The Spanish Missions of Baja California, Part 2: The Franciscan and Dominican Missions 1769-1849
El Camino Real links at bottom of page… Depending on the source, there were either 8 or 10 more missions established in Baja California after the Jesuits were removed from New Spain in 1768. The first post-Jesuit mission was the only one founded in Baja California by the Franciscan Order, San Fernando Velicatá, in 1769. […]
Part 3: Mission Visitas
As are the missions themselves, many visitas are in danger of being lost to careless acts or apathy such as these ruins at San Juan de Dios destroyed by a farmer in 2006, 3 years after this photo was taken by Jack Swords (copyright). Baja California Mission Visitas Visitas (also known as ‘estancias’) were visiting […]
Part 4: Mission Locations from Space & GPS
EL DESCANSO 32°12’19.62″ -116°54’19.24″ Located behind a church that can be seen from the Ensenada toll road. An exit just north once was signed for the mission, but has been renamed ‘Rancho Descanso’. Access from the free road along the lagoon/ arroyo, under the toll road bridge (south of the Cantamar sand dunes). The original […]
Mission Santa María, 1999
May 1999: Mur and Dave to Santa María and Gonzaga Bay This adventure took us to the ruins of last Jesuit mission established in Baja, before their expulsion from the peninsula by royal order. The only ‘road’ in is 15 miles of what could easily be the toughest in all Baja! It begins at Rancho […]
To Mission Santa María, 2007
To Misión Santa Maria de los Angeles In May of 2007, Elizabeth and I (in a 2005 Toyota Tacoma) made the trip to the last mission founded by the Jesuits. Joining us (in a Land Rover LR3) was Roy and Blanche. Both Roy and I have been to the mission before, but it was our […]
Misión Santa Maria 2010
Memorial Day Weekend in May of 2010 six vehicles made their way to the last mission founded in the New World by the Jesuit Order. Santa Maria de los Angeles was established in 1767 in a remote, oasis canyon. Even today the location is still difficult to reach. Only the few brave adventurers with equipment […]
15 Days in Baja, 12-21-01 To 1-4-02
Baja-15 Baja loving amiga, Mindy (‘jeans’) and I combined equipment and talents to explore and enjoy as much of the peninsula as possible, while visiting new friends. Capt. Mike & Janeen’s camp at Santispac. That’s Mindy’s Callen camper on my Tacoma, a great combination! Mindy enjoys the view and sunshine at Bahia Concepcion. Captain Mike […]
New Year’s Baja Adventure, 2001
Baja-1-2001 The following photos taken by David K and LdB (and scanned by Wild Bill) are of our trip in Northern Baja from Dec. 29, 2000 to Jan. 1, 2001. The text of the trip can be found on six trip reports posted on the Amigos de Baja Discusson Board at http://www.bajanet.com/general/ ending on 1/9/01. […]
July 11, 2004 La Barca, Mexico
bajacactus At the seaside home of ‘JR Baja’ and Carol was a great bar-b-que picnic provided by Antonio and his family. Antonio operates the Pemex station in El Rosario as well as the Baja Cactus Motel. Antonio (‘BajaCactus’ on the Internet) was kind enough to invite some people he had been communicting with in order […]
Boojum Buddies Baja Bash #2
Kathleen and Don in ‘La Cueva’ Photography by Marla Jo Fisher (unless otherwise noted). Look for her story in the Orange County Register. Thanks Marla! Jeans sized the photos on her PC for this web page. Thanks Jeans! Humfreville’s campsite ‘El Sol’ in Guadalupe Canyon. Mary Ann is waving to Marla. Desert Bull (Tim) experiencing […]
Boojum Buddies Baja Bash #4 Sept. 21, 2002 At Cielito Lindo
These first 16 photos are from Bedman’s camera… Mike Humfreville Edie H. and Linda Front: Baja book author Bernie Swaim and Jim Callahan Back: David K and Fishuntr (Jim) . Gene (Fishuntr’s brother-in-law) catching ‘Baja Fever’ on his first trip into the magic peninsula! John Perko and Harlan Joan Backs to camera: Desert Rat and […]
Photos by Bedman
Photos by Bedman of his trips to San Quintin, Bahia San Luis Gonzaga , and Bahia de los Angeles, in Baja California. Sand Dunes of San Quintin Here’s ‘Daisy’ on the edge! Take a guess…a Russian sub periscope? Nope, it’s a whale in San Quintin Bay. Lonely beach near San Quintin. Another one bites the […]
Photos by Bedman #2
Bedman 2002 Steve (Bedman) Baja Photos of April, 2002 Steve has many people & places photographed including: Wet Buzzard Bar (U.C.), L.A. Bay, Turtle Research Center, Raquel & Larry’s motel, Abraham Vazquez (‘Doc’), Emma (Mrs. Bedman), 4Baja & Jake ‘The Wonder Dog’, Sarah K, Mike’s Mountain, a sand storm at Camp Gecko, and more! Bedman […]
My Baja Biography
‘Baja’ has been in my blood since 1965, when my parents began their travels south in a Jeep Wagoneer. Gonzaga Bay was our first destination. A two week adventure from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas occurred in 1966. L.A. Bay was visited in 1967. In addition to those trips, many long weekends were spent south […]
Pyramid Resort’s Third Annual Baja Book Signing Event
On Saturday, April 23, 2005, Keri and the staff of the Pyramid Resort (K57-58 Free Road to Ensenada) hosted the third Baja Book Authors Signing Party. Doug (BajaNomad) and Dennis (Love2Go2Baja). Doug hosts the very popular Baja Internet travel forums at http://www.forums.bajanomad.com/ and Dennis is writing a book on the cave art of Baja. Keri […]