Driving to Baja? Camping There? Here's Your List

This little overview is for my friends and my abysmal short term memory......I kind of skip over the obvious and have tried to add things that people might not think of .. until its too late.

General Beginner Advice for Baja
1.  Buy Beer in liter bottles.  They're called 'ballenas' Sp. whale
2.  Plug in your rechargeable battery operated electronics whenever you have the chance ie. lantern, cell phone
3.  Bring a hooded sweatshirt and jacket...
4.  Bring a stocking cap
5.  Definitely bring wetsuits
6.  Bring booties and flipflps (for reef)
7.  Bring Surf Trunks
8.  Kiss the Tortoise
9.  Use the lavanderia, they will wash six bags of your clothing for about 200 pesos.
10. Stay at the Mar de Cortez Hotel in Cabo.  even if you don't stay there, go get breakfast for 35P.
11. Don't exchange a bunch of money before you go, just use the ATM's.  They give a fair rate.
12.  Snake bite kit. ...for all the 'stingers' in the world...
13.  5 gallon buckets and random pieces of plywood = for instance, garbage can, shitter and the plywood ends up being tables and wind breaks
14. Do not drive at night.  Even late afternoon -- especially on Sundays -- gets crazy.
15.  Buy ice in blocks at the heleria.  There's a good one on the way to Scorpion outside of La Paz.
16.  Get a tire gauge and lower 80lb tires down to 24lb.  Also bring compressor that runs off of the lighter
17.  Llantera = Les Schwab
18.  Buy your car insurance in San Ysidro at 4:30 am on a Saturday, go through customs and definitely buy your VISA (you will be able to pay later because bank is closed on weekends) make sure you already have your Verification of Insurance and Auto Insurance Coverage Summary.  Also good idea to have made copies of passport, drivers license and US car insurance and medical insurance.  I always post them on GMAIL so I can get them anywhere
19  Relative Pricing:  Margarita - 70P, 5 Gal Water - 30P, Bottle of Tequila - 110P to 220P, 15 Gals of gas - 500P, Expensive dinner with drinks - $US100
20.  Average Speed on the Highway - 70 MPH, 120 KPH
21.  Check your shit for weed at home.  check again in SFO.  check again LA.  Check again in San Ysidro
22.  I-Phone is sick to have in Mex.  Make sure you switch it over before you go, however if you are going to be making mass calls and doing a lot of media shit then just get a temp phone in Cabo

Some Favorite Places in and around Todos Santos and Cabo
1.  Todos Santos Inn $$$$$ - Todos Santosexpensive food
2.  Los Adobes $$$$$- Todos Santos - good margaritas, cool garden
3.  Suki's $$$- Todos Santos - best restaurant in Todos Santos!  Hard to find, but worth it.  Unbelievable ambiance, service and food!
4.  Patagonia $$$$- Cabo - Argentinian charrasco style
5.  Baja Beans - Pescadero
6.  Cerritos Beach - Pescadero
7.  Hotel California
8.  Zacaritos - Beach (near Shipwrecks on East Cape)
9.  Old Man's - Beach near San Jose with access to Zipper's
10. La Pastora - Beach north of Todos Santos - good fishing for Sierra in the mornings off the beach
11. L'Esquina - Todos - on the way to Pastora, free WI-FI
12. Lizarraga Co-Op - Todos - Buy all vegies and dry goods here
13. Guyarte's - Todos - groceries and meat
14. El Sol II - across the street from Logics and on the way to Pastora
15.  Surf Advice - Todos - Surf Pastora in the mornings at sunrise, Cerritos - all day, Pedrito?, surf Old Man's in cabo going to and from the airport
16.  Short Trips out of Todos:
- La Paz - new 4 lane highway, not even that bad at night (1 hour)
- La Ventana - good for kite boarding - be sure and leave Todos by 9 am to be back by 3pm
- Punta Conejo - 4 hour drive from Todos, look for third set of microwave towers out of La Paz on the 1
- Scorpion - 7 hours from Cabo
17.   Mega Store in San Jose for groceries and you can get your rig washed in the underground parking. they have this sandwich bar in the bakery and the ham and cheese sandos are super cheap. great beach food.  there is also WAL MART and HOME DEPOT in San Jose on the way to Todos
18.  Always take the Toll Road to San Jose airport - 20P
19.  Can't think of what to buy for groceries?  Here's some basics that work cereal, milk, pancake batter, toast, jam, butter, bananas, oranges, pineapple, cheese, crackers,chips, mustard, ham, tomatoes, beans, rice, lettuce, salsa in a can, cooking oil, onions -- then get your meat, fish or pork when you get closer to your destination


Stuff We Forgot that We're Getting in May....
1.  Fruit basket
2.  Knife Sharpener
3.  5 gal buckets
4.  Bigger wrenches and sockets
5.  (1) Additional dry storage
6.  Chaise Lounge chairs
7.  Broom
8.  10' x 16' astroturf
9.  Heavier Tarp and (3) more pieces of 3M bamboo for the 'palapita' - bamboo can be purchased on the way out of Todos just after the wood guy and before the military checkpoint
10. Full 3/2 wetsuit
11. UGG slippers
12. Snake Bite Kit
13. Toilet Seat on Milk Crate
14. Blankets
15. Propane Barbecue and use mesquite
16. Smaller 1 burner stove for just coffee
17. Second 6' table
18. More sleeping pads
19. Taller ladder - good for a water tower and drying wetsuits
20. More plywood
21. Knife on a belt for diving
22. New Surgical tubing for spear gun
23. Fishing poles and equipment for use and gifts
24. Hiking Boots
25. Pajamas, fleece or long underwear for sleeping at night and kicking it around camp site
26.  Lighters with long necks
27.  Newspaper for fire, fake log
28.  Vitamins
29.  Extra batteries
30.  Good day pack


Original Equipment in 97 Ford E250 1/2 Ton Van
Vehicle:  No back windows is good.  Swivel seats is good.  More than (2) people requires tent
1.  Camp Site and Sleeping
(1) Battery Lattern (Coleman rechargeable) - Freddies
Extra Rope (clothesline is great all-around rope)
Queen Size inflatable mattress, fits perfectly in E250
(3) Nylon sleeping bags (not quite warm enough for February but OK
6' x 8' jute carpet
4-Person 2 season Coleman Tent w/ metal stakes and dew cover (dew cover is key)
Coleman 5 gal water tank with spicket, store in milk crate while driving
Coleman Sun Shower - 5 gal especially good for washing dishes when beach is far away
(6) 2" - 3" diameter bamboo canes (approx 3m in length) + rope + 1/2" rebar = sun and wind protection built off of van.  use extra rebar and concrete stakes for wind.  Requires heavy tarp for roof (12' x 16') and two more for walls
2.  Tool Kit
Hammer/Hatchet
Vise Grip
Socket (11/16)and Box Wrench Set (5/8)
Battery Drill and Charger + Extra Battery
Miscellaneous Screws and Nails
Adjustable Screwdriver
Large Flat Screwdriver
Tire Iron with multiple sockets
First Aid Kit
Rubber Maid Tubs (1) Small, (1) Med - wetsuits, (1) Med - kitchen
(1) large - general storage
Marine Ropes (at least 200') they are unbreakable for pulling you out of sand or setting up camp
Tow Cable with iron hooks
Shovel
Axe Handle (fish killer and protection)
2 Set Dakine Tie Downs
Short Ladder
Milk Crate
(2) quarts of 10/30 oil
1 Gal anti freeze
Rags
(3) headlamps
(2) flashlights with extra batteries
3.  Kitchen Set
Small Fry Pan
Large Fry Pan
Sauce Pan
Stew Pot
Silverware
Cooking Knives
Lime Juicer
Coffee Cups
(3) Cutting Boards of various sizes
Bottle Opener + Decorking Mechanism
Dishwashing Kit - Pan plus drying rack - the pan ends up being a convenient way to keep melting ice water off of food in the cooler
(2) burner Coleman gas stove + 5 gal propane tank
(1) clear plastic dry food container (need 1 more)
(1) 6' folding table

4.  Beach Kit
2 Piece Umbrella
Small hand-held cooler (Burton's Little Buddy works sweet plus it provides music)
(3)Folding Beach Chairs
(2) Sets of snorkeling gear - mask, snorkel, fins in breathable bag
(1) 9' longboard - Calkins' old board
(1) 8' longboard - Tom Scott old man board
(1) Short Fish - old green Hammer
(2) longboard leashes
FYI: Racks are padded for boards, one side of racks has the Rocket Box
5.  Miscellaneous
Baja Map
Spanish/English English/Spanish Dictionary

Map To Ivan's Long Term Storage at San Jose Airport - so this is where the van is parked and Ivan also had a good mechanic

Wish List:
- Motorcycle
- 26" BMX Bike

The Hell-Drive from Oregon:
Day One:  San Francisco (10 hours)- stay at the Pheonix in the 'loin and start out on 101 the next day
Day Two:  Los Angeles/San Diego - surf on the way down (Santa Cruz to San Onofre) and stay some place south of San Diego
Day Three:  Start at 4:30 am (make sure you take the toll road through Tijuana and you will make Santa Rosalalita at 5pm.  Camp at Santa Rosalalita and maybe go to the Wall the next day.
Day Four:  If you leave around 6 am, you can make Todos Santos by about 7pm.  Get the short cut through La Paz figured out before you get there.  HINT: Take a right at the Home Depot coming into La Paz

Square Root Garden Bag For Bamboo Replanting

Go to  http://www.squarerootgardenbag.com/  for more info, cost and super tech specs.

Hi tech material allows rhysomes to penetrate bag material and get more oxygen which will help bamboo grow much faster in a cold environment like Oregon.  Bag material is also water permeable which prevents over-watering.  Handles on bag allow for transport as well as easy transplanting.  Soft bags allow for convenient storage of multiple units without taking up too much room.

Square root bag pictured is 20 gallons which is perfect for most bamboo replanting.  Any bigger and just too heavy to transport alone.  Handles are strong, but bag still requires extra support from below if bag is full of planting medium as well as 10 - 15 gal root ball along with 15 foot canes.

The writing on this bag is for promotional purposes only -- Square Root Garden Bags are all black with no writing.

When transporting bamboo also get an extra bag to fill with planting medium (ie. ideally top soil with aged manure.)  Place bamboo plant to be transported in second empty bag and then fill temporarily with aged wood chips (not fir or cedar) or grass clippings.  Lightly water wood chips and bamboo rootball.  This is the lightest way to transport and the bamboo can remain in that condition for a couple of days (with light watering) until ready to be planted.  Finally, when planting remove half of the wood chips and replace with longterm planting medium.

Bags can be placed directly on hard surface, into hard planter or in the ground.  Be aware that rhysomes will penetrate square root garden bag material, so if bamboo is non-clumping you will still require a rhysome barrier in the longterm.

2010 "This Rounds On You" Back 40 One Hit Split Contest

Held on New Year's Eve day at 3pm, the action did not start until approximately 4pm when everyone had chosen their 24"+ round.  The 2010 contest had ten participants; eight more than 2009. 

The 2009 Defending Champion Chooses His Round

Hank Tallman won the one hit split with 4 hits in 4.2 seconds and took home $200.00 in prize money which he promptly used to buy cheese spread and moderately priced champagne.  Last year's defending champion, Trevor Crosta, coming in a close second at 6 hits in 5.7 seconds. 

Brian McMullin finished first in 94 seconds in the second part of the One Hit Split 'Round Chopping Contest' taking home $100 cash.  Bob Cerelli placed a close second with a total of 115 seconds due in most part to 90 seconds in penalties despite starting with the "2" knot 30 second bonus." "Cerelli left some money on the table," contest organizer Wendy Crosta was heard to say.  Cerelli walked with $50.00 slightly unhappy with the judging.  Tallman snuck in another win to take 3rd and take home an additional $30 bones.

There were three mauls available for use; one #8 with composite handle, a #10 with composite handle and a #6 wtih wooden handle brought by Team Onion Peak Dairy featuring Timmy Johnson.  After all had taken their obligatory UA, the competition heated up immediately when Bob Cerelli accused newcomer and 'organic' farmer, Hank Tallman, of tampering with his round before the first round, but nothing was proven.

Follow these links to catch a piece of the action:

1.  Hank Tallman IMG 0640 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53ug8pBP9qM
2. Brian McMullin IMG 0638 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIFwaAWfals

Brian McMullin Round Chopping Champ enjoying a frosty Coors Light

 2009 Defending Champion Trevor 'The Lever' Crosta

In the heat of the action John "Whick-ed-man" Whickman waiting for the Anderson Road Troll, Mark McCorkle to start the clock.  Rules had changed since last year.  Any pieces left over 8" in thickness meant a 10 second penalty.  Chopped pieces over 12" result in a 30 second penalty and any rounds with greater than a 2" knot received a 30 second bonus.

65 total rounds to choose from....first come first serve.  We want to thank Nehalem Food Mart for hooking us up with some Coors Light and Wanda's Cafe and Bakery for showing up with some chicks.
See you next year when we have a 'chicks' division.

wood shed with chopping area

wood shed with cantilevered roof for dry chopping area.  shed separated into two sides to separate seasoned and non-seasoned wood.  cantilevered roof high enough to accomodate height of 6' person with maul raised as well as dump truck that brings wood.  interior of shed skip sheeted with 2 x 6's to add strength to outerwalls.  floor covered with wooden pallets for air movement.  outer walls and roof covered with corrugated zinc alum all secured with extra long 1 1/2" self-tapping, rubber washered sheet metal screws for high winds.

temporary bamboo planter

temporary bamboo storage in raised planter box. for temp storage fill with compost or well-aged wood chips.  run 2 x 4's vertical with two levels of ropes to keep 'boo from falling over in the wind.  bamboo will not grow down and out and because of compost will not need to be dugout when replanted.

if no temporary planter available simply lay down your freshly harvested bamboo and cover the rhysome with compost or wood chips.  add fresh water over rootballs and compost or chips will retain water.  there will be some minor blight on the leaves, but they will bounce back quickly.

northcoast surf update

crows

paul's long Montana ride

Lucio Fire Pit Mono Pour and Marble-skinned Finish

 concrete mixed at top of property in mixer.  Travis and Keegan wheelbarrow mud and pour monolithic form.  footing already in place with rebar. 

concrete requires at least two weeks before it can be raised to a high heat due to water still unevaporated from mud.  pit later lined with firebrick and then outer walls skinned with black ceramic tiles.

early paddle design

Ishiburo

bamboo is what we'd rather do...

bamboo planter 2' x 6' clear cedar outer, 1/2" pressure treated plywood creates inner structural.  bottom panel has landscape cloth over galvanized screen for drainage.  add rocks for counterbalance and plant with loose recycled grass clippings.

Planted over 10 rootballs of 20 - 30' timber bamboo for privacy screen.  planted varieties of ph. vivax, henon, bori and nuda

bamboo should be harvested in cool, wet weather.  rhysomes will not dry out.

bamboo is best harvested by cutting the majority of canes.  bamboo will also always regenerate the same size cane, but it will skip a season as it regenerates energy.  here is the trailer loaded down to capacity with over 15 full-sized rootballs.

Planter at wine bar, Vino, in Manzanita.  Notice verticals on planter.  bamboo screen blind erected to block neighbor's spotlights, block noise and add ambiance.

boneyard shed

outdoor storage for SUP, ladders, leftover lumber and tools.  360 degree access.  post and beam.  16' x 28'footprint. corrugated zinc-alum roof $239.00. framing and structural lumber (all P/T) $250.00. labor and mats >$1,000.00

go to Victoria via Port Angeles on the Black Ball Line

Dry Rot Under Tyvek with Cedar Shingle Siding

complete dryrot on sw wall -- quite literally hanging by the staples in the TYVEK.  wind blows.  sand penetrates siding and Tyvek.  sand stays trapped behind Tyvek because Tyvek reacts with natural Cedar oils.  sand attracts moisture.  termites move in.  moisture ants move in next.  plywood delams and loses shear strength.  Lesson:  only use tar paper at the beach. mission accomplished by Sam Greenwood.

gettin' the barn wall on a new foundation

original barn wall blown off its foundation.  elevated wall over 12 - 16"  with 15 bottle jacks.  entire building had new layer of 5/8" sheeting which added weight.  original cinder block foundation had deteriorated due to farm animal urine.  replaced with new cinder blocks on top of footing.  Filled all voids with concrete, rebar and holddowns.  after raising wall completely off the ground, all swang back over original position.  lowered wall and attached holddowns. Approx cost: $2,000.00 labor and materials.

used tractor to help push wall into postion before securing

Labour Of Lucio

Team Sketchy - Chuck, Kiel and Keegs.  Stanchions and cable design by Steve Brown (aka Steve Steele).  Handrails capped with Ipe because the Merbau wood would stain stanchions and hands.

Wood = Merbau (it bleeds like a stuck pig).  Wood is screwed to galvanized stanchions with stainless steel hinges.  All metal design by Steve Brown.

the boss

monolithic pour vs. downpour

pouring last 4" over insulation

 Insulation within 3" of edge of forms

 Mohler Sand and Gravel feeds the RK line pump out of Otis, OR. 

Jeff Pemberton -- almost there

olivier monolithic pour plans - aka: thickened edge

5 sack concrete add calcium, fibreglass and hot water.  line pump to get down the hill.  pour mud up to the top of the gravel - float pink board insulation, then pump 4" mud for finish grade.

camilo the chicken farmer

Camilo the Chicken Farmer showed up at headquarters with 10 dozen eggs and said, "I'm going to Mexico tomorrow, please buy my organic eggs" at $4.00/dozen.