Slow Baja

In this Slow Baja Conversation, we meet Vitza and Cesar, the gracious hosts at the beautiful Rancho La Concepción. Originally from Mexico City, the duo met while engaged in conservation work in Baja California. Rancho La Concepcion is a realization of their combined dream to give back to the world by creating a sacred space for thoughtful travelers.

The main reason to visit Rancho La Concepcion is the unparalleled stargazing, but the easy access to nature, miles of hiking trails, and slower pursuits like forest bathing, meditation, and yoga are equally compelling reasons to stay.

I've stayed three times and shared the experience with my Slow Baja Vintage Expeditions. I appreciate the slow vibe and silence that envelop the property. On my next visit, I hope to get a glimpse of the local Condor population. I highly recommend their cottages. With prior notice, meals are available, and I can attest that Cesar is a fine cook. If you visit the ranch in the fall, you may be lucky to enjoy an apple pie from their ancient orchard.

Rancho La Concepcion is worth the drive and is Slow Baja Approved!

Learn more about Rancho La Concepcion and book your stay: http://www.rancholaconcepcion.com/

Get your Baja insurance here:

https://www.bajabound.com/quote/?r=fl  

For additional information on Slow Baja Adventures, visit: https://www.slowbaja.com/adventures

In this Slow Baja Conversation, we meet Vitza and Cesar, the gracious hosts at the beautiful Rancho La Concepción. Originally from Mexico City, the duo met while engaged in conservation work in Baja California. Rancho La Concepcion is a realization of their combined dream to give back to the world by creating a sacred space for thoughtful travelers.

The main reason to visit Rancho La Concepcion is the unparalleled stargazing, but the easy access to nature, miles of hiking trails, and slower pursuits like forest bathing, meditation, and yoga are equally compelling reasons to stay.

I've stayed three times and shared the experience with my Slow Baja Vintage Expeditions. I appreciate the slow vibe and silence that envelop the property. On my next visit, I hope to get a glimpse of the local Condor population. I highly recommend their cottages. With prior notice, meals are available, and I can attest that Cesar is a fine cook. If you visit the ranch in the fall, you may be lucky to enjoy an apple pie from their ancient orchard.

Rancho La Concepcion is worth the drive and is Slow Baja Approved!

Learn more about Rancho La Concepcion and book your stay: http://www.rancholaconcepcion.com/

Get your Baja insurance here:

https://www.bajabound.com/quote/?r=fl  

For additional information on Slow Baja Adventures, visit: https://www.slowbaja.com/adventures

Malcolm Smith is a legendary figure in off-road racing, known for his remarkable achievements on two and four wheels. Between 1966 and 1976, he won eight gold medals in the International Six Day Trial and six Baja 1000 titles—three times on a motorcycle and three times in a car. In 1967, he and teammate J.N. Roberts shared first place on a bike in the inaugural NORRA Mexican 1000.

http://www.malcolmsmithmotorsportsfoundation.org/

https://ormhof.org/malcolm-smith

In this episode, Maurice Merrick, who hosts the fabulous Horsepower Heritage Podcast, joined me to discuss his experience on the Fall 2024 Slow Baja Vintage Expedition.

Maurice and Slow Baja Vintage Expedition alum Derek Boycks drove Derek's 1996 Land Rover Discovery. Upon arrival in Mexico, we stopped to procure our F.M.M. Visas; Maurice was deported because he forgot to bring his passport. We resolved that issue quickly and got Maurice across the border and back on the road. Just before we arrived at Rancho La Bellota, they drove over a rock and tore a hole in their muffler. The newly unmuffled Land Rover sounded like a menacing drag racer!

Derek, a master mechanic, won the "Baja Is Right For You Award" for quietly fixing several minor issues on a number of vehicles, including a hazardous steering issue on my truck. Most importantly, he utilized some spare ignition parts from my Land Cruiser to rebuild the ignition on an FJ40 whose PerTronix had failed, so their engine wouldn't start.

I was a guest on Maurice's Horsepower Heritage Podcast back in 2021. You can listen to the show here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baja-tales-with-michael-emery/id1525657159?i=1000525723732

Find Horsepower Heritage on Instagram @horsepowerheritage

YouTube: https://youtu.be/MuH7G4N-dYU?si=RmwPlcuJYfSsQPd7

SUPPORT THE SLOW BAJA PODCAST:

https://buymeacoffee.com/slowbaja

BUY SLOW BAJA MERCHANDISE:

https://www.slowbaja.com/shop

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM:

@slowbaja

Slow Baja on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/slow-baja/id1511808843

Subscribe to the Slow Baja YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@slowbaja

“Motorcycle Mary” tells the untold story of legendary motorsports pioneer Mary McGee a.k.a. “Motorcycle Mary”, whose racing career spanned thirty years and saw her shatter gender norms while mastering multiple racing disciplines. The documentary short will feature stunning never-before-seen archival footage and photographs from McGee’s life.

“Racing was never just about competition for me—it was about freedom, courage, and pushing myself beyond limits,” says Mary McGee. “I’m proud to share my journey in ‘Motorcycle Mary.’ I hope my story inspires women and shows that with determination, anyone can carve their own path, no matter the odds.”

Following in her brother’s footsteps, her remarkable racing odyssey begins in the world of cars, where she outshines her male competitors, only later discovering her greatest sense of freedom racing motorcycles. She was the first woman to race motorcycles in the United States. Confronted by sexism and personal tragedy, Mary perseveres, pushing herself to greater and greater heights—culminating in her most hair-raising challenge: Becoming the first person ever to solo the grueling Baja 500 on a motorcycle.

“Motorcycle Mary” is a production of Breakwater Studios. 

“Motorcycle Mary”, as part of ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 Shorts catalog, premieres on November 3  at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and will also be available to stream on ESPN+. The short documentary is directed by Haley Watson (in her directorial debut), produced by Rachel Greenwald, and executive produced by two-time Oscar® winner Ben Proudfoot and seven-time Formula One World Champion, Lewis Hamilton. The film made its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Festival.

--From ESPN

As a young man, Jerry L’Ecuyer landed a dream job driving a camping tour bus that shuttled young, single foreigners on camping trips throughout the United States. “I still think about that job today. It was way too much fun, and they actually paid us. It was wrong.”

A perk of the job, Jerry spent his off-seasons traveling and reconnecting with his new friends. “I learned to ski in Austria; I didn’t have a lot of worries; I was single. One of the off-seasons (1984), we did a real overland voyage from London to South Africa by truck.”

In this Slow Baja conversation, we discuss that epic four-month drive from England to South Africa in a Bedford truck—meeting his South African wife, discovering “Overland” gear, and building a brand and a lifestyle around Tembo Tusk. It’s a little behind the man and a little behind the brand today with Jerry L’Ecuyer on Slow Baja.

Check out Jerry’s San Felipe property here.

Watch this Podcast on YouTube.

Learn more about Tembo Tusk.

Get your Baja Insurance here.

Learn more about Slow Baja Adventures.

Ginni Callahan's Baja introduction started with a simple, straightforward invitation that most would dismiss as crazy: "Why don't you get a kayak, learn to paddle it, drive me to Baja, and tag along for the season?" The invitation from Kayak guide Hans Bruning changed Callahan's life forever.

In 2008, she paddled to the Pacific Baja islands of Cedros and Natividad. In 2009, she soloed to Santa Catalina, the most remote island in the Loreto National Marine Park, renowned for its endemic rattleless rattlesnakes. In 2105, she circumnavigated Angel de la Guarda Island in the remote northern Gulf of California.

In 2020, Callahan paddled solo across the Gulf of California, completing the final 55 nautical miles from Isla Tortugas to the Sonora coast in 18 hours.

When not guiding sea kayaking trips, Callahan is writing a guidebook on the National Marine Park of Loreto. She is a breast cancer survivor who wants to give hope to others undergoing that journey.

Enjoy this Slow Baja conversation with Ginni Callahan.

Watch the conversation on ⁠YouTube.⁠

Listen to the conversation on ⁠Apple.⁠

Learn more about Ginni Callahan ⁠here.⁠

Get your Baja insurance ⁠here.⁠

More information on ⁠Slow Baja Adventures⁠.

For episode number one hundred and fifty, I proudly bring you this important and thoughtful conversation with Journalist Carl Honoré. Honoré is the leading voice of the global Slow Movement. We recently spent some time at Los Sagrados Horse Sanctuary in Pescadero discussing his bestselling book "In Praise of Slowness."

In his books, lectures, and TED Talks, Honoré advocates embracing one's inner tortoise and slowing down. He criticizes the Western world's obsession with speed and promotes a more deliberate, unhurried approach to life.

Honoré not only explores the negative impacts of our fast-paced society but also champions those who have adopted a slower, more mindful lifestyle. In a world dominated by haste and diversion, Honoré underscores the importance of deceleration. He provides actionable strategies that empower individuals to not just survive, but thrive in a rapidly changing world, all while prioritizing their well-being and fostering meaningful connections.

Enjoy this Slow Baja conversation with Carl Honoré.

Watch the conversation on YouTube.

Listen to the conversation on Apple.

Learn more about Carl Honoré here.

Get your Baja insurance here.

More information on Slow Baja Adventures.

Meet Noel Bhavani Cianci, the founder and owner of Los Sagroados Horse Sanctuary in Pescadero. On a recent trip to Baja Sur, I chose to stay at Los Sagrados when I was looking for out-of-the-ordinary and “on-brand” accommodations near Todos Santos for my conversation with Carl Honoré. Carl is an award-winning author, TED speaker, and the voice of the slow movement.

Meet Jeremy DeConcini, the co-founder of Motosonora Brewing Company in Tucson, Arizona. This unique taproom, inspired by road trips, features a rotating art collection that pays homage to iconic races like the Carrera Panamericana, Baja 1000, and East African Safari Rally. With its Moto Mondays and frequent automotive events, Motosonora is not just a place to enjoy world-class beers but also to showcase your classic sports car or vintage 4x4, like my old Toyota FJ40. We’ve collaborated to launch Slow Baja Mexican Lager, a must-try for scorching summer days and is on tap for a limited time only.

In this Slow Baja Conversation, we discuss his African travels with his brother Jeff, which formed the genesis for the brewery. He shares an epic adventure from the 90s, a Baja trip with his father and three teenage brothers, which resulted in a hospital trip and a few broken bones. Buckle up, crack open a cold one, and enjoy the ride.

Learn more about Motosonora here.

Get your Baja insurance here.

More information on Slow Baja Adventures.