After receiving a comment from at least one of my grandchildren it was enough to encourage me to add a couple more "story songs" to my attempts at internet Karaoke. I may be running out of steam and material but at least I have had fun with this new hobbie. Click on the link below if you are able to stand finger nails scraping on the blackboard----just kidding----enjoy!
Located way off in a residential neighborhood in Donna, Texas is an unmarked restaurants of sorts. I put it that way because there are no visible signs that the building is a restaurant, no sign, no anything, except long lines of customers leading in to the building and lots of cars parked on the street.
If you do a little research on what to do and see in the Rio Grand Valley for us winter Texans you will for sure locate a visit to the Gonzalez's Burgers as being one of the highlights.
The story goes, that the Gonzalez family owns a large ranch just outside the valley. They butcher their own beef, bring it to this out of the way place, grind the meat as it is needed, prepare it and serve it throughout the day.
It is a fact that they try to accommodate everyone in line but if they run out of meat they simply turn the sign to closed and those still in line will have to come back another day. The menu is burgers of the usual style, such as cheese burger, bacon burger, etc. It is the size and price that apparently is the draw. I had a plain burger with, onion, pickle, mustard, catchup and the price was $3.70. Our neighbor Carole had a Bacon Burger which included 7 slices of bacon on top of the patty you see in the above picture. Add a family size serving of Fry's and onion rings to split between and you won't eat for the rest of the day.
Seating is at long tables which makes for a great way to meet people and carry on a conversation while waiting for your order.
Pictured below are our neighbors Jean-Louis and Carole Gobeil who are also full-time motor-homers but have their roots in Montreal, Canada, and also a look at the line waiting to order.
For lack of a better word, the restaurant, is talked about constantly through the forums on the computer and the business just keeps coming six days a week, usually closing about 2:00 when they run out of meat for the day.
Another day without the sun here in the RGV but the slight breeze has the palms waving. This picture is from the front of our coach to our nearest neighbors to our North. There is about a block equivalent empty space between us. I am tempted to go out and fly a kite cause that is what Kathleen told me to do, but guess I would have to go buy one first.
The weather here continues to be quite cool and a lot of drizzle from time to time. Everyone says this is a very unusual weather even for this area so we continue to have patients. Patients is wearing thin though and the 'tininthewind' does have wheels.
Kathleen is off to participate in some ladies day activities and I think I will find the largest beach towel we have and head for the jacuzzi and pool.
Hope wherever you are, you are contending with the weather, and knowing what most of you are contending with cold, I promise to quit complaining.
First off: Happy New Year to all our friends and family.
We have had a busy couple of weeks over the holidays. I had ordered a 25" monitor for Kathleen's Desk Top Computer several months ago with plans to replace the CPU (computer itself) when a good deal came along. About a month ago just what we were looking for popped up on: Yugster.com .
The new CPU is a great addition to that huge monitor. It shipped with Microsoft Vista as the operating system but also included a free offer to ask for the Windows 7 upgrade disks. We sent for them and I spent a couple days this past week installing Windows 7. I am happy to report that it went fairly smooth and the system is fantastic.
Kathleen's passion and hobby has been, since going full time four years ago, to digitize all our family photo's and all the photo's she has collected over the years of her family and mine. She had been doing a great job and was enjoying her work but was running out of hard drive space on our older computer. This new one has a 'Terabyte' of hard drive so I don't think she will run out of room for even more pictures.
As if the above wasn't enough to do, we decided to upgrade our TV at the front of the 'tininthewind'. We replaced the 27" Sony with a 42" Philips. The new one fit like a glove where the old one resided. It took about two days to get it in place, mounted and anchored securely in place. I had to turn myself into a pretzel to get it accomplished and could only work a couple hours before having to give the 'ol body a rest. Its done and we love it.
We RV'ers being the spoiled retired lot that we are, also like to have a TV outside for watching Nascar on Sunday afternoons so I built a special shelf to store the 27" Sony in the basement and special hanging brackets for it when we desire to use it.
With all of my projects done, at least for awhile, I think I will just kick back with a cold pop and enjoy the outside patio. The weather here in Texas is starting to improve. The 'snowbirds' who waited till after Christmas to leave family up North are arriving in droves. With the weather improving and everyone feeling a bit more like being outside we may yet get a chance to meet some of the 1500 who are in this Park.
We have been enjoying all the festivities here in the Fun N Sun RV Park in spite of some very windy cool weather. We are missing all our Family and Friends, especially on this day. We had an OK Christmas dinner with about 500 other gray haired folks but sure had memories of those fantastic Christmas Dinners past.
We have a little special message for you all:
In the picture above the 'tininthewind' is sitting pretty just after our arrival at the "Fun N Sun Resort". We were given the choice of six or seven sites and we chose R-169. Our street name is 'Restful'. Just behind us are several streets of permanent sites with different styles of park models and all attractively landscaped with fruit tree's heavily laden with ripening grapefruit and oranges, and of course many varieties of flowers or flowering bushes.
This park offers more activities than either of us care to get involved in but from time to time it will be fun to attend some of the entertainment venues and some of the pot luck gatherings but for the most part we prefer to just relax.
Several things do peak my interest and I plan to take advantage of them. The first is a beautiful pool/jacuzzi area that is open 24/7. The second is a huge exercise center that has the latest equipment and is also open 24/7. We have been here three days and I have used the pool and jacuzzi every day. I got acquainted with the exercise center this evening before going to the pool and I can't wait to get back there tomorrow.
There are wood working shops, carving gatherings, indoor shuffleboard, billiards, RC-electric care race tracks used for practice and competition. There are huge mowed fields near-by for kite flying and a measured driving range. There are other activities and dedicated buildings for those activities but I haven't had time to check them all out.
We have been out and about in the surrounding area and are learning our way around. There is anything and everything one could want within just a few miles of us.
A lady standing near her pick-up loaded with fresh fruit caught my eye this morning so I stopped. Apparently she comes to the Resort every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. She and her husband have their own orchards. I bought 1 bag of Texas Select Pink Grapefruit (picked this morning). There were 16 in the bag and I paid $3.00. I also bought a huge bag of fresh picked oranges for $3.00. There were other produce items but since I was out for a walk I figured one bag under each arm was enough to get us started.
Everywhere you go in the park people are friendly. If they don't verbally great you they at least wave in passing. I have met and had conversations with several people at the pool/jacuzzi area. My favorite question is: "Is this your first year to this park"? I have yet to find anyone who is a newcomer. All have been coming multiple years.
Kathleen and I are going to a "Welcome Newcomers" meeting tomorrow where we will be given a talk on the park and can get any questions we may have answered. There are 1500 "Winter Texan" sites here and it is virtually a city unto itself.
I think we are going to like it here!
One week from today there will be a new hip living under the 'tininthewind' roof and we are sure it is going to like the ride.
We are at Goose Island and enjoying our stay. The weather has been spectacular and even though the days pass slowly it won't be long and we will be getting ready to head south.
The season of Fall in the Midwest is very colorful with the leaves changing colors and the temperatures are usually to my liking. We have our fingers crossed for an extended Fall season and truly hope our time of physical therapy is successful and finished before those white flakes start falling and signaling a change of season.
We are now one month in to our fourth year full-time in the 'tininthewind' and excited to see what the next four years will bring. We have had some health problems to deal with such as Kathleen's hip replacement at the moment but our little home has served us well during the recovery process and we expect this time to be no different.
I like to reflect on the many miles that we have covered, and the multitude of new back yards we have awakened in but the most important aspect of this lifestyle to me has been the many friends we have made in our travels. Friendships that develop in a hurry because tomorrow one or the other may be moving on. Friendships that grow stronger through the marvels of the day such as contact through e-mail and/or skype. There will be many more Friendships made and we look forward to that.
We have learned to look ahead and plan accordingly. We have also learned to keep our plans fluid just in case we want to go left instead of right. The beauty of having wheels on our 'wheel-estate' I can't begin to describe. We are always in awe of the opportunities we had yesterday, and wonder what they will bring tomorrow. Most importantly with family scattered all over the place we can point the nose to the Midwest for that hug from mom (yes my mom at 87 is still doing well), or point the nose to the northwest for that grandkid fix which is so important at this stage in life.
I am looking out the window now at our beautiful Mississippi River flowing by like we did from our stick home of 37 years and yet my feet are feeling itchy. We will move tomorrow a little ways up the road as we continue to await Kathleen's hip surgery day on the 25th of September.
A little to windy today for my little boat on the lake so another road trip was our choice. We took off in a new direction to explore and on one stop back in the woods Kathleen picked wild raspberries while I picked a bunch of wild flowers to present to her. The berries will be good with cereal in the morning and the flowers, after the kiss I got, will be fine decoration at that breakfast table.
We stopped to photo a creek that we crossed, a road covered with water spilling over from a week of very rainy weather, an unoccupied forest observation tower and continue to marvel at the beauty of this part of Minnesota. Enjoy the photo's.
No matter where we are in this beautiful country we alway try to do a little research about the area and then take off on a road trip with the jeep. Northern Minnesota does not lack for points of interest and when we see a beautiful picture we park the car----get out----and get the best picture we can.
Our focus for the road trip was to visit a small rv park on the U.S. side of Crane Lake. The park is located in a very unique spot and what interested us was it reportedly had 50amp, water and sewer hook-ups and we wanted to explore it for a possible future stop. On our stop we got out to photo our beautiful U.S. flag and look across the water to Canada.
Once we had checked out the park it was time to use the jeep for what it is made and take off on some of the Forrest roads in the area in search of the Vermillion River Falls. We knew it would probably really be boiling the water as there had been so much rain this past week. We also knew it would require a little hiking to view it but my partner with the sore hip was game to give it a try. That hip hurts like "H" but Kathleen is a real trooper and saluted me by holding that walking stick high above her head.
The beauty all along our hike was worth the pain, we both agreed. Some of the rapids and pools between them reminded us of the many canoe and portaging trips we made when we were first married and made numerous trips to camp in this part of the country.
The hikers!
Fishing Vermillion Lake from my pee-wee sea eagle pontoon boat is a hoot. I keep branching out and fishing different bays as I keep testing the reliability of making it back without running out of trolling motor power. Generally it is a good idea to head out in to the wind just in case you misjudge the point to turn around and head for the battery charger and harbor, at least the wind might help while rowing. So far I have had plenty of fishing and still plenty of power from the battery when I have returned.
I am catching a few fish, large mouth, small mouth and a few northern pike but not the "hogs" that were mentioned to me last week.
The weather has been all over the map. Very hot when we first arrived in the area and now quite cool and rainy. It is beautiful out on the lake. The loons have not disappointed as quite often I am greeted by their call when I come around a corner and surprise them.
Tomorrow, Friday evening, like most places in the country several suggested restaurants in the area are having "Friday night Fish specials" and we have been told of one at the "Landing" that we will be giving a try. Most that we have been familiar with serve cod or white fish but apparently the Landing will feature "Canadian Walleye".
We are planning on remaining in this area until we need to return to La Crosse for Kathleen's first orthopedic appointments.
Wanted to fish in the worst way today but it was a little to windy for my pee-wee boat so ended up laying low and working around the 'tininthewind'. We did surface long enough on the end of the day to head out to about the only spot we know so far for good food, "The Landing".
Seated next to us, the only other couple in the dining area, were Denny and Sue Vande Linde, permanent residents since retirement to the Lake Vermillion area. They moved from the Twin Cities area after they sold their business. Denny now keeps busy with guiding, and a pest control business. I started a conversation between us mostly asking questions about the fishing and Denny helped me with advise even though he doesn't fish bass much, preferring musky and walleye. Denny and Sue ended up joining us at our table and we had a most pleasant exchange covering many subjects. We probably won't ever see them again but we are so fortunate in this life style of ours to have encounters like this with folks and it only takes moments to feel like long time friends.
We left the restaurant and made our way to the marina to check on my boat. It was fine. Right were I left it, and beckoning to go fishing, but that will wait until tomorrow, weather permitting.. If not there is always another day!
We settled on the new RV Park built behind the 'Timbuktu' marine and along the Forrest edge. Wild life is abundant and we just discovered they have a pretty speedy WiFi being projected from their large building off in the distance. Maybe Skype will work here after all. There still is nothing for a cell phone signal on our Verizon and I must say in all our travels this is the first time we have not had use of our phones.
My little pee-wee sea eagle pontoon is set up and in its slip at the 'Timbuktu' marina about 11 miles down the road to a beautiful secluded bay on Lake Vermillion.
This RV Park is very remote and there seems to be plenty of wild life passing through from time to time. This evening as I was working around outside two yearling twin bucks ambled along eating the clover that makes up most of the ground cover here. This should be a nice two week stay.
The weather has warmed enough to prompt me to want to head a bit North and along the North Shore of Lake Superior. I have been watching the weather there all week and it has been 8 to 10 degree's cooler there on any given day than what we have been experiencing at Goose Island. That would be my kind of weather. We will head in that direction Thursday.
Once in the Lake Superior area we will explore some of the back roads west in to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area to see if we can find a couple of good 'boondocking' spots for the 'tininthewind'. We have not spent a lot of time in that area since I was in college so I suspect there have been many changes. I don't think we will be disappointed as it is still pretty remote. The only negative aspect to this move is that if I find a good place to fish it will mean another states fishing license. Dang, it gets expensive to move from state to state and want to fish. We need a national fishing license good in all states for those of us retired folk who like to fish. Either that, or someone needs to become a martyr and just go fishing without. Hmmm. Problem is, I don't think I would like jails, or having my personal stuff confiscated.
It is not likely that we will have access to the web so it may seem like we have dropped off the face of the earth but not to worry, we will surface somewhere.
The County Fair was in full swing in the Iowa County that I grew up in and being in the area it was only natural that we would pick up my mom and all head out to an afternoon at the fair.
Looking back to when I was pre-teen the County fair was a big deal. We saved our dimes and nickles for months just to be able to go on the rides and might even entice one of the girls to go on the tilt-a-whirl with us. I remember the fair grounds as being huge, and the animal barns to be overwhelming.
Nothing has changed today, except the grounds are still the same size and the barns all where they were then, but as an adult it seems no bigger than a postage stamp. The only thing that was high on our list of 'to do', was to make a stop at our church fair booth for some of that good old home town cooking and especially a piece of pie with ice cream. Running in to former high school friends was a plus as we crossed paths with several.
Oh, one thing did change. The charge to get through the gate and enter the grounds was $10.00 each. That really seems steep to visit a postage stamp affair. I couldn't tell you what it cost to get in when I was young as I would always get let out on the road by my buddies and weave my way through the cornfield till I could simply enter the grounds. No way was I parting with my dimes and nickles just to get in.
The Weather has been great so we have not found the need to migrate North for cooler weather. That is the plan if and when things get uncomfortably hot.
We have been down to visit my mom at her senior center in Iowa a few times but the last two times we went to visit she was either busy getting her hair done or gone shopping with an elderly aunt who lives in the area. One of these days we will learn to call and let her know we are coming. Getting her on the phone is difficult as she is usually out playing cards with other residents of the home. This is the same 'lady' who gave us such a hard time about moving to a senior center. She now tells us she is very happy there. We are happy for her!
Tomorrow is moving day for us. We have reached the allowable stay at this Corp of Engineers Park near Desoto, Wisconsin. One is allowed to stay 14 days and then must be out of the park 14 days before returning for another 14 day stay. We like this park because we can use our "America the Beautiful Senior Pass and can stay for half price. A real savings when you are full-time. We are not sure where we will move to tomorrow as we have several options that we like and will just make the decision as we depart this park.
We have had an electric driver side window failure in the jeep and will be getting that fixed Friday. Our water pump in the 'tininthewind' is also cutting in and out so I have arranged to pick up a new one Friday and will have it on hand when the old one dies completely.
The boat is dismantled and tucked away in the basement. Most outside chores are done for getting ready to roll tomorrow. Kathleen is out sitting in the sun enjoying the day, and I am about to take a mid afternoon power nap. Life doesn't get any better than that.
We continue with our 'Hanging Out' here in the Mid-West as we wait for this surgery date for Kathleen's hip. We are camping as much as we can along our beloved Mississippi River and I have my little two seat pontoon boat in the water and ready to go at a moments notice. I have been giving the fishing a go most every day but the fish have really not cooperated. It is the doldrums of the summer and the fish can be very lazy.
We have quite a few weeks before Kathleen's preparatory appointments begin so we will watch the weather and if it looks like a heat wave is about to start we will head North to see if we can find the cooler weather. The North shore of Lake Superior will be appealing if it gets hot.
I need to find more things to occupy my time each day as I can't polish the 'tininthewind' too much more or I will break through the paint layer pretty soon. The weather has been perfect for being outside and I tend to hang there as much as I can.
We are aware that the Temperature in the North West has been unusually hot and if it weren't for the hip thing we would probably be as uncomfortable as all the friends and family we left there.
Good News---Roll the Presses---Good News
What a crew at the Viroqua Center for Orthopedic Surgery. Following an early morning call by Kathleen to the center to explore if there would be any other options for her than waiting till next spring April/May timeframe to have her hip replaced she was told by ‘Connie’ that there had just been a surgery cancellation and it may be possible to allow her to fill it if all the players agreed. Connie assured Kathleen that she would go to work on it and call her back, but cautioned her not to get her hopes up just yet. It was becoming increasingly obvious that even with good pain control it would have been difficult for her to have made it till next spring. Because of that we are so grateful to be able to get this replacement accomplished earlier rather than later.
In less than an hour she called back to say all had been cleared. Kathleen has her first appointment tomorrow morning. She will then meet with Dr. Lawrence (the surgeon) Sept. 3rd, then will have preparatory appointments with others through mid-September and is scheduled for hip replacement surgery September 25th.
With an expected normal recovery and physical therapy we can probably expect to depart from this cold part of the country well before it gets too nasty. At this point we can not say for certain exactly what that date will be, but for most of the winter we should be able to seek the warmth of the Rio Grand Valley.
This change complicates a few things for us and we will begin to work through the logistics of that in the coming days, but as is usually the case, it will all work out.
We are now camped near West Salem Wisconsin, close to where the La Crosse County Fair is in progress. A close family friend Jean Krause and nine other celebrity contestants will compete in a goat milking competition for a deserving Charity. Our grandchildren Mason and Maddie visiting from Renton Washington, their great grandma Betty, their other grandparents Dewey and Mary Crocker, Kathleen and Me jointed Jeans husband Norm in a standing room only animal barn for the competition and the awarding of the coveted trophy. The contestants including Jean are all celebrity dignitaries from the area, and include hospital administrative types, TV weather meteorologists, disc jockeys, and various business dignitaries. The challenge was for each contestant to have 4 minutes to milk a goat and following the 4 minutes to have the quantity measured. Mason and Maddie did not miss a thing and in addition to cheering Jean on, monitored carefully the measuring of her effort. Go Jean!!!
Maddie and Mason made sure the measurement was correct. Jeans total in the measured 4 minutes was 5 cups. The nearest celebrity competitor to Jean had 3 and 3/4 cups. And the Winner is? Note the trophy in her left hand.
Congratulations Jean.
Grandkids, Grandpa, and fishing just seem to go hand in hand. I was so fortunate to enjoy both of my little Brosius Families and fishing in the Cowlitz River this summer. We didn't catch a lot on most of our outings but the snuggles and lazy leisurely days with the opportunities to bond with the young ones is priceless.
The pictures that follow show an afternoon I got to spend with Maddie and Mason.
Look closely in the distance of the above photo and you will see the 'colored stations' of the 'Croquet' set that has been created for the Toutle River RV Resort. There is a large open field area near the entry to the RV Resort and early on it was the inspiration of "the Charlie" (developer) to build a Croquet set and while they were at it to build one that may well be the largest set in the World. The two Park Carpenters, Ron and Dennis created the set while Ray and a helper handled the painting.
Since arriving here in the park last April we have seen a number of people enjoying the game. You will see in the following pictures the mallets which in and of themselves are a work of art and very colorful. The balls that are used are actually soccer balls.
The large building undergoing remodeling that you see in the background of the pictures will become a very large open air pavilion for rent and use by quests and perhaps large RV Rallies that are sure to frequent this beautiful area of Washington.
Anyone for a game of 'Croquet' ? I will spot you two swings!
There are a lot of things that could cause one to start smoking and the 'Toutle River RV Resort' is one of them.
Now before you think we went off the deep end. Have a look below!
I have blogged recently how 'Charlie' the owner/developer of the resort is cutting no corners in seeing that the guests of the Toutle River RV Resort find a first class experience when they come to stay. The Smokehouse you see in the picture above is just another fine example.
Today most of us Workampers got together and each decided to contribute something to the Smokehouse experience. I made a brine and prepared the Sturgeon Fillets that I cut in to four to five inch chunks. An overnight soak in the brine had them ready to go when Marvin had the smoker heating up. Marvin and Ethel did a Salmon that they purchased for a bargain at a market in Longview, WA. Jim did oysters on the half shell. Don did turkey breasts. Howard and Leah did a chicken. Linda and Ron did a batch of jerky and Dan did some Sea Bass Fillets.
After several hours of "Smokin" the door was opened at 4:30. Several of the hired park workers stopped to see the results as they were just getting off work. Mouths were watering and lips were smakin as all I can tell you is everything looked delicious. We all made a pact to try and gather at the smokehouse every Thursday and again take advantage of it being available. The hired staff has also been invited to bring anything they would like to contribute.
Every Monday night we workampers gather for a theme night for dinner with a dish to pass and it now looks like we may also gather Thursday evenings for the sampling of that days Smokehouse fare.
A fun thing to do in this retired life style of ours is to get out the Gazetteer Map, in this case for the State of Washington. Find a road and direction that looks interesting and just drive and follow any road along your way that looks even more interesting. One can even find some neat things to photo. Now, when doing this one can get pretty lost. Never fear, just simply ask "Charlott" (the womans voice inside our GPS) to take us home. (Home is where the RV is Parked).
We are only about 75 miles from the Pacific Coast here at the 'Toutle River RV Resort'. On this particular Exploration we traveled Hi way 4 out of Longview, WA to Ilwaco, WA and then on up the Coast to Long Beach. A lot of this area on the Coast we are familiar with as we have spent time there in both 2007 and 2008. One can never tire of this area as it is beautiful and the entire drive is spectacular. A great deal of the route follows the Columbia River. Remember Lewis and Clark? They completed their journey in this area.
We took our time and visited everything of interest. One does not need a 'hot toddy' before hitting the hay for the night as an Exploratory trip like this tires you out but it is worth it for sure.
This last winter at the RV Park in Lo De Marcos our neighbors, Gille and Diane (French Canadians) introduced us to the term and fun of Mystery Tours, organized for anyone who wanted to tag along. They would come up with a destination that usually required four wheel drive vehicles and off they would go for the day. Some of the trips were exciting to say the least and not something you would do alone with just one vehicle. I blogged about the ones Kathleen and I participated in.
Not wanting to steal Gille and Diane's term I will call our state side adventures, Mystery Trips. Last evening six of us got together and went on a trip organized by Bill and Margaret. Marvin, Ethel, Kathleen and I piled in the van and off we went. The vehicle is Charlie's personal transportation and will eventually be used to take campers staying at the 'Toutle River RV Resort' on organized tours.
The initial purpose of this trip was for Bill to show me where friends of his from the area are catching Salmon. We followed the Cowlitz River for quite a distance pulled up at the first dam that slowed down any Salmon headed for their spawning grounds. There were several fisherman trying their luck and we got to visit with a young handicapped fellow who was fishing from a wheel chair and had access right to the waters edge. He had caught a couple of fish this season from this spot, but had no luck today.
From our visit to the Cowlitz River we continued on to the town of Morton which is where Bill and Margaret lived and raised a family. Morton is located on Hi way 12 just West of the uphill climb in to the Cascade Mountains. We left Morton in a driving rain storm and all of us hoped that our RV Park was getting some of the moisture, (It didn't). We stopped on the way back to see a piece of property that Bill and Margaret are developing a short distance inland from exit 59 off Interstate 5 and then returned to the exit and a mom and pop drive-in for burgers and strawberry shakes.
It was a fun trip with new friends and we hope to plan more as time will allow.
My grandson Zak came to spend a couple days. Zak is a "fishing nut", (wonder where he gets that)? We loaded the Scooter, and with Zak hanging on to the tackle/bait bag off we went for the Cowlitz River. I had been fishing the river on numerous occasions and hadn't caught a thing so I was concerned that young Zak's attention span and enthusiasm might be short lived, but I was mistaken.
We caught three fish on our first outing, a couple of squaw fish (a sucker type) and a nice River Sturgeon. Not knowing what the squaw fish were had us calling them trout and to both of us that sounded pretty good.
It became obvious that the lad was pretty well wore out from the days activities as he was willing to hit the hay a little early. Made me happy as for sure I was exhausted. Just before he fell asleep he asked if we could go in the morning. I responded positively letting him know that we could if he was able to wake up early enough cause we wouldn't have much time before having to leave for a birthday party for Maddie. I would have bet my next pay check that he would sleep late. If I had a pay check I would have lost as at 5:30 a.m., with only one eye open, and it wanting to close, I was being shaken and it was "Grandpa Please---Pretty Please---Grandpa Wakeup---Lets go Fishing!
At 8:32 a.m. on May 18, 1980, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook Mount St. Helen's, triggering a massive explosion. The release of gases trapped inside the volcano sent 1,300 vertical feet of mountaintop rocketing upward and outward to the north. Super-heated ash roared 60,000 feet into the cloudless blue sky. The cataclysmic blast--- carrying winds that reached 670 miles per hour and temperatures of 800 degrees Fahrenheit flattened 230 square miles of forest. Elk, deer and other wildlife were obliterated. Fifty-seven People were killed including USGS scientist David Johnston, namesake of the Johnston Ridge Observatory, and pictured above. The largest landslide in recorded history swept through the Toutle River Valley, (where we are now camped), choking pristine rivers and lakes with mud, ash and shattered timber, eradicating trout and salmon.
After the eruption, only a moonscape remained.
It is somewhat ironic that almost to the day, 29 years previous on May 18, 1980 that I am visiting an area and reflecting on what happened that day and yet at my young age at that time, and busy life, I hardly gave it a passing thought. I remember its day in history of course. News coverage tends to embed in ones mind events such as Mount St. Helen's blowing her top, but Oh, how easy it was to not give it a second thought. That all changes for me following the visit today, and the mental picture I now have of what happened on May 18, 1980. I can't get out of my head the image as seen above of David Johnston sitting and watching the escape of steam just before she blew, and tethered only to the outside world with a two way radio to communicate his observations to the home USGS office in Vancouver, Washington.
The following picture is what Johnston Ridge looks like today. Somewhere under all the re birth of current beauty lies the remains of David Johnston and his humble observatory (never found). His last radio transmission was: "Vancouver---Vancouver, this is it!"
On our return back down Highway 504 from visiting the mountain and getting as close as the road would allow us, we stopped at the Eco Park Resort and not only enjoyed some good ol' ranch house cooking but had a great conversation with Mark Smith the owner/operator.
We had the place to ourselves, save for the "cowboy" who waited on us and Mark the owner until Jim and Robin (pictured below) from Castle Rock, Washington walked in. They seemed to know there way around from the conversation they were having with Mark and when given the chance I asked them if they were in the area when the mountain blew? Jim began to recount the day it happened and the impact it had on his life and from time to time Robin would chime in with her recollections. There would not have been enough time in the day to have witnessed all the stories they could have told but the few they did share will have a lasting impact with me.
Jim told of how on the day she blew he and some of his family were to join friends already up the valley camping near the mountain. His job of loading shipping containers on freighters in Astoria, Washington had kept him several hours longer on his shift than usual and upon arriving back in Castle Rock with his family members ready to go camping, he suggested that they should enjoy breakfast at home while he caught a couple hours of sleep and they would then depart. The rest is history. He was awaken by the blast. Among the 57 lives lost that day were several of his friends. He talked about the many trips in ensuing days to try and help locate the missing, and witnessing first hand the destruction. Robin told of the helplessness that people felt and the sadness at seeing what once was the beauty of tree's, lakes, rivers, and animal life, vanish. The torrents of mud, twisted trees, and huge boulders blocking river ways were more than some in the area could handle and many of there friends who survived the day ultimately could not handle the loss of beauty and reluctant to wait and see what mother nature would have in store, moved on. Some of their friends who escaped from near the "blast zone" but were caught in the ensuing ash fallout lived only in to their 50's before loosing their life to serious lung problems.
What brought Jim and Robin to the mountain this day was a drive in their open air jeep to reflect on the past but more so to feast there eye's on what "mother nature" is doing to recover from the destruction. There eyes see it perhaps a little different than we do but they too are in awe of the beauty that has returned.
Kathleen and I find the North West of our country (Washington and Oregon) to be breathtakingly beautiful at most every turn and at the moment are completely captivated by the shear beauty of the Mount St. Helen's re-birth. I am including a slide show of the pictures that represent what our eyes saw on this afternoon's adventure. Click on slide show below to enjoy. We will be returning to the mountain again and again while in the area.
Bill, Heidi, Mason and Maddie came to visit us for the weekend and gave a huge thumbs up to the Toutle River RV Resort and the area in general. We had a great day cooking out and exploring the entire park.
As an added note. I have found a couple great places to fish and have been getting in some great outings. No fish to report as of yet, but I continue to try.
Linda (standing with the red sweater), and Don (seated with the blue jacket) held the first official workamper meeting with those of us who are already on site. There are a few who are still to be joining us in the coming weeks.
Linda presented us all with a very well done "Workampers Newsletter" that included a Welcoming message from "the Charlie" (owner), of the Toutle River RV Resort. Some of us have previously met each other through our paths crossing, but there were a few new introductions to be had. As one would expect with this large of a workamper crew there is quite a cross section of talent present. As the summer season progresses everyone will have an opportunity to showcase those talents and without a doubt each of us will leave in the fall, better for having had the experience.
Don described somewhat his plan for scheduling some of the workamper tasks that need to be accomplished and will try to do so with the work desires of the individual workamper taken in to consideration.
These scheduled gatherings for the workamper crew are planned for at least once a month. A barbecue will generally follow the meeting as was the case today. You can tell by this months pictures that the temperature was a bit cool, but the new found friends warmed our first gathering.
One of the workamper tasks, especially when it is raining, has been to put together picnic tables. I put in 10 hours and change this week putting together these tables and Kathleen did two hours of watering trees for our 12 hour commitment.
Pictured below are two of our fellow workampers, Marvin and Marlin, getting in their workamper commitments.
The Sun is out----I think I will go Fishing!!!!!!!!
Here at Toutle River RV Resort the "pooch" is special! As I have mentioned before Charlie (the resident owner) has many unique features that he is incorporating in to the complex and from time to time I will blog about them with pictures. Today I am featuring a deck, with a doggy shower, that is specifically reserved for the RV guests dogs. It is here that the furry friends can mingle with others and get a shower to boot.
Need a doggy bed for your pooch to lay on outside your rig? Call the office and one will cheerfully be delivered to your site.
Charlie has two beautiful well mannered Black Labs and one of them is usually accompanying him when he rides throughout the complex in his golf cart.
Kathleen here
We are all settled in and beginning to enjoy the Castle Rock area and the beautiful Toutle River RV Resort. Green is the word to describe what we see when we look about. Towering green pines, thick green grass, young green saplings reaching upward to catch the rain drops. As I sit and write I am loving the sound of the rain as it hits the roof of our Tininthewind.
Our first guests at our new address were our son Scott, his wife, Angela, and Zak and Ellie, our grandchildren. They explored the whole park and gave us a thumbs up of approval. While I prepared lunch, George took them on a tour ending at the river’s edge, almost a mile south of our site. The Toutle River flows towards the Pacific Ocean via the Cowlitz River and finally the Columbia River. Fishing is fantastic. George is excited about that, as is Scott and Zak. A fun walk it is, as along the path to the river, one will find things to swing on, things to climb, and lots of things to observe.
We had a nice time with the kids and are looking forward to their return. When they left, George and I went for a drive up into the hills and through the valleys. What a spectacular drive it was. This little part of Washington State offers so much. Every road, it seems led us along either a creek, or a river. Happy cows and horses grazed in green meadows. We saw a deer nibbling twigs along a fence. Many of the trees were showing off their spring blossoms of purple, pink, and white. We were reminded of our homeland of Iowa and Wisconsin and the Mississippi River.
Today, George helped make and deliver picnic tables to the many sites in the park. I dragged a big hose behind me and watered the trees along my street. The exercise was invigorating for both of us. We will sleep good tonight. This workamping thing is going to be OK.
Following are a few photos of yesterday. Remember to put your cursor over a photo for a description.
If you have read and followed the previous blog you probably already know but I will mention some things anyway. This deluxe RV park is 360 sites, and if seen from the air would look much like a large piece of pie. On entry to the park one is at the wide end of the triangle and as one travels the mile long length of the park one eventually comes to the point of the triangle. It is in this area that there is not enough room for RV sites and the owner has chosen to develop a walking trail that leads to the point where two rivers, the Toutle and the Cowlitz converge. Strategically located along this trail are exercise stations that one could stop at and work a different muscle group at each station. At the point of trails end there is a very large stone fire pit (stocked with firewood), sitting benches, and picnic tables.
The owner has not spared a nickle in developing this park. The landscaping with rock and a large variety of young trees is impressive to say the least. All of the grass areas between sites and throughout the park are watered from underground by a saturation method rather than a sprinkler method. The trees will require individual watering during the non rainy summer season and supposedly that will be our job (at least for a portion of the park).
We have met several of the workampers who are already on site and some that are not new to the park as they have also workamped here last year. In private conversations they all have had very positive things to say about the experience and indicate that they are sure we will like it here.
Don, one of the Co-hosts of the park came to check on us today to see if we were making out OK with getting set up on our site and ended up just sitting and visiting for a couple of hours. He told us that when all arrived there would be about 20 people workamping in the park. Not all are couples as we have already met some singles. We, "workampers" are strategically being located throughout the park so as to act as ambassadors and eye's and ear's for security purposes.
All of the roads and sites are groomed with black gravel and then compressed as with a steam roller of some type. This being done in preparation for blacktopping which is to begin in the next couple of weeks. Ground has been broken for the pool, spa, and park store. Supposedly to be completed by July...
I walked to a very large building this evening and upon entry discovered it to be a very well stocked carpentry shop with hundreds of bird houses, newly made, and stacked along one wall, picnic tables in various stages of completion, and other wood projects underway. There were numerous golf carts, gators, quads, and pick-ups parked in this building as well. There are other maintenance buildings on the grounds as I have seen some fancy lawn mowing equipment coming and going. There are two strategically located laundry facilities with showers and bathrooms located in adjacent parts of the building.
On a "walk about" this afternoon Kathleen and I explored a great deal of the park and I took a few pictures which I will include for your enjoyment. We continue to be impressed.
Place your cursor over the picture for a description.
Yes! It's true! We have temporarily suspended our complete retirement and life of travel and total leisure for a new adventure of "Workamping"!
We began talking well before our last winter trip to Mexico that even though we both enjoy the life of leisure our bodies and minds could use a little more challenge and perhaps some "Workamping" might be to our liking.
There are so many things about this full-time RV lifestyle that many around us are unaware of and the "Workamping" aspect is one of them. Rather than go in to an explanation of what I mean click on the following link to learn a little about it: www.workamper.com/ .
We subscribe to the workamping web-site and throughout the past year have followed up by making application to several workamping situations that fit with our desires and desired locations both for the Summer and the coming Winter.
Here is an explanation of what we have chosen to do for the summer of 2009. We are going to be part of a workamping crew assisting with getting what will be, a 5 star Resort when finished and operational. A link to the resort web-site: www.greatrvresort.com/index.html .
After phone contact and interviews we told Linda and Don, managing host and co-host respectively that we would accept the challenge and would arrive May 1st. We arrived in the area a week or so early and decided to pay the resort a visit to hopefully see what we would be getting ourselves in to and quite frankly if it had not been to our liking we would have graciously declined. On a drive through the resort we had an opportunity to visit with one of the workampers already on site and that gave a tremendous amount of insight in to what this workamping experience would most likely entail. The workamper we talked with had been on site for a couple of weeks and liked what he was doing and the people he was responsible to. We arrived at the resort and were greeted by both Linda and Don late yesterday afternoon. Don drove us through the resort and gave us the choice of several sites as there plan is to locate the workampers strategically throughout the resort so as to also act as ambassadors to the paying RVers. We have been given several days to settle in before being assigned our duties and we are anxious to find out what will be required.
The resort as I mentioned earlier is beautifully layed out and is in various stages of being completed. As an example the pool and spa will not be completed until some time in July. All roads throughout the complex are completed and prepared for blacktopping which is slated to begin next week. There are hired crews working throughout the resort still finishing sites in the back forty and planting trees.
What we understood from the interviews is that we will be required to workamp for 12 hours per week in exchange for our site including water, sewer, and electric. It will be at our discretion to work beyond the 12 hours and anything over 12 hours will be payed at $8.55 per hour. Kathleen and I have agreed that we both will try to do 6 hours per week and then decide individually if we want to earn a little extra. To accomplish those 12 hours we have been told we can do 2 hours per day for three days each if we wish and then have 4 days to play, or add to those 2 hours each on those three days for pay and still have 4 days to play. They seem very accommodating and we are hoping that will remain the case. If not, we do have wheels on our "Tininthewind".
I am cautiously sensitive to some interesting twists to this resort. The resort is not open to the public yet, even though it was slated to open in 2006 and total completion by 2007. I am told that the owner has "bumped heads" with the permit process and those who approve them and thus all aspects of the park have been held up. We haven't met the owner but I am interested to do so.
I am sure I will be writing quite often in future blogs about what we are doing and how we are coping with the new challenges but in the mean time here are a few pictures of our surroundings. I mentioned earlier that we also have an interest in doing something similar for the coming winter of 2009/2010 and am happy to announce that we have made a commitment in the Rio Grand Valley of Texas and very shortly I will blog about those future plans.
We like it so far!!!
‘Thoma’ is the last name of a family that has been pillars in the community of Garnavillo, Iowa. ‘Dairy Bar’ coupled with ‘Thoma’ is the one and only restaurant in the aforementioned community. The community ‘Garnavillo, Iowa’ is where both Kathleen and I grew up, dated through high school, and graduated from in 1963.
The “Thoma Dairy Bar” was the ‘hang out’, ‘meet after’, ‘burger with fries’, and ‘malt’ stop for us after (me) from Basketball practice, and (Kathleen) after Cheerleader practice and of course all the other couples that had interest in each other and of course the singles too…
There were four booths along the south wall, and a row of about 10 stools along a low counter (the kind where you could lean forward, rest your elbows on the top, and still be hunched over) from which behind, all those malts mixed and ice cream was scooped. There was a small kitchen that turned out all the other goodies.
We have been gone for many years now but when we do visit Garnavillo it would not be complete if we did not stop in to “Thoma’s Dairy Bar” for at least a malt if not for some of the other goodies as well.
Guess what? There are very few changes to the restaurant since those early years. There are still the same four booths along the south side. The counter and stools have also not changed (perhaps recovered) and the kitchen appears to be the same.
On this visit covering a few weeks Kathleen and I have frequented “Thoma’s” a little more than usual. Hoping to see people we might have known, but if we were to admit it, just to take a little trip down memory lane. The trip down memory lane has been a wonderful experience for us both but we also have been lucky to catch a few sitting in the booths, or leaning on the counter, who factored in to our lives at some point in the past.
Pictured below is me talking with Paul Peltz (Hobie) who was a couple years older than I was but who was probably responsible for me still having a pretty face as it was Paul who came to my aid when some guys from a neighboring town threatened to beat the crap out of me for chasing their women (girls). No I wasn’t dating Kathleen at the time (she was only 14). Paul was a masculine hunk of a guy who commanded a lot of respect and after putting out the word that anyone who messed with me would have to do so through him----I was cleared to, shall we say, look over the hill. I had to ask the waitress (Beth) on duty today if that was “Paul Peltz” sitting at the counter, reading the paper, as I have not seen Paul in many years. It was great to be able to visit with Paul and reminisce about those fading memories.
How can it be that so little has changed but yet so much water has flowed under the bridge? You want a good malt, or burger and fries? Give Thoma’s a try.
I know I haven't blogged for some time but we have been experiencing a visit from both our sons and their families here in Mexico and I just did not want to take even one minute from their visit. To spend quality time with our grandkids and their moms and dads was our focus and from my assesment, quality time we had. Pictured above are Bill and Heidi, Mason and Maddie.
As I looked through our picture file from their visit I saw literally hundreds of quality pictures that will make one heck of an album but for the moment I wanted to deal more with the arrival and departure aspect of the visit because for so long we waited patiently for their arrival and all too soon it was departure time. Four photo's jumped out at me and they are shown to start this piece and end this piece.
There is one other photo that I think is important to include here. In showing it I don't want to imply that my grandsons are not important to me because for sure they are. Kathleen and I had two boys, and I knew I would not have girls until daughter-in-laws came along. Two of those I now have and I couldn't be happier. The two little granddaughters that you see in my lap in the following pictures----well their pretty special too.
Bill, Heidi, Mason and Maddie stayed a week. Scott, Angela, Ellie and Zak were here for about 3 weeks and we all had a great time. I will be sorting through some great photo's for some time to come. The memories from these visits will linger with all for years and years. Having the memories does not make the parting and departure any easier though. It is quiet and lonely around our pad here in Lo De Marcos Mexico at the moment. Pictured below are Scott and Angela, Zak and Ellie just hours before their leaving for the states.
We too will soon be saying good-by to Lo De Marcos, the fabulous weather, and those terific sunsets.
We have been busy getting ready for the arrival of our boys, Scott and Bill, and their families. Just a couple more days and our eye's will be skyward as we will be exclaiming: de plane, de plane!
We are as excited as any mom, dad, grandma, grandpa can be and look forward to their visit so far from "home".
Last year we purchased boggie boards for everyone's enjoyment, especially the little ones and when the vacation was over we donated them to a couple Mexican families who very much appreciated them. They are too large to be taken back in the plane by our kids and our rolling house is already stuffed to the brim. We will do the same when this years visit is over.
Anyone who knows us is well aware that even though we are not tea-total-ers we are not know to overdue partying either. It just wouldn't be a South of the Boarder vacation without a "Margarita" or two and if that is what my hard working Son's and Daughter-in-laws want---I am ready. I have been getting lessons in the art of making a good one and am anxious to show off my new learned skills.
Now if I can just find where I put those little umbrella thingies!
There are short-cuts here as there are everywhere, you just have to know how to find them. For example one can take the short-cut/back-way out to the highway. Just drive the River bed. See below.
The view from most everywhere you go in this part of Mexico is enjoyable. When you walk to the beach for a day in the sun watching the aquatic action, and glance occasionally at what is walking the beach life is good. When it comes time to return to the RV Park you are greeted with this view as you make your way "home". See below.
There are beautiful flowers everywhere. The one below happens to be right out side my friend Allan's Casa.
It seems that on nearly any street and town in Mexico there are little sidewalk type restaurants that feature barbecue chicken done as only the Mexicans can do it. Since one of my favorites anywhere in the world is chicken I have sampled quite a few and my hands down favorite is "Karina's" little spot in La Penita. We frequented it often last year and have been back several times this year. There is just something about the rub she uses before the chicken is placed on the "barbie". If your in the area, give it a try. See below.
This is a guest blog by Judy Lambe, a neighbour of George and Kathleen in Lo de Marcos, Mexico. My husband Bob and I along with 3 other couples from our RV Park had the privelege of spending New Year's with my hair dresser Yanette, and her family at her "papa's mountain rancho" which is 25 minutes south of Lo de Marcos. See picture below - Yanette & Alonso
Yanette's parent's live in Lo de Marcos and the rancho is run by hired hands. The casa is a big brick and cement open sided building with running water - cold only. No electricity, but a generater to light up everything . There were decorations, flowers, and balloons everywhere and a whole raft of boom box type speakers.....they do like their musica loud!.
Yanette is 1 of 9 children and all of her family was there including her mom and dad. So I believe there were about 25 kids, a few teenagers and about 30 adults, not counting us. There were hugh pots simmering with stuff everywhere. Fruit with sugar cane in one and 2 kinds of milky drinks. A mammoth vat of corn soup called pazole which you add lime juice, onion, chili, radishes and lettuce to yourself. Another hugh pot of tamales. Our group brought salads, pork roast and smokies but was not a big hit....just not their kind of food.
The kids had lots of pinatas which were fun to watch and they also had a gift exchange. The all stood in line until their name was called and open their gift, each one individually. After each opening the child then hugs the one whose name is called next. They are very patient children!!
There was one game we played where the husband's stood on chairs and the wives had to pass a lemon up one pant leg and down the other. It was hilarious!
At 11:45 the generator was turned off so we were in the pitch dark! The sky and the mountains all around us were beautiful and everything was peaceful and serene. Then a couple of children quietly lit candles and stuck them in the ground. At midnight the fireworks started and they were fabulous. When they were finished the hugs and kisses started and they were genuinely pleased we were there.
Once again, we have had the warm experience of a Mexican tradition and how family comes first. Their hospitality is impecable!
Kathleen and I sitting with friends at a beach side restaurant when I had yet another chance to witness a young Mexican family working together to generate a little more household income. I state it that way because perhaps mom and dad have jobs and what was about to unfold was a little side line business on the beach because indeed this day was a Sunday.
I had noticed the crude palapa on the beach when we had arrived at the restaurant and at that moment it was not occupied but on close inspection one could tell it had just recently been erected because the leafy covering was still green and the foliage not wilted. See below.
It wasn't long before a well used pick-up appeared near the restaurant. Mom, dad and three girls close in age piled out and began setting up what would become their little beach sales booth for the day. This was the start of a long two weeks of Christmas/New year vacation time for the affluent Mexican families to flock to the beach for some R & R. Not much different I would say from what we would do North of the Border, but what was different was how without any prodding what-so-ever all of the children assisted in making this venture a reality and made trip after trip back to the truck to get what they could carry. Note the pictures below.
As the items began to take shape the three little girls finished their immediate task and mom and dad set about getting their little enterprise organized. It appeared to me that dad had his piles of coconuts set up near his chopping block and the machete was at the ready. Mom was organizing the various fruits and it looked like she was going to make some sort of drink. The work continued diligently as little by little the beach took on a much busier atmosphere as people began to arrive and enjoy the day. The girls were now allowed to play. See below.
Once ready, mom gets an order and she sets to work. Notice in the pictures how the oldest daughter stops playing with her little sisters and all attention is on what and how mom does her thing. To learn and perhaps be able to apply what is learned is very important within the Mexican family, as who knows, one day it may be there only way to survive. See below.
The first two customers. See below.
It is amazing what families do to help with the household income. There are vendor carts everywhere, everyday, selling various home made offerings and when the Mexican folks come to the beach communities from the inland cities it is time to sell, sell, sell.
Hard to believe that a circle drawn around a body of water on my Mexico Map has lead to what I will try to describe to you in the following paragraphs.
One doesn't just travel to Mexico without giving it serious thought and high on my priority list when planning our first winter travel to Mexico was to get a map and circle all of the potential bass fishing lakes. Hoping that one day we might be near just such a spot. All of this thinking and circling on the map took place several years prior to the reality of our traveling for our first winter to Mexico but in the winter of 2007/2008 (one year ago) we found ourselves spending four months in La Penita Mexico and wanting to fish bass the closest circle on my map was the Agua Milpa Reservoir just North and a bit East of Tepic, Mexico. It was in November of 2007 that Kathleen and I made an exploratory trip to the Reservoir and I blogged about it at that time. See the following link.
What we discovered on the above trip but did not mention in the blog was that the Colorful Indigenous Indian tribe known as the Huichol (pronounced 'Wheatsill') Indians lived in a very remote village accessible only by boat.
Many times when our discussion and plans were in progress for our Winter of 2008/2009 Kathleen would mention that she would like to give by way of donation to the Huichol Indian people school supplies such as pencils, writing paper, erasures, etc. that she would acquire while dragging me from dollar store to dollar store when the opportunity presented itself. Also joining in with humanitarian thinking of donating, were are two son's, daughter in-laws, and especially our four grandchildren who began gathering clothing that was in excellent condition and no longer fit them. It was there efforts and our hauling in the basement of our motor home eight large bags of clothing for boys aged about 7 and girls aged about 5 that resulted in our wondering, "how are we going to get these in the hands of the people we want to receive them, the "Huichol Indians"? We in Lo de Marcos were beginning to think about our options, not for a minute, thinking that what I am about to describe would happen. But first, a few pictures.
A short time ago it was my mentioning the Reservoir, bass fishing, and the remote Indian Village to my RV neighbor Lloyd, that the fantastic trip just completed began to take shape. You see, Lloyd and Gille another neighbor like to put together "mystery trips" and with as little fan fare as possible off they go with those who want to tag along. They have led several and all who go have a great time. This trip started with small scale thinking and within the span of just a few days grew from a few car loads of folks, to a couple of 'collectivos' (van type taxi), to a full fledged bus with plush seating, A/C that worked, and a 'Banio' (bathroom) on board. The bus was as big as they get with seating for 45 and on this venture there were 43 who signed up to go. I must tell you how with the help of Stephane, our local RV park go to person, these enterprising chaps put together a full day bus trip to the boat landing, then a 45 minute boat ride to the remote village, a dinner served at the village by the locals, a cash donation to the village, tips to the 4 boat operators and our bus driver, and a stop in the down town central square area of Tepic on our return for dinner on our own, all for the cost of three hundred pesos each, or about $22.30 U.S.
I could go on and on describing in detail of the bus ride, the scenery, the boat ride, the dinner and tour of the remote village, the walk around with dinner on our own in Centro Tepic but in the end it might be best to let the pictures do the talking. You are going to see through the pictures and expression how 43 of us from North of the Mexican border come together as a diverse group, enjoying each others company on an outing of such magnitude. You are also going to see through pictures of the Indigenous people and their surroundings the most primitive, but yet, to them, adequate needs to sustain their daily lives. You may suspect that you see in some faces of the 'natives' a longing for better, but if the laughter coming from the school as we passed on our 'walk about' of the village is any indication there is much happiness in there simple way of life. We thank the 'Huichol' people of the 'El Potrero de la Palmita' village for their hospitality and sharing of their privacy. Kathleen and I especially want to thank those in our group who helped with getting the clothing and school supplies from bus, to boat, to village, and it goes without saying, that all 43 of us want to thank Lloyd, Gille, and Stephane for making it happen.
The Huichol are known for their beautiful bead work and in the following picture you will see Kathleen's treasures from the visit.
As promised I am going to let the pictures do the talking through the following three slide shows.
Slide Show 1 (the group of 43)
Slide Show 2 (the scenery)
Slide Show 3 (huichol village walk about)
One of our group fell exiting the boat on our return from the village and sustained multiple fractures to her left arm. Two of the gals in our traveling group came to her aid in a most professional manner. It is now reported that her arm has been set and casted. I am sure that in some manner more information will be coming as to her well being. We all hurt for her and wish a speedy recovery.
The following two photo's have been sent to me by Stephane. Enjoy.
On Sundays It has become somewhat of a routine to gather a few friends and head out to breakfast. We try to pick somewhere new that most of us have not been to but someone has heard is a good place to eat. We usually plan to leave around the crack of nine and caravan to where ever we are going. Today it was to a restaurant close to the Mission in Rincon and I am embarrassed to say I did not catch the name. There were ten of us today and everyone said what they ordered was very good. I know that what Kathleen and I had was excellent. Kathleen had a fresh fruit cup with yogurt and granola and I had a omelett mega with shrimp and hash browns. We were all served fresh buttered warm rolls and jam with our meals. Most had coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice as well. What you see in the picture cost Kathleen and I 95 pesos ($8.95) total.
We arrived back at the Park at about 10:15, just in time to make a meeting of friends at the Park Restaurant getting together to discuss and plan a "mystery tour" that about 30 of us are going on Tuesday. Should be fun and I will write about it after its conclusion.
About mid-afternoon Brian, Olga, Kathleen and I jumped in the jeep and headed out on an exploratory drive to find a beach that we had heard of in a neighboring town. We stopped to ask the boys who had their truck pulled off the road and in to a creek if we were headed in the right way to find the "playa" (beach). We were, so off we went.
The road wasn't bad considering it was gravel and in places large stones or just plain dust and dirt and the scenery was intriguing as we wound our way up in to the mountains before cresting and then descending to access a very remote beach area. The picture below is looking back at the village we first passed through before beginning our mountain/jungle climb.
When we did finally crest the mountain and descend to the beach we discovered a hotel of sorts with a no vacancy sign posted. Apparently there are about 10 rooms that can be rented. Interestingly there is no electricity at this hotel and the rest of the amenities are equally lacking. It was primitive to say the least. On our return from having a look at the beach we noticed a lake off in the distance further back in the valley and all of us agreed that we would save finding access to it a trip for another day.
In February 2008 eleven months ago we were in the La Penita RV Park and the pregnant Mexican gal who tirelessly opened her little restaurant near the pool each day so many of us could walk over for a great breakfast or a pretty good sandwich mid day delivered a little nina, bebe Karen.
Mom to be "Ceci" as she was affectionately known became a friend to us all as her big smile, dedication to her task, and daily presence could be counted on as she progressed through her pregnancy.
Cesi worked up to near the day she delivered and when she did deliver news spread quickly throughout the park and those who were closest to her planned a baby shower much as would be held in the U.S. or Canada. It seems that many of Cesi's family came to the event including grandma's, sisters, cousins, and etc. For those of us in the park it was a wonderful moment to be able to share the joy of this new little person and for a moment we felt like family. Below is a picture of Kathleen on that day holding little 'bebe Karen'.
Today at eleven months of age little Bebe Karen appears to be happy, healthy, and the apple of her mamma's eye. Her surrogate auntie and uncle are pretty pleased as well!
This is a major holiday week in Mexico for both Christmas and New Years and the streets and beaches are very busy. All this activity causes anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit to take up their spot on the street or on the beach to ply their trade. In the picture above this hard working gentleman was stripping sugar cane, cutting it in 2 inch lengths, bagging it and from his table seen in the background, selling it. I had seen the kids riding around town on their bikes sucking/chewing on the stuff and decided to give it a try. I have chewed on a few plain 'ol sticks in my life time and the only thing I detected different today was a little sweeter taste perhaps. I wasn't too impressed and I don't think those who I passed out samples to in the park were either. Maybe I need to be more like a kid, to truly enjoy it. That could be arranged.
In the picture below this lady vendor is selling pop-overs filled with a pudding substance that is pretty good. I was just finishing lunch of a Hamburgesa Irene, pappa fritos, and a pacifico beer so I bought two to go so Kathleen could have a treat when I got back from my daily venture.
Looking North up the beach from the little restaurant shows that there is a little more activity on the beach because of the holiday.
It's New Years Day 2009 now as I sit outside on our Patio here in the Tlaquepaque RV Park here in Lo de Marcos. Click on the link if you want to explore it.
The picture of the bonfire above was taken on the beach just outside the Park last night as many of us gathered to sit around the fire (in shorts at 75 degree's) to usher in the New Year and watch the fire works display put on for us by the complex. It has to rank as one of the best New Years Eve parties I have attended. Earlier before walking out to the beach six of us went out to dinner by walking only a short distance outside the complex to a restaurant and all had meals that we all would order again in a heart beat. We toasted the coming of the New Year there. Two of the owners sons came to our table to practice taking our order even though their sister Rosa had already done so. See the pictures below.
The Park inhabitants are a bit subdued today as there were groups going to various functions of celebration and many no doubt did not return till the wee hours of the morning. Our French Canadian friends and neighbors, Gilles and Diane Beland, kept with a New Years tradition of theirs, making French Toast and delivering to everyone in their coaches, a plate for each. It was a great touch to add to the waking of the morning and delicious to boot. See below.
As I sit here typing this blog the hummingbirds at our three feeders are being very vocal as there are a few dominate males wanting to claim it all for themselves. They zip around chattering and dive bombing each other constantly. There must be 10 to 15 at any given moment. Very entertaining.
As you enter our complex through the Hotel/Bugalow lobby here at Tlaquepaque the staff have created a Christmas Nativity Scene that is a bit unique. Here in Mexico in addition to Jesus and the Manger Scene the Devil plays an integral part. Note what happens when you take the wrong road. See below.
We want to take this opportunity to wish all of our friends and blog fans a very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year. We know that many of you are shoveling snow and vacationing vicariously through our blog and pictures and we appreciate all the kind words sent our way. I will leave you with a few pictures of the last few days via the following slide show.
Its a tough life but someone has to do it. When we get up in the morning we start the day with nothing to do and when we go to bed we hope we only have it half done.
Today was beach day. Someone makes the general announcement to anyone in hearing distance that at 1:30 we are going to the beach and before you know it more than a hand full of friends are ready to head that way.
Pictured above are our immediate neighbors here in Lo de Marcos Bob and Judy from Penetang Ontario. When we all gather we still have nothing to do and that makes solving the worlds problems a great part of the conversation.
Today we were all treated to a jumping, and chasing fish display by a few dolphins and shortly thereafter a large hump back whale cruised by fairly close to the beach breaching and blowing as he went.
Several locals riding their horses came by on their way to the river outlet to give them a bath. The beach is a little more active for at least the next week as a few bus loads of inland residents have come to vacation over the holidays.
Pictured below are two of our newest friends from Canada, Ken and Gayle.
The slide show for today is just a montage of our friends on the beach.
First let me say I have never been a fan of raw oysters. My mom used to make once a year or so oyster soup and I found that to be delicious but that slimy raw thing sliding down my throat just never excited me.
The other day I was having a Hamburgasaa Irene (hamburger with cheese, bacon, lettuce, and tomato) and fries on the side when this entrepreneurial fellow showed up next to the restaurant with a knapsack on his back, carrying a five gallon pail full of oysters that he had just picked off the rocks south of town. He also had a couple smaller pails in his other hand. He approached someone of authority at the restaurant to secure a table for his use and also filled one of his small pails with water from the spigot near the building. He looked around and found a large rock and that was to be his anvil.
It wasn't long and local patrons from the restaurant and those who were just showing up were stopping by his table to order oysters. One young girl in her twenties joined by her (most likely) grandma and grandpa ordered twenty. The young man reached in to his knapsack, got out a platter, and with one hand splashed a little water from the bucket on it, rubbed it with his other hand making a washing motion, and then dried it with his tee shirt. He proceeded to put the oyster on the rock and with a large pliers he would whack and crack an edge off the oyster. Now he was able to insert a knife like tool and open the shell. Throwing the top part of the shell away, he washed the oyster and half shell in the same bucket of water and placed the oyster half shell on the plate. It didn't take him long to have the 20 completed and reaching again in to his knapsack he pulled out a couple of limes, cut them in half and served them in the center of the plate. Grandma, Grandpa, and the young lady devoured the 20 in no time at all, while I am a few feet away now having trouble just swallowing what was a darn good hamburger
The same scenario was repeated several times, same plate with a quick splash and wash as previously mentioned.
Those of us from North of the Border know enough to be cautious about the use of tap water and although getting fresh oysters like this within just a few hours of them being pulled from the rocks and water and then served by the same fellow for a price, that would be unheard of anywhere but here, is probably not a good idea. The South of the Border revenge, if you know what I mean can be wicked.
It sure was interesting watching this chap ply his trade.
Christmas in Lo de Marcos Mexico is like Christmas anywhere the only difference for us who hail from North of the Border is that it is hard to get in the spirit when the temp is 80 degrees F when you get up and 80 degrees F when you go to bed but at some point during the day we tune in the weather from home and we are reminded of just how lucky we are to be here.
The photo you see above is what greets us as we step out the front door of our coach. In everyones space there are flowers blooming, some with bananas growing, strange birds flitting about, and the occasional cloud that passes overhead. Yes, we are in the tropics.
Kathleen has been participating in Choir practice with a group from the RV park in preparation of singing Christmas Carols for the 10:00 p.m. Mass at the local Church. Most of the Choir participants are our French Canadian friends from the park and most of the songs were to be done in French with a few English versions thrown in for good measure. Many of us attended the Christmas Eve Mass not only to hear them sing but also to have the complete experience while guests here in Mexico. The people of Lo de Marcos have been wonderful to us and this was no exception. I managed to get a picture of the Choir and one of the inside of the church before moving outside to give my seat up to a local lady who arrived late and the church was packed. When I moved outside I discovered that there was standing room only and many were outside the main door looking in but were still able to participate in the Mass and of course the Lords Supper that followed the Mass. The Choir from North of the Border sounded very good and it was obvious that the locals appreciated the gesture. It was near mid-night when we turned in for the night as Christmas day was going to be special for us as well.
On Christmas day about 20 of us who also had Christmas together in Mexico in 2007 got together again to celebrate. Ken and Debbie hosted us all at there pad just two sites over from ours. Ken and Debbie prepared two turkeys and each couple was assigned a dish to prepare and bring to share. As is always the case there was more than enough very good food. I continue to be in awe of the number of superb cooks in our little circle of friends. The following slide show is just a glimpse of what our afternoon was like as we all did our best to get in the spirit and try to convince ourselves it really was Christmas day.
Kathleen and I went out for Dinner this evening and as can be the case here in Mexico you don't always get to dine alone. Lets see, just in the last week or so I have been joined by a chicken pecking on my leg, and now a little kitten that both wanted to play and in the end was just looking for a comfortable spot to take a siesta. Look closely at my feet under the table. Our dinners of Pollo Asada were excellent and we will try this little restaurant again. Check out the slide show that follows.
5:30pm, Sunday Dec 21st, at the Palapa
Bring your cocktails, and maybe a snack, to an hour of fun and laughter at the Palapa this Sunday.
We've brought together four of the best liars in Lo de Marcos to entertain you with their explanations of the meanings of some very strange English words. Will the team at your table be able to identify which one of the panelists is telling the truth?Don't miss this chance to broaden your vocabulary and meet the El Refugio Liars Club. Please try to be seated by 5:15pm - the fun starts at 5:30pm
Let me set the stage for the evening. The Four distinguished that you see above were to present their definition and description of a word and then those of us sitting at numbered tables were to work as a team and vote for whom we thought was telling the truth.
One knew that it was going to get very interesting as the four were composed of three retired members of various law enforcement groups in Canada and one retired Canadian Politician.
The event was held in the beautiful central palapa that has become the gathering place for some of the smaller functions. Some of the descriptions given by the four did drag on a bit long but all in all it was very entertaining and humorous.
There was a 50/50 raffle held with 50% of the proceeds going to a 12 year old girl from the Lo de Marcos Village who was just this past week injured severely in a bazaar collapse of a basketball pole and hoop near the church.
The winning table would be announced at the end of the evening based on how many times they correctly identified the person who was actually telling the truth. The winning table would then not only win 50% of the raffle but also a nice bottle of tequila.
And the winners Are
It was only right that we agreed that the injured 12 year old should receive the entire amount of the raffle and she will therefore be getting 920 pesos and a lot of prayers for a full recovery.
A good many of the RV park residents participated in this fun evening and perhaps you will recognize some of them when you run the following slide show.
The Wagons (coaches/5th wheels) are circled. Now its time to put out a few tables, circle the chairs, proclaim there is a block party scheduled, put on some music, make your favorite finger food to share, and everyone in section "B" is invited.
Throw in any other excuse you can come up with such as a birthday to celebrate, its too nice a day to waste, nothing else is planned, or I don't want my 'baileys' to get stale, and you have the makings for a great reason to get to know your neighbors better.
A couple of days ago with the organizational skills of a few we did just what I have described. A real down home block party for our area of the RV park. The only difference with a block party way down here in Mexico verses the one some may have had at home is when you look around virtually everyone is showing a little leg (temperature does that to you) and a little grey on the top floor (not sure what caused that).
You can not believe the quality of the cooks and the number of outstanding dishes that appear. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time and many new friendships were formed. I need to wrap up this blog as I believe there is another party about to begin. Enjoy the Slide show.
Chacala
Following our recent visit to Chacala I can’t seem to stop thinking about the little village by the ocean. Eight to ten years ago when I first started reading a lady's blog that was being published from this little Mexican village called Chacala I was captivated by her day to day description of life in this far away place. She wrote with such a style that it was years before I was able to determine this was a woman writing. It was even years after that when I finally was able to learn her name and that was only days before I learned of her death. In all of this time I had but one desire and that was to one day visit this place. I did that during the winter of 2007/2008 when we drove the “tininthewind” some 1,200 miles south of the U.S./Mexico border.
It was as Andy had described it. Immediately on stepping foot in the community and walking the beach I felt that I had indeed arrived in the heart of Mexico and could experience the laid back existence of sitting under a palm tree, listening to the waves crash the shore, with my sombrero tipped down over my face while I contemplated what I wasn’t going to do for the rest of the day.
Now, on this visit, watching the trucks, bulldozers, and workers through the huge chain link fence I felt sadness for those who lost their homes and laid back livelihood because they were probably forced to accept this new progress with the promise that with progress will come a better life style for them.
I am immediately reminded of when Miguel met Michael.................Click Here
Thursday is market day in La Penita and though we don't go every Thursday it is always fun when we do. The plan is to always leave early, find a place to park, hit a street side restaurant for breakfast and then walk the market. Since it stretches for near a mile I guess I should say, we walk some of it.
Today following the Market we decided to continue heading North and make a return visit to the little beach side village of Chacala. I wrote extensively about this little community during last years visit to the area as it was where my blogging friend 'Andy' resided.
We had heard from a friend that Chacala has been grossly changed because a high dollar developer has purchased much of the town, fenced off the area, bulldozed the beach side huts and restaurants, and is planning to build a huge high rise hotel complex. The rumors are true. What we witnessed today took a moment of pause. They call this progress? I'm not so sure?
On our return trip toward home to Lo de Marcos we again passed through La Penita and we noticed that the little highway side restaurant of Karina and her fire grilled chicken was open for business. Last year though we spoke hardly a word of Spanish and she, even less English we counted her a friend as we stopped often to enjoy what still is the best grilled chicken we have found. Below is a picture I took last year on one of our first visits.
Last year Karina had a broken wrist for much of the time we were in La Penita and yet most every day she tended to her little restaurant. We fussed over her 'ouch' a lot and perhaps that helped to cement our friendship and bond. Today when we stopped the smile and hugs told us that she hadn't forgotten us and once again we enjoyed one of her special dinners.
This time she had more to share with us as she introduced three of her grandchildren to us and a grandma's pride is truly universal. Both Kathleen and I got to hold the newest little Nina (female) also named Karina. What a bundle of joy.
I had just returned on my scooter from ordering our Sunday afternoon meal of rotisserie chicken and vegetables from the street vendor who only fixes them on Sundays when several of our friends started talking about going out to the beach and enjoy the day. Four of our very good friends decided to join us but they were going to do dinner at the beach restaurant first. Since I had about 3 hours before I would return to get the chicken dinners that I had ordered we all set off for the beach. The above picture shows our chairs set up and the little restaurant on the sand that our buddies went for dinner. All this is a very short distance from our Rv's.
It is Sunday and you can get a sense of how uncrowded the Lo de Marcos beach is. When we do this on week days it is really quiet.
There were several shrimp boats anchored off shore and on the horizon a sail boat was visible as it headed south along the coast. The pelicans were extremely active as they dove for fish. It is quite a spectacle to watch the pelicans fold their wings and dive straight in to the water as they go after the fish. It is another matter to catch them on camera as they plunge in to the water.
Looking both North and South from our spot on the beach shows just how few folks were enjoying the beach. We wish all of our Northern friends could come and visit us as we would love to show this area off.
A couple times each week there is produce available right in the park. The fellow with the produce truck usually shows up rather early in the a.m. and then drives through the park honking his horn to signal his arrival. The bread truck usually slowly drives through the park with one of the ladies kids driving as both ladies walk along side the truck singing out "fresh bread" with a very heavy Spanish accent. Those who have needs eventually surface from their individual units and the shopping commences. The produce is as fresh as can be, especially that grown locally. The bread and pastries were made during the night and are incredibly fresh. Shopping day is always fun.
I include a picture of tonight's dinner as it is one of my favorites to do here in Mexico because everything is so fresh. On the skewers to the right are shrimp, pineapple, peppers, and onions. On the skewers to the left are ribbons of chicken breast. A very fast meal, and healthy to boot.
I took the above picture while sitting at our table waiting for the RV Park Welcome Party to begin. As you can see from the picture not only was a near full moon as it rose from behind the mountains adding to the beauty of our surrounding area, but also contributing were the table settings, decorations, balloons, tiki lights, and overall just the central area of this complex. Surrounding us as we sat on this freshly painted basketball court are some of the bungalows, restaurant, bar, pool, soccer field, and the huge palm tree's. All of the above we see every day, but tonight we were privileged to be the guests of the owners and staff as they wanted to thank us for coming to spend our winter in there complex.
Yes, there were a few speeches, all delivered in Spanish, English and French. Following those we were treated to an excellent meal of baked chicken, mashed potatoes, pasta, and a dinner roll. Mexican dancers doing their traditional dances and dressed in their finest costumes entertained us throughout the evening. There was DJ type music for dancing and some entertaining games that filled the evening.
Check out the slide show that follows to see if you recognize anyone...
We are very comfortable with the lay-out of our pad and tend to spend most of the day just hanging out (literally). Neighbors feel comfortable to just drop in to sit and visit. One of our near by neighbors stopped in with her beautiful Cat this evening and we were able to get our Kittie fix.
Our Christmas lights are up and we have them on a dusk sensing timer so they come on at dark and then turn themselves off automatically two hours later. The entire park is taking on a Christmas festive atmosphere but I must admit it is difficult to get in the Ho-Ho-Ho spirit when the temp is in the 80's and beads of sweat come easily with any exertion.
Today I sat out side and took completely apart a digital camera that is not working correctly. I cleaned what I could and used canned compressed air to blow any dust out of it. I put it back together and it still doesn't work. At least it is giving me the same fault code that it had before I took it apart so I feel good at least to have re-assembled it properly. The next thing will be to use a hammer on it. When all else fails sometimes that will fix it.
Many flowers are in bloom now and we have a lot of different colors just around our pad. We haven't been able to attract the hummingbirds like we did last year but we will continue to try. Four couples came from La Penita to visit us today and we all walked out to the beach side restaurant for burgers and fries. We gave everyone a good tour of our park before they left.
Life is good!
The Perez Brothers came to our Tlaquepaque RV Park to provide three hours of "50's -- 60's Rock and Roll as only 4 brothers from here in the local area can do. When the instruments play Johnny Cash "Folsom Prison" or Chubby Checkers "the twist" there is no language issue. When the boys sing it in that beautiful Spanish language, and then kick over to English with a hint of a Spanish accent, you listen in awe.
It was an enjoyable evening to again have the opportunity of partying on with our fellow Park Residents and it was heart warming to see the Park and Hotel staff also enjoying themselves. For some it was also an opportunity to renew friendships with acquaintances from last years visit to the area, as the park made all welcome who wanted to come.
It is difficult at best to get good pictures in the dark and my sore foot tells me that I should have danced a little less, but if you do not see your self in the following slide show, it might just be because you were 'movin and grovin' way to fast for the camera to catch you.
It was such a nice day (heck, all days are nice here) that we decided to just go for a drive and so we set out for Punta Mita via a coastal road that lead out the back side of Syulita. The drive was interesting in that the road was black top and in pretty good repair. The jungle growth was right up to the edge of the road and driving the 'tininthewind' on this road would be a no-no, but the jeep could maneuver around the overgrowth.
Punta Mita is one of the first beach side communities just North of Puerto Vallarta and the building of high rise hotels is taking place on a grand scale. The one pictured above is the one we chose to try for lunch and we were not disappointed. The food was excellent, and the prices were a bit more than we are used to in Lo de Marcos but then this is one of those areas that caters to the tourists who fly in to Puerto Vallarta and want up scale surroundings. There were a number of surfers of all ages hanging out at the bar and they parked their surf boards outside much as one would rack a bicycle.
There are so many up scale hotels in this area that moving people between locations and restaurants is done by water taxis like the one pictured below. It struck me that these pelicans decided not to fly but to take the water taxi instead. Problem was, the driver decided to take a siesta.
We decided to return to Lo de Marcos via the main road from Punta Mita and just before joining that highway we stopped to photograph Puerto Vallarta off in the distance.
There is nothing unique about the beach restaurant in Lo de Marcos or is there? Kathleen and I decided to give it a try for lunch today as we skimped a bit on breakfast. The scene is typical of all small communities in Mexico. Sand in your feet, the sound of waves crashing on shore and a gentle breeze to make everything very comfortable. Today we also were treated to a bunch of dolphins jumping and chasing fish near the shore. Sorry I wasn't able to capture them at the top of their leap. Next time.
One thing I can tell you. The last thing I expected was a peck on my leg. For a moment, startled and quickly withdrawing my leg from under the table, I thought I had got a new religion. On further inspection, I must admit, things are kept very clean and neat around the area. I don't think I will order any thing exotic from the menu. It just might taste like chicken.
Nine of us headed out for Breakfast this morning, most in separate vehicles, as there were different plans following breakfast. Now, normally going in a group like that to a Mexican Restaurant is not a good idea because they have a one meal at a time preparation and serving mentality but this was to be a Mexican style Buffet at one of the better hotels in Rincon.
The setting in an open outdoor area fronting the beach. The view of the ocean and the waves rolling in on the sand is spectacular.
We had cooked to order omelette's with ingredients of your choosing. Fruit plates with thinned yogurt ladled on top, your choice of flavors. Pancakes with butter and syrup. Some traditional Mexican breakfast dishes that I can't begin to pronounce. Coffee, and or orange/mango juice. It was all excellent, there was not a complaint by anyone except there was no Tocino (bacon). Brian asked if we could get some bacon. Shortly a full plate of bacon arrived, done perfectly, and when it was emptied, another plate full would appear. I don't know how many plates of bacon we went through but most of us will be taking two lipators tonight!
I know, I know, here we are in beautiful Lo de Marcos with the emphasis on the beach, ocean, temperature, fellow RV'ers, and our el Refugio RV park and I am going to show you pictures of our back yard but, hey, the whole surrounding area is wonderful.
I was preparing skewers of local shrimp and vegetables (including pineapple chunks) on our grill outside when our neighbors Ken and Debbie told me to grab my camera as there were a couple of pink spoon bill type swans in the estuary just behind us.
We have a chain link fence laced with vines and beautiful flowers behind our units and just on the other side of that is an attractive estuary that changes daily with the raising and lowering of the tide and the life that wanders there. There is even cattle that frequents the area from a near by farm. I took the following pictures standing in one spot, not more than 50 feet behind the 'tininthewind'.
The beautiful RV park here in Lo de Marcos is beginning to fill for the season as each day there are more and more units arriving. The park is perhaps half full and by December 1st most if not all will have arrived.
For those of us who are already here friendships are beginning to form as new neighbors are greeted as they pull in or introductions are made in passing. Word was sent out through e-mail by Stephan that a "Pot Luck" was being organized and would be held at the two story palapa in section 'C'.
I would guess you could count on one hand those who did not participate. As is usually the case when a pot luck is held there was more than enough food, the dishes were as varied as the nationalities that were in attendance, and the quality was outstanding. We are truly blessed in this park to have many superb cooks and I for one hope this has been only one of many "Pot Lucks" that will take place in the future.
I was impressed that people did not just squirrel away in their own little groups but tended to mingle and want to meet and greet new faces. I for one hope that as we go through the next 4 or 5 months everyone continues to want to make new friend ships, even though they may be only for the evening event.
The fellow in control of the microphone and making announcements etc. introduced me and gave out the link to our blog and invited all to let their "back home" significant others know where they could access stories and pictures from Lo de Marcos. Last year many family members sent me an e-mail letting me know that it was a treat to see pictures of "mom and dad", "brothers and sisters", relaxing and enjoying themselves. I suspect that this year will be no different. To those who do see the pictures and perhaps roll their eye's because "mom" or "dad" has a mike in their hands and is belting out a song at Karaoke night, remember one thing. There is a smile on their face, they are in R & R mode, and have worked hard all their life so as to now be able to let their hair down a bit. I can assure you that no one here is embarrassed by their actions, only grateful to be on this side of the sod and able to participate. Rock on my fellow Lo de Marco park guests!
We attended the Revolution Day Celebration in La Penita last year and enjoyed the festivities but were especially warmed by the open acceptance of us "gringos" and our cameras and this year in Lo de Marcos was no exception.
As I moved through the crowd of locals with my camera children were anxious to pose and moms standing near by gave an encouraging nod with a smile as I pointed to my camera and then to the child. No language barrier as they knew what I was asking.
I noticed in Lo de Marcos more than I did in La Penita last year a greater significance given to the elders. There was a queen and her court and a large contingent of elderly that I took to being grandparents all dressed alike and grouped together as the festivities progressed.
There were fewer street vendors in Lo de Marcos but the lady with the grilled chicken caught our eye and I returned later in the day to purchase two (dose), medium (media), chicken (pollo), dinners to go. Not knowing the words for "dinners to go" I pointed to the carry out bags hanging near by and then to my scooter which I had arrived on. Along with a half chicken each we received grilled potatoes, grilled chillies, and grilled onions. I must have miscommunicated as we had enough vegetables to feed half the park. All for the grand total of $102.00 pesos or $7.84 U.S. The meal by the way was excellent but not quite as good as "Kristina's" in La Penita.
To read the account of Last years Celebration and more pictures in La Penita click on the link below. Then scroll down to "Mexico Revolution Day Celebration".
What is it like being full-time motor homers and living the life of “perpetual campers”? I can tell you in just two words, but first let me describe the past couple of weeks.
We headed back to the familiar territory of the mid-west to take care of business (medical appointments and check ups) from having spent an absolute fabulous winter and spring with new found friends in Mexico and the south-west. First was a visit in the Des Moines Iowa area with friends and family members. Then a bee-line to Sunshine Acres RV Park, Jim and Alyce’s country estate near Waukon Iowa (Kathleen’s brother). Our parking pad overlooking the lush farm fields and the hours spent dining and visiting with Jim and Alyce are and will become an annual highlight. Attending the 1st birthday party of our grand nephew Jake, seeing how our grand niece Jaylin has grown, and visiting all three May Boy’s homes, scattered across Iowa was awesome. Visiting Kathleen’s two Aunts, Goldie and Emerald in the Care Center in Waukon is always an important stop for me. These are two of the classiest ladies you could ever have the privilege to meet.
The most important person next to Kathleen of course is my mom and we have spent many days traveling the short distance from wherever we are to visit with her in the Garnavillo Assisted Living Center and take her for rides through the country side.
We have moved now from the Sun Shine Acres RV Park and are “camped” within feet of our beloved Mississippi River at Blackhawk Park. We go to sleep with the sounds of a tow with its barges making its way up or down the channel, a freight train passing in the distance, or the splash of a fish chasing whatever as it feeds. We get up to a hearty breakfast and once it warms a bit we can each pursue something we enjoy. Lets see, yesterday I grabbed my favorite rod, walked to the bank 50 feet behind the coach and caught two small mouth bass 14 to 15 inches in length. A short time later I joined my brother near his small horse farm and went morel mushroom hunting. Then last night Kathleen and I sat down to bass fillets and mushrooms before settling in for the evening of computing or reading. Today I went fishing again from the bank, caught and released several nice bass, but kept a nice 16” walleye for a future supper.
We are busy trying to make contact with as many of our friends in this area as we can because all too soon our visit here will end and we will be off on other adventures.
Now, what is it like living the life of “perpetual campers”?? In just two words---- It’s Wonderful.
We had an opportunity to take a step back in time today and it was amazing to discover, not a lot has changed.
Just south of the town, (Garnavillo, Iowa) approximately two miles down a gravel road is a meandering creek, (Buck Creek). The access to this pristine hidden gem at the end of a dead end road was a pleasant surprise to us both as we discovered very little change from what we experienced years and years ago.
I was a young lad in the 1950’s when I would leave the house, many times alone, on my bike with my fish pole early in the morning to fish for trout. When the sun climbed high in the sky and it warmed, I took every chance to head for the deepest hole and cool off by swimming. I recall many hours spent just laying on my back letting my mind wander as I contemplated the future.
When Kathleen and I started dating in high school I introduced her to the solitude and beauty of this little valley and the creek meandering through it. We dreamed and discussed back then a desire to buy this little corner of Iowa one day and perhaps settle there, but that never came to pass.
Our return there to walk the banks of the creek and to see that the two building (the old mill) and an old brick house still exist and in fact have been somewhat restored and are now some lucky family’s week-end retreat. We also learned that the private land that runs throughout the valley is still in the care of the same family descendants that owned it years ago. Cattle still graze the grass, trout fisherman still climb the stile to access the creek and if for just a moment you let your mind wander you can almost feel yourself going back to a less complicated time.
In the previous blog Kathleen placed us where we are and what we are up to but she failed to mention the weather.
Like those that could, we hung back in the Southwest because the weather north seemed rather unsettled and cold. In watching the weather it appeared that it was warming and so off we went. I admit, I did make the trip North a little faster than would have been necessary but so much of the area we needed to cross is known as tornado alley and I really didn’t want to park under one.
Our weather problems started with our second night in Des Moines when throughout the night (5 times) our NOAA weather alert radio went off to warn us of approaching severe thunder storms and hail. It did get nasty but the hail stayed small enough not to do any damage to us.
We got lucky to have a sunny day to continue on to the Northeast area of Iowa and the small community of Elkader. The Deer Run RV Park would be our home for a few days while we then drove a few miles to visit my mom who is now in an assisted living facility in Garnavillo, Iowa (the town that Kathleen and I both graduated high school from).
That was the last sun shine we would see as the last couple of days have been constant rain, thunder, lightening, and anything else you can imagine. We are camped along the Turkey River here in Elkader and it is at the top of its banks and continuing to rise. During the night the towns siren went off for about 10 minutes and we were concerned enough to try and find out what was going on. There were vehicles running around shining lights here and there. I put my robe on and went out to flag one down to inquire and was told that the local fire fighters had been called out to sand bag just below us as the river had breached the dyke. He assured us we were on high enough ground that we should be OK for the time being. This morning the road leading in to the town and this camp ground is closed as the water had been over the road during the night. Apparently the sand bags did their thing as the water is no longer over the road, but the road remains closed to all but local traffic.
We were going to move today but will remain put as the pending weather is looking even more ominous. The temperatures are scheduled to drop some 20 degree’s in the next couple of hours as the rain/snow will intensify when the front passes. The forecast for all of next week look to be wet and cold.
Wonder how long it would take this retired truck driver to make it back to at least Yuma, Arizona?
We are still in Casa Grande Arizona going on our third week. We continue to watch the weather north of here and will begin our trek in that direction when it looks like we can dodge all the snow flakes, floods, tornadoes, and what ever else will appear in our path. It’s pretty hard to find fault with 80’s, and sun shine every day, here in the southwest.
We left our “tininthewind” motor coach here at the Rovers Roost Escapee’s RV Park and flew from Phoenix to Seattle and a much needed visit with our Son’s and their families. The grandkids at this young age are still excited to see grandma and grandpa. The hugs, kisses, and snuggles are worth their weight in gold.
Visiting and vacationing in the Phoenix area are our former neighbors and good friends, Norm and Jean Krause, and Melvin and Lorraine Miller. We all met for an afternoon baseball game between the Arizona Diamond Backs playing the LA Dodgers. The Diamond Backs won 5 to 4. Throwing out the first pitch was JJ Yelie the driver of the #96 Nascar Racecar. He entered the stadium with one of the cars to the applause of the baseball crowd. Kathleen is and always has been a huge Dodgers fan so going to the game was a real treat.
Most of you know that we both are die hard Nascar fans and Dale Earnhardt Jr. who now drives the #88 is our favorite driver. Since Nascar is running at the Phoenix International Raceway this week-end it is only fitting that we attend. We are going to both of the major races. Friday night will be the running of the Nation Wide Series and will be televised on ESPN. Saturday night will be the running of the Sprint Cup Series and will be televised on Fox. We will be in the Pettie Grandstand, turn 4, right across from the entrance to the pits, row 27, seats 7 & 8. We also have pit passes and will be taking in everything we can in and around the teams as they prepare for the races. We are extremely excited. Can you tell!
On our morning walk today we decided to go outside the RV Park in to the Desert which is virtually all around us. Our purpose was to photograph the Flowers and Cacti that are prevalent and some in bloom. After all it is well in to the Spring Season here. Around the entire RV Park is a beautiful brick wall approximately 4 feet in height and a stunning display of Cacti from the region front it. Wish you could have heard the birds as they are so vocal here. Everything and everyone seem so happy, especially us! Go ahead and click on the slide show below to see what we enjoyed this morning.
We “Be” still in Yuma Arizona at the Escapee RV Park till March 18th and then I am not sure where we will “be”. We will just check the temperature and find what suits us and then head there.
Our good friends Glen and Brenda pulled out this morning as they have to “Go” home to Campbell River, BC. Jean and Al left a few days ago, Brian, Olga, Gerry, Margaret, Barry, & Marion all will have to “Go” before the month is out, to park their rigs, open up the house and settle in until it is time to head south again next October/November.
You see, with this full-time life style of ours we don’t have to “go” home, we “be” home. It is true that we do still refer to the area of the U.S. that we used to have our stick house as home, and we always will, but it sure is nice to just “be” home no matter where we are.
When we first arrived in Yuma Arizona we booked in to the Fortuna Del Oro RV Park. A moderately priced park with some 800 spaces. We decided we would give this park a limited try as one of the couples we had made friends with in Mexico was already there and what the heck, a little extravagance we deserved. We have now moved. We try when we can in our full time life style of RVing to use our membership parks and therefore home for the next one or two weeks will be the Yuma Arizona Escapee Park.
Yuma as you would expect is a popular destination for the “snowbirds” and there are RV Parks of all shapes, sizes, and pricing plans. In addition there seems to be RV dealers on every corner. There is also a huge outdoor market that is geared to the snowbird and their RV needs. We will no doubt spend several days just checking out the merchandise as there are a few items we would like to add to our RV life. This is the time of year to be buying as vendors are closing out for the season since most snowbirds will be headed back north in a week or two.
This Escapee Park is small by most standards in this area, with 154 sites. It is a warm and friendly atmosphere which is exactly what Escapee’s are noted for. There is an excellent heated pool (86 degrees), and a hot tub that is very nice, a clubhouse, laundry, and planned activities throughout the week. We have 50 amp electric, and water with sewer hook up. There is also cable TV for those who desire it.
While we continue to enjoy getting re acclimated to good ole’ American food we will have a great place to hang out here at the Yuma SKP Park.
Friends on the Beach
It has become common to arrive at the beach and find friends gathering, or if you are first to arrive, it usually isn’t long and your friends will begin to gather. Pictured here is just an example of today. Tomorrow is a new day we will probably do it all over again.
Dinner Out
It is not uncommon to have several couples get together to go out to dinner. Sometimes it is to pay tribute to a guest of a friend who traveled miles to visit and sometimes it is just to enjoy the company of friends. Pictured here is just an example of today. Tomorrow is a new day and we will probably do it all over again.
For months now when questioning the time we have all been saying, “who cares?” Just in the last couple of days, time seems to be taking on a little more importance. Friends ask us, “When are you leaving back for the states?” We in turn are asking our friends the same question, as to when are they planning to leave. These questions floating around sure put reality to the fact that it won’t be long and we all will be heading for either the U.S. or Canada. It will be exciting to finally be on the move again, but it will also be with mixed emotion, as we part company with many special friends. There are quite a bunch of us who plan to return to Mexico next November and we will have a big reunion then. Some we may even have the opportunity to visit as we travel throughout the summer.
Starting tomorrow Kathleen and I are leaving our coach in the protective custody of our neighbors here at La Penita RV Park and we are going on an exploratory trip down the West Coast of Mexico by car. We really don’t have any firm plans for where we will go, or how far, as we want to be totally free to do as we please. We plan to return on Friday or Saturday, just in time for us to get ready for a little finger food party we are planning to host for Sunday evening. One of my RV park neighbors has hired the Perez Brothers to play at a little private party he is hosting and it just makes good sense to host our friends at our place and take advantage of listening to a couple of hours of excellent music. I have commented about the Perez Brothers in a previous blog.
Once all of the aforementioned is behind us it will be time to get serious about working on the last of the tanning opportunities and time to start thinking about getting things ready to travel. The nice part of this life style is nothing is cut in stone but for the sake of planning we will begin our trek north some time near the end of this month. We were discussing what we are looking forward to when we cross the border back in to the states. Kathleen is anxious to buy and sample some cottage cheese, and for me I am looking forward to a big North American Breakfast.
Will we miss anything about Mexico? There would not be room enough or time at the moment to write all that we will miss. This has been a fantastic 1st winter of our new retired RV lifestyle and will be extremely hard to top in the future, but rest assured we will try!
Everyone is allowed their time at which they tend to roll out in the morning. Of course that can vary depending on what activities you choose to get involved in. So far I have managed to not get involved in those that would require me to have to roll out too early. I do best when I can sleep in.
As an example this morning I got up at about 8:15. Kathleen had left for an organized exercise group that she has been participating in around 7:30. At about 9:00 we both went over to the pool and had breakfast. I ordered the “Kitchen Sink Omelet” and Kathleen had the “Media Fruita Platter” and we each had a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice. At least one of us orders healthily.
We came back to the coach and I started a clean and polish project on the rear of the coach that I have been putting off. Kathleen did some inside cleaning and then continued with an ongoing task she has been doing of scanning pictures and getting them in to folders on the hard drive of our desk top computer.
At about 12:30 the sand, sun, and ocean waves were calling and we packed up with a few snacks and cokes and headed for the beach. Several sightings of whales had been reported and we took the binoculars just in case. From 12:30 to about 3:30 we basked in the sun watching some local Mexican boys from town trying to catch waves on their surf boards, this of course in between checking the inside of my eye lids for damage. Several of our friends from the park came to join us and several topics were covered in conversation.
One can only lay and absorb the rays so long so a stroll up the beach at the breakers edge to gather shells that are being exposed adds to the afternoon enjoyment. The boys are doing their best to surf, pelicans are in constant movement trying to catch fish off shore, and occasionally a sail boat is spotted far off shore as they are making their way South.
Thoughts do occasionally pop in to the head wondering about our Northern Friends and what kind of weather is greeting them at the moment, but we try to keep those thoughts to a minimum. We probably would stay longer at the beach today but the Packers are playing the Giants in the play offs.
I think we will stop by the pool and order a pizza from our Mexican Friend Ruben, delivered to our coach at about 6:00 p.m. that should fit about right with half time of the game.
No whales spotted today so that just means we had better do it all over again tomorrow. One of these days we will get lucky and catch them blowing and jumping as they pass on their way north toward the Sea of Cortez and their annual migration to have their calves.
Life is good!
It never ceases to amaze me that interest in the park activities remains at record levels. Last night was a chili cook-off. We heard almost from the beginning of our arrival in the park that there would be a chili cook-off. In order to have a worthy competition there would need to be at least 8 contestants, each making 10 quarts of chili. Last nights event had 13 contestants preparing their secret chili recipe. There were approximately 175 of us who showed up to sample the 130 quarts of chili and then cast our ballot for the people’s choice of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. There were also 3 judges who had been secretly selected days in advance so they would have a chance to prepare their palate for taste and their lower gut with the pink pepto for what could follow their assigned task of sampling and voting for the overall best chili. With 175 plus of us each sampling 13 pots of chili and enjoying the hot dog and free beer that was part of our 50 pesos ($5.00), you can imagine the potential cloud that was to hang over the La Penita RV Park for the next 24 hours or so. It was announced that one should probably refrain from smoking or the use of lighters of any kind.
Two of our closest friends here in the park were entered in the competition. One of them, Marion Schryer from Sooke British Columbia Canada won the overall pick for number 1 by the panel of judges. Our friend Ken did not place with his entry but as I remember from the tasting it was pretty good. Marion’s chili was in pot #4 and Kens was in pot #8. No one knew prior to it being announced at the end whose chili was in what pot so it was very secretive. I voted for the chili in pot #10 so I guess that goes to show what little I know about good chili. Actually all thirteen were very tasty.
Following the chili cook-off event the evening entertainment was a Mexican band called the Perez Brothers. Four young clean cut young Mexican boys playing lead guitar, base guitar, key board, and all capable of singing put on one heck of a show. Here we are in a small ocean side community, small by Mexican standards, and we are being entertained by four local lads who only perform in this town, and then only on a limited basis. This was a group that I and probably all of us would have paid good money to travel a lot of miles to hear. They were outstanding. When they stepped to the mike and spoke it was with a very heavy Spanish accent of the English word, but when they sang the English words were as clear as day, and with out any hint of an accent. Kind of reminded me of Mel Tillis who stuttered terribly when he spoke but could sing through a whole song with out any hint of a stutter. This band entertained from 7:00 to 10:00 but was overwhelmingly encouraged to play on for another half hour. To close my eyes and hear the Everly Brothers, Elvis, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, the Big Bopper, Richie Valance, Willie Nelson, Freddy Fender and a host of others who I can’t name. To hear the first part of every song done in Spanish and then have them finish the last half in perfect English was just amazing, but even more amazing was the range of their combined voices and their ability to sound as near to the original entertainers as could be possible, and all that well south of the U.S. border. Who would have ‘thunk’ it?
Just another special event added to an already incredible winter in paradise.
Give us an invite, a reason, launch time, and we would never turn down a trip to Chacala to walk the beach and have lunch with friends. Today January 8th, 2008 Ken’s sister Carol and her husband Chuck were visiting and Ken and Debbie asked some of us to join them to Chacala. Brian and Olga, Kathleen and I made it a group of eight and away we went.
Chacala is about a half hours drive north of La Penita but is well worth the drive. It is a sleepy little beach village where the primary focus is fishing and the little harbor is home to the local fishing fleet. Depending on the time of your visit they may all be out fishing or returning to load their catch in trucks ready to haul the fresh fish to the various markets. Today we seemed to catch them returning and some were already repairing their nets getting ready for the next trip out.
Chacala is not a tourist town per say, and spotting gringos is not a common thing but the entire beach is lined with palapa restaurants and other than walking the beach our prime purpose in coming to Chacala is the excellent meals we have had there in the past. This trip did not disappoint. Once again Kathleen and I enjoyed a half kilo fillet each of Mahi-Mahi grilled over an open hearth wood fire in the center of the facility. The chips, salsa, guacamole and cerveza were a great appetizer preceding the main meal. Conversation and getting to know Carol and Chuck made the day complete. This was our third trip to Chacala since arriving in Mexico and no doubt we will return several times more before our visit south of the border comes to an end.
The week of Christmas and the week after, the La Penita RV Park took on a character all its own. We had been told by the RV’ers who have been at the park in previous years that many Mexican families would be coming to camp and that every available space would be filled with tents. Many of these families, now with families of their own, camped here with their parents when they were just children. The Mexican personalities that came to occupy the park were as diverse as us foreigners who were already here. We had many mixed functions in the evenings such as Karaoke where someone with a heavy Spanish accent would try a Johnny Cash tune and someone with a Texas accent would try Solomente. There was lots of laughter and it was fun to watch the cultures come together. The pool was filled from morning to night with a large contingent of Mexican kids, but as if on cue they would give way to regularly scheduled events such as 10:00 volley ball or adult water aerobics class.
The beach took on a totally different look. There were simple shade shelters constructed between wood poles using a plastic tarp as a roof. There were elaborate shelters that had circus tent like structures to hold the tarps and the kids running in and out of the water kept their parents busy.
A Walk through the Park as you will see in the slide show that follows shows a sample of what the park was like. There were both elaborate and plain Christmas decorations. One could find a friend working on his wood lathe. As crowded as it was some streets were quiet. Tent city in the overflow area was jam packed. The beach was crowded and much more active with some surfers having a go at the waves. Those participating in Line Dancing Class ignored the cameras presence. Flowers were in bloom everywhere and with all of this it was difficult to remember that this was Christmas.
Just concluded is a very special Christmas Week south of the border. This blog is intended to talk a bit about our new made Mexican friends that we were privileged to have camp next to us on both sides and the impact that was felt throughout the La Penita RV Park by all of us foreigners who have chosen to vacation here.
To be fair, not all was wonderful in paradise. There were those who rightfully so, felt a bit overrun with their Mexican camping neighbors, perhaps being a little over zealous as to how they fashioned their structures and utilized the space they had been assigned. Even I at first was a bit overwhelmed by how crowded it was becoming, but all in all it was a pleasant week.
As you will note from some of the pictures below the RV Park took on a whole new atmosphere as virtually every space available was occupied with tents and canopies to protect from the morning dew.
Camped to the driver’s side of us as you look at the above picture were the Ramirez Family, Raul, Grandmother Susie, Mom Susie, and other members of the family, but especially Diego, the little bebe shown in one of the pictures below.
Camped to the passenger side of us and utilizing two camp sites with a very nicely constructed dining canopy were the Lopez and Padilla Families. Their focus for coming from Guadalajara was obviously to enjoy the warm weather, but mainly to fish as they brought two boats with them and all the equipment needed to troll for Dorado and Sailfish. During their stay they did manage to catch many Dorado and did also get a very nice Sailfish. Upon leaving at the end of the week they offered us a Dorado fillet and we will be enjoying fresh fish soon. Many in the Lopez and Padilla Families spoke very good English and we enjoyed visiting with them. Julio Padilla and his wife have suggested that when we visit Guadalajara they would like to show us the city and there favorite restaurants. Ramon Lopez also extended his offer of assistance. We hope we can take them up on a very kind offer.
I truly feel privileged that we have been given the opportunity to meet these camping families and I hope that our paths can cross again in the future.
We have made so many friends here at the La Penita RV Park. Sometimes it is just fun to go for a walk and see if anyone is sitting out and if they are you will usually get an invite to come sit a spell. Two people that we enjoy visiting are Rob and Lori Nason from Saskatchewan. Rob retired from the Canadian Mounted Police. Rob and Lori are full time in their fifth wheel and look forward to many years of travel. When paying Rob and Lori a visit you might have to duck when approaching their pad as they have a couple humming bird feeders that are very active. Rob says he has to refill them a couple times a day. They have counted up to 15 humming birds on their two feeders at one time. Lori is an expert photographer and has captured some excellent photos of the little critters as they use the feeders. The slide show below is offered with the permission of Lori as these are her pictures.
There are always many different ethnic cultures within and staying at the RV Park. Of course the majority one is Canadian, but there are some U.S. citizens, some from New Zealand, a couple from Holland and on this week of Christmas and New Years celebration time there are lots of Mexicans camping wherever there is a small space available. The Park is jumping!
It is traditional during this week to hold a volley ball tournament. Each Country, Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. field a team of 20 players and it is a double elimination tournament. Cheering sections quickly form with flags on prominent display. Kids and Pets also enjoy the action. One has to come down to earth a little because with all the cheering and chanting, if you close your eye’s and fantasize a bit, you could think an Olympic event is about to take place.
There are T-shirts with the 1st place logo for the winners and a victory cake to be shared by all. Of course the bragging rights go along with the win.
A pat on the back for the U.S. team who came away victorious.
Click on Slide Show below to see pictures taken throughout the tournament.
This time of year and celebration we miss our families and friends and perhaps a little of the comfort zone of our previous lives in and around Stoddard Wisconsin but there is a whole other world out there and we are doing our best to discover some of it.
As those who have been following our adventures know we are living our dream and doing our best to see “just what is around the next corner”.
Christmas in a foreign land, with temperatures that border on “perfect”, sand beaches, and the soothing sound of surf coming ashore, and most importantly to be surrounded by new found friends don’t completely make up for the missing of our family and friends but being here sure doesn’t hurt a whole lot.
I know one thing for sure, I have never in my life sat down to a Christmas dinner, outside by a pool, in the evening, dressed in a short sleeve shirt and wishing that I had selected to wear my shorts rather than long pants.
Christmas eve we participated in a celebration of sorts for the kids that are around the park. Carols were sung by first the gringos and then were followed by the Mexicans. Then it was time for the little ones to “bash the piñatas”, till all the candy spilled out. It was a joyous celebration by all.
This Christmas of 2007 is one that Kathleen and I will remember for a long time to come. We started the day off by joining many of our new found friends for a Christmas Day Breakfast Brunch at 10:00 a.m. Since we had volunteered to do one of the turkeys for the evening Christmas Celebration we got that going in the oven as we were to have it to the turkey carvers at 2:00 p.m. We were doing one of about 11 turkeys. Others in the park were recruited to do various crock pot vegetable dishes, etc. The whole event came together in grand fashion as about 170 of us gathered to feast and celebrate Christmas.
I am trying a new little slide show program and have included here a group of pictures that represent Christmas eve, the Christmas day morning brunch, and the grand finale, Christmas Dinner by the pool. Click on Slide Show below to see the pictures.
One of the smaller resident Iguana near the pool either got chased by a bigger one until he fell, or perhaps he just fell on his own. Whatever did happen, once he hit the ground he ended up in the pool? Some of the Mexican children who are here in the park with their parents for Christmas were swimming in the pool at the time. Something I didn’t know, is Iguanas can not swim so the little guy was struggling on the bottom of the pool when one of the Mexican workers in the Park came to his rescue and brought him to the surface with a net on the end of a long pole. The lady you see in the picture with Kathleen is the mom to one of the young couple who does the breakfast daily at the pool. She assisted in the rescue by grabbing the Iguana by the tail and laying him out on the concrete. Even though the little guy was under water for over 5 minutes and very groggy from the ordeal, I believe that he later made his way back up the tree from which he had fallen. Our pad and coach is so close to the pool that we were able to respond to the commotion and Kathleen got to touch the little guy and I was able to get a few photos.
There are Iguanas every where around the park and from time to time we see them as they move through the trees. Apparently next month will be the height of mating season for the Iguana. They are known then to be so engrossed in the act of reproduction that they can momentarily loose focus and fall out of the tree. For now they are staying in the trees and that is OK with us. I did catch a few of them with my camera as they were moving around chasing each other the other day. There were four in one tree by the pool and I managed to photo three of them. Two of them are about 4feet in length from nose to tip of tail and the other two are a little smaller. They are very colorful and the two big ones have huge colorful loose skin below their lower jaw and they take to shaking their head vigorously for display.
Webster’s Dictionary says the word ‘Ascend’ is to climb, to succeed to (a throne). To ascend from the La Penita RV Park beach to the park itself using the stairs could be fantasized in many ways. The bottom line for which one can not argue, it for sure is a beautiful climb. Weather you are king or queen or just plain winded when you get to the top makes no difference, all you have to do is look at all the beautiful flowers in bloom, and with just a little imagination you can be whatever you desire.
When you do get to the top, turn and savor the view as this is why you came to La Penita in the first place.
Just below the RV Park and toward town is one of the Cemetery’s that service La Penita residents. At the end of Cemetery road it dead ends right at the beach. (Poor choice of words, I know.) There is just enough room to park one car, and if you get the spot, that little section of beach will be yours for the afternoon.
Kathleen and I were there today. There were two young boys in their teens spearing fish and gathering clams near the rocks to our right. At one point a group of four younger boys came by as they were playing along the beach. No doubt their homes were not to far away. Even though it was about 3:00 in the afternoon, one of the young boys had to try his English on us and said “good morning”. That got Kathleen going with an English lesson and the young boys in turn gave us a Spanish lesson. We had fun with them as they practiced their English and we our Spanish. They also enjoyed posing for pictures and even took one of us. The scene reminded us that boys are boys, fun is fun, and it doesn’t matter if it is the U.S., Canada, or Mexico.
There has been talk of a small beach called “Cave Beach” that was not the easiest place to reach. It was said that a four wheel drive vehicle was advised. Apparently the land owner who owns the land that you need to ultimately cross to reach this beach does not charge “Gringos” to go to this secluded beach, but it is said that he does charge any Mexicans that wish to visit it.
It was approximately a 5 minute ride to the road that turned off the main hiway but it was a very bumpy 30 minute ride from the hiway to the beach, and yes, I am glad we had our four wheel drive jeep. In a few words, it was a goat trail with big rocks here and there. The jeep did great.
As has become customary here in the park a group is usually assembled by who ever is organizing the outing and everyone piles in to the vehicles and away we go. On this outing there were five vehicles and a great group of people interested in an adventure.
What a beautiful secluded beach we were privileged to visit. The beach itself was about the length of a footfall field and was formed at the back of a small cove. Along the walls of the cove leading toward the beach were a series of caves that one could reach by swimming if the waves entering the cove were not to big. Several in our party had snorkel equipment and those of us who didn’t got an opportunity to try our hand at it. I borrowed Ken’s equipment and must say I will be going in to town soon to get my own. There were not a lot of fish but there were enough to hold your interest and the color of them as they scooted about was incredible.
We all enjoyed a great afternoon exploring a new beach, the conversation that went with relaxing in the sun, and the chance to meet a few new people from different areas of our La Penita RV Park.
Click on the word Photo's below to be taken to an album of the Cave Beach Outing.
Ken, Debbie, and I get together and ride in to town. The scooters are easy for getting around. Debbie is an early morning walker. She and her group have been on some interesting hikes and today she wanted to show Ken and me the route that they sometimes take.
As we were leaving the RV Park the park manager, Grant, walked by and said, “Well, if it isn’t the La Penita RV Park Hells Angels”. Were ok with that, but somehow with Deb on her pink scooter, dressed in pink, and those pink sunglasses I don’t think we are as threatening as Hells Angels should be.
We did ride to the backside, inland foothill of La Penita and the below photo is looking out over the town as it sits in somewhat of a bowl. The Island in the background is a good mile off shore from the town’s beach and provides shelter from the waves for some Shrimp Boats as they rest during the day and do their shrimping at night.
Thursdays are Market Day in La Penita and it is hard to fathom anything more important to the community and surrounding area than the market. It becomes the focus for everyone who lives and works here, but also for those of us, who are guests in this foreign land.
A small space in the market might be a family from some surrounding area with fresh vegetables from their small garden plot laid out for your purchase or a spice vendor with large bags of various spices and his postal type scale to weigh out the amount you would desire. There are the craft type goodies that are not only practical, beautiful, and colorful but one can not possibly examine them without wondering about the hours of work that went in to making each one. It is difficult to barter a price at times because you know a lot of work went in to making the piece you are interested in but it is virtually expected of you to do so. Most of the vendors know just enough English to try and gain your interest in their wares, for as you are passing by their space, some will call out to you, “come look, almost free”. There appear to be ethnic groups who must come some distance to hawk their wares as some pieces of pottery, or bead work, are only done by certain indigenous people from other states in Mexico.
As I look around for interesting sites for my camera I am held captive by an elderly gentleman balancing an old five gallon plastic pail on his shoulder and in a voice that has many miles on it, he is calling out “honey” to the gringos who are nearby. This is not the States or Canada where freshly sealed mason jars would probably appear from the pail, filled with honey, this is Mexico, and without doubt this bee keeper has worked just as hard to package his wares as those North of his land have, but instead of mason jars he has re-filled plastic Pepsi and Coke bottles. I have been told by those who have bought his honey that it is the best in the area and that he takes great care to sterilize the containers before re-use. If each week he sells a five gallon pail full of plastic pop bottles filled with fresh honey, he will be contributing greatly to the family economy.
There are so many little stands that the whole area, stretching for block after block, seems to take on a county fair/flea market type atmosphere, but for sure this is different, in the sense that those who came to sell their wares will recycle some of the money they have collected for their goods into goods that they will need to carry them through the coming week. Then come Thursday next week, they will do it all over again.
Right in the middle of the market and town square as we walked along the doors to the church were open and it was obvious from the praying and singing that church was in session. Seemed strange that at 11:00 a.m. in the middle of market day, church would be taking place. On closer examination it turned out to be a funeral with the family members all gathered around the coffin as the priest conducted the service. Now tonight as I sit on top of this hill in the La Penita RV Park just up from the cemetery I am hearing an occasional pop from a large firecracker and I am reminded that this is customary to ward off the evil spirits that may have accompanied someone to their resting place. These explosions will go on through the night. Perhaps next Thursday there will be an empty space at the market.
Click on more photo's below.
Last week I had the thought of asking our original “Hookers”, several honorary hookers, and who ever else wanted to join us, to go to Chacala for an afternoon at the beach and dinner under the beach palapa at Chico’s bar and resturaunt.
We ended up with twenty plus who wanted to go and today we piled in to as many vehicles as were needed and away we went.
Some went walking the beach, some went swimming, some sat in the shade of the palapa and enjoyed a brew, and some headed in to the town, such as it is, to do some shopping. We all later got together and enjoyed a great meal ordering what we pleased from the menu and then returned home to our La Penita RV Park just before dark.
This little outing again is testament to the great friendships that are forming as we enjoy our stay here in Mexico. I believe everyone had a great time and perhaps we will do it again before our stay ends. It is becoming more difficult to organize such outings as everyone’s social calendar is nearly full with all the organized activities that go on every day in the park. Click on the word Photo’s below to be taken to an album containing photo’s of the Chacala Dinner outing
Location, location, location. That is what one hears when searching for THE place to live. In fact, when folks are deciding whether to take the step and live full time in a motor home, this phrase helps to make that very important decision. Where ever you park your motor home, it can be in that perfect location.
We are in one of those places. On a small hill over looking the Pacific Ocean. In fact the site of the RV Park was, in fact, a perfect location for occupancy for thousands of years. Our park is growing continuously. An area beside our site recently has been excavated. When we arrived, there were piles of rock debris beside us. The other day a back hoe rumbled in and began moving the rocks and dirt. I raced outside to watch him as his monstrous machine picked boulders and big clumps of dirt up and dropped them in deep holes. He was filling and leveling this area in preparation of completing another parking site for a motor home.
I had heard of Pre-Columbian artifacts being found in the area. I was very curious of what might be uncovered here. As the wide bucket pushed soil and rocks out of the way, I spotted a curious looking rock. About a foot long, it appeared to have feet on its bottom with a smooth upper surface slightly bowl shaped. The machine operator spotted it, as well. He turned his back hoe around and with the smaller bucket, gently picked the metate up and set it just outside of the area being cleared. He finished his job and steered his big machine toward the road and lumbered down the hill.
I walked toward the artifact, very carefully watching each step I took. I figured the noise and vibration of the back hoe would have startled any critters, sending them scurrying. The ground was covered with fallen palm branches and other foliage. I certainly did not wish to disturb anything so I was cautious with my steps. Upon reaching my treasure, I could see that, yes in fact, it was a metate. I picked it up and carried it back to our site. We have a hose connected and ready for use. I washed the artifact, as I called to George.
I knew that I would be unable to take it with. I talked to Grant, the manager of the park, wondering what to do with it. Is there a museum in La Penita that would want it? Grant told me that many of these things have been found. Lots of them much bigger and complete. This one was broken. He suggested just leaving it on the corner of the site or setting in by the office? For now I am enjoying having it on the corner of our site. We photographed it, see below.
I took some time and tried to learn about the people who lived here 500 hundred years ago and earlier. I have come up with nothing from the internet. The artifacts found tell me that the people made colorful pottery. They grew corn, as the metate is a grinding stone for maze. One would place the corn on the stone and with a mano, a roundish stone (hand tool) the corn would be ground and processed into meal. The same process is done today, in many parts of Mexico, to make tortillas. Last year, I was told, a site was excavated, and another stone artifact was uncovered. I can only describe it as an effigy having to do with fertility and probably blood letting. The few artifacts that I have heard about give clues of a civilization that depended on a God who gave them sunshine and water in return for a bit of a sacrifice.
Ah, the curious archaeologist in me. How fun it would be to conduct a full blown excavation here at the La Penita RV Park. Alas, I am retired now and have not even a shovel in the basement of our motor home. All I have is a big window in front and a spectacular view of the roaring waves that come crashing in. What a wonderful location to be in.
The above three photographs were taken in 1995 at an Indian Village in the mountains of Mexico. I had the the wonderful opportunity to visit a family and to dine with them. I witnessed the lady of the house making tortillas and cooking supper. She graciously allowed me to photograph her as she worked. Notice the metate that she used to make her tortillas.
Seems like eons ago that we had our Thanksgiving celebration but it has been only a few days and in that time it sure has been anything but boring.
Ken and Debbie announced that we were invited to their place to sample Ken’s chili that he will be entering in this year’s chili cook-off. The impromptu party was well attended and the chili, well it was excellent. All the other competitors need to crank it up a little if they intend to stand a chance against Ken. Ken and Debbie’s dog “Buck” has gotten to know us all and when we pay a visit to Ken and Debbie, Buck is sure to request his share of attention. He is a very gentle giant and a delight to have around the party.
Of course there has been the Sunday night hamburger night at the pool and several visits by friends to our pad and us to their’s, but the focus for us was to get ready for a road trip.
There is a “bass lake” that has been getting some press in the states. The lake, Agua Milpa, was established approximately 9 years ago by building a huge dam and then allowing the reservoir to fill. The dam doesn’t come close to the humongous Hoover Dam in the states but by Mexican standards it was a very big accomplishment. Shortly after the reservoir filled it was stocked by an American bass enthusiast with Florida strain bass. I will let the link I am providing here to tell the story of what has happened since. www.wheretofish.com/milpa1.html
Lake, Agua Milpa, is located well into the mountain range that is very prevalent when you go anywhere inland of the Pacific Coast. Kathleen and I planned a two day adventure, packing an overnight bag, and letting our RV Park neighbors know where we were going and when to expect us back. Even though by miles this trip should be a relatively one day adventure, but going anywhere in Mexico if not on a four lane road can be a real challenge. One big truck loaded with steel rebar or the like in the mountains can make an expected short trip a very long day.
The drive North to Tepic was uneventful and to our surprise we were able to make good time. Finding the road that was shown on all our maps that would lead us to Agua Milpa turned out to be a bit difficult. After looking around for awhile trying to find it on narrow streets and unfamiliar territory I decided to stop at an Auto Parts store and see if anyone could speak English. There were four guys present counting the customers at the counter and none of them spoke any English at all. No worries, as by pointing to a map and a few gestures and I had help from everyone. Some contradicting the other and it was getting a little confusing. Finally one of them pointed to his motorcycle and indicated that he would lead me to where I had to go. Everyone patted me on the back and in there way wished me luck! My new motorcycle friend indicated that he did not expect anything in return for leading me but I insisted and gave him the equivalent of $5.00 U.S. Down the road we went and some five or 6 blocks later he pulled over and pointed with big gestures that all I had to do was continue straight ahead. A big hand shake and “Gracia Amigo”, and we were on our way.
The drive from Tepic in to the mountains really got interesting. Not wanting to bore you with too much detail I will let the pictures tell some of the story. The drive was beautiful but not a road I would want to take the motor home on as overhanging tree limbs would do a number on the top and sides. We encountered two military check points, the first of which I apparently ran without stopping on our way in and the second one was on the way back when they were set up fully expecting me to return. They were relatively pleasant about it all and soon we were on our way. I wish I could have got a picture of these dapper chaps with their M-16’s slung over their shoulder but somehow I don’t think they would have appreciated my attempt. There were donkeys on the road and on occasion you would come upon one laying in the shade right in the center of your lane. Several Mexican Caballero’s on their horses were herding a bunch of Brahma type cattle down the center of the road but motioned for us to pass. Surprisingly the cattle just moved over and let us by, paying us very little attention. It was obvious they had done this before.
After reaching Agua Milpa I got the opportunity I was looking for to visit the lodge and even visit with a couple of American fishermen who were there and had flown in from Oklahoma. They had been boating from 40 to 50 bass per outing per boat and both the quantity and quality were pleasing them. I on the other hand was not very impressed with the layout of the lake and the look of the water. The water appeared to be extremely dirty and looked like the Mississippi does after a gully washer of a rain. Really my sole purpose in checking this lake out was to see if I could get the motor home to it and perhaps find a facility with an electrical hook-up. Neither are going to happen, and because of the distance in to the mountains it will not be a lake that I can fish by making day trips from La Penita. I haven’t totally given up on the possibility of doing a two day trip and will wait for an e-mail from the owner of the lodge as to the charges for accommodating about four of us from the Park. We will see.
Water Taxis are a way of life here. Somehow one feels as though you are deep in the Amazon somewhere as these Taxis leave regularly with goods and people being returned to the villages that are miles away along the reservoir and not accessible by road.
Our next adventure awaits!
A Special Thanksgiving 2007
What do you do when you are far from family, friends, and home and it is an important traditional holiday time? You will miss family of course, but you surround yourself with new friends, talk about home and family, and then try to celebrate the holiday best that you can.
Today, November 22, 2007 we did just that. We celebrated with two other American couples and six very special Canadian couples. Basically, this was our “hooker” group with three added couples who now have unofficially become honorary “hookers”.
Several days ago the three American couples, us included put out the invite to our Canadian friends to come to our pad for a traditional thanksgiving celebration. All accepted, and each couple offered to bring a dish to share. Of the tree American couples, Ka