Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

sandykayak

Jul 25, 2003, 7:51 AM

Post #1 of 23 (1811 views)

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How many registered users?

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This is a very quiet board...How does one see how many registered users there are?

I've scrolled back as far as early January and read about the switch to "ya gotta pay to post" threads. But...if people can read (and thus get info) they need for free, there's not much of an incentive to subscribe, is there?

We had a similar situation on the poputimes forum and it was vicious...what an uproar. Defections all over the place and new boards opened up. They (the original board) allow guests to belong for free for a certain amount of time (two weeks, perhaps).

Seven months later, there are about 700 paid subscribers but more than 1,000 subscribers on the most popular new free board. They get some revenue by people buying logo items such as bumper stickers/t-shirts/mugs etc. and some of us have made cash donations toward the cost of running the board. Many people post the same thread on both boards so there is a lot of duplication.

So???? How many of us are there here?
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

DavidMcL

Jul 25, 2003, 9:10 AM

Post #2 of 23 (1780 views)

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Re: [sandykayak] How many registered users?

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Good questions!
First - there are only two ways to access Mexico Connected - which includes the forums
- by subscription - around 500 at the moment (with another 100 complementary subscriptions given to the writers)
- and under the free 1 week trial option - of which there are around 40 at any one time.

Otherwise, there are no "lurkers"

I have done zero marketing or advertising as yet - waiting until the Fall when people start spending time indoors again.

What is interesting to me is that between the 11 forums here, the number of posts is generally higher than at other Mexico focussed forums and, more importantly the quality of posting and personal interaction is of a much higher quality than before.

You should all be proud of the community you are creating.
David McL
WebJefe

sandykayak

Jul 25, 2003, 9:17 AM

Post #3 of 23 (1779 views)

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Re: [DavidMcL] How many registered users?

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Thanks for the reply, David. So, basically the slo board is a seasonal thing. Bummer, I work at a computer so I check it several times a day. Hope Uncle Donnie returns soon.

I've noticed that several questions remain unanswered, so I assumed there weren't that many people subscribed.

I've had no reply as to whether there are kayakers who go on outings as Lake Chapala doesn't seem to be much favored by paddlers.

No volunteers to schlepp some books to LCS either. Maybe I'm just too impatient. Who??? Moi??? :)
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

jennifer rose

Jul 25, 2003, 9:37 AM

Post #4 of 23 (1773 views)

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Unanswered Questions

Whether a question goes unanswered depends upon a lot of variables:

a. Satori
b. Some active posters see a post, know the answer, but resist the urge to hit that buzzer like it's Final Jeopardy, giving others a chance to contribute.
c. Sometimes a post gets buried beneath a long thread
d. And there are times when there are no answers.

sandykayak

Jul 25, 2003, 10:26 AM

Post #5 of 23 (1763 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Unanswered Questions

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thanks, jr, (i know you post a lot). I had to look up satori (a state of spiritual enlightenment sought in Zen Buddhism)...sounds like something I should aim for :)

since i've been playing catch up with old threads, i noticed that there seemed to be quite a few unanswered questions. I thought it was because there aren't that many subscribers.

now i'm curious...perhaps there's more action on other boards. I'm at the "I can't get enough of Mexico info" stage.
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

pat

Jul 25, 2003, 12:11 PM

Post #6 of 23 (1745 views)

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Re: [sandykayak] Unanswered Questions

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now i'm curious...perhaps there's more action on other boards. I'm at the "I can't get enough of Mexico info" stage.

Trust me, this is the place to be if you are interested in the Lakeside area, especially. There is a good Puerta Vallarta forum, but most of the participants are repeat vacationers... still a good board.

I am still trying to determine how I am going to Lakeside in Sept, and will get back to you about carrying books.

You might have missed David's answer about the number of subscribers. I think he said 500. That's pretty good.

If you have a specific question about lakeside, try addressing it to a specific person. For instance, Uncle Donnie, Esperanza, Tony Burton (and several others). These folks live in the area and would probably be glad to help. They may be waiting politely for someone to answer......by asking directly, you can almost guarantee and answer.

Good luck, and I will get back to you on the books.

Pat

DavidMcL

Jul 25, 2003, 1:40 PM

Post #7 of 23 (1735 views)

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Re: [DavidMcL] How many registered users?

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And a further side note:

As of today (25/07)

Posts in the last day 56

Posts in the last week 268

Posts in the last month 960
David McL
WebJefe

Bubba

Jul 25, 2003, 3:18 PM

Post #8 of 23 (1726 views)

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Re: [sandykayak] How many registered users?

Sandy:

I have resisted responding to your question regarding kayaking on Lake Chapala because the history of this sport is on our lake is so sad to relate. However, since you persist, I must respond although you may not be pleased with what you hear.

The most prominent kayaker on Lake Chapala until about 1999 was one Miguel Johnson who was a scion of the Tapitio famly of that surname who have a home on the lake and have been vacationing here for many years. Miguel was an avid kayaker who famously kayaked on the lake at every opportunity until the spring of that year when, as was his habit, he raced down to the lake one morning and was seen madly paddling out into the lake having told his mom that his intention was to paddle to the south shore and back before lunch. Miguel was a bit of a show off to be truthful.

Well, anyway, it seems that Miguel basically disappeared that day and was not heard from since. About three weeks later, his kayak was spotted on the south shore of the lake among some tulies and that was the end of that adventure until about two years later when some fishermen were casting about for mud fish in the middle of the lake and spotted what appeared to be a skeletal leg and foot sticking straight up from the lake bed in about two feet of water. Upon investigation they discovered the strangest of phenonena. There was this skeleton buried upside down in about three feet of toxic mud in the middle of the lake with the head buried about a foot in the mud. No one knows exactly what happened but the theory is that Miguel tried to execute a classic kayaker's maneuver and right his capsized kayak during a sudden storm only to discover that, much to his surprise, the lake is only two feet deep in the middle. This theory is bolstered by the fact that the skeletal remains of the head indicated that the decedent was apparently greatly surprised for some unknown reason.

While it is easy to feel sorry for Miguel, one must bear in mind that he may have survived this event after having sucked up copious amounts of contaminated lake water and died a much more horrible slow death from cancerous lesions brought about be having ingested lake water infested with the infamous and dreaded Charrales Seco de Touristas de Chapala.

By all means, bring your kayak down.

Uncle Jack

Jul 26, 2003, 5:32 AM

Post #9 of 23 (1696 views)

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Re: [DavidMcL] How many registered users?

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If our numbers are now approx 600, how about cleaning up the membership list so we can know just who our co-conspirators are?

uj

sandykayak

Jul 26, 2003, 6:27 AM

Post #10 of 23 (1691 views)

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Re: [Bubba] How many registered users?

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thanks for the reply, bubba and
RIP for Miguel. My first thought and question was: "Was he wearing his PFD?" (personal flotation device aka lifejacket).

When people don't want to wear a PFD (you borrow my boat...you wear a PFD), I tell them: "Well, it does make it easier to find the body." As subtle as a sledgehammer, but hopefully it will make them think.

In fact, last weekend I talked to a neighbor as she dragged out her kayak from our blissfully clean lake and said, "Why aren't you wearing a lifejacket?"

I pointed out that she could tip, hit her head, swallow water, have a heart attack/ stroke. ..whatever...being a good swimmer is irrelevant.

Apparently our community had a death by drowning before I moved her and the lakes (dredged rock pits) are reported to be 40 deep in some spots.

I was warned that if I tipped in chapala horrible things would happen viz toxic waste. The second part of my question was:

Where do paddlers go? I know the ocean is 3.5 hours away but am wary of the Pacific ocean (I'm a recreational paddler). Are there any clean lakes near by?

My kayaking friend from Queretaro took me paddling to a lake near San Miguel de Allende. They dammed a village and you can paddle in and around the church! here's the URL for the pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/cayucochief
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

Bubba

Jul 26, 2003, 7:49 AM

Post #11 of 23 (1680 views)

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Re: [sandykayak] How many registered users?

Sandy:

While is not in my nature to be serious about anything except my bank balance, I will try.

First of all, you must be from the Pacific Northwest, home of the good neighbor busybody goody-two-shoes who is always there to tell you to wear your life jacket. If so, you will be happy to live here where absolutely nobody will scold you for any reason whatsoever and if they do you simply pay them a bribe.

I like to vacation at Mismaloya just south of Puerto Vallarta. There is a stunningly beautiful bay (estuary, actually) there and for miles south of there there are coves and estuaries with quaint villages and beautiful mountanous terrain. I am not a kayaker but, when seas are calm in the summer, I'll bet that this would be a wonderful place to practice your sport. In addition, should you turn over, your only danger is quick and painless disembowelment by shark rather than a slow and painful death from cholera brought on by having inadvertently ingested the ubiquitous "brown trout" (Pedro's term) found throughout Lake Chapala.

pat

Jul 26, 2003, 8:09 AM

Post #12 of 23 (1679 views)

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Re: [Bubba] How many registered users?

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...much snipped..."About three weeks later, his kayak was spotted on the south shore of the lake among some tulies and that was the end of that adventure until about two years later when some fishermen were casting about for mud fish in the middle of the lake and spotted what appeared to be a skeletal leg and foot sticking straight up from the lake bed in about two feet of water. Upon investigation they discovered the strangest of phenonena. There was this skeleton buried upside down in about three feet of toxic mud in the middle of the lake with the head buried about a foot in the mud. No one knows exactly what happened but the theory is that Miguel tried to execute a classic kayaker's maneuver and right his capsized kayak during a sudden storm only to discover that, much to his surprise, the lake is only two feet deep in the middle. This theory is bolstered by the fact that the skeletal remains of the head indicated that the decedent was apparently greatly surprised for some unknown reason."

Holy Cow, Bubba!! That story is worse than the one about the young couple who came back from lovers' lane with a "hook" stuck in the roof of the car. You remember that story, I'm sure. It circulated in the mid-60's. Well, on second thought, maybe you aren't old enough to have heard that one.

Pat

DavidMcL

Jul 26, 2003, 8:28 AM

Post #13 of 23 (1669 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] How many registered users?

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Last time I tried that, I wiped out everybody!
However, having learned what not to do! I will be pruning the list in the near future!!!
David McL
WebJefe

wendy devlin

Jul 26, 2003, 9:35 PM

Post #14 of 23 (1581 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Kayaking...two suggestions

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That's some story, Bubba.

But then I'm pretty partial to stories with skeletal remains...especially ones in closets!

Sandy...To add to your kayaking possibilities in this area-

(although admittedly I'm more an observer of the sport more than a paddler) there is a fine little(1 mile diameter) lake in the crater of an extinct volcano, located about an hour and half drive from Guadalajara towards Tepic. The lake is called La Laguna de Santa Maria. Although it's small, the lake is alive with birds and fish. Very pleasant spot to visit for the day or longer.

Down on the coast, people often kayak in the Bay of Tenacatita...especially around the village of La Manzanilla.

If you are new to sea-kayaking, there are several outfits there that offer lessons and/or tours...also there's a campground, small hotels and cuartos for rent...

and say hi to the caimanes for me!

Wendy

Don

Jul 26, 2003, 10:44 PM

Post #15 of 23 (1574 views)

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Re: [sandykayak] How many registered users?

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I have seen some racing shells out on Laguna Zapotlan. You can probably go kayaking there. It is located about 70 miles south of Guadalajara on the way to Colima, in the town of Zapotlan El Grande (Ciudad Guzman).

sandykayak

Jul 27, 2003, 7:02 AM

Post #16 of 23 (1555 views)

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Re: [Bubba] How many registered users?

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Bubba said:
<<First of all, you must be from the Pacific Northwest, home of the good neighbor busybody goody-two-shoes who is always there to tell you to wear your life jacket. If so, you will be happy to live here where absolutely nobody will scold you for any reason whatsoever and if they do you simply pay them a bribe. >>

heh heh, bubba...yer wrong. I live in the fun 'n sun state of South Florida (a completely different state from Northern Florida ;)

The PNWers have every right to be paranoid about wearing PFDs....i believe after 20 seconds of immersion it gets tough to use your fingers etc. to get back in your boat. I don't "roll" and look what happened to Miguel as he was practicing his roll.

I subscribe to www.paddlewise.net and this discussion is endless. Just like buckling up in your car, wearing a PFD is a lifesaver. No guarantees, of course, but it does increase the odds. I'd rather they found my body.

The few times I've gone PFD-less on shallow/calm water I've felt nekkid. I recently bought an inflatable PFD at a garage sale cos wearing a PFD in summer does make you feel very hot. Of course, wearing one won't be worth a darn if a gator gets you...and them gators are getting too many and too big for my liking.

thanks to all for the paddling locale tips, will file in the Mexico folder. My queretaro friend makes kayaks and has property in Veracruz. He plans to open up a paddling "place" with classes, accommodations, tours. OK...how many hours driving time from Ajijic to Veracruz?
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

Bubba

Jul 27, 2003, 11:38 AM

Post #17 of 23 (1540 views)

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Re: [sandykayak] How many registered users?

Sandy:

In Alabama, Northwestern Florida is know as L.A. (for Lower Alabama.) People in the know are aware that Northern Florida above St Augustine was given to the Gator State rather than Georgia and Alabama because, at the time, the rest of the Florida peninsula was uninhabitable for any creatures above the level of alligators and Palmetto Bugs. In fact, until the 1960s, most Floridians lived in such traditionally southern communities as Pensacola and Jacksonville. Get this: Pensacola used to be the largest town in Florida.

South Fla.is now inhabited ( primarily by humorless yankees)because Sr. Trane invented air condition which was a godsend for land speculators in the 1950s.

Now, here is a fact. The esposa y moi considered leaving our beloved San Francisco for retirement places as varied as the Southeastern U.S, France, Spain and Mexico. We chose the Latin American Highlands for personal reasons having to do with the cost of living and equable climate I may be wrong but I surmise that you will live in total joy once you leave swampy Southern Florida for Highlands Jalisco.

You will probably lighten us as well. You will find that nobody down here gives a damn about your PFD. When you learn to accept and understand that, you will find the tranquility the rest of us take for granted.

See you on the (contaminated) beach.

miguelblanco1

Jul 27, 2003, 1:53 PM

Post #18 of 23 (1529 views)

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Re: [Bubba] How many registered users?

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Hi, I'm new here and this is the first I've heard of Lake Chapala being toxic. What's up with that? Can you refer me to a link or article here that explains this? So people cannot swim in Lake Chapala without fear of dying from some toxic mud of some sort? Please explain.

Bubba

Jul 27, 2003, 2:17 PM

Post #19 of 23 (1525 views)

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Re: [miguelblanco1] How many registered users?

Actually, nobody knows. No one who has swum in Lake Chapala has ever lived to tell about it. It's a mystery.

miguelblanco1

Jul 27, 2003, 4:10 PM

Post #20 of 23 (1516 views)

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Re: [Bubba] How many registered users?

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Oh, now I get it. The purpose was to discourage people from using Lake Chapala and especially from moving to Lake Chapala. You rich gringos want to keep it to yourselves.

Okay.

Bubba

Jul 27, 2003, 4:35 PM

Post #21 of 23 (1510 views)

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Re: [miguelblanco1] How many registered users?

Sr. Blanco1:

Rich gringos move to Cabo San lucas.

OK?

miguelblanco1

Jul 27, 2003, 7:36 PM

Post #22 of 23 (1493 views)

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Re: [Bubba] How many registered users?

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Got it. You Jaliscoans are only moderately rich, then... (-;

Bubba

Jul 27, 2003, 8:52 PM

Post #23 of 23 (1489 views)

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Re: [miguelblanco1] How many registered users?

Actually, Miguel, the proper way to refer to persons from Jalisco state is Jaliences, not Jaliscoans. A Jaliscoan is the fruit of the Arbol de Jaliscaonitolindo for which the state of Jalisco was named. The fruit is an acquired taste and is shaped like a giant penis. Thus, the origin of the name, "Tapatio" which is a Huichol word meaning "Dumbshit foreigner who thinks he owns our ancient and blessed land just because he has horses and gunpowder" Or something like that.