A Cardon Remembered

In 1989 I visited Ma at Los Cerritos beach (I was 24 years old).  There was a huge cardone in the trailer park, and before leaving I took pictures of it. Here is one of Ma standing in front of it with Gilly, her poodle.

This is how I prefer to remember the big cardone.  It has been toppled and the top cut off.  I looked like Hurricane Odile blew it over, but I am sure if not weakened from the surrounding human activity/development, it would still be standing today. 

 My most favorite picture on Ma walking Los Cerritos beach in 1989 - She had only been there a few months, and was going to return to the states, but family kept coming down to visit. 

Mary Gunn

Baja 2015 - Part I

Link to slide show of Part I
http://youtu.be/UnXEJnPnkJA


March 12th - March 19th.

I did it - there and back again, without my dogs! Missed them dearly. Thanks Nancy for taking great care of them.

It was a wonderful trip full of celebrations, birds, whales, rock crabs, seagulls, pelicans, great meals, beautiful sunsets, sunrises, thunderstorms in the mountains at night followed by rainbows, swimming in the pacific, walks on the beach, trips to Todos Santos, and fabulous company.

The desert is a mystifying place, dry and prickly, yet full of life and ancient history. I was captivated by the cardonal (cardone cactus field). They get SO big, and look like hands reaching up out of the earth.

OH - Saw a road runner - not bright red and blue like in bugs bunny cartoons - but tan and speckled.  Also, saw one rabbit,  and very fast blue-tailed lizard. Little lizards were everywhere (even under my outhouse seat cover)

I particularly enjoyed watching, and listening to, Ma and Mary K reconnect.  What a treat to have Mary K there.

Baja Bound - 2015

It's here and the celebration continues!  I depart tomorrow night for Hartford airport, and will stay in a hotel. In fact at this time tomorrow I will be packing my car and one last snuggle with the dogs. I plan to leave at 7:00 PM.

My plane leaves at 6:20 AM on the 12th, and I arrive in Baja at 11:42 AM.  I will be met Ma and Mary K (my Aunt).  Looking forward to the trip, but definitely not looking forward to flying.  Don't care to fly, not in control of the vehicle. I am a little worried about leaving my old boy, Nash, at fourteen and half years old. Not to mention my other two companions, and sleeping buddies - Pearl and Willow Sunshine.  They will be well cared for. I have been a long list (7 pages) of instructions. 

I heard the temp was a like March weather, and sweaters were needed last night.  That sounds wonderful.  I love this time of year in New England, and will miss the snow, cold nights, and balmy day.  Day temps in Baja have been in he 80's - I am going to melt! 

Can't wait to take pictures of Mexico for Por El Planeta!  Deadline is March 27th. Just so happens they have a category for best photo taken in Mexico. 

Well, need to get home, finish cleaning ( I am all packed), and in those last minutes of snuggling with my dogs.  A week with them,  ugh.  Thankfully, Ma has dogs. 

Oh, forgot!  Ma has a birthday on the 16th, Mary K had a birthday on March 4th, so the three of us will have a grand birthday bash.

See you soon Ma, and Mary K. I will be there until the 19th, and will come home with more pictures. for now here is one of my siblings and Ma from our trip in 2012.

Baja 2012 with siblings

Wendy taking the photo