VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

Hi It’s looking like a trip to Baja South is in my cards this year (I hope so cuz it’s snowing as I write this) but it seems like I’m a bit late as the exodus south has already taken place. Does anyone plan on driving that way in the next few weeks?
If I can’t find anyone to convoy down with then I will consider flying with my gear to LaPaz as I really don’t want to travel the stretch of road south of San Diego alone.
Does the campground in La Ventana have all facilities, as in showers etc? Is there a “free beach” like North of Los Barriles? It’s been about 10 years since I was last there and I’m sure things have changed a lot!
Thanks for any info you can pass on to me!

Fly like an eagle to the motorhome,then charge the beach,stop for beer along the way,maybe burrito's,more beers,pull in and shake rattle and roll. the only way to fly.

The beer, burritos and flying are the easy part. The motorhome and getting A.B. to go for it is another story! ](*,)

Randy Andy better not turn out to be a Dandy,I need to get sandy.....

It's not dangerous south of San Diego (probably more dangerous north of it, as a matter of fact.) Splurge and stop at La Pinta in Catavina for one night. Next day, stop at Mulege or go right on to La Paz. Yup, you can still find free camping right on the beach, right around La Ventana, but Los Barilles hasn't been as popular the last few years.

Nabi

Thanks for the info.I agree that it is not dangerous per say but very precarious if my van was to break down and I had to leave it to get help.
My vehicle is in great shape but that is a long hot unpopulated road.
Glad to know that there is still places to camp for free!

Just got back from La Ventana .......... had an absolute hoot! Just learning this kiting stuff ....... frequest nasal washings, sunglass explosions and my arms are about 3 inches longer than when I started but baby I am hooked! The camp sites are $6.00 us a night ...... there are bathrooms and showers but bring your sandals!

hmmm, fees doubled in 5 years, guess the landlord's figuring out the capitalism thing; is that new full service site completed anyone know? As in power & septic? It was to be $10/nite, guess that'll be $20 by now

It would be nice to see some pix of Ventana and what things are like these days, including facilities and maybe some stories

BTW that travel link is awesome, JL Nice to see someone took the time to advise fellow travellers and key in their favorite places and distances, timing etc.

Thanks for the iwindsurf link JM; it is excellent!
Hope that next year I will be able to get it together sooner and use the info on that link.
I’m exploring the flying route now, as I wouldn’t be leaving until Jan The logistics are interesting as far as getting from airport to La Ventana, especially with windsurfing, kiting, and camping gear. The temptation is to leave the windsurfing gear and just take kiting stuff, though learning a new sport can be pretty humbling and it would be good to have the windsurfing gear as back up in case I totally suck at kiting. (I’m a windsurfer that knows that the kiters are having a lot of fun but I haven’t done any kiting yet).
The kite sailing lessons that are offered by some of the companies down there are steep but may be very good value to take a few days of lessons. Apparently some offer camping and kitchen facilities as well. That may be the ticket for me.
Anyone done anything like that? Also I wonder if there is good kiting gear for sale sown there...at a reasonable price?

hey- got any prices on flights? Alaska is up again around $800 I think and they won't fit the ws gear over 7feet.

You can buy stuff pretty cheaply at Cpt Kirk's or other places or even rent/buy/beg/borrow from the campground people who are too worn out taking kite gear/buy tent & bag when there, buy food from friendly locals or mooch off of friends w/ fridges and renting WS gear is likely the way to go.

I am now also gravitating to the flying thing.....and will probably not end up going cuz of the hassle but geez, a couple more people and we could caravan or get into a larger rig and split costs/driving. Wish you could fly down and drive back/vice versa to save days but I don't think tix are transferable

Yep I looked into flights. Alaska Airlines has really cheap flights but not until Jan 9, only 419.00 Canadian. Sooner means paying almost double!
I’ve emailed a couple of places down there that offer lessons and accommodation and yes it is steep. I’m thinking that flying with just camping gear and paying the rental and lessons for kites is sounding like a good option. Maybe booking into ‘Baja Joes’ for a week or so to get the lessons and get settled, then to the campsite.
There is kiting gear for sale down there but not sure of quality and price?
Unfortunately sharing return airfare is a thing of the past now. But an arrangement like that would have been ideal!
I hear you when you say it’s a hassle but remember…
Attitude: it's the difference between an ordeal, and an adventure

$419????????? CAN????????? Holy crap that's cheap, what, overnight in LAX and ya gotta wash the plane??

I'm gonna check right now! I wonder if I can surface ship the masts and boards down delivered to the store (anyone know that or another reliable mailing address?).....

I also noticed a rail adventure site to Baja that load your RV onto a train and you get to stay on it... Still looking into THAT, too cool. thx

http://www.iwindsurf.com/windandwhere.i ... on=Windcam Here is a nice link. We can zoom around: http://www.bajajoe.com/kiteboard.htm

Photos from Hurricane John http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bgeasa/sl ... amp;.spd=2