Highway Report

Road Report -

Carole requested that we give a concise road report regarding safety and
driving to La Penita. We are writing a major article that will be published
shortly, however many of you need advise now. If you wish to be put on our
mailing list for this article, please write editor@jaltembasol.com and ask
us to ensure that it is mailed to you.

This summer we have driven thousands of miles updating our Mexico Road Logs
and Mexico RV and driving website www.ontheroadin.com. We have touched on
all but three of Mexico's 31 states this summer alone, and while there are
many new changes that we have seen on the road, we have not personally
witnessed or experienced anything different regarding safety than we have
seen in previous years.

We understand many of your concerns about driving and vacationing in Mexico.
The US and Canadian government has issued travel warnings and the media has
certainly had a hay day reporting many of the grisly details of the current
drug cartel situation. There has been acceleration in murders in Mexico in
the last two years, but by all accounts the rise has been attributed to drug
turf wars and the government's crackdown on these criminals. We do not
believe that there has been any increase in murders or violence toward
tourists.

The border cities have always been problematic and crime ridden. Other areas
become "hotspots" for a few years and the violence then passes and changes
to another community. Things have not changed in this regard over the 20+
years we have been road travelers through Mexico.

We travelled the length of the West coast from Nogales to Guatemala, the
length and breadth of the Baja, as well as the diagonal route from Laredo to
Guadalajara. We have also scooted around Mexico City and routed along the
gulf coast around the Yucatan and through the highlands of Chiapas. We went
to campgrounds in small towns and large cities and spoke to the locals about
violence and the "situation."

At the time of this report, the border traffic is very light, roads are
clear and even the severe flooding in and around Monterrey (bridge and road
repairs are well underway) should not deter your travel to your second home
in la Penita.

Having completed this experience our base, 20 year old advice still stands:

1) Drive early and stop early

2) Never drive at night

3) Get far away from the borders as soon as you can

4) Don't boon dock

5) Travel with others if possible



We have always taught that you shouldn't let your guard down as Mexico is a
3rd world and developing country. In reality we understand how easy it is to
become relaxed and easy going in this charming and enchanting country. We
think it is time to reevaluate lax behaviors, pay close attention to travel
precautions and stay on the straight and narrow.

WE WOULD NOT LET THE CURRENT DRUG WAR VIOLENCE DETER US FROM TRAVEL AT THIS
TIME. If you wish to travel with a friend or other RV, stay tuned. We are
currently creating a Mexico Road Report Board where you and others can hook
up before crossing the border.

Welcome

Welcome to the Mexico Safe Road Travel Board. We have introduced this board
for the specific purpose of helping road travelers.

Many of our readers have requested a forum that specifically addresses
safety and road travel in Mexico. This board is an attempt to meet those
demands.

We request you sign in. We do not appreciate boards where anonymous posters
rant freely and without responsibility. We are not here to discuss politics,
illegal aliens, free trade, Arizona laws or any other international issue.

We are here to discuss road safety and would appreciate everyone sticking to
the topic.