Rancho Los Metates and the Crazy Danes

Ready for Rancho Los Metates

GPS: 31.406167N, 116.5010000W

I'm really excited, and also a little bit uncertain. Nothing to do with the whole solo drive down baja thing, but apparently I'm going to meet up with my dad and Chalo at his ranch, Rancho Los Metates. Clarification: I love my dad. He is at least as crazy as I am, I get that. But he is not the camping sort of guy, so the idea of him spending time on a ranch with certainly no electricity and questionable amenities sounds a bit foreign. I'm happy nonetheless. We have a plan. I'm conveiniently camped out in San Tomas which is right at the turnoff from the highway (Mex 1) to get to Chalo's ranch. Chalo is a longtime friend of my dad and family, he was also my pediatrician who cured my many childhood ailments. Together my Dad and Chalo will meet me in San Thomas and we'll caravan the rest of the way to the ranch. Very exciting for me and la van, turning of the Mex 1 means la van's first time off road! Getting ready for bed the night before I find this article on the myserious Danish cult that are next door to Chalo's ranch. Holy crap.

Crazy Danes

Since I first heard about Chalo's ranch I've also heard of the crazy Danish cult next door (they're called Tvind and also referred to as The Teachers Group). Back in Denmark they are apparently a big deal, some of their members have been convicted (also on the run) of tax evasion among other things and the French government has officially labeled them as a cult. That and they have ties to humanatarian organizations around the world, many you probably know, which they seem to be siphoning money from. After checking out The Reader article and tvindalert.com I have to agree, they totally are a cult and with all the creepy to go with it. Oddly enough thare are no aliens coming to earth and no eternal life salvation talk, just the total devotion (your time, money, life) and the crazy figurehead guy. Then I actually get to see the view from Chalo's ranch...

Chalo has several time been approached by the Tvind to sell Los Matates. They've even given him a tour of their facilities... Don't be fooled, those are some big buildings. That blue one, an auditorium complete with olympic size pool. Golf ball in the background, an observatory. Some of the other buildings include conference and guest suites for 300 or so people. And the architecture... very culty.

Ok, I just had to get that out. They are literally next door to Los Metates. Come on! Look at that compound!

Take a look at tvindalert.com if you are interested in reading more about The Teachers Group.

Just the guys

Back to the ranch getaway. Chalo and Dad show up as planned in San Tomas and we're ready to go. Chalo will lead the way in his Pilot and Dad will ride with me. This is gonna be fun. Ok, so I lied a little bit before... This isn't the first time going off-road. I took la van out the day before just to get a feel for how she handles in the dirt and rocks and washboard. She did great, the souped up suspension from GoWesty performed like a champ. I can feel a little more confident this time around with dad sitting shotgun.

I'm not sure if I'm nervous for my Dad, Dad is nervous for me or we're both nervous for the van but fortunately the drive to the ranch was mostly easy going and we have a good time along the way to the ranch. Los Metates is suprisingly well equiped. Running water (and hot!) gas heating and, a solid stove, wood burning oven, fridge and freezer. Everything is running on gas, so no electricity, but we have all we need: chicken tacos, cold beer, tequila and stories to tell.

The next morning Pops is in charge of breakfast. Its gonna be huevos (from the chickens out back) con machaca and a care package of refried beans from my aunt Timaya (Tia Amalia) she knows I LOVE them beans. Dad's embellishment for the beans: chicharrones (leftover snack from the ride). Apparently you can toss those crispy suckers right in. Added salty fatty pig flavor plus crispy pieces turned soggy. It is awesome. I see a walk in our future. Chalo not being much into the exercise thing decides to hang back. A good chance to spend a little more time with Dad. We walk down and along the beach, soak up some sun and the views.

It was a quick stay at the ranch, but its time to get moving again. Chalo and my dad are heading back north and I will continue south in the dirt in search of surf. We stop at the entrance to the ranch and say goodbye for now.

:-A

Update: More pics!