The joys of living, driving in Mexico

IN reading your Special Mexico Issue [Nov. 13, 2005], I was dismayed at how it left the reader with the old backwater Third-World country impression of Mexico. Although Baja is Mexico’s last frontier, Mexico is booming -- from American money.

Tourism and residential developers have created a buying frenzy of Mexican property. Take a look at the area along the beach between Tijuana and Ensenada. San Diego crossed the border but without the thousands of dollars in property taxes.

It’s ironic that Americans retire to Mexico for the same reason illegal immigrants cross our border -- improved quality of life. But keep that backwater image alive and well. Retiring in Mexico is the baby boomers’ best-kept secret.

CHERYL WEAVER

Lake Arrowhead

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THE Mexico issue prompted nostalgic memories of several adventures. Having survived, on the way to Mexico City, a five-hour trip from Tepic to Puerto Vallarta on an unpaved dirt road in ‘68, I thought I could manage Baja in ’72. By Colonet, the road was gravel. And by San Quintin, it had been dirt and big potholes for many miles.

I disabled an axle. I left my car at a gas station and returned two days later by bus from L.A. with instructions from my mechanic and the needed part. I was back on the road in two days and escaped back to L.A.

Four years later, I did make it to San Jose del Cabo on the newly surfaced road. And, like staff writer Rosemary McClure, I had to cross two sections that passed through flooded washes.

Such a trip’s supplies should include an extra tire, food and water (a sleeping bag wouldn’t hurt either). Also, I still try to avoid driving at night in any non-urban area there.

F. DANIEL GRAY

Los Angeles