Slow Baja

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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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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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:

Slow Baja Winter Expedition

Baja Road and Recreation Atlas

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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

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.

Support the Slow Baja Podcast here.

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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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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 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."

• 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




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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

Buy Baja Bound Insurance

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

Support the Slow Baja Podcast

Buy Baja Bound Insurance Here

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...