Adios Baja…

Photos: @sunsetmagazine

So often, sitting down to write these blog posts is a joy. Well… it’s kind of a pain too — but mostly a joy — because we usually only share when we’ve got something we’re truly excited about.

Today’s post hits a little different.

Today, we’re coming at you with some news that makes us sad.

After three incredible years of running our rental business out of La Paz, Baja California, we’ve made the tough decision not to continue into year four. Renting classic VW vans in Baja was never going to be a big money-maker — in fact, in our very first year, the primary marching order to Jess and the team was, “Don’t lose too much money.”

Baja was, by every definition, a passion project — for me (Harley), especially. I’ve had a love affair with the Baja peninsula ever since my first trip down its length in 1991. That journey was the launching point for the winding, splintered path I now find myself on — and so happy to be walking. Had I never taken that trip… well… who knows?

We knew renting these vans in Baja was going to be stupid hard — and it was. But wow, was it fun. Fun to see so many people have the trip of a lifetime. Fun to watch our team shine under the challenge of pulling it all off. Fun for me to travel down there more than a dozen times — many of those with my kid, who now shares my lifelong love of Baja. And fun to deepen my friendship with our on-the-ground partner, Shane Jordan of Live the Van Life Restorations.

So, why are we calling it quits?

A few reasons.

First, while the goal was to “not lose too much money,” the truth is we lost quite a bit. No regrets at all, but as we look ahead to some uncertain times, we’re working to minimize our business’s financial exposure — and a knowingly unprofitable operation like Baja made for an obvious change.

Second, I’m a big believer in quitting while you’re ahead. Over three years, we had zero major issues. The only people who had a run-in with the police were me and Eden — and that little episode has become part of our dad/kid lore, a story we tell endlessly. But operating in Baja came with risks. My lawyer and CFO hated the whole thing. And in my gut, something told me it was time to wrap it up.

Third, I need to simplify. Baja took a disproportionate amount of my time and energy. I got a lot out of it, but other parts of the business definitely paid the price.

Would I do it again? Heck yes.

Would I change anything? Nope.

Our team delivered an incredible experience to the lucky few who journeyed with us. I’m ridiculously proud of what we pulled off — and honestly, I don’t think anyone else could have done it the way we did. I told the team - this is what we do at Peace Vans - we do hard things, and do them really, really, well.  From Jess to Hannah to Katey (and of course, Shane and Karen), we crushed it. Personally, I refilled my story bank with countless new tales, and I know we did the same for all our renters.

Should you still go to Baja? Hell yes.

And… don’t tell anyone… but we left three vans down there. And if you ask nicely… 🙂

Thanks for the memories.

– Harley