Insofar as several marinas and hotels are planned on this remote stretch of Ventana Bay, this early morning view of Cerralvo Island won't be around much longer nor will the "old school" style of launching pangas off the beach.

OLD SCHOOL ALL OF A SUDDEN

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of June 3, 2009

I’ve always kinda liked the term “old school.” It denotes a somewhat different way of doing things…perhaps different values…a different character in a person or thing. Days gone by?

So, how did I suddenly get to be “old school” and why does it humorously “sting to get labeled.

So, there I was yakking with some uh…”younger” Baja anglers about how enjoyable it was to drive down the peninsula “back in the day” and pull up, wipe the dust off; scrape the insects off your windshield; and hit an oasis like the Punta Chivato, the old Serenidad, Hotel Las Arenas or Punta Colorada Hotels. Even the old Hotel Cabo San Lucas in it’s heyday was quite a rustic site.

After all those long bumpy grimy miles, to step onto those cool shaded terra cotta floor tiles and the verdant gardens and hear the splash of the mossy court fountain was like heaven. And then to be handed an actual real cold beer across the long bar of the cantina as you looked across over the palm trees and beaches towards the bluest waters you had ever seen was an indescribable sensation. You had arrived!

And, you know what? Beyond that frosty beer; the fishing; the swimming pool (no swim up bar!) and those great tacos; there wasn’t much else going on. And that was just fine…back in the day!

What else could an angler want? Oh…those hammocks under the trees were an awfully nice touch after dinner and a Cuban too. Maybe some smooth sipping tequila. Watching the stars blinking on and to actually see the Milky Way was the topper.

I was expressing these exact words to my young listeners who looked a bit incredulous when I said, that’s about all there was to to do.

“What about the golf?” asked one. “And no waverunners?” “Did you have satellite TV to catch sports?” “I bet you didn’t even have computer hookups, did you?” asked one other with a grin.

I had to remind him that we didn’t even have computers. Heck, not even a cell phone. (Gasp!) In fact, many of you other “old schoolers” can remember that if you wanted to make a phone call, you had to hitch a ride to the local pueblo and find the block house with the rusty “larga distancia” (long distance) sign hanging outside. You paid your money. You made your call and it may or may not ring on the other end. Ultimately, short of someone dying, NO call was worth all that trouble to interrupt the afternoon happy hour!

In fact, despite our current need to have cell phones surgically attached to us, very few calls are really that urgent at all. They weren’t then. They aren’t now!

I told these guys that you didn’t “Priceline” a hotel or read hotel reviews on Trip Advisor first. You didn’t “blog” or “twitter” your friends to get their opinions about a destination. You didn’t choose your hotel by whether it offered massage services, Sunday brunch or free kayaks. You never expected a mint on your pillow although air-conditioning was sure nice.

Often, you chose your hotel because that’s when you got

a. Tired of driving
b. Ran out’ve gas
c. Ran out’ve water
d. You liked the way the name sounded and it was close to the beach
e. It looked like they might have electricity and running water!

You expected to see a bug here and there. It’s Mexico! Track lights? How about a single light bulb from the ceiling! You didn’t complain when the lights went out at 9 p.m. either. There was nothing wrong with the electricity. That’s just when they turned off the hotel generator.

But what was there to do after 9 p.m. anyway? You sat around in the dark in a lounge chair with a drink or around the hotel fire, if they had one. And you talked and laughed and bonded.

And the stars came out and the waves could be heard down on the beach and the breeze ruffled the palms. And you solved all the world’s problems with some of the best conversations you will ever have in your life with friends you will never forget.

“Dude, that sure is old school, alright!” said one of the young guys.

I don’t need a mint on my pillow. I guess if I’m old enough to remember those days, then I am “old school.” And I’m glad I still remember “back in the day.”

That's my story!
If you ever need to reach me down here in the Baja I"m at riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com


Jonathan
Tailhunter International La Paz