Baja California, late 1970

The beach of San Felipe, on the western shore of the Sea of Cortez,

nearly forty years ago.

(Click on the photos to enlarge them.)

This (U.S. military) amphibious vehicle was used for shrimp fishing.

Don't know what the sub was for

Fabulous beaches, warm water, gorgeous sand dunes

I was fifteen at the time. Ray, at right, would have been nine.

Downtown San Felipe

Church in the background

Yes, we really did drive through the sand in a '65 Lincoln Continental—the kind with the clever suicide doors.

One time, on the freeway, Ray reached over and opened the door (in back). It flew open with great force—cuz it was a suicide door! I caught Ray (he wasn't in a seat belt--maybe we didn't have them; don't remember). The kid never stopped squirming around. Sheesh.

I've simplified the map to match my fifteen-year-old concept of Baja

"Modern" San Felipe: a different kettle of fish entirely