TheSamba.com :: View topic - The Baldwins go to Baja! Trip Report! (pic heavy)

Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:20 pm

Been to Baja three times but only for a week each time. I feel safer in Baja ten in parts of San Mateo county, granted we don't have cows on the road and wash outs.

Part of my daily scenery are Bums and pan handlers and tents on the side of the road. I never saw any of that in Baja.

I want to go back and spend some more time, my AC is ice cold now so I'm looking for some hot season traveling.

Stacy

Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:43 am

Awesome trip Nate, glad you and Nancy had a great time. Hope you had some time to enjoy some San Diego scenery, food & beers. My wife and I always enjoy seeing your adventures and tips, keep it going, cheers.

Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:03 am

Great report and fantastic photos thanks for sharing. Baja is definitely on the bucket list as is a whale expedition. I had the identical fuel line issue in 100 degree temps with full tank of gas, a hot Westy and melty asphalt in a hotel parking lot in Boise one summer. When I tried to force the connection closed, it separated completely and I was stuck under the van, my arm covered in gas and my thumb over the end of the hose until I could summon passing help with my free arm - all worked out well in the end, but admittedly, I was contemplating where to roll if things ignited, lol.

While I have some trepidation as to travel in Mexico, it's primarily over food safety, having contracted Montezuma's revenge while on vacay there previously. Seeing you and Nancy freely noshing away on street tacos would suggest that this should not be a concern or...? Again, thanks for posting.

Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:23 am

Sigh. I am of the One Day people. I've flown there many times. And can agree that driving at night there is not advisable.

Takes a quite few more vacation days to get there from the dang east coast. But, the baja of the east (Florida) is getting repetitive and we will eventually need to head that way to explore more places.

Thanks for sharing and when I do make it I will refer to this thread for tips!

Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:45 am

Great to see you cast fears and rolled down and back with minimal negatives.
I always found Baja to be a friendly territory.
There's a lot i miss about the Continent, but my Baja adventure memories are at the top.
First trip to the tip, '74, 3 guys, 6 surfboards in '63 VW.
1960 Rambler and Toyota Hilux following adventures.
Last one '76.
Those spots out in the everywhere desert, Pacific side,so special.
World has changed but Baja is still a wild natural place!! Thank you for your adventure report!

Fri Mar 15, 2024 5:02 pm

16CVs wrote: Been to Baja three times but only for a week each time. I feel safer in Baja ten in parts of San Mateo county, granted we don't have cows on the road and wash outs.

Part of my daily scenery are Bums and pan handlers and tents on the side of the road. I never saw any of that in Baja.

I want to go back and spend some more time, my AC is ice cold now so I'm looking for some hot season traveling.

Stacy

Agreed. Felt safer there than walking around downtown Portland sometimes.

calsurf wrote: Awesome trip Nate, glad you and Nancy had a great time. Hope you had some time to enjoy some San Diego scenery, food & beers. My wife and I always enjoy seeing your adventures and tips, keep it going, cheers.

No we just laser focused on getting home. Portland is a long ways up there!
Thanks for reading along and watching too!

coqcitywesty wrote: Great report and fantastic photos thanks for sharing. Baja is definitely on the bucket list as is a whale expedition. I had the identical fuel line issue in 100 degree temps with full tank of gas, a hot Westy and melty asphalt in a hotel parking lot in Boise one summer. When I tried to force the connection closed, it separated completely and I was stuck under the van, my arm covered in gas and my thumb over the end of the hose until I could summon passing help with my free arm - all worked out well in the end, but admittedly, I was contemplating where to roll if things ignited, lol.

While I have some trepidation as to travel in Mexico, it's primarily over food safety, having contracted Montezuma's revenge while on vacay there previously. Seeing you and Nancy freely noshing away on street tacos would suggest that this should not be a concern or...? Again, thanks for posting.

Yeah lots of thoughts went through my mind at first, but after I was able tighten the clamp, it all was good. I have since replaced that entire line from the fuel filter with a high quality rubber hose in a protective sleeve to eliminate all the connections and clamps.
We only drink bottled water, even when filling up our internal tank. Also wash all produce and we gernally avoid lettce/salads as well. And no ice in drinks.

elizer wrote: Sigh. I am of the One Day people. I've flown there many times. And can agree that driving at night there is not advisable.

Takes a quite few more vacation days to get there from the dang east coast. But, the baja of the east (Florida) is getting repetitive and we will eventually need to head that way to explore more places.

Thanks for sharing and when I do make it I will refer to this thread for tips!
Yeah the east coast definetly adds some milage to the trip but if you can pull it off, go for it!

kaalualu wrote: Great to see you cast fears and rolled down and back with minimal negatives.
I always found Baja to be a friendly territory.
There's a lot i miss about the Continent, but my Baja adventure memories are at the top.
First trip to the tip, '74, 3 guys, 6 surfboards in '63 VW.
1960 Rambler and Toyota Hilux following adventures.
Last one '76.
Those spots out in the everywhere desert, Pacific side,so special.
World has changed but Baja is still a wild natural place!! Thank you for your adventure report!
We really didn't have any fears, it was others that tried to push their fears onto us. We have traveled extensively and are pretty aware of our surroundings and go by gut feel a lot. No bad feelings there at all except when the Policia followed us for 30 miles going north :)

Fri Mar 15, 2024 5:56 pm

Great trip! Great to meet you guys (the real legends :D ). I hope you got home safe. I went straight up 95 through Nevada; dry all the way. Keep posting!
Sam

Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:14 pm

We had that exact same fuel line failure at the connection between the hard plastic line and the flex line over 15 years ago now. Lost all of the gas in the tank rather suddenly. When we pulled over with all the fuel gone, we looked out the window and were amazed to be looking directly at Mount Rushmore monument (Hwy 244 near Keystone SD). We took a lunch break and waited for a tow into town. It took a little while to get refueled and fix our leaky hose clamps with hardware store supplies so we delayed our return home and spent the night in a hotel with a swimming pool. Sometimes having a small "break down" makes you feel like you are able to handle what your travels may throw your way and increase your confidence in Westy travel. Thanks for the great trip reports!

Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:09 pm

thatbaldwinlife wrote: Abscate wrote: Fear of Mexico is surrogate fear of Brown people. There are dangerous places everywhere but Baja isn’t one of them.

Good Sit Awareness with the nose saved a fuel fire, well done

Agreed. People love to tell us how dangerous a place is when they have not even left their home state. You can find danger in any town in the world, but you are more likely to find friendly people who are just like yourself.

Yeah, burning up in Baja would have been a bad ending! :)

livethevanlife wrote: Looks like a great trip, glad you enjoyed yourselves. Let me know if you ever make it down to La Paz.

For sure! We plan on going back next Feb and might just burn down to Loreto then hop on down to La Paz. We should grab a beer!

mikemtnbike wrote: Hey were the tacos any good? I'm really not sure from your report, unclear. Laughing

Best trip report on here in a while IMO- thanks so much for posting. I LOVE the the closer last Pacific side campsite picture- you should submit it. Captures the spring desert spirit perfectly.
That's what I get for writing this report when I'm hungry :)
The Pacific side certainly is majestic, so different than the Cortez side
nate

I've done that trip many times, both in a Westy and in a regular car, The Westy trip was by far the best, But you are playing Russian roulettte. I am a local, and I would NOT go with my family Today. But you may be braver than me. The scenery on both sides of Baja California ( as the correct name) is awesome. Next time drive to Laguna Ojo de Liebre. Watch the whales from Jan-April. Take a detour west in Guerrero Negro to Bahia Tortugas, and take a boat to Isla de Cedros. Killer waves and Deer and Pine trees. None the less, I envy your trip, I just wish Mexico was a little safer. But every part of the worls I've been to, i find a Gringo or another Mexican. Even in China.

Safe Travels,
Martin
allwagons

Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:20 pm

Corwyn wrote: Great trip! Great to meet you guys (the real legends :D ). I hope you got home safe. I went straight up 95 through Nevada; dry all the way. Keep posting!
Sam

Long two days from the border but we got home safe but tired! Snow at Weed and Shasta though.

termuehlen wrote: We had that exact same fuel line failure at the connection between the hard plastic line and the flex line over 15 years ago now. Lost all of the gas in the tank rather suddenly. When we pulled over with all the fuel gone, we looked out the window and were amazed to be looking directly at Mount Rushmore monument (Hwy 244 near Keystone SD). We took a lunch break and waited for a tow into town. It took a little while to get refueled and fix our leaky hose clamps with hardware store supplies so we delayed our return home and spent the night in a hotel with a swimming pool. Sometimes having a small "break down" makes you feel like you are able to handle what your travels may throw your way and increase your confidence in Westy travel. Thanks for the great trip reports!

I am glad I have removed that hard plastic line now as I hear more about people having the same issue we had. Now we have two connections, one at the filter and one at the T going to the injectors.
Always a solution out there, but like you said, it might upset your plans a bit but sometimes it can be a blessing!

nate

Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:27 pm

ALLWAGONS wrote:
I've done that trip many times, both in a Westy and in a regular car, The Westy trip was by far the best, But you are playing Russian roulettte. I am a local, and I would NOT go with my family Today. But you may be braver than me. The scenery on both sides of Baja California ( as the correct name) is awesome. Next time drive to Laguna Ojo de Liebre. Watch the whales from Jan-April. Take a detour west in Guerrero Negro to Bahia Tortugas, and take a boat to Isla de Cedros. Killer waves and Deer and Pine trees. None the less, I envy your trip, I just wish Mexico was a little safer. But every part of the worls I've been to, i find a Gringo or another Mexican. Even in China.

Safe Travels,
Martin
allwagons

Martin
What experience did you have in Mexico (Baja) that would have you say it is Russian roulette and that you wouldn't take your family there? Mainland Mex is different than Baja as you know, and there are areas to stay away from but there are thousands of travelers in Mexico and Central America right now having the time of their lives. If we listened to every person or news outlet, we should have been killed living in Portland.
I have traveled in China and Vietnam a bit as well and there are places there that you should be aware in, but overall they are amazing places with amazing people. As stated before, you can find trouble anywhere in the world if you are looking for it.
Bahia Tortugas was on our list but we ran short on time. So much to see there and we can't wait to go back!

nate

Sat Mar 16, 2024 7:53 pm

I have been travelling to and in Baja California for 15+ years and have yet to encounter any problems with crime, the locals, the police or the military. Sure, if you go places you shouldn't, express negative attitudes about Mexico or generally act superior, there will be trouble. Have fun, drive slowly, be nice and leave your politics at home.

I love Baja California and wouldn't hesitate to return.

Tue Mar 19, 2024 6:30 pm

Oh 'm so glad you made it to Baja Nate and Nancy! There's so much to offer there and I only wish your next trip is much longer with more adventures off road to beautiful places.

Wed Mar 20, 2024 9:36 am

Schuylersister wrote: Oh 'm so glad you made it to Baja Nate and Nancy! There's so much to offer there and I only wish your next trip is much longer with more adventures off road to beautiful places.

Thanks!, we had so much fun and can't wait to get back down there. Unfortunately, we probably won't have much more time to spend down there anytime soon as we both can only take so much time off at once from work.

Will probably spend more time off road next trip as we now know the areas we liked and the areas we don't plan on spending much time in.

Did you get down this year?
nate

Wed Mar 20, 2024 10:40 am

"Did you get down this year?"

Didn't get down there this winter. Too many land/property issues and family things. Hopefully next year! I know it so well now that it's easy to just chill for a month and then venture into new territories. I did come home last year the fast way from BOLA through San Felipe and Mexicali. Unless I'm in a big hurry I would not do that again. But we all like different things. I like to go down via Tecate. Last year I stayed just south of the border on indigenous land. Then hwys 3 and 1 through Ensenada at 7:30 am on a Sunday. It was a great drive which I'll try to repeat. So beautiful along the Malecon early morning and Ensenada is a lovely city without the mid week traffic. Got a little lost and that was fun too, see pic. Just one tip (of many) and discovery for me last time.

Sat Apr 06, 2024 7:48 am

We finally put together a video from the trip. Here it is if you wanna check it out!
First time in Baja! We take our VW Vanagon Westfalia on an adventure to Mexico!

Sat Apr 06, 2024 8:32 am

Nicely done. Great shots along with funny and poignant commentary.

Sat Apr 06, 2024 12:10 pm

Another great video! Who are Sam and Jay? 8) Next time I hope you get to La Paz - a gem of a city and a short jump to Todos Santos. Safe travels!

Sat Apr 06, 2024 4:42 pm

We've been to Baja twice, 3 months each time. As you know it is wonderful, especially the whales. We've also taken two 4 month trips throughout Mexico and, on the last one, into Guatemala. We've never had any problems and really love the culture, the people and especially the food.

While there could be security issues, we've found that a bit of awareness coupled with kindness opens a lot of doors. Having said that, I actually hate to encourage people from traveling there because it seems like every year there are more and more tourists getting in my way!!

Sun Apr 07, 2024 7:18 am

jimf909 wrote: Nicely done. Great shots along with funny and poignant commentary.
Thanks, we weren't sure if we would have enough footage to make the vid but are happy with the way it came out.

Corwyn wrote: Another great video! Who are Sam and Jay? Cool Next time I hope you get to La Paz - a gem of a city and a short jump to Todos Santos. Safe travels!
Thanks Sam! Great times at Don Chano and thanks again for holding us that spot. The list of places to see next time is already growing

Microbusdeluxe wrote: We've been to Baja twice, 3 months each time. As you know it is wonderful, especially the whales. We've also taken two 4 month trips throughout Mexico and, on the last one, into Guatemala. We've never had any problems and really love the culture, the people and especially the food.

While there could be security issues, we've found that a bit of awareness coupled with kindness opens a lot of doors. Having said that, I actually hate to encourage people from traveling there because it seems like every year there are more and more tourists getting in my way!!
Three months at a time would be amazing! Someday we will be able to do that but not yet. Central America is on our list to check out in the next few years as well but will need more than two weeks!
Well said on safety in Baja, or really anywhere you travel.

nate