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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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gnukid, Appreciate your take on the developement situation.  Have experienced it
north of the border and the results aren't good for fish, fowl, or anything else.
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bajajazz
Nomad
Posts: 386
Registered: 12-18-2006
Location: La Paz, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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I'm 20 years here now and I still think of the Baja as a thousand miles of busted dreams alongside a really bad road.
It used to be that some guy's pipedream never progressed farther than a pretentious entry gate and a dirt track lined with whitewashed rocks. Now,
what with Fonatur blowing taxpayers' money, some foreign investment coming in and an endless supply of real estate development scams, we are
confronted with change that overwhelms us by its rapacity, vulgarity and thoughtless haste.
The commercial history of the Baja is one of boom and bust, with more of the latter than the former. The fundamentals to support the developments
that are on the drawing boards simply aren't here -- and neither is the technology. More importantly, the Baja is not that desirable a place, nor
does it have the resources to sustain the pretty architectural renderings commissioned by the quick-buck lowlifes who must be fleet of foot to stay
one step ahead of the warrants.
In Miami recently, an investor skilled in flipping condominiums voluntarily walked away from a three-hundred and twenty thousand dollar downpayment on
a bloc of water view condos that'll never sell, at least not before the debt service devours the profit.
The Baja has always been six months to a year behind whatever it is that's going on in the 'States. That's been the pattern, and it's my conviction
that patterns become patterns because they represent reality -- the way things really are -- sans the pipedreams and pretty pictures of prematurely
retired countryclub types playing golf in some sleazebag's version of upper middle class paradise.
The day will come when Club Cruceros in La Paz will be holding bake sales to raise money for hay bales to hold down the erosion on Mogote caused by
that idiotic "Paraiso del Mar" development. In the stupid sweepstakes, that one wins hands down. Go there in the summer and the heat will lay you
out; go there in the winter you won't need Retin-A, the wind will sandblast your face. It's not a desirable place, it's a windblown tide torn
sandbar, for heaven's sake. And nobody in his or her right mind will pay good money to play golf there more than once, even if they get it built --
which I seriously doubt. Reality will inevitably intervene and assert its dominion, but between now and then much damage will have been done, the
perpetrators of the latest environmental ripoff will have skipped town with what profits remain -- and the rest of us will do what we can to repair
the damage. That's the cyclical pattern, that's the way things are -- and the wheel is always turning.
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bacquito
Super Nomad
Posts: 1615
Registered: 3-6-2007
Member Is Offline
Mood: jubilado
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| Quote: | Originally posted by backninedan
The housing and stock markets dumps may slow things down too, we shall see. |
I agree! Many Californians sold out two or three years ago and invested in property in Rosarito, Tijuana and Ensenada. The market is now in the dumps
and investements likely will slow down.
As for me, I retired about 1 1/2 years ago and spend alot of time in Ensenada and enjoy it. I like to hike in the back country and feel that there is
still plenty of solitude in Baja
bacquito
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3872
Registered: 2-9-2004
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The hot property now is Nicaragua. No large scale development yet - lots of raw land. Even Panama is overpriced now. Mexico has for too long
fouled its nest and will pay the consequences.
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oldhippie
Banned
Posts: 742
Registered: 6-25-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: muted
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Welcome bajajazz.
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bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
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Seem this thread started with a broad viewpoint from veteran Bernie. On terms like "economic situation", "housing market", "job market" and other
People Mag/CNN/Newspaper fodder, I prefer a smaller view from myveryown "situation room".
I see the opportunity to build a home with an ocean view and not be part of a big development. This will happen for a small fraction of anything that
I could afford along the US pacific coast.
Also researched Nicaragua, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, C.R. and Panama as possibilities in past 2 years. Might be some better real estate
affordability, but, may not be a better lifestyle.
My "good old days" were not nearly as good as today. I also am learning that Baja is not what it once was. But, I still see plenty of open
countryside, empty beaches and local restaurants that alert me that I don't live in Denver anymore and relax me after my monthly trips into socal.
But, keep the old pics, posters and memories coming so that I can learn some more about this terrific peninsula that is now my home.
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Nicaragua???
| Quote: | Originally posted by wilderone
The hot property now is Nicaragua. No large scale development yet - lots of raw land. Even Panama is overpriced now. Mexico has for too long
fouled its nest and will pay the consequences. |
Remember Daniel Ortega?
Heees Back!
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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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Hey! Dave
So what a whole bunch of folks would jump at Cuba!
I could afford one of those inner tube boats powered by a weed whacker....................................Or
do they just leave from Cuba and arrive in Florida.
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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Slowmad
Nomad
Posts: 243
Registered: 3-24-2005
Location: Alta California
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
we brought our good people, our pioneers to the area, opening it up to further exploration and exposure. David K comes to mind as a contemporary.
Others would be Krutch, Stienbeck, Martinez [ Mexican] , Cannon, Gardner, Tabor, and so many others.
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Dennis...
I know you're the flute player in DK's Marching and Chowder Society, but:
David K. is to Joseph Krutch as Larry the Cable Guy is to John Muir.
The only requirement for love or chorizo is confidence.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Slowmad
Dennis...
I know you're the flute player in DK's Marching and Chowder Society, but:
David K. is to Joseph Krutch as Larry the Cable Guy is to John Muir. |
I was only refering to someone living. Do you have an alternate choice? Let's hear it if you do.
By the way... DK and I are not what you would call friends but, I respect him for his efforts here.
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Slowmad
Nomad
Posts: 243
Registered: 3-24-2005
Location: Alta California
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Great question.
The fellows you cite were writers (as opposed to "posters").
They were literate, well edited, and rarely repeated themselves. In examples where their books were illustrated, the text was accompanied by
well-composed, properly exposed photos--and never included deadening numbers of tired self-portraiture. OK, maybe Cannon. But his ducky Pied Piper
game, in all fairness, must be seen in context...it was the 50s and 60s, population pressure was minor, and the Highway 1 wasn't yet extant.
You're asking for breathing chroniclers/maestros/students of the Baja experience.
On the book front, Peac-ck and Mayo were good, short reads. Joe Cummings is a powerful researcher, and turns a mean phrase.
I haven't stumbled on much fresh Baja lit worth mentioning beyond that.
Certainly nothing like Ed Abbey's account of being airdropped on a Sea of Cortez island for an extended stay.
Typically, he had the wisdom and taste to change the island's name in his story. He knew that if he guided one and all to things like hidden
petroglyph sites, they'd be defaced all the sooner. It was, as he put it, not his property to give.
So far as estimable contemporaries go, I've learned much from people like Saul Alarcon of Wildcoast and especially Adrian Aguirre, founder of the
Valle de los Cirios Protected Natural Area. Pity they don't have time for the forums. They're too busy working.
In an effort to follow their lead, I'll sign off.
The only requirement for love or chorizo is confidence.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Peac-ck, Mayo and Cummings. All impressive, especially C.Mayo I enjoyed Peac-ck more as a character in Abbey's book. Hayduke lives. Cummings
writes well, very prolific.
But, they arn't contemporary. They came........they saw.........they wrote...........they left. Good but, gone.
Can you think of anybody else who may be a current contributor?
I like your last selections.
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
Member Is Offline
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Memories
Ah, the memories. These two nice little girl dorado and a 150 lb stripper (released unharmed at the boat) I remember catching waaaaaaaay back almost
20 hours ago.
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fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
I was only refering to someone living. Do you have an alternate choice? Let's hear it if you do.
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Dennis, the person who started this thread is living 
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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Slowmad
Nomad
Posts: 243
Registered: 3-24-2005
Location: Alta California
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Dennis, it's too early to sign the death certificate on any (save Abbey) that I ref'd.
Mayo and Cummings are still active writers and Baja travelers.
I was remiss not to mention Harry Crosby.
Also, Kira's bio of Cannon was balanced and visually rich.
More?
The only requirement for love or chorizo is confidence.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Slow ...........
OK...You win. You present an impressive list although Crosby did more for Bisbee Az. than he did for Baja.
I still don't think these writers and their work detract from the ongoing efforts of DK. Im not saying he should be installed in the Explorers Club
or grace the cover of National Geographic but, his contributions serve to keep the spirit alive. Perhaps after he regurgitates a book on the
subject, he can join your list. Perhaps not.
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Slowmad
Nomad
Posts: 243
Registered: 3-24-2005
Location: Alta California
Member Is Offline
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There's no "win" or "lose."
But let's not confuse thoughtful chroniclers with pre-literates.
The only requirement for love or chorizo is confidence.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Your sentiments are oozing all over my keybord. Seems to be a bit more here than questionable writing skills.
Maybe we should hang it up for a while.
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Slowmad
Nomad
Posts: 243
Registered: 3-24-2005
Location: Alta California
Member Is Offline
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The Abbey island vignette (above) alludes to the ooze.
Hey, feed me some Baja titles you've enjoyed recently.
The only requirement for love or chorizo is confidence.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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I continue a spellbound relationship with Pablo Martinez since I bought his "A History Of Baja California" in the early seventies. For me it has the
stature of a regional bible. It may be out of print, I don't know.
Another re-read for me is "Stones For Ibarra", Doerr. The setting was meant to be homogenized from parts of Mexico but, I think the copper mining
area of Santa Rosalia was the main inspiration. It was her first book and it is still excellent. I'm sure you're familiar with her small body of
work.
Another, which I have read more than once but no more than twice was "Into A Desert Place", not for it's journalistic quality but, to reafirm to
myself that there is someone out there dumber than I am. Macintosh's trek was clinically suicidal and painful and, in my estimation, pointless.
He evidently thought so as well since he gave up on it temporarily, returning to finish at a later date. He didn't enjoy his trip, at least, not
till it was over. But, he had to write a book, didn't he.
I won't list the pile of bathroom books which tend to spring up now and then and the line-up of legitimate literature is short. I havn't missed much
which wasn't on the open market at one time or another.
Oh yeah..........I used to have a lot of fun with Earl Stanley Gardner's books as well.
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