Mexican soldiers at Parque Nacional Sierra De San Pedro Martir

I have to admit that I was quite surprised when after paying my entrance fee to Baja California's Parque Nacional Sierra De San Pedro Martir, I spotted a couple of guys wearing desert camouflage fatigues, sitting around a camp fire in back of the ranger station. I was even more surprised to note that they were carrying M-16 assault rifles, but the first thing that came to mind was that they must be deer hunters, as in many parts of California, early October is prime hunting season. Yet how many deer hunters carry M-16s? So I walked over to these guys to see what was going on, and I noticed military insignias on their fatigues, and each guy had a helmet by his side. These guys weren't you're typical deer hunters, they were members of the Mexican army.

Photo: These guys aren't hunting deer, or admiring the beautiful scenery in Vallencitos meadow.

Like soldiers from any army, they were cordial, but vague when asked questions about what they were doing. They got a huge laugh when I acted "dumb" when I asked them about how the deer hunting was in the area. When I them about their mission, they told me that the army was in the mountains looking out for illegal drug operations, as the druggies like to hide out in the mountains. When asked if I could take their photos, they politely declined. I knew they would, but I just had to ask.

Later in my journey to the observatory, I was relaxing at Vallecitos meadow and taking photos, when a squad of soldiers, equipped with full combat gear, came hiking down the main road. I was parked off to the side of the road, so I just waved as they waked by. When they were about 100 yards distant, I grabbed my camera, zoomed out to full telephoto, and took a couple of shots. That's something that you're not supposed to do, and I'd hate to think of the results if I got caught. But I did it anyway...

Photo: As the captain looks away, I take his photo in a New York minute, then hide my camera.

At the observatory, there were a couple of HumVees, painted in desert camouflage, parked in the parking lot, and a few soldiers milling around, armed with assault rifles and dressed in full combat gear. In one of the HumVees, there were three privates and a corporal, seated in the rear of the vehicle, lustfully playing a game of Texas Hold 'Em, and gambling with real money. They didn't seem to mind me watching them (I kept my camera put away,) and they acted bored with the whole situation, which is a trait common to military personnel in any branch of the service, in any nation. I jokingly asked them what the lieutenant would say if he knew they were playing cards, and the corporal pointed over to an officer, a 100 feet or so away, that seemed to be engaged in conversation with a very pretty female civilian, and he said, "Go ask him. He's the captain." I didn't bother the captain, but I got a huge chuckle out of the whole exchange.

Photo: The private seems more interested in the pretty girl than the beautiful scenery, as he performs picket duty at the observatory.

On the way back, I stopped again at Vallecitos meadows to take photos during a thunderstorm, and an armored assault vehicle rumbled past me, complete with a soldier manning the .50 cal machine gun, dressed in a parka, to shield himself from the rain. I later learned that the soldiers were camped on the east side of Vallecitos meadow.

Photo: I looked in my rear view mirror and saw this assault vehicle, and I pulled over to let it pass.

Soldiers in a national park? Well, it seems weird to me, but as far as I'm concerned, anything to curtail the flow of illegal drugs is a good thing, even if it means deploying soldiers to a place of beauty. As far as the soldiers are concerned, they're in the park to do a job, and as long as you're not one of the guys they're looking for, if you treat them with respect, they'll treat you with the utmost respect and courtesy. As far as these photos are concerned, you have the right to judge me if I'm stupid, or brave.

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