Changing of the seasons...

So, it has come full-circle and we have finished our Winter season here in Baja. The gear is gone, the pieces of our resort packed back in the bodegas for the summer, the board rack is empty, and many of the seasonal fun-seekers have departed Mexico for their homes in the US and Canada. I am preparing for the long commute back to the NW and my seasonal employment up in Oregon. This has been a long and productive stint in Los Barriles, Baja California Sur, but now I am looking forward to some Spring skiing and life back in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. I postponed my departure for a couple days, due to wind and warm conditions, but it has been nice to take advantage of the beauty and tranquility that is Baja.

I am packed and ready to leave, now. Had a great mountain bike ride this morning, and a great sailing session this afternoon. What a way to wrap up a good season. I spent about 4 hours on the water, taking full advantage of classic Baja conditions. Thanks Lynn (for use of the JP Pro 92l board) and Dean (for the 5.6 NP Combat), the perfect rig for typical Baja condtions. I sailed until my whole body was sore. Finally it was just me and Pedro on the water. I can almost hang with the Dutchie at full speed. But I can only hold on for so long... Rod and Bev had the whole crew over for margaritas this evening, then we had a nice dinner at the new place in town, El Dorado. Leaving on a good note.

I feel like this is the perfect time to leave Los Barriles. Ginger and I both had a great time playing in the Sea of Cortez today. I had the perfect mix of music on my ipod shuffle during my ride this morning. I completed most of my jibes this afternoon, and caught more air on Lysta's board than she would have liked to see. But the most exciting thing is that I have won the last 3 games of croquet...

I am sure that I will have plenty of time to reflect on the happenings of this Winter as I am driving up one of the most beautiful and exciting roads in the world. I am happy for what has transpired this last season. I have met some amazing people, I have taken my sailing to the next level, and I have figured some things out about myself that I am sure will help me better deal with life's challenges. I am happy that I was involved with organizing the Vela Resort this year, and that it was a successful venture.

I am looking forward to seeing all my friends in the Northwest very soon. I have many tales to tell of the goings-on down here. And I look forward to another change of perspective...

Rancho La Venta

We visited our friends Bob and Liz at their Rancho on Friday. They have a huge piece of property about 40km north of Los Barriles where they guide horseback and hiking trips, grow vegetables and fruits, and have recently begun a vineyard on one of their sunny slopes. We had a great time exploring the San Bartolo Arroyo, passing huge granite washes with running water and surveying the lush desert, which is much greener and more dense than the lower elevations where we live. From their house you have a panoramic view of the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, and at night there is not a single man-made light visible in any direction. We were treated to a huge barbeque, including fresh vegetables and salads. Of course, we brought the croquet set and constucted a tough course on top of the hill.

Pisces Celebration

We helped Pedro celebrate his 40th birthday on Wednesday night with a big fiesta out at Playa Norte. There was a potluck dinner, bonfire, doggy circus, and, of course, a huge croquet match with 15 people playing at the same time. Pedro and Rodney knocked themselves out of the game early so it came down to Mac and me chasing each other all over the arroyo. The kid managed to win his first game ever! We went through about 50 ballenas, a case of wine, and countless tequila sunrises and cuba libres that night. We were all a little worn out from sailing, so the action didn't go too late after midnight.

The wind gods have continued to please the sailors and disappoint the fishermen, allowing us to sail every day of our final week here at Vela. On Thursday I took out Pedro's JP Pro Wave 73 board and a 4.2 sail, the smallest gear I have used this season. The swell and the waves were huge and intimidating, but the ramps were set up just right and everyone had a great time out there. Rick Lowrey said it was his best day of sailing ever in Baja. He's been coming here for almost 20 years, so that says a lot.

Today is the last official day that we are open at the Vela Resort. Tomorrow we will begin the task of cleaning and boxing the gear up for the trip back to Hood River. Meanwhile, the forecast is for more wind...

Closing week

It is really hard to believe that we close the Vela resort in just a few days. We only have two guests with us until the end. We have already taken down one of the sail tents, cleaned and boxed most of the sails and boards, and have prepped it all for easy dismantling. The bicycles have all been sold, so I don't have to worry about taking them apart. The truck is scheduled to arrive next Tuesday to haul everything back to Hood River. Then that's it for the Winter season...


Made an excursion down to Cabo Pulmo last Friday with Tricia, Debbie, and Marlies. It was a calm day back in Los Barriles, so we were surprised to see white caps on the water as we came over the pass from La Ribera and dropped into the bay. But the wind was from the South and the snorkeling was phenomenal. Sightings included an octopus, a large eel, countless colorful reef dwellers, and something rather large chasing the fish just off the point. Ginger swam for hours and Gijs chased lizards in the rocks.

Saturday evening we were treated to a party at Casa Lowrey in the Buena Vista Arroyo. Rick and Cathy go all out in preparing the festivities, and their house was built for entertaining: the kitchen and living area fully open up to the wide patio, which leads right out to the beach, and two levels of decks accessed by a spiral staircase to look out over it all. We had a huge feast of birria prepared by Veronica. There was plenty of Pacifico on ice. Washed it all down with a couple pieces of flan. Finch and I barely had enough energy left after the long day, but we rallied to go meet the Hood River gals over at Tio Pablo's, where the Skeleton Keys were playing. Now I can't get a certain Grateful Dead cover song out of my head...

Looks like the wind is doing us, and our guests, a favor by returning for our final week. After a few calm days it kicked in again yesterday with some of the strongest gusts of the season. We all sailed until we were sore. I had a great time on the Evo 80 again. It feels and acts like a short snowboard, turning on a dime and slicing through the nasty chop that occurs when El Norte meets a strong South swell. The water here is different every time you sail. That is what is so exciting about the Sea of Cortez, and the forced adjustments help you improve as a sailor with every session. Got to take advantage of these last few opportunities...