Back in 1966, eighteen years old and on my first prolonged Baja Surf Trip. Then it was a big deal just to go down to K-42. We could skip the sixth period pep rally at our high school and be down at Campo Lopez sliding the point or working the peaks off Cantamar. Then for a couple of bucks the locals would give you a beer and lobster taco. That whole northern baja deal is still there but with lots more development. That's another story though.

I can remember friends having to get a parent signature to get across the border to get some fine waves down south. If you were under eighteen you needed that. Wow! Now you don't go down without a passport and maybe a tourist card. But it's part of the price you pay to get some perfection.

Soon I'll be heading down to another secret spot to get some of those perfect waves, work the white water with some “Krocs” or a scampi lure, and visit the friendly people there.

I don't remember the actual dates of my Baja Adventures but then I don't have to. I've got the perfect waves and fun times I've had to think about.

So let's say... The 42nd Annual Baja Expedición will begin with the change of the swell angle. Aligning our “surfari” with perceivable southern hemispheric ground swells. Or maybe not. We especially don’t want to get too “cyber-reliant” because every jet setter with frequent flyer miles will have found their way there and be log jamming it up with bad haircuts too much facial jewelry and bad tattoos. Making up for a lot of bad design, bailing off, then back in the lineup without taking a number. Oh well! Insight is a gift and sometimes painful. Hopefully, the distance and the dues will keep it more like it was. Just a couple of old timers out surfin’ it. After all, it’s not the destination -it’s the journey.

Al