Thursday, 16 Feb; Santispac Beach

It was a beautiful clear and calm morning on the bay.
The veggie guy came by and we bought some tomatoes and spinach.  It was expensive.
Then Lily came by.   She had fresh prawns and shrimp cocktail.  The shrimp cocktail is really good and the prawns always fresh.  We bought one of each.
After breakfast Lori and John went out on their boards then came back to get us. They had seen lots of skates (like sting rays) swimming and on the bottom.  They also found some of them mating. We all paddled out to go find them.
We tried to go into a creek at the end of our beach, but it was to shallow.  There are some ponds back there that I would like to explore.
We paddled out to the next cove and checked it out.  There are some RVs on the beach and several colorful homes. Next we paddled out to and around the point.  On the back side of one of the islands there were a ton of fish.  It was pretty cool.We decided to head back and were looking forward to having the wind to our backs to help us get back.  Unfortunately, the wind shifted and was in our face. It was really hard paddling in.
At one point Rob and I pulled our boards side-by-side.  Sitting, we hooked our legs together and tried to paddle together.  It wasn't a whole lot easier.
I continued to sit on my board and paddle like on a rowing machine at the gym.  It worked pretty well and I was the first one in.  Rob was only a little behind, but Lori and John were way back.
Rob borrowed a kayak from someone on the beach along with an extra kayak paddle and paddled back out to give the paddle to Lori to help her back in, but she didn't want it.  So he came back.  We were out there for about 2 hours.
We sat in the sun and shade for the rest of the day reading and just enjoying the day.
In the evening we made margaritas and Lori and I got busy peeling shrimp.  It is a yucky job.  They were sticky.  

Prior to bringing out the shrimp I had cut up and the garlic, onions, peppers,  etc. for paella.  We used a little bit of sausage and a little bit of chicken and a whole lot of medium sized prawns.  We didn't have any shell fish.  It turned out really good.  I think we have a pretty good recipe and I think cooking it outside on the burner definitely adds to the whole experience.  

It was quite yummy.  Lori made a delicious salad.
They had a live band at the restaurant behind us.  The music was really good. There were a lot of American songs we recognized, some in English and some in Spanish.
John lit up his fire pit and we all sat in a circle, in reclining beach chairs, all with our feet near the fire, kicked back looking up at the stars.  We saw a bunch of satellites and a few shooting stars.  It was an awesome night.  
The band quit so we all went inside our various rigs to bed.  The funny thing was, about 10 minutes or so after getting into bed the band played one more set.  This time it was Mexican Music and the gal had a really nice voice.

Wednesday; 15 Feb; Loreto to Muleje

It is somewhat overcast this morning.  It is supposed to rain Sat and Sun.  We will see.  We sat out by the water again this morning.  Rob took another couple pretty pictures of the sunrise

This is our last morning in Loreto.  We are going to move north a couple hours back to Santispac Beach.  That is where we stayed for a couple days on our way down and really liked it there.  They delivered us fresh fish, prawns, and veggies as well as tomales and empanadas practically daily.  We were able to paddle board and go visit the islands and it was really nice.  We are planning on staying there for 7 nights.  

I'm excited about moving!

I never really unpacked everything when we moved here and I already have the bedroom packed up, so it should be very easy to get ready.  The plan is to leave by 11 am.  It will just be John/Lori with their two dogs, Molly and Tucker and us.  Bob/Pam with Jezzie and Booner are going to stay here for another couple weeks.

This is the Arroyo that we have to cross to get to town or from one side of town to the other.  It is really steep on both sides.  A little freaky the first time we went through it pulling the Rig.

Bye bye Loreto

I get so excited when I see the water that that is pretty much all I take pictures of.

 The beach camp above you can walk out to the island when the tide is out.

This is another one of the beach camps we passed along the way

Finally we pulled into Santispac.  Luckily, we had passed several RV caravans coming at us and we were hoping that they had vacated Santispac.  When we got here there was tons of room.  That was nice.

We set up our rigs and our beach spots.  The dogs were very happy to be back and Bella is always so happy to see Molly and Tucker when we get out of the vehicles.

It is Wednesday night and that means Rib night at one of the restaurants here on the beach, so that is where we went for dinner.  It was so so.  We came back and sat by the fire for a bit before going to bed.

Tuesday, 14 Feb 2017, Loreto, Mex

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!! We have reservations tonight for the 6 of us in what seems to be a fancy restaurant down on the Melacon.  It is called the Mediterranean.
Another lovely morning.  I found Rob sitting down by the water and Bella and I joined him by sitting on a rock.  Bella made a new friend, poodle perhaps, named Emma and they ran around for a few minutes.

Rob and John went off to play golf at the nice resort down here. 

 I sat down by the office, where the internet is decent, and worked on the blog.  Lori did laundry and cleaned her rig.  I finally got caught up with the blog at 11:30.  
Lori finished her stuff and then we went for a bike ride.  We rode out the same way Rob and I had, through the abandoned development, but then farther beyond.  I was told about a development by the Canadian Company that went bankrupt.  They had actually completed some homes which at the time were valued in the millions and they were abandoned.  When the market turned again those million dollar homes were purchased for 200,000.  But unfortunately, that development, we now believe, is over where the guys are playing golf.  Lori and John had driven over there when they first got here and said it was really cute over there.
We rode for about an hour and then came back and had a little lunch. 

This is how we are parked in this place.  Very tight.  The awning on the right belongs to Bob and Pam.  We had to squeeze in there without hitting.  The Allegro on the left is John and Lori.  As the shade comes in and in the eve we all circle our chairs in this area.  Some times around the fire pits.  It is very nice.

John texted Lori and said they were finished with golf and were having a beer at the resort.

They finally got back about 4 ish and we visited for a little bit then Rob finished buttoning up the underside of the rig.  Then, we showered and got ready for our St Valentine's Day dinner in town. Valentine's Day is a big event down here as well.  

The Restaurant was really cute and all decorated for Valentine's Day.  It was an upstairs patio with a nice view for the water.  It was a bit chilly at first, but then they lit the patio heaters and it was really nice.  The food was really good, the wine was nice and we had a lovely time.

Monday 13 Feb, Loreto, Mex

It was a cooler morning at first.  Rob dragged his chair down to the beach for a little view and sunshine while reading his book and enjoying his coffee. Bella and I joined him and pretty soon John, Lori and their dogs were with us as well.  We visited for a bit and then decided we better figure something out about our slide.
This RV park as villas and big storage garages in it.  There were two men at one of the garages that was open and they were tinkering in.  I told Rob they must be here full time and perhaps they know someone who could help us with the slide.
As it turns out, there is a man here in the park that does it and a bunch of other stuff.  The took Rob to him.
His name is Dan and he is from Canada.  He crawled underneath it with Rob and checked this and poked that.  They had me push the "in" button and the "out' button and he explained to Rob how it was "supposed" to work.  He also showed Rob what was wrong with it and explained to him what needed to be done.  He had to many jobs going right now so couldn't do the work himself, but explained to Rob what and how and said he's be back to help check on him from time to time.
So, Rob got to work and was soon joined by John and Bob and they started taking things apart.

I really don't know what these pictures are showing exactly.  I do know that there are two brackets that hold the drive tube on.  They were both tweaked and there was a bolt missing from the drive tube.  One bracket they had to unbolt and take off.  Then take a bolt out of the other to release the tube.  
Once things were disconnected they were able to manually slide the kitchen slide out.  That was nice.
Then they had to take the skirting and a panel off the other side to get the tubing out.  After that, Rob had to use a grinder to grind off the other bracket that was welded on.  At last it was free and everything was removed.
Dan came by and whisked Rob off to a machine shop to have one bracket straightened, another one made, and a new bolt made. 

Meanwhile, Lori and I made breakfast for everyone.  We had fruit salad (just fresh fruit cut up and thrown together) we had yogurt and she made a egg dish of peppers, onions, eggs and and meat that she gets packaged down here.  It was all scrambled together and we made it into burritos.  It was super yummy.
Unfortunately, it was just as it was all ready that Dan came and got Rob and took him away.  So, I made him a couple burritos for when he got back.
It was a lovely, yummy breakfast.
Rob was not gone for long, maybe an hour or so?!  He had all the parts and pieces and got under and put on the straightened bracket.  About 15 min later, the man from the machine shop arrived and welded the other bracket back on.  Lickety split, maybe 15 min.  Rob was so grate fun and asked how much we owed him.  He said 700 Pesos.  700 for making the new bracket, the new bolt to fit the drive tube, coming out and welding it on.  Rob said not enough and gave him 1000.  That, for all that he did, was only $50. US dollars.  Amazing!
So, Rob, John and Bob got busy and put it all back together and WOW!! It worked like a champ.  The only bad thing is we do not know why it tweaked in the first place, but for now it is fixed and happy.
But....let's reiterate! We had a non-functioning slide with bent brackets and missing bolts. And in one day, for $50. and not having to tow or move or anything.  We had parts straightened, manufactured, welded and reinstalled to perfectly working order.  Back in the states it probably would have cost us over a thousand dollars, they would have probably have had to order parts, on, and on, and on.  Amazing.
Unfortunately, while working under there Rob knocked a flashlight down that bonked him in his forehead and later (because he didn't wash his face afterward) got a little piece of metal in his eye.  We worked and flushed trying to get it out and finally went to Urgent care.  While waiting to see the doctor he finally got it out without scratching the cornea and we left.
We found the grocery store that had an ATM machine and had to wait for about 30 minutes, in line, while armed guards guarded the man who was filling the two machines.  Finally, we were both able to get more Pesos.  
We went to find this Rattlesnake IPA that Rob likes and it turned out we had to go the the brewery itself so Rob bought a growler.  I went to a nearby cafe and had a margarita while waiting for him and we enjoyed so chips and guac.
We came back to camp and Rob went for a run.  He really needed to unwind.
We sat with the group, Pam, Bob, John, Lori, the dogs and I and had a cocktail waiting for Rob.  He came back showered and joined us, as did another couple from Canada.
And then Lori, Pam and I got busy.  I fixed a green salad, prepped some zucchini for grilling and as well as peppers, onions and celery for grilling as well.  They both fixed chicken for the Barbies.  
We had dueling (3) Barbies going and 2 fire pits and thoroughly enjoyed the dinner and the evening until bedtime.  It is really nice being here with good friends.

Sunday, 12 Feb, Loreto

It was so noisy when we went to bed last night that we both wore ear plugs.  A band was playing very loud Mexican music and it sounded like it was right across the street.  I was amazed that the ear plugs actually took all the noise away.
Rob got up first and actually took Bella out.  I slept in.  I finally did get up and we sat outside for a little bit having our coffee.
There is a farmers market in town and everyone wanted to go.  I did not want to drive the truck.  It was determined that it was only about 3 miles or so away so Rob and I decided to ride our bikes.  
Lori and John took off first.  Then Rob and I rode off on our bikes with Bella in the basket.
We rode into town and through the Centro which is a pretty walking only square.

The Farmer's market was kind of a bust.  It was more like a flea market.  They did; however, have some good produce which we took advantage of and bought some salad and grilling veggies. They had meat, but it was all laid out, un wrapped, with flies all over it.  GAG!

So we all left and decided we would go down by the water and have brunch.

We rode down to the Malecon which is like a sidewalk or walkway along the water.  It was pretty down there.

After lunch we walked around for a bit.  It is an interesting town.

 This was originally a cell tower in the shape of a palm tree, but it was damaged in the hurricane and rather than try to camouflage it again they just added the cells back

These are bones, probably whale, that a couple archeologists are working on outside a research center.

On the way back to camp Rob wanted to go find this running trail we had been told about so we kept going on past and went down to the shoreline.

We rode out and through what looked like an abandoned development.  They had all the curbing in for the malecon, a divided road with planters in the middle and then island they had the roads, turnabouts and sidewalks all in. We continued past that on a dirt road and along the end of the runway of the Loreto Airport.  We came upon a family, Man, woman and little boy standing up in the back of their pickup truck.  They were waiting for an approaching airplane.  It turned out to be an Alaska Airline and it flew right over the top of us as it landed on the runway behind us

It was pretty cool.  The pictures really do not do justice as to how close overhead it was.

We sat around visiting together (and with all the dogs). Before going back into town for dinner.

This nice man was making Cesar salad for us at our table.  It was yummy!

I told you that our kitchen slide is stuck and we cannot get it to go out.  I cannot get to half the pantry, mixing bowls, silverware, pots, or pans.  So, we cannot do much in the way of cooking until we get it fixed.  Too bad, so sad, we have to go out.