BajaNomad - Just back from Cabo San Lucas

Just back from Cabo San Lucas

makana.gabriel - 1-7-2011 at 05:16 PM

We drove down to Cabo for New Years, our first time in 6 years. I started going there in the '80s and we moved there in '91. We were warned that we would not recognize the place after a 6 year absence but nothing could have prepared us for what we saw. How can a place with such natural beauty become so ugly so quickly? The existing development now is claustrophobic but when the economy turns and construction resumes on all the existing shells and leveled land, I can't even imagine what it will be like. The day we drove the corridor to San Jose left a pit in our guts. Cabo was always more expensive to live than other areas but now, good grief!!
When we first moved there, there was an entire contingent moving to Costa Rica because to them, Cabo had already become 'ruined' but to us, it looked magical. I guess the tables have turned now as many are streaming in loving what they see while I can't imagine ever wanting to return.
Just needed to vent as it has really affected me!!

Bajahowodd - 1-7-2011 at 05:29 PM

Paving over paradise to put up a parking lot, as Joni Mitchell would put it.

I feel your pain. While you mentioned the corridor, where, for instance, the Twin Dolphin was leveled, as was the Hotel Cabo San Lucas. But, the Hacienda Hotel at the entrance to the marina was leveled and replace with six story buildings.

Fundamentally, similar to Cancun and the Mayan Riviera, it will not be long before every inch of the corridor will be covered by resort hotels. But, had you ventured farther, say, up past San Jose, out to La Playita.... Hmmm. I so recall spending the day out there, taking a panga off the beach, and later relaxing at the Hotel La Playita. Yoday, there's something new and improved(?) called Puerto Los Cabos, with a new artificially designed and built marina.

Thing is, developers do not generally commit huge amounts of investment dollars unless they can get a return on theor investment. And, there's a whole other group of people, who probably would have never thought of visiting this area 20-30 years ago, and certainly not driving the Baja highway, who now fill up these resorts regularly.

Even during the protracted recession, there remains a surprisingly strong occupancy rate.

It's just no longer our Cabo.

tiotomasbcs - 1-7-2011 at 05:31 PM

Amigos, Costa rica is beautiful but toast compared to 20yrs ago. It's the American dream! Find a beautiful place and they will ruin it. Joni Mitchell sang "Take Paradise...." I've tried to slam the door behind me for the last 20 yrs!! :no:

Tio

bajafreaks - 1-7-2011 at 05:48 PM

I too feel your pain. Started going to Cabo in the mid 80's my wife's family has a place in La Playita. I could go on and on about how disapointing the whole area has gotten to be, but we have tons of memories and have had alot of good times, I guess thats all I can ask for. The East Cape is now the place for us but is it just a matter of time ???

tiotomasbcs - 1-7-2011 at 06:11 PM

W/o putting a jinx on the East Cape or West Side it's still very much like those old days. For the moment and maybe because of the economic slowdown these areas are holding strong! The plans are on the drawing board, though?! There are still many other places that are rural, small town Baja> SSSHHSSHH! :cool:

Tio

David K - 1-7-2011 at 07:42 PM

If you like someplace... and go there because you like it that way... WHY do they CHANGE it to look like the place you left??? :rolleyes:

baja Steve - 1-7-2011 at 07:54 PM

I started flying to the Cabo and La Paz area as a commercial pilot flying fish buyers in 1968. I have been amazed at the growth. I just left Cabo todqay and when there this week was looking at some old photos of the airport that was where the marina is now and other photos of the fish plant.

David K - 1-7-2011 at 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by baja Steve
I started flying to the Cabo and La Paz area as a commercial pilot flying fish buyers in 1968. I have been amazed at the growth. I just left Cabo todqay and when there this week was looking at some old photos of the airport that was where the marina is now and other photos of the fish plant.

From Cliff Cross, 1970 Baja Guide... Pretty close to what I remember from 1966... A salt flat behind the Hacienda Hotel, that was a landing field.

krafty - 1-7-2011 at 08:08 PM

DK that would be called PROGRESS- :?:

baja Steve - 1-7-2011 at 08:42 PM

DK through a few small houses in and that was it. the hacienda didnt have air conditioning so I would fly back to La Paz to the La Perla hotel to sleep.

David K - 1-8-2011 at 12:35 AM

Interesting... thanks Steve.

Krafty... progress is improving something... Is that what you call Los Cabos... a better place than it was in 1970?

Oh sure, progress happens... no going back... but as wonderful a place as Baja is, Los Cabos is about as much about Baja as Las Vegas is about the USA.

Now, Mulege, San Ignacio, Bahia Asuncion, Bahia de los Angeles, El Rosario are all examples of Baja towns that 'feel' like Baja (to me)!

Osprey - 1-8-2011 at 08:17 AM

There are several Cabo San Lucas towns: they each have things to offer retirees, tourists, athletes, celebrities, golfers, etc. etc. You can buy a new, beautiful condo with an ocean view for about $140,000 dollars, the weather is fantastic, the fishing is great. If you stay away from tourist areas the food and entertainment are affordable and unique. Property taxes are chump change, you're close to a major airport --- all of that is very attractive to some retiree hopefuls. I know it is just as natural that some people will be so bummed by the growth, they can't past that. Those still have a chance to live a simple life by visiting, perhaps investing in little villages near the cape that have changed little in the last 30 years.

stevelaubly - 1-8-2011 at 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
If you like someplace... and go there because you like it that way... WHY do they CHANGE it to look like the place you left??? :rolleyes:

Very simple - $$$

racheldarlin - 1-8-2011 at 08:57 AM

Just wait until Hwy 5 is done. The east Baja coast will start to look like the west Baja coast.

I have said it before elsewhere in this forum -we are ALL loving Baja to death.

David K - 1-8-2011 at 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by stevelaubly

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
If you like someplace... and go there because you like it that way... WHY do they CHANGE it to look like the place you left??? :rolleyes:

Very simple - $$$

Yes, right... and you can't blame the Mexicans to want some. However, they lose the people who have been going there and gain an entirely different kind of customer.

The only good thing going for preserving Baja is the bad U.S. economy... It has stopped much development everywhere.

makana.gabriel - 1-8-2011 at 12:05 PM

Bajahowodd- We did go to see the new marina at La Playita and it was filled with yachts already. I can see that it will be a great alternative for those with boats who can't take CSL anymore. Somehow we missed seeing the new marina being dredged as we drove to La Paz.
DK- the rendering from '70 is terrific!
I'm surprised nobody mentioned the new 'Convention Center' on the marina courtesy of the current mayor. That is a real eye popper. One of the things that also threw me was seeing all the auto dealerships lined up next to each other on the corridor including Cadillac & Hummer!! In fact, I don't know when I have seen so many Cadillac Escalades before. It seems to be the car of choice there now. BTW, for those of you who live down there, you should be seeing an old Silver Cloud Rolls from the late '50s or early '60s there soon that we passed in El Rosario unless it broke down somewhere. LOL

Packoderm - 1-8-2011 at 01:02 PM

The first time I went to Cabo was in the early '90s. I could see full well that they had big plans for the place. If I were the King of Cabo, I probably would have done things much like they have in the waterfront tourist area. However, I would have charged the hotel operators a surcharge to help beautify the surrounding residential areas with subsidies for the local people to purchase terra cotta tile roofs, stucco wall coating and paint, and other niceties to add to make it look like a charming Mexican village. I guess it would be in the form of a building code. The local people then would have a nice place to set up shop to profit from tourists who would like to wander away from the core tourist area. I actually like Cabo for what it is, and I would have liked to see it serve as a sacrificial anode to help preserve the other East Cape locations, but they seem to need to pave over every paradise possible.

DianaT - 1-8-2011 at 01:14 PM

Cabo is as much a part of Baja as any other place---it is a part of the "real" Baja---so is the desert, the beaches, Tijuana, La Paz, Bahia Asuncion, etc.

Many tourists from Mexico and from other parts of the world love Cabo. Just because it is a place I do not care to visit, does not mean it is NOT "real" Baja, and it does represent Baja!

A number of years ago while on an airplane from Mexico City to Merida, the Mexican lady sitting next to me asked why so many gringos liked to say that Cancun was not "real" Mexico. It caused me to stop and think because I was one of those who thought Cancun was not "real" Mexico.

As she explained to me, it was just as much "real" Mexico as is every little village --- just a different part of Mexico.

So, the same, I believe, stands for Cabo---not what some like, but still very much Baja.

This comes up rather often and there are always the ones who think that Baja should remain their private playground and remain just the way it used to be. Yes, we can all go back to remember when, when we liked something better, but many seem to accept the change north of the border but scorn the change south of the border.

Baja is Tijuana, Tecate, Mexicali and down to Cabo and everything in between---it is all the "real" Baja and every part is loved by different people.

[Edited on 1-8-2011 by DianaT]

karenintx - 1-8-2011 at 03:39 PM

Yesterday was beach day. Three couples and one dog on a beautiful secluded beach. Watching the whales go by, eating our picnic lunch and talking about how we love living here. On the way home we stopped at Costco to pick up a couple of things...steaks & wine for dinner. Yes, I am talking about Cabo...my home now!

There are several non-tourist places to go in this area. At this point in my life I like all the amenities Cabo has to offer. Sorry it does not meet your approval. In my younger years I may have enjoyed living in other parts of The Baja but not now.

Diane T said it "nicely", "Just because it is a place I do not care to visit, does not mean it is NOT "real" Baja, and it does represent Baja!

And yes I have visited several other towns and places in BCS. All of them were nice to visit but not my cup of tea...like Mom said "if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all.

.

[Edited on 1-8-2011 by karenintx]

Bajahowodd - 1-8-2011 at 03:52 PM

And to expand on what DianaT posted, over the years, I cannot count the number of times a Mexican has expressed rapturous pride over the development. That, and it seems to me that whenever something new, such as the Mega store, or a Cineplex opens, the locals, be they Mexican or ex-pats are thrilled to have access to the modern world.

Just remember that Los Cabos would not have all those folks living there or visiting there if people didn't find it attractive.

Just wondering why, after so many years post-Fonatur infrastructure development, Loreto has continued to remain so undisturbed. We'll see. The Villa Groups new resort/ time share is opening very soon.

Mike99km - 1-8-2011 at 04:29 PM

You guys get on our case when we get upset about giving turn by turn directions to the places we have found and love. Please read the above and check yourself. We know we can't stop the progress we just don't want to encourage it. I don't want to hi-jack this, so feel free to start a new tread if you want to take to me to task.
MMc

bent-rim - 1-8-2011 at 05:28 PM

Me and the bride of 20+ years spent a long week in Cabo at some fancy resort. We could of gone to Paris for less money. I was used to those hotels in Baja that were cheap that we would stay at when I was on a dirt bike trip with my buddies. It was a burn. The food and Margarita's were under whelming and very pricey. I've thought about taking her to the real Baja, but after a drive down Soda Lake Road on the way to Ojai to stay at the resort there I was convinced otherwise.

tiotomasbcs - 1-8-2011 at 06:50 PM

Sorry, Texas, but Cabo sucks! You're locked into your hotel or the Bars! You have to search out a beach! Open spaces? Feels like La, La land. Did you ever have to e3xplore the beaches, pueblos of Baja? get lost and sleep in your car on a lost beach? I think not. Travel Agents built the place. Once it was beautiful! Condolocos? Mc Donalds? Pleeeze! Of course Mexicans love it? They are in Love with TeleNovelas!! That is not how we should judge it! Look at Cancun or Cancun. Asi es. :smug:

Tio

David K - 1-8-2011 at 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike99km
You guys get on our case when we get upset about giving turn by turn directions to the places we have found and love. Please read the above and check yourself. We know we can't stop the progress we just don't want to encourage it. I don't want to hi-jack this, so feel free to start a new tread if you want to take to me to task.
MMc

Mike... turn by turn directions to the coast you surfers named the Seven Sisters existed before many of you were born... The Lower California Guidebook 1962 edition for one... Offbeat Baja in 1977 gave an excellent road log to that coastal road... the AAA has mapped it... Nomads giving updated road conditions to those long existing maps and books aren't to blame.

It isn't maps or directions that bring in rif raf... it is GOOD ROADS. Blame the Mexican government who paved Hwy. 1, who paved the Santa Rosalillita road, who built a dirt highway almost to Punta Blanca along the coast from Santa Rosalillita... When anybody can drive in, anybody will!

capt. mike - 1-9-2011 at 08:19 AM

baja tourists who want to run the country, and the country to run, their way - what they conceive or perceive as best for the geography and demography.
what a joke.
the mexican citizens and government will decide.

both Cabo and Los Cabos are great if you know where to go and what to do. I'll take a week in los Cabos at a top flight beach resort anytime. Many are Excellent and deals are rampant. On the other hand if i choose to tent camp on a sand spit with lean to shade and sand up my arse its easy to find those venues too.

and if Cabo is too glitzy go to the east cape where it is 100% all good!!
the Van Wormer hotels or Pescadero are top flight for what they can offer at the price points.

oxxo - 1-9-2011 at 09:20 AM

Los Cabos is the pits. People are murdered in the streets everyday (but only after they sell you a timeshare first). The beaches are filthy. The weather sucks. The beer is warm. There are run-down RVs everywhere. The locals are unfriendly. And don't drink the water......you will caca until you die!

Stay away, stay far away.

DianaT - 1-9-2011 at 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oxxo
Los Cabos is the pits. People are murdered in the streets everyday (but only after they sell you a timeshare first). The beaches are filthy. The weather sucks. The beer is warm. There are run-down RVs everywhere. The locals are unfriendly. And don't drink the water......you will caca until you die!

Stay away, stay far away.

Nice try.

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike baja tourists who want to run the country, and the country to run, their way - what they conceive or perceive as best for the geography and demography. what a joke. the mexican citizens and government will decide.

[Edited on 1-9-2011 by DianaT]

Marc - 1-9-2011 at 09:29 AM

It's sad to return to a place you fondly remember and find it very much changed. My hometown Lafayette, Ca is almost unrecognizable to me from the '40's. Same said for Honolulu in the '50s. And the isle of Maui; Wow. sidewalks in Kehi!! and hotels!!

The biggest jolt for me in the last few years (besides gas stations in BOLA) was Hong Kong. I couldn't find my old hangouts. I was with my wife so maybe it was just as well.

Dewey - 1-9-2011 at 10:48 PM

Hello Mike
I have been going down to the 7 Sisters area and other places with good surf in Baja since 1962. It is easier today. I don't think there are any secret places to surf, I know Woody does not agree. For me, there are two types of surf spots, easy ones to get too and harder ones to get too. The harder they are to get too the less people go.

David K - 1-9-2011 at 11:38 PM

Exactly... and is it so bad if other people enjoy the surf with you or on any other of the 365 days you are not there???

karmatourer - 1-10-2011 at 01:16 AM

The only Costco I know of with an ocean/cruise ship view!

Quote:

Originally posted by karenintx
Yesterday was beach day. Three couples and one dog on a beautiful secluded beach. Watching the whales go by, eating our picnic lunch and talking about how we love living here. On the way home we stopped at Costco to pick up a couple of things...steaks & wine for dinner. Yes, I am talking about Cabo...my home now!

There are several non-tourist places to go in this area. At this point in my life I like all the amenities Cabo has to offer. Sorry it does not meet your approval. In my younger years I may have enjoyed living in other parts of The Baja but not now.

Diane T said it "nicely", "Just because it is a place I do not care to visit, does not mean it is NOT "real" Baja, and it does represent Baja!

And yes I have visited several other towns and places in BCS. All of them were nice to visit but not my cup of tea...like Mom said "if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all.

.

[Edited on 1-8-2011 by karenintx]

karmatourer - 1-10-2011 at 01:24 AM

Exactly my feelings!
I have lived here for all of 2011 and couldn't be happier. :spingrin:

I have also lived in LaPaz and Merida and after a grand total of 9 days,I prefer Cabo.
If the detractors don't like,please stay away.
I could care less how Cabo "was" 20,10 or even 5 years ago.I like it just fine as it is now.

Quote:

Mike99km - 1-10-2011 at 08:50 AM

Did I say ant thing about the sisters? My issues regard both sides of the coast. My first trip was 1960 and I've watch it change. I agree that they are no secrets places. I just hate when the adventure of finding a place on your own and the wonder of discovery is taken away. I didn't want to hi-jack this thread and am sorry I'm was involved.
MMc

[Edited on 1-10-2011 by Mike99km]

BillP - 1-10-2011 at 09:52 AM

After reading the responses here, the only logical conclusion one can come to is one mans trash is another's treasure, and that Baja seems to have something for everyone!

David K - 1-10-2011 at 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike99km
Did I say ant thing about the sisters? My issues regard both sides of the coast. My first trip was 1960 and I've watch it change. I agree that they are no secrets places. I just hate when the adventure of finding a place on your own and the wonder of discovery is taken away. I didn't want to hi-jack this thread and am sorry I'm was involved.
MMc

[Edited on 1-10-2011 by Mike99km]

Mike, I apologize for an assumption I made... however, lets not regret open discussion to get things out and maybe solve them. You did come down on me for a trip report or maps posted that where requested by another Nomad and they were in the area of the 'Sisters', so it seemes you have a sensitivity to that. It is just a dirt road and I never mentioned surfing or beaches in that thread.

Now, if we here on Nomad all love Baja and are the caliber of character that doesn't leave trash on the ground and otherwise like what you like, why is there an issue here about exchanging info on roads with each other?

Also, how does something here (or in a guidebook) take away any wonder of discovery? Isn't going there in person so much better than what you read or see a photo of? I don't know about you, but I can go to the same place in Baja and see new things and make new discoveries, each time.

Again, just an exchange of thoughts here... maybe you will see that your brother and sister Nomads also like what you like and it is okay if they visit a place you also visited. Worry more about the non-Nomads who use a graded or paved road to come to someplace, leave trash on the ground, play music all night long, spray grafitti on the rocks... I never see this sort of thing on any of the 4WD roads that have been in guidebooks, maps, or Internet for years.

Bajahowodd - 1-10-2011 at 02:43 PM

Quote:

The price of your condo just dropped! :lol:

805gregg - 1-11-2011 at 10:47 AM

But now in Cabo you can buy Crack and Cocain and go to a strip club right on the Malecon, full service degeneration.

osoflojo - 1-12-2011 at 09:22 PM

OXXO and Karen...a-men.
To the rest of you Cabo bashers it is not Cabos fault that you dont know the lay of the land, spend to much money and have a horrible time. Look in the mirror and see what created such issues. I have been waiting for Bajajudy to chime in here but she probably put a round in her computer at the end of page one. All of you nay-sayers stay away, go the Cancun or that cesspool Costa Rica or whereever you think Nirvana is and leave us Cabenos alone......

sanfelipebob - 1-14-2011 at 01:32 PM

After 50 years of camping all over baja, Gonzaga was always a favorite, I enjoy kicking back to a NY Steak dinner, Grey Goose Martini, while watching the fleet come in at Ruth Cris Cabo Marina ! Sorry.... is that a Cohiba I smell ???

Bajahowodd - 1-14-2011 at 01:42 PM

Wow. Glad you can afford to do that. On my budget, I'm relegated to watching the fleet come in from Solomon's Landing while scarfing fish tacos and drinking Pacifico. :lol:

osoflojo - 1-14-2011 at 06:31 PM

WODD, well said........and I bet you did not pay $8 for the Pacifico or $10 for each taco...........as some Cabo haters love to advertise...

pponcy11 - 1-20-2011 at 01:52 AM

Okay so somebody has to say it here, although I am sure its been said before. In 1960 even L.A., San Diego, San Francisco, Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Oregon, Washington and every town or community in the US and Canada looked drastically different than it does today!!!! I used to love the orange groves that filled the land between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Now, not so much :no:

I loved Baja and Cabo San Lucas then

and I love them still. I know some if not most of you have been around Baja before there was sand

; and I can tell you all love to reminisce, but do you have to always bash, bitc## and moan when you are doing it?

I don't think any of us really love progress. Especially the kind that destroys the wild beauty we find in nature anywhere! As for me I try to remember that just as age has changed my appearance, it has the same impact on the local geography everwhere. So maybe for kicks you can compare the changes you have gone through in the last 10, 20, 30, 40 years to the changes in Baja and Cabo San Lucas have gone through in the same time span.

Nobody stays young forever, whether its people or communities. Some just age better than others! But they all still have the same soul :bounce:

mcfez - 1-20-2011 at 07:38 AM

Hell.....I rather just go to San Francisco for all that glitter of a town. No need to visit the Cape.

We haven't been there for ten years. It's over built for my blood. I dont want McDonalds, bright lights at night, crowds from cruise lines, high price restaurants that aint worth the walk to get to, and traffic.

Same thing happened in Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulume, and other Yucatan Peninsula towns....er.... cities!

Sorry folks....I just dont see Cabos being a idea vacation site.

mcfez - 1-20-2011 at 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by racheldarlin
Just wait until Hwy 5 is done. The east Baja coast will start to look like the west Baja coast.

I have said it before elsewhere in this forum -we are ALL loving Baja to death.

So true! So true.
Hwy 5 is slated to open up the country side, in a big way. it'll become the main trucking route (again).

But I'll be brain dead or just plain ol'dead before the area gets to be Caboland.

4x4abc - 1-20-2011 at 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
If you like someplace... and go there because you like it that way... WHY do they CHANGE it to look like the place you left??? :rolleyes:

David,

as usual, you are spot on!

The same people that helped paving Los Cabos are now bickering about a little pit for a gold mine.

Development has destroyed a thousand times more virgin desert habitat (including outrageous pollution) than that little mining operation ever will.
Fighting a mine as escape goat?

Now that we have destroyed so much, lets save a few trees in the mountains?

osoflojo - 1-20-2011 at 10:20 PM

PPONCY11............Thanks for that..............

DianaT - 1-20-2011 at 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pponcy11
Okay so somebody has to say it here, although I am sure its been said before. In 1960 even L.A., San Diego, San Francisco, Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Oregon, Washington and every town or community in the US and Canada looked drastically different than it does today!!!! I used to love the orange groves that filled the land between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Now, not so much :no:

I loved Baja and Cabo San Lucas then

and I love them still. I know some if not most of you have been around Baja before there was sand

Welcome---that was VERY well said! :yes:

We just got back from a trip where we took photos of John's childhood home in Oxnard---when Oxnard was a city of 5000 and the small post WWII housing tract was surrounded by open fields, farms and not massive shopping areas----yea, he liked it better back when, but that little house still has a part of his soul.

And we are now watching accelerated change come to our Baja home with the paving of the road----and while some of it may be positive, there are some outside influences arriving that are not so good and attracting more negative influences, but we think in the long run, most of the authentic parts of town will retain its soul.

[Edited on 1-21-2011 by DianaT]

David K - 1-20-2011 at 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 4x4abc

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
If you like someplace... and go there because you like it that way... WHY do they CHANGE it to look like the place you left??? :rolleyes:

Right on... and from someone there, too!

DianaT - 1-21-2011 at 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by 4x4abc

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
If you like someplace... and go there because you like it that way... WHY do they CHANGE it to look like the place you left??? :rolleyes:

Right on... and from someone there, too!

I am confused and cannot follow the "logic" here. OK, since the growth and development of Cabo destroyed the natural habitat, as does ALL growth and development, it is now OK to create a mine that very likely will cause major pollution---shoot, why not, it is not the Cabo of the past.

Now San Diego certainly is not the quaint small town it used to be. Lots and lots of natural habitat has been destroyed as San Diego has grown and developed. So I guess it would be OK to abandon let's say, Balboa Park and put in a major Oil refinery complex---why not, it is not the San Diego of the past.

It is nice to see the people who have adopted Cabo as their home love it and know where to seek its soul that pponcy11 talked about. That is a good thing.

And we will all continue to have the I remember when syndrome.

[Edited on 1-21-2011 by DianaT]

4x4abc - 1-21-2011 at 10:47 AM

Diana,

I just wanted to point out the position we are in (yes i have built in the region as well): now that have have created our little paradise by destroying what was here before, we are against new development (houses, commercials etc) or industrial development (gold mines etc).
Like I have posted before - and environmentalist is someone who built last year.

Also, I am all for fighting/regulating the negative aspects of the recent growth (did anyone look at the air pollution created by the explosion of car sales? worse than Los Angles in the 80's!). But what I don't like is to simply fight something because it feels bad. I have spent days looking into all the documents related to that new proposed gold mine (because you can only take a stand when you are up to speed - and not just repeat what someone else told you). What I found is that the groups fighting against it blatantly misrepresent or outright lie about what is supposed to happen at that mining site.

But I understand, lying helps a lot since all believers will repeat it. It killed the innocent salina development in San Ignacio years ago.

But we need not believe (reserve that for your religion) - we need to know. Knowledge rules! But it involves hours and hours of painful reading (the stuff is complicated).

By the way, with our over the top lifestyles we all create a high demand for rare metals. Our computers, TV, stereo, iPhone, jewelry etc etc.
Got any gold jewelry, Diana?

I know - just dig up that gold somewhere else - not in my neighborhood. Right!

BajaRob - 1-22-2011 at 08:59 AM

We are leaving BSM for Cabo today. Been going there since the 60s and continue to accept it as it is. Wouldn't want to live there but enjoy the visits. Will be on Divorce Beach in 2 days.

David K - 1-22-2011 at 09:06 AM

Have fun Rob and Connie... Resist the time share husslers!

Trueheart - 1-22-2011 at 10:31 AM

Also, how does something here (or in a guidebook) take away any wonder of discovery? Isn't going there in person so much better than what you read or see a photo of? I don't know about you, but I can go to the same place in Baja and see new things and make new discoveries, each time.

"Each time" ... YES! In my limited experiences, this is exactly what I have found also. Always something new and enlightening. Love it. Steve

DavidE - 1-22-2011 at 10:59 AM

If you wish "al brillo de oro" head for Las Vegas!