Higher Education Walti Style: KR and I attended several classes on tequila appreciation, in PV and the town of Tequila.. Think of it as a liquid version of an art appreciation class. I don’t remember if I passed the test, but. we did buy a bunch of tequila: )
On the second day of March, KR, Bogart, Squirt and I began our 1500 mile, three day trip to PV from Sandia Park in Thor (our RV). We’ve made the trip so often we know what Pemex stations we’re stopping at, our favorite restaurants along the way, and what stretches of road are good and bad. Like everything these days, prices of coffee at the OXXO, tolls and gas have all shot up. It’s getting close to the cost of an airline ticket.
Once in PV, we leave Thor in the local RV park and rush home to the Corona Adobe. Just walking in the front door feels like we’ve entered a decompression chamber…Ahhh. Now I know why I love it here so much.
Faster than a speeding bullet, KR and Bogart stake out their places on the top deck to watch the sunset.
In addition to going to Tequila for continuing adult eduction, we went to a the world’s largest cactus dealer in the nearby town of Ajijic. We bought close to 30 cacti . Here KR begins the process of adding them to her existing cactus garden on the top floor.
After a hard day of cactus planting, KR and Squirt chill out on the top deck.
Easy Living. Living in PV is addictive and I’m not talking about the drugs. Walk out the front door, turn right or left, and within a few blocks are all kinds of bars and restaurants. Here Chuck and Georgiana join us for dinner at Barracuda. The contrast with NoHo couldn’t be more distinct: driving 25+ miles to a good restaurant and/or bar. And then 25 back. None of this too: No cooking, cleaning, ironing, doing the wash, taking care of the pool, etc. Dressing for dinner (or any occasion): shorts, flip flops and if its a special occasion — a shirt with a collar.
Sometimes we Americans are still ugly: KR and I join a local protest down the hill from us to keep Gaby’s restaurant open. Gaby’s has been around for decades and decades. No matter, seems that two rich Gringos living above the restaurant paid some significant fees (read bribes) to have the place shut down because they didn’t like the noise from the Mariachi Bands at night. There’s a reason we American’s sometimes get bad reps.
This is a “Before” Shot: As in before the tequila, the Corona(s), a cigar and whatever additional refreshments are required. A couple of nights ago KR had to come up to the top deck to awake me from my nap (OK, I was passed out on the couch up top). There is no finer way to fade off than looking out over the bay, lights flickering around, listening to the chatter of our neighbors, and sipping some Aneijo tequila.
Birthday party for one of the neighborhood kids. Most of our Mexican neighbors are of modest means, live in very tiny homes with their entire extended family, and go to work every day. Yet, despite the above and the fact they have no front yards, they take great care of their kids. Here, neighborhood kids have dinner and birthday cake around a table set up in the street in front of the. house. There’s something calming about hearing lots of kids laughing and having fun next door.
GM/Ford et all better watch out.. This is by far the nicest vehicle parked in our neighborhood, a Geely Coolray. Geely is the Chinese company that also owns Volvo. Very nice looking car and from the outside, it looks well made. For $18Kish in the US and $26Kish in Mexico, Geely will be a force to be reckoned with.
Maybe it’s not so easy after all?
We’re taking this “opportunity” (in the form a Honey Do! List) to get work done around Corona before the season starts again. Said house painting is finally fully underway. Putting on a new roof on the pool deck. Repairing various faucets. Strengthening the hot water system. Putting up a “privacy fence” so our guests don’t have to look at the neighbor’s laundry. Getting the Iron Duke’s A/C working again, as well as the A/C unit in my office. And building new cabinets on the observation deck’s kitchen. Oh, and getting the irrigation system for KR”s six plus gardens working again.
This is just the current list of projects.
This is the parts shelf of the local transmission shop, owned by Antonio. The Iron Duke needed a trans rebuild, so I found Antonio’s place in a small Vallarta barrio. In and out in three days. 30+ days later its still working: )
Filling up the Iron Duke with new Cacti. Lots of work to do.
Bye Bye Little Big Sur
LBS: In January we closed on the sale of Little Big Sur. We owned it for almost 18 years. We had great times and met some lifelong friends. but its now time to let others enjoy it. Mother and daughter Susan and Maya are the proud new owners. We’ll miss it.
Selling LBS continues my new “simplify life” mantra. We’re down to two houses, two cars, three motorcycles, and one RV. Now if all that stuff could just take care of itself, all would be right with the world.
Love you guys and just wish we could spend more time tigether. I now have 2! great-grands.
Nathan with Margaret and Hannah with Rafael!! So adorable. As you know I am now in "independent living" and am going crazy with so many activities and friends!!!!!
You need to come visit...they have guest suites (apts). which include meals. Lynn & Doug came for a couple of nights.
Trying to sell house....has been re-carpeted and painted and more so hopefully will sell when {Sunbirds) arrive around late Sept, early Oct. Need desperately to sell soon as expenses here are big!!
Love hearing about your life now..........and will NEVER get over missing your brother but, unfortunately
Love you guys and just wish we could spend more time tigether. I now have 2! great-grands.
Nathan with Margaret and Hannah with Rafael!! So adorable. As you know I am now in "independent living" and am going crazy with so many activities and friends!!!!!
You need to come visit...they have guest suites (apts). which include meals. Lynn & Doug came for a couple of nights.
Trying to sell house....has been re-carpeted and painted and more so hopefully will sell when {Sunbirds) arrive around late Sept, early Oct. Need desperately to sell soon as expenses here are big!!
Love hearing about your life now..........and will NEVER get over missing your brother but, unfortunately
life goes on.
Thanks as always for reaching out!!!!
Love to you both!
Life is good, very , very good.