• esmeralda life
  • esmeralda life

Bajabound

From alta California down to baja California (thats what it used to be called) Read more
  • Trip start
    January 23, 2022
  • the largest state park in California

    January 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    The Anza Borrego Desert got its name from the lambs of bighorn sheep ...in spanish called borrego. To find life here in the badlands dessert takes some skills . Up above our campground the hike takes you through desolate rocks and dry creekbeds , only to arrive after an hour uphill at a beautiful palmtree oasis with a meandering creek and waterfalls .Read more

  • San Felipe

    January 29, 2022 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    The first Baja town at the sea of Cortez,the worlds aquarium as named by jaques Cousteau. Substantial tidal movements and calm waters create a peaceful beach life.The town and some campgrounds seem to be pretty rundown and we assume its 2 years of Covid, that kept the snowbirds (see picture of the canadian ones) and Americans from coming and many businesses couldn't make it. This is where the paved road used to end , but since our last visit in 2017 the road has been completed to reconnect with the pacific highway .Read more

  • bahia san luis gonzaga

    January 30, 2022 in Mexico ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    After getting lost and almost stuck in the dunes of Shell beach , one of the longest stretches of sandy beach,south of San felipe, we drove furter south. After rocky moon like landscapes the bays and islands arround san luis gonzaga provide for pleasant camping on the beach. The huge camerones Suse bought from local fisherman provided a tasty supper right of the grill.Read more

  • Bahia de los Angeles

    January 31, 2022 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We are back to "our" Bahia , where in 2017 we fell in love with this unique bay. Then in October it was hot and we saw and swam with whale sharks , the largest fish on earth. Now , end of January the water is chilly and so are the nights and the whale sharks have moved on. Our favorite campground Archelon has greatly improved and we couldn't even get a palapa without reservations. It now has a cafe with wifi and espresso bar. Time to catch up with home and kids while having connectivity. Our neighbors to the right and to the left have houses in mexico and are permanent residents here. Why are so many US retirees choose to retire here? Health insurance and medical treatments are so much cheaper in Mexico and a simple place on the beach starts below 100k.Read more

  • the whales of laguna san ignacio

    February 4, 2022 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Every year grey whales arrive here from Alaska to have their babies and to enjoy the warmer baja pacific waters. Currently there are almost 180 plus some babies. At the mouth of laguna san ignacio are many spouts and frequent appearances of these imposant mamals close to our boat . But the friendliest are the pod of dolphins playing arround the boat.Read more

  • Heroica Mulege

    February 7, 2022 in Mexico ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    The heroic defense of the town against the American invaders, gave the town its name. The old mission sits like a castle above the old town and the Santa Rosalia river. A bit further south is one of our favorite hidden beaches , playa Escondida. The bad road limits the size of campers that can drive in and so forms a nice little camper community. The real baja life ... get up , kayak ,go fishing (or buy from the locals like me), watch the pelicans bomb next to you, make a fire , chat with the neighbors. Very peaceful living.Read more

  • Baja life

    February 15, 2022 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    ....thats when the locations don't matter so much anymore . We find a free beach , meet the neighbors , join their fire in the evening . Kayaking 12 miles around the island . We feel part of the community and greet new comers arriving at "our" beach, from Germany, Canada and the US. Dolphin pods crossing with the babies jumping high out of the water . Then something like gunshots ... Its a humpback whale breaching out of the water every few minutes and swimming right by our camp . The local fisherman come at night and are out all night fishing. Neighbors bought some of the halibut they caught and invite us for dinner . Long naps , reading , cooking .....thats baja life.Read more

  • Todos Santos

    February 17, 2022 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    After spending the night in La Paz and in the mountains at an old mining town , we made it to the "Nevada City " of the baja, Todos Santos . Fancy Cafe' s and organic eateries , yoga studios and clothing shops. I am happy about my 4 wheel drive that allows driving into the deeper sand on the busy overlander and vanlifer beach. This is baja life on steroids...Surfers with whales swimming behind them , paddle boards and drones , local expat families and younger travellers with pimped out vans.
    The pacific , so different from the sea of Cortez....the constant rolling surf with 8ft waves and not adviced for swimming. But nice to walk to the hip beach restaurant for a margaritha next to the wild camping beach.
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  • Aqua Verde

    February 22, 2022 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Off the highway , 40 km on a small dirtroad hugging the mountaines coast, lies the little village of Aqua Verde. A few houses, a school and a beautiful sandy bay. Time stood still here , the man go fishing and come back with loads of meterlong yellowtails.
    We kayak in the calm waters , check out the reefs and see lots of dolphins . Its one thing to see a few dolphins jumping far ahead, but when 50+ dolphins surround the kayak , their presence and breathing leaves quite an impression .
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  • Snow in Baja

    March 4, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    On our way home we drive over the Huarez mountains along the border to the US and see some snow on the side of the road .After crossing the border, the green hills over San Diego are a treat and invite for a hike . We make our way back to Nevada city and visit our kids, nicely spaced along the California shore.Read more

    Trip end
    March 4, 2022