catching up

I've been away from TV for 5 months and, except for the President's State of the Union speech, have had total blackout. But now I'm back and what to do but turn on the TV at 5:30 for the news. Oy! What a mistake. However, I did watch "60 Minutes" last night and was very impressed by the interview with Obama. A measured, thoughtful assessment of the l'affaire Osama. No cowboy tactics.

But I also don't get to see movies while in Mexico. So I am catching up. First one was "The King's Speech." Superb. Next was "The Kids Are Alright." It, too, was good. Frankly, I prefer Colin Firth to either Julianne Moore or Annette Benning. Next up, thanks to the Flix® will be Season 2 of "In Treatment." I think Deborah Winger appears in these.

No tiangues today. I hardly knew what to do with myself. While up town doing errands I ran into Stan Singleton, the owner of the Casa de las Flores, our favorite B & B in Tlaquepaque. His parents live here and he is visiting for a few weeks. His father, Vern Singleton, is an esteemed emeritus member of the UC Davis department of viticulture and oenology. It was sort of strange to see Stan "out of place" here; he belongs in Mexico.

Bought a tank of gas for the adorable Dorothy. $40! What's going on here?

from the mother's day bunny

This beautiful bouquet of roses was a gift from Mr. C in honor of my Mother's Day achievements. I am deeply grateful for the gift of my two daughters, both of whom acknowledged this day by cards and calls. I hope that all of my readers ~ mothers, steps, or in any other "mothering" capacity ~ had a fine celebration today.

home again, home again

We left Long Beach at 6:30 AM, got thought LA and onto the Grapevine in easy time, crossed the Sacramento County line at 12:30 PM and pulled into our driveway by 1:10 PM. Los Angelenos drive like crazy people, and there are a lot of them. Our favorite Rest Stop was closed ~ we always stop there for a breakfast break and short rest ~ so we had to press on. Not too much traffic until, I would say, Fresno. Then it was 2-lanes and a bit slower. But all together, easy.

It's good to be here. House was left tidy and clean. Two big bins of mail to deal with, a few phone messages. A huge bunch of flowers on the dining table; what a lovely welcome. So tonight it will be a grilled steak ~ haven't had any really good beef for 5 months ~ and a good night's sleep in my own bed. Tomorrow it's unpacking, laundry, the Davis Farmers' Market, and a restocking of the larder. So it goes.

day five

In Long Beach tonight. First stop was Trader Joe's for dinner goodies, crackers, wine. It's good to be back. Easy drive from Gila Bend. You know you're not in Mexico anymore; everything is so neat and clean. Home by tomorrow afternoon. A few photos and some travel notes when I have time to think about it.

day four

What, you may ask, happened to day three? No internet is what happened. And wouldn't you know it! It was the only day (so far) with an "occurrence." When we arrived in Topo, Mr. C decided he wanted to keep some of our food cold so he left the cold chest that runs off the car battery plugged in just a bit longer. End result? Dead battery. Problem? No jumper cables. We had already decided we were not going to go to Chicho's for dinner so had no plans to go out. We'd figure it out in the morning. When the hotel office opened I went over and explained what had happened and asked if they knew a mechanic who might be able to jump-start the car. They had no idea what I was talking about, and one of them was the night-watchman-handy-man. Things did not look good. As I was contemplating another day in this lands-end place, three young Mexican men came out into the parking lot to get into their truck. I sprang! My battery is dead. Do they have jumper cables. Like all good Mexican young men who drive trucks, they did! We hooked up the car, it gave a tremendous squealing whine and roared to life! Cheers all around. So instead of staying at the hotel for breakfast as we had planned, we packed up the car and took off. The next potential problem was that we had to stop for gas and cut the engine. So in 20 miles we pulled into a Pemex station and, hoping for a bright future cut the engine. Mexican gas stations aren't like US stations; they don't have any services other than gas and windshield wipes. No mechanics. But not to fear. Vincent had made his point; don't drain my battery by keeping your beer cold! Car started and we were on our way to San Carlos.

The weather all along the route has been hot and muggy and overcast. San Carlos was no different. It was too humid to sit out on the balcony until early evening. No splendid party going on this visit. Finally went down to the dining room for a bowl of soup and called it an early night.

We were on the road by 6 AM this morning, through Hermasillo in a flash, and at the border by 11:15. There were no long lines as usual, and we were through with all questions, searches, etc., in about 15 minutes. Fastest time ever. Then on to our favorite Burger King for lunch and finally here, in Gila Bend at the Space Age Motel. The place has been up-graded and refurbished since we were here in December; quite spiffy. It's hot and dusty outside; cooled by AC inside. I am very relieved to be here, even though there was nothing at all that caused concern, except the battery. I do believe that if you exercise caution and good judgment you'll probably be OK. That and wear a boat-load of talisman necklaces!

Tomorrow morning we will drive to Long Beach for the night. Thought we would be able to see Alex and Pete but they are both very busy so we have opted for a hotel so we can be up and out in a hurry on Friday morning. We are eager to get home.

day two

In Topolobampo. Left Tepic at 6:30 this morning. Easy drive to Mazatlán where we encountered mega traffic snarls. The entire go-through is being ripped up and rebuilt, presumably to make it much easier to by-pass the town if you are so lucky as to be avoiding this terrible place. Then on to Los Moches and Topo. Same hotel ~ the only one in town ~ and the same room ~ #209 ~ for the night. We're not going in to dinner at Chichos; we'll snack ourselves into satiattion and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow morning we'll have breakfast in the hotel's dining room before headint on to San Carlos for our last night in Mexico. Mojo still holding.

day one

Got away at 9 AM this morning after farewells from Chuy and Fernando and a brief visit with Jack. Drive to Tepic completely uneventful; safe, no hassle, very little traffic. We gain an hour's time here so it was only 1:30 when we arrived. Checked in to our usual hotel but not in our usual room. That wing is undergoing renovations. We can rough it for one night. Early night tonight. Off at dawn tomorrow for a long day's drive to Topolobampo. Many thanks to all who sent good mojo for the trip. It's working so far.