PIc-of-the-Week for January 19, 2016

Hola Amigos,

The last two weeks has just zoomed by as we've been busy visiting with friends here from Oregon.  George and Carolyn came last Monday, and we've made an overnight trip to La Paz, enjoyed the Lord of the Winds competition here in Los Barriles, made some road trips to see the local sights, and eaten some wonderful meals.

This is a shot Ben took at the Lord of the Winds meet.  They saw some very impressive maneuvers!  

We've got a few more things to do today, and they are reluctantly heading back to rainy Oregon manana.  When we visited La Paz, they went out in the bay on a panga to swim with the whale sharks, which was a very exciting experience for them (they are certified divers, but you just need snorkel gear for this trip). I stole a couple of their photos to show you...

Ben & I, who are wimps, decided to do errands around La Paz while they had their fun!  

We had a special dinner at El Barrilito the night they arrived, and invited lots of friends (there were about 25 of us)....because, "sob", our favorite restaurant will be closing any day now.  The owner, Francisco, has some serious eye problems and will be moving to the states for some surgery, and hopes to start a restaurant up there.  We will certainly miss him!  Best seafood around, bar none!!  (That's Francisco in the background fixing us a delicious appetizer.)

And then we went to El Barrilito another night and found these critters in the back of a pickup parked out front!  Never know what you'll find in a pickup here in the neighborhood! 

We take advantage of George while he's here, because he's our "go to Computer fix-it guy".  He worked on both of our computers (he says I need a new one if I want it faster ;-)  )  and they are both working much better.  Ben isn't grumbling near as much over his PC now!  

On our touring drive yesterday, we went up the San Dionisio Canyon to see the sights.  We like to stop at this spot where we can get down to the stream and see the huge fig trees... and rocks!

Carolyn in front of one of the fig trees.

Then, when we were driving back out of the canyon, I heard a piercing cry, and spotted this guy flying along above us.  He landed in this tree, and I was able to get a few shots of him before he took off again.  We think it's an eagle or maybe a hawk.  Any other guesses?  

More photos are in our January 2016 Picasa album.

Our next guests are arriving this Saturday!  More adventures to follow.

Hasta la proxima vez,
Harriet, Ben, Ryan, Sam & Zoey

Pic-of-the-Week for January 5, 2016

Hola Amigos!

Feliz Año,  as they say here in Mexico.  We hope you haven't tossed aside your resolution to come visit us in Baja.  Actually, next Monday we will have our second set of company for the season; our friends George and Carolyn hope to swim with the Whale Sharks in La Paz and enjoy our sunshine.  Then we have three more sets of company coming in January, February and March!  Still "space available", if you'd like to spend some time here.  

Speaking of "space available", Ben got a really sweet deal for displaying his '28 Martin Parry at an upscale resort in Cabo San Lucas.  Check out this link for a short explanation:  New Year's Eve Party  We're hoping to take advantage of the offer in February, since they're full up in January (our anniversary month).  

While our popular car was partying in Cabo San Lucas, Ben and I spent a quiet evening at home, eating smoked ribs with friends who also appreciated a quiet New Year's evening.  

With the start of the new year, it seems like I have lots of things scheduled weekly, mostly to do with music, so I guess that's not a bad thing!  At least it's something I enjoy...playing the piano for choirs and teaching piano to an enthusiastic 10 year old!  I've also FINALLY started sewing on my quilt project again.  When I had bronchitis I just didn't feel like sewing, so I put it off.  Well, the baby was born in Guadalajara in late December, so that urged me on a bit!  It is VERY colorful and as Ben says "busy"!  The pattern is called "Belize", so I felt free to put in a lot of bright colors.  The hardest part about this quilt may be the process of getting it to my friend in Guadalajara!  The mail system isn't the most reliable in Mexico!  

We also have TWO new baby burros (burritos?) in the barrio.  They are so cute, and it is fun having their Moms bring them by to meet us.  They are so clean and fuzzy.  Don't you just want to cuddle up to this sweetie?

I haven't got a decent photo of the other baby yet, but I will!  

On our walk today to the beach I finally got a good picture of the ultra light plane that flies by regularly.  Just gotta be in the right place at the right time!

That looks like a ton of fun!  

The tide was very low this morning, and there was almost no wave action and no wind.  I love days like this, but the kite boarders and wind surfers are praying for lots of wind next week when Los Barriles will be hosting the 6th Annual "Lord of the Winds".  Here's a link if you're interested in it.  There are some pretty amazing photos in there!  Lord of the Winds   In the meantime, I'm enjoying days like this!

This debris on the beach is the remains of a caterpillar that got washed into the ocean during a hurricane, either in the 70's or 80's, I think.  I always look for it when the tides are low.  But look at those waves!  What a great day to snorkel! (Yes, the water temps are just a bit coolish, but comfortable.  I did stick a toe in to test it!)  

A few more pics are in our 2016 January album.

Hasta la proxima vez,

Tus amigos in Baja,

Harriet, Ben, Ryan, Sam & Zoey

They are willing to share the sofa when you feel the need for a siesta!