Sunday, July 31, 2011

It looks like I may be getting involved in some turtle work. While John Schaeffer and family were here a few weeks back (I was in Charlotte), they spotted some turtle nests, tracks and possible shell fragments in front of their home. They brought this to my attention and after a cursory investigation it appears that indeed there is a nesting area there and therefore my interests have been aroused. The problem is, is that there are poachers about as well as town dogs, Quads etc damaging the nesting grounds. The various Sea Turtles worldwide are endangered and need all the help they can get. At present I am meeting with some of the local turtle monitors to see how I can help. I have found that it is all about PERMITS. We’ll see how that works out. The Mexican Government is very touchy (and justifiably so) about who and how Norte Americanos do their work down here.

I have been helped by Dr. Isa Posner who is visiting from Ukiah and has been my companion on a few turtle searches this past two weeks. In fact we ran off a poacher about a week ago. She also contributed the money necessary to go out looking for any errant or residential HBs. We saw no whales but she did catch a nice Dorado which she shared with me….delicious!

Dr. Isa Posner

Hurricane Dora (category 4 at one point) petered out before getting to us so still no rain here. August is our big month and I just saw online that there is another tropical depression a bit south of us that might develop into our next hurricane. Dora’s influence did however bring in a fair bunch of Agua Malas (Portuguese Man O Wars) but I didn’t get stung except for a small one I stepped on while walking the beach. I walk barefoot all the time now (unless I go into Los Barriles) so my feet have toughened considerably.

Track of Hurricane Dora

My Cerruelo tree in front of the trailer has begun putting out fruit that I will soon be able to eat. It is a small, yellow-orange plum. Somewhat bitter but my body seems to love them because I really enjoy eating them. I will be in competition with the Bird People but there’s plenty for all of us.

Cerruelo tree

My Algodones (Cottenwood Trees) are putting out beautiful blossoms this year. I look forward to the rains, this year should be extraordinary! I really do love it here in the summer…..sultry, still, exotic.

Algodones blossom

It also brings out more of The “Reptile People”. Here’s a Desert Horned Toad that came by for a visit while I was reading under my palapa.

Desert Horned Toad

My palapa and beloved trailer

On the 28th there was a small plane crash just about a mile north of me. Apparently some “Druggos” trying to make some extra bucks. Either they ran out of gas or weren’t familiar with the plane they stole so they are now no longer with us. The beach in front of my village was inundated with Federales, Municipal Police, Mexican Marines, Navy, Forensic units etc. I saw the bodies brought in, very grim, very grim.

Two days ago I did the “unthinkable” (in a desert environment) and left the water running on my plants until the cisterna was dry and the pump heating up. I woke at 1:30 am and suddenly realized what I had done. The good news….pump not burned out, cisterna full again, a reprieve.

Then yesterday the refrigerator in my trailer finally gave out (45 years old) so I have to go to Cabo next week to see about a rebuilt. No big deal really, just inconvenient and will cost some.

My life here continues to amaze me as I meld more and more with nature. I am absolutely convinced that my good health and healing is because of this intimate relationship with The Natural Forces here.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

So…..once again it has been a while since I posted. My life has changed dramatically due to the fact that there is someone I have grown to really care for. Enough said.

I do want to mention a visit I had with Laura Hamburg, her brother Kirt and their friend Kirk. Laura is of course and old friend, and a “Whale Diver”. I had the pleasure of getting to know her brother Kirt who I had only met briefly before. It took only a short while to find that we are “brothers” and I now consider Kirt a dear friend. We all spent the day and evening together and I crashed at their rental in Los Barriles before going back to El Cardonal the next morning.

I love this pic of Laura. I didn't take it but it was down here in Mexico.

Jennifer, Kirt, Cassie & Gabby. Not my pic and I didn't meet the whole family, but this is a great pic.

Some of the desert plants are throwing out blossoms and I caught this one before it was gone the very next day. This is on a Pitaya cactus next to my adopted family's (The Q’s or Quebecois) home next to mine.


On the 29th of June we got our first rain here in the desert....2 minutes only but started some of the plants thinking. Also got my Iguana friend “Bub” out of his home for a look around.


On July 3rd I flew to Charlotte, N. Carolina to see my sweety. Plane delayed in San Jose, missed connection in Dallas, arrived 12:30 in the morning. The week went by far too fast but every minute was a joy and a delight…..every minute. I also lucked out by motor sailing in Charleston Harbor, SC, and seeing Ft. Sumter. For a Civil War buff a definite treat. I also saw THE Corporate Head Quarters of B of A in Charlotte….different interest eh?

This morning, July 14th, is my second day home and I went out for a sunrise kayak to The WZ. I haven’t been in The Sea in almost two weeks! Had a beautiful view of the sunrise, did a meditation ( a very special one) and then returned in by way of laps across the reef. Water was real murky and lots of little stinging jellies but not painful enough to get me out of the water.

Now sitting under the palapa, writing, reading and absorbing the tranquility of my “Shangri-La”.

This last pic is not mine but taken recently here in Baja Sur. Check out the bubble pattern on this Orca.

I love Orcas!

This last pic is yours truly, courtesy of Ashley Schaeffer


I hope all of your lives are as rich as mine!










Morning kayak, boobies, dolphins, jellies