Thank you for your heartfelt comments. I love "RP" too, that's why I bothered to write.
I got a lot of commentary about "living in the past" and "relative prices and inflation", sorry if I was not more clear.
Here are my main points in sum:
- Relative prices for housing, food and beverages are now on par with what we can pay in the US, prices USED to be a much better VALUE relative to my costs in Phoenix, AZ.
- Equipment Rental VALUES are deteriorating do to maintenance issues - that's dangerous and frustrating.
- I don't feel as WELCOME as I once did -- and I truly believe I'm one of the "good gringos"!
- Safety on Sandy Beach for people who want to swim, snorkel, fish or float on a lounge has been compromised by the Jetskis and Banana boats (solution above).
They can't really expect us to drive 250 miles to come swim in that roped-in 60 yard square, can they!?
There's no doubt tourism has fallen off in "RP". Ask ANY merchant!
If "RP" wants to reverse that trend, they need to be aware of these problem points and do what they can to address/fix them!
I pray these comments reach those in "RP" who can/will make a difference! That's the whole purpose of this.
Tw
Phoenix, Arizona
Hey RockyPoint Fan, I get your point and understand what you are saying but times do change and like RB Moore stated, you have to roll with the changes or you will not enjoy the 'new' because you are living in the past. There is still plenty of the charm as was with the 'old' RP. At the same time, a lot has changed. It had to as it is only 3.5 hours from the 5-6th largest city in the entire US. And, fortunately or unfortunately, it will continue to do so.
I started coming down in grade school and high school, camping on Sandy Beach for about $2-3 bucks. I loved rolling out of the tent and buying those little bean burritos where you got like 8-10 for $1. Now you get 3 for $1. That is one little example of how EVERYTHING inflates. It just does. (I do agree with you that La Curva has inflated a little more than I would like though, but we still go as the food is great and the staff is like family)
Another item you mentioned was how people are less friendly or accommodating. Well, that is most likely a by-product of the fact the population of RP has probably grown by 10-15 fold since you and your dad were first going down. Just like PHX and it's growth, RP isn't a sleepy little fishing village any longer. Tourism is it's primary industry focus now and the population reflects the transient labor force that has come with not only the tourism industry, but the construction and development industry that has built RP into what it currently is. Most of the newer residents don't have that history or nostalgia that the 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation residents had when you visited. Again, it is what it is. But like someone else mentioned, get out and meet your new circle of friends/locals. There are great people all over RP and I will challenge you that you can once again have that home-town feel if you look for it.
I could comment to many of your "compalints", but to your point about swimming and snorkeling, that is the first I have heard that mentioned. (althought your suggestion of a signicant area of beach that is zoned only for swimming and would not allow jet ski's is a good suggestion). Not that I do not agree that the jet ski and banana activity is way up on Sandy Beach compared to the good old days. However, there are also what, 7-10 HIGH RISE condos since those good old days that bring LOTS of people, and people looking to recreate and spend money. That is why the jet ski's are there. My suggestion would be that if you are going to continue to stay on Sandy Beach, go on an 'off' weekend or mid-week. I have friends down there who own jet ski businesses and I can't tell you how often they complain that they didn't even put there ski's in the water on many, many days due to there being 'no people'. Check out this link sometime, mid-week and you can see for yourself how dead and calm it can be on Sandy Beach
Sonoran Sky Live View | Sonoran Resorts The other option for great swimming and snorkeling without any interference is to go out to Las Conchas or Encanto, etc. We get down to RP about 10x each year, staying in Las Conchas and I cannot tell you how many times we look as far as we can see down the beach and do not see another human being anywhere.
The last point of yours I will comment on is in regards to your complaint of how expensive accommodations are compared to the good old days. I would wholeheartedly disagree. You mentioned getting a place for $50-60 per night. Now it's 125-150. But, what do you get?? Luxury, 1-2 bedrooms with a living room and balcony, granite counter tops, jacuzzi bath tubs, washer & dryer, AIR CONDITIONING that doesn't keep you all night or hang out of a window, swim up bars, satellite TV, wireless internet. I could go on & on, but it really is a good deal for all you are getting. We go to San Diego or Newport for a week or two each summer. There, we get a 2-3 bedroom beachfront place, not near a nice amenity wise as Sandy Beach, and we cram 2 families in there for between $700-800 a night. Then there is the boardwalk riff-raff and not near as nice of a beach as what Sandy is.
My suggestion for you? Go down more often. It sounds like you have had 1 or 2 negative experience lately, which can happen. But, the more you go down and acclimate to the "NEW RP", the more you become comfortable with how nice some of the new changes really are and the less chance you will have of having a negative experience. BECAUSE, I do not know to many people who go down on a regular basis and have any negative experiences whatsoever.
Hope that helps change your paradigm a little and get you back to enjoying this great little gem that is Penasco!
All the best to you.
