Reflecting on our Journey

I know that the past months are not reflective of what our life will be from this point forward but I also know that this adventure would not be possible without the choices we have made throughout our life especially the one to retire now.  It makes me wonder some about what is retirement.  To some extent it is mostly the freedom from work dictated by another, but I hope for us it is more than just that, I hope for this to adventure to be the passage to the next season of our lives. 

We are winding down now here in Mexico and soon will be heading back to the US.  Los Cabos is a wonderful location, where based on the amount and type of development we see, was discovered long ago by many with the resources to invest.  They have mindfully protected the beaches and nature areas and work to preserve the quaintness of the towns.  There are signs that the people who live here understand that the environment here is special and a gift.  This is evident with their emphasis on organic foods and green and sustainable living.  I am hopeful that this will be here for many to enjoy for years to come.

The beautiful people of Mexico are kind and unassuming; they work happily for the money they receive in the shadow of obvious excesses.  Although I cannot fix this, I do wish that the wealth of the world was spread out, just a little more evenly.

On this journey, we have learned much about our neighbors to the south as well as our neighbors to the north.  We have been living with a community of Canadians who have all welcomed us into their lives as I expect they do many others.  Acceptance and inclusion of everyone seems woven deeply into the fabric of their culture.    This experience and the acquaintances we have made will stay with us the rest of our lives.  

Gracious, mi amigos 

Fun at the Club

With the impending departure of many winter residents, Easter is celebrated early.  The sheet on the announcements board shares information about the Holiday pool party and pot luck.  We would not miss this opportunity to celebrate with our new Club La Costa family.  I am very excited to wear the new dress that I bought at boutique de Barbara. 

Our last week is flying by and there is a bittersweet glow over the evening.  As always, we are made to feel right at home and could not miss the chance to capture some photos.  

Easter decorations make the area festive, including beautiful fresh cut flowers, gathered from the condo grounds for each table.  Home baked Ham and Turkey accompany the many dishes provided by other residents.  This is quite a feast.  After dinner is complete, the best DJ, provides music for us to dance the night away under the stars of one more perfect evening here at Club La Costa.

This is quite a place; we love you guys, miss you already.  I hope that we find ourselves here again.  XXOO

Love from Los Cabos

Everything is easier,

 "With a little help from your friends."

Beach Party

We were invited to join Jim & Maureen, Jim’s daughter and her family and Alec & Karen for a day at the beach.  Today’s beach party was at Chileno Beach; a calm, clear water beach, good for snorkeling.  There are no restaurants so we pack a picnic and coolers along with the standard beach fair.  We have quite a crew and a load to go with so two vans are needed.   Jim arranges everything and on the road we go; it is about 5 miles away, on the way to Cabo.  It is a very clean public beach with easy access and parking; some snorkel tours out of the Cabo marina often anchor just off shore.

It does not take us long to find a spot and settle in for a great day.

The water is crystal clear and we are eager to get in.

There are so many fish it is like swimming in an aquarium.  When people pulled out bags of food it was a feeding frenzy.   Many kinds and colors, even large parrot fish.

Exploring takes us to the over the rocks to the other side.  The view is amazing.

So is the sea glass.

This has to go on the list for favorite beach, for sure.

Travis' Last Day

Today is Travis’ last full day in Mexico; his time here has gone so fast. We start the day by the pool; me in the shade with my book, Brad in the sun and Travis heading off for his second massage of the vacation.  About the only thing that could make this better is tacos from Adolfo for lunch.  The little palapa on the corner has turned into a favorite spot for us.

We found this place one hot day; we were told about their great smoothies. While we waited for our drinks, we watch the locals walking away with containers full of great looking food; we had to try.

We rounded out the day at the beach.  We met Jim and his family and settled in on the sand.  The waves were breaking and calling us in.

Now that is a wave pool!

We played and watched one last perfect sun set on another perfect day.

Cabo Azul

Off to Azul for a day of relaxation.  This is a lovely place to spend the day.  With the warm sun and a gentle ocean breeze we settle in on a soft beach bed. 

It is always nice to run into friends to play with.  I just love ping pong by the sea.  That Barb is a fierce competitor; I do not come close to a win. Barb proceeds to beat Brad and Travis, I think that we have a ringer here. 

And, when all of the warm is just too much…

There is always time for a dip in the pool. Brad and Bert join us at the swim up bar for a cocktail and the sun sets on another perfect day.

Todos Santos

We head out today with Bert and Barb for lunch in Todos Santos, a farm town on the coast north of Cabo San Lucas.   There are not too many highways in the Baja; from what we are told, the ones that are here now are much improved over what was here not so many years ago.   Bert pulls off for a quick pit stop at the Roadhouse.  This colorful local hangout of expats is where my new favorite saying, NO BAD DAYS, was coined and I had to get a shirt.

The drive to Todos Santos takes us along the Pacific Coast along HWY 19.  As soon as you leave the resort area where the natural landscape has been modified; you realize that the arid climate is because you are in the Dessert, deep in the Dessert; it is like you are in a cactus forest.  The Mountains are black and rocky; there are cacti everywhere, the tall ones with arms that you see in all the old westerns.  It turns out that we were looking at two different kinds of cacti, Saguaro and Cordon.  Both are very tall, can grow to be over 100 years old and are protected.  Very cool.

We eat lunch at a lovely place with lovely people. 

Todos Santos is home to wonderful shopping, great restaurants and Hotel California.

 Welcome to the Hotel California, 

Such a lovely place, (Such a lovely place) Such a lovely face

Plenty of room at the Hotel California, 

Any time of year, (Any time of year) You can find it here

The drive home takes us to Cerritos beach.  This place is a surfer beach.  We find a boutique hotel and stop for a cerveza.  It is up on the hill with a beautiful view.  We enjoyed watching the whales and the surfers. 

Look north and you see an entirely different view.

Thanks Bert, another great day.

Fly with the Birds

There is something so tempting as a few hundred sea gulls just sitting lazily on the sand.

I just think that it is so much better for them to be flying.