January Melts Away

How does a month like January, "melt away," you ask?  Sunshine, blue sky and temperatures near 70 degrees accomplish this.  January 2016 is stubborn though, adding nights in the low 50s and windy days.  Wind does what it can to cool things off, and there are times when that is so welcome....and there are times when it adds a shiver.  

Almost upon my return, a group of Coyote camping buddies stages a back road trip to San Basilio.  This outrageously beautiful bay and beach is a one hour off road journey from km marker 49 on Mex. #1 north of Loreto.  Although we have been here before, this is one of the places that takes your breath away.....Every time.  

Today we gasp...but it is because we see rows of gill nets set in this pristine part of the parque national of the Sea of Cortez.  Sadly, someone set these nets, now the tide is low, and it's only walking depth way out to some of the last nets.  Large fish are dying in the nets and we're pretty sure this is illegal fishing in an area that some are trying hard to protect.  Whatever, the fish caught at this moment are not giving up life for food...as no fishermen will be in to retrieve them until the tide in is high again.

We take in the scene...and try to free some of the fish that are still alive.

We share a picnic lunch and amazing things turn up to be passed around.  There is some beach combing, story sharing and while Steve hunts for "Apache tears" (small pebbles of obsidian embedded in the cliff), I use my new sketch book and black ink pen.  

The geology in this place cannot be ignored!

Using the new watercolor pencils is really fun!  Who knew?

The way out, is the way in.  So, we retrace our tracks...and it's back to the beach.

No, we don't get to use our boards....remember those fish nets?

Seattle Sojourn

My morning view...for one week in January....

Sometime ago a plan hatches, to take a beach break and visit Jessica in January.  With flights four days a week from Loreto to Seattle it is possible to be lifted out of beach camp life at 1:00 p.m. and dropped down in Seattle at 8:05 p.m.  What takes us basically two and a half weeks to accomplish by RV, can magically happen in 7 hours.  How can that be?

The original plan did not include my broken tooth, need for a crown or Jessica being sick.  However, strangely, it all fit together....within 8 days of Seattle city living.  

To my surprise, I walk out the boarding gate at Loreto Airport, and climb the stairs to a 737 aircraft! The plane is only half full, so I luxuriate with three seats to myself.  A fast flight...one hour 26 minutes and suddenly I am navigating customs at LAX.  That part is not so fast, as it's a long, long walk from the arrival gate.  However, "Global Access" again proves handy as there is an open kiosk and I am cleared in just a minute or two.  No checked luggage means I skate right up to the agriculture inspection and glide on through.  Back through security again, and out to the next gate with 50 minutes to spare.  Amazingly I stand at the arrival curb under the Alaska sign and my friend, Nancy, pulls up in her VW wagon.  I have officially landed in familiar territory, but I still feel like a foreigner.  I think it's the city thing.

Monday morning at 7:30 a.m. sharp, I am at a dentist's office and the procedure to set up the broken tooth for a crown is beginning.  Two hours later the mold is ready to send to the lab...and the amazing news is, that with my traveling lifestyle and desire to get back to the beach without spending two or three weeks in Seattle, they are able to get the lab to rush the project. I watch as the package is driven away to the lab.  Next appointment....in three days!!

Nancy is my cheery delivery driver for such an early dental date.  Three days later, on Thursday afternoon, she takes me back for crown installation.  

Wow!  I never imagined I would be so happy to see this beautiful porcelain crown ready to go into my mouth!  Thanks to Jessica for this great dental office referral!  

The broken tooth, now just a faint memory.  Let's hope it stays in that category.

Aside from the car trips to the dentist in the U District, I am able to walk everywhere on my daily routine.  Visits to Jessica up on First Hill, about a 12 minute trip.  Over to the art store on Broadway, another 12-15 minute jaunt.  How about a tour of the new Starbucks Roastery and Tasting Room?  Same.  

I buy myself an early birthday present of black ink pens, sketch book and colored pencils that turn into watercolor wash.  Fun coming up.

Nancy insists on a tour of the new Starbucks place.  It's amazing.  Darn it though...too late in the day for coffee.  I will return!

Look who I found!  A street musician! With the great grandfather of the ukulele!

Here's the latest in city parks in the street!  Parking spaces are blocked off and painted, concrete barriers with flowers and chairs and tables added....bingo!  A "park-ette "!

Nancy and Nan created a dinner and took it over to Jessica...including passing on the secrets of my mother's favorite salad dressing.

There was a birthday eve celebration for me.....complete with candle and mini music machine, birthday meal...sweet pastry "cakes" and, most importantly lots of laughter.

So, the girls weekend with Jessica will be a "do over," but this birthday and Seattle Sojourn will not be forgotten.  Her health is improving and I am grateful.  

Sunday morning at 3:00 a.m. the Silver Streak Delivery Service pulls up to SeaTac and Nan and her backpack and ukulele tumble out.  (If you get up at 2:20, Sunday morning comes along pretty quick after Saturday night)

It's January 17th.  The birthday of Benjamin Franklin....Betty White....and...ME!  My flight to Loreto departed at 5:05 a.m.  Whoever thought that was a good idea?  But, it's the only idea.

A birthday upgrade to 1st Class really....really helps!  What a breakfast...while winging my way south at 30,000 feet!

I can't pass up this photo...to show a 737 with about 30 passengers...on a Seahawks Sunday game day....

The connecting  flight from LAX to Loreto provided a wonderful birthday lunch with wine.

And the view of Baja wasn't bad either!  

Touchdown at 12:45 Baja time and my Boyz waiting at the gate.  

Happy Birthday to me!  

Bienvenidos 2016!

January 1st we awake to a sunny, clear and calm morning here on the beach at el Coyote.  Welcome 2016!  The fresh squeezed orange juice guy arrives and offers a free shot of vodka in that juice...but we have other plans for it.  Mimosas start off this new year!  We enjoy the bagels we found in Loreto yesterday, a little cream cheese, the beautiful view and the warmth from our propane campfire.  

The rest of the day is rounded out with an all beach snack potluck, a piñata for the "kids" (this year teens)...unusual shape, don't you think?

There's always more than enough food and good conversation to go around.  

Janelle and Mark

Hum....I've never seen a piñata quite like this before!?  And...Hecho (made) in Mexico no doubt.  

Sarah gives it a swing.....

New Year's Eve found us just returning from a day trip by Jeep to the town of Loreto, about 70 miles south of the beach.  Why would you go to Loreto for a day trip on New Year's Eve day?  Ah.  It is all about the tooth problem.  The tooth that fell apart our second day on the beach.  Just, fell off, half of it, leaving a big, cavernous hole on the front end.  One of those moments....while eating something like soup, that you realize you've cracked off half a tooth....for no reason....and here you are on a beach in Baja....     After two weeks, some talking around to our beach buddies, a call to our at home dentist, and three failed calls to the Loreto dentist...we decide to just drive there and wait, quite literally, on her doorstep, until she arrives for work...on...this last day of December, 2015.

Once we are inside the tiny office, Steve starts a conversation with Mr. Blow Up Snowman.  Nan is anxiously sneaking a peek into the dental chamber!

This lively young woman dentist arranges to see me at 12:30.  When we return she is waiting.  She looks at the tooth, says I definitely need a crown, and that yes, she can temporarily patch the hole, but to be very very careful!  I am grateful.  She seems efficient, her price is...well...amazing. The emergency appointment and temporary fix cost $14.00.  The crown cost is $170.00, but I am basically chicken....and decide to wait for the crown and include it on the activity list for Seattle when I visit Jessica in a few weeks.

Since it IS New Year's Eve, we head up,to JC's Restaurant for the evening special and the Spanish music....after all, we are in Mexico!

See that empty table in the front?  That's probably for the Mexican crowd that will arrive around 9:00 p.m. ....evenings start late here.....about the time the gringos go home....after all, Baja Midnight is about....9:00 p.m. for beach campers.

On to the first week of January!  The weather this year has been cooler and windier.  I know, when I write this, that there is no sympathy from those at home in the Pacific Northwest.  When a stiff 25 mph wind blows into your campsite, you notice.  When it cranks up to 35 mph, everyone suddenly finds very important errands to do in town.  

Definitely not paddle boarding weather....and really not great for kayaking either.

We are off to town for drinking water and propane.  How about a stop at Mario's car wash and fish taco bar?  Pretty fresh fish too...we see the fisherman come to the back door!

There is plenty of time for dog walks each day, but never enough walks for Sparky.  His energy is boundless.  

Dog paddling has a new meaning!

The past 10 days have not been with out some calm mornings and lovely flat water.  We take advantage of these conditions every chance we get!

A surprise rain shower means a quick window wash with fresh rain water!

The next day it's back to the sunshine, ice cream truck (two flavors...."nut" or grape....easy choice), ukulele group in the shade and yoga class.

Another day there is a little time for reading, a massage under the trees by the sea and out to dinner with friends.

Bertha's Beach Club Restaurant has a menu on the wall with six choices!  We marvel.  Often it's two choices, unless they are out of one, and then it's one choice!

Margaritas and Pacificos all around!

Deb and John have just arrived!  

Steve suddenly makes a new friend, right as dessert arrives.  This little kitty knows tricks of the trade.

The "trade"?  You give me your ice cream and as a trade, you get to pet me!

No, we are not adopting a kitty!  Two dogs and a cat??  Shiver me timbers!!!