Oh Mexico, it is so damn groovy I just want to ride there!

[beemerdons]

Oh Mexico, it is so damn groovy I just want to ride there! Whenever I point the front wheel of mi Motocicleta south to Mexico I cannot get the James Taylor song "Oh Mexico" out of my mind. Here are my photos of good times spent en Baja California Norte y Sur with My Norte Americano riding friends. Mas Caminos y Mas Amigos! Suerte! Arriba!




Way down here you need a reason to move
Feel a fool running your stateside games
Lose your load, leave your mind behind, baby james

"Oh, Mexico

It sounds so simple I just got to go
The suns so hot I forgot to go home
Guess I'll have to go now

Americano got the sleepy eye
But his bodys still shaking like a live wire
Sleepy Senorita with the eyes on fire

Oh, Mexico
It sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low
Moons so bright like to light up the night
Make everything all right

Babys hungry and the moneys all gone
The folks back home dont want to talk on the phone
She gets a long letter, sends back a postcard; times are hard

Oh, down in Mexico
I never really been so I dont really know
Oh, mexico
I guess Ill have to go

Oh, Mexico
I never really been but Id sure like to go
Oh, mexico
I guess I'll have to go now"

Joe, Chuy, Melanie, Brian and Todd in front of the Gustave Eiffel Iglesia (Church) in Santa Rosalia. Eiffel sent dozens of these prefabricated structures to Catholic parishes around the World.

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Lots of liquor was consumed around the pool at the Playa Frambes Lighthouse Resort.

The view from the Lighthouse itself, looking south down Bahia Concepcion!

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Joe and Todd checking out the cliffside nests of the Frigate birds on La Princesa Island, once airborne these birds cannot touch down on water: They stay aloft for many weeks.

Staying at Playa Frambes gave us unlimited use of this Panga (skiff), we had it out on the water constantly.

Bob Frambes, The Resort Owner, is standing in this photo; those are his guard and attack Dachshunds!

Loreto is the largest city between Ensenada and La Paz on the Baja Peninsula, it is truly a "Pueblo Majico": One of my favorite villages in all of Mexico!

We ate great in Mexico, no one makes a better Torta (sandwich) than the Mexicans, best sandwiches ever South of the Border!

The Boojum Tree Forest of Central Baja in the Vizcaino Desierto (Desert) around the oasis village of Catavina.

 

[beemerdons]

From AZ Beemers Club Member Brian Boles:

Here's pix of the latest AZ Beemers Baja Trip. The crew consisted of 2 couples, myself and Melanie and Donna and Don. To solo riders, Todd and Joe were along also.
After the normal border paperwork, we were on our way south. The first night was in Ensenada. In the morning, we continued on towards Bahia de Los Angeles.

This is our first gas stop south of Ensenada.

We stopped for lunch at some roadside stands. Melanie and I went for cheeseburgers while the rest went for seafood.

The seafood stand guy is a character. El Capitan posed for some pix with us.

Food and music.

After crossing the mountains, we turned towards Bahia de LA. The roads in Mexico can be tough, especially when tanked up on alcohol. That's the story here.
The pickup drifted to the right, overcorrected to the left, then spun to the right, flipping off of the road.

The driver is still in the truck, with some broken ribs.

But he fared much better than this lady, who was thrown from the truck and is likely paralized. No seatbelts in use.

Turns out Todd is a medical professional, and was able to help out some until the ambulance arrived.

We spent the night at Gigi's hotel in Bahia de LA. The room price came with a very good dinner and breakfast included.
In the morning, we head south for the last leg of the trip.
During a gas stop in San Ignacio, we met these cute fellas.

And ate lunch here.

Don and Donna and one of those gay Yamaha's on the road to Mulege.

We stopped in Santa Rosalia for some ice cream and to view the Eifel church.

About 10 miles south of Mulege, we get to the turnoff for the Playa Frambes resort. It's a 2 mile dirt road to the resort. Bob Frambes, the owner assures us before we left that the dirt road is easy.
Yea, easy unless you are 2-up on a big touring bike! We all made it to the resort, but some "exciting" moments were had, including some wild K1600GTL S-turns.

The centerpiece of the Playa Frambes resort is the lighthouse room. Here's some shots from the top of the lighthouse.

Since we didn't want to ride the dirt road again, we used a local taxi van for the next 3 days to get around. We went into Mulege for some supplies (beer, vodka)!

One of the cool things about Playa Frambes is that they have a boat for use by the guests. The Sea of Cortez around Mulege and Loreto is gorgeous, with azure blue water and many rugged volcanic islands.
Here we are at a nice private beach on one of the islands.

A couple of weeks ago, Melanie was poking fun at our daughter about being afraid of sting rays in the ocean. So, in a form a karma payback, Melanie stepped on a sting ray who returned the favor and poked her in the bottom of her foot.
So, for the next 5 or so hours, someone was in a shitload of pain.

Finally, the castaways headed back to civilization.

Melanie is putting on a brave face here, but inside she's screaming from sting ray pain. The brave face will last a few more minutes. Then, it will just be screaming and crying.

Some shots on the way back of the beaches and homes along the highway.

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Shots of the little islands out in the bay.

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A pelican hangout.

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Pelican dive bombing.

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A real lighthouse.

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All the birds hanging out on the top of cactus. I didn't say saguaro, because they aren't exactly the same plant we have here in AZ.

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The resort in sight.

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Bob and Sue Frambes, the owners of the resort come out to help beach the boat.

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On our last day at the resort, we hired the van taxi guy to take us the hour and half drive to Loreto.

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Loreto is a pretty tourist beach town. It has an airport with flights to the US, so it is accessable like Cabo, but much smaller and quieter.

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Loreto's church. Gotta love those Mexican churches.

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Maybe this is what actually bit Melanie's foot !

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Blowfish.

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One last round in Loreto, tomorrow we head back.

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On the way back, we stayed in Catavina. Here's the hotel room.

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NEMA? We don't need no steekin NEMA ! (google it)

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After Catavina, we rode on to Ensenada for our last night in Mexico. We cut the line at Tecate, and got across the border relatively quickly.

Summary -

Great trip with great weather. The roads were a little tougher this time, because there was a lot of damage from flooding during the summer.
All bikes (K1600GTL, FJR, R1100GS, new Harley wet head) performed flawlessly. My K16 lost a center stand spring on a dirt construction section when a rock hit it. I also picked up a metal staple from a fruit crate just outside of Ensenada, but the leak was slow enough to ride home on.
Playa Frambes was very nice, but not really big motorcycle friendly.
The scenery in the Baja is friggin awesome. I didn't take a lot of scenery shots, see the January trip report for that.
The beaurocratic bullshit was minimal this trip. Even the Mexican army checkpoints were easy. We think they weren't getting paid because of the government shutdown. (Yes, the US pays for those checkpoints).
The roads are not to be taken lightly. They are narrow, twisty and often in dis-repair. We came across 4 single car auto accident scenes on this trip. You have to have your game on when riding these roads.
Baja is way fun when you go with good friends.
I wish I didn't have to have an itinerary, I'd love to retire and just wander the Baja for a few months.

 

[Niehart]

 

[frankenfeejeer]

Fun read and fantastic photos. Thanks for sharing!

BTW- I share your desire for retiring and wandering Baja for a few months.

 

[beemerdons]

Fun read and fantastic photos. Thanks for sharing!
BTW- I share your desire for retiring and wandering Baja for a few months.

frankenfeejeer: Whenever you want to ride your FJR to Mexico just give me a shout out, I will ride South of the Border con mis Amigos at the drop of a Sombrero ese! jes' sayin' and nuff said Compadre!

 

[Tanker]

Great photos and a fun report Don.

I too would love to ride Baja someday. Coming from the Great White North, that would be a treat!

 

[beemerdons]

Great photos and a fun report Don.

I too would love to ride Baja someday. Coming from the Great White North, that would be a treat!

Tanker stay in touch with Papa Chuy and I'd be up for a return ride to Baja in 2014, maybe a run South for lobster at La Paz at Thanksgiving would be in the cards eh!

 

[SeattleTy]

Very nice, thanks for sharing your trip. I hope to go there someday

 

[Jer]

Don, enjoyed the pictures. Were you riding your Beemer or the FJR? I would like to take a trip to Mexico sometime, but would have to plan ahead in order to get my bike to California. I will have to admit that I do have a fear of the drug cartels in Mexico.

 

[ionbeam]

Don, enjoyed the pictures. Were you riding your Beemer or the FJR?...

There is no mistaking the profile of this rider and what bike he is riding. (Say, what kind of BMW is that? )

 

[beemerdons]

Don, enjoyed the pictures. Were you riding your Beemer or the FJR? I would like to take a trip to Mexico sometime, but would have to plan ahead in order to get my bike to California. I will have to admit that I do have a fear of the drug cartels in Mexico.

Hola Jer, Miss Donna and Papa Chuy were on our 2013 FJR. I have been riding to Mexico on a motorcycle continuously since October of 1968, I had to report to the US Army for Basic Training at Fort Ord, California on 10/23 and I spent the three weeks prior to that riding Baja California Norte on my 1964 Norton Atlas 750; close to 3K miles on that old Brit Iron on the dirt roads of Northern Mexico. The drug cartels in Mexico certainly exist, but I know where they reside and will avoid those areas.

Naturally you can be in the wrong spot at the wrong time anywhere on this Planet, but trust me that can also happen in South Phoenix on a Saturday night much easier than it can in most of Mexico. jes' sayin' and nuff said!

 

[escapefjrtist]

Great pics and RR Don. One of these days I'll join you on a trip south of the border...

Thanks for sharing!

--G

 

[beemerdons]

Big hairy assed deal! Water an Mexicans!! Oh wait Mexicans don't wash!

Still, unless you include Kanadians AND a Pollock I've seen these pics on Nat Geo…

I can do better than that Bustanut joker, here is a photo that includes Canuckistani yamafitter, Fitkowski is definitely a Pollack and here he is dancing the night away at Club Fantastico in downtown Ensenada, Mexico. Guillermo definitely knows how to satisfy the Mexican Senoritas with his immense Polish Kielbasa! jes' sayin' and nuff said!

 

[beemerdons]

Great pics and RR Don. One of these days I'll join you on a trip south of the border...

Thanks for sharing!

--G

El Jorge muy Guapo, a number of commenters here, on FJRiders and AZ Beemers Forums have expressed an interest in riding Baja after viewing this Ride Report.

If you can check your Grandfather Niehart out of the Old Folk's Home and Dave B. can kick that damn Dane Dr. Rich in the ass, I will work on my Irish Nephew Old Michael and perhaps we can make a run to La Paz en Baja California Sur over Thanksgiving of 2014. Nice thing about La Paz is we can fly our significant others into San Jose del Cabo airport to join in on the fun with us, Don Carver will probably fly his Boyfriend Bust in for this! jes' sayin' and nuff said!

 

[Tanker]

Great photos and a fun report Don.

I too would love to ride Baja someday. Coming from the Great White North, that would be a treat!

Tanker stay in touch with Papa Chuy and I'd be up for a return ride to Baja in 2014, maybe a run South for lobster at La Paz at Thanksgiving would be in the cards eh!

Will Do Don.

I'll put it on the calendar now and let the Mrs. know we have plans for next Fall.

 

[juniorfjr]

I can't believe anyone would like that hell hole. Why anyone would ride a motorcycle there is beyond me.

 

[beemerdons]

Great photos and a fun report Don.

I too would love to ride Baja someday. Coming from the Great White North, that would be a treat!

Tanker stay in touch with Papa Chuy and I'd be up for a return ride to Baja in 2014, maybe a run South for lobster at La Paz at Thanksgiving would be in the cards eh!

Will Do Don.

I'll put it on the calendar now and let the Mrs. know we have plans for next Fall.

https://sjdloscabosairport.com Sounds great Tanker, if your Mrs. flies in this is the airport she will be landing in. My Miss Donna and La Reina Melanie will probably fly down to La Paz! https://www.visitmexico.com/en/la-paz I much prefer La Paz to Dos Cabos, Cabo San Lucas is too Turista for Papa Chuy!

 

[Top_Speed1]

Fitter- HS! you sure look dehydrated (from dysentery?), did you "drink the water" when you were down there?

 

[beemerdons]

For you History Buffs this was the 1st Spanish Governor of Baja: Viceroy Jose Alfonso Luis Enrique Cabrillo Mateos Guerrero Obregon del 'Zilla ese!