The Playa in December

Yes, we arrive on the beach December 19th.  It was the regular trip down the Baja and for the 9th time going south.  The TJ crossing was an hour and a half of a long line in back of tourist buses.  For each bus, every piece of luggage was unloaded, each person got their tourist visa, and paid for it, and got back in the bid.  Finally it was our turn.  All registrations presented, all permits, and then the x-ray machine.  Then park and wait.  (Taped to our dash are the words in Spanish "I cannot back up."  Due to having the tow vehicle....so NO diagonal pull in por favor!). Ensenada for the first night is far enough!

 

Second night finds us high in the sky at Catavinia boulder fields.  

 

 

Third night at San Ignacio and fourth....taaa-daaa Playa el Coyote!

 

 

This picture of the beach in mid-December looks like a lonely outpost compared to a month later.  The crowds are flooding in this year.  

Baja Christmas 2016!

From lights inside on our mini rosemary tree, to luminaries lining the beach, Christmas came...and went.  

 

From a quiet afternoon, to a lovely evening on a blue sky Christmas Day.  We had a huge pot luck in the beach and a few traditional songs accompanied by our ukulele group.  

 

 

We got the Hobie kayaks out and tried out the new style of "peddle-yak." 

 

One thing for sure, Sparky votes "for it!"  He can go along in the back compartment.  These sit on top peddle rigs are also swift.  We have sail rigs too....

 

The weather is unsettled and beautiful in it's own way.  We visit with island buddies Chris and Kirk who have made it down this year but are camping on a different beach.  

 A margarita or two...and the week leading into 2017 slips by....

 

 

Here's a little view of the Rio Mulege as it empties into the sea.

 

 

This lovely pup gives it his best to hitch a ride back to a life on San Juan Island....but no luck.

 

 

Adios to 2016!

Southbound Again! Baja Bound Once More.

Yep!!  We've known it's coming...winter in the PNW, that is.  See the hint of ice crystals on the ground?  See the cloudy, almost pewter colors hovering around?  Feel the temperatures diving down? See the road leading out?

After loading too much "essential stuff" once again, and making hundreds, no, thousands, of decisions: which clothes? all warm weather? shoes? cameras? blankets? socks? dog toys? dog light up at night walking leashes? swim toys? kayaks, SUP boards? paddles? bug tent, propane mini campfire ring, propane tank, folding kennel, wait...another ukulele, music stands, soda stream thing...oh the list goes on.  And ON.  If you've ever packed an RV for four months of travel and living, you have the idea.  If you haven't, you're getting the idea?

Finally, and I mean, FINALLY, we are off on the 11:05 ferry on December 6, 2016.

Now to use the current weather window to get to central California.....

Three days later, things start looking better near Acton, CA.

We find an RV camp stop perfect for a rendezvous with nephew Andrew.

The dogs were glad to hang out with their old buddy.


Then on to Jamul, CA to spend a few days with Marie and Gaby.  We have a great time accompanying these two to the annual Santa visit at a local nursery.  What fun, but of course, we miss Arnie terribly.

Then off to South Carlsbad State Beach park to stay with Pete and Nancy.  Gotta have a coffee at Panikans and no, we never notice the photo bomber!

On Friday we manage a trip to San Diego to visit with Sarah and Baby Brooklyn in the pouring rain, including a mad dash to the train, a soggy walk to Little Italy for lunch and baby time, wrapping up with a tour of The Midway aircraft carrier and another train trip back to camp.  A fun, although soaking wet, day.


First the bus....

Then the Coaster....

We find Sarah!  She's the only one with the really cute baby attached to her!

Off to lunch and pass around the baby time.  First Uncle Steve....

Then the Aunties.....

Ohhh what a day!  One more chore before we leave: Dog Laundry.

We love the do it yourself pet wash at the local Petco Unleashed.  The dogs...not so much.

Ok then.  I guess we are ready.  It's across the border we go, tomorrow, December 17, Saturday at 11:30 a.m.  Turns out not to be such a great time for border crossing at Tijuana.  That story for next post!  Adios!

What Happened to Summer?

No, I mean, really....what happened to summer?  It is, after all, gone.  G-O-N-E.  in retrospect, it seems we returned from our Alaska cruise....Scotty must have just beamed us down....re-entry was July 4th...with Jessica and Pam and Rob to welcome us home.  Yay! Red, white and blue berries to start the day!

 

 

We enjoy great food, and then a trip to the Port to watch the fireworks from the boat.  

 

 

There are a few days of fill in work for me aboard the whale watch boat.

 

We find time for outdoor music concerts around town.

 

We ARE the concert, along with our ukuleles, as the San Juan Preservation Trust celebrates the Mt. Grant purchase!

 

Mt. Grant on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

 

 

I finally paint the front and back doors....a project calling me for several years.

 

Steve replaces several rotting deck boards and then we clean and stain all the decks.

 

 

We have a few happy hours down on our boat, with the ukuleles.

(And the dogs, and the gin 'n tonics)

 

We met friends for coffee dates down at the harbor.

 

We take the dogs out for evening drives and chase rainbows.

 

 

I plant many flower pots and enjoy them all.

 

The new window For the boat FINALLY arrives and is installed.  Oh yes, and several more boat projects get crossed off the list, before new ones appear.

 

I walk most mornings with my walking buddies, Jo and Linda..

  

....and Sparky.

 

Some mornings it's just Sparky and Nan.

 

The fields are mowed and baled.

 

Jessica comes home for San Juan County Fair week!

 L

 

OH, wait!  How can I forget elephant ears at the fair!!!??

 

And it seems there are BLUE ribbons for Farmer Steve!

 

We have to hang out around the horse arena, just for old times sake.

 

I go to Seattle and watch Jess teach one of her nursing college classes!  Couldn't be prouder as a Mom and a teacher by profession!!  Strange to witness: my daughter operating in two careers, one in medicine and one in education, both of which were my goals once upon a time.  

 

 

We spend a little time volunteering for Marine Mammal Stranding again, which often calls us to the beaches.  This evening the seal pup has appearently re-entered the water.  Yay!

 

 

We try to get out to our campfire circle each evening and throw the ball for the dogs....and of course, marvel at the incredible place we call home.

 

In August, we welcome our friends, Tim and Ramie and their mom, Miss Norma to Froglanding.

Google "Driving Miss Norma" to see what they have been up to!  It's quite a story.

 

We grab every opportunity to play ukulele and encourage others to join the fun!  Here Ramie joins us for a rousing chorus of Jambalaya while Tim cooks...yes, jambalaya for our supper!

 

Ok....I guess now I see....just "what has happened"....summer didn't vanish...it was fully lived!

Hints of winter lurk.  Uhh ohhh, just around the corner?

 

 

 

Adios, Summer 2016!  We had a grand time while you were around!!