from flying vacations in Baja." but the heavily armed young soldiers are a constant reminder of the underlying threat. "You used to hear U.S. pilots all the time on 122.8 as they reported their positions traveling up and down the peninsula," Kounis said. "Now the frequency is so silent it's spooky. That's really unfortunate because so much beauty and adventure is still so accessible in Mexico." AOPA EMAIL dave.hirschman@aopa.org WEB FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FLYING IN BAJA, VISIT THESE WEBSITES: * www.aopa.org/ Flight-Planning/Mexico. aspx * www.airbaja.com * www.caribbeanskytours. com * www.bajabushpilots.com * www.bajaex.com ONCE-ENDANGERED California gray whales have no fear of visitors, who sometimes get close enough to touch them and their newborn calves (below). A Cessna 185 (left) is an ideal Baja traveler because of its range, carrying capacity, and rough-field capability. www.aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 65http://www.aopa.org/Flight-Planning/Mexico.aspx http://www.airbaja.com http://www.caribbeanskytours.com http://www.bajabushpilots.com http://www.bajaex.com http://www.aopa.org/pilot