BajaNomad

Once upon a time at the Serenidad

cessna821 - 2-4-2012 at 11:27 AM

Once upon a time at the Serenidad

In March 2004 there were nearly a hundred aircraft on the runway at the Serenidad.

And there was a fantastic Saturday night fiesta with Mariachi.

I was fortunate in having my pro recording kit with me and I did a live recording of the evening.

I later produced run of CD's which were eagerly snapped up by all and sundry.

I recently did a big clean up on my hard drives and - lo and behold - there was the music in all its digital purity.

Anyone who would like me to make them a CD of the best Mariachi from Mulegé pop me a U2U.

shari - 2-4-2012 at 11:44 AM

that would be awesome....I have a new accordian and I would love to play along to all those classic mariachi tunes...yeah baby! Julieta Venega...look out!

capt. mike - 2-4-2012 at 01:13 PM

a most yes please!!
u2u sent

toneart - 2-4-2012 at 04:33 PM

Yep! That happened again about three years ago. The Baja Bush Pilots Club had so many registered for their annual bash at The Serinidad that they had to split them up and spread the event over two consecutive weekends.

The Pig Roast and the Mariachi's were, and are still terrific.

Pompano - 2-4-2012 at 06:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by cessna821
Once upon a time at the Serenidad

In March 2004 there were nearly a hundred aircraft on the runway at the Serenidad.

And there was a fantastic Saturday night fiesta with Mariachi.

I was fortunate in having my pro recording kit with me and I did a live recording of the evening.

I later produced run of CD's which were eagerly snapped up by all and sundry.

I recently did a big clean up on my hard drives and - lo and behold - there was the music in all its digital purity.

Anyone who would like me to make them a CD of the best Mariachi from Mulegé pop me a U2U.


Cessna821, sounds great. Oh yeah, planes, planes, planes. On Pig Roast weekends...that pista could hold only so many back in the day. There were well over a hundred there every Saturday night that we attended ..and we never missed a one for many years. Every table was full, people having to eat in the bar, on the short walls, dance floor was maxed, 2 deep at the bar...this was a normal Sat nite.

I have a question for you: I have maybe 15-20 separate movies...both VHF big cassettes(with audio) and Super-8 reel tapes (no sound on these) from 1972 to when my camera went south around 1996 or 97.


These are old-timers of the Serinadad 70's-80's-90's era. Some unique characters captured. And quite a change of the same mariachi hombres over the years...from black hair to white tops today. Of course yours truly has not got any older... naw..not at all. :rolleyes:

Any good ideas on how to make the best transfer to computer discs or best way to view/hear these? I should do something with them before they turn to dust.

Vince - 2-4-2012 at 06:39 PM

Like Pompano, I love those Mariachis. I watched them when they first started, they were very green and had a hard time getting it all together, and thru the years they got better and better to where they became excellent. Then the next week you would see them around town going about their business, running their shops, etc. I hope they perform again.

paranewbi - 2-4-2012 at 07:03 PM

Pompano...next time your is San Diego or somewhere up here, take them to a pro. I wouldn't send them off to be done. I have tried many differant methods to convert to digital or even combo them on a VHS tape for expediancy...they degrade in quality of reproduction. The pro's have the investment in better equipment than most hobbiests can afford. Cost a bit, but well worth it.

Pompano - 2-4-2012 at 07:09 PM

Thanks, paranewbi...will do.

Cessna821...some visitors will be messaging you about your CDs

Mengano - 2-4-2012 at 07:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
Any good ideas on how to make the best transfer to computer discs or best way to view/hear these? I should do something with them before they turn to dust.


Here's the software solution.

The software is free, but, you need to buy a $20 USB Video Capture Device like this:

http://www.altoedge.com/usbcapture/index.html

Pompano - 2-4-2012 at 07:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mengano
Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
Any good ideas on how to make the best transfer to computer discs or best way to view/hear these? I should do something with them before they turn to dust.


Here's the software solution.

The software is free, but, you need to buy a $20 USB Video Capture Device like this:

http://www.altoedge.com/usbcapture/index.html


Hmm...I might just have something like that. A Christmas present that is still in the box.


Called Studio Movie Box

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+P...

Maybe I'll take it Hugo at El Gecko, he can check it out... and if this is the same kind of capture thing, then I can turn him loose on this project.

Believe me, it is best that I have nothing to do with the transfer.

cessna821 - 2-4-2012 at 09:09 PM

Well, there you are Pompano, as per the kind suggestions above - you pays your money and you takes your choice.

The professional route is probably the best, but if you have your own software and conversion unit you can play with it till you get it right. You won't damage your original tapes anyway because all that will happen to them is they get played on a recording unit instead of through your tv.

capt. mike - 2-5-2012 at 11:00 AM

Contact Mike El Camote here.
he is a video pro and does transfers probably for reasonable fees.

most bigger cities have transfer outlets and there are plenty on line where you ship and they convert to DVD, you can edit too.
charge by the time processed.
i have a closet full of VHs, Beta and the little C cartridges. No super 8s tho.

Vince - 2-6-2012 at 07:07 PM

Cessna821 check your U2U box.

Islandbuilder - 2-6-2012 at 08:43 PM

As an update: We ate dinner there tonight. It was my wife and I, and 3 couples at one table. The place looked abandoned. 4 planes on the strip.

It was very sad.

I was wondering about the "why" and thought that the slow economy isn't enough to explain the whole problem.

My theory is that lot's of folks in their 40's and 50's bought into the place, and made it rock. But now those same people are in their 70's and 80's, and aren't able to make the journey anymore. And, younger folks are looking for something "new and different".

What do you think is the reason for the decline of Serenidad?

Floatflyer - 2-7-2012 at 07:37 AM

Islandbuilder has a good point. Recently Baja Bush Pilots chose to run one of their whale watching trips out of Loreto because some people had wanted a different base than the Hotel Serenidad.

As a long time pilot that stops at the Serenidad twice per year and member of Baja Bush Pilots, aka, Baja Bush Pilots International, several things have come to mind. The name change for BBP was explained as there was not enough business for just a Mexican based group and to prosper they needed to expand to Canada, Alaska, Carribean, etc.

I have also noted that many pilots have little appreciation for the "old Baja" where you were happy to just have a cold beer and some place to sleep. Seems that many of those visiting now have no problem paying big money for the Cabo experience and that the Serenidad is on the low end scale of travel experiences better suited to those of lesser means.

Small private plane travel is but a fraction of what it used to be and I know that in my case the expense of flying is a big problem. For others it is the constant warnings of violence and safety issues while visiting Mexico. All in all, it has been a great run and I am glad I got to liveand fly in the "best of times".

wilderone - 2-8-2012 at 09:50 AM

"Serenidad is on the low end scale of travel experiences better suited to those of lesser means."
I don't see it that way at all. Serenidad is in a class by itself, and under-appreciated. In fact, for a travel experience, it is absolutely heartwarmingly memorable - with the fireplaces in the rooms, the pig roast, in a small village. As far as the "lesser means" comment - untrue.

I think the decline in popularity has many aspects. They don't advertise much; fewer tourists traveling to Baja; fewer still traveling to mid-peninsula; fewer fish in surrounding waters don't bring the fishermen as in times past; it is actually more expensive than other choices in town; competition from places to stay in San Ignacio; the closure and ownership skirmish a few years ago surely hurt business; the airplane theft a couple years ago might have had some impact; people traveling past in RVs.
They should offer some deals online - on this forum!! - with discounts to BN members. It's a special place - I wish them success.
Let's have a Nomad weekend there - really!!!!!!! Would be a blast!

David K - 2-8-2012 at 09:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by wilderone
"Serenidad is on the low end scale of travel experiences better suited to those of lesser means."
I don't see it that way at all. Serenidad is in a class by itself, and under-appreciated. In fact, for a travel experience, it is absolutely heartwarmingly memorable - with the fireplaces in the rooms, the pig roast, in a small village. As far as the "lesser means" comment - untrue.

I think the decline in popularity has many aspects. They don't advertise much; fewer tourists traveling to Baja; fewer still traveling to mid-peninsula; fewer fish in surrounding waters don't bring the fishermen as in times past; it is actually more expensive than other choices in town; competition from places to stay in San Ignacio; the closure and ownership skirmish a few years ago surely hurt business; the airplane theft a couple years ago might have had some impact; people traveling past in RVs.
They should offer some deals online - on this forum!! - with discounts to BN members. It's a special place - I wish them success.
Let's have a Nomad weekend there - really!!!!!!! Would be a blast!


Great idea!:bounce::light:

capt. mike - 2-8-2012 at 02:39 PM

just call Don or Diana and they will offer you a special rate.
things are slow. The BBP/BPI decided to whale out of Loreto this year - a sad deal IMHO.

the BBP have a discount for members but just pretend you are Priceline dot com, call them up and get yourself a deal - forget rack rates.

i haven't been able to go since may 2010 and miss it terribly!

Floatflyer - 2-8-2012 at 07:19 PM

If you take the entire sentence: "Seems that many of those visiting now have no problem paying big money for the Cabo experience and that the Serenidad is on the low end scale of travel experiences better suited to those of lesser means." My point is that there are way more pilots that are wanting the Cabo Experience and that THEY view the Serenidad as a "low end scale".

From my limited point of view that is fine for them, however, I count myself and most of my friends among those that find the Hotel Serenidad as a cultural icon, something to be visited and enjoyed AS IS. Sure some paint and fancy plumbing fixtures could be added but at what cost? If you don't like the Serenidad, by all means fly your Jet=A plane to Cabo and Yahooo.

Stickers - 2-8-2012 at 10:04 PM

A few years ago I was flying up from La Paz trying to make the border before dark. There were broken low clouds and it was a beautiful Baja late afternoon.

Peeking through the clouds I spotted Serenidad. We were flying home on a Saturday and I saw about 20 planes parked alongside the runway.

I informed my passenger our itinerary had just changed and I dove through the clouds and landed.

The pig roast was on and the party was starting. The mariache group was huge and many younger players had been added.

The majority of the aircraft were the Santa Barbara flying doctors, dentists and nurses. The music played, everyone danced and it was just like old times.

It doesn't get any better than warm nights in Mulege at Serenidad and I miss going there.

Besides all the reasons already stated for less light aircraft travel to Baja, the U.S. government imposed very strict new entry and exit rules a few years ago. When I tried to register and get into their system it didn't work. I tried for weeks and couldn't make it work so I gave up. Just one more obstacle added to all the others.
Conforming to all that B.S. takes away the spontaneity, adventure and freedom which is what lured me down there in the first place. My changing plans as I did on this trip could now put me in jail and a $50,000 fine.

p.s. cessna821 I have this trip on video and should upload a short video.

BajaBlanca - 2-10-2012 at 08:15 AM

ditto on the idea of having a baja nomad get together at serenidad !! let's do it ?

mulegemichael - 2-10-2012 at 08:42 AM

beachgirl and i are in!!....too convenient!

wilderone - 2-10-2012 at 09:50 AM

OK! Let's not over-think this - let's pick a date, and SHOW UP. I am planning a trip in Baja within the next month, and can easily plan to be at Serinidad on a particular date.

How about Feb. 24-25? We can let them know we're coming, maybe have a couple pangas in the wings; a boatload to snorkle north of Punta Prieta; a hike to the pictographs. ok - Feb. 24, 25, 26 !!

Who's in???

durrelllrobert - 2-10-2012 at 10:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by toneart


The Pig Roast and the Mariachi's were, and are still terrific.

capt. mike - 2-10-2012 at 03:57 PM

Stickers and Floatflyer - you guys nailed it!!

eAPIS and the new CBP rules SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mexican/baja airports are now all very problematic as they try to emulate USA/FAA bureacracy....sad.
glad i got 30 years plus of GOOD baka/mexico airplane travel in.

future of it for me is seriously doubtful. Especially when Mex avgas is over $5 to $6 most places now and they don't have the built in taxes USA lays into avgas.

Floatflyer - 2-10-2012 at 04:42 PM

Capt. Mike, I hear you and feel OUR pain. I was going to correct you on the fuel pricing but I just did the math and on Jan 20th I flew into La Paz for fuel, paperwork, and lunch. 74.2 gals= 4,825 pesos and at that time the exchange rate was about 13 so= $5.00 gal!!! It wasn't all that long ago when I would stop in Mexicali just for fuel and then customs at Calexico. Now it really doesn't make that much difference, sigh.

E-Apis is an annoyance for me. I go back and forth across the borders often enough that I have this figured out pretty well so it isn't that big of a deal. HOWEVER, it still takes 10-15 minutes and routinely I make a mistake or two and get to make corrections after I figure out what they are asking for, grrrrr. It still peees me off to have to ask permission to leave my own darn country, but what can you do??

And wait till the Mexicans require you to have a 406 elt, there goes another $1,000 -2,000 for something that really doesn't work all that much better than the old ones, progress, right!

At least the tequila is reasonable and speaking of that, now it is time to have some. FF

capt. mike - 2-11-2012 at 01:27 PM

i hear ya FF.
i am just not going for a while if ever.
as for the 406 - hell why don't they approve SPOT as an alternate?
mexicans want to be like USA as far as guvmint.
the old days are gone amigo.

[Edited on 2-11-2012 by capt. mike]