Nearly a full two years ago, I was turning 26. My boyfriend and I had just finished a two year project of building The Super Camper from scratch, and took it on its maiden voyage to Baja. A week of crisp offshore waves, cool campfire nights, and a whole lot of smoky meat was an awesome way to get through the still hot, still not quite pumping early fall season.

The waves were awesome and we felt safe. However, since that time the conditions in Baja have changed. A very experienced Baja couple were camping at the spot in the photograph above. Men in dark clothing showed up in the middle of the night and demanded they get out of their camper. When they refused, the men shot open their lock, pulled them out, beat the crap out of the guy and raped his girlfriend, before stealing most of their valuables. That's an extreme case, but stories of families robbed at gunpoint and left on the side of the road with nothing have continually been filtering up across the border. If it was just any truck, we'd be less worried, and more apt to accept the possibility of danger and losing our vehicle to banditos, but the Super Camper is more than just any truck.

So, we haven't been back down to Baja in way too long. I'm missing it. I'm dreaming of long days of surfing, afternoon firewood scavenging, and sunset campfires. I miss waking up before the sun and listening for the direction of the wind. Hopefully, we will make it back down that way again soon, and until then, i'll have to settle for the memories of my favorite birthday ever.