Waves over the beach

After circling the lagoon on an uneventful Cocodrilo hunt for Nahima we stopped by the Tourist Police office in Villa Obregon. Lots of wave action in the bay and the ocean colors were the prettiest I've seen in a long time. There was evidence the water had been nearly up to the road but difficult to tell how recently.

Standing on the high ridge out by the water we were suddenly surprised by a wave that did come nearly up to the road. Water was only a few inches deep but we had extra concern because of Nahima who is 5 years old. The third foto is of Lorena as we turn around with Nahima's sandals in one hand and Nahima in the other.

So we end up back by the Police office in the little lake the wave left behind. A policeman stuck his head out to check us out and didn't seem impressed that we were playing here with these waves. We might have woke him from a siesta. Nahima wastes no time cooling off before the water drains back to the sea. A little excitement on a quiet Saturday.

Checking out the bay and those colors

One of the large waves

Wave topping the beach

All the way up to the Tourist Police office

The lake aftermath

Nahima takes advantage

Turtle release Melaque

Second time is the charm. We heard that Wednesday there would be a baby turtle release on the Malecon around 8PM and since we pick up Uriel from Secondaria at 7 we thought we'd give it a try. No sign of anything at 8:20 so we walked down to the college turtle pen and they didn't have any ready to leave.

The next day, Thursday, there was notice saying there would be another release in front of Hotel Dorado about 8:30 to 9. The kids really wanted to see them so we tried again. The ocean temperature and the breeze made waiting easy. Sometimes late in the summer the ocean feels like and smells like a bowl of fish soup but right now it's perfect.

They brought 200 turtles in a large plastic tub and then gave us a lecture on the life of turtles from the laying eggs in a nest, how many survive and return and how far they range. The organizers did have flashlights but flash cameras are not allowed so I borrowed some fotos below. About 30 of us rubbed our hands in the sand so the turtles would get the sent of the beach and then one by one we let them go in the surf. Some babies very strong and ready to go and others more docile. If a big wave came in we had to stand still to avoid stepping on any that might be washed back. First time for all of us and a great way to educate the local kids about turtle preservation.

Melaque beach waiting for dark

What they looked like in the tub

More or less but we did each by hand

Been a rough week

With the death of Shoe, friends and family have been in a turmoil for the last week. It's what happens with no death planning and a bit of a culture clash. Family from up north know nothing about Mexico, Spanish, culture or the rules. Most gringo friends here speak little Spanish and know only a little about the culture. Even my reasonable Spanish was often misunderstood on critical issues.

Special rules apply to cremation. The executor, his ex-wife, had papers that were 8 years old (too old here). Needed his son to send notarized permission to the Guadalajara Consulate and the Consulate then contact the funeral home in Manzanillo. Shoe also left no clear instructions on what to do upon his death ... either with his body or his possessions. If you are going to stay in Mexico it's not that difficult to do the paper work and save friends and family the hassle.

So we're almost past the "who's paying, where's his stuff go and what's to be done with the ashes" stages. Just that there was some real hard feelings and much confusion which I believe was mostly a clash of culture.

So last night we took the kids to the beach on the night of the largest moon in 20 years (I guess that means it's closer). Sorry but I don't do time exposures which is required for that kind of light. Had to put the moon and the reflection on the bay in two different fotos. The ocean and moon rises are often calming on the right day

Beach rocks

I quit early today after digging a foundation (only three bricks high) for the new 'sidewalk' (banqueta) that will surround the house. Have to aim the water away from the house and also just cover some of the dirt that I have lived with for the last three years. Cement, grass and garden will be much nicer than what I have. Placing rocks in the sidewalk somehow is the idea but we don't have a firm plan.

So I've been collecting rocks from all the digging we've been doing and have quite a pile but they aren't that pretty. My workers suggested going to the beach for rocks with lots to choose from ... and there are lots.

I sat there with my bucket and just enjoyed the afternoon, the ocean and the breeze