Expedition: Baja Recap 2/15-2/19

[EXO]

Hello everyone!


Here’s some pics from our most recent running of “Expedition: Baja”. Mother nature sure threw us some crazy weather while we were down there. It ended up being a once in a lifetime experience with river crossings, mud, and a ridiculously green Baja.


The highlight of the trip was the success of the Charity drive. With the help of numerous generous donations, we were successful in raising over $12,000 for Orphanage Cristo Por Su Mundo, which provides food and shelter for orphans, who would otherwise be destined for homelessness or worse. The other is a specialized care facility, Asael Unidos Para Ayudar, which provides care for disabled children and teens with a variety of physical and mental illnesses.


It was truly moving to hand Asael Unidos Para Ayudar the keys to a van at the Old Mill. Watching grown men shed tears (myself included) was as moving as it gets. The families were all in tears...lots of hugs going around. They make 5 weekly trek up to Tijuana for physical therapy for a lot of the children in the program. This was a huge blessing for them.


The next day we swung buy and dropped of toys and supplies to the Orphanage. The kids were stoked...a couple of them got rides which I’m sure they will remember for the rest of their lives.


Anyhow here are a bunch of pics from the trip. More video and pics to come.

 

[RaptArAz]

Awesome photos, looks like a fantastic trip for great cause. Thanks for sharing this.

 

[EXO]

Here’s video from the van presentation and stop at the orphanage.

Some back story on the organization we donated the van to. They have been making a weekly trek from San Quintín to Tijuana (5 hour drive each way) for physical therapy for the special needs kids. They have to carpool and are often piled in the back of a pickup with not protection from the elements and obviously no seat belts. This minivan is a huge blessing for them. So again thank you to everyone who made this possible.

https://www.facebook.com/417108941795712/posts/1183597405146858/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Otis857]

Very cool! Its great to see the Raptor community giving back

 

[JefeAZ]

Awesome trip, been following on instagram. How often do they go down to Baja? Any trucks close to stock? Major breakdowns?

 

[EXO]

Very cool! Its great to see the Raptor community giving back

Thanks man. After doing this for close to 7 years now, I can say it's the biggest accomplishment yet. Everyone pulled together to make a real difference.

Awesome trip, been following on instagram. How often do they go down to Baja? Any trucks close to stock? Major breakdowns?

We typically do 2 a year. We want to do more so we'll see. Stock trucks can absolutely go. We had a bone stock one last year with just lights. Had 2 on the last one with just bump kits and rear springs.


We're going back for a 6 day trip in June...going to be epic. Here's the link with more info https://www.expeditionxoffroad.com/expedition-bajasur

 

[NE Raptor]

Wicked cool and a great story to go with it. Great pics - thanks for sharing!!

 

[zombiekiller]

Disclaimer: This was my first EXO trip. I paid Full price. I am not part of EXO and I don't receive any compensation, in any way, from EXO or anyone affiliated with EXO. My sentiments are 100% impartial.

For any of y'all considering who you go down to Baja with... ( i know there are a few options)

This is my truck in some of the pics:



The Exo crew is second to none. ( and no, I'm not just kissing ass).

Everything was taken care of.

Everything went as smoothly as possible.

Any time someone had a mechanical or logistical issue, the EXO crew ( and the other attendees) jumped in to get it patched up ASAP. ( Our trail mechanic for this trip, Mike Shaffer, has FOUR Baja 1000 wins on his resume). Trail support was better than I've ever seen.

Everyplace we stayed felt more like an EXO clubhouse, rather than a hotel ( which was awesome).



We always felt safe.

Even when something with my truck went south , the EXO guys were super accommodating and helped me make the best out of a crap situation ( including Dave from the EXO crew driving me around San Felipe at 730AM on saturday morning to search all of his "go to" local spots to find a workable repair part).



Best things for me:

I met a TON of really awesome new friends.



I got to see and experience Baja in a way that made me feel like I was having amazing secret after amazing secret shared with me.



The old mill ( including Javier and his staff) was a really amazing base camp for a few days.

I got to use my truck as intended and then some.



I got to take part in changing the lives of some folks that REALLY appreciate every shred of assistance.

I got to distribute toys to special needs kids. The smiles on their faces along with the love and joy on their parents' faces was worth the price of admission without any of the other adventures.

A big part of my life is giving back. I like to help those that need it, even more so when those recipients are at a loss for words, as they didn't ever think it would happen.

I can say this, the EXO guys were all genuinely choking up and tearing up ( just like every single attendee.) when they were presenting the group's donations and sentiments.

The love for the Baja community that these guys have is heartwarming. The love that the community shows back to them (and everyone with them), is 150% genuine as well. This right here is the only reason I personally need to choose to go to Baja with EXO every chance I get.

and last but not least, I never felt like just " an attendee". Everyone on our trip bonded. It was more like being with a large group of friends and a few of them wanted to share their knowledge of a magical place like Baja.

And in the event any of y'all are considering or planning to make the next EXO adventure in June, I'll be there. I had too good of a time to pass up any chance to go back down to Baja with this crew. If you come, you won't regret it.

Tres Saludos por EXO.




y gracias por la adventura.

- Dave