Post number 4 - more about day to day

John made the hike to his geo cache on the hill to the south end of the beach.  All good up there, lots of visits to the cache - and the reward for making the hike up the mountain is the fabulous view of the bay!  The first picture is the island I am always talking about.

The cache at the top of the mountain!
Marked with a light
that is still going strong after 3 years!

Next is looking north to the beach - we are near the centre of the bay.

 Every day brings a new event...this is a little stick bug I found on the table.  Yesterday, there were two events worthy of a mention - Wayne got stung by a scorpion (his is just fine) and Chris got stung by a jelly fish (he is fine too)  There are many dangers these days - the bay is also full of stingrays so wading into the water is a challenge!  I am finding many uses for my paddle board - a swim float is one of them, gets me out to deep water with out navigating the sting ray resting ground.

 Morning Internet at Jerri and Norm's -yes I can check email most every day.

John and I have done a few day trips -
We drove north to Santa Rosalia one day.  Always fun to see what is happening in the neighboring towns. Very busy the day we were there, looks like lots happening since they re-opened the mine, which is very good for the local economy.  Another trip was south to Loreto - always a fun place to visit.  Again lots going on there, busy shops and a big new grocery store, a "Super Ley" chain store.  Day trips usually include lunch, fish tacos are our favourite choice.  Another afternoon was off to a neighboring beach to collect shells.

Here we are on one of our kayaking adventures to the island.....

Picture perfect don't ya think?

On the way back home with flat calm water!

Day to Day life

Day to day life is quite easy these days.  We live very simply on the beach, all we really need shows up on our door step daily - well the ice cream man is only weekly (and that's a good thing) 

the local vendors arrive with water, fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and prawns, bread, tamales, even pizza and sweets.

 From the truck to my sink - all washed and ready to eat!

 Dolphin sighting have been frequent lately, that usually means fishing is good. One huge pod stayed around the bay for about an hour – so exciting and entertaining to see them fishing and playing and watching the birds that follow along looking for their share of the food.  This photo is taken from my kayak, in lumpy water, but if you look close at the centre you can spot a couple of dolphins.  They were feeding and moving fast, I never did catch up to them.

 Paleo making a string to hold my sunglasses, Paleo is the best vendor, he always knows exactly what I need!!!!???

One of many happy hours - this one is celebrating Nan's birthday. Here are Steve and Nan serving up Mimosas (champagne and fresh squeezed orange juice)

We are doing just fine - the weather is perfect, much warmer than the past few years.  The cold spell I talked about last post only lasted a few days.  We have been swimming most days, the water is so warm.

The usual day starts with a power walk from one end of the beach road to the other (approx. 3 km.) then onto the water with the paddle board and do the same route on the water, then it's time for a swim.  If the water is still calm we may take out the kayaks and paddle out to the island.  Then before you know it the day is done and it's time for another happy hour!  Whew!  Oh, and I must add that during most of these strenuous activities you will find John on his favorite chair reading (or talking with someone)......waiting for the wind to come up so he can go sailing.

How time flies!

Well, it's been a while since I made a blog post - sorry it's been so long??? busy?? maybe.

We are all settled - just one move after 2 days and we have a cute (but shady) little spot under a palm bush, have a nice palapa, and lots of beach for the toys.

Early weeks weather has been warmer that past years - the water is nice for swimming as well.  But as I write this (February 7/14) it is windy and cooler, much like past years.

got the palapa loaded up with our “junque”, set up the table and chairs and we are all set….well almost – John digs a pit for grey water, then puts together the box to hold the solar heated shower, and sets up the shower tent.  Next chore is a trip on a desert back road to find the perfect rocks to build a new fire pit.

 

 First paddle board lesson - Steve gives Deb some tips and instruction!

 Ok now, this is how you get on ......

 Steady now....................

 Ok, here we go .......................

 the 3 amigas - testing out the new boards - Nan, Jerri and Deb all have the same inflatable stand up paddle boards.  Morning paddles every day the water is calm.

John gives it a try - not nearly fast or exciting enough for him.

Full Moon on the beach.

Our trip south....

We made it!  The trip was uneventful, just like it should be (for a change).  This is a photo summary of our travels south.  Lots of windshield pics to get an idea of what we see on the journey.

 entering Ensenada - this is the tourist area where there is so much happening and so much traffic at all times of the day - 

 tourist business in Ensenada is booming - two cruise ships in this day

 our view of one of many small towns we pass through in the northern area

 a little delay for a bridge replacement project

 many many kilometers of road detours along the way this year;  when the work is finished it will be nicely paved, and wide.

 another town along the way

 One of several military road checks we pass through

 paved highway through the center of town - all other roadways are dirt

 school kids waiting to cross the highway

 the spot in the middle of the road is a tumbleweed!  reminded us of ?? guess where

 more driving - 

 and more driving - narrow roadways, no shoulders...

 and more driving -

 always keeping a lookout for anything on the roadway.....

horses, cows, goats, boulders, ........

 and more driving -

this area is about the midway point - the boulder fields of Catavinia.

 Our biggest mishap was hitting a bump/crater in the highway a little bit too hard!  this mess is what we found when we stopped!  Cupboards emptied onto the floor and drawers open and clothes and hangers in a heap at the bottom of the closet ...lucky for us nothing broken!

 Here we are at the end of a long day's driving ....treated to a beautiful sunset.

 And more driving the next day - and the hazards of these narrow highways.

 the warning sign to slow down at the top of the 'hill to hell!"

 Long winding steep hill just north of Santa Rosalita

 A quick stop at the gas plant to fill propane bottles and ....

We arrive at 'the beach!"

None of these pictures are great quality - all windshield shots, but you get the idea.  We have been here just over a week now, and we seem to fall into the same routines - just like we never left!  I will update you with our activities in the next blog post.  

Late Summer and Fall

It must be time to get ready for winter -

This is 'Silver' (sometimes we call him Houdini) munching on my nice flowers!!! We are very sure this rabbit is not one of the wild varieties - would someone really let their pet go???

He (or she) is so tame we can hand feed him.

And here is 'Unicorn', (one big long antler, one short stub) he and his friend enjoyed every last plum on our tree!!! 

all they left us were the pits.

 'Blackie' is hiding chestnuts (from a neighbours tree) all over the yard - hope he will remember where they all are when he gets really hungry later this winter.

Yup, it's time to prepare for winter.....wonder what we should do?