Memorial Day 2017: A Baja Beach Family Camp Trip

Hello Tacoma Drivers,
Our 3-year-old grandson was ready for his first Baja trip and camping weekend. His parents have been to Shell Island multiple times before his birth and were ready for him to experience the beauty and wonder that this barrier island beach has to offer.

Because they no longer had a 4WD truck, it was necessary to make it all work in my Tacoma. Now, there was no room for any gear inside the cab, so everything had to go in the 5 ft. bed of my 4 door 2010 Tacoma TRD Off Road 4x4. Costco has some neat, stackable storage tubs, so I got some and they worked great for both family's gear and food... along with two ice chests, a table and chairs, and a 6-gallon water bottle.

We spent the night (Thursday) at their La Mesa home, as it is halfway to the border from ours and we had to repack and then load up in the morning.

We were on the road before 5:30 Friday morning and the 3-year-old was wonderful the entire trip, and border wait, too. We crossed at Tecate, mostly to avoid the construction delays at Calexico, where I normally cross for San Felipe or further south trips. We got the red light at Tecate, as we were loaded up real high in the truck. The inspector just asked if we had certain items, and that included beer, lol! I told him that Tecate was where the best beer was made and we would be silly not to buy only Mexican beer.

The drive was uneventful and we made a few stops, including the typical break near the sand dunes, halfway to San Felipe from Mexicali.

When we got to the Pemex just north of town, we discovered one of the boxes had dropped off the truck!!! OMG... we thought it was the food box (bread, cereal, etc.). The only thought as to where was hitting some bumps at the stop, 60 miles back north... so from 10:30-12:30 was a 120-mile round-trip only to not find the box.

We simply went to the supermarket in San Felipe and duplicated as best we could what was in the 'food' box (pots, pans, plates, silverware included).

We got to the salt flat that surrounds Shell Island and it had water on it from the big, new moon high tide... we had wanted to beat to get to our spot. Some squishy mud four wheeling got us to the beach and then the two-mile drive to our favorite camping spot was a race to pass the place where the high tide touched the sand dunes and blocks passage.

We got through, just barely! The box that fell off was NOT the food box, it was one with our floating chairs and beach stuff... So we had extra food now!

The next days all had near perfect weather and no wind above a nice breeze.

Our grandson had a great experience and it was great fun.

On a very sour note, his father was hit by a stingray while crossing the water between sand bars, far out during low tide Sunday morning. His wife ran the half mile to where Baja Angel and I were, in camp relaxing. I drove my Tacoma way out on the sand bars to ambulance him back to camp, as walking was impossible.

There may be no pain as severe as a stingray's and it cut deep with lots of blood. I applied tea tree oil first to kill any bad bacteria and then began the hot water applications as he laid in agony, for several hours.

By Sunday evening, the hot water soaking had greatly relieved the pain enough for him to move about. The wound was bandaged with Neosporin and taped well. The next day (Monday) he was well enough to help take down camp and help me load the truck.

We got into San Felipe about 11 am Monday and got the truck washed (U.S. border does not want loads of dirt on your vehicle). We had fruit cups and french fries while waiting for the wash. After the wash, we went to the Malecon for fish tacos.

The drive north began about 1 pm. There was about a 15-minute wait at the military checkpoint, 30 miles north.

The border wait at Tecate began for us at 5:21 pm yesterday and it was 2 hours and 45 minutes to reach the border crossing. Nice lady inspector, no secondary.

Tuesday 11 am update: The doctor said he needs no stitches, and prescribed an antibiotic and said to keep wound unwrapped and let it dry out. All is well!

Some photos... I will add captions or answer questions later.




Father and son napping


Baja Angel


Who's this character?












Shell Island looking south


Looking north




Growing a sand dune child


Dad after stingray with son staying close.


One of the locals


Grandma and grandson


Until next time... VIVA BAJA!

PS, more photos from other camera coming.

Want to see more Baja California trip photos... Many are posted here on TW... but also see my Baja Adventures web page: http://vivabaja.com

 

Another killer Baja writeup, thanks David

 

The pleasure is all mine!
Been camping in BAJA since the 1960s as a kid and on my own since 1974 when I was 16.
It is a most fantastic place to camp and explore... and the food is great, too!

 

David,
Awesome write up. Anything I should worry about driving through Baja? I'm planning on taking my first trip down there.

 

Thank you, Issac.
Yes, worry that it will change your life! For me, it meant always having four wheel drive and a desire to camp in the desert or beach... where not another soul can be seen! A quest to solve historical mysteries of Old California, to find the original El Camino Real where it can still be seen as it crosses the mountains and deserts of Baja California.
I am posting my latest trip, which began just days after the above trip. So much Baja, so little time!
Have you seen the video made about us 4 Toyota 4x4s in Baja, last September? Turn up the speakers, and enjoy The Baja Extreme 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAWGzW4bR9Q

 

DAMN!!! looks epic.. Ya'll killed it out there I was thinking more about for personal safety according to all these "tripadvisor" pages talking about La Paz being dangerous (drug cartel) and for my cars safety as well once I get into the more populated areas.

 

Thanks!
On the evening news here in San Diego, are robberies and murders... Do you stop going to or through San Diego? I am not dismissing your concerns, only that even in paradise bad stuff happens.
Do you stop living because of the bad stuff?
It is everywhere... but mostly between drug users and sellers and the cops.
If you are not in the cartel or police force, the odds of you getting shot in Mexico are pretty slim and much greater your own town in America.