[Desert Fox]

This event is unlike any other Jeep Jamboree I've been to, and this was my fifth. There were 40 Jeeps in attendance. We met in El Centro, CA and went to the border where we were met by the Mexican State Police and several other officials, and were escorted the 130 miles to San Felipe. No border check, no customs and no Mexican Army inspections enroute. When we arrived in San Felipe, we were greeted by the mayor, the head of tourism and the Chief of Police. There were several short speeches and we were then treated to all the Corona, "XX," and Tecate beer we could drink. After returning from the restrooms, we were escorted through the business district with a police escort, sort of a parade if you will. We were then taken to the Hotel El Cortez, our HQs for the next three days. The hotel sits on the beach. It has a very nice restaurant and bar. The rooms were very large and clean, but had little in the way of furniture. Everything in the bathroom worked. "Don't drink the water." San Felipe is described as a "sleepy little fishing village." However, it has a population of 19,000 Mexicans and an additional 20,000 "snow birds" who show up between October and March. This event was sponsored by the local American Jeep Club, The
Scorpions, who also provide a search and rescue service to the Mexican government. A really great group of people. They acted as our tour guides, shopping guides and cultural guides. The Jeeping is rated at 1-8 on the JJ scale. Most of it is at the lower end and involves driving in very deep sand. You have to air down to 12psi. There is one trail, Mini-Summit, that has a few 8 level obstacles, but generally speaking it averages out to a 4/5 overall. We did have three three breakage incidents, but they were caused by lack of driver skill. For the most part, the Scorpions drive CJ5s and 7s with two 5 gal Jerry cans on their tire racks and all have Mexican ram air - driving with the hood unlatched. On the last night we had a banquet, roasted pig, with one hour of folkloric dancing by a group out of the University of Mexicali. They were terrific! BTW, Mexicali has a population of over one million. We made it back across the border with ease, not a problem encountered. Summary: easy Jeeping, great food (lots of fresh shrimp), terrific people and a good hotel. It is a cultural event as well as a Jeeping event. I would do it again. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Fred