Baja and Back - 1977 FC31

[Mike Hohnstein]

Nice gesture, too bad I don't have the pass word to your gallery.
MH
----- Original Message -----
From: Brent Swartzentruber
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 8:59 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Baja and Back - 1977 FC31


I finally found time after returning from Baja to post a few pictures
from the trip. This was the first big trip for our new FC31 (bought
in November).

Here is the link if you would like to view a few select pics
http://www.pbase.com/bajaroad/fc31_in_baja&page=all

The FC31 was great. I'm very satisfied with how it handled the
narrow roads and occasion offroad excursion.

It took practice making room for the trucks traveling
the opposite direction on the narrow road, but after a few days I
felt pretty good about it, although I recommend getting your estate
in order before traveling the Baja 1 - there were plenty of Near
Death Moments (NDM).

Got caught one evening driving after dark. I definitely don't
recommend that, especially on the narrow sections. Wanderlodge,
tired eyes, narrow road, and big trucks with bright headlights don't
mix.

Before the trip I was worried about going down the steep grades (no
aux braking on the bird), but it was no problem - just had to keep it
in a low gear.

I've been down to southern Baja five times and never hand a single
problem with the authorities, but while parked near a park in Santa
Rosalia the cops came by and said some stuff I didn't understand and
asked for my license - d'oh. Apparently they didn't get enough for
Christmas (it was Christmas day). My wife, her sister, and sister's
boyfriend were heading to the famous French Bakery up the street
while I watched the Bird and the dog. I had given my wife a 2-way
radio, so I was able to talk to her and have her return quickly to
the Bird - she speaks fluent Spanish. After a few minutes of arguing
back and forth, the cops finally gave up and let us go. They were
trying to give us a ticket for parking on the wrong side of the road -
they were clearly lying and my wife wouldn't accept it. I never
gave them my license, which I've been told not to do. Never pull you
Wanderlodge into Santa Rosalia or Muleje because the road are narrow,
lacking clearance and one-way. Where we parked was barely off the
main highway, which seemed reasonable but there was better parking
right off the road just a bit further south.
I had just the opposite experience in San Ignacio. I was parked near
the mission in apparently the wrong place (see pic), but in this case
the cop asked me to move and pointed out a more suitable location. Ya
never know. Otherwise, the military personnel at the check points
were generally friendly and didn't hassle the gringos.

Parking at the edge of the Sea of Cortez, tires only a few feet away,
was pretty awesome. Doesn't get much better. The road into El
Coyote Beach is very tight with a jagged rock bank on one side and
the sea on the other, but she squeezed in fine.

We took a chance going out to a remote surf location (Punta Conejo) -
10 miles each way of one-lane dirt road. We were told by some we
couldn't make it in the bird, but the FC31 handled the road and the
arroyo crossing without a problem. The water was warm, the surf was
great, and the Bird was stocked with cold beer and tequila - what
more could we want.

Getting to my sisters place in La Ventana (below La Paz) required
driving on another tight dirt road. I wasn't sure we'd make it but
again the FC31 pulled through without much trouble. The FC31 is a
capable Baja rig.

Can wait for the next trip

Brent
1977 FC31
Ventura, CA





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