Hurricane Sandra now a CAT 4

Watch out Baja and Mazatlan - maybe eventually Texas

So far here only overcast for two days and a very light rain this morning. This late season activity is caused by a very strong El Niño which is also strengthened by Global Warming. You Global Warming deniers like most of the US GOP candidates can leave your heads in the sand but don't come crying to me when your life is seriously disrupted. 

Sandra became the latest major hurricane on record to form in the central/eastern Pacific or Atlantic oceans Wednesday afternoon. 

There have now been nine major hurricanes in the eastern Pacific this year, a record for the basin.

Six year Anniversary thoughts on Mexico

I started this Blog in December of 2004 and was a few months from retirement and a few more months from heading to Mexico. I didn't have the experience that Mike had from years in Mexico/Baja but I sure appreciated his attitude. I spent a few months in the late 1990's in Mexico City and had pretty much the attitude but not the prose to say it (still don't).

Just an anniversary post (repeat one of my first) ... and thanks Mexico

Great starting philosophy for my new adventure

More of Mike Humfreville's Stories

While we are traveling through an environment, anywhere in our world, and are not familiar with the surroundings, we are more vulnerable. When we exist in a static environment we grow to know the context in which we live. The local folks and their individual natures.

So, will we not go to the places in our world we are intimidated by? Some might not. But my choice is to face a reasonable danger, as supported by others, and learn something new, expand our lives. Grow the Earth with our new experiences. Cause us to evolve.

Anytime we walk out the door we face unpredictability. Every time we cross a border, a "frontier" in the Spanish language, we face change.

I've wondered through some pretty skunks places on our Earth, mostly as a young man, for good and questionable purposes, and have never been threatened. But I don't feel superior to a general populace and I don't have the bucks to drive a high-priced vehicle there and flaunt my non-existent wealth. I wear jeans and drive a Poor Old Truck (oh! Yeah: and I drink boxed wine of the highest quality - $6/5 liters).

I think you and your friends will find Baja California a pleasant place, a place that dreams are made of. Just read some of the wistful threads here and then experience Baja on your own.

As friends have already told you, protect your stuff in the border towns. That doesn't mean the border towns are bad, it just means there is a more dynamic work force and theft is more likely. Then imagine yourself in a tiny fishing village with a static population, one where everyone knows everyone else and their family and which would protect the basic values, even when you are new to them, of their village and you along with it because you are in their charge, and it's not intended for the five-O'clock News, but because it the right thing to do in their estimation. And their estimation doesen't need to be rewarded by the opinions of others, because they know they're right! That is the essence of Baja California.

That's the way many people think away from all the changing of the guard that happens in the larger cities anywhere on Earth.

I suggest that you and your timid friend "tackle" Baja. She'll bring you to your knees. And rightfully.

You will experience life in Baja's deserts and seashores and you will also discover how you fit into the real world.

Baja California 1952

Just too cool not to post this. The earliest I was there was '62 and no further than Rosarita. This is back when you really had to work to 'do Baja'. it even comes with almost surfing music but neither surf muisc or rock-n-roll had been invented then

This is a short movie made by my grandfather "Ray Haller" in 1952. He and his friends made a trek down from California to Baja California to fish, hunt and explore this region.

OK - So I`m gone and here

Sorry not to have updated but you know how it goes

I left Seattle the 1st of April, three days to San Diego, stayed in SD for three days, crossed the border and made La Paz in three days. Was going to camp and see more of Baja but nobody else was on the beaches and I felt like I wanted people around for information and company.

Took the ferry (Baja Ferries) to Topolombabpo and had to overnight in Los Moches. A five hour drive from there to Mazatlan the next morning. Stayed in Mazatlan for a week and a half to check it out and recover from a sinus infection. One day south to Chamala staying over night and then one day south to Puerto Vallarta where I stayed for two days and visited with JR.

Mazatlan was busy, rather arid and no easy access to Spanish schools so I decided to head further south. Vallarta is prettier but also busy so I decided to head for Melaque, my old home town.

Been very happy here so far, found a Spanish tutor and kayaking is good. May head inland to the highlands at the end of June.

Have not seen rain since I left Seattle so must be due for a good one sometime soon.

Take care ya`ll