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Hood River, Or

Posted on July 8, 2013 by

Baron Posted in Oregon

Last night I rolled into Hood River after a pretty eventful weekend in PDX. Portland, is getting top marks right now for next location destination. Oregon as a whole has been pretty awesome. The people are nice and friendly. The scenery is jaw dropping. The local businesses have flavor. Even the weather has been great.

So I got into Hood River around dusk and went strait for the Double Mountain Brewery. The people of Oregon love their beer. And they are pretty good at making it. After a couple pints I wound up catching this band Turkuaz. These guys were fucking amazing. The best show I’ve seen in a while. And of course, I didn’t take pictures.

I had no idea Washington was just across the Columbia River so I thought it would be fun to explore Washington for a bit. The destination this morning was Trout Lake at the base of Mt. Adams. Its sort of funny. I’m always on the hunt for a body of water or destination located next to water. I like being by water. What can I say? It calms me.

Trout Lake was kind of a bust. It was more like a swamp. I motored around for a bit. Then found a spot on the Salmon river and listened to the water push down stream. The fact that all the river water here is a direct result of snow is pretty incredible.

Tomorrow I’m headed back to the river for white water rafting and more exploring! I love this shit!

Portland, Oregon

Posted on July 6, 2013 by

Baron Posted in Oregon

So I suppose I’ll start this one off with saying that I finally “upgraded” and started to use an IPhone. I made this decision for 2 reasons. 1, the camera is kick ass. The image quality is super crazy. I look back at my recent photos and instantly I’m bummed that I didn’t have this caliber of camera with me in Baja. Reason 2. I’ll never get lost and I can find cool shit to do. Yes, I understand the drawback. The fun of traveling is getting lost and discovering new things. This phone makes it easier to do. It also takes risk out of the equation which is a concern for me. With risk comes reward. I suppose I’ll find out soon enough.

The Northern California Coast is blowing my mind. I’ve spent 33 years trapped in Southern California and no one ever told me that if I just went 8 hours, North or South, I wouldn’t see anymore chain restaurants or strip malls. What the fuck?!

I felt like a 7 year old looking at my first Playboy magazine. “Wow!”, was all I could say as I winded up the highway through the Redwood forest. I’ve never seen so many trees before in my life! Then I got that feeling that I haven’t had since Mexico. That calmness that takes over when nothing else matters because I’m doing what I love. I couldn’t take it anymore. So I pulled over, twisted one up and got lost in the forest for a few hours.

What tops the forest? Wild Elk, that’s what. So I made like Sigourney Weaver and hung out wit these critters for a few.

Eventually I made my way into Oregon and it just got better.

So I finally made it to Portland and already my phone is yelling at me. I had some places to be and alarms were set that I forgot about. It’s 5 o’clock and my phone is telling me that I need to be in 3 different places withing the next 3 hours. “Fuck this”, I tell myself. So I bailed on everything and trucked over to the Hollywood district of PDX. Why?

Because 3 years ago I started following this blog that changed the way I thought about how I wanted to live my life. Obviously, I was pretty excited to meet Ally and Pat. We were supposed to meet up in Mexico but it never happened. Inspiration is a powerful feeling and I’m stoked that I found the balls to act on it.

Fortuna, CA

Posted on July 3, 2013 by

Baron Posted in California

Yesterdays drive started with a very early rise at my brothers house in San Francisco. I wanted to spend my first night at Big Sur but opted to make up some more time and take the 101 instead of the 1. I looked at a few spots in Santa Cruz but I couldn’t find anything. Everyone was totally booked for the holiday week.

The plan was to drive to Mendocino, roughly 4 hours outside of the city, and spend the rest of the day exploring. I have to be in Portland by Friday. I figure 4 hours a day driving should be plenty of time. I took route 128 off of the 101 and instantly began to feel how hot the day was going to be. Wherever I was in 3 hours time – it had to be by a water source. The road winded thru some of the most beautiful country my eyes have seen. Vineyards, old beat up barns, tractors and streams.

I can’t believe the quality of picture the I Phone delivers! I’ve refused this thing Christmas after Christmas. Each year saying “Thank you, but I don’t need it”. So my mom gave me her old 4s. I brought it along just in case and then realized that I could use that instead of the GoPro to take snaps. My point and shoot died somewhere in Sayulita. So now I have a kick ass camera and a GPS in my pocket. I’m starting to like this thing. A lot.

Eventually the 128 met up with the 1.

A few short mile away I got to Mendocino and found myself at Big River. I wished that I would of had a canoe and a fishing setup.

“Wow, this is really pretty. I wonder what else is ahead.”

Why do I do that? I recognize the beauty but refuse to be satisfied and keep wondering what else is on the other side. Dummy.

So I left Mendocino and spent the next 3 hours trying to find another spot just like Big River. It never happened. Eventually I found myself in the Redwood forest, hot and exhausted. From the highway, a river kept showing its presence every so often. Eventually I found a spot to camp where I thought I could walk to the river.

Boom, lesson learned. I stayed put this time. I spent the rest of the day like a Salmon trying to spawn in this little beauty.

Huntington Beach, CA

Posted on June 13, 2013 by

Baron Posted in California

Yup, that’s right. Back in good ‘ol Orange County and boy do I already miss the open road. I have WDS and my sister’s wedding coming up. Bulldogs are flight risks so the only real options I had were: (1) hang around Mexico, which is an oven at the moment, and waste travel money or (2) leave my home and my best friend with a total stranger. So I drove back. After wedding season I’ll head back to finish what I started. Or maybe there will be no finish. Just new beginnings…

For the last month I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about the direction of this site and how to achieve more readers. Should I spend my time link building and performing keyword analysis? My current analytics are surprising for a little travel blog like this. All I did to “market” was send out an email and stick a flyer up at my favorite coffee shop. Clearly there are people out there interested in doing, or watching someone else do, something different.

Then I read this the other day: “I got a new strategy, it’s called no strategy. I have a plan to sell more music, it’s called ‘make better music.'” – Kanye West

So what’s my strategy? Good content. That’s it.

This update covers my time In San Blas, San Pancho and Sayulita. I had an epic time surfing, eating and meeting a lot of new friends. The camping didn’t compare to Baja but the surf was pretty good. The furthest point south that I reached was the small village, La Ticla, located on the Michocan coast. Yes I heard that it’s a dangerous place. By the way, have you seen the news in the states recently? You think Mexicans are trigger happy? All I can say is I can’t wait to get back.

San Blas is is a neat little village about an hour north of Sayulita. After spending 5 weeks in the deserts of Baja and northern Mexico I was excited to see a plant. I wanted to spend more time there but the sand flies were too gnarly. With just 1 day until I turned 34 I wanted to get somewhere fun. Birthdays aren’t usually a big deal for me. I look at mine like most people look at their New Years. I review the previous 364 days and ask myself the same question, “Was it a successful year?” This can translate a few different ways but for the most part the last few years have sucked. I know 34 is going to be awesome. So I wanted to celebrate.

Sayulita was awesome and it lived up to most of my expectations. The place parties, the girls are beautiful but the surf was just ok. I don’t understand all the hype about Sayulita surfing though. Its a fat wave, the water is gross and its super crowded. My other gripe about the place is the camping is both terrible and terribly expensive. So I needed uncrowded surf or better camping. Bonus if I could find both. So off to San Pancho I went.

I met Marjin while bumming around Sayulita. Marjin had this map in the back of his van. He has driven everywhere that is outlined in black. Freakin’ Russia and China?!! Pretty crazy. He works odd jobs just to make enough money for his travel budget then he’s out wandering the open road.

San Pancho is quiet, gorgeous and a nice break from Sayulita. I usually spent my mornings in the water while Riley patrolled the malecon. I had 2 scares with Riley after getting out of the water. Usually he waits patiently on the beach for me to comeback. But a couple times I returned to find no dog. Immediately I thought “thieves” and began searching the beaches frantically for the kidnappers. But most Mexicans are petrified of Riley. Like cross the street when the see him coming petrified. So then I would search the crowded hotel lobbies and vendor areas and what do you know? Out would come Curious George like nothing ever happened.

After a nice surf it was usually cafe time. After cafe time it was taco time. After taco time it was nap time. After nap time? That’s right, cerveza and more taco time. I miss those days.

For 2 weeks I went back and forth between Sayulita and San Pancho. I enjoyed walking the quiet streets of San Pancho and filling my belly on delicious tacos. When I got bored I drove 5 minutes south and walked around a met new people in Sayulita. I surfed a few different spots on the Nayarit coast. Some with great luck. Others not so much.

Too much time in the same place can start to feel a little crazy. Sure its nice to be around people and have fun. But the feeling that happens when I hit the road trumps all. I don’t like routines. Not even a little. So it was time to drive south. Far south.

I spent my last few days in Mexico enjoying some uncrowded surf on a nice quiet beach right next to the jungle and a campfire. Finally.

Since I’ve been home everybody has been asking, “What was the best part?” Hands down, the people of Mexico. I’m grateful for the all the hospitality that I received while bumming around Mexico. It truly is a special place and I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of the country has in store.

Mazatlan, Sinaloa, MX

Posted on June 2, 2013 by

Baron Posted in Mexico

The ferry ride was a manageable 8 hour trip from Baja to Topolobampo. This new terrain seems very foreign. I’m right in the middle of a major shipping port and its beginning to come alive with everyone showing up for work. Long gone is the easy to navigate Highway 1, dirt turnoffs and charming taco stands. I begin to miss Baja.

Instantly as I leave port I am met with my first search. Soon after I am lost. I can’t find my bearings with the sun and no ocean in sight so I pull over and dig out my map. Looking at my map with no destination in mind I decide to head south and let instinct take over when it feels like clocking in. Now all I need to do is find south. I take out my map compass. I’m clueless on how to use it. Fuck.

It’s about 8 in the morning and I’ve hit the town of Los Mochis. Instinct says keep going, and fast. Nothing feels right. My map lets me know that I’m in the state of Sinaloa. This doesn’t sit well with me. I tell myself its too early for drug lords to be up. But keep moving.

After Mochis I hit a nice long stretch of road that is well maintained with no potholes. This is a nice change. The speed limit says 110 km/hr; that’s about 65 mph. The speed limit in Baja was 70 km/hr (43 mph). It appears to be an expressway or a freeway. The toll booth ahead confirms my assumptions. Now I’m paying to drive. What’s next, pay to camp? I almost want to head back to the ferry and start second guessing my decision.

From Mochis to Culiacan it’s more desert, dusty towns and toll roads. Check points are now frequent and its not just the military throwing the search parties. Now the Federalis and some other outfits are involved. I get waved by – for now. Culiacan is a major city and the capital of Sinaloa. It is noon. No way can I get out and walk around with Riley in this desert heat. I’m anxious and driving feels more like work instead of exploring. I just want a beach. So I pick Mazatlan.

After 6 hours of driving and 40 bucks on toll roads I reach Mazatlan. I go to 3 beaches trying to avoid crowds and no luck. Riley and I have a quick swim and take off after the last beach. I just want to be alone to relax and this city is making it impossible. I haven’t had a bite to eat since port so I hit McDonalds and put down a couple chicken sandwiches.

I pull out my other guide book to find camping spots located in the area. Clearly I won’t be sleeping on the beach anywhere in this town with all the beachfront high rises. I drive into the Mar Rosa trailer park and instantly feel a sigh of relief. Not a person in site, just off the beach, and the palm trees are a nice touch.

With just enough time to enjoy a sunset I take a stroll on the beach my nerves began to calm. I realize that not everyday on the road can be perfect. There will be bad days and today felt like one of them.

I arrive back to the campground and a female traveler, Anne, introduces herself. She asks if I wanted to join her and another lady for dinner and live music later on in the evening. It is just the 3 of us at Mar Rosa. May is the off season for Mazatlan and the manager informs me that the campground will close in June because of heat and rain.

The lady from Michigan, whose name escapes me, takes us to her favorite spot to eat in the city. She tells me that she spends about 7 weeks in Mazatlan each year at the same campground. This is what she works for and looks forward to each year. She travels to Mazatlan by bus and her budget is tight and makes me wonder if I can do better with my own. Anne and the lady from Michigan are both traveling alone. They’ve been doing it for years and neither of them have had any problems.

We dine on 10 peso tacos and head over to the bar afterwards for some entertainment. Its hard to not think about the truck loads of masked men with machine guns as they pass by. Sinaloa is at war with major cartels fighting for lucrative territory. Mazatlan is a battleground. After a couple of beers it was time to retreat to the serenity of the campground and call it a night. I stare at the moon and stars through the palm leaves and listen as the waves pound on the shore. In the morning Anne will be heading north, I will be going south for my birthday and the lady from Michigan will stick around for a few more weeks until she runs out of money.