Photos, videos and docs of Don Barrett (aka DBs travels), with the keywords: "Mexico"

Build a border wall? Los Algodones MX (#0916)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 08:26:17 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

In the name of current American political races, some repostings of photos from the past.

Despite the political rhetoric that seems to deny its existence, there is already a border wall for much of the portion of the border that could be walled! The body of that truck is probably 6' tall, so the wall right there is probably about 15' high.

(The original posting is here: Los Algodones MX (#0916) )

Parking lot and border fence on the US side of the border, across from Los Algodones, Mexico.

Los Algodones MX (#0934)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 23:36:42 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

Back on the U.S. side of the border. If you look at a large version of the picture, you can see dental and optical stores facing the fence from the Mexican side.

In this time of strong rhetoric about borders and immigrants, going to visit Los Algodones provided a valuable reminder about borders. The border here doesn’t have nearly the traffic of many other border points, but still there are probably 500 parking spaces on the American side (see the satellite view). I saw people in the parking lot and at the crossing who clearly had just run over for some quick shopping – I was in Mexico for less than an hour myself. It’s thus easy to see how even this small crossing had 800,000+ pedestrians and close to 400,000 vehicles processed in 2011 (see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrade_Port_of_Entry).

Considering the volume of traffic in this remote part of the state, and the extent the economy of the towns are connected to cross-border traffic, the rhetoric of tighter borders quickly becomes either: a) laughably unrealistic, or b) a prescription for economic and cultural disaster.

Los Algodones MX (#0930)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 23:36:29 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

Yes, there's plenty of stores and stalls selling trinkets

Los Algodones MX (#0929)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 23:36:17 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

I was surprised at the number of places offering implant dentistry. Not having needed it,I didn't realize it isn't typically covered by dental insurance.

Los Algodones MX (#0927)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 23:36:05 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

There are parts of Los Algodones that feel like the sorts of much further south Mexican towns that I've visited in the past. Such scenes evoke warm memories of relaxing over beer and long meals in cafes.

Los Algodones MX (#0926)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 23:35:56 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

Hmm.... why only 'the beginning' of a new smile?

Los Algodones MX (#0923)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 23:35:44 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

Limited coverage of prescription drugs in Medicare, and in American health insurance in general, can result in high expenses for drugs that are easily obtained in Mexico for significantly lower prices.

Notice also the men standing along the walk. As happens throughout much of Mexico, there’s men (and sometimes women) outside the store who are constantly approaching you about using their business. Being someone who is in the habit of looking people in the eye, it’s always frustrating for me to have to quickly adapt an approach of not looking.

Los Algodones MX (#0921)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 23:35:36 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

Los Algodones MX (#0920)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 23:35:25 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

Since Medicare does not cover dental or optical expenses, it is not unusual to find retirees in the Palm Springs area who go to Los Algodones for eye exams, glasses, and dental work. The town is 160 miles from central Palm Springs and those who visit Los Algodones for these services report very positive outcomes with their care.

Los Algodones MX (#0919)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 23:35:17 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

Los Algodones, also known as Molar City (see Wikipedia), is a small town on the northern border of Mexico just across from Andrade, CA and very close to Yuma, AZ. The city has become famous as a place to go for inexpensive medical care, particularly dental and optometry, and for prescriptions. It's existence is eye-popping commentary on US medical expenses.

Just 40 feet from the border is this very large, partially finished, purple building with active optical and dental services on the first floor.

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Algodones

Los Algodones MX (#0916)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 23:35:09 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

Parking lot and border fence on the US side of the border, across from Los Algodones, Mexico.

Coronado NF Rt 61 Lochiel (2191)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 08:13:53 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

A church in Lochiel, a tiny enclave (with no humans). If you look at the satellite map you'll see that the church is very close to the border (just over the hill) and there is a road that appears to cross the border. Lochiel was once a border crossing point, but that crossing was closed. Some websites describe the town as having been abandoned, but that didn't appear to be the case. The church is in a fenced off area, it wasn't possible to get closer.

Coronado NF Rt 61 (2185)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 04:48:34 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

West of Montezuma Pass the road passes through many miles of grassy plains with very long vistas. Per the National Forest service, the stretches of grass plain were so broad here that the areas was used in the filming of "Oklahoma"

Coronado NF Rt 61 (2187)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 04:48:37 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

The route is very well maintained and generally well signed, but was still somewhat frightening since the only other vehicle I saw in my 3 hours in the area was a Border patrol truck that was parked and sitting empty. Considering that there is nothing between you and the border fence, I assumed I was actually being watched the whole time from somewhere or by a drone, which added to the spookiness.

Coronado NF Rt 61 Montezuma Pass (2182)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 07:58:06 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

From the top of Montezuma Pass looking east. There is what looks almost like a very intersection in the middle of the picture which is a stream (horizontal line) running across the border fence (the mostly vertical line.)

Coronado NF Rt 61 Montezuma Pass (2181)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 07:57:48 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

Looking down at the climb to Montezuma Pass. Most of the scenic drive is unpaved but well graded, wide, and easily passable in any car. Initial construction of the Montezuma Pass road was by the Civilian Conservation Corps of the New Deal.

Coronado NF Rt 61 Montezuma Pass (2178)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 07:57:26 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

Part way up the climb for Montezuma Pass, looking east across the border fence and into Mexico. The 'painterly' look to the photo is probably due to the very bright sun almost overhead.

Coronado NF Rt 61 (2173)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 07:57:12 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

Start of Coronado National Forest Border Road #61 Scenic Drive. This mountain, in Mexico, is a prominent fixture in the first part of drive. Barely discernible, but running across the picture at the base of the mountains is a dark line, which is the border fence.

Puerto Vallarta dawn

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 06:45:21 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

Dawn on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, taken some time in the early 90's. Looking south towards Playa Los Muertos (the gay beach), taken in the early morning.

Big Bend NP, US-Mexico border, Santa Elena Canyon (2653)

nobody@ipernity.com (Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 07:02:13 +0000

Don Barrett (aka DBs travels) has posted:

Looking east after crossing the channel of the Rio Grande.