Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Just dancing through life
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Simple thoughts
I do so wish that I had the foresight of many members of this board when I first came to Baja way back in 1959. At that time the wife and I just
jumped across the border into TJ where I got my hair cut and she had hers done because it was good and cheap. In those days we could not afford to
partake of the nicer things in Tijuana. No duty free perfumes or fancy dinners for us.
Then in 1964 Art McLaren introduced me to La Salina and I could have bought, leased, an ocean view lot for $500.00 down and $25.00 a month for 30
years. Even that was beyond our reach and even if we could have afforded the freight we could not think of exposing our young kids to all of the
drinking and partying that went on then.
We started wandering around Baja in a meaningful way in 1970?s, after I made Captain, when we could afford trips down to Los Cabo, La Paz, Loreto, and
Mulege. Always thought that it would remain the same so we failed to take pictures as many of you did. So all we have is memory?s of those wonderful
days. We did spend 17 of our 50+ anniversary?s at the Sol y Mar Hotel in Cabo and loved every minute of it.
Even the time we had to sleep in the generator room because the roof of our unit had been blown off in one of those lovely hurricanes that come ashore
to change the landscape without permission of the humans living in the area. The first time we stayed there the dinner was buffet style and you had a
fantastic choice of, spaghetti, cheeses, hard boiled eggs, cheese enchiladas, macaroni salad, and stale hard rolls. No fish or beef. They would cook
your fish for you if you caught it. Otherwise you were out of luck.
Never, ever thought of bringing a camera because everything would be the same next year. Wrong!
Spent a bunch of vacations on the mainland and after visiting Cancun for the first time we heard that Loreto would become the next computer planned
major tourist spot in Baja. We flew down and had to laugh at all of the curbs installed all over the place with no streets or houses. Had a ball and
took a cab up to Mulege and still have no pictures for our efforts. Great memory?s but no proof that we were there.
Hear all of the talk about the rampant development and we totally understand because we finally bought our ocean view lot in La Salina for $9,700.oo
dollars for a paid up 30 year lease. Now if the lots become available they are over $200,000 for the lot plus whatever the house is worth on top of
that.
Lots of fun, good memory?s, many friends, lots of fun, good memory?s and priced out of the market at this stage in our lives. Yes! I know I repeated
myself because the fun and friends continue.
Almost forgot we spent a few years camping at my father-in-laws ranch just east of Tecate back in the 60?s. Started to build a home there but it
ended up as a direct route to the US for smugglers and illegal aliens to such a degree that a 100 or so people would wander through the section we
were clearing to build a house. One night some people stumbled into the tent our kids were sleeping in. Kids thought it was funny?Mommy didn?t so we
shelved our plans to build there.
Baja has been wonderful to us, our kids, and three grandkids! I know, you don?t have to tell me, but I sure wish things could be a little more like
they were back in the 60?s when Mexicans and gringos had to rely on each other and formed real, and lasting friendships.
Es la Vida
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64479
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thank you Bernie
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CaboMagic
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 4-30-2005
Member Is Offline
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Dear Bernie,
Your words paint the loveliest of pictures in my minds eye .. that is why you are gifted with the ability to remember such great detail and put them
on paper for others to enjoy .. thank you for the walks down memory lane and for showing me that which was long ago ..
Love to you both ..
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
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Thanks for you good words and descriptions of yourFeelings!!
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3326
Registered: 12-13-2002
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mellow
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Beautiful thoughts, Bernie, but far from simple.
++Ken++
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