texascavers Digest 11 Mar 2012 05:03:30 -0000 Issue 1512
Topics (messages 19685 through 19698):
luggage rack for RAV4
19685 by: Nancy Weaver
Bexar Grotto Presentation 3/12/2012
19686 by: joe schaertl
Re: Anyone caving in Mexico over spring break?
19687 by: Herman Miller
19690 by: freddie poer
19691 by: Nico Escamilla
19692 by: Diana Tomchick
19694 by: Louise Power
D&P Work Weekend
19688 by: Don Arburn
19695 by: tom rogers
thanks
19689 by: Nancy Weaver
Travel in Mexico
19693 by: Mike Walsh
New NSS Website (www.caves.org)
19696 by: R D Milhollin
warning: for geeks--three UTG meetings in February
19697 by: Mixon Bill
Government Canyon Karst Project date changes
19698 by: Marvin and Lisa
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--- Begin Message ---
Looking for the Toyota luggage crossbar unit for a 98 RAV 4, 4 door.
I think several years in the vicinity of this one used the same rack.
Anybody who has one they dont want, let me know, to me not cavetex.
thanks, Nancy
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
The Bexar Grotto presentation for Monday March 12th will be the
"American/British/Chinese China Caving Expedition" delivered by Bill Steele.
General meeting starts at 7:00pm, followed by the presentation.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
As I have already mentioned I am always wanting to go but nothing solid yet.
On Tuesday, March 6, 2012, Nico Escamilla <pitboun...@gmail.com> wrote:
> BS
>
> On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 6:45 PM, Louise Power <power_lou...@hotmail.com>
wrote:
>>
>> Check this out:
>>
>> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46644850/ns/travel-seasonal_travel/
>
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Go to the Xilitla and Aquismon areas. I have made over nine trips there in the
last two years without any problems whatsoever. The big pits Guaguas and
Golondrinas are there and the people are friendly and accommodating. It is less
than 24 hrs. from Austin. Accomodations are available so you don't have to
sleep on the ground in a tent unless you really want to. There are a lot of
caves in this area, the biggest and best in the world. They are NOT hunting
Americans there or anywhere else in Mexico, so come on down and have a good
time. I actually feel safer traveling there now than I did in the 70's and
80's. Maybe we will see you in the El Agave some evening.
--- On Thu, 3/8/12, Herman Miller <her...@cavechat.org> wrote:
From: Herman Miller <her...@cavechat.org>
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Anyone caving in Mexico over spring break?
To: "Nico Escamilla" <pitboun...@gmail.com>
Cc: "Louise Power" <power_lou...@hotmail.com>, "Texas Cavers"
<texascavers@texascavers.com>
List-Post: texascavers@texascavers.com
Date: Thursday, March 8, 2012, 6:52 PM
As I have already mentioned I am always wanting to go but nothing solid yet.
On Tuesday, March 6, 2012, Nico Escamilla <pitboun...@gmail.com> wrote:
> BS
>
> On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 6:45 PM, Louise Power <power_lou...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Check this out:
>>
>> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46644850/ns/travel-seasonal_travel/
>
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Freddie,
I dont remember having met you in person yet, but THANK YOU!! thank you so
much
finally someone is making some sense about traveling here in Mexico, I
couldn't have said it better, Americans aren't being hunted down here which
is a message I've been trying to get my gringo friends to understand as
many of them think that driving around here with Texas plates will
automatically turn them into victims.
On Fri, Mar 9, 2012 at 9:42 AM, freddie poer <freddiepoe...@yahoo.com>wrote:
> Go to the Xilitla and Aquismon areas. I have made over nine trips there in
> the last two years without any problems whatsoever. The big pits Guaguas
> and Golondrinas are there and the people are friendly and accommodating. It
> is less than 24 hrs. from Austin. Accomodations are available so you don't
> have to sleep on the ground in a tent unless you really want to. There are
> a lot of caves in this area, the biggest and best in the world. They are
> NOT hunting Americans there or anywhere else in Mexico, so come on down and
> have a good time. I actually feel safer traveling there now than I did in
> the 70's and 80's. Maybe we will see you in the El Agave some evening.
>
> --- On *Thu, 3/8/12, Herman Miller <her...@cavechat.org>* wrote:
>
>
> From: Herman Miller <her...@cavechat.org>
> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Anyone caving in Mexico over spring break?
> To: "Nico Escamilla" <pitboun...@gmail.com>
> Cc: "Louise Power" <power_lou...@hotmail.com>, "Texas Cavers" <
> texascavers@texascavers.com>
> Date: Thursday, March 8, 2012, 6:52 PM
>
> As I have already mentioned I am always wanting to go but nothing solid
> yet.
>
> On Tuesday, March 6, 2012, Nico Escamilla
> <pitboun...@gmail.com<http://us.mc451.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=pitboun...@gmail.com>>
> wrote:
> > BS
> >
> > On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 6:45 PM, Louise Power
> > <power_lou...@hotmail.com<http://us.mc451.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=power_lou...@hotmail.com>>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> Check this out:
> >>
> >> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46644850/ns/travel-seasonal_travel/
> >
> >
>
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Nico,
I'm sure Americans aren't being hunted per se, but I would guess that their
4-wheel drive pickups, money and other useful goods are coveted in certain
parts of the country where there is no one to stop people from taking these
things from them.
People asked me if I felt unsafe when I went to China recently, and I did not.
I have to say that there was an evening in Granada, Spain on my August vacation
where I felt more vulnerable than I have in years, but that was because Bill
and I foolishly wandered off late at night and got turned around in some back
streets where it's known that young thugs target wealthy tourists. Fortunately
we found another couple that lived in the city and helped us with our locations
(note: get cell phone activated for next trip to Europe).
As with any travel, if you go to the wrong places you may be targeted. It's
kind of difficult right now for gringos who don't speak a lot of Spanish to
know where the wrong places are anymore in the rural Mexican caving areas.
Diana
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Diana R. Tomchick
Professor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Department of Biochemistry
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Rm. ND10.214B
Dallas, TX 75390-8816, U.S.A.
Email: diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu
214-645-6383 (phone)
214-645-6353 (fax)
On Mar 9, 2012, at 11:38 AM, Nico Escamilla wrote:
> Freddie,
>
> I dont remember having met you in person yet, but THANK YOU!! thank you so
> much
> finally someone is making some sense about traveling here in Mexico, I
> couldn't have said it better, Americans aren't being hunted down here which
> is a message I've been trying to get my gringo friends to understand as many
> of them think that driving around here with Texas plates will automatically
> turn them into victims.
>
> On Fri, Mar 9, 2012 at 9:42 AM, freddie poer <freddiepoe...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Go to the Xilitla and Aquismon areas. I have made over nine trips there in
> the last two years without any problems whatsoever. The big pits Guaguas and
> Golondrinas are there and the people are friendly and accommodating. It is
> less than 24 hrs. from Austin. Accomodations are available so you don't have
> to sleep on the ground in a tent unless you really want to. There are a lot
> of caves in this area, the biggest and best in the world. They are NOT
> hunting Americans there or anywhere else in Mexico, so come on down and have
> a good time. I actually feel safer traveling there now than I did in the 70's
> and 80's. Maybe we will see you in the El Agave some evening.
>
> --- On Thu, 3/8/12, Herman Miller <her...@cavechat.org> wrote:
>
> From: Herman Miller <her...@cavechat.org>
> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Anyone caving in Mexico over spring break?
> To: "Nico Escamilla" <pitboun...@gmail.com>
> Cc: "Louise Power" <power_lou...@hotmail.com>, "Texas Cavers"
> <texascavers@texascavers.com>
> Date: Thursday, March 8, 2012, 6:52 PM
>
> As I have already mentioned I am always wanting to go but nothing solid yet.
>
> On Tuesday, March 6, 2012, Nico Escamilla <pitboun...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > BS
> >
> > On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 6:45 PM, Louise Power <power_lou...@hotmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >>
> >> Check this out:
> >>
> >> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46644850/ns/travel-seasonal_travel/
> >
> >
>
________________________________
UT Southwestern Medical Center
The future of medicine, today.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I guess what concerned me the most was the emphasis on crime and violence along
the border where we always used to go through and in the larger cities like
Monterrey where we used to visit before and after trips. Like some, I'm not so
concerned about the interior, but getting there may no longer be half the fun.
Not concerned for myself, however, since I'm in Oregon now and not just a few
hours away. We have our own problems here along the I-5 corridor which is a
river of drugs. Also, we have problems in the National Forests and on BLM lands
where the cartels have huge MJ gardens. This has been going on for years and
doesn't seem to get better.
Louise
> From: diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu
> To: pitboun...@gmail.com
> CC: freddiepoe...@yahoo.com; her...@cavechat.org; texascavers@texascavers.com
> Date: Fri, 9 Mar 2012 17:49:26 +0000
> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Anyone caving in Mexico over spring break?
>
> Nico,
>
> I'm sure Americans aren't being hunted per se, but I would guess that their
> 4-wheel drive pickups, money and other useful goods are coveted in certain
> parts of the country where there is no one to stop people from taking these
> things from them.
>
> People asked me if I felt unsafe when I went to China recently, and I did
> not. I have to say that there was an evening in Granada, Spain on my August
> vacation where I felt more vulnerable than I have in years, but that was
> because Bill and I foolishly wandered off late at night and got turned around
> in some back streets where it's known that young thugs target wealthy
> tourists. Fortunately we found another couple that lived in the city and
> helped us with our locations (note: get cell phone activated for next trip to
> Europe).
>
> As with any travel, if you go to the wrong places you may be targeted. It's
> kind of difficult right now for gringos who don't speak a lot of Spanish to
> know where the wrong places are anymore in the rural Mexican caving areas.
>
> Diana
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> Diana R. Tomchick
> Professor
> University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
> Department of Biochemistry
> 5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
> Rm. ND10.214B
> Dallas, TX 75390-8816, U.S.A.
> Email: diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu
> 214-645-6383 (phone)
> 214-645-6353 (fax)
>
>
>
>
> On Mar 9, 2012, at 11:38 AM, Nico Escamilla wrote:
>
> > Freddie,
> >
> > I dont remember having met you in person yet, but THANK YOU!! thank you so
> > much
> > finally someone is making some sense about traveling here in Mexico, I
> > couldn't have said it better, Americans aren't being hunted down here which
> > is a message I've been trying to get my gringo friends to understand as
> > many of them think that driving around here with Texas plates will
> > automatically turn them into victims.
> >
> > On Fri, Mar 9, 2012 at 9:42 AM, freddie poer <freddiepoe...@yahoo.com>
> > wrote:
> > Go to the Xilitla and Aquismon areas. I have made over nine trips there in
> > the last two years without any problems whatsoever. The big pits Guaguas
> > and Golondrinas are there and the people are friendly and accommodating. It
> > is less than 24 hrs. from Austin. Accomodations are available so you don't
> > have to sleep on the ground in a tent unless you really want to. There are
> > a lot of caves in this area, the biggest and best in the world. They are
> > NOT hunting Americans there or anywhere else in Mexico, so come on down and
> > have a good time. I actually feel safer traveling there now than I did in
> > the 70's and 80's. Maybe we will see you in the El Agave some evening.
> >
> > --- On Thu, 3/8/12, Herman Miller <her...@cavechat.org> wrote:
> >
> > From: Herman Miller <her...@cavechat.org>
> > Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Anyone caving in Mexico over spring break?
> > To: "Nico Escamilla" <pitboun...@gmail.com>
> > Cc: "Louise Power" <power_lou...@hotmail.com>, "Texas Cavers"
> > <texascavers@texascavers.com>
> > Date: Thursday, March 8, 2012, 6:52 PM
> >
> > As I have already mentioned I am always wanting to go but nothing solid yet.
> >
> > On Tuesday, March 6, 2012, Nico Escamilla <pitboun...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > BS
> > >
> > > On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 6:45 PM, Louise Power <power_lou...@hotmail.com>
> > > wrote:
> > >>
> > >> Check this out:
> > >>
> > >> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46644850/ns/travel-seasonal_travel/
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> UT Southwestern Medical Center
> The future of medicine, today.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
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>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
March 16, 17 & 18
We are going to work on the back porch roof and a few other things.
Anyone interested?
Sent cellularly.
-Don
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Sure why not. I'll bring a full aray of tools. Enough so that everyone can join
in on the fun. Tom Rogers
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Arburn
Sent: 9 Mar 2012 03:32:18 GMT
To: TSA Cavers List
Subject: [Texascavers] D&P Work Weekend
March 16, 17 & 18
We are going to work on the back porch roof and a few other things.
Anyone interested?
Sent cellularly.
-Don
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--- Begin Message ---
for all the suggestions for roof racks. I've got enough to follow up on.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
As many of you are aware, I have a caver hotel in Aquismon, Mexico. I love
Mexico and have business that I conduct in the country. As a result, I
still travel to Mexico. The war in Mexico has changed my travel, however,
it is not necessary to abandon the country that we love. If you are
interested in going to Mexico, contact me and I will provide you with my
best information. I attempt to keep up with the American drug war related
problems on a day to day basis. Here is some basic information.
Take a cruise from Galveston to Cozumel. Recently, I went with my wife
Lynda. It was fairly inexpensive and we had a good deal of fun.
Fly from San Antonio on Innerjet Airline to Mexico City for under $250
dollars roundtrip. The State Department lists the states of Mexico, Puebla,
Tlaxcala and Queretaro as not being in their target area.
Take a daytime bus from the Mexico City Northern Bus Terminal directly to
Xilitila, San Luis Potosi. The bus is a good one, it even has a bathroom
and movies. Since the bus trip is eight hours long, you might consider
stopping at the tourist towns of San Juan del Rio- Tesquisquipan- Jalpan
along the way. The three cities have good hotels and are fun places to
visit.
>From Xilitla, take a bus to the Aquismon crossing. (Fifteen miles). Take a
taxi the last three miles. Aquismon may be the safest place in Mexico to
go caving. I can provide additional info upon request.
If you want to a border town for fun or for inexpensive dental work, go to
Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. It is safe and open for business. Each weekend,
500-1000 Americans cross over for a good day in a safe Mexican border town.
Do not forget your American passport. The American government has issued
statements that they will not let you return to your country without a
passport.
If you are going deep into Mexico and you want to largely by-pass most of
the border problems, cross at the Pharr, Texas crossing. From the Mexican
customs it is about three miles to the Reynosa Airport. There is a Mexican
airline that will fly you directly to Veracruz for under $200 roundtrip. Be
aware, that each year, somewhere in the world there are plane crashes.
I also take the bus down to Ciudad Valles and on to my place in Aquismon.
If you plan on taking a bus, contact me and I will give you my best advice.
The route may change from time to time due to the current situations.
Today, I would cross at Brownsville, Texas into Matamoros. Walk the 500
feet to the Garcia's store and ask the parking guard to get you a taxi to
the bus station. He will know a taxi driver that he trusts. Take a
daytime bus from Matamoros to Ciudad Valles (Transpais is my favorite).
Aquismon is only thirty miles by bus from Ciudad Valles.
There are ways to take your trucks down to Aquismon, however, some times and
routes are much better than others. Give me a call and I will assist you.
I understand that there are a number of cavers that will not go back into
Mexico for a number of reasons including lifestyle changes. If you choose
not to go to Mexico, that is your decision. There are some cavers that
love Mexico and the incredible people of Mexico and want to go. Mexico is
one of the best places in the world for caving. Contact me and I will
assist you. Viva Mexico.
Mike Walsh
mikewaus...@austin.rr.com
512-249-2283
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
forwarded from Dean:
Hey everyone,
A change is a-comin' to your NSS Website ( http://www.caves.org/ ) very soon...
The NSS Webmaster, Alex Sproul, is planning on making an official announcement
in the next few days. Stay tuned!!
Safe cavin',
Dean Wiseman, chairman
NSS PR Divison
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
The UT Grotto meets on the first, third, and fifth (if any) Wednesdays
of the month. Pete Strickland pointed out that our meeting on February
29 this year was a rare occurrence, because it requires that the year
be a leap year and February 29 be a Wednesday. Roughly speaking, this
occurs every 28 (= 4 x 7) years. But not really, because years
divisible by 100 but not 400 are not leap years. (2000 was a leap
year, but 2100 will not be). Here's a table of years when UTG has or
will meet three times in February:
<<Calendar`
Do[If[DayOfWeek[{x,2,29}]==Wednesday, Print[x]],{x,1960,3000,4}]
1984
2012
2040
2068
2096
2108
2136
2164
2192
2204
2232
2260
2288
2328
2356
2384
2412
2440
2468
2496
2508
2536
2564
2592
2604
2632
2660
2688
2728
2756
2784
2812
2840
2868
2896
2908
2936
2964
2992
--Mixon
----------------------------------------
The winner of the rat race is still a rat.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: edi...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
There have been some changes in the Government Canyon Karst Project dates
for the months of April and May.
The April project will take place on the 7th, Saturday only. There will be
no project activities on the 8th, Easter Sunday.
The May project has been rescheduled from the first weekend of the month to
the last, May 26th and 27th. The TSA website calendar has been updated.
I'll take the opportunity to plug the April project date. During the last
project weekend on March 3rd and 4th we made some progress on a promising
in-cave dig lead and started on a couple of promising surface digs as well.
There is some very fertile ground to ridgewalk and some exciting leads to
push in caves so come and join in the fun!
Contact me for details.
Marvin
--- End Message ---
