[Graham's ( http://grahammackintosh.com ) reply to my email, below]
Hi Colin,
I'm making a brief reply as I'm up in N. Michigan and won't be back home in San Diego for a couple of weeks. Not sure if you've already set off on your Baja adventure. Congrats on your Sierra walk. Great prep for a Baja or Mexican trip. Only thing I'd be worried about south of the border is the chance of running into drug growers or runners. But you can do that anywhere. Plenty of horror stories from San Diego to keep things in perspective. I just disappear and keep a low profile.
My focus these days...?as I age gracefully... is on finding a nice quiet spot to set up a base camp and explore from there. So I haven't really been thinking too much about extended trails... but Mexico must have as many as your preference dictates. ?You could go on an extended mushroom hunting foray! Follow the coasts, travel the mountains, explore the deserts, take the boat ride.
?
Search online all the Mexican parks and Biosphere reserves, etc. Might give you some ideas.
Let me know how it goes. Good luck.
Graham
-----Original Message-----
From: Colin Leath
To: bajadetour
Sent: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 3:21 pm
Subject: good places for long walks in Baja or the rest of Mexico?
Graham,
this is Colin--I'm the carfree guy who met you two years ago at the fungus fair!
I just finished a long walk (two months) in the sierras, partly in preparation for a walk in Baja.
When I tell people where I plan to go I generally but not always get horror stories.
I have also found a guy in San Carlos (near Guayamas) who has a boat I could be crew on for continued travel south. Perhaps I could walk somewhere in that area or in that direction--he may not leave until November.
What I would like to do is catch the first trolley to the border one morning (tomorrow would be great) and start walking south along the pacific coast. When it gets dark, keep walking for a while, then find a spot to sleep.
If you have any advice please let me know.
Are there places in MX where people go for long walks--such as the PCT and AT and CDT in the US?
As long as there are areas where good water sources are not too far apart and the heat not too intense, it seems many places could be good to walk.
Peace,
Colin
fo-rest.blogspot.com
Saturday, September 27, 2008
banditos, white; little to burn, novel
Typing here, a foolishness, a bright glowing magnet for all coast dune-lurking bandits.
Under the quilt now--better. I met a white beggar just the Mexico side of la frontiera. A small head, dark slick-combed hair, freckled face, large dress or polo shirt over what suggests a bulletproof vest. Jeans, new tan work boots. "Do you speak English?" he asks, then explains he spent night in Ensenada jail and is trying to raise $12 for bus fare to Oxnard, been asking an hour . . . "in vain. Can you help?"
"Probably-- wait until I'm finished (doing the tourist card scavenger hunt)," I say. I lived in NYC, I think later--I can't give, I've seen the pros work the subway cars, same story day after day--. To make it easier, the woman ahead of me in the card-stamping line asks the stamper about him--. Even so, walking by, saying no, I get nastiness about karma and "you won't even help your own kind." He had just solicited one who looked Mexican.
The next white bandits, besides perhaps Trump, besides perhaps the Spaniards, the Porphirites (sp?), the ruling class, me, my grandparents, etc. . . are in that van over there--Pat and Mike, beautiful surfer Canadians (Ottowa), just out of college.
We got to talking, "So tell me what all is in your pack," says Pat, probably after I blabbed about the <10 lb ideal. Walking back to my spot, mind imagines, what if _they_ were banditos?
They went through the horror story gauntlet without getting any positives (I at least had Graham Mackintosh, Warren Goetze, _People's Guide_), having spent three weeks in San Diego before finally crossing and getting at last some good news from a friendly Mexican in Rosarito. What was the news, beyond his friendliness? Not sure. "What would they want to take from us?" they asked. White-girl porn was all they offered. I sheepishly suggested, "passport?"
--
The only other typing I may have for you this evening is that I have cooked my first meal--lentils, tapioca, seaweed, haberno, eggplant (the latter two from Mark B's garden), garlic, three eggs, some dried anchovies, red/hot spices, shiitake--, always a significant accomplishment in new territory and/or newly on the trail. (vs. eating no-cook food).
Things to burn are often more difficult to find down here.
--
Still walking--, things continue to be interesting and varied enough, partly due to alteration between road and beach walking. And the continuing observation of difference and novelty everywhere, even if unable to articulate what.
Peace,
[fell asleep before posting]
Under the quilt now--better. I met a white beggar just the Mexico side of la frontiera. A small head, dark slick-combed hair, freckled face, large dress or polo shirt over what suggests a bulletproof vest. Jeans, new tan work boots. "Do you speak English?" he asks, then explains he spent night in Ensenada jail and is trying to raise $12 for bus fare to Oxnard, been asking an hour . . . "in vain. Can you help?"
"Probably-- wait until I'm finished (doing the tourist card scavenger hunt)," I say. I lived in NYC, I think later--I can't give, I've seen the pros work the subway cars, same story day after day--. To make it easier, the woman ahead of me in the card-stamping line asks the stamper about him--. Even so, walking by, saying no, I get nastiness about karma and "you won't even help your own kind." He had just solicited one who looked Mexican.
The next white bandits, besides perhaps Trump, besides perhaps the Spaniards, the Porphirites (sp?), the ruling class, me, my grandparents, etc. . . are in that van over there--Pat and Mike, beautiful surfer Canadians (Ottowa), just out of college.
We got to talking, "So tell me what all is in your pack," says Pat, probably after I blabbed about the <10 lb ideal. Walking back to my spot, mind imagines, what if _they_ were banditos?
They went through the horror story gauntlet without getting any positives (I at least had Graham Mackintosh, Warren Goetze, _People's Guide_), having spent three weeks in San Diego before finally crossing and getting at last some good news from a friendly Mexican in Rosarito. What was the news, beyond his friendliness? Not sure. "What would they want to take from us?" they asked. White-girl porn was all they offered. I sheepishly suggested, "passport?"
--
The only other typing I may have for you this evening is that I have cooked my first meal--lentils, tapioca, seaweed, haberno, eggplant (the latter two from Mark B's garden), garlic, three eggs, some dried anchovies, red/hot spices, shiitake--, always a significant accomplishment in new territory and/or newly on the trail. (vs. eating no-cook food).
Things to burn are often more difficult to find down here.
--
Still walking--, things continue to be interesting and varied enough, partly due to alteration between road and beach walking. And the continuing observation of difference and novelty everywhere, even if unable to articulate what.
Peace,
[fell asleep before posting]
Thursday, September 25, 2008
chula vista
Found spot to sleep near Palomar St trolley stop. Plan to cross tomorrow and stay/last as long as poss.
I love this. Could type forever, but Time to turn out the light.
I love this. Could type forever, but Time to turn out the light.
Chay@TJ-couchsurfing-eneasviaje-togethr
Walking back to Grandma Ann's.
Went to look for the first Old Town -> San Ysidro trolley last night, then decided to visit couchsurfing.com (org?) to see if there were any couches in Tijuana. There's a mansion I could stay in there (that's Chay). And more my style, found a guy whose info is all in Spanish, lives with his mom and siblings and has a bit to say about "la cultura auto-destructiva" -- user eneasviaje, I think . . . photo is just eyes and forehead.
I have things to think and write about--all I ask?
Got to see some photos of my sister's/dad's/etc's farm. Very pretty--maybe someone could post the link? I think it is Chris Saywell's picasa page.
Not really any plan now. But perhaps the following:
o Study couchsurfing site a bit more
o Get pants (so I fit in better in MX), or perhaps sew the Jardine/greenpepper ones
o Get more of the maps of the Guayamas (sp?) side of Sea of Cortez (only took Baja)
o Check TJ and points south from the air, satellite view for undisturbed outdoor sleeping potential
o Since I do now have the somewhat more solid plan of crewing with redpillsailor in November, perhaps look at making more $$, perhaps though SDSU temporary services in the meantime.
o When I must go, then go. Seems it will be clear.
o read some David Foster Wallace, who Gianni told me about
Couchsurfing (CS) and a few other things raise good questions.
Were I to be a guest, there are recommendations--bring something, for one. That and not being grungy were two things different from my default.
"And what would I bring?", I got to thinking this morning. Were I like Mike M, he gives away nearly all he makes by hand (potlatch -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potlatch [outlawed by Canada in 1885 and US]).
Perhaps I could make prints from picasaweb of photos from my last trip. Some I put on my CS profile--
Beyond that, though, there is the challenge, for me, of being social. Chay the mansion guy sounds incredible, but I might be more at home with eneasviaje.
And so then what is the purpose of wandering around? CS asks for your philosophy. The only purpose seems to be in me these days is a sort of "keep moving".
This came up while at G. Ann's earlier: a book of modern thoughts on bible verses, one per day, _Daily Guideposts or Footsteps or somethinglikethat_, easy toilet reading for one who isn't practicing singleminded focus on his actions.
One was: go two-by-two. Wherever you go, seek a companion for the way--your journey will be richer, your collaboration will plant seeds of future joy.
Some forest Buddhists praise the solitary--but then that is (in a manner) my default.
And a point of crewing on a boat was to make this more collaborative.
--
That's about where things stand now.
I'm not the best relative (by CS guest standards)--but I think in my way I'm not a bad one--I give my thoughts, wanderings, photos--they all know, I think, where to find news and notice of my exploration/foolishness, and it is something perhaps to contemplate.
I'm lucky to have these houses to wander between for the moment.
But what is the goal or purpose? Besides CS, Jonathan did ask if I had one.
A sense, of what to do.
A way, to seek.
Defining thoughts: my sister's farm: pretty, and shows her commitment to visual order (eg. books on shelf organized in order by height--but now on a grander scale: rectangles of shades of green, nicely mown--and on and on, other things related to order and placement--say of the new greenhouse erected on the green lawn. (If the focus on order is also her husband Chris's--it probably is--, two compatible folks are working well together.) She could be a designer at some point, has her own style--reminds me a bit of that fancy sewing woman's website I learned to knot my thread from.
The defining thought was, though, that my way is not that, that I'm muddling--definitely the word--a different direction.
Considering Christine's potential community in Rainbow, I had a similar feeling.
The feeling having to do with how much both sites are dependent on and affected by engines. I think.
The potential of crewing with redpill seems a step the right way.
A ten-lb baseweight pack seems a step the right way.
My daily wandering around (at least the past four days) also feels good.
Doing little, writing a lot about it, also, too.(?)
--
but since I haven't yet done what Mike M does--able to make and give away all needed with hands from local materials--stone-age--(I exaggerate)
my freedom only lasts as long as my having $$ to spend?
well, no complaints yet.
this is where things are. Will take a slow walk back to SDSU-area--no bus, no trolley--see what comes up along the way.
been layin on a bench of a table where the drifter/latero (can-getters) types hang, down the hill from the presidio, typing this. Was here first, then a few of them showed. They haven't booted me, but sit at different tables than perhaps they usually do.
--
Happy cellphone news--but won't know till I test it: the US messaging prepaid package holds in MX--so I may not have to pay $1.30 per post here once I head south.
It sounds like I may be able to get the unlock code for this phone once I've been an ATT customer for 6mos--10/16. Then if I go to Guatemala or points further south, can find another company and stay in touch.
Peace,
--
0852 -- a postal worker came up a while ago and left some food--all the other guys who were here had left. I may have a narc effect: shaved head, dingy safety vest, stripped black uniform shirt, typing on nokia e62.
0927 potatoes fried, eggs w/ cheese, ham, pancakes, butter, syrup, jam. She was nearly as round as Willie Wonka/Dahl's blueberry girl, but a pale blue. If I weren't already a diabetes and stroke risk . . .
0932 Ha! A guy more paranoid than I walked over to the spot I and probably every other has been heading to to piss. Head swiveling checking for the fuzz. I did the same but not as vigorously.
remembering reading in that native american survival skills book: many did nothing special to care for their teeth--never lost them till ate white man's food (feeling the syrup with tongue). And they got massive rates of diabetes and other isssues.
0958 after the insane breakfast, decided to walk a million miles. Headed to mission bay. May not be at Ann's tonight or next. Pack is nice and light.
Peace,
Went to look for the first Old Town -> San Ysidro trolley last night, then decided to visit couchsurfing.com (org?) to see if there were any couches in Tijuana. There's a mansion I could stay in there (that's Chay). And more my style, found a guy whose info is all in Spanish, lives with his mom and siblings and has a bit to say about "la cultura auto-destructiva" -- user eneasviaje, I think . . . photo is just eyes and forehead.
I have things to think and write about--all I ask?
Got to see some photos of my sister's/dad's/etc's farm. Very pretty--maybe someone could post the link? I think it is Chris Saywell's picasa page.
Not really any plan now. But perhaps the following:
o Study couchsurfing site a bit more
o Get pants (so I fit in better in MX), or perhaps sew the Jardine/greenpepper ones
o Get more of the maps of the Guayamas (sp?) side of Sea of Cortez (only took Baja)
o Check TJ and points south from the air, satellite view for undisturbed outdoor sleeping potential
o Since I do now have the somewhat more solid plan of crewing with redpillsailor in November, perhaps look at making more $$, perhaps though SDSU temporary services in the meantime.
o When I must go, then go. Seems it will be clear.
o read some David Foster Wallace, who Gianni told me about
Couchsurfing (CS) and a few other things raise good questions.
Were I to be a guest, there are recommendations--bring something, for one. That and not being grungy were two things different from my default.
"And what would I bring?", I got to thinking this morning. Were I like Mike M, he gives away nearly all he makes by hand (potlatch -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potlatch [outlawed by Canada in 1885 and US]).
Perhaps I could make prints from picasaweb of photos from my last trip. Some I put on my CS profile--
Beyond that, though, there is the challenge, for me, of being social. Chay the mansion guy sounds incredible, but I might be more at home with eneasviaje.
And so then what is the purpose of wandering around? CS asks for your philosophy. The only purpose seems to be in me these days is a sort of "keep moving".
This came up while at G. Ann's earlier: a book of modern thoughts on bible verses, one per day, _Daily Guideposts or Footsteps or somethinglikethat_, easy toilet reading for one who isn't practicing singleminded focus on his actions.
One was: go two-by-two. Wherever you go, seek a companion for the way--your journey will be richer, your collaboration will plant seeds of future joy.
Some forest Buddhists praise the solitary--but then that is (in a manner) my default.
And a point of crewing on a boat was to make this more collaborative.
--
That's about where things stand now.
I'm not the best relative (by CS guest standards)--but I think in my way I'm not a bad one--I give my thoughts, wanderings, photos--they all know, I think, where to find news and notice of my exploration/foolishness, and it is something perhaps to contemplate.
I'm lucky to have these houses to wander between for the moment.
But what is the goal or purpose? Besides CS, Jonathan did ask if I had one.
A sense, of what to do.
A way, to seek.
Defining thoughts: my sister's farm: pretty, and shows her commitment to visual order (eg. books on shelf organized in order by height--but now on a grander scale: rectangles of shades of green, nicely mown--and on and on, other things related to order and placement--say of the new greenhouse erected on the green lawn. (If the focus on order is also her husband Chris's--it probably is--, two compatible folks are working well together.) She could be a designer at some point, has her own style--reminds me a bit of that fancy sewing woman's website I learned to knot my thread from.
The defining thought was, though, that my way is not that, that I'm muddling--definitely the word--a different direction.
Considering Christine's potential community in Rainbow, I had a similar feeling.
The feeling having to do with how much both sites are dependent on and affected by engines. I think.
The potential of crewing with redpill seems a step the right way.
A ten-lb baseweight pack seems a step the right way.
My daily wandering around (at least the past four days) also feels good.
Doing little, writing a lot about it, also, too.(?)
--
but since I haven't yet done what Mike M does--able to make and give away all needed with hands from local materials--stone-age--(I exaggerate)
my freedom only lasts as long as my having $$ to spend?
well, no complaints yet.
this is where things are. Will take a slow walk back to SDSU-area--no bus, no trolley--see what comes up along the way.
been layin on a bench of a table where the drifter/latero (can-getters) types hang, down the hill from the presidio, typing this. Was here first, then a few of them showed. They haven't booted me, but sit at different tables than perhaps they usually do.
--
Happy cellphone news--but won't know till I test it: the US messaging prepaid package holds in MX--so I may not have to pay $1.30 per post here once I head south.
It sounds like I may be able to get the unlock code for this phone once I've been an ATT customer for 6mos--10/16. Then if I go to Guatemala or points further south, can find another company and stay in touch.
Peace,
--
0852 -- a postal worker came up a while ago and left some food--all the other guys who were here had left. I may have a narc effect: shaved head, dingy safety vest, stripped black uniform shirt, typing on nokia e62.
0927 potatoes fried, eggs w/ cheese, ham, pancakes, butter, syrup, jam. She was nearly as round as Willie Wonka/Dahl's blueberry girl, but a pale blue. If I weren't already a diabetes and stroke risk . . .
0932 Ha! A guy more paranoid than I walked over to the spot I and probably every other has been heading to to piss. Head swiveling checking for the fuzz. I did the same but not as vigorously.
remembering reading in that native american survival skills book: many did nothing special to care for their teeth--never lost them till ate white man's food (feeling the syrup with tongue). And they got massive rates of diabetes and other isssues.
0958 after the insane breakfast, decided to walk a million miles. Headed to mission bay. May not be at Ann's tonight or next. Pack is nice and light.
Peace,
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