Slow Baja
- Episodes
- 186
- Released
- every two weeks
- Latest episode
- Nov 8, 2026
About the podcast
Tequila, Tacos, and Tranquilo! Sharing the beauty of Baja California one conversation at a time. Hop in and ride with us as we raise a glass, taste local fare, and explore the stunning Baja Peninsula in our vintage Toyota Land Cruiser.
Episodes 186
Bob Bower What About You?
As the Baja 1000 takes over Baja Sur for the first time, I thought it prudent to share my 2023 Slow Baja conversation with Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame member Bob Bower.“At age 8, Bob Bower read about the …
Show notes
As the Baja 1000 takes over Baja Sur for the first time, I thought it prudent to share my 2023 Slow Baja conversation with Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame member Bob Bower.
“At age 8, Bob Bower read about the Bill Stroppe Lincoln teams that dominated the 1953 Mexican Carrera Panamericana and later learned about the Baja 1000 race to La Paz. It became his fixation to be part of it someday.
Living the life of a Corvette enthusiast, Bower caught the eye of BFGoodrich at a time when BFG was in the early stages of marketing performance tires to car clubs. He accepted the offer to go to work for BFG in 1977 and found himself at the Mint 400 as a pit volunteer.
The fixation transformed into a deep passion for off-road. From that day forward, he would make a huge impact on the world of off-road racing in a variety of roles. Pit volunteer, chase crew, race team manager, pit manager, program manager, winning co-driver, winning driver, ESPN TV color analyst, teacher and mentor.
In 1982, BFGoodrich put him in the role of Off-Road Program manager. With very thin budget resources, the challenge was to support the contracted teams and win races. Bower’s race strategy was very straightforward… “You start winning rather than finish winning, to be the best between the green and checkered flags.” Bower launched the BFGoodrich Pit Support program.
The 1985 Baja 1000 ended early for Bob and his teammate Mike Randall in the Class 4 Honcho. It took two days for their team to find and retrieve them. Bower swore to his wife, Necia, that they would never get lost like that again in Baja.He made detailed maps of the race course, highways, and chase roads (KM mileage included), along with other information like fuel and food locations.
In the early 1990s, Bower turned map-making over to BFGoodrich to make it available to the masses. By widely distributing the maps, chase crews could support their teams with a higher degree of safety.
Bob wrote “What About You?”, a powerful piece included in almost all pit books over the past 20 years. It remains fresh and relevant today because of its absolute raw truth. “What About You?” is Bob’s heartfelt advice to everyone in off-road, about safety and taking care of yourself and those you are with during the race. Many are convinced “What About You?” has saved lives over the last two decades.
Young stars like Robby Gordon, Ivan Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Arciero, and Rob MacCachren have all had Bob help them along in their racing careers in one way or another. For Bower, it has been a labor of love.
Bob’s personal motto is “Life Is A One Lap Race!” He seems to be running a rather good lap!
—Off-Road Motorsports Hall Of Fame (edited for space)
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4x Fred Williams Jeeps Vs Land Cruisers
For nearly 25 years, Fred Williams has chronicled the world of trucks—often by taking them to places they probably weren’t meant to go. He’s perhaps best known for driving a diesel Jeep called “Tubesock” …
Show notes
For nearly 25 years, Fred Williams has chronicled the world of trucks—often by taking them to places they probably weren’t meant to go. He’s perhaps best known for driving a diesel Jeep called “Tubesock” underwater across a pond, a stunt that racked up 11 million views on YouTube.
Many know him as the longtime host of Dirt Every Day on MotorTrend, and earlier as the tech editor at Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road. Today, you’ll find him on his own YouTube channel, 4xFredWilliams—still building rigs, still chasing dirt, and often spotted with a cup of coffee and a dog by his side.
He’s a truck guy, an off-road enthusiast, and—most importantly—a kind and thoughtful explainer on camera. Ask him, and he’ll barely admit to being a decent mechanic. His garage is home to Jeeps and Toyotas alike; Fred doesn’t discriminate. He loves adventure, and for him, the journey always matters more than the destination.
“Pick something you like to do, work hard, but always follow what’s fun.”—Fred Williams
Subscribe to Fred William’s YouTube channel here.
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Join a Slow Baja Adventure here.Johnny Johnson Revisited
Here’s one of my favorite Slow Baja conversations --Johnny Johnson from February 2023, recorded at the Chenowth Legacy Lodge. Sadly, Johnson passed a few months after we made this recording. Please watch to the …
Show notes
Here’s one of my favorite Slow Baja conversations --Johnny Johnson from February 2023, recorded at the Chenowth Legacy Lodge.
Sadly, Johnson passed a few months after we made this recording. Please watch to the end for new interview footage.
Johnny Johnson was one of the early champions in off-road racing. With 112 career victories and eight Baja 1000s, he proudly claims, “I never got out of the car!”
Johnson was one of the very, very best in the dirt. Revered by his fellow racers for his fabrication and tuning skills, his friends say his humility and willingness to help anyone, anytime, is his defining trait.
Famed writer George Plimpton chose Johnson to star in his 1971 television special “Behind the Wheel.” In the feature, Plimpton interviewed Formula One racer Jackie Stewart at the Monaco Grand Prix before jumping into Johnny’s sand buggy for the Baja 1000.
Thanks to Carol Mears and Lynn Chenowth for arranging this Slow Baja conversation.
Johnny Johnson was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2010.
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Slow Baja Theme Music: Los 300 Fried Neck Bones And Some Home Fries Used with permission.
Listen here: • LOS 300 · Fried Neckbones And Some Home Fries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx0SnUZB-pE&list=RDTx0SnUZB-pE&start_radio=1
Chuck Skewes Sailing The Baja Ha-Ha!
Chuck Skewes grew up on Vashon Island, spending his childhood surrounded by boats and learning to sail in El Toros—the tee-ball equivalent for sailors. He developed a passion for racing and was a highly …
Show notes
Chuck Skewes grew up on Vashon Island, spending his childhood surrounded by boats and learning to sail in El Toros—the tee-ball equivalent for sailors. He developed a passion for racing and was a highly sought-after crew member for the local captains. During his summers, he worked on fishing boats in Alaska, a lucrative yet exhausting and dangerous job for a teenager.As he spent his days fishing, Skewes dreamed of becoming a professional sailor. This ambition led him to find work as a sailmaker and move to San Diego, where he could fully pursue his craft and passion.In his long career as a professional sailor, Skewes has won multiple national and regional championship titles across a variety of sailing classes. Notably, in 2009, he earned the title of Grand Master World Champion in the Etchells class sailing Miss Murphy.For today’s Slow Baja Podcast, we met at his Ullman Sails loft in Mission Valley to discuss his role as the “Newbah” (Grand Poobah) at the Baja Ha-Ha—the Slow Baja of sailing events.
#bajahaha #lattitude38 #sailinglife #sailing #bajamexico #sailinginmexico
Subscribe to the Baja Ha-Ha on YouTube here:https://www.youtube.com/@BajaHa-Ha/shorts
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Filmmaker Eric Ebner On Making "The Bull"
“A secret spot in Baja California, hundreds of miles from civilization. An old milk van converted into the perfect surfing mobile. A 67-year-old man, at the peak of his physical fitness and in line with Mother …
Show notes
“A secret spot in Baja California, hundreds of miles from civilization. An old milk van converted into the perfect surfing mobile. A 67-year-old man, at the peak of his physical fitness and in line with Mother Nature every step of the way. “The Bull” is the award-winning story of San Diego surfing legend Glen Horn and his journey to an unconventional lifestyle."
On today’s Slow Baja, we’re in conversation with Documentary Filmmaker Eric Ebner, as he discusses his path to becoming a filmmaker and making "The Bull" his film on surfer Glen Horn.
The tale picks up as Ebner and a friend quit their jobs, divested themselves of their worldly possessions, packed up a 1992 Toyota 4Runner with their surfboards, camp gear, guitar, and headed south for what they knew would be an epic, life-changing surf trip.
After a disastrous first day that saw their trusty 4Runner broken down on the side of the road two hours south of Ensenada, a transformative experience followed, opening Ebner’s eyes to the beautiful culture of kindness among the rural people of Baja.
Humbled and uplifted, Ebner continued his quest for waves, eventually settling into a surf camp in Baja Sur where he met 67-year-old Glen Horn.
Horn was the camp “OG” and lived for months at a time, off-grid, in his bright red vintage camper-made from a converted bread van.
A fascination with Horn’s unconventional but harmonious life led Ebner to begin following and filming the surfer-steward-in-residence of this remote surf break.
Ebner’s film, The Bull, was the result of that endeavor. It went on to stack up awards in scores of film festivals, including:
Winner- “Best Picture” Short Film Category- Carolina Surf Film Festival Winner- “Best Documentary” Short Film Category- Florida Surf Film FestivalWinner- “Audience Award”- Portuguese Surf Film FestivalWinner- “Filmmaker Award, Audience Appreciation” - Save the Waves Film Festival Tour
Ebner has gone on to a career in filmmaking and has made several films. Learn more about him and his work here:https://ericebner.com/
Subscribe to Eric Ebner’s YouTube channel here.
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Watch my Slow Baja Conversation with Glen Horn here.
Travel Talk: Dogs In Baja: What You Need To Know With Josiah Roe
Big thanks to Baja Bound Insurance for their support, which has allowed me to bring back Travel Talk, my occasional series on travel-related topics. Today’s show is all you need to know about bringing your dog …
Show notes
Big thanks to Baja Bound Insurance for their support, which has allowed me to bring back Travel Talk, my occasional series on travel-related topics.
Today’s show is all you need to know about bringing your dog to Baja. We sat down with dog owner and Director of Marketing for Baja Bound Insurance, Josiah Roe, to get the latest information. If you or your friends are bringing a dog North or South across the border, you’ll want to listen to this Travel Talk conversation.
Check out the official Mexican Government Secretary of Agriculture PDF list of SENASICA-approved veterinarians who can issue a Screwworm-Free Certificate. Click here for the list.
Follow Baja Bound Insurance on Instagram here.
Need Baja Bound Insurance? Get a quote here.
Support Slow Baja with a donation here.
Join a Slow Baja Adventure here.
Chris Collard Architect Of Adventure Part II
Chris Collard is an internationally published journalist and photographer whose career has deeply immersed him in the world of off-road adventure, overland travel, and sharing the lives of those who dwell …
Show notes
Chris Collard is an internationally published journalist and photographer whose career has deeply immersed him in the world of off-road adventure, overland travel, and sharing the lives of those who dwell beyond the pavement.
Through his reporting and photography, he has traveled to all seven continents, and he was a member of the Expeditions 7 team, which is believed to be the first American expedition to cross Antarctica in four-wheel-drive vehicles. Collard was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2015.
In October of 2025, he covered my Slow Baja Vintage Expedition for two magazines. Most importantly, shortly after the trip ended, he and his wife returned to Baja to adopt “Cali,” a puppy he met at Baja Animal Outreach Rescue.
Chris Collard is humble, thoughtful, deeply knowledgeable about all things off-road, and, most importantly, kind. I hope you find this conversation inspiring. This is Part II of our conversation.
Follow Chris Collard on Instagram here.
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Support Slow Baja with a donation here.
Join a Slow Baja Adventure here.
Chris Collard Architect Of Adventure
Chris Collard is an internationally published journalist and photographer whose career has deeply immersed him in the world of off-road adventure, overland travel, and sharing the lives of those who dwell …
Show notes
Chris Collard is an internationally published journalist and photographer whose career has deeply immersed him in the world of off-road adventure, overland travel, and sharing the lives of those who dwell beyond the pavement.
Through his reporting and photography, he has traveled to all seven continents, and he was a member of the Expeditions 7 team, which is believed to be the first American expedition to cross Antarctica in four-wheel-drive vehicles. Collard was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2015.
In October of 2025, he covered my Slow Baja Vintage Expedition for two magazines. Most importantly, shortly after the trip ended, he and his wife returned to Baja to adopt “Cali,” a puppy he met at Baja Animal Outreach Rescue.
Chris Collard is humble, thoughtful, deeply knowledgeable about all things off-road, and, most importantly, kind. I hope you find this conversation inspiring. Stay tuned for Part 2 next.
Follow Chris Collard on Instagram here.
Need Baja Bound Insurance? Get a quote here.
Support Slow Baja with a donation here.
Join a Slow Baja Adventure here.
Hank Morton Sponsor Spotlight: Baja Bound Insurance
Hank Morton joined Baja Bound shortly after he graduated from college in the mid-90s. Between jobs, his goal was to teach himself coding while taking his father's small brick-and-mortar Mexico Driving Insurance …
Show notes
Hank Morton joined Baja Bound shortly after he graduated from college in the mid-90s. Between jobs, his goal was to teach himself coding while taking his father's small brick-and-mortar Mexico Driving Insurance business online.
In those days, “getting online” was a big deal. The .com craze was in full swing, and after Hank figured out how to get Baja Bound online --making the process of buying coverage fast, easy, and affordable --he realized the massive potential of Bajabound.com and decided to stay with the business.
“Drive-thrus are for burgers, not for insurance,” Morton says. Baja Bound Insurance became the first in the industry to let customers purchase, pay for, and print policies from home. Baja Bound remains devoted to convenience and efficiency, saving its customers valuable time at the border.
Their website provides well-researched, vetted, primary-source information on coverage, visas, permits, travel tips, and destinations. It's my go-to site for sharing critical travel information with my Slow Baja Expedition guests.
As the biggest (and best) in the industry, Baja Bound’s customer service is legendary. Their small, dedicated employee team is passionate about helping clients solve their problems—during business hours and often after hours and on weekends. Their relationships with the top carriers in the business ensure that their customers receive the absolute best care when dealing with a claim.
Since racing the La Carrera Panamericana in 2006, I’ve trusted Baja Bound for all my Mexico driving insurance. They’ve sponsored my Slow Baja Podcast since 2020 and have supported my Slow Baja Adventures since 2023. As a loyal customer and genuine fan, I’m grateful for their partnership. Enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at Baja Bound—and thanks to Hank Morton for a great conversation!
More on Baja Bound Insurance here.
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Patty Upton’s Extraordinary Around-the-World Jeep Expedition
When Patty Mercier jumped in Loren Upton’s 1966 Jeep CJ5, she knew she was in for an adventure. The man behind the wheel was on his fourth attempt to cross the Darién Gap. The first three trips had ended in …
Show notes
When Patty Mercier jumped in Loren Upton’s 1966 Jeep CJ5, she knew she was in for an adventure. The man behind the wheel was on his fourth attempt to cross the Darién Gap. The first three trips had ended in death and disaster, but Upton, an intrepid adventurer, would not be deterred.
In addition to his determination to cross the treacherous Darién Gap entirely on land, Upton had raised the stakes on this voyage. For his fourth attempt, he decried that he would drive one American-made vehicle around the world. The route would be from North America’s Northernmost point to South America’s southernmost point. The only water crossing would be the South Atlantic. They would continue from the Southernmost point in Africa to the Northernmost point in Norway.
The trip started in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, on 15 June 1984. They traveled more than 56,000 miles and took five years to complete the drive around the world. The crossing of the 125-mile Darién Gap was an astonishing 741 days. The Sand Ship Discovery, the name that Upton gave his intrepid Jeep, reached the Sletness Lighthouse near Gamvik, Norway, on 4 July 1989.
The couple earned a citation in the 1992 Guinness Book of Records for the “First All-Land Crossing Of The Infamous Darien Gap From Yauiza, Republic of Panama to Ríosucio, Colombia 22 February 1985 to 4 March 1987.”
Loren Lee Upton died at 87 years old on 9 August 2022
Patty Upton is searching for a museum to house Sand Ship Discovery, the 1966 CJ5, and for a writer to capture the story of their around-the-world drive. Please get in touch with her through her website: www.outbackofbeyond.com
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Itamar Lilienthal Fusing Architecture Biodesign And Art
Can fog become a lifeline for semi-arid desert communities, providing a sustainable source of clean drinking water? Can the act of capturing water and reducing waste become a foundation for cultural identity? …
Show notes
Can fog become a lifeline for semi-arid desert communities, providing a sustainable source of clean drinking water?
Can the act of capturing water and reducing waste become a foundation for cultural identity?
Itamar Lilienthal, a Baja-based architect, designer, and artist, answers these questions through work that fuses bold, contemporary design with a deep reverence for local climate, indigenous materials, and community needs.
Itamar’s projects, which feature adaptive cultural spaces that prioritize passive cooling, natural light, and sustainable techniques, champion the unique beauty and challenges of the Baja landscape.
In this episode, we’ll unpack his design process, his artistic mindset, and the bold pursuit of weaving free thinking and recycled materials into architecture. Let’s dive in.
Follow Itamar Lilienthal here.
Itamar on Instagram here.
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Baja Is The Best Place On Earth With Bob Taylor
Welcome back to the Slow Baja Podcast. I'm your host, Michael Emery. Today, I get to sit down with a man who has spent more than fifty years turning raw wood into music and has found, along Baja's dusty roads …
Show notes
Welcome back to the Slow Baja Podcast. I'm your host, Michael Emery. Today, I get to sit down with a man who has spent more than fifty years turning raw wood into music and has found, along Baja's dusty roads and sparsely populated coastlines, a place that feeds his soul and quiets his mind.
Bob Taylor is the Co-founder and Senior Advisor of Taylor Guitars, recognized as one of the world’s most iconic acoustic guitar makers. He and his company have shaped the soundtracks of generations, their instruments resonating through countless legendary songs. Need proof of Taylor Guitars' artistry? Consider one of the most famous guitars on the planet: Taylor Swift’s electric blue acoustic, a showstopper adorned with Japanese koi fish by master craftsman Pete Davies Jr.
But today, we're not talking about guitars, music, or Taylor Swift. Today, we're talking about Baja. When Bob ventures to Baja—his chosen sanctuary, he brings the same precision, creativity, and sense of craft from his half-century as a luthier. He didn’t just prepare for the journey; he masterminded it, personally acquiring and outfitting a fleet of 12 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ80s, not only for himself, but for his friends.
Together, Bob's Baja crew roamed the peninsula in matching “school uniform” vehicles, exploring Baja the way it’s meant to be experienced. Paper maps, side-eyed drives down endless washes searching for ever elusive empty beaches. For the first seventeen years, Bob says they never checked into a hotel; instead, they slept under Baja’s endless stars, woke to the sound of the ocean, and, of course, to Bob making coffee. Yes, he’s a coffee fanatic, maybe even a coffee fiend, but that's a story for another day.
Today, it’s all about the man behind the brand, and his passion for Baja. So settle in, you’re about to experience the kind of conversation that defines what Slow Baja is all about—curiosity, craft, and a real sense of place.
Special thanks to Alberto Moreno, of Taylor Guitars, for recording this conversation.
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Mali Mish An Overlanding Family
Dan and Marlene are the adventurous parents of a full-time traveling family of five, living, working, and exploring the world in their home-on-wheels. They’ve driven to 53 countries across 5 continents and were …
Show notes
Dan and Marlene are the adventurous parents of a full-time traveling family of five, living, working, and exploring the world in their home-on-wheels. They’ve driven to 53 countries across 5 continents and were named "Overlanders of the Year" by Expedition Portal in 2023.
They share their travels on Instagram and YouTube under the handle Mali Mish—Croatian for “Little Mouse,” a name bestowed on Marlene by her grandmother. Widely known as the “Mali Mish Family,” they’ve been living on the road since 2008.
When they started this adventure, there were no shortcuts: no YouTube tutorials, no e-books, just a handful of other family blogs. They jumped into the fray and started sharing their story.
Their journey has taken them through a series of rigs: a teardrop trailer, an Airstream, a Ford F250 with a Grandby Four Wheel Pop-up Camper, a 4x4 Sprinter Van, and their current home—the ultimate Overlanding rig, a Ford F-350 4WD with a Bowen Customs Flatbed paired with a Four Wheel Pop Up Grandby Flatbed Camper.
Follow their travels:
Website here.
YouTube here.
Instagram here.
Expedition Portal here.
Mentioned in this episode:
Baja Road and Recreation Atlas
Sal Fish 1975: The Year That Changed Baja Racing
To close out 2025, I am delighted to share my top Podcast of the year --Sal Fish 1975: The Year That Changed Baja Racing. Originally released in July, this conversation was recorded to commemorate the 50th …
Show notes
To close out 2025, I am delighted to share my top Podcast of the year --Sal Fish 1975: The Year That Changed Baja Racing.
Originally released in July, this conversation was recorded to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the first Baja 1000 organized by SCORE, and personally (and painstakingly) marked, mile by mile, by Sal. The 1975 Baja Internacional and Baja 1000 heralded the dawn of the modern era of off-road racing. While never claiming to be a racer himself, Fish and Hot Rod Magazine coworker, Bob Weggland, raced a Revel Model sponsored Baja Bug, competing in the NORRA Mexican 1000 from 1969 to 1971.Fish joined me on the 2025 Slow Baja Vintage Expedition pouring Tequila Fortaleza and sharing stories from his life in off-road racing. Fellow Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Famers, journalist, Chris Collard and mechanic and margarita mixer, Curt LeDuc were also part of the Slow Baja Adventure. For more information on joining the Slow Baja Vintage here:https://www.slowbaja.com/adventures/s...More on ORMHOF here: https://ormhof.org/sal-fish Get your Baja insurance here: https://www.bajabound.com/quote/?r=fl... Listen to the previous conversations with Sal here: • Sal Fish On SCORE And More https://youtu.be/uNCqWNMTe3s • Sal Fish The Godfather of Off-Road Racinghttps://youtu.be/xnDq0pL-Y1A?si=5X5RzcP-Z3fCaxks
Rancho La Bellota With Raul And Caroline
Raul and Caroline warmly welcome guests to Rancho La Bellota, their 2,800-acre guest ranch located in Tecate, Baja, California. Nestled in a valley of mature oak trees, thirty minutes on a dirt road from the …
Show notes
Raul and Caroline warmly welcome guests to Rancho La Bellota, their 2,800-acre guest ranch located in Tecate, Baja, California. Nestled in a valley of mature oak trees, thirty minutes on a dirt road from the Ruta de Vino, Rancho La Bellota is located very close to the border but feels so very far away.
Since my first visit in 2022, Rancho La Bellota has become my second home—and my first stop in Baja. Every Slow Baja Adventure begins here. Honestly, I usually linger a day or two after each trip, recharging and resetting before heading home.
There’s no cell service at the ranch, and the wifi—available discreetly at the Starlink cabin—is easy to forget. Guests quickly fall into the rhythms of ranch life: coffee is ready at 6:30 AM, and after enjoying a cup on the porch, everyone gathers in the sun-washed dining room for a hearty breakfast.
After breakfast, it’s time to ride. The ranch’s horses, all retired from working cattle, are thoughtfully matched to each rider’s ability and experience—Raul deftly distributes them with the practiced hand of a Vegas dealer. At lunch, longtime guests playfully debate who drew the best mount and scheme to claim that horse on their next visit.
After lunch, a siesta beckons, followed by perhaps another ride or a friendly round of horseshoes. As dusk settles, the candlelit dining room fills with laughter and lively conversation. Raul presides over the table, sparking gentle debates about the news of the day. Later, we retreat to the bar, and Raul pours and imparts his tequila knowledge. The evening winds down by the campfire—bedtime comes early at 9 PM, affectionately called “Baja Midnight.”
Raul is a passionate overlander, piloting a custom pop-top 1969 Chevrolet Suburban he designed himself. He frequently welcomes fellow overlanders journeying along the Baja Peninsula, though he gently reminds guests that Rancho La Bellota isn’t a free campground. As a proud Baja California native, Raul enthusiastically shares his wisdom and stories, helping travelers get the most out of their Pan-American Highway adventure.
Rancho La Bellota is Slow Baja Approved!
Book your stay at Rancho La Bellota here.
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Listen to the 2022 Slow Baja Podcast here.
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San Ignacio Springs Resort With Paul And Bonnie
Today's Slow Baja Podcast is with Paul and Bonnie, the affable owners of Ignacio Springs Resort in San Ignacio, BC Sur. This was my third visit to Ignacio Springs, and I enjoyed a night in their “new” …
Show notes
Today's Slow Baja Podcast is with Paul and Bonnie, the affable owners of Ignacio Springs Resort in San Ignacio, BC Sur. This was my third visit to Ignacio Springs, and I enjoyed a night in their “new” motel-style rooms across the road from the main property. Located in the heart of the Palmera, on the bank of the tranquil Rio San Ignacio, Paul and Bonnie are warm and welcoming hosts, and their property is spotless. Originally from Canada, they have happily transitioned to life in Baja. The bar is always open, and the American-style breakfast was hearty and delicious. I strongly suggest that you slow your roll and spend some time under the palms, letting the tilapia exfoliate your toes.Bonnie is my go-to for information on many activities, and she will happily connect you with guides for whale-watching or cave-painting excursions. If you are interested in whale watching, I suggest that you make your reservations now. Ignacio Springs Resort is Slow Baja Approved!
Book your stay at Ignacio Springs Resort here.
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Called To Serve With Doug And Shannon Miller
Doug and Shannon Miller return to Slow Baja to share their experiences of serving others while traveling. During their first family vacation to Baja, a flat tire forced them to camp next to Rancho Sordo Mundo …
Show notes
Doug and Shannon Miller return to Slow Baja to share their experiences of serving others while traveling. During their first family vacation to Baja, a flat tire forced them to camp next to Rancho Sordo Mundo, a home for the deaf and mute. Meeting the director and the students changed the course of their trip—and their lives—sparking 19 years of service-based travel.As we take a moment to reflect on gratitude at this time of year, enjoy this inspiring conversation with Doug and Shannon Miller. Special thanks to Azure O’Neil for the introduction.To learn more and support the places mentioned in today’s show:World’s Children Foundation click here.Casa Hogar Mulege BCS click here.
FFHM Orphanage Vicente Guerrero BC click here.Rancho Sordo Mundo, Deaf Ministry, click here.PAW Animal Clinic Mulege BCS click here.To contact Shannon Miller about Baja service travel, click here.
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Mike Spurgin Taco Moto
Mike Spurgin of Taco Moto has the best stickers in Baja. In fact, I would venture to say that he may have the best stickers of anyone and any business in the world. While researching Mr. Spurgin, I stumbled …
Show notes
- MotoMentor / MotoVenturer. Potentate of good times.
- Therapist of dirt.
- Regional manager of awesome.
- Assistant Branch Manager at Taco Moto Co
- Wing Commander at Baja Taco Tours
- Titian of Industry at Throw Back Tetherball Technologies
Mike Spurgin of Taco Moto has the best stickers in Baja. In fact, I would venture to say that he may have the best stickers of anyone and any business in the world. While researching Mr. Spurgin, I stumbled across his LinkedIn profile, which I am sharing here without permission. In my opinion, it provides all you need to know about my friend, "Taco Mike."
Follow Taco Moto on Instagram
Watch Taco Moto videos on YouTube
Learn more about Taco Moto Co
Mentioned in this episode: Slow Baja Vintage Expedition
Benchmark Maps Baja Road and Recreation Atlas
Support the Slow Baja Podcast here
Larry Evans A Boy In Baja
Larry Evans spent his childhood traveling to Baja with his family in the 1960s and 1970s. Evans credits his mother as the instigator in getting the family to Baja. Evans called his mother a pioneer; I would …
Show notes
Larry Evans spent his childhood traveling to Baja with his family in the 1960s and 1970s. Evans credits his mother as the instigator in getting the family to Baja. Evans called his mother a pioneer; I would call her an influencer. She would host parties where she would show slides of their family adventures. Encouraged by the images, some of their neighbors eventually bought 4x4s and joined them in Baja too.
Enjoy this heart-warming conversation about idyllic boyhood adventures in the early days of Baja before the highway was paved.
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Mentioned in this episode: Slow Baja Winter Expedition
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Jim Chamberlain Master Of The Manx
Jim Chamberlain met Bruce Meyers in 1963 and began assisting in the design of the iconic Old Red, the first fiberglass dune buggy. By 1966, he was working full-time with Meyers, contributing to the creation of …
Show notes
Jim Chamberlain met Bruce Meyers in 1963 and began assisting in the design of the iconic Old Red, the first fiberglass dune buggy. By 1966, he was working full-time with Meyers, contributing to the creation of the Meyers Manx buggy and designing the first Sidewinder exhaust system.Encouraged by Meyers, Chamberlain opened his own shop, OC Buggies in 1967, and became a pivitol figure in the growing dune buggy craze. He built the #10 Meyers Manx for Vic Wilson, which won the 1967 NORRA Mexican 1000 race. In 1968, he gained recognition at the first Bug-In and supported several teams in the NORRA Mexican 1000 by entering and racing his wife’s stock 1965 VW bus.In 1969, he built a VW convertible for actor Paul Newman and began racing dune buggies at Ascot Park. Throughout the 1970s, he continued to innovate in off-road vehicles and participated in the Pikes Peak Hillclimb and SCORE Riverside Grand Prix.In 2022, he drove the #10 Replica Meyers Manx in the Slow Baja Safari Class of the NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally and showcased it at the 2023 Mint 400 Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame exhibit. Now 82, Jim remains an active participant in Meyers Manx Club events, serving as an ambassador for off-road racing.
Follow Jim Chamberlain on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jim.chamberlain.583
Follow Meyers Manx on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/meyersmanx/?hl=en
Mentioned in this episode: Slow Baja Vintage Expeditionhttps://www.slowbaja.com/adventuresBenchmark Maps Baja Road and Recreation Atlashttps://longitudemaps.com/products/ba...Support the Slow Baja Podcasthttps://www.slowbaja.com/supportBuy Baja Bound Insurancehttps://www.bajabound.com/quote/?r=fl...
Toby Pond Sponsor Spotlight Scheel-Mann USA
In this episode of Slow Baja, we highlight our sponsor, Toby Pond of Scheel-Mann USA. Toby and I met during the 2022 NORRA 1000 event. I was on the side of the road in the Mag 7 pit, watching as my 50-year-old …
Show notes
In this episode of Slow Baja, we highlight our sponsor, Toby Pond of Scheel-Mann USA. Toby and I met during the 2022 NORRA 1000 event. I was on the side of the road in the Mag 7 pit, watching as my 50-year-old bench seat frame was being repaired.
Pond was there supporting a Baja racing Porsche 911, which was the first Porsche to finish the NORRA. We struck up a conversation about seats, and he gently probed my thoughts on aftermarket options. Given the circumstances of the repair and how the seat had broken in the first place, I was feeling a bit cranky. I realized I was being snippy, so I adjusted my tone and poured Toby a sip of my sponsored Fortaleza Still Strength tequila.
He mentioned that a colleague on the Porsche team was in the tequila industry and invited her over to join us. She quickly informed me that Still Strength was illegal in Mexico and was very curious about how I was "so connected" to be pouring Fortaleza—especially since they "never sponsor anything" —and Still Strength, which was quite rare, expensive, and illegal where we were enjoying it.
Our friendship began during that dusty roadside repair in Baja. A few weeks later, a pair of Scheel-Mann seats: a Vario F for me and a Vario F XXL for my navigator were in Slow Baja. The improvement has been life-changing, and my back is much happier now. No exaggeration—the Scheel-Mann seats are by far the best modification I’ve made to my truck.
Follow Scheel-Mann USA on Instagram
Learn more about Scheel-Mann USA
Mentioned in this episode: Slow Baja Vintage Expedition
Benchmark Maps Baja Road and Recreation Atlas
Overcrest Rally Overcrest Rally
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Sean Jansen Paddling With Porpoise A 1,000-Mile Stand-up Paddle Journey Down Baja
Sean Jansen spent the first 25 years of his life in Southern California. Growing up as a surfer, he endeavored to spend every waking minute in the ocean. By 26, he had travelled to 26 countries and lived …
Show notes
Sean Jansen spent the first 25 years of his life in Southern California. Growing up as a surfer, he endeavored to spend every waking minute in the ocean. By 26, he had travelled to 26 countries and lived internationally in both China and Colombia. Upon returning to the US, Sean moved to Montana, where he guides clients in Yellowstone National Park and writes about the great outdoors.
In this conversation, we focus on his passion to raise awareness of the plight of the highly endangered Vaquita Porpoise through his 1000-mile stand-up paddleboard expedition down the length of the Gulf of California.
Jansen survived the perilous journey with the help of Slow Baja Alums, Michael Younghusband and Graham Mackintosh. He’s written a beautiful account of the voyage titled, Paddling With Porpoise, which is available on Amazon. After more than a year in the works, I am delighted to share this conversation about Jansen’s journey through recovery, discovery, and conservation, paddling down the second-longest peninsula on the planet.
100% of the proceeds from this book will be donated to conservation.
Learn more about Sean Jansen here:
https://www.jansenjournals.com/
Follow Sean on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jansen_journals/
Mentioned in this episode: Slow Baja Vintage Expedition:
https://www.slowbaja.com/adventures/slow-baja-vintage-expedition-1
Buy Baja Bound Insurance here:
Sal Fish 1975: The Year That Changed Baja Racing
Sal Fish, the Godfather of Baja racing is back for his third conversation on the Slow Baja Podcast. We recorded this one back in March on our way home from the epic Slow Baja Winter Expedition.We gathered to …
Show notes
Sal Fish, the Godfather of Baja racing is back for his third conversation on the Slow Baja Podcast. We recorded this one back in March on our way home from the epic Slow Baja Winter Expedition.
We gathered to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the first Baja 1000 organized by SCORE, and personally and painstakingly marked by Sal. The 1975 Baja Internacional and Baja 1000 heralded the dawn of the modern era of off-road racing. Before his joining SCORE, Sal was the Publisher of Hot Rod Magazine at Petersen Publications. He and advertising salesman Bob Weggland raced a Revel Model Company-sponsored Baja Bug in the NORRA Mexican 1000 from 1969 to 1971.
Fish will join me on the 2025 Slow Baja Vintage Expedition to share stories from his life in off-road racing. Joining him on the trip are fellow Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Famers, journalist Chris Collard, and mechanic and chief margarita-mixer, Curt LeDuc.
Learn more about the Slow Baja Vintage here:
https://www.slowbaja.com/adventures/slow-baja-vintage-expedition-1
More on Sal Fish and ORMHOF here:
https://ormhof.org/sal-fish
Get your Baja insurance here: https://www.bajabound.com/quote/?r=fl9vypdv2t
Listen to the previous conversations with Sal here:
https://youtu.be/uNCqWNMTe3s?si=8AVUBgidk0N-YMnk
https://youtu.be/xnDq0pL-Y1A?si=PW3kbFDOgjcJ5WWZ
Chef Chad White On TJ And Trail Feast
Renowned for his eclectic urban style and Baja-Med cuisine, Chef Chad White is fluent in life and food on both sides of the border. Born in Spokane, WA, he received his culinary training while serving in the US …
Show notes
Renowned for his eclectic urban style and Baja-Med cuisine, Chef Chad White is fluent in life and food on both sides of the border. Born in Spokane, WA, he received his culinary training while serving in the US Navy. After a stint cooking at the famed Hotel Del Coronado, Chef White moved to Tijuana and opened La Justina Gastro Pub.
After an acclaimed run at La Justina and a stint on Top Chef, White returned to his hometown of Spokane, Washington, and opened Zona Blanca Ceviche Bar, High Tide Lobster Bar, and TTs Old Iron Brewery and Barbecue. He was a James Beard regional finalist in 2020.
Trail Feast, his latest venture, combines rugged exploration with fine dining. Guests can explore challenging trails, enjoy custom culinary experiences cooked over an open flame, and relax with expertly crafted cocktails. It’s the ultimate blend of adventure and indulgence. To receive notification about the Slow Baja Trail Feast event please email me here.
This podcast mentions Overland Expo, La Justina, and Trail Feast
Jeff Honea Seeking Solitude In Baja
"Jeff's life is built around pictures, and he has been making, showing and selling art for more than 30 years. Whether it's making fine art paintings of Baja California or shooting commercial projects, Jeff's …
Show notes
"Jeff's life is built around pictures, and he has been making, showing and selling art for more than 30 years.
Whether it's making fine art paintings of Baja California or shooting commercial projects, Jeff's focus is on inspiring enthusiasm for the spaces, faces, and places that make up the world around us."
Learn more @Jeffehonea.com
Follow Jeff E Honea on Instagram
Mentioned in this episode: Slow Baja Winter Expedition
Support the Slow Baja Podcast
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Curt LeDuc Blue-Collar Racer
Blue-collar racer Curt LeDuc is a self-made “Imagineer” and Trophy Truck Champion who was born in the unlikely state of Rhode Island. “Why was I born in Rhode Island? Because I wanted to be close to my mother,” …
Show notes
Blue-collar racer Curt LeDuc is a self-made “Imagineer” and Trophy Truck Champion who was born in the unlikely state of Rhode Island. “Why was I born in Rhode Island? Because I wanted to be close to my mother,” LeDuc quips.He has spent decades building and racing his own vehicles at the highest levels of desert racing. LeDuc has achieved notable success, winning the championship in desert class 8 for five consecutive years. He also holds two titles from the Short Course Off-Road Drivers Association, a Governor’s Cup, and a rare and valuable Borg Warner Cup. His impressive career includes victories at renowned events like Crandon, Pikes Peak, the Dakar Rally, and Baja.LeDuc is highly regarded for achieving his accomplishments through hard work and his indomitable spirit. He has earned a reputation for being able to fix anything. Sal Fish once said, “Curt is the guy you want with you in Baja; if he can’t fix it, he knows a guy who can.”I am excited to announce that LeDuc will serve as Mechanic and Sweep for the 2025 Slow Baja Vintage Expedition.Enjoy this conversation with Curt LeDuc, recorded on his 70th birthday.Follow Curt LeDuc on InstagramMentioned in this episode: Curt LeDuc Baja Legends Tour Support the Slow Baja Podcasthttps://www.slowbaja.com/supportBuy Baja Bound Insurance
Paola "Panca" Villaseñor Art Beyond Borders
Bi-national artist Paola Villaseñor, known as Panca, is from Chula Vista and has spent over half her life in Tijuana. After her mother's death in 2005, she moved to Tijuana, where she found inspiration in the …
Show notes
Bi-national artist Paola Villaseñor, known as Panca, is from Chula Vista and has spent over half her life in Tijuana. After her mother's death in 2005, she moved to Tijuana, where she found inspiration in the city's creativity, nightlife, affordability, and danger.
Her art reflects themes of feminism and humanity's decay. "With art, you work with your heart, and it can become dark when you expose your vulnerability, but it’s also pure. Art has been my therapy, my burden, and my savior."
Panca's career took off with her solo show, “I Am the Architect of My Own Misfortune,” at Bread & Salt in 2020, accompanied by her first book, “Los Perdidos.” Her mural "Respect the Paleteros," featuring a distressed and melting ice cream cone, has become an icon in San Diego's Barrio Logan neighborhood.
Follow Panca on Instagram
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Sprinter Vans & Baja With Sean Michael
Dr. Sean Michael is a professor of Outdoor Product Design & Development at Utah State University, and a writer and product tester in the off-road market for over two decades. His articles have appeared in …
Show notes
Dr. Sean Michael is a professor of Outdoor Product Design & Development at Utah State University, and a writer and product tester in the off-road market for over two decades. His articles have appeared in ADVrider, BMW MOA Owner’s News, Offroad.com, and other magazines. His research and teaching include the history of vehicle-based adventure travel. He has also taught at trade shows like SEMA, the Adventure Van Expo, and Overland Expo for the past decade, with classes ranging from solar power to responsible human waste and outfitting vans for the rigors of overlanding.
This episode mentions the Slow Baja Winter Expedition, Benchmark Maps Baja Road and Recreation Atlas, and the Pee Sport Bottle.
Follow Sean Michael on Instagram
Support the Slow Baja Podcast
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Paul d'Orleans Vintage Motos Tintypes & Baja
Paul d'Orleans is a renowned expert in motorcycle history and culture. He is best known as the founder of The Vintagent, a highly influential blog. In addition to his primary identity as a rider extraordinaire …
Show notes
Paul d'Orleans is a renowned expert in motorcycle history and culture. He is best known as the founder of The Vintagent, a highly influential blog. In addition to his primary identity as a rider extraordinaire of vintage machines, d'Orleans is a noted curator, writer, and photographer. To make things more challenging, especially in Baja, he often shoots in large format and employs antique wet plate processes. A true Renaissance man, he is also a filmmaker, Concours judge, commentator, and above all, Paul d'Orleans is phenomenally well-dressed.
Learn more about The Vintagent here:
Get your Baja insurance here:
https://www.bajabound.com/quote/?r=fl
For more info on Slow Baja Adventures, visit: https://www.slowbaja.com/adventures
Lou Bank Mr. Agave Talks Mezcal
Lou Bank is the founder of SACRED, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in rural Mexican communities that produce heritage agave spirits. He also co-hosts the podcast "Agave Road …
Show notes
Lou Bank is the founder of SACRED, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in rural Mexican communities that produce heritage agave spirits. He also co-hosts the podcast "Agave Road Trip," which aims to help bartenders gain a deeper understanding of agave, agave spirits, and rural Mexico.
Lou is a genuinely kind and caring individual, and I am thrilled to share this Slow Baja conversation with you. I'd suggest you pour yourself a fine Tequila Fortaleza or your favorite Mezcal and enjoy the conversation.
Follow the work of SACRED in Mexico here.
Follow SACRED on Instagram.
Listen to the "Agave Road Trip" podcast.
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