Campo Las Encantadas 4/2-8/2017. Extermely long, W/ pic. How else?

[Mahigeer]

Let’s get the fishing report out of the way. I GOT SKUNKED.

Perhaps others who caught fish can post their catches if they wish.

Now if you like to read about my experience of the trip and the ups and downs of the same, read on.
While the group was a good fit and camaraderie in good form, there were challenges to overcome; anxiety laden time to
bear and rough roads to navigate that could drop your false teeth, if you had one.

By providing many details, my contention is to put you in my shoes, so to speak.
Now pour yourself your favorite beverage and read on.




Saturday, April 1, 2017

I started early in the morning to load the Toyota 4Runner. The kayak would be the last item on the truck. It was about 10:00 PM that I was packed with some time off for rest, dinner, etc. in between. When I got out to the car after a shower, dressed and ready to go, I noticed that I had left the passenger door wide open with the dome light on. Fortunately we live in a safe neighborhood, and nothing was touched. Including my expensive Garmin GPS unit.

Within two hours I was in Pechanga Casino helping they pay their expenses!




Sunday, April 2, 2017

I left Pechanga Casino and arrived at the Shell Station around 4:45 AM, having missed the off-ramp. But Garmin took me back calculating a new route.
You don’t want to be late when traveling with Bob.

Is this the sign of thing to come?

Jack was already there, and shortly after me Brain which was carpooling with Dave arrived.

We left the Shell promptly at 5:00 AM with Bob at the lead and me following at the end.


Around 7:00 AM we were at the Arco in Calexico. There; we met Robert and his friend Serop.
The Caravan hit the road, after using the facilities and filling the fuel tanks.

We pulled in the Mexican inspection spot and were directed out to the left side of the street to park.
We proceeded to visit the passport office. My FMM card was still good from the last time thus; I did not have to pay anything.

Once again we started the caravan south to San Felipe. We made stops for the seniors to---ehhm, and for one inspection by military.

1-We saw many cars, SUVs and trucks with trailer towing Baja racing Dune Buggies similar to picture below going back to US after a race on the
Opposite lane.

Thank god. Otherwise we would have to tail a long lane of cars. Traffic jam in Baja.

There were very few going our way. At one point some unconsidered as##$%s from US, had pulled on a curve to take pictures.
There was no shoulder and their car was blocking the lane somewhat. Since it was a curve it came on suddenly.

I let made suggestion as to “what are you doing”, but they did not care.

2-Jack was now driving a newer car than his old truck.



3-We always stop to fuel up at this gas station in San Felipe and have “breakfast” close by.



4-This time our favorite place was too crowded, so we found a less crowded place. Tasty fish and shrimp tacos.

From left—Robert (MrPukaShell), Dave (Sivak), Brain (Corvina), Hashem (Mahigeer), Bob (Makobob), and a great new member named Serop.
More on him later.

We lost track of Jack and he was on his way while we were eating.

Once more the caravan was assembled and we were on our way. For about 74 Km from San Felipe, the road is very rough with big potholes
and dips (Vados) that could take your rear axle out if not careful. After that it is smooth road all the way to the turn-off to camp.


5-At times I was falling asleep when the road was so long and sort of straight and not knocking the teeth out of my mouth.



6-It is always a great sight to see the islands. It means the camp is closer and major part of trip is over.




We arrived at the camp around noon if I recall. I spent the rest of the afternoon setting up my own camp.


7-I setup camp at my usual spot. My new tent was great and very easy to setup. Take down was easy too, however, folding it to fit in its carrier is
another story and not very easy.



8-It is spacious and I could stand up and not hurt my back from hunching. Unlike my older tent.



9-Bob is inspecting his new project. A house not too far from the surf with all the comforts of modern living.
As much as can be expected in such a place.





Lots of work was done by the time that we were leaving in a week.


After getting my “house” in order, I started the preparation of dinner. I asked Robert and Serop for help.
I could not have found any better two experts to help me. Those guys were tops.


10-Bob is serving himself Persian food. It was served the first night in camp for freshness.

Others took turn for the other nights at the restaurant, or at camp.


11-Shown from left are---Stew made of sautéed herbs with chunks of meat and dried lime. Three kind of rice---rice with green herbs and lima beans,
rice with tomato paste and green beans, Basmati rice with saffron. Next is stew made with chickpeas and chunks of meat.
Pickled vegetables and hot pepper for Bob. Lavash bread and a bread called Barbary.

Not shown was an eggplant stew dish with chunks of meat. Also a vegetable pie called kuku!

The salad was big bowl of Persian salad made by my (Yankee) wife. Rest of the food was purchased from a Persian Market in Irvine.
Diced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions with lemon juice, wine vinegar dressing and seasoning. It was very much liked.

Ice cold Coke was available for whoever wanted.

For desert, we had baklava and Persian tea with dates. Not the kind you take dancing.

The crew also sampled a traditional Persian drink called Doug. Carbonated yogurt drink. It was not liked very much which is understandable.
It was cool, but I had no clean ice to serve it with.


12-Dave is enjoying (I believe) Persian food in a bowl. I had a hard time explaining the proper use of plate to eat Persian food.

Maybe he is only having Persian salad at this stage. That is allowable. The main thing is to enjoy the food whatever dinnerware one uses. Bon appetite.


13-Here Bob is about to enjoy his food in the right manner. In a plate.



14-Others seemed to like the food too.


The Eggplant dish and kuku (pie) at the corner of the table.




15-After meals, the gang would be on their Zero Gravity chairs resting and contemplating the days’ events.
Thank god we stayed away from politics most of the time.

Lots of laughs and teasing each other and many jokes by Brian.





Monday, April 3, 2017

There was enough Persian food leftover to serve it again at lunch.

After lunch there was a sighting of huge boils of rooster fish close to island. It was decided that Dave would take Brian to drop-off at the island and
tow Serop on his kayak as well. Then come back and we both fish from the boat. Dave had done a road test of the newly acquired boat by Bob.
He felt that two would be safe maximum number of anglers on that boat at one time.
However, all came back shortly due to bad weather and dangerous sea that developed suddenly.
The Rooster sighting was a mirage.


16-I did manage to get in some “fly fishing” done too.



17-I read post by Bob that indicated there are flies at the camp. Thus, I brought some fly strips and installed four at the kitchen.
They did not do as good as the one in my tent.

I had every flying bug that flew in the tent get stuck to the strip. I kept the tent flap closed at all times, but some got in when I was going in and out
of the tent.


18-A new addition to my long list were a head net for keeping the flies away…….



19-…..and a vest which cools by means of evaporation. Once it is soaked in water and worn.
I also used the orange/red rubbery neck cover that I soaked to help me beat the heat as well.


20-Next to Zero Gravity, a must have at the camp were these drink containers that kept the ice frozen for a long time.


Later it was dinner at the restaurant.

21-Robert and his carpool friend Serop joined me in some Turkish Raki. The restaurant now sell “T” shirt for $10.00 with logos. I got a black one.





Tuesday, April 4, 2017

I had left the kayak on the SUV, so I decided to spend the day in Gonzaga. Later I would unload the kayak and leave it on the beach, at camp.

22-One of the several time/temperature pictures. It should be noted that the garage door was open all day and with cross breeze at times through
the front door. And the units are in the shade!!





23-Robert is dropping off Bob’s Solo kayak for its maiden test drive. Ever helpful Serop is going along to help out.



24-A new sign for the restaurant and the camp site at Las Encantadas.




After I parked in the Alfonsina’s Resort parking lot, I had two choices.
The right choice--To leave the SUV there and use the wheeleez kayak cart to transport the kayak to beach. Or the wrong choice and drive the SUV to
the beach and unload the kayak. Guess which one I choose.

I first inspected the sand and it looked packed enough. With kayak removed another 80 lbs. would be removed from the 4Runner.

25-Well I got stuck after unloading the kayak. Doho



26-The yellow plastic gadget is called Road Chew. It is supposed to help stranded motorist get out of snow and mud and sand, etc.


It actually got buried in the sand and I had to dig the area of the tire tracks to find them. It did not work for me.



An American visitor saw me stuck and offered help with his four wheeled drive. What I assume was an employee or a contractor saw me and my
predicament and offer of help by the Good Samaritan.
With fluent English, he said he had seen (4) four wheeled drives get stuck trying to help the ones that are stuck.
He offered to use his backhoe, but had to put air into the tires and that would take little time. My helpful visitor asked, “How much”?
The local laughed and said he just wanted to help.

After a while the backhoe’s roar was heard and I was glad to see it. However, the bucket in the front was full of sand. I figured there was a purpose
for it and did not question it. As soon as he hit the sand his front tires got stuck. Now what? What is going to pull him out?
He rocked the backhoe back and forth and compacted the sand and finally got out.
He went on wet sand and all the way behind me to pull me backwards.

27-The “rescue” backhoe itself got stuck TWICE. He dumped the sand in the front bucket. He had forgotten that it was there!



28-We provided entertainment for some tourists. Even Robert and Serop were there to witness the fun.



29-They used a long chain as well as my tow cable, so the backhoe would stay in wet sand and with some effort, the 4Runner was pulled out.

Not wanting to get stuck again, I let the operator to drive the SUV fast through the wet sand and past the dry sand. He took it to the parking area
while shouting. Everyone was cheering.

I gave the operator about $40.00 US tip as thank you.

30-Later I inspected the tires of the backhoe, and they looked worn and falling apart. That is the reason the operator had to add air before coming to
pull me out.


After my ordeal, the security guard put out a rope block to keep other “lazy” Gringos off the sand with their vehicles. I wish it was there before.

I finally got into water. It was low tide and I could not use the Mirage drive until I was out of the bay to the left of the restaurant.
I moved around for a while, did not mark any fish on the fishfinder.
So I pulled to the beach in front of the restaurant and had a delicious fish taco with a cold Corona. Thank you very much.


31-Last time I was there the restaurant was under construction after a fire. It is now complete and ready to serve gussets.




32-If memory serves, the rates have not changed since I was there last.

The young friendly cook/chef spoke English and was very helpful.


Once more after a rest period and chatting with other American tourists, I hit the water.
Same as last, no fish was marked.

Not wanting to be late to dinner, which upsets Bob (ask Paul about it); I pulled the kayak out of water at 5:30 PM to be home by 7:00 PM.
Well it was not to be.
It was 7:10 PM when the 4Runner tires were inflated; kayak was loaded on top while dumping sand in my face.
I had to pick up ice and other stuff from the store on the way and I was on my way to camp.
I was too upset about my earlier mistake/laziness and was not paying Attention.
Thus, I missed the turnoff to the camp. After I realized that I had gone passed it I made a “U” turn and got to the restaurant.
By now it was 7:30 PM.

Fortunately; I was not the only one late to arrive. Some food was kept for me and Ross who was still fishing.
Soon as I had some side orders, since the dinner was too spicy for me to eat, I had to excuse myself to get the ice in the cooler.

Later it was quiet in the camp, everyone watching the stars and thinking about the day’s event, I would guess.




Wednesday, April 5, 2017

33-Ever helpful Dave is showing Serop how to use the vacuum seal machine.



34-After a big meal in Mexico, it is necessary to have a siesta. Brian slept on this cot at night right there.





35-A bit cooler today.



36-There were lots of small birds sitting on the water.



37-However, we also saw many dead ones. Age or most likely gillnetting was the possible reason.


I did see a turtle, but was too late with camera to take picture. Lots of jellyfish in the water too.


38-We had visitors from other houses. Anybody with food was a friend.

There were three amigos that would be moving around all day and night. They did not bother anybody and often got food, including some Persian rice.


39-Self-explenatory.






Thursday, April 6, 2017

40-Close-up of Isla de San Luis Gonzaga.






Friday, April 7, 2017

Finally it was our turn to use Bobs newly acquired boat. So Jack and I got to take the boat for a day of fishing.


41-My fishing body for the day on the boat.



42-I saw Kai on the Solo, so I went to ask him to notify the camp that I forgot my radio. It turned out that he was having engine problem.
It took an hour of slow towing to get him back to camp.


Not to miss the opportunity, we all did a bit of trolling a lure.
However, Jack’s lure got tangled in Solo’s prop. Kai and I needed both hands free, so we gave up.


43-View of the famous Punta Bufeo--the point of killer whale from opposite side to camp.



44-More island close-ups.




45-Not sure what this island is called. It is not visible from the camp.



46-It had some interesting caves.




47-After day of sightseeing with the boat, we are heading to camp---way in the distance.



48-The afternoon low tides were really low.




49-I actually saw a local looking for something among the rocks. He had a bag which looked like there was something in it.
Perhaps lost lures, sinkers and mussels.





Saturday, April 8, 2017

It looked like the fishing was much better in the early hours of the day. Having not marked very fish on the fishfinder, and not caught any that
were there, I decided to give it a go.


50-I am heading out before the sunrise.



51-Beautiful sunrise.

As soon as I got to deep water and wanted to fish, the wind came up and swells started to get big. They were pushing me out to sea. I headed
toward the Punta Bufeo, to be close to the shore and headed to the camp. When I got close to camp it became calmer, so I went toward the island.
Shortly after that wind picked up and I finally said #$%^@& and headed back to camp.


52-As I rested and started on long hours of packing, of course the weather improved and conditions got better.


Later at the restaurant, we met some Americans that have property close to Punta Bufeo.
They had seen me and were surprised how early I was out there.
They were also watching Serop when he had fuel problem on the boat and had to beach the boat.

Such is the attitude in such a place. Most people are on the lookout to help the fellow traveler/angler in need.


53-Robert and Serop were always helping with whatever needed to be done at the camp. Whether to hang a solar powered light over the
garage steps, or paint the kitchen walls, or install blocking to seal the kitchen from sand blowing in.



A side note--- Robert had brought with him a friend named Serop. He was a great asset to the outing. He would help anyone who asked, and
even the ones that did not asked. He was ever vigilant to see who could use help. Worked with Robert on kitchen project and whatever Bob needed.
Strong and helpful and a great company.

He was also a knowledgeable angler and caught some fish including the only Totoaba.


54-I finally met the @##$%%^&&* rooster that has woken me many a nights at the camp.



55-Meet his protégé, who tries hard to emulate the teacher, and cannot quite get it.



Finally the SUV was packed and I slept in the garage. Well more like laid on the cot, between crickets singing and wind banging the garage door,
it was not easy to fall asleep.




Sunday, April 9, 2017

At 5:30 AM it was time to quickly load some final items in the 4Runner and hit the road. Caravan style.
About 1:45 min. later we were having taco at Bob’s favorite place. It was early enough that we were able to find a table for six.

When I returned from bathroom after the taco meal, everybody was gone. So much for caravanning. No worries though, I knew the way and the Garmin was there as a secondary. This was my forth trip there.

In the past after using gas bought in Baja, my engine light would go on indicating code 420. Catalytic converter issue. A costly repair. However, after a while and with some additive added, the light would go off and everything would function normally. I therefore decided not get gas. I had thought about carrying a spare gas container, but no room in the SUV.

Having burned only a half a tank from Arco in Calexico to San Felipe, one would think the same should be true on the return. Not so.

About 70 Km to gas station, my low fuel light went on. I drove over the speed limit as much as I could to close my distance to Calexico. I saw Jack and was somewhat relieved that he would be behind me.

I even pulled in front of a truck with a sign on the trailer of some sort of desert machine. Hoping they would have extra gas for sale.
Hazard lights on, I slowed in front of them and pulled to right. They just waved and passed me.

The Garmin GPS had wrong location for the gas station, but a local showed me that it was very close.

The gas station would sell me only 500.00 Pesos worth of gas! It was gas more than enough to cross the border, so I headed north. The first time I made the left turn to get in the crossing line, I went to the forth lane from right. It was the wrong lane. I made “U” turns twice and finally got in the correct lane.
Once I was in the correct lane, it was only 20 min. A few simple questions and I was on my way.

One more gas fill up at the Arco and I was on my way once again to Pechanga Casino. Where I spent some time resting from driving and tried to make up for the last week’s lost. It was not meant to be.
At least I got an almost free meal with my rewards card.

By 10:00 PM I was enjoying my comfortable bed and a restful night’s sleep. No #$$%^ rooster or crickets.

It was another Baja adventure for the books for sure.

In conclusion, this would be my last trip to Campo Las Encantadas. I may try San Felipe or even the Alfonsino’s Resort. Pacific side can be considered too. Now that I have the Sentri card.


Thanks for reading. Now go get an Aspirin.


The End.