Sightings On the Course

The view from the clubhouse in San Carlos can be amazing, especially when having a cool beer after a round of golf. We were sitting outside yesterday when a group of horses appeared out of nowhere and raced across the lawn in front of us. By the time I got my camera ready they were on the fairway making everyone's day that much more enjoyable.

Merry Christmas

Fred, Maggie and I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Our Christmas activities were fairly laid back. On Christmas Eve we rode to Blackie's Restaurant to enjoy a delicious Mexican meal. Sonoran beef has a reputation of being some of the best in North America and last night did not disappoint. I rarely eat steak, but the taste I had of Fred's tenderloin brings to mind the term "melt-in-your-mouth".

This morning we went for a round of golf. While we were taking some pictures of the golf course this friendly pup kept trying to steal my golf ball.

Abel delivered fresh shrimp to our door so the afternoon was spent cleaning and deveining shrimp in preparation for our attempt at coconut shrimp.

We put up a few lights outside and had a small display inside. The tree was a gift from Marlene and Kenny Becker while the church was my Grandma Michta's. Both light up, but only Grandma's church plays Silent Night.

All Too Familiar

This is becoming an all too familiar sight around our place. We are constantly repairing our bikes tires because of the goat's head thorns that are so prominent in this area. These thorns are also a nuisance to Maggie and they can stop her in her tracks when one embeds itself in her paw.

We have tried the old venetian blind trick around the tube to no avail so we are stuck with the steady repair job that goes with bike riding in San Carlos.

Full Day of Hired Work

On Wednesday I allowed myself to get dehydrated while working out at the gym and yesterday I paid for it. Everything tasted salty and believe me, I tried all kinds of fluids from beer to pineapple juice, cranberry juice and water. I couldn't drink anything without tasting salt!

I had planned for a day of rest, but Chuyita arrived to clean the house. When she cleans we must move outside as she starts at one end and doesn't stop until she has moved and cleaned everything. Being outside was not the most comfortable either as Natcho was painting the house and we struggled to find a dry place to sit.

Chuyita brought her daughter, Paulla, as the schools were closed for the day. Fred and I spent five hours trying to entertain this little girl - we went for walks with her and the dog, she rode my bike and she ate us out of ice cream and cookies. She was a sweetie and we enjoyed the day immensely, even though we could not understand a word she said and being nine years old, she said a lot!! For that matter, we can't understand a word her mother says either. Everything is done by gestures and head nodding! We are never certain of what we are agreeing to!

Desperate For Water

Last week I wanted books, today I would like water. The crews have been working on replacing the bridge on the main road into San Carlos and this afternoon they broke through the water line to Tecalai. Rumour has it no water for three days.

When we arrived in November the water situation was still a little shaky because of the hurricane damage so we purchased a huge garbage barrel and filled it thinking we "might" need it in the future. One month later, we need it!

Mother nature took it easy on Tecalai, man-kind not so gentle!

Arts and Craft Show

We spent an enjoyable morning at the marina looking at the work of local artists. There was a little bit of everything, from pottery to original paintings. Of course we had to purchase something, I was with Fred remember - the shopping guru!

Change of location for the Eatonia Trade Show?

Desperate for Books

Once a month, many gringos can be found searching for books. The books are free for the taking, the only thing being asked is a small donation to help with the stray animals of San Carlos. A number of ladies have been organizing this monthly event for the past five or six years and I don't know what I would do without this or the Tecalai library that is run on much the same idea - bring a book, take a book.

I was fortunate enough to have had the space to bring numerous books along, but when you read three or four books a week, the supply runs out rather quickly. Plus, I don't have Lenore here for our daily exchange of reading material!

The cooler weather we expected did not arrive and we have been enjoying one of the nicest winters we have had for awhile. The warmer weather has meant more yard work, but even that has been fun!

Then There Was One

She did it again! The only difference was this time Maggie was chasing a couple of limes that fell from the tree. It is a good thing poinsettias are cheap in Mexico. Off to Guaymas we go!

Shrimp Festival

Even though I am fighting a wicked cold, we rode our bikes to the new shopping plaza to attend the annual shrimp fest. If you are a connoisseur of fresh shrimp, this was the place to be. For 25 pesos ($2.10 Cdn) per plate, you could sample shrimp cooked many different ways - fried, boiled, breaded, or in sauces. Most of the local restaurants and hotels had a booth selling samples of their shrimp plates.

This was a popular place for Gringos and Mexicans alike, as was displayed by the huge crowd. There was a small playground for kids, local bands for the young at heart and a beer garden for the rest.

Then There Were Two

Think of it this way! One poinsettia plant [even though it was a large one], one tennis ball and one 80 pound Golden Retriever named Maggie. Which one of these would come out ahead? Off we go to Guaymas tomorrow!

The Spirit of Christmas

It seems a little early, but we have taken the first step toward Christmas by planting three poinsettias. I think they look pretty classy in the front courtyard. Our next big step will be putting up the Christmas lights - around the palm tree of course!

Day of Firsts

This morning I tried my hand at golfing with the ladies league. We had a lot of fun on a course that isn't in the best of shape. San Carlos had 25 inches of rain [some say 40] in 30 hours back in September and since then every weed known to this area has germinated. The golf course is no exception - the roughs are unplayable and the arroyos [ditches] are deep and rocky. Then again, golfers are not to be playing in the rough!

This afternoon we ventured across the street to the Fiesta Real Hotel to listen to two local musicians entertain the crowd. There are many of these concerts on the beach sponsored by the "Sonora is Safe" committee. They are trying to encourage people to come to the San Carlos area and not to believe the media stories on H1N1 and the Mexican drug wars. I'm not sure they are succeeding as SC is very quiet with numerous houses for sale and some businesses closing their doors. It remains to be seen how quiet this town will be after Christmas when most of the Snowbirds come down.

While we were sitting outside, the dolphins started their swim back to their night habitat. My camera could not pick them up clearly, but I think you can get the idea from the one picture that shows them close to the shore.

As if we don't have enough to do, today we bought a four month membership to the Athletic Club. Now we must find time in our day to work out and get our old bodies in shape. The strong Canadian dollar and local incentives to keep people here have made memberships like this very easy on the budget. There is a 5km run (fund-raiser) in January that we have our eye on, so we better get at it.