The Baja is a special place for sure. I’ve written many a time about the splendor that is The Baja.  We haven’t been the only ones who have known this, but it seems that now the entire world is looking for a cool spot to settle in and enjoy retirement or a second home or some such thing. Not just us. Sigh. Oh, I know what you’re thinking. What a selfish person I am.

I guess if you are thinking that, you are somewhat correct in your assumption. I would prefer that nobody else moved here. I loved how “sleepy” our little area was when we moved here eight years ago. But, time marches on and things change. A lot. Okay, so I get it. I don’t have rights to say it should stay “sleepy” and I can’t afford to buy up all the land to keep it natural. After all, I bought and built. Why can’t other people do the same? Well, they can. And they are.

And no wonder. It is beautiful here.

 

The turtles aren’t having as good a year this year because the ocean washed most of the nests away. But I’ve seen two hatchings and got a video of a couple of the babies (out of about 100) on their way to their ocean life.

 

 

It’s always a thrill to witness these babies heading into the sea. Like watching the sunset every night, I never get tired of it. Early this morning the moon was over the water and dipping into the clouds. The moon show was worth being out at 6AM.

The simple pleasures of living here give me reason to be grateful for this place. But now we’ve been discovered BIG TIME. Once we were the only people on our road who were here in the summer months. It gets humid in July through September (September is pretty horrible). But we love the summer because it’s so quiet again when everybody goes on their merry ways back to their “other” lives. This summer was anything but quiet.

There were five places being built at one time…all within ear shot and sight. There were more than five places being built in our area, but some of them I can’t see from our house. The growth that was once gradual, has exploded.

The construction this summer was relentless. The noise was bothersome, as was the construction debris all over our roads. We had two flat tires from it. The number of vehicles parked all over our neighborhood doubled and tripled on occasion. It all took away from the peaceful, easy feeling I usually have.

Guess I have a lot of growing to do myself in order to embrace the population growth. I do a lot of work on myself, but sometimes I let it all out. It just gets to me. Selfish? Want to keep it to ourselves? Yup. Guilty on all counts.

So I have to start teaching myself about what’s truly important and how I can remain grateful for everything.

Watching the whales breach and blow can help. Seeing the rays jumping out of the water is always a treat too. Often we spot a pod of dolphins and lots of baitfish in the water. We are treated to gorgeous sunrises and sunsets and we have many wonderful friends.

 

 

 

I’m going to end today with a photo of a little kid who was playing on the rocks at the beach. If I had grandchildren I know they would love it here like this little boy does.

I’ll keep focusing on the natural beauty, and what I can learn from all the new people who are coming here to enjoy paradise too. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

 

 

 

 

Usually there aren’t any rocks showing like this, but the sand has been disappearing. The beach is narrow now. Many of the turtle nests have been washed away.

 

We can still walk on the beach and we remember one year in the eight we’ve been here where you couldn’t walk because the water was all the way up to the bluff.

I have to be careful throwing the ball for Isabela, as she keeps her eye on the ball and not where she’s going.

It’s fun to witness all the changes every year. The beach will return to its “normal” before long.

The French have a saying, “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.” The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Sounds about right, don’t you think?

 

 

 

I’ve been trying for seven years to photograph a roadrunner. I’ve learned some things about them, but haven’t had the pleasure of getting any photos until yesterday. On the way up to the mountains in the morning, a roadrunner was in the mood for posing.

 

Here’s a short article from Audubon: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/greater-roadrunner

 

According to everything I’ve read, they can run about 15 mph+ but it’s no match for the coyote that can run more than twice as fast. So the cartoon show is misleading. Road runners eat beetles, worms, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and lizards, among other things, and never need to drink water.

 

We took a leisurely morning drive into the mountains to see Marcos, who makes the pottery we like. He made me some spoon rests and we drove up to get them.

As usual, Greg asked him if he had any other pieces to show us. He did. I bought them. I’m so spoiled.

 

 

I’m going to paint the spoons and give them as gifts.

 

 

Yesterday’s trip to the mountains was delightful. Isabela loved playing in the little streams, and the sights were heavenly.

 

 

 

 

 

Collecting beach glass has become an obsession. When we have company, they get right into it too. Mostly we find clear and brown pieces, but we also have a few blues and two colors of green–one of them that Greg calls Coke bottle green.

Over the last 7 years, we have amassed quite a bit, and now the time seems right to make something besides my little turtles.

Isaac, the young man who made my frames shown in a previous post, framed two pieces of glass that I have been holding onto for a couple years. Yesterday I worked on one of them. I attempted to put a turtle in the first one, and a couple of fish. But you have to play “Where’s Waldo” to find them. The first window came out okay, but not exactly what I had been hoping for. I wanted the turtle and the fish to show up. I can see them, of course, but you probably can’t. Oh well. It was great fun to make.

My second attempt at this messy project (glue on every part of my fingers and hands and clothes) was more fun and the abstractness brought me great pleasure. It created itself pretty easily. If I were to continue to do this kind of thing I’m sure it would get to be even more fun with practice.

It’s a shame I didn’t get very good photos of the frames. They are beautiful drift wood and so appropriate for the beach glass.

I “got lost” in placing all these little pieces and finding just the right ones for each spot. This is my kind of way to while away the hours when I have nothing special to do. Retirement is the best job I’ve ever had.

 

Rustico Frames

I learned about a young man who is using what he finds in the environment for creating picture frames! He’s amazing. Seed pods, parts of palm fronds, drift wood, palo de arco, and other organic things make for rustic, delightful frames for some of my (dare I call it?) art.

Our friends, Carlos and Paula, gave me Isaac’s cell number and I made arrangements to visit his shop. It was full of all sorts of wood and  local organic finds. He showed me some of his work, and we talked a little about what he might do for the frames I wanted.  I gave him only minimal directions, as I could see he was a true artist and his ideas were going to be perfect.

Isaac is a strong, but gentle young man. He is a fisherman and carpenter, and in his shop are beautiful pieces of wood for a bench he is working on. Plus he has many gorgeous fish prints; some of which are framed in drift wood. I just knew he would make my stuff look amazing. And he did.

You can find her at http://www.nehayles.com

I can’t say enough about how talented and sweet NE (Nanette) Hayles is. I’ve been inspired by her work, but more importantly her humanness. She is an amazing woman whose mission is to share her art classes with anyone who wishes to receive. She makes an amazing lunch to go with the class and the experience was so much fun that I’ve done it twice.

 

 

I did this and some other water color paintings with Linda. I think Isaac’s frame is perfect, don’t you?

Here’s Isaac:

This one is my favorite:

 

Gotta go practice my ukulele now. Life is so darn sweet.

 

 

There are ospreys, falcons, shore birds, pelicans, wood peckers, finches, orioles, crested caracara, kestrels, herons, frigates, and a myriad of other birds we’ve been lucky enough to see and photograph.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have seen many roadrunners, but so far I haven’t been able to get a photo. Beep beep!

Because we have lots of trees and foliage at our house, we have lots of bird nests and bird droppings around here. I love the birds, so I’m happy even though they make huge messes all over. It’s a small price to pay.

 

http://www.wideopenpets.com/donkeys-vs-mules-whats-the-difference/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I make it a habit to carry my camera with me wherever I go. I am so often rewarded.

 

 

Living in paradise is making this part of my life more than satisfying. Owning a home means lots  of chores (repairs, etc.) but I love our home here in El Pescadero, BCS.

 

 

Waking up every morning to a good cup of Joe and taking Isabela for a walk on the beach is how I start my day. Every day!

Isabela is in charge on her walks. She decides which way to go and how long to be gone. Food is after the walk, and she knows that. Isabela will start to go home when she’s ready. She has us trained.

Sometimes we take a frisbee, but mostly it’s the ball and the chuck-it.

Having a dog like Isabela means we get out for a walk at least twice a day. What could be better? Sometimes we walk in the neighborhood hills. It’s so beautiful.

 

 

 

I can put out our umbrella and settle in with a good book. I have the best life now. No more grading papers and taking the ferry and the bus to work (in the rain). Now is the time for slowing down and enjoying The Baja. I have learned to let the days happen to me more often than not. Who knows? Maybe I’ll paint something today too. I’m inspired by my colorful surroundings.

Hope you can let your day just happen for you in ways that fill your heart with joy!

Happy July 2018

 

From our bedroom deck we are treated to this beautiful sunset. It’s one of many we’ve witnessed, but it never gets old.

Right down on the beach the view is a little different. Saying good night to another good day is sweet and complete when this is what we get.

I’m a sunset junkie and proud of it.

When morning comes:

Get up!

Drink Coffee!

Hug the husband!

Take the dog for a walk on the beach!

There will be another sunset tonight too, I’m betting. We are so thankful for the blessed life we lead. May yours be as full of grace and beauty.

As a young person, I learned about the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and I thought how exciting it would be to go there. It was a dream I held onto. The biggest challenge, however was learning to scuba dive. That is one challenge I wasn’t willing to chase at the time. I’ve not found enjoyment being underwater, in fact I barely put my face in the ocean, and then it’s only to snorkel (on the surface). Jumping the waves, boogie boarding, walking on the beach? Sure. But no surfing or swimming in the ocean for me. I let my dream of seeing the barrier reef simmer on the back burner, thinking of it only occasionally as the years sped by.

It’s been easier to enjoy the ocean since I moved to Baja Sur, because I’ve spent more time snorkeling, swimming in the waves, and I learned that I can dive under the waves to get out farther. Before I would only go out as far as I could and keep my feet on the bottom. Now I do more than jump the waves like I did as a kid. But a respectful fear of the ocean has always been with me.

Coming through the whole cancer treatment gave us both a pretty clear message: We have to live. Really live. Experiences are what we crave now. We have always been frugal, saved money, not spent much on travel, etc. Owning things has much less significance to us these days. Adventures have greater appeal. I don’t think I’ll be on my death bed talking about how I owned an iPad or a great closet full of clothes. No. I’ll be talking about the trips I’ve taken, the thrills and the risks I’ve had.

So let’s go to Belize. We’ve paid for the airplane trip, put a deposit on the hotel and some excursions offered by the hotel like cave tubing and zip lining in the Belize jungle. When I learned that Belize had the second largest barrier reef, my old dream came swimming back into my consciousness. It isn’t Australia’s barrier reef, but Ambergris Caye in Belize is known for diving and snorkeling. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belize_Barrier_Reef

I’m including this next link to an article about the wonderful sights and activities in store for us.

http://www.thisisinsider.com/ambergris-caye-best-destination-in-central-america-2016-7

This will be a trip of a lifetime so I must face my fears. Why would one go all the way to this famous dive paradise and not dive? Greg is all in. He’s a water man already and has been most of his life. We have done a fair amount of fishing together in a 16′ aluminum boat of our own when we lived in the Pacific Northwest. Since moving here, he’s drawn into the sea to surf almost everyday, and he loves to snorkel, diving down while holding his breath. He has reminded me many times of all the things I miss by staying on the surface.

Apparently now, as I approach my 72nd birthday, is the time to learn how to scuba dive. I’m nervous, but like I said, “I want to live before I die.” Some girls go swimming; real girls go scuba diving.

Our longtime young friend, Michele, recently took up free diving/spear fishing in Cabo San Lucas, so we asked her if she knew anyone in Cabo who could give us scuba lessons to become certified. We’re in luck. She knows Benoit, who owns The Ocean Tiger’s Dive House, a hostel in Cabo. He is a member of PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors). He has all the skills and the equipment and he partners with Cabo Diver so he can get us out into the open ocean.

https://www.booking.com/hotel/mx/ocean-tigers-dive-house-cabo-san-lucas2.html

After a week of thinking about this leap into scuba diving, I decided to reach out to Benoit. I set us up for the open ocean diving class, and we decided to do it in three days. First day is watching an information video (4 hours long) and then doing skills in the pool. We spent 11 hours the first day immersing ourselves into this new activity. Lots to learn. Second day is the first real ocean diving. Third day is another couple dives in the ocean proving you can do all the skills.

It took me 15 minutes to get into my wet suit. It was still wet from rinsing it out from the last person who used it, making it even more difficult. I was a sweaty mess by the time I pulled it all the way on. Greg had to help me (a lot). Next we got fitted with our BCD (buoyancy control device) and our fins. Off we go to the Cabo Diver boat in the Cabo marina. Am I nervous?  You bet. But I’m going to do this.

The boat trip out for our first dive was crazy. There are a bazillion boats in Cabo. Some are filled with drunken tourists (many of them, in fact) and others bring thrill seekers who want to snorkel, jump from the rocks, and scuba dive.

The thrills of diving are numerous. The ocean is another world, rich with beauty and filled with creatures I’ve only seen in photos. Learning to be a scuba diver is hard for me. I did  well after the first 12 minutes of flailing around trying to get down. I did everything wrong. Did I apply anything I learned the day before? No. Instead I started hyperventllating and lost control of my body and mind. Benoit is looking at me like, “What are you doing? This isn’t what you learned.”

Finally, I settled into it and found myself at the bottom seeing the sights you can’t see from a boat. No photos there, as we are spending a lot of time performing our tricks (skills) and reality is we are too distracted with being in the water with a heavy tank on our backs and all this stuff on. Controlling our breathing and our bodies to make them get to that weightless place gliding in the water is enough for now.

We got to experience rays jumping in between dives. Always a thrill to see.

My second dive of the day was pretty much a disaster. I was tired already and really had experienced all I wanted for one day, but the plan was to make two dives. I probably should have opted out and taken more time for all this fun. But I went back in at the appointed time, and while I’d done pretty darn good during the first dive, I lost control of myself and began breathing in really deep and exhaling with the same vigor. Not the kind of breathing necessary to perform a dive, that’s for sure. What a disappointment I was to myself.

 

People learn at different rates. Greg had the advantage of being comfortable in the water, having been a surfer since he was a kid. He’s more of a dare devil in the first place. No fear. That’s him. Me? I resemble a chicken sometimes.  We have another day coming where I can redeem myself. Oh my! Two more dives and I have to prove I can do it.