The Beach at Lo de Marcos

WHERE ARE WE? La Penita, Mexico

So, I have been watching the weather at home and I can't believe the winter you are having up there.  School has been cancelled more than it is on, and the forecast is either for cold weather or snow.  You guys just can't catch a break.  -38C at night is not even funny.  Work hard and pay into a good pension plan so you can run from this kind of weather in the future.  This morning was a beautiful morning to take a dip in the pool.  It is always so refreshing and gets the day started right.  The forecast here is very pleasant for the foreseeable future.

Jeff got us all set up for a photo!!

John and Loren invited us (actually I think we invited ourselves) to go to Lo de Marcos for a little change of scenery.  Lo de Marcos is just a few miles south of here and is a typical Mexican town, however it is a little closer to Puerta Vallarta, so it is a little busier than La Penita.  So down the road we went.

The town has the typical narrow streets, so we were happy to find a spot right on the main street near the beach.  John calls his great big quad cab truck, a redneck sports car.   It is one of those "give me 40 acres and I'll turn this rig around" trucks.

A little bit of a local tour and then down the beach to a quaint little watering hole at the far south end of the beach.   It was quite a walk so Cervas's were in order along with some guacamole and papas Fritos. 

Look who we ran into on the beach!!  Yup Brian and Sylvia.  We haven't talked to them since 2010 BC.  

On the way back down the beach, the pelicans moved in to take advantage of a school of fish.  It was like a feeding frenzy, and they dived in mass into the water.  Very neat to watch. 

When we got back to the park, we had a nice bonfire to end the evening.  I didn't stay too long cause I've been eating way too much Mexican food lately!!!  Gringo's tummies do not understand Mexican food.  

There are two things in life that are mesmerizing.  Bonfires and ocean waves and we have access to both.  How awesome is that.  

Short and Sweet!!

WHERE ARE WE? La Penita, Mexico

I guess I am getting behind with the blog.  I was sure that I did a post on Sunday, but I don't see it.  Well at least that is my excuse.  Sunday was short and sweet.  In the morning we went for a swim and then I went to get lunch and the cupboard was bare.  I quickly remembered that Tina makes birria!  It's a beef stew type thing with lots of taste.  Along with it is tacos and Negro Frijoles (Black refried beans) It is all super good and fills the stomach.  Thanks, Tina, for a wonderful lunch.  Oh yes and you can add any level of hot sauce to it that you desire.  That brown stuff is deadly.

Spent the afternoon lazing and enjoyed every minute of it.   John and Loren sent Emma over to play with Archie again.  They enjoy their time together it seems.

There was no more action today.  Bedtime!!  Goodnight.

More Pool Progress and Treats

WHERE ARE WE? La Penita, Mexico

A little up date on the pool construction next door.  It is amazing to watch the way construction is carried on around here.  Lots of it is done with manual labour but today they moved in a cement mixer.  It was great to watch and it was obvious that everyone is so darn happy while they work.  All I can do is show you the pictures of the progress.

Most of the people in the park and suites joined in at Happy Hour tonight.  We had some super tasty treats supplied by a couple of people.  There was lots of food, and I ate toooo much cheese as usual and the flan was incredible.

Another great day and a great sunset once again.  Goodnight.

The Freshest Coffee Around

WHERE ARE WE? La Penita, Mexico

A little trip to the coffee shops this morning to pick up some coffee.  There is something about Mexican coffee that is just awesome.  It has that little extra bite that just makes your taste buds sing.  They grow the beans in the forest up on the mountains behind town and bring them to town where they are sorted, roasted, and then ground to the customers liking.  I decided to get fine grind this time and it seems like I only need about half as much coffee to make a nice cup of coffee.

When I got home, I heard a gravel truck dumping gravel next door at the new pool.  That means they are going to do the filler concrete soon.  I will get some pictures when that happens.

Archie has become great friends with the dog next door.  Emma and he have a lot of fun running around in our fenced yard.  They had lots for fun with the tug toy today.

We went out to Las Brisas for supper tonight with John and Loren.   They have a band tonight so we thought we would check it out.  The music was so so and the singing was not great but oh well, its Mexico so they danced!!  We had fun anyway and enjoyed a great supper.  We did get to see the sunset which was not really that spectacular.

That was our day!!  We will see what happens tomorrow!!  Goodnight.

A Little Bit of Everything Today

WHERE ARE WE? La Penita, Mexico

Sue and I took a tour up town to get some more supplies.  One of the things I have been wanting was a hat to use on my walks.  They have lots at the market and I managed to pick one up for 200 pesos.  It is quite comfortable and will protect my forehead and my big old shnoz!!

While we were walking on the side streets, we came past a taco shop that makes the tacos for lots of the local places.  The old handmade style of making them has changed to a mechanical method.   I always like to stop and watch the process.

 Part of our walk included making reservations for a night at Las Brisas for tomorrow.  They have a band and we have never heard this one.  Should be fun!!

By the time we got done wandering around town, it was time for happy hour.  We brought some of the ceviche we bought yesterday to munch on.  

The fishermen next door came in with another good haul of fish.  It is interesting to watch them go to work preparing them for sale.

By the time they got all the work done, the sun had gone down without any fanfare at all.  In fact, it was so low key that we missed it.

After supper I headed downtown to pick up a few things and maybe sneak off to Kenia's for a hot chocolate.  On the way down, I came across a couple boys practicing with their lasso's.  I asked them if they minded me taking pictures and they said it was no problem.  The young lad, Richard, was quite good.

I brought Sue home a smoothie from Kenia's and she shared some of the whipped cream with Archie.  He looked quite cute with it all over his nose.

                                          

That was about it for our day.  We do have to remember that we are not here for a holiday, but rather we kinda live here for 3 or 4 months a year so we don't have to apologize if not much happens in a day.  Sometime a person has to be careful not to talk themselves into being something we don't really want to be.  For that reason, we do try to have some fun every day!!!  So far it has worked because we are still here kicking!!   Hope you had some fun too!!