March 13 Blog
I think it's Sunday. I'm sitting on our "porch" staring at what appears to be a huge endless lake with little wavettes tickling the shore, certainly nothing one could surf or boogie on. Sniff. And this has been the case for several days now. As a result we've had to resort to desperate measures.
Yesterday we removed the sheets from our queen size bed/air mattress and, you guessed it, took it for a little swim. Unfortunately Wilson couldn't go -- he would've popped our "watercraft", but Eric and I managed just fine. He put his flippers on and we had the entire lake....er..ocean.. at our mercy. We spent a good hour lounging and drifting and rocking on the tiny wavettes before Eric kicked us back into shore. It didnt have the excitement associated with a good ride on the board, but it was still somehow satisfying.
I'm thinking we'll have to resort to this sort of behavior again today, since things haven't picked up. Even yesterday, during the tsunami warning, the ocean refused to be an ocean and stuck instead with its impersonation of a huge, smooth lake. If we had a motor boat and water ski it'd be just fine. But our poor boogie boards are feeling forgotten and rejected, and it's just not right.
Meanwhile, the festivities continue. Eric has arranged a huge party tonite, inviting the remaining RV'rs along with a few new ones, and there will be nonstop entertainment. We ran into some friends at a nearby park who said they wanted to move to someplace that was more socially active. They said they'd just move to wherever Eric was, since he's "so active and social" and things were always happening around him. Now for those of you who know Eric, please take a second here to pick yourselves up off the floor. There is another Eric here you haven't met, and I cant guarantee he'll still be around when we get back to Madison. But the world is full of surprises, so you never know.
As much as I love this place, I'm not thrilled about what we're sharing it with. We were sitting in the camper recently when Eric happened to look out and see a huge crab meandering across our patio. Dang they're ugly. And they walk sideways! On purpose! I'm thinking someone should point that out to them. And someone should point out also that they shouldn't go where they're not invited. And believe me they are NOT invited to be anywhere near our home and sleeping headquarters. This crab was SO confused!
So Eric managed to maneuver him (her? How the hell are you supposed to know!? Anybody?) into a box and took IT out to the beach. Wilson gave it a few sniffs, which didn't go over well, and I'm thinking it won't be dropping by for a visit again anytime soon. In fact I'm hoping it'll spread the word.
Then there are the "bugs", which should really be on leashes instead of running free. OMG they're huge! Eric picked a towel up off the ground and a beetle the size of a football fell out and hit the ground with a thud before jogging off. When I went to see what the commotion was, I asked Eric where the beetle went and he pointed to a spot in the dirt several yards away where you could see the thing peaking up at us over the pebbles. I'm sure it was sticking it's ugly little tongue out and gloating. Eric went over and gave it a little taste of his sand wedge, and you'll be glad to know I did not witness the execution so you'll be spared the details. But I'll guarantee it wasn't pretty.
Our neighbor recently took his swimsuit down off the line where it was drying, put it on, and discovered he'd interrupted the nap of a.........ready for this.....scorpion! HOLY CRAP! Now we're talking about things that are not only ugly, but can HURT you as well! THIS IS VERY BAD! As a result, we shake out every single thing we pick up off the ground, and I try to prepare myself emotionally and psychologically for anything that may drop out and crash to the floor by accompanying the "shake out" with some specific and important bodily maneuvers that I can only demonstrate in person. Add some extremely effective sound effects to that and I know I'm gonna be ok no matter what comes crawling out of the dark.
There was a surfing and Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) competition in Sayulita, a nearby town, yesterday. We went with some friends and had a great time, but due to the "no wave" issue we've been dealing with the past 2-3 weeks, there was little action. You just can't fake it on a surfboard, but the SUP is another story! There were several competitors, and we watched them paddle their boards in a 4 mile race. My entire upper body was hurting for them! The work that goes into paddling while standing up on those things has to be grueling!
Eric found someone on our beach recently who has an SUP and asked if he could try it out. Once again, Eric steps gingerly and unknowingly into the world of entertainment. Everyone on the beach settled into their beach chairs to watch Eric undertake a new challenge. It's kind of empowering to have a beach full of people cheering you on, but the gut wrenching laughter may have a different effect. I heard a guy tell his friends to take a picture because they were never gonna see anything this funny again. Obviously a newcomer who hasn't gotten to know Eric very well yet.
He did come up with some great tricks though. My favorite was when he was finally able to stand up for a few second and then he walked forward and right off the front of the board. Like he was supposed to do that. (I'm pleased to say I got that on video.) I have a lot of respect for the SUP'ers competing at Sayulita, now that I know how hard it is! I tried it too, but then I'm challenged just standing upright on a flat, immobile surface, so I'm not the best judge. We're gonna stick with the air mattress for now and maybe add the SUP challenge next year. It's amazing what I'm willing to try in the water where I won't hurt myself. Ok, just writing that is a joke. I can hurt myself anywhere. It just doesn't hurt as bad in the water.
As much as I love our lives here, the simplicity, warmth, beauty and people, what I love the most is living near and among people, town residents and our fellow RV'ers, I probably never would've gotten to know otherwise. And I've learned, or I should say have had confirmed to me, that people can be together, interact, share friendships and be on equal ground without the societal divisions of class and wealth! No one here ever talks about what they did for a living, what sort of neighborhood they live in, who they know or what they've accomplished. And there is a HUGE variety of mobile homes, trailers, campers and vans, some nice, some small, some ( like ours) very very simple. Nobody cares which one you go into at the end of the day, or what you're wearing when you walk out in the morning.
My point is, WE CAN DO THIS! Our society, and we the people, have only forgotten HOW! We are all the same and our basic wants and needs are the same. Life is good when you care as much about other people as you do about yourself. It's good when you know that you're part of a society where others respect who you are as a fellow human being, no matter what your "standing" in the community, or what your title is or was. It is a joy when you are revered for simply being a good person, or when you help someone out because you really and truly care about them. And what you learn about life and humanity is so incredibly valuable. There are lessons that many will never have the joy of knowing. If they did, their lives would be enriched beyond measure and they would have the understanding and wisdom that would normally take several lifetimes to experience!
I am keeping up with what's going on in my home state and I want to say how proud I am of all the thousands who have made the effort, together, to fight the wrongs that are being forced on us by the greed and ugliness of the wealthy corporate powers-that-be. I hope we can continue this fight, because we have a long way to go and there's a lot of work to do. I am sending strength and gratitude to those on the front lines , and all the organizers who are working so hard! Please, let's continue to fight for our human rights and self respect because if we lose them I'm afraid we'll have to fight twice as hard to get them back. Money and greed are very powerful, but we can't give in and let them win. We need to remember what it means to be empathetic, loving, accepting human beings, motivated by the everyday joys of learning, experiencing, loving and nurturing, NOT judging and competing and caring only about ourselves and our things.
I need to go take our clean clothes down from the line (we have one washing machine at the park, and a clothesline) and figure out how I can stuff all of it into my bike baskets and ride it about 100 yards back to the camper. Always a challenge. There really is something to be said for the simple life. I don't know what yet, but I know it's good.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Not Bad.
Field of Dreams Golf Club, Monteon, Nayarit, Mexico
There's a saying here in Lo De Marcos.
"Love Lo De Marcos but don't tell anybody!"
This place is truly a magical hideaway. There's great small town nearby.
We are right on the water. Everything is incredibly cheap.
We have a great little campsite. The weather is perfect.
The beach is beautiful and rarely crowded. In fact, most of time it's very sparse.
Great Boogie Boarding most of the time.
Great people. Musicians to put on shows and play at "Happy Hours".
Nice produce and baked goods delivered right to your door.
Great little restaurants on the beach and in town.
Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita, Rincon de Guaybitos are nearby
for shopping(Costco, WalMart), crowds, nightlife, etc.
Riding the bus is easy.
There's a inexpensive golf course nearby.
People don't give a dang if your dog if off leash.
Pacifico Beer is 15 pesos a bottle. ($1.20)
Please don't tell anybody...
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Posted by Gayle (unedited!)
One sure learns a lot about their partner while on an adventure such as this one. My shy, self deprecating, talented BF has become a PERFORMER! Who'da thunk?! (..and he's Mr. popularity, i might add.) Not only that but his talents are IN DEMAND! Just months ago it was difficult to get him just to play his guitar in front of me. Now he's on stage, numerous times, playing outstanding guitar and singing his heart out. And what a voice! I've always liked his speaking voice, smooth and soothing, but you put it to music, it's pure joy. He's having the time of his life, but it's hard work. He also plays and sings with his friend, Heather, and she's helped him build some confidence. Some people he's never met came up to him at a local restaurant, called him by name, and told him how much they enjoyed his music. Took a good 10 minutes to get him up off the floor after that one.
We have jam sessions going on a lot around here, as well as performance sessions. Some of the talent that turns up is outstanding. And I'm actually picking up my own guitars again, remembering the joy they brought me for so many years.
There was a party held nearby recently, with performers entertaining for free, which was being held to raise funds for the town. Eric was asked to perform. There were nearly 200 people there, and this is such a small town you rarely see that many people in one place together. Eric was a nervous wreck (just him and his guitar onstage all alone with everybody looking at him! Um,...yeah..) but he did a great job and I know every time he hears that applause, and all the compliments, he's getting more confident in spite of himself.
There was a young woman at the fund raiser who lives in L de M during the Winters, who came up to sing some jazz and knocked everyones socks off! She sang with other musicians who were equally outstanding, and they ended up doing a couple sets. They also had one of the local Mariachi musicians do a few numbers. I couldn't believe the caliber of musicians and talent that pops up around here. What a blast!
Then there's Karaoke! We've now formed a Sunday evening karaoke program around our campfire every week. We had about 25 people last week. Amazing how many are willing to give it a try. I think it's the mentality, what happens in Lo de Marcos stays in Lo de Marcos. Eric's first solo performance was singing an oldie but goodie karaoke in front of a group of about 60, and the women swooned. It was great. (0: So now he's coming up with songs he's sang for years, and singing them publicly!! (including a rendition of "Hello Dolly," Louis Armstrong style!) Anyone who knows Eric will understand how amazing it is that he's become willing to share this part of himself. Weather he'll be so willing when we return to Madison remains to be seen.
Besides music, we've had some great whale entertainment! After seeing them on the horizon a few times we decided to go out by boat and check them out. Unbelievable! We saw 5 or 6 different ones, and a couple came within thirty feet of us. We got a lot of pictures of the splash after they'd breach and land in the water, showing yet again the value of a camera with decent shutter speed. Jeeeez... But we had a great time, then went to a small island nearby and did some snorkeling, before heading back and sharing our whale adventures.
Boogie boarding remains our favorite activity and we never seem to be able to do it enough. Conditions always change, not just the size of the waves or clarity of the water. Sometimes it's sandy, flat and shallow for a long ways out, other times it's rocky and uneven and much deeper. Sometimes the waves come evenly, almost in a pattern, other times it's like a super rough lake and waves are everywhere, every size, and totally inconsistent. Last week we had the best of everything and spent hours on the boards. Yesterday was a bit more challenging but still a joy. It's so much fun, one of those things you have to actually do to understand. We're hoping next year to add a stand up paddle board/ kayak to the water toy collection.
Some of our fellow campers have moved on to new adventures and we've agreed to stay in touch and meet up again next year. Now new potential friends are moving in and we're getting to know them as well. You meet such a variety of people, ones you never would have occasion to know or befriend otherwise, and it's great! (But you can also be completely isolated if that's your preference.)
Our fellow travelers are good at communicating travel and camping experiences, concerns, suggestions, updates, traffic and Q & A. Caravanning is common across the border and on down the coast, and everyone watches everyone elses back, not that there's been any reason to do so. We all feel very safe, and we are treated extremely well wherever we go.
Our particular park is turning into a dog park, which we love. Doggies everywhere! At times you see them all lined up at the gate, ready to slip out to the beach the second it opens, and of course Wilsons right out in front.
We did some major grocery and supply shopping a couple days ago. We went with friends who drove to Puerta Vallarta and spent some time loading up at the market and Costco. Restocking takes hours, but we've only done it 2-3 times since we've been here. For some reason it's a heck of a lot more exciting than doing it at home, maybe cause its more of an adventure.
Our major form of transportation around here is biking. It takes just minutes to ride into town, and you never know what you're going to run into. People still ride around on horseback, and today a truck went by loaded down with 2 Shetland Ponies, a pig, and a huge possum hanging on to the side. There are usually a few homeless dogs hanging around, all well fed and usually very sweet, and you start to get to know them after awhile.
Yesterday we rode around outside of town into some of the residential areas. The streets are in desperate need of repair, and some of the homes are so small and house several family members. Then there's the occasional home that has been cleaned up and remodeled and looks like a modest standard middle class house sort of stuck in between the smaller houses. There are only a couple of really nice villas up in the hills, probably owned by wealthy Canadians who rent them out.
It's baffling how cheaply one can live in this adorable little town. Our spot in the park here (in a prime location just a few yards from the waves) is $500/month, and that includes utilities. We can buy a great dinner, with everything fresh, for $6, and that includes a beer or cocktail, and several courses. Breakfast and lunch might be $4. And it's all my favorite kind of food! Groceries in town here are about a 1/2 the cost at home. Eric got a haircut for 40 Pesos (about $3.60) and I had an amazing pedicure (a very important life necessity) for $16. Most importantly, a recent doctor visit cost me about $60 for the doctors time and 2 medications. This is why people retire here, or do what we're doing and live here during the winters.
I'll be home later this month to visit my family, friends and animals. Im going up to Oshkosh to stay with my kids for a few days. Then back to the beaches of Lo de Marcos. Am I lucky or what?
Whale breaching from beach.
Whale breaching from beach (zoomed)
Whale watching from boat. Dang camera too slow.
(or was that me?)
Gayle & Eric having great time whale watching.
Some new friends. Victor is professional singer
and says Eric is very, very good.
Sunset from our campsite
Rough water today.
A true "waterfront" restaurant
Now this is the life
One sure learns a lot about their partner while on an adventure such as this one. My shy, self deprecating, talented BF has become a PERFORMER! Who'da thunk?! (..and he's Mr. popularity, i might add.) Not only that but his talents are IN DEMAND! Just months ago it was difficult to get him just to play his guitar in front of me. Now he's on stage, numerous times, playing outstanding guitar and singing his heart out. And what a voice! I've always liked his speaking voice, smooth and soothing, but you put it to music, it's pure joy. He's having the time of his life, but it's hard work. He also plays and sings with his friend, Heather, and she's helped him build some confidence. Some people he's never met came up to him at a local restaurant, called him by name, and told him how much they enjoyed his music. Took a good 10 minutes to get him up off the floor after that one.
We have jam sessions going on a lot around here, as well as performance sessions. Some of the talent that turns up is outstanding. And I'm actually picking up my own guitars again, remembering the joy they brought me for so many years.
There was a party held nearby recently, with performers entertaining for free, which was being held to raise funds for the town. Eric was asked to perform. There were nearly 200 people there, and this is such a small town you rarely see that many people in one place together. Eric was a nervous wreck (just him and his guitar onstage all alone with everybody looking at him! Um,...yeah..) but he did a great job and I know every time he hears that applause, and all the compliments, he's getting more confident in spite of himself.
There was a young woman at the fund raiser who lives in L de M during the Winters, who came up to sing some jazz and knocked everyones socks off! She sang with other musicians who were equally outstanding, and they ended up doing a couple sets. They also had one of the local Mariachi musicians do a few numbers. I couldn't believe the caliber of musicians and talent that pops up around here. What a blast!
Then there's Karaoke! We've now formed a Sunday evening karaoke program around our campfire every week. We had about 25 people last week. Amazing how many are willing to give it a try. I think it's the mentality, what happens in Lo de Marcos stays in Lo de Marcos. Eric's first solo performance was singing an oldie but goodie karaoke in front of a group of about 60, and the women swooned. It was great. (0: So now he's coming up with songs he's sang for years, and singing them publicly!! (including a rendition of "Hello Dolly," Louis Armstrong style!) Anyone who knows Eric will understand how amazing it is that he's become willing to share this part of himself. Weather he'll be so willing when we return to Madison remains to be seen.
Besides music, we've had some great whale entertainment! After seeing them on the horizon a few times we decided to go out by boat and check them out. Unbelievable! We saw 5 or 6 different ones, and a couple came within thirty feet of us. We got a lot of pictures of the splash after they'd breach and land in the water, showing yet again the value of a camera with decent shutter speed. Jeeeez... But we had a great time, then went to a small island nearby and did some snorkeling, before heading back and sharing our whale adventures.
Boogie boarding remains our favorite activity and we never seem to be able to do it enough. Conditions always change, not just the size of the waves or clarity of the water. Sometimes it's sandy, flat and shallow for a long ways out, other times it's rocky and uneven and much deeper. Sometimes the waves come evenly, almost in a pattern, other times it's like a super rough lake and waves are everywhere, every size, and totally inconsistent. Last week we had the best of everything and spent hours on the boards. Yesterday was a bit more challenging but still a joy. It's so much fun, one of those things you have to actually do to understand. We're hoping next year to add a stand up paddle board/ kayak to the water toy collection.
Some of our fellow campers have moved on to new adventures and we've agreed to stay in touch and meet up again next year. Now new potential friends are moving in and we're getting to know them as well. You meet such a variety of people, ones you never would have occasion to know or befriend otherwise, and it's great! (But you can also be completely isolated if that's your preference.)
Our fellow travelers are good at communicating travel and camping experiences, concerns, suggestions, updates, traffic and Q & A. Caravanning is common across the border and on down the coast, and everyone watches everyone elses back, not that there's been any reason to do so. We all feel very safe, and we are treated extremely well wherever we go.
Our particular park is turning into a dog park, which we love. Doggies everywhere! At times you see them all lined up at the gate, ready to slip out to the beach the second it opens, and of course Wilsons right out in front.
We did some major grocery and supply shopping a couple days ago. We went with friends who drove to Puerta Vallarta and spent some time loading up at the market and Costco. Restocking takes hours, but we've only done it 2-3 times since we've been here. For some reason it's a heck of a lot more exciting than doing it at home, maybe cause its more of an adventure.
Our major form of transportation around here is biking. It takes just minutes to ride into town, and you never know what you're going to run into. People still ride around on horseback, and today a truck went by loaded down with 2 Shetland Ponies, a pig, and a huge possum hanging on to the side. There are usually a few homeless dogs hanging around, all well fed and usually very sweet, and you start to get to know them after awhile.
Yesterday we rode around outside of town into some of the residential areas. The streets are in desperate need of repair, and some of the homes are so small and house several family members. Then there's the occasional home that has been cleaned up and remodeled and looks like a modest standard middle class house sort of stuck in between the smaller houses. There are only a couple of really nice villas up in the hills, probably owned by wealthy Canadians who rent them out.
It's baffling how cheaply one can live in this adorable little town. Our spot in the park here (in a prime location just a few yards from the waves) is $500/month, and that includes utilities. We can buy a great dinner, with everything fresh, for $6, and that includes a beer or cocktail, and several courses. Breakfast and lunch might be $4. And it's all my favorite kind of food! Groceries in town here are about a 1/2 the cost at home. Eric got a haircut for 40 Pesos (about $3.60) and I had an amazing pedicure (a very important life necessity) for $16. Most importantly, a recent doctor visit cost me about $60 for the doctors time and 2 medications. This is why people retire here, or do what we're doing and live here during the winters.
I'll be home later this month to visit my family, friends and animals. Im going up to Oshkosh to stay with my kids for a few days. Then back to the beaches of Lo de Marcos. Am I lucky or what?
(or was that me?)
and says Eric is very, very good.
Cheeseburger, fries, Huevos Rancheros, beans, coffee, coke, 2 large
waters, guacamole, chips & salsa, tortillas...all for
$120 pesos. Approx. $10 dollars
Monday, February 7, 2011
Posted by Gayle:
I left LdM for a few days last week to visit friends on Fripp Island off the coast of S.C. We've done this for 22 years and it's been a huge part of our "growing up" together. I had a wonderful time, as always, but i missed my man and my beach home terribly!
I had an absolutely perfect birthday! Eric arranged dinner with several friends, and the food was amazing. So fresh! Different people, including Eric, cooked and prepared, and what a feast we had! Then afterwards it was back around the campfire for some plucking, singing and all around good time. It was an amazing evening and I couldn't stop smiling. (0: My friends on Fripp continued the celebration, since 3 of us have birthdays in Jan., and Judy made 2 chocolate birthday cakes of which I'm proud to say I ate the majority.
The palm trees around our homestead are laden with coconuts, which have proven to be a bit of a problem when they fall. I'm just waiting to get bonked in the head, and Eric's standing by with video camera in hand waiting to record the mishap. He does that a lot when I have the occasional mishap. Apparently there's an entertainment factor involved.
But falling coconuts can be deadly, and they're in the process of removing them, which doesn't look like much fun. We watch them work their way up the trunk using a rope under one knee and one foot and pulling themselves up. I kept hearing, "oh, oh" and "ay yi yi" while they were in the process and decided it'd be even worse having a Mexican land on my head, so I took great care in positioning myself....til I couldn't watch anymore. I have to say that's one problem we don't have in WI. No falling coconuts. Or Mexicans.
We were lucky enough to see whales recently from our porch. They were HUGE. We'd see their gigantic bodies come up out of the water and their size was hard to fathom. Stunning! And unbelievable!
We also found a stingray, about 18 inches in diameter, that had worked it's way out of the water to become an appetizer for nearby vultures. Unfortunately we also found a good sized jellyfish on shore, which brought back memories of the one I met while boogie boarding last year. It was a short but abusive relationship, so painful I bawled and cussed nonstop for a good hour or two. So now I'm in full wetsuit, neck to toe, in order to avoid another unpleasant jellyfish experience.
Life is good here, and for those of you who are concerned, we are very safe here in Lo de Marcos and the surrounding areas. We're far away from the cartel violence which seems to plague the border towns and then get plastered all over the media. The process of crossing the border and getting here is done in caravans. Travelers hook up and make arrangements to meet at the border, cross over and accompany each other to various destinations. The Federal Police and military have been very helpful and respectful of incoming tourists. So please don't worry, as we are always cautious. The things going on in Los Angeles before we came down here were more threatening and nerve wracking than anything we've experienced in MX. Except for the falling Mexicans.
Our favorite waterfront restaurant getting its floor cleaned.
Practicing for their next gig.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Still in Lo De Marcos...
Posted by Gayle:
We are having so much fun, and this is so relaxing. Lo de Marcos is an absolutely delightful little town on a beautiful beach with waves that vary from a foot to 5 or 6 feet high. A true paradise! We manage to get on our boards nearly everyday when the waves are cooperative. Eric is an amazing boogie boarder and it's fun to watch him when he gets a long ride down the curl. What a blast! We've also noticed, and are grateful for the fact that none of the buildings in this town are taller than the Palm trees. They've got their priorities in the right place!
Things were a little busier at the beach and in town last week because of the Holidays. The people here bring their families to the beach and set up a spot where they plan to spend the day. The kids have a blast! And the families are usually big with extended family members all living together, hanging out and taking care of each other. It's a joy to see. The Mexicans are the warmest, friendliest people I know. Their lives are simple but full, and I know several Americans who would benefit from their company and learn some huge lessons about life and priorities.
While boogie boarding seems to be our major activity, with our daily plans often made around the size of the waves, there are many other activities to choose from. Biking, hiking, swimming, going on the bus to nearby Sayulita, a popular ex-patriot town with lots of gringos, or to Puerta Vallarta, which is a 45 min bus ride from Lo de Marcos. Every Thursday there's a HUGE flea market in La Penita, a town not far from here,where you can do major damage with minimal Pesos.
Eric has made several friends here, other RV'ers mostly from Canada, and several of the business owners in town that you see often, eating in ther restaurants, buying their services and buying fresh foods from. Saul brings his veggie & fruit truck to the RV parks every Tues. and Fri., and another truck brings breads and rolls. We can stop and buy shrimp that is guaranteed fresh everyday, and Eric, the camper cook, makes a dish with fresh shrimp and veggies that is unbelievable! (0:. And fruit smoothies here are beyond delicious!
There're a lot of talented people here, and every week they have a jam session at the campground next door. Eric has already performed twice with his friend, Heather. They did real good but don't tell him that.
I recently celebrated my birthday. For those of you who've known me awhile, you'll agree when I say I am extremely lucky and grateful to still be here. But I have to say that I never thought I'd be this lucky! I'm learning so many amazing lessons just being here. I'm with a man who is the love of my life and an absolute joy. My children are doing well and constantly amaze me with their maturity, compassion, intelligence, honor and work ethic. So far beyond where I was at 19 and 23. I have so much, and my life and heart still continue to fill up everyday, like yesterday when we rode our bikes past a birthday party where the kids were working on their piñata busting. Life is good, but a full and simple life is absolute joy!
Posted by Eric:
View of beach from in front of campsite. Very nice, clean, quiet.
Another view of beach in front of campsite.
Playing fetch with Wilson and his new buddies.
Wilson and his new friend.
Eric wishing he had a new friend. Oops!
Hanging by the beach.
We are having so much fun, and this is so relaxing. Lo de Marcos is an absolutely delightful little town on a beautiful beach with waves that vary from a foot to 5 or 6 feet high. A true paradise! We manage to get on our boards nearly everyday when the waves are cooperative. Eric is an amazing boogie boarder and it's fun to watch him when he gets a long ride down the curl. What a blast! We've also noticed, and are grateful for the fact that none of the buildings in this town are taller than the Palm trees. They've got their priorities in the right place!
Things were a little busier at the beach and in town last week because of the Holidays. The people here bring their families to the beach and set up a spot where they plan to spend the day. The kids have a blast! And the families are usually big with extended family members all living together, hanging out and taking care of each other. It's a joy to see. The Mexicans are the warmest, friendliest people I know. Their lives are simple but full, and I know several Americans who would benefit from their company and learn some huge lessons about life and priorities.
While boogie boarding seems to be our major activity, with our daily plans often made around the size of the waves, there are many other activities to choose from. Biking, hiking, swimming, going on the bus to nearby Sayulita, a popular ex-patriot town with lots of gringos, or to Puerta Vallarta, which is a 45 min bus ride from Lo de Marcos. Every Thursday there's a HUGE flea market in La Penita, a town not far from here,where you can do major damage with minimal Pesos.
Eric has made several friends here, other RV'ers mostly from Canada, and several of the business owners in town that you see often, eating in ther restaurants, buying their services and buying fresh foods from. Saul brings his veggie & fruit truck to the RV parks every Tues. and Fri., and another truck brings breads and rolls. We can stop and buy shrimp that is guaranteed fresh everyday, and Eric, the camper cook, makes a dish with fresh shrimp and veggies that is unbelievable! (0:. And fruit smoothies here are beyond delicious!
There're a lot of talented people here, and every week they have a jam session at the campground next door. Eric has already performed twice with his friend, Heather. They did real good but don't tell him that.
I recently celebrated my birthday. For those of you who've known me awhile, you'll agree when I say I am extremely lucky and grateful to still be here. But I have to say that I never thought I'd be this lucky! I'm learning so many amazing lessons just being here. I'm with a man who is the love of my life and an absolute joy. My children are doing well and constantly amaze me with their maturity, compassion, intelligence, honor and work ethic. So far beyond where I was at 19 and 23. I have so much, and my life and heart still continue to fill up everyday, like yesterday when we rode our bikes past a birthday party where the kids were working on their piñata busting. Life is good, but a full and simple life is absolute joy!
Posted by Eric:
Our campsite & winter home at La Parota RV Park, Lo De Marcos, Nayarit, Mexico.
View of beach from in front of campsite. Very nice, clean, quiet.
Another view of beach in front of campsite.
Beach views
Playing fetch with Wilson and his new buddies.
Wilson and his new friend.
Eric wishing he had a new friend. Oops!
Hanging by the beach.
Waterfront restaurant (literally!) Big Wave day!
Harvesting coconuts in the campground. Look closely. Man in tree!
Eric pretending to know what he is doing.
Happy hour jam session at La Pequeno Paraiso RV Park.
Taco stand in Lo De Marcos. We ride our bikes everywhere.
Photo from last year in Lo De Marcos. No motorcycle this time.
Wilson patiently waiting to play fetch on the beach.
Recent picture of Shelby. Gayle's daughter. Wow!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Arrived safely in Lo De Marcos, Mexico!!!
3rd night camp at a place called Celestino. It's about an hour north of Mazatlan.
Good places are hard to get to.
Traffic in Mazatlan. Argh!
I am literally the only RV in the campground. It's wonderful. Right on the beach.
Access to ocean. No boogie boarding waves YET. I'll be waiting patiently.
Tourism has really been hurt due to all the negative press about Mexico.
I chose not to condemn the whole country for "stuff" happening around the border and
select areas. I'll just stay away from those areas. Not drive at night stay on the toll roads.
Lots of privacy.
Where is Lo De Marcos you might ask. Click here > http://www.moon.com/files/map-images/ptv_03_The-Nayarit-Coast.jpg
The beach.
Main St. Lo De Marcos
The Plaza in LDM
Campground road.
Vegetable truck delivers to campgrounds.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)