Category Setting off

Monday, December 30

Dec 30.2019 / / / Setting off.

San Diego, day 4

Cold here in this studio apt, especially pre-dawn.  But coffee and the space heater make it tolerable. 

Slow morning; disappointed in myself for letting some ECU-work emails distract from writing—breaking from that is really the point, isn’t it?—but it’s my own fault.  Just want to assure that I’m not shirking certain particular things that feel like my responsibility to finish up, rather than passing the buck to Travis.  He’s got plenty to do, really doesn’t need anything added to his plate that should have been taken care of already.  This issue should have been dealt with a month ago, but one can’t control others’ adherence to deadlines passed…  Hoping my email this morning will put this to bed, but am unsure.

The day became a fun one,...

Read More

Sunday, December 29

Dec 30.2019 / / / Setting off.

San Diego, day 3

A good night’s sleep, and the morning an excellent one for writing.  “Let Them Not Say” has been slowly emerging over the past few mornings, today taking on some discernible shape and harmonic form.  The opening measures now feel quite right, quite prayerful, meditative, evocative of incantation.  Of course, we’ll see how it feels tomorrow…

We spent some time looking forward to our first week in HI, on Oahu.  We planned a few scuba trips, a snorkel trip, and scouted out a really interesting looking “secret waterfall” hike, and a fruit farm tour.  Not sure those last two will be possible, but we’ll see. 

A pleasant evening walk to the New Zealand eats spot again, and a nice beer/snack.

Alas, no pix today.

Read More

Saturday, December 28

Dec 29.2019 / / / Setting off.

San Diego

A day of relaxation, yoga, laundry, strolling around the neighborhood, and a “New Zealand Eats” late lunch.  Very glad to get a surprise call from Sam, who’ll be here for a tango festival.  Looking forward to a lunch with him on Monday!

Just finding the right people to hang with
Read More

Friday, December 27

Dec 28.2019 / / / Setting off.

San Diego

Arrived SD yesterday—Alaskan Airlines is great!—and made our way to the AirBnB.  Small and cozy, with a great patio.  Hoping the weather cooperates to make the patio comfortable to use; a bit chilly now, as I’m up with coffee, with coat on inside.

What a fabulous day; started with a walk to University Ave., continued for ~8 miles.  Once we reached Balboa Park, we realized what a great spot that it.  It’s home to numerous museums and small parks—not the least of which is the zoo—and also a food truck festival. 

in Balboa Park, amidst a food truck festival!
happening upon an organist’s practice session in Balboa Park

We’ve found lots of spots we’ll head back to over the coming two weeks...

Read More

Thursday, December 26

Dec 27.2019 / / / Setting off.

Leaving Baja, heading to San Diego

Alvaro very kindly had some coffee and breakfast out for us early, knowing we were leaving earlier than the usual desayunas time.  And it was a good thing, as we tried some of our instant coffee before he arrived, and horrible doesn’t begin to describe how atrocious it was.  Trip to the airport smooth. Car return easy; have to admit that I was so happy when the xcar started right up this morning.  The suspension/struts were so worn out, the seats so uncomfortable, the gas pedal so sticky, the a/c keeping only the front seat cool…we’d saved a bundle by not going with a company that was legal, and charged the required Mexican insurance fee.  It all worked out fine, though my back may feel otherwise.

Pattie enjoying shopping in the airport…Tim g...

Read More

Wednesday, December 25

Dec 27.2019 / / / Setting off.

Near Cerritos beach

We drove Tim to a 4-wheeler adventure about 30 minutes south,

then drove straight onto the beach to enjoy a few hours there.  Truly isolated, with almost no one there.  A few folks on horseback, the occasional small group of 4-wheelers, but otherwise just me and Pattie. 

Cerritos beach

In the evening we took the short drive to Todos Santos for one last taco dinner—churros for dessert.  El Poblano, right on the main drag down from where we’d stayed a few nights earlier.  And it was only about 10 miles from our current location.  Back home to pack and ready fro an early departure tomorrow morning.

Read More

Tuesday, December 24

Dec 24.2019 / / / Setting off.

Outside El Pescadero

I’m writing this in the kitchen, having come in to make myself some instant coffee…a nice surprise to find Alvara putting out coffee, and the owner soon bringing some breakfast-sweet bread, some fruit, flowers for the table.  This little place is so special, really and, as everywhere we’ve been, the people are so very friendly and warm.

holiday decorations…
…with party cups

So much for instant coffee—theirs is much more delicious.

Off to rouse the troops, as in about an hour we’ll pile into the car to take Tara to the airport (about 75 minutes south) for her flight home for the holiday.

After getting Tara to the airport—easy ride, just at an hour—we stopped at the Walmart in San Jose del Cabo to get a few things for the next few days’ meals...

Read More

Monday, December 23

Dec 24.2019 / / / Setting off.

Todos Santos à El Pescadero

A relaxing morning in Todos Santos; coffee by the courtyard pool, slowly gathering things to pack.  Walked around the town as shops opened, stopped into a ‘fancy’ looking place for breakfast, which was both delicious and plentiful.

After packing up, but before leaving Todos Santos we drove to a nearby beachfront.  More off-roading, but finally reaching the Pacific shore was worth the little drive.  Enormous waves and, off in the not-too-distant water, jumping whales.  Only a few people at this particular beach, and a few more on horses; quiet, slow-paced, relaxing.

The road to our next stop, Casitas El Salitral south of El Pescadero was quick—25’ drive...

Read More

Sunday, December 22

Dec 22.2019 / / / Setting off.

Todos Santos

A welcome, long night’s sleep,  It seems I’ve been making up for lost sleep these past days, and last night no exception.  I went out to look for coffee at about 7, and enjoyed a stroll around the absolutely desolate streets.  But all very clean, unlike U.S. post-Saturday night messes…

Coffee from the hotel café, again meeting super-nice staff.  Pattie and I now reading the paper by the little courtyard pool.  Surprisingly cool outside, but as the sun comes into the courtyard it’s warming up nicely.  So, so relaxing.  Only sounds are of the dogs in the streets…

We’ll leave for the 90’ drive soon, and enjoy the 2 hours snorkeling.  Packed the go pro, and looking forward to getting some great pix.

The trip to La Paz for snorkeling with the whale sha...

Read More

Saturday, December 21

Dec 22.2019 / / / Setting off.

Cabo PulmoàTodos Santos

Lazy morning, then set off toe Todos Santos.  The first 30 minutes a slow, bumpy ride over 6 miles of washed out road; then an easy highway hour, then an hour of mountain passes with beautiful views. 

Todos Santos really a quaint little town, though bigger than I expected.  Lots of little shops, restaurants, etc.  Our hotel (Casa Tota) very nice, small, clean, super-friendly staff.

We wandered and found a great lunch spot; family style plate of pork, a dish of sides (cukes, guac, salsa, radishes), and a plate of tortillas.  Very satisfying for all of us, delicious.

In the midst of it all, Tara got some pix of a Quinceañera celebration/parade passing through town…a little local flavor.

a Quinceañera parade!

Wandered around the town (turns out “...

Read More