I brought the puppy home today! Think we are naming her Cookie! It’s mad love.
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What’s on the inside
It’s 6:00 AM. The house I’m renting is in the town of Pescadero. The walls are thin and the roosters crow starting around 5:30. During the night I’ve heard some terrible dog fights. My mind goes to missing my daughter and grandchildren. I give that a few tears then get up and get the coffee going. This morning I’m going to get in some quiet time with a walk on the beach. I look at Facebook a bit. Love seeing what everyone is up to, until that one photo of grand parents and grandkids shows up and then I have click off. Grief is complicated as it is. Experiencing grief for a child who is still alive, who does not want you in their life adds another element of complication. It’s a grief that goes unrecognized. When I’m with everyone at the hot springs I will excuse myself for a little nap. No one has to know why. Alone time is more essential so that this grief does not interfere with everyone’s good time.
Update
It’s been busy. I can’t say I’ve been able to relax into the Baja routine that I imagine will happen down the road. My nephew’s family and their friends with 2 boys are always up to fun, beach time, surfing, etc with a delicious meal cooked in their open air kitchen and dining area at the end of the day. Only to get up and we do it all over again. In addition, I’ve made some friends in the area where I am renting a little casa for the week. On one of my previous visits here, I recall seeing this woman at the market. She had a smile and way about her that made me think, she looks like she is enjoying life, I’d like to know her. Well, she lives in the house right next door to where I am staying. Her kitchen and eating area are open air out front. So when I get up and the others that are staying around here, we often find ourselves right at Paty’s getting a morning visit in. She has lived here for 9 years after coming down for several years before that. She and I are planning to go out for coffee tomorrow at Baja Beans.
Yesterday, my great-niece and I went to meet a litter of puppies. None of the ones I posted pictures of were available anymore. We did fall for “Socks”. We will pick her up tomorrow afternoon. The arrangement is that we will foster her for a week to make sure it is a good fit. I really hope it is. She is a good-looking and sweet puppy. We would have gotten her today, but we took the whole crew back to Santa Rita hot springs. The day ended back in Pescadero eating true Mexican enchiladas at Felipe’s. Too full and tired to tell you more. For now Buenas noches and dulces suenos.
Socks
Puppies for Christmas
Arrangements are being made to meet these cuties. My 10 year old niece and I will be the puppy’s co/owners. It will be my companion here at the house. She’ll have a dog whenever she is down here! Not sure who’s more excited, me or her! You’ll be the first to know who is the chosen one.
Going to turtle hatchling release this afternoon. Turtle release.
Feliz Navidad
Pelicans, whales and coffee
This morning finally got down to the beach for a walk. There were lots of pelicans as well as whales doing their thing out in the ocean. Then back to help my nephew get some work done on his house. There is construction happening. His goal is to have it ready to rent out directly and via Airbnb. (keep that in mind for a future vacation). I will most probably be your hostess. I went into town mid afternoon for a stroll and a some window shopping. The local bookstore is going to carry my greeting cards. That’s exciting. The next stop was one of my favorite places for afternoon coffee, La Esquina.
My niece in law and great-niece arrived tonight from Colorado. They have friends coming this weekend for a few nights. It is going to be a full house here. I found a cute little place to stay not far away. I am looking forward to some alone time at night and in the mornings. We all plan to spend days at the local surfing beach. Tomorrow, my 11-year-old great niece and I are going into town to do some Christmas shopping. She is excited about getting some presents for her parents. It’s just the right amount of Christmas for me. Having a child around is what makes it special anyway.
Hot Springs
For Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Even though I landed yesterday, I didn’t stay out of the car today. I was not driving thank goodness for a change. My nephew had to pick up a trailer in Bahia de la Ventura. We made a day out of it. First stopping in an old mining town, El Triunfo for breakfast at Cafe El Triunfo. Excited to know there is an art festival here in the spring. Our next stop was El Chorro hot spring nestled in the foot hills of Sierra de la Laguna. It was beautiful with a nice spot for swimming. The hot spring was minimal however. We ventured over to Santa Rita hot spring on dirt bumpy mountain roads. Amazing that google maps got us there. Santa Rita has very nice pool that could fit maybe up to 10 people. We only stayed long enough to dip our toes in and visit a bit with the family that was up there from Portland, Oregon. Our next stop was la Ventura with dinner on the beach after picking up the trailer.
Cafe el Triunfo
. El Chorro
Santa Rita Hot Spring
Made it
Wow, I’m here. Got here just in time for the sunset. Then a bite to eat in Todos Santos. I’m settled in at my nephew’s. He’s in bed early since he has been working so hard on his house. It is beautiful. Tomorrow the plan is to get up early, run some errands then go try out some nearby hot springs. His wife, child and friends will be arriving on Friday. We want to see how nice the hot springs are so we can take everyone up there as a surprise.
The house is about 2 blocks off the beach. From the 2nd story of the house, one can catch a sunset and smell of the ocean. By the sound of the waves as I write this, it sounds as if we are right on the beach. Thinking it might be almost too loud if we were right on the beach. This is perfect.
On the road
Quick check in. I️ decided to get to Todos Santos today. Will get new tire rims after I’m all settled. Car is driving fine. 3 hours away so keep your fingers crossed.
The things that help
I’m drinking coffee trying to decide if I should just hit the road and get to Todos Santos, a little over 5 hour drive without borrowing trouble. Or I could wait for the tire shop to open and see if they have 2 new tire rims for the bent ones. The car drove fine yesterday. Believe me I went slow and paid very close attention. I could deal with getting new rims in Cabo once I’m in Todos. It might be nice to get the car unloaded and then deal with the rim. So I’ll let you know what I decide once the decision is made.
Here’s a podcast that got me through my somewhat anxious drive yesterday. It helped. Thanks Jenny Larson The bloggess and John Moe with The Hilarious World of Depression
via I had a lot of anxiety talking about anxiety on a podcast about anxiety.
Flat tire #2
For Saturday, December 16th
I got my car all packed up, ready to eat some breakfast when some people in their car appeared to be wanting my attention. They yelled, “Did you know you have a flat?” The first flat I handled without stressing out too much. But wasn’t sure I was ready to handle a 2nd one just the day after the 1st one. Again, I was lucky in that it was early and I was still at the hotel. One of the gentleman from the hotel called for assistance. I went ahead and got some breakfast at the hotel while waiting for the repairman. I was hungry and already the day was showing it’s challenges. I cried over breakfast. Stress can bring up what’s at the bottom of most of my sadness these days, the loss of my connection to my daughter and my grandchildren. That pain will never leave, but I am learning to manage it better. This drive to Baja is part of the management plan!
The second flat showed a bent rim as did the 1st one. They were on the same side, so obviously the damage occurred when I hit the pot hole yesterday. The tire was repaired. I will need to get new rims once in Todos Santos. For here, until I get there, I will be driving slow and with more alertness than before.
Made it to San Ignacio, a small, sleepy palm oasis with a nice new motel, La Huerta Hotel I strolled around the square, visited the Mission San Ignacio got a fish taco and a few pictures before bed.
Mission San Ignacio
Fscottwrites 