Leaving on Tuesday, January 11, back again to Guayobitis, Mex. Our time at home for a visit has been wonderful. Over the Christmas Season we were able to visit with many of our friends on the Lower Mainland. Sorry, we didn't get to see all of you.( We will be back in the Spring).
We, along with Dar's Dad, went to Kamloops (by Via Rail) for Christmas. We left Vancouver at 8:30 pm. Christmas Eve and arrived in Kamloops at 5:30 am, Dec 25. It was nice. Dar's Dad did not want to drive in a vechicle, so he picked the train. It was quite tiring because you don't get a lot of sleep with all the people and noises. We had four days there with Dar's brother and sister-in-law, niece and nephew, their beau's and seven of Collete's family. It was real nice to have all of Dar's family together as her sister and brother-in-law droped in, out of the blue, on December 26. We all had a few good drinks and way to much food. The laughs were enjoyed by all, so the time there was wonderful.
New Year's Eve saw us off to Woody's Pub, seeing Dar's hairdresser Chris for awhile and then off to Langley to a friends place for some serious drinking for me, and bring in the New Year with a bang. I paid for it the next day, getting to old to do that kind of drinking, but had loads of fun anyway. Darlene was the DD.
Saw my family on New Year's Day and had an excellent visit. Also a couple of Basketball games for my oldest Grandson, who has recently broke his nose in a game.
As I said, off this Tuesday, so will get a couple friends in (visiting) this weekend and then it will be time to heard 'er South again, and warm up.
Wish you all could come with us, what a Party that would be!
See you in the Spring!
Love Brad and Dar
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Thursday, December 23, 2010
© Tara A. Spears
One of the ubiquitous signs of the Christmas season is the vivid scarlet of the poinsettia plants that appear in malls, churches, homes and offices in December. Its shape appears in tablecloths and wrapping paper, silk flowers, and seasonal jewelry. This indigenous Mexican plant quickly garnered world-wide popularity and comes with a charming legend that explains how the poinsettia came to be a symbol of Christmas spirit.
The legend of the poinsettia tells of a girl named Maria and her little brother Pablo. They were very poor but always looked forward to the Christmas festival. Each year a large manger scene was set up in the village church, and the days before Christmas were filled with parades and parties. The two children loved Christmas, but were always saddened because they had no money to buy presents. They especially wished that they could give something to the church for the Baby Jesus. But they had nothing.
One Christmas Eve, Maria and Pablo set out for church to attend the service. On their way they picked some weeds growing along the roadside and decided to take them as their gift to the Baby Jesus in the manger scene. Of course they were teased by other children when they arrived with their gift, but they said nothing for they knew they had given what they could. Maria and Pablo began placing the green plants around the manger and suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes. From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season.
Poinsettias were introduced into the United States in 1825 by Joel Robert Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico and a horticulturist who started cultivating the stunning plant. Over the intervening years, poinsettias have been hybridized to include a range of colors from salmon to white to bi-colored that have become traditional Christmas decorations throughout the world. In any region that does not have winter frost temperatures, the poinsettia plant will become a perennial shrub whether kept in a pot or planted in the ground. However, it is difficult to grow in the sweltering coastal Riviera Nayarit area due to the high night temperatures. The plant is readily available at the tianguis Monday and Thursday markets, local plant nurseries, and from street vendors.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Back In Canada
Afer two months in Rincon de Guayabitos we are back in British Columbia for Christmas and visit a with family and friends. We will be going to Kamloops, BC for Christmas at Dar's bother and sister-inlaws. We are going by train on Via Rail http://www.viarail.ca and taking Dar's Dad with us.
During our time in Mexico, we were quite busy for a couple of retired people. Dar spent some time helping our Mexican friends learn, while Dar herself learnt quite a bit of Spanish herself. She has come along way and can now read and carry a conversation in Spanish. I am very happy with her progress. For me,not much, but the basic words.
(Darlene doesn't think she can carry a conversation).
I found a group of gringos, four winter residents like me, and two who live in the area year round who all ride big bikes. We have enjoyed some very good rides in and around the State of Nayarit and some nice country and great roads. We also enjoy a real good lunch on each of our rides.
We will be returning to Mexico on January 11, 2011 and spending more time in Guayabitos until our planned trip to Cancun, by motorcycle in Febuary.
During our time in Mexico, we were quite busy for a couple of retired people. Dar spent some time helping our Mexican friends learn, while Dar herself learnt quite a bit of Spanish herself. She has come along way and can now read and carry a conversation in Spanish. I am very happy with her progress. For me,not much, but the basic words.
(Darlene doesn't think she can carry a conversation).
I found a group of gringos, four winter residents like me, and two who live in the area year round who all ride big bikes. We have enjoyed some very good rides in and around the State of Nayarit and some nice country and great roads. We also enjoy a real good lunch on each of our rides.
We will be returning to Mexico on January 11, 2011 and spending more time in Guayabitos until our planned trip to Cancun, by motorcycle in Febuary.
Monday, November 8, 2010
November 8, 2010 Finally a New Post
Here it is November 8, 2010 and we haven't done a Post, well actually me, as Dar said it was my turn and she wasn't going to do one.
All is really great here, we are having a ball. We have been extremly busy with visiting so many of our "new" friends and reaquanting ourselves with the "old" ones. I have been here 2 weeks and tomorrow will be 3 weeks. I have already been to five soccer games, drank 10 gallons of cervaza, 3 feista parties 2 birthday parties and one lunch of "special" Chicken Soup. (Wow,is that good) We have gotten all the good gossip caught up and also Dar has started her Spanish lessons. She is also teaching a local family some English. (every Thursday). I am also getting quite abit out of it and being able to use more and more Spanish Words. Oh yea, did I mention , I have had my share of cervaza, it goes down just like water. We all know that we shouldn't drink the water here, so, drink cervza instead, its good for you.
I got here (Guayobotis Mexico) mid afternoon, October 23. After a somewhat eventful ride. Left Birch Bay on Wednesday October 13, after a late start in the Day. Had more things to do in winterizing the R.V. than I thought. But I did leave under clear sky's and made it to Woodburn OR, just north of Salam. My luck, leaving so late, I made to Seattle just in time for the heavest of "rush hour" traffic. Not bad, just under 500 kms. for the day.
Left early next morn, but too cold, so after 45 minutes on road had too stop, have coffee and wait to 10:30 for fog to lift and get some warmth. By mid day I was through Roseburg and had to "greas up", as was very warm and didn't want to get sun burnt. All was going well until just south of Shasta Lake City, CA a bird hit the bike windshield. Can'nt say for sure what kind of bird, but a Eagle or Red Tailed Hawk, whatever it was, it was big. Smashed the windshield, creaked and scrached the right hand side of bike fairing and knocked my DOT helmet, right sideways on my head. I was probably doing close to 100/105 kms at the time I also got a mouth full of bird guts and feathers. The thing damm near "knocked" me out. Luck was with me at that moment, that I did not lose control of bike. Didn't feel like mush after that, so got to Redding CA, got hotel room and phoned my Insurance. Such do like my Insurance Co." Meagson Fitzpatrick (Victoria BC), they say " make sure bike is roadworthy, get new windshield and new helmet. All on my statement of event, without the use of a insurance ajustor.
October 15, 2010. New windshield, new helmet in Redding CA. and back on the road. As I only made 665 kms. yesterday, will have to made some up today. Had lunch in Stockston and back on the road, made over 800 kms today, so was good day. Stayed night in little town of Santa Nella,CA. Home of the "Best Pea Soup in America" Soup was good, bed was lousy, but slept not bad as I was quite tired.
Left around 7:30 am. and the ride was great, weather was just right for riding. All was good until I got to the top of the Grapevine, north of Los Angles. The closer I rode to LA, the colder it got. By the time I got into LA I had my leather jacked on and zipped up. Thank heavens for GPS, made it through the nighmare and out the other side. Made it to Blythe CA for the night, Just under 800 kms today.
Left motel 6:30 am and off to find good cup of coffee at Starbucks. Checked out Facebook, added a few comments. Riding by 7:00 am, sunrise was gorgas and very little trafic on I-10, so made good milage. Made 180 kms in hou rand fifty minutes, stoped for pee break at rest stop and then it all happened. I had lost my bike keys somewhere between Blythe and here. So when I had turned the bike off, it wouldn't start again without security fob. Didn't know how to break security code, so caled "Good Sam" snd has hook come and take me and bike to Arrowhead Harly Davidson in Phoenix AZ. They showed me how to break code, but would have to wait in Phoenix for 21/2 days,until Dar passed through on her way to Mexico. I had extra set of keys at homeand would have had to wait 10-14 days to get new set of keys from HD, Milwaukiee,WI. While waiting I had Bike serviced, new tires and replace intake seals, which resolved my stalling problem. That took a day, but couldn't go see much of Phoenix as I had very little gas in gas tank and needed keys to open gas tank lid. Oh well, Ineeded the rest. While in Phoenix I got to meet up with a long time ex work associate, Jan C. and have dinner with her. We caught on old times and what has happened in to last 2 years, when she and her husband moved to Phoenix. Good dinner and good laughs, really enjoyed.
Dar got to Phoenix on October 20, a day late (thats another story). Got keys from Dar as she changed planes, and on the road again. Made it to Nogales AZ, for the night. I wanted to cross the Mexican boarder first thing in the morning.
October 21, crossed into Nogales Mexico, got visitors visa and found out that you get moto-
cycle temporary import permit at Inspection Office 50 kms into Mexico. Had a few problems with communication at inspection office, but after 11/2 hours finally got approval (they didn't like my copy of registration papers, wanted orginal papers) Paid my "import" fees,440 peso ((approx $37.00 CAN), got stamp of approval to have Motocycle in Mexico for up to 180 days and on my way. Ah, they say, MEXICO, what a beautiful country. The roads are great, I stayed on D-15 all the way to Tepic, Nayarit. Its a "toll highway" and the toll fees from Nogales to Tepic were 870 peso(approx $74.00 CAN) All fees are the same for automoble as for a motocycle. Stayed fist night in Oberegon, Sinaloa, MX,545 kms for the day and second night in Villa Obion, Sinaloa, MX (just ouside Mazatlan) and 570 kms. for the day. I left AT 6:30 am in the morning, on my way to Tepic and Guayabitos, Nayarit, 1480 kms, from the USA boader. Throughout my time in Mexico, I found the people extremly helpful and courtious at all of the gas stations, hotels and places to eat, from taco stand to resturant. They were more helpful in their service and making sure I understood the cost of the service and in counting out the change for the product. I would reccomend travel to anyone, just watch your self and know where you are at.
All is really great here, we are having a ball. We have been extremly busy with visiting so many of our "new" friends and reaquanting ourselves with the "old" ones. I have been here 2 weeks and tomorrow will be 3 weeks. I have already been to five soccer games, drank 10 gallons of cervaza, 3 feista parties 2 birthday parties and one lunch of "special" Chicken Soup. (Wow,is that good) We have gotten all the good gossip caught up and also Dar has started her Spanish lessons. She is also teaching a local family some English. (every Thursday). I am also getting quite abit out of it and being able to use more and more Spanish Words. Oh yea, did I mention , I have had my share of cervaza, it goes down just like water. We all know that we shouldn't drink the water here, so, drink cervza instead, its good for you.
I got here (Guayobotis Mexico) mid afternoon, October 23. After a somewhat eventful ride. Left Birch Bay on Wednesday October 13, after a late start in the Day. Had more things to do in winterizing the R.V. than I thought. But I did leave under clear sky's and made it to Woodburn OR, just north of Salam. My luck, leaving so late, I made to Seattle just in time for the heavest of "rush hour" traffic. Not bad, just under 500 kms. for the day.
Left early next morn, but too cold, so after 45 minutes on road had too stop, have coffee and wait to 10:30 for fog to lift and get some warmth. By mid day I was through Roseburg and had to "greas up", as was very warm and didn't want to get sun burnt. All was going well until just south of Shasta Lake City, CA a bird hit the bike windshield. Can'nt say for sure what kind of bird, but a Eagle or Red Tailed Hawk, whatever it was, it was big. Smashed the windshield, creaked and scrached the right hand side of bike fairing and knocked my DOT helmet, right sideways on my head. I was probably doing close to 100/105 kms at the time I also got a mouth full of bird guts and feathers. The thing damm near "knocked" me out. Luck was with me at that moment, that I did not lose control of bike. Didn't feel like mush after that, so got to Redding CA, got hotel room and phoned my Insurance. Such do like my Insurance Co." Meagson Fitzpatrick (Victoria BC), they say " make sure bike is roadworthy, get new windshield and new helmet. All on my statement of event, without the use of a insurance ajustor.
October 15, 2010. New windshield, new helmet in Redding CA. and back on the road. As I only made 665 kms. yesterday, will have to made some up today. Had lunch in Stockston and back on the road, made over 800 kms today, so was good day. Stayed night in little town of Santa Nella,CA. Home of the "Best Pea Soup in America" Soup was good, bed was lousy, but slept not bad as I was quite tired.
Left around 7:30 am. and the ride was great, weather was just right for riding. All was good until I got to the top of the Grapevine, north of Los Angles. The closer I rode to LA, the colder it got. By the time I got into LA I had my leather jacked on and zipped up. Thank heavens for GPS, made it through the nighmare and out the other side. Made it to Blythe CA for the night, Just under 800 kms today.
Left motel 6:30 am and off to find good cup of coffee at Starbucks. Checked out Facebook, added a few comments. Riding by 7:00 am, sunrise was gorgas and very little trafic on I-10, so made good milage. Made 180 kms in hou rand fifty minutes, stoped for pee break at rest stop and then it all happened. I had lost my bike keys somewhere between Blythe and here. So when I had turned the bike off, it wouldn't start again without security fob. Didn't know how to break security code, so caled "Good Sam" snd has hook come and take me and bike to Arrowhead Harly Davidson in Phoenix AZ. They showed me how to break code, but would have to wait in Phoenix for 21/2 days,until Dar passed through on her way to Mexico. I had extra set of keys at homeand would have had to wait 10-14 days to get new set of keys from HD, Milwaukiee,WI. While waiting I had Bike serviced, new tires and replace intake seals, which resolved my stalling problem. That took a day, but couldn't go see much of Phoenix as I had very little gas in gas tank and needed keys to open gas tank lid. Oh well, Ineeded the rest. While in Phoenix I got to meet up with a long time ex work associate, Jan C. and have dinner with her. We caught on old times and what has happened in to last 2 years, when she and her husband moved to Phoenix. Good dinner and good laughs, really enjoyed.
Dar got to Phoenix on October 20, a day late (thats another story). Got keys from Dar as she changed planes, and on the road again. Made it to Nogales AZ, for the night. I wanted to cross the Mexican boarder first thing in the morning.
October 21, crossed into Nogales Mexico, got visitors visa and found out that you get moto-
cycle temporary import permit at Inspection Office 50 kms into Mexico. Had a few problems with communication at inspection office, but after 11/2 hours finally got approval (they didn't like my copy of registration papers, wanted orginal papers) Paid my "import" fees,440 peso ((approx $37.00 CAN), got stamp of approval to have Motocycle in Mexico for up to 180 days and on my way. Ah, they say, MEXICO, what a beautiful country. The roads are great, I stayed on D-15 all the way to Tepic, Nayarit. Its a "toll highway" and the toll fees from Nogales to Tepic were 870 peso(approx $74.00 CAN) All fees are the same for automoble as for a motocycle. Stayed fist night in Oberegon, Sinaloa, MX,545 kms for the day and second night in Villa Obion, Sinaloa, MX (just ouside Mazatlan) and 570 kms. for the day. I left AT 6:30 am in the morning, on my way to Tepic and Guayabitos, Nayarit, 1480 kms, from the USA boader. Throughout my time in Mexico, I found the people extremly helpful and courtious at all of the gas stations, hotels and places to eat, from taco stand to resturant. They were more helpful in their service and making sure I understood the cost of the service and in counting out the change for the product. I would reccomend travel to anyone, just watch your self and know where you are at.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Getting Ready to GO!
OK, Brad is leaving in 16 days on the Bike and I am 1 week later on the plane. Getting excited and so looking forward to Mexico again. I love that it's so laid back and slower place. Going a lot earlier this year so we will probably get a bit of rain for the first bit we are there. We are used to the rain and it will be much warmer than here.
Anyone who wants to come visit...
Bahia Pacific Hotels y Bungalows
Ave Sol Nuevo # 152
Rincon de Guayabitos
Mexico
is where we stay. Or there is an all inclusive right across the street from us, Decameron Hotel.
We will be gone aprox. the last three weeks of February, traveling across to Cancun on our bike to see my niece get married. Then back to Guayabitos.
Hope some of you come and see us, and see why we love it there so much!
I will try to blog. Really I will try to blog.
Love to all!!!!
PS We will be back for Christmas, see some of you then!
Anyone who wants to come visit...
Bahia Pacific Hotels y Bungalows
Ave Sol Nuevo # 152
Rincon de Guayabitos
Mexico
is where we stay. Or there is an all inclusive right across the street from us, Decameron Hotel.
We will be gone aprox. the last three weeks of February, traveling across to Cancun on our bike to see my niece get married. Then back to Guayabitos.
Hope some of you come and see us, and see why we love it there so much!
I will try to blog. Really I will try to blog.
Love to all!!!!
PS We will be back for Christmas, see some of you then!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Holiday
Ok, we are finally leaving after a minor set back for our Holiday to Summerland, Rock Creek and Grand Forks. We should still be back just after the begining of June, and I think we are going to Birch Bay again for two or three weeks. Then back to Canada for the summer. Will try to post on the trip if we have Internet and time. Can't wait to see all my friends from the Legion haven't seen them in quite awhile. See you all soon!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Long time
OK I just can't keep up on the Blogging. It was originally for Brad to do but he dropped it a long time ago.
Been back from Mexico for about a month now and we really miss it and all our friends there.
Nice to see Dad, he is doing fine. We are in Birch Bay until the middle of May then off to Okanagan & Rock Creek to visit friends. Should be back around the begining of June.
We are thinking of going to Mexico in November this year, we will drive the truck with the bike to Phoenix AZ then I will fly with the luggage to PV and get Alejandro to pick me up. Brad will ride the bike down to Guayabitos so we have transportation while we are there. In December we will fly back to spend Christmas with my Dad then back to Guayabitos in January. February off to somewhere around Cancun on the bike for a wedding, then back to Guayabitos till end of March. Also some side trips in between. That's the plan anyway, we'll have to see how things go.
Should be fairly close to the lower mainland this summer, so hopefully we will see all our friends here more than we have recently.
See you soon,
Darlene (Charlie)
Brad (Bad)
Been back from Mexico for about a month now and we really miss it and all our friends there.
Nice to see Dad, he is doing fine. We are in Birch Bay until the middle of May then off to Okanagan & Rock Creek to visit friends. Should be back around the begining of June.
We are thinking of going to Mexico in November this year, we will drive the truck with the bike to Phoenix AZ then I will fly with the luggage to PV and get Alejandro to pick me up. Brad will ride the bike down to Guayabitos so we have transportation while we are there. In December we will fly back to spend Christmas with my Dad then back to Guayabitos in January. February off to somewhere around Cancun on the bike for a wedding, then back to Guayabitos till end of March. Also some side trips in between. That's the plan anyway, we'll have to see how things go.
Should be fairly close to the lower mainland this summer, so hopefully we will see all our friends here more than we have recently.
See you soon,
Darlene (Charlie)
Brad (Bad)
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