Who, Me?/Contact

2010 Rosarito to Ensenada Bike Race Trophy

Thanks for stumbling upon the Ensenada Gringo blog.  Not trying to save the universe here.  Just enjoying the beauty and humor of the cosmic debris that drifts across my path.

Most of my posts focus on Ensenada, northern Baja and related news/information.  Some may categorize this site as an ex-pat blog.  But, my blood runs too Irish for that “ex” term.

Cleveland Saint Joseph High School, Indiana University @ Bloomington and lots of business experience with customers are part of my ongoing education.  I read quite a bit, but, get most of my thrills from ordinary people with extraordinary adventures…like a Hitchcock movie.

Moved from Denver, Colorado to Ensenada in 2006 to enjoy the climate, culture, coast and carefree lifestyle.

Designed and supervised the building of my wave-watching home in 2007.  Several photos of my area & home are available on left side photo album of this site.  I’ll attempt to post a weekly photo on the This Week’s Photo page and update both my Ensenada Links page and Ensenada Interactive Map.

The clues to find me are easy.  Holler when you visit Ensenada.   Or if you want some specific info on this area, I will gladly share or refer you to someone with expertise.  CHEERS!   Please provide me your comment/criticism directly on any of my posts or email me: bajadock@gmail.com

My move from Denver:

My 2005 semi-retirement evolved into a full-time mission when I discovered how much profit I could make by selling my Denver area home.  Those were the good old days, eh?

80 gallons of primer & paint, 3.5 updated bathrooms, new 850 sq ft Trex deck, new concrete patio & planter wall, lots of plumbing & electrical projects and creative moments powered by Pabst Blue Ribbon & McManis Petit Syrah secured my profit goal.  “Pabst?  Doc, we have to move you up the redneck beer scale.”.

My retirement date was 8/12/05.  Received contract to sell my home on 8/12/06.  Along with remodeling, I squeezed in trips to Vancouver Island, France and Panama.  The Panama trip with my buddy, Terry, convinced me to look at Latin America for my next destination.

While recovering from each day of construction work, I searched the internet for all that I could find about the Pacific coast of Latin America.  Panama could work, but USA distance was a factor.  Mexico?

I can’t remember what website hit me, but the Baja Peninsula soon became my focus.  That discovery occurred in May 2006.  The major appeal was the mild year-round climate of the Baja California Pacific coast.  I decided that as soon as my house sold, I would drive west and see Baja.

Closing was 8/30, threw my stuff in storage and headed west on 8/31.  Vail with Samantha, cousin David in Park City and Jill in San Diego were my stops along the way.

First day ever in Mexico was September 5 in Ensenada.  Spent 3 nights there, then meandered south to San Quintin, Mulege and La Paz.  The Sea of Cortez(SOC) side of Baja has warmer weather and water, but the heat from May through September is sizzling.

Got rid of a few lightweight realtors and almost bought a lot in San Quintin.  Stalled on that decision and drove all the way back to Denver, still homeless.

Found www.cruz-international.com and Denice Cruz.  Flew to San Diego on Sept 21.  Met “Cruzer” mid-morning on Sept 22 and purchased my lot, south of Ensenada, at lunch.  Celebrated with a pizza and beverages with my friend, the Coolest Bean, in Little Italy/San Diego that night.

Flew back to Denver and packed my Cherokee with clothes and some kitchen items.  Drove the 1,200 miles west again.  Moved into a small apartment in this area at end of September.  Designed my new wave-watching home and moved in September 2007.

Wishing my golf, bicycling and 1400SCB buddies well.  But, all is much better here in Ensenada.  Dockerty’s Pub/Baja is open.  C’mon in for a refreshment.