Spring Break in Baja Anyone?

[deminimis]

I know I'm a lesser man now that I'm sans-SMB, but heading to Baja in my soon to be outfitted D-max/camper combo in mid-March if anyone wants to meet-up. Here's the plan: Leaving here after work on Friday, March 12th. Will only get half-way between Bend, OR and K-Falls, OR. Will spend another night somewhere off I-5 in Mid-Cali Saturday night. Sunday eve, will be staying (most likely) at a RV park just outside San Bernardino. Monday morning (March 15), getting an Aero Tanks 62 gallon replacement tank installed in the D-Max (no wonder GM got into trouble, selling duallies with only a 32 gallon tank...geeszch). The install will take us into the early afternoon. After that's done, its off to El Centro for a night. Crossing on March 16 and beating feet south. That puts us at the usual RV spot at Guerro Negro the evening of the 16th. Next day more of the same to La Ventana for some beach camping and relaxing at our buddy's place. After a day of two of that, we'll start slowly heading north. Figure a couple of days at Loreto - Mulege, on up to San Fransico, B of LA and, of course, Punta Bufeo. Other than the strict time-line getting south, the travel itinerary north will be dictated by nothing other than good beaches, good food and a good supply of Pacificos. Might even slip across to the Pacific side for a day or so. Just have to be back to Orygun on March 28th.

 

[billwilson-THOR]

have not mapped out the year, but may be doable for a hook up
will advise
oVER

 

[deminimis]

Cool! Turning my attention to the dually this week in preparation. My front end lift from Cognito arrives tomorrow (raises front 3" so it sits level with the rear, monster tie rods and ends, beefed up pitman arm, beefed up sway bar ends and Bilstiens all around). Still, can't do what a SMB can do. When it comes to the washboard, we'll be traveling much slower than a SMB and we won't be getting too close to that soft beach sand with this dually. If you don't mind complying with the ADA (Americans with Duallies Act), a hook up sounds great.

 

[saabman]

Sorry but did you say D-max? Do you mean Isuzu D-max? With 3l diesel???

 

[deminimis]

Sorry but did you say D-max? Do you mean Isuzu D-max? With 3l diesel???

Oh heavens no. D-Max as 6.6 ltr Duramax as in Chevrolet:

...and mated to this monster:

 

[scatter-SMB]

Hey deminimis, we're going to be running around about those dates. Figure on hitting Loreto and then most of what you've mentioned. Just at the south end of Conception Bay we're going to run out east to San Nicolas just to check it out. Then working our way back north to our place. Love to tie in with you again.
How about it Senior Wilson. You up for the time of your life???
What about some of you other SMBers? Great time of year and we can start or end (or both) it at my place. Great chance to get your feet wet down there with others what have done a bunch of it.

 

[webbmac]

Would love to. I am firming up my work travel for early March in the next day or so. Out of curiousity, is crossing at El Centro an easier shot to Guerrero Negro than Tecate or TJ? One consideration is that most of Baja is out of diesel because of the storms...

 

[jlrray-SMB]

God I would love to.. but timing is just so bad this spring with promotional testing... Ugh.

 

[deminimis]

No, its not. I hadheard the road south of Puertocitos was more complete than it is. Might try Tecate this time. I don't like crossing at TJ very much.

Would love to. I am firming up my work travel for early March in the next day or so. Out of curiousity, is crossing at El Centro an easier shot to Guerrero Negro than Tecate or TJ? One consideration is that most of Baja is out of diesel because of the storms...

 

[saabman]

Oh heavens no. D-Max as 6.6 ltr Duramax as in Chevrolet:

Oooops sorry about that I got the confused by your using D-max... Stupid of me as I new about your mega-rig :b5:

 

[deminimis]

Oh heavens no. D-Max as 6.6 ltr Duramax as in Chevrolet:

Oooops sorry about that I got the confused by your using D-max... Stupid of me as I new about your mega-rig :b5:

Well, I wish it got the mileage of an Isuzu. This thing is a pig.

 

[deminimis]

Scat, Conception/Coyote is a great plan for a meet up. Perhaps hang there for a couple and explore north from there. Let's firm up some dates as it gets closer. When exploring, we can ride with you guys through the narrow stuff. In return, you can take care of business in ours (although there's something spiritual about using the "Cactus Commode" when traveling in Baja). You know, I think I just named our camper.

 

[scatter-SMB]

Out of curiousity, is crossing at El Centro an easier shot to Guerrero Negro than Tecate or TJ? One consideration is that most of Baja is out of diesel because of the storms...

It's been a few years since I've crossed at TJ, but up till then, I thot El Centro was eaiser. Since we live on the east side.... The road south on the east side is paved to Huerfanito. There is always diesel (ahem, NEVER say always) at Rancho Grande. I haven't heard of any shortage of diesel from friends down in Baja. ****, we can always find a dead whale on the beach and render down some bio....
Thanks for the offer to take care of business in your "rig" deminimis, but it's going to be embarassing enough to be traveling with a rig like yours. We'll stick with the "cactus commode" but might let you help out with the pliers if I lean back too far. :a1:
We'll keep in touch and set up a meet later on. Right now we're up in the States, but should be down in Baja in a couple of weeks. I'll also check into the availability of diesel. I would think it's not a problem as the Mexican Govt knows the country runs on diesel and goes to great pains to make sure the stuff is wherever the trucks need it. Never had a problem with gas or diesel in the past forty years. Worst case is just talking nice with the locals and most things appear....
Hope you can make it webbmac.

 

[deminimis]

Scat, you hit the nail on the head. When we honeymooned in Baja back in the day, we were advised to get a diesel rig for Baja. Why? Because truckers will sell you their diesel on the cheap (El Jefe is paying for it, so the driver likes the extra pesos in his pocket). Never resorted to that, but nice to know its a possibility in a crunch situation. I'll check on the diesel situation as my buddy just drove his Dodge "Come-A-Part" up here and back. Me thinks its not an issue.

LONG LIVE THE CACTUS COMMODE!

 

[webbmac]

Right on. I'm sure if things were scarce right now they'd open up by then anyhow. Sorry to spread any false alarm, I just had heard there might be shortages south when I was filling up in TJ last week. It's just me overcompensating for my small....tank (31g, what a POS). I plan to go to Aero tanks soon, too, but probably not before March.

I will try to make the meetup. I will be getting off a plane from India (work) on the 14th, so I might need to rest a day or two before heading south if I can pull it off.

 

[mjeffrey-SMB]

I would LOVE to do Baja this year, but can't make it down until April. I've wanted to go for years and years, but never made it yet. 'Life' always gets in the way I'm hoping I get there this time.

Cheers,
Mike.

 

[deminimis]

Mike, if you keep letting "life" get in the way, you'll never get out alive. Seems a little rescheduling on your part is in order.

 

[mjeffrey-SMB]

No worries, 'life' is good

They've all been excellent interruptions to my Baja plans: babies, travels, projects... I have no complaints!

See you down there someday
Mike.

 

[deminimis]

No reason you can't take the little nipper to Baja. We first took "The Boy" to Baja when he was 3 months old (the Girl didn't go until she was 3 years old). Humm, now that I think about it, perhaps we imprinted him a bit early:

 

[Joel-SMB]

Would love to do it, but SXSW is right in the middle of that and I have to give a talk. Let me know if you end up wanting to run around Oregon or Norcal.