“Honey, why are we so tired?”

I love Cabo Pulmo! (A big marine preserve). When we first went there about 20 years ago it was just a handful of homes and some beautiful wind sculpted beaches. There was one restaurant with a lot of stray cats and a dirt road often disappearing off a cliff or into the ocean. So nice to have a quick ride home after a day of snorkeling and hiking rather than an hour of bone jarring. (Sorry these 2 paragraphs got out of order)

When we returned from Jazzfest, the population of LB had further decreased. After spending the night in LB we headed out to Cabo Pulmo. My overfilled bucket list about to be a little less full—-because the owner allowed us to cash in our “Hurricane check (not a measly rain check)” from last October. (And so glad Ken and Joan could make it back to enjoy Cabo Pulmo with us after helping us with our rapid storm prep last October)

Maryanne organized a women’s only fishing trip. And WE CAUGGT NINE TUNA!!Now, why we didn’t think to bring an ice chest for the nine tuna we caught is another question…. (Thanks, Brant).

As always I begin to fear boredom when so many leave, yet look forward to having time to do all those things you never have time to get done during the “busy season”. I no longer fear boredom, but instead keep wondering when it will happen.

And if I ever do get bored I can get those mosaic projects done…

Rather than boredom, fatigue seemed to be a frequent problem. Other causes: Pickleball in 90 degree heat for 3 hours followed by bicycling and multiple painting projects, we learned was a bit much. Much smarter to read, sketch , knit and nap in the afternoon then head out for dinner on the beach.

And then if you get too tired (happens with aging), you can head to Todos Santos for a birthday celebration. We had a perfect weekend of cooler temps, excellent food and beautiful beach walks at a unique “boutiquish” hotel.

Then we thought we would test our energy levels out on 4 terrific kids. So happy to have our Shingle Springs friends (and former colleague) here for the second visit with their children. (It’s hard not to come back!). Seriously, there is nothing much better then spending a few days watching kids collecting and caring for hermit crabs (did you know they eat watermelon?), kayaking, SUPing, fishing and just bobbing in the waves. We loved it… but honey, why am I so tired?

Their visit helped get us trained for the upcoming Curso de Verano. About 100 kids are accepted into a 3 week program that includes football (yup soccer), basketball, literature, a new English class, art and SWIMMING! Lots of swimming. The program is free, but despite having some volunteers (who work for the joy of being with these kids), this is a program requiring an extraordinary amount of planning, driving, coaching, pinch hitting and fund driving (recycling, movie night and kind donations) etc etc. So impressive to see the leadership that makes this happen. Faced with 6 hours on a very hot day to be in the pool with kids that are not always happy to be told what to do (not that they understand what I am saying 65 percent of the time)…but that leader (Theresa…who likely has resolved 4 camp crisises before I even woke up) shows up and dutifully begins her very perky coaching spiel…..and I think…I am not that tired! Of course, upon arriving home at 3pm, the perkiness fades fast and find a very cold drink….followed by an adult beverage while lying on the couch…and not our pool! (Brant taught at a different pool).

So wonderful that Maris was able to work in a quick visit (not easy in those wedding attendee years) after stopping in Mexico City to visit with an author she is working with. (I don’t think she reads this so I can end my sentence with with—-all grammar is out the window in this blog).

Maris came looking for a place to relax and rehab after busy workdays and an exciting Mexico trip, but then a truck arrived…..(pitaya margaritas)

I think we made up for it with plenty of good food and beach time and pedicures and massages. And we would have taken her to the airport but duty at the pool called….

The goal of the swimming portion is to prepare the kids for a snorkel in the sea. And that is why we ended up here in LB 30 years ago—because we love this amazing beach and Sea of Cortez. While saddened to see more fishing boats, more big houses/condos etc, just more and more with no more infrastructure to support it—-we are so hoping we can continue to find ways to keep our precious resource out there …. precious. I really do sense there is some effort to make this all work. And despite all these folks the beach remains clean and pretty empty most days. Maybe thinking about this makes me tired….

But about that snorkeling…..

First about 100 kids demonstrated their proficiency in the pool (or lack thereof) ….including handstands and cannonballs for the oldest (something for the young ones to strive for in subsequent years). Afterwards we headed down the beach in ATVs piled high with squirming squealing kids. Then one by one (one adult/one kid), walked into the water with mascarilla y snorkel. The water was clear and remarkably more cool since a day ago (which means it was 82 instead of 88). I assume that was secondary to the presence of 4 storms just below LB hopefully heading to Hawaii. Unfortunately the offspring of those storms slammed into the shore in the middle of our snorkeling excursions. But fortunately before that happened, we had time to show off some beautiful tropical fish. I tried very hard to explain the name of rainbow wrass (pescado de arcoiris) and how the baby fish have stripes going one way and the mama has stripes going the other way (in spanish). She looked so bewildered…I wonder what I actually said? Well, after Brant and I did our doctorly best to get people inside and out of the ocean and pool after 2 very nearby cracks of lightening (because doing cpr in the rain is just no fun at all), we once again began to feel just a little tired….

But….a really good tired! We always say we came here because of the beautiful very usable beach, ocean and mountains. And we stay here because of that but now we also love the people here. People are remarkably supportive here. I loved watching the children help each other. And there always seems to be lots of laughter—-of course half the time I’m not sure what we are laughing about. One of the kids recommended we have sushi instead of pizza next year—-I laughed but I believe he was serious. My spanish (despite mucho studying) remains rudimentary. I hate it when those little kids chatter and I have only a foggy idea of what they are saying. I hate it so much that when we come home exhausted from hot humid pickleball I climb onto a float in the pool with my phone and do my Duolingo (max). Honestly I think I know why we are tired some days….. and usually it’s a “good tired”.

(Time to start closing the place down—furniture in, batteries out, shutters on, fans down, sandbags placed…..and a big bag of food for Buffy… thinking this won’t be a good tired).