"I thought it Would Be More Rugged"

This was a most interesting quote from Jim...ten minutes into the trek up Tetakawi! Now look at him, 8:00 pm and sound asleep!
More quotes to come tomorrow morning - if Jim is up before noon.

Just Touring Around

Alice and I had made plans to go to the Athletic Club early this morning but as usual the Goat's Head thorns have a way of delaying all bike riding. A quick removal of three or four thorns plus the installation of "Slime" and we were on our way.



Monday turned out to be another beautiful day and that called for the top patio. We didn't rest long before we were on another mission - a tour of Guaymas via car.

We stopped at Miramar on the way home to view the historic Cortez Hotel. It is a fascinating place that has tons of history behind it. The gardens are perfect for picture taking. And yes, that is a cold beer in their hands! We found out today that the Cortez Hotel has the coldest beer in the area!



We went from the spectacular to beyond belief in a matter of minutes. A fishing shack that sits on the edge of the Sea of Cortez was in stark contrast to the Cortez.

Long Hot Bike Ride

For three hours today we toured San Carlos by bicycle. The flea market finds worked exceptionally well! We checked out the beach homes and the scenery near the Club de Playa.

We rode as far as the Marina and needed every ounce of water that we took with us - the temperature was 30C and we were getting dehydrated. On a day like this beer won't work!



Tetakawi is in the background and the climbing of that mountain is on our agenda for Wednesday.

Visitors

Alice and Jim's flight from Phoenix into Guaymas was an hour late so we had plenty of time to watch the donkeys at the airport - real donkeys, not people!


They flew in on a small prop job with only six passengers so passing through immigration was quick and easy.


After getting organized at the house it didn't take long to get to the Fiesta Hotel for cervezas with chips and salsa.

Not Maggie's Fault

Last night was a repeat of the night before, but this time we can't blame the dog. There was a raccoon on our top patio and it is a dog's instinct to chase!

And she chased all night long.....from window to window and door to door. Fred finally had to try and scare the invader out of the yard. No, it didn't work!

All I want for Christmas is a good night's sleep - no raccoons and no wind!

Raising Chickens

I think we have raised the biggest chicken of all time. Maggie is afraid of absolutely everything and she appears to be getting worse as she ages.

Last night was a good example. We left the screen doors open and after a few hours in a deep sleep we feel this big lump on our feet. The wind had started to rattle the blinds and that put her in a tailspin.

That problem was solved and we were back in the sleep mode when this big lump appears again! This time it was a small outside ornament that was moving in the wind. This was a strong breeze, not a serious wind!

Another problem solved! Sleep again, but not for long as Fred's backpack was hanging on a chair outside our bedroom in the inner courtyard. That backpack may attack at any moment! Back on the bed and growling!

Okay, enough. Wait, don't go to sleep yet! The fireworks have started and that meant that big lump wanted to sleep on our pillows.

We do have a king sized bed but it wasn't meant for two adults and a 90 pound Golden Retriever.

Both Fred and I had to get up early for other commitments but Maggie could sleep all day - and she did!

Market Day

It was so beautiful this morning that we decided to head to Empalme and their Sunday market. Because it is a Mexican holiday celebrating the revolutionary victory of 1910, the towns and markets were extremely busy.

Again, we were on the lookout for a second spare bicycle. We bought that and more. All ready for visitors from the cold north!

These vendors were selling a sweet, deep fried treat that was rolled in sugar and cinnamon. Looked very good!


Selling dried shrimp and posing for the Canadians

Finishing the Job

Yesterday Nacho, the park's gardener, told us we hadn't removed enough of the tree and this morning he took the complete tree out. Looks much better and it won't return!

This afternoon we went for a bike ride with friends that I met at the gym. We didn't tackle any steep hills or mountainous terrain, but we did manage to work up enough of a sweat to stop for a beer.

Yard Clean-Up

We decided it was time to trim the trees in the front yard and I think we got a little carried away! What do you think?

We're Here

We had a very uneventful drive down. Even the Mexican border crossing was easy and very quick [45 minutes as compared to three hours for some people].

Our house was spotless! Chuyita had cleaned the place a few days before we arrived so move-in was very trouble free. We arrived around 2:30 and were settled in by 5:00 - little tired and a whole lot lazy.

Our car was overloaded and cramped. We were full when we left Eatonia but by the time we left Tucson both Maggie and I were crowded out. She couldn't even turn around in the back and I had food at my feet. The small car was well worth it as it only cost us $167 Cdn to drive to Mexico. Last year the truck cost us close to $600 Cdn.

Our first week was spent getting reacquainted with Mexico and friends from Tecalai. We were without the Internet until Sunday so things were quiet in terms of communication with home.

I am back at the gym doing Zumba five days a week and also golfing one or two days. Fred has been cleaning the yard and tinkering at whatever!

We have planted the pots and our front yard with a whole bunch of plants that we don't know the name of, nor do we know what they will look like in four months. Good thing plants are about 1/10 the price of home.

We are also back managing the clubhouse bar. That involves purchasing all the supplies and finding workers for the two nights a week that we are open.

The weather has been great with the exception of two days of rain, a much needed rain. Even though we are on the Sea of Cortez, we are in a desert and water is scarce. This is a very unique environment.

We are expecting visitors so we have been searching the markets for two bicycles - one down and another market tomorrow afternoon.