about 20
>> > minutes by the first tire repair shop we came to after it occurred.
>> >
>> > Of the 8 nights 5 were spent "wild camped" in spots with nothing but a
>> > beautiful shoreline and great views. We mostly played in the water and
>> > also did a little fishing. We had kayaks, surfboards, paddle boards, and
>> > snorkeling gear. The other 3 nights were spent in official campgrounds
>> > with restrooms with showers.
>> >
>> > Overall the weather wasn't as beastly hot as I feared and most of the
>> > time we didn't really mind the heat much. We had nice shade set up for
>> > when we weren't in the water. Lot's of time in the water with many hours
>> > of great surfing and some kite boarding. We also kayak fished and ate
>> > the tasty catch.
>> >
>> > Baja is made up of 2 Mexican States and we camped in both. The southern
>> > state was in a high level of Covid tension and we needed masks just
>> > about everywhere. One market also required hand washing and a
>> > temperature check to enter. In northern Baja things were much more
>> > mellow with fewer masks worn.
>> >
>> > The only real negative of the trip was the extended border wait time on
>> > Sunday afternoon. I don't know why that takes so much longer than it
>> > used to.
>> >
>> > Mark
>> > San Diego
>> >
>>
>
|