What I want you guys to know is me and my clan (Neptunes and Fathomiers)
love Baja, the people, the life, all of it. When she gets a bad rap we feel sad. Some of my friends are buried there and our blood has been spilled on her roads and beaches.....for many she is home. I will never quit diving the places I love and many of my friends will be there with me.
Don
Don Paul- Thank you for posting Paul's story about the tragic accident and it's aftermath.
I have driven many thousands of miles in Baja, witnessed several accidents and taken note of the many road side memorials. The accidents I witnessed and the many roadside memorials always seemed a distant reminder of what "could"happen. The story told by Paul Romanowski is sobering. These are guys I can identify with that were as capable or more so than my self. I hope this story stays with me next time I drive south or in to any other remote area with challenging driving condition.
In nov. 1999 I kayaked into San Francisquito. On the wall of a small cantina were photo's of a guys in wet suits holding amazing fish that had been taken there. When I found out the fish had been speared I was in awe and inspired. Being naive and not understanding the skill required I spent the next 7 days trying to copy them with my 4' pole spear. I didn't even get close to anything like the photos I saw. I did however develop a love and appreciation of the process that has stayed with me. I don't knpw if any of the guys in the photos were part of Paul's crew during the accident. It seems possible. At the end of many blissed out days of diving I say a thank you to the guys in those photos for the inspiration they unknowingly gave me. Thanks again for the post.