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Author: Subject: Don't pave the road, please
DianaT
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[*] posted on 1-17-2008 at 09:01 PM
Don't pave the road, please


Now that we live part of the time in Bahia Asuncion, we really appreciate why the locals are looking forward to a paved road. On our many trips out to Vizcanino to shop and bank, we often curse the road ---that is unless it has just been graded. But then there was yesterday....

Just north of Guerrero Negro we saw the first part of one of those hugh caravans of monster motorhomes and trailers---the 2000 sq ft luxury homes on wheels. We had just passed a motorhome that had dropped off the road---they were waiting for a tow truck, and we just wondered how it did not land on its side---looked like a little push and over it would go.

We flashed our lights at the caravan members, the sign of trouble, and slow down. They waved back a happy hello----it was then that we heard the loud buzz of generators assualting our dunes---the generators needed for all those creature comforts. Please don't pave that road.

The name of the caravan jarred a rather recent memory. Only a few years ago, with our tiny fiberglass trailer, we were tucked between the slides of monsters traveling with this caravan company in Rivera's RV Park in Loreto. We grimanced as we remembered these Canadian snowbirds washing their behemoths and paying little attention as precious water ran carelessly on the ground. We heard the sucking sound of our local resources wasted away.

So, with this in mind, please don't pave our road. Without the road, they won't come.

But once we reuturn to Bahia Asuncion, and after our third 140 mile round trip to the ATM in Vizcaino, we will again long for the paving to continue.

But please don't pave the road.

Diane and John




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vacaenbaja
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[*] posted on 1-17-2008 at 09:24 PM


Unless things have really changed, I do not think that you will have too much to worry about too soon. The thing is that a poorly maintained asphalt road is almost always worse than most baja dirt roads. Those steep craters wreck front ends when taken at speed, and the sections of broken up road that looks like a bombed out runway will leave the affected drivers vowing not to return to such a place where the road is not in a smooth 55mph plus condition. The road in to BOLA was that way for years. Great when just paved but when it was bad you really had to be determined to go there to put up with it. I used to see many a broken boat trailer left by the roadside on the way in. But alas your right as soon as a good road is made 'sin will come to Eden' It all depends on how well the road is maintained.Enjoy it while you can.

[Edited on 1-18-2008 by vacaenbaja]
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Bob H
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[*] posted on 1-17-2008 at 10:42 PM


As time goes by... more roads will be paved. It's just gonna happen - there's nothing we can do. The road to Gonazga Bay from San Felipe will be paved soon. What a change that will make........... huh? Paved roads will continue to grow throughout Baja. We must get used to it.
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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 08:17 AM


John and Diane

Road to Abreojos almost finished. And what a change in the last few years. More people, big trailers and motorhomes. Your time is coming
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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 08:29 AM


Bad Roads = Good People...:light:

Good Roads = ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE :o

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DianaT
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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 08:38 AM


Been back in Imperial Beach for less than 24 hours and have started packing for our return. Missed Bahia Asuncion before we left.

But when the first caravan shows up in town, Punta Prieta or San Hipolito here we come! :yes::yes:

The part of our road that is newly paved was heavily damaged in a few spots in the big rain---totally washed out in one place. But just this last week they finished putting a line down the middle and sides, where there are still sides, and signs----one sign already fell down where an edge broke off a little more.

We heard that the governor is coming maybe next weekend to dedicate the new stadium---wonder if it will be completed. We heard that he will be coming by car and not helicopter. I wonder what he will think about his new road. Wish we were returning right after his visit---for sure, the dirt will be nicely graded. :yes::yes:

My apologies to all caravan people----

Diane




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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 08:42 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
The road to Gonazga Bay from San Felipe will be paved soon. What a change that will make........... huh?
Bob H


What do you consider "soon"?

I've seen the start at Puertecitos and it looks like it might take a while to finish.




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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 08:54 AM


It is unbelievable to me that Northeners feel the need to travel in luxury coaches or pull enormous travel trailers behind them. I spoke with one fellow last year that swore he would never drive south again because of the narrow escapes he had and that his rear view mirror had been taken off by a sixteen wheeler going the other direction.

Coupled with the need of these often greedy visitors to crank up thei generators early in the morning or run same late into the evening to power up their TV's, we would be better off if they stayed on paved roads altogether.
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Al G
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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 09:05 AM


My motorhome is very sad, because I scolded it for being a motorhome....:P:P:P:lol:



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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 09:09 AM


A note to all...please put yourself in the shoes (and cars) of the local people who live here and how a good road will make their lives much better...less car repairs...safer trips...many only think about how it affects "their" paradise and tourist numbers....forget all that crap and just for a moment reflect on los mexicanos.



for info & pics of our little paradise & whale watching info
http://www.bahiaasuncion.com/
https://www.whalemagictours.com/
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DianaT
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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 09:18 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by shari
A note to all...please put yourself in the shoes (and cars) of the local people who live here and how a good road will make their lives much better...less car repairs...safer trips...many only think about how it affects "their" paradise and tourist numbers....forget all that crap and just for a moment reflect on los mexicanos.


SHARI, READ THE POST CAREFULLY----we do very much understand, and as part time locals, we agree---it is an ambiguous feeling. Also, some of the locals are looking forward to the impending change, and some are not, and some have shared the same ambiguous feelings with us.

Diane and John




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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 09:18 AM


Motor Home Caravans to Asuncion

Mrsfish and I ran into caravans the entire length of Baja. I managed to talk with some of them. This is what the real trip looks like. You get onboard in south Texas; take the Copper Canyon train, where your 30 footer is loaded on a flat car with up to 30 others exactly like yours.

You then travel down to the ferry where you and your cohorts are loaded on to the ferry. You disembark the ferry and go from one RV Park to the next, eating and sleeping at the same RV Park. There are side trips available to see the whales etc. "the bus will pick you up and drop you off", "how many for the Bufadora today?" and off you go. The rest stay and drink in the bar at the RV Park, or an adventurous soul in the group may walk to the local gift shop. "Honey, can I touch a Mexican", I swear I heard it come from some over dressed, bejeweled Texan with silver/blue hair so tightly sprayed I thought it would break.

As I talked with these folks, to the person they said, "I hate Mexico and I will never come back", "The roads are too narrow and everything is dirty". They complained about the food when wonderful places to eat were only doors away. They all said they liked the Copper Canyon. Really they liked being transported by train in their lovely Coaches as they watched one of nature’s wonders pass by their windows and they did not have to drive! I imagine it would be like watching the Geographic Channel out your window as you pop you Crystal.

I felt sad for these folks as they had each laid down around $6,000 US to go from one Baja RV park to the next. They all traveled together and stopped for fuel at the same places, stayed at the same RV parks and were trapped in this rolling hell. They dressed for dinner and many tried to out class the others with ostentatious displays of expensive jewelry, clothing etc.

The US has amazing RV resorts that cost up to $100 US per night and hot and cold running "Yes sir" and "No sir", "We have rules about that". You can decide to use one of two or three pools and a number of hot tubs, though most do not avail themselves of these amenities. They would rather set up their American flags, haul out the awning, put the flowers on the table and drink with their peers. These are the places they are familiar with.

These behemoth motor homes require 50 amp service or else they must use generators. I clearly recall observing a lengthy and heated conversation between a home builder in the Baja and their electrician about why the house was not grounded and why their friends nearly fried themselves on loose kilowatts. The reply "We do not connect that third wire here in Mexico. We do not need that here; they do that in the North."

My suggestion would be that if your town makes provisions for these whales that they require 50 amps, grounded service be the standard for any RV facilities. If you do not do this then you can indeed expect the sound of generators to reverberate through the town. This edict will at least provide the juice they need, if they are adventurous enough to wander off Hwy 1, and they will be less likely to crank up the generator.

My best to you and my hopes that "progress" does not overtake your life style.

Iflyfish
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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 09:31 AM


I have enjoyed traveling in my Toyota pickup with shell and light camping and staying at motels when they became available. Good road, bad road and no road. New roads are coming with economic development.
It would be a courtesy to all if land yachts could limit their caravans to two or three vehicles.
Even with arroyos for roads, there were still all kinds of people. Don't fall into the trap of characterising people by their vehicle.
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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 09:34 AM


Not ALL Mexicanos strive for a change in their lifestyle... some belie the fact that their simple life is rapidly changing. With change comes a whole new set of problems.... thats why we need locked gates sometimes.
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DianaT
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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 09:36 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by livencabo
Even with arroyos for roads, there were still all kinds of people. Don't fall into the trap of characterising people by their vehicle.


Good statement----totally agree.

We are human and do suffer from biggotry----against those huge caravans --- not against the single motorhome that navigates the road to BA.

Thanks for comment---a clarifying one indeed. :yes::yes:

Diane and John




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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 09:48 AM


very true, not all mexicans want to change their simple lifestyle...but I bet you a billion US dollars that every local person in our village would vote to pave the road. You have no idea how much of their income goes to car and tire repairs and the number of lives lost as a result from accidents caused by not being able to afford to get the repairs they need....or the number of people who do not get medical or dental attention because they don't want to travel that road in their unsafe vehicles...to them, the road is not about worrying about RV's coming or not...it's about better survival.



for info & pics of our little paradise & whale watching info
http://www.bahiaasuncion.com/
https://www.whalemagictours.com/
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DianaT
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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 09:56 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by shari
very true, not all mexicans want to change their simple lifestyle...but I bet you a billion US dollars that every local person in our village would vote to pave the road. You have no idea how much of their income goes to car and tire repairs and the number of lives lost as a result from accidents caused by not being able to afford to get the repairs they need....or the number of people who do not get medical or dental attention because they don't want to travel that road in their unsafe vehicles...to them, the road is not about worrying about RV's coming or not...it's about better survival.


Still don't think you carefully read the post----and yes, a paved road would be easier on their cars, but I would guess that more accidents are caused by the style of driving that road way too fast --- see that all the time---have almost been hit by a few, and that is not likely to change paved or not.

Diane and John




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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 10:19 AM


Diane, Shari and other Asuncion dwellers.
If they pave the road at the same speed as they are doing the streets in Loreto, you won't have anything to worry about for years.:(:(:biggrin:




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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 10:26 AM
I must be obtuse.


Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
Quote:
Originally posted by shari
very true, not all mexicans want to change their simple lifestyle...but I bet you a billion US dollars that every local person in our village would vote to pave the road. You have no idea how much of their income goes to car and tire repairs and the number of lives lost as a result from accidents caused by not being able to afford to get the repairs they need....or the number of people who do not get medical or dental attention because they don't want to travel that road in their unsafe vehicles...to them, the road is not about worrying about RV's coming or not...it's about better survival.


Still don't think you carefully read the post----and yes, a paved road would be easier on their cars, but I would guess that more accidents are caused by the style of driving that road way too fast --- see that all the time---have almost been hit by a few, and that is not likely to change paved or not.

Diane and John


Diane and John,

I have read and re-read your original post several times and I don't understand what you are trying to tell Shari about reading your post carefully. It seems to me that you are against paving the road (3x's "don't pave the road"), RV's larger than a tiny trailer and wasteful Canadians. Shari only addresses the road and points out that most of the locals want the road paved and feel that it will improve their quality of life and disagrees with your plea not to pave the road. What am I missing?

Steve




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DianaT
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[*] posted on 1-18-2008 at 10:45 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by BMG
Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
Quote:
Originally posted by shari
very true, not all mexicans want to change their simple lifestyle...but I bet you a billion US dollars that every local person in our village would vote to pave the road. You have no idea how much of their income goes to car and tire repairs and the number of lives lost as a result from accidents caused by not being able to afford to get the repairs they need....or the number of people who do not get medical or dental attention because they don't want to travel that road in their unsafe vehicles...to them, the road is not about worrying about RV's coming or not...it's about better survival.


Still don't think you carefully read the post----and yes, a paved road would be easier on their cars, but I would guess that more accidents are caused by the style of driving that road way too fast --- see that all the time---have almost been hit by a few, and that is not likely to change paved or not.

Diane and John


Diane and John,

I have read and re-read your original post several times and I don't understand what you are trying to tell Shari about reading your post carefully. It seems to me that you are against paving the road (3x's "don't pave the road"), RV's larger than a tiny trailer and wasteful Canadians. Shari only addresses the road and points out that most of the locals want the road paved and feel that it will improve their quality of life and disagrees with your plea not to pave the road. What am I missing?

Steve


In the post we say, don't pave the road, but also talk about how much we look forward to the paving of the road for other reasons ---the same ambiguios feeling that others have. Yes the road makes like easier, but does not always bring ONLY positive changes---not just for us, but for the community.

Sorry the caravan people in Loreto were Canadians---you appear to be offended by that comment. We have witnessed that same wasteful behavior with other caravans in Mexico that were totally people from the US.

Yes, we had a tiny trailer, loved our travels in it, but discovered that that style was not ok for us----please, that is not a statement against others who love their trailers and mohos---it just was not for us.

Still dread the day the caravans hit Bahia Asuncion----but they will be good for some businesses.

Hope that clarifys it a little.

Diane and John




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