February 22 to 29, 2016; House party at Brian; boat cruise

FEB 22, MONDAY;

I went for a bike ride, riding all the way to CARACOL then stopping at Barracuda Café at the Marina for a muffin and coffee.  Aud and Val joined me from their walk.  Rode back home and took the jeep to have the slow leak in my rear tire but he was closed so continued to the car wash where I had the outside of the jeep washed for 80 Pesos.  Drove back home and had my shower then I uploaded pictures to the Picasa Website.

It was a very hot day: 94*F in the middle of the day.  We had the A/C on full blast and it could hardly keep up.  We didn’t do much except find places to hide from the heat.  We met at 4 for HH then it was back in to the cool air.  The wind came up which cooled things right down.  We finished Breaking Bad serie

FEB 23, TUESDAY; House Party at Brian

I had a companion for my bike ride this morning…Marcel!  We rode to the Marina, had a muffin and coffee, watched a couple boats being launched into the water then rode back.  We met Aud and Louise as they were walking by Tortugas, had a chat and continued on.  Val went for TAI-CHI this morning so no walk for her.  We stopped at TORTUGAS and had a beer and breakfast then rode home.  I don’t think Marcel will be back in the near future as he had a pretty rough time!

Already hot by 11 am but the wind is gaining in strength.  At 4 pm Aud and us rode to Brian’s place where a house warming party was in progress.  The TWINS, a Mexican Local Band, were already playing.  We settled down and mingle with the people.  We met Carol and Brian’s two daughters and their husband/boyfriend.  The food was plenty and no one went home hungry.  At 6 pm, Marcel and his crew took over the Band and played until 10 pm.  We left around 8 pm and came home.

FEB 24, WEDNESDAY; Rest day

Another hot day, 94*F.  Not much happened today; I went for a bike ride then showered and took the jeep in to have the slow leak in the rear tire fixed then I stopped at EL CHEQUE for a hot dog!  Back home, not much happening so I had a one hour snooze.  John and Bernice were dropped off by Brian and we had them as guest for the rest of the day.  They are leaving for Calgary tomorrow from Hermosillo.  We had a nice visit and ended the day by going out to the local Italian restaurant for dinner.  I drove them back to Brian afterwards.  End of another good day!  The Mexican painter showed up around noon today to give me an estimate for painting the back fender, touch up two slide where the paint is chipped and the top edge all around.  We agreed on a price and he wanted a down payment for the material which I gave him.  He will start on the job next Monday!?

FEB 25, THURSDAY;

Went for a walk/bike ride and after showering, the girls went into town to do some shopping.  Marcel went with Brian to Hermosillo to drop off John and Bernice at the airport.  After cleaning up, I went to JJ’s for beef tacos and a cerveza.  We had a nice breeze late in the afternoon, cooling things off a bit.  HH at the Lemieux.  Dave and Louise are having their MH touched up on the rear fender where someone damaged it by hitting it and leaving.

FEB 26, FRIDAY; more test

Val went to the Lab to provide more samples for, what I hope, is the last of them.  I took the bike to Delfine Condos through the backway this morning and came out at KM 4 post which is 5 km from our park @ Km 9.  With the wind in my face on the return trip, it made it a bit difficult.

In the afternoon, we all went to Walmart for grocery shopping then we stopped for lunch and a beer.  Back at home, we put everything away and it was soon HH then dinner and more of TRUE DETECTIVES, a one season serie.

FEB 27, SATURDAY;

Life in Totonaka!  Internet is very spotty; works one minute, down the next!  It was a hot day yesterday and it promises to be the same today.  Val went to the doctor in the morning to find out the results from her test yesterday, hopefully it will be last!?

Another quiet day at home reading and trying to stay cool.  Marcel went fishing with some local guys and came home with a bass fish which I BBQ’ed for HH at the Ennis.

FEB 28, SUNDAY; Sunset Cruise

WOW, What a day!  It began slowly, just hanging around then at 2:30pm we drove to the Look-Out by Esmeralda Beach where we walked around and looked at all the trinkets and everyone bought something or other.  We then drove down to the Marina and had a drink at the local bar, walked over to the cruise boat Hatia-Mati at 4:15 pm and were on our way by 4:40pm.  We slowly made our way out of the Harbour and into the main Bay.  We slowly went along the coast and it sure was neat to see San Carlos from the sea side.  We even went by Steve and Linda’s condo and we waved and yelled as we went by, I think they saw us.  We saw dolphins, lot of them, and they raced our wake and we watched them from the bow of the boat as they raced with us.  We had low swells but it was calm water as we cruised along at low speed.  We were served an endless supply of margarita with guacamole and salsa with corn chips and quesadilla; all very delicious.  We headed back to the marina entrance but first stopped at the place with big caves and we sat there watching the sun being swallowed by the sea.  Lots of pictures were taken then the first mate came out with hats and a cake and we celebrated Audrie and Valerie’s birthday (past and to come).

As everything goes, we had to return, thanked the Captain and went home to have dinner.  IT WAS A FANTASTIC DAY!

FEB 29, MONDAY; Another month gone!

We did our normal routine, Val gone for a walk, me for a bike ride.  Later, Aud and Marcel went to spend the day with Brian and Carol.  Val and I went to Guaymas to pick up a few things then came home in time for HH at our good friends Joyce and Bill whom arrived yesterday.  Al and Brenda and Louise and Dave were also present.  For dinner, we had shrimp and salad and left over beans and pineapple.  It was a hot day again.  The painter didn’t show up until 4 pm with promises of starting first thing in the morning…We will see!?

February 16 to 21, 2016; Doctor's visits, Pearl factory, Empalme

FEB 16, TUESDAY; Doctor visit

Val went to another doctor’s visit about her tummy problem and finally found out that she has the “beaver fever” virus which caused her stomach to be in turmoil.  The doctor gave her pills to fight this.  While in there, I went to the marina and checked out prices on the “Sunset Cruise” for Marcel.  I found one that is $30 us or 450 pesos and I took all the info.  I picked up Val at the office then we went home where I gave Marcel the info.  Thursday is Audrey birthday and he wants to take her on one!  I went back to the Marina and put in a reservation for 6; I was told that there would be a total of 20 people on board and the provide snacks and margarita drinks.  I had a snooze before HH at the Ennis.  Marcel decided to cook spaghetti for everyone including the Holders, and Brian and company.  There were 18 people in total and the spaghetti was delicious.  Afterwards we had three leches layered cake, it is a favorite down here and it was enjoyed by everyone.  We ended back at the Lemieux site and had a fire and the whole thing came to an end by 9 pm.  Fun was had by all and it was a successful evening.

FEB 17, WEDNESDAY; Pearl Factory and the beach by Empalme

We left at 10:30 am for the Pearl Factory in Guaymas. We got there in time to catch the tour and we had to watch a movie first on the location’s history which is very interesting.  Then we walked down to the water where we saw the pearl farm in the ocean and the hut where 3 guys were working on nets that had been pulled out earlier.  They were looking for tiny oyster which they set aside.  They then put them in open mesh baskets and would later put them back in the ocean until they grew to almost an adult size.  There are three levels and size of mesh basket for their growth.  We spent a good half hour watching them work then we headed back to another building where three other guys (from the University) where implanting tiny matters that would hopefully grow to a pearl size.  The main guy explained how the process is done and how they get black, white and multi-color pearls.  We then walked back to the main building where we got to look at the jewelry they made.  All three girls bought a ring and Audrie also bought a pearl pendant.

From here, we drove to Empalme for a beer and lunch.  We stopped at this neat little side road restaurant and ordered beer all around.  Well, one of the worker had to go to the grocery store down the road to get the beers.  We ordered our lunch and watched the same guy go across the street and get FRESH fish and shrimps.  It was comical.  We also got to talk to one of the worker who spoke good English and told us about the place and some history on Empalme.  The table nest to us had soup for lunch so we asked what kind it was and he told us it was turtle soup which is totally illegal here in Sonora but all the same he offered us a sample which we had and it was very good!!!  We are now part of the Underground World hihihihihi!

We left over an hour later and drove to the local beach and took a walk down a very nice sandy beach and lots of abandoned houses, hotel and condos.  On the way back, we saw a group of kids in the water then all of sudden three of kids got stung by either Sting Rays which abound in these waters or Jelly fish.  Anyway, Val got to practice her skills on them, we had some items in the Jeep that she could use to alleviate their pain and disinfect the wounds.

We drove back home via the Guaymas By-Pass and went to SAN-JOSE to show everyone the little church there with a tall steeple.  We got back at 5 pm, still full from our lunch.  It was a great day

FEB 18, THURSDAY; Audrie’s Birthday

We were supposed to be going on a boat Sunset Cruise later this afternoon but it was cancelled due to our reserved space being given to a Baseball Team, typical hazard in Mexico!  Aud had to get groceries so the four of us went to town.  First we went to the Art Supplies store in downtown then back to Walmart for groceries.  We came back to San Carlos and stopped at Hammer-Head Pub at the Marina and had beer and HARD CHIPS, like Nachos but made with cooked chips; Delicious!  Back at the house, we put everything away then sat out for HH

FEB 19, FRIDAY; Totonaka Resident Appreciation Day

Well I finally got off my butt and took the bicycle out for a ride.  I only went for a half hour ride but it felt good.  Spent some times at Louise and Dave’s yard then we got ready for the Entertainment at the front Palapa where Marcel and his crew played for three hours from two o’clock then a Mexican Band played for an hour.  It was a pot luck snacks and there was enough food to feed an Army.  Margarita and beer was provided by the Park. 

We came home around 6 pm and had a quiet evening

FEB 20, SATURDAY; Bazar Day

It was cloudy most of the day but still very warm.  I went cycling again this morning.  At 10 am, the girls walked to the local bazar being held in a Mall down the road.  I took the jeep and Dave came with me; Marcel stayed home with a hang-over.  The bazar was interesting and we met a few people we know.  We had a hamburger and beer, bought a few items then came home.  I had a short snooze, then we had HH at our place for a change.  Cooked steak and shrimp for dinner and Val made a Pear salad, one of my favorites.

FEB 21, SUNDAY; MARKET DAY at EMPALME

At 11am we were to leave for Empalme however, some were not quite ready then Audrie got a call from John and Bernice that they were left behind at Brian and wondered if we wanted to do something.  We invited them to the market to which they accepted so we picked them up in Dave’s Mustang and we took off for our destination.

We took the by-pass around Guaymas and arrived safely in Empalme.  Construction was happening on the railway tracks so we had to make a detour which turned out to be a bit rough for the Mustang.  We found parking on a side road and walked much of the market.  There was nothing but junk, clothes and one or two vegetables and seafood kiosks.  We walked part of the main street looking for a place to have cerveza but no luck.  We walked back to the vehicles and left.

We took the by-pass back and went to Rocky’s Rock in San Carlos for a beer and an appie.  Dave took John and Bernice back to Brian’s house where they are staying.

We had HH then to our house to watch more of “Breaking Bad”.  IT was a hot day and a warm and pleasant evening outside!  My thermometer indicated 89*F earlier in the day!

February 8 to 15; Carnival in Guaymas, parties, Valentine Day

FEB 8, MONDAY;

Cloudy most of the day; it feels like rain but we got none.  Val went to the Doctor for a follow-up and came back with the news she has to take another sample back to the lab.  Marcel and Louise went to their drawing class.  It was a quiet day again.  We had HH at Louise and Dave then A&M went out to the Delfine restaurant with Brian, Carol, John and his wife.  We watched more of Breaking Bad!

FEB 9, TUESDAY; Carnival

Sunny and very warm today.  Bought a kilo of Flounders fish for 120 pesos ($9.60 Cdn), can’t beat that!  Val didn’t go for a walk this morning but the others went.  We all went to Guaymas in the afternoon to see the last parade of the Carnival.  We were there at 3pm to get a good place to stand.  We parked at Walmart and took the bus downtown.  We were told that the parade starts at 4 pm but it didn’t get going until 6 pm.  It was a long wait but it turned out to be worth it.  We didn’t get home until 8:30 pm.  This was the last festive before 40 days of “Lent” (Catholic event) begins which leads to Easter.  It was a tiring day standing all that time but we had a good time with the people there.

I bought a pizza for dinner and Val had a bacon/tomato sandwich (she is not allowed to take any cheese).  We watched some TV then to bed early.

I put my name on the list to have some paint touch up on the Beaver!

FEB 10, WEDNESDAY;

Sunny and hot today.  Not much happening today except going to TECALI to new acquaintances we all met at the Friday music.  We drove over even though it is next door because we brought chairs and Marcel brought his guitar.  The guy’s name is also a Lemieux (Ellis and Marion) and Marcel brought his family suitcase of pictures to compare notes but in the end they agreed that they weren’t related.  We stayed until 6:30 pm but Marcel decided to stay later so we brought his chairs and suitcase back with us and left the guitar. 

After dinner, we sat outside for the first time in a long time as it was still warm.  Marcel joined us when they got home and Aud showed up for a bit.  We were in bed by 10:30 pm

FEB 11, THURSDAY

We have a new neighbour who arrived late yesterday and this morning, another came in behind us.  Val went to drop off her stuff at the Lab and also took Audrey to the Doctor as her back is acting up then to Guaymas to pick up meds for Aud and some groceries for both of us.  While they were gone, Al invited me to go for a hot dog and I just couldn’t refuse.

We had an early HH at the Lemieux’s then I drove them to Brian and Carol for dinner and met John and Bernice while I was there as they arrived today from Alberta.  We had been invited but Val cannot have cheese and it was lasagna for dinner.  On my return, Louise invited us to her place to continue the HH and our new neighbours joined us.  They just arrived from south of Puerto Vallarta.  They are leaving tomorrow for BC as he has to return to work.  HH ended around 6:30 pm and we went in to have dinner; Pork Chops cooked on the BBQ and boiled potatoes with green beans.

More to Breaking Bad in the evening and to bed by 10:30 pm

FEB 12, FRIDAY; HH with Holder’s

I was amazed to see Audrey go for a walk this morning, I thought for sure she would be too hung over from partying with that crew las night but no, she was the trooper and went! 

Marcel came over to give me a hand tightening the slide awning as a couple of them were slack.  The girls spent some time preparing salad and appies for later; it is a very hot day and for the first time, we had the A/C on in the bedroom to cool it for tonight.

At 4:45 pm, we walked/drove over to Steve and Linda’s place for Happy Hour and BBQ’ed Bathurst and beans.  We brought the salads and appies in the jeep.  We had a very nice visit and didn’t leave until about 8pm.  We watched the sunset (took some pictures) and watched a fishing boat at work.  They do have a great view.  It was an enjoyable and warm evening.

At home, we watched a couple episode of BB (Breaking Bad) then to bed

FEB 13, SATURDAY; Cdn Condos

Another very warm day.  We went to what is locally named the “Canadian Condos” for a party put on by friends of Brian, Bev and Bob.  We were told by Bob that when it first open, the majority of owners were Canadians and one American hence the name and it stuck.  The party took place around a big pool and two hot tub and we had been told to bring our swimsuits and a few took advantage of it.  We were lucky to find a shady spot and mingle around meeting new people and listening to the three Amigos play their repertoire.  Food was also served including Ham and Turkey and there was enough to feed an army!!!  We had a good time and left at 6 pm only to end up at the CAPTAIN’s CLUB where we danced the night away with 14 other friends.  We took pictures of Marcel with Manuelito, they really looked alike, same height and size.  We were home by ten pm

FEB 14, SUNDAY; Happy Valentine Day

To celebrate Valentine day, we went to Esmeralda Beach and spent a few hours on the beach drinking beer, enjoying the hot day (30*C) and kayaking the Bay.  Both Audrey and Marcel tried it and liked it.  The wind began picking up so we left and came back home.

We, including Al and Brenda, went to TRATTORIA, an Italian restaurant beside the entrance to the park.  We had a few laughs and the meals were good.  Marcel even showed everyone a new trick with two shot glasses and an egg.  We had lots of laughs over that one.  Even the waiters and the owner got involved!

We came home and sat by the fire for a while

FEB 15, MONDAY;

The usual routine for the morning including washing clothes.  Relax and a quiet day trying to stay out of the heat.  HH at Louise and Dave.

February 1 to 7, 2016; repairs, doctor visit, sightseeing and Super Bowl

FEBRUARY 1, 2016, MONDAY; San Carlos

A new month with new adventures!  There was a big storm up Tucson, AZ way and we were affected by the tail end of this storm.  Very windy and blowing overnight and this morning, the sky is half covered with huge clouds and it is very windy but still warm enough to out in short sleeve and shorts.  This was an indoor day for everyone.  We did manage HH at 4 but it only lasted a half hour due to the cold wind.  We watched the last of season 6 of SoA (Sons of Anarchy).  Shocking surprises in this one.

FEB 2, TUESDAY;

Windy again today but not as cold as yesterday.  Val went to the clinic for a follow-up on her last visit and make an appointment for tomorrow as the results from the lab are supposed to be in at his office.  Internet is super slow again today.   Marcel made Sheppard Pie for everyone, Val made the Salad and Louise made a cake with ice cream.  It was all delicious.  The girls sat in a group and chatted while the three boys played a dice game although Dave was not into it.  I have to stop being so argumentative!!!  SoA later in the evening!

FEB 3, WEDNESDAY; Repairs and stuff

Windy again today!  Early this morning, an outfit from Guaymas came out and put a tinted film on both the passenger and driver windows.  It was done within a half hour and cost 450 pesos ($39cdn).  Later in the morning, another two guys showed up to repair the leak on my driver side rear wheel.  They took one tire off then the drive axle and went away to get a gasket seal for it.  Whoever worked on that before, only used silicone and no gasket so over time, it deteriorated and began leaking!?  They were back about an hour later with the axle all clean and they put it all back together.  They were done by 3 pm.  Cost: 2300 pesos, approx. $200 Cdn.  A job that would have cost me over a thousand dollars in the States or at home!

Val had to go for her Dr’s appointment so Audrey went with her.  She was back by 3:30 pm with some good news and a new prescription that we picked up at Walmart.  We had a short HH then inside for dinner.  Marcel showed up at our house with potato perogies.  Very delicious.

FEB 4, THURSDAY; Brick factory

No internet again this morning, DAM!  We had a wind storm overnight but it is quiet now at 9 am.  Val went with the girls for their regular walk.

In the afternoon, we drove to a small village, SANTA CLARA where they make bricks the primitive way.  They lay a frame down which is partitioned in four, the size of a brick, filled it with cement then repeat the process on and on.  A little further we saw where they pile them up quite high and light a fire under so that they will cured almost as hard as a rock.   We left this area and went to Guaymas to an Irish Pub that Audrey had seen.  We had lunch there and the funny thing is that there was NO English spoken or written; so much for Irish!!!

Back home, we had HH and Al and Brenda and Larry and his wife joined us

FEB 5, FRIDAY; Music Day

It was windy this morning but by noon, it had calmed right down.  I went for a haircut this morning and Val went for her walk.  I had a short snooze in the afternoon and woke up to music playing.  The guys had started!  As usual we had a big crowd which is really a big Happy Hour(S).  Quite a few people danced including me and Val!  It ended at 6:30 pm then the six of us sat by the fire before calling it another day.

We watched the last episode of SoA and what an ending!

FEB 6, SATURDAY; Nacapule Canyon

Again, internet is sporadic; it’s on then it’s off RRRRrrrrrrr!

We had to go to Walmart in the morning to get meds for Val then on our returned, we got the gang and drove to NACAPULE CANYON, about 15 minutes from here behind the Ranchitos.  We now have to pay 20 pesos a head to walk in.  They have improved the trail a lot and it was an easy hike in.  At the end, there are two canyons and we went in both.  It was a bit arduous at time but everyone enjoyed it.

We drove back to SOGGY PESOS Pub and had a beer with fries and onion rings then came home.

We began watching a new pre-recorded series…Breaking Bad!

FEB 7, SUNDAY; SUPERBOWL

A lazy morning and afternoon.  I had a short snooze prior to the game.  The sun was out this morning but it clouded over and remain so for the rest of the day and evening.  The game was at 4:30 pm local time and a whole bunch of people met at the Palapa by the office where the owner, Joe, had set up a large screen TV.  Some people brought snacks and a lady even brought two big crock-pots filled with delicious chili.  The game was somewhat slow except for a couple of long passes and a reverse touch down which was exciting but overall, it was not an exciting game.  Caroline was really not performing as good as last week game.  Broncos are the Super Bowl 50 winner which is good!

We, marcel, Audrey and I, came home and after having a quick bite, we went to Dave and Louise for a drink and chit-chats.