Beaches, Bird, Banks and the Ides of March

I woke up Sunday morning to calm winds and waters. Knowing that the winds are usually in high gear by noon, I put on my bathing suit and drove the half mile down to the Marina Terra Beach and got in a kayak. I wasn't really sure how long I would paddle around.

I went directly to the bird rock island, but there weren't many birds there this morning. They were probably fishing. I looked across the bay to a small stretch of land called Honeymoon Island. I'd read recently that you can hike across it in about half an hour, but you have to kayak to get out to it. Hmmm. I began paddling towards it, giving myself permission to turn around if I got tired.

On this morning I took a couple of ginger tablets and that is all. No sea bands. No motion sickness medicine. By now the water was getting a little choppier, but I have decided I need to overcome this lifelong problem of mine. I made it to the island in about 45 minutes. I had 6-12 inch swells for most of the ride. That's certainly not severe, but it was motion progress for me. I even sat still on the water of few times to experience the rocking motion. I had no problem for the entire two hours I was on the water. Below is a photo taken from our porch. In the upper left hand corner you can see a strip of land in the water. That's Honeymoon Island. I know the perspective from this angle doesn't make it seem very far, but it was a nice little workout for ME!


Clearly the the creatures in the estuary were making their way to open sea as the pelicans, cormorants and seagulls circled and dove in very specific spots in the water. There was certainly no doubt about where the schools of fish were.


About half way to Honeymoon Island I heard the familiar sound of exhaling! Dolphins! There was a small pod about 50 feet away from me. I saw them surface about 10 times before they moved on, following the food supply.

I chose not to dock at Honeymoon Island. I recognized that I needed my stamina for the 45 minute paddle back to Shangrila Cove. I will hike it some other time.

Shangrila is the name of the cove below our house, where the cactus and bird rocks are situated and where Marina Terra Beach is located. If I had to guess, I'd say the cove was probably named in the last few decades by a developer, as opposed to being a long standing Mexican or Indian name. The name is corny, but it IS a pretty place. Previously I have said the cactus on the island are Seguaro Cactus, but I have learned they are actually Organ Pipe Cactus. I continue learning a little about the area every day. I love it!

I paddled back to the cove, and I was pooped. I know I was only on the water for two hours, but it was solid paddling, no horsing around. For me that's pretty good. For the last 50 yards I drifted in the current and allowed it to bring me back to shore. Very enjoyable.

Home for lunch and then out to Soldiers Estuary with the big dogs, Frances, Toshi and Tipper.



The traffic was heavier on Sunday than I'd seen it before, and more people were on the beach as well. Monday, March 15, is the Ides of March. Our gym posted signs saying they would be closed for the Ides of March. Judging by the crowds, it was a three day holiday weekend.

I have serached the internet to learn why Mexico celebrates the Ides of March. It is the traditional First Day of Spring in the ancient Roman Calendar. It seems that in Mexico, it primarily celebrates the birthday of former President Benito Jaurez. The thing is though, he was born on March 21 so it's confusing why they celebrate on March 15.

Benito Jaurez was a Zapotec Amerindian who served five terms as president of Mexico from 1858 to 1872. He was the first Mexican leader who did not have a military background, and also the first full-blooded indigenous national ever to serve as President of Mexico and to lead a country in the Western Hemisphere. He resisted the French occupation, overthrowing the Empire, and restoring the Mexican Republic. He was also know for his liberal efforts to modernize the country. Juárez is often regarded as one of Mexico's greatest and most beloved leaders. The mystery remains as to why he is celebrated on March 15, the Ides of March.

This three day weekend presented a lesson for me in Mexican banking. I needed to go to the ATM for the first time since being here. More pesos please. There is only one bank in San Carlos - Banamex - which is on the main drag through town. Problem number one: on the weekend the ATM machines often run out of money. Problem number two: It seems they must have closed down the links to American Banks over the holiday weekend - or something. Locals could get money out, but neither Betsy nor I could. Lesson: Don't wait until the last minute to get cash, especially if the weekend approaches. Problem #3: The bank is ALWAYS busy - being the only bank in town. It has a small and not well designed parking lot. The parking lot is in front of the bank. The parking spaces are all at a diagnol, on both sides of the parking lot. Which is great when you drive in and pull right into a parking space. But, when you leave the bank and back our of your space, if you drive forward you will hit the bank building. So you have to back out of the parking lot onto the busy street. And usually there is a line of cars - in the street - waiting to take your parking space. So it's a little tricky.

In the last week or so, I've been good about practicing my mandolin for a half hour a day. My current goal is to learn all of the chords by playing one simple, three chord song in every key. The song I have chosen is "Colours" by Donovan. I'm about half way through the key signatures. Then I will focus on the minor chords with Donovan's song "Catch the Wind." I also try to do a bit of melodic picking each day as well, with traditional bluegrass or Celtic tunes. Once I get home, I have bunches of lady friends who are playing mandolins, guitars, upright bass, fiddles and banjos. We occasional have parties that we call "Chick Jams." Acoustic jam sessions for ladies only! I will hopefully be quite improved by the next one.

Well, since yesterday, was the Ides of March, the Ancient Roman First Day of Spring, Betsy and I did spring cleaning. Since our shopping trip to Hermosillo last week the ceiling fan, dishwasher, microwave, plumbing fixtures and countertop oven have all been installed. The new flat screen TV is mounted on the wall. The wall in my bedroom has been painted purple. We put together the shop vac, and cleaned and mopped the house from top to bottom. We fertilized the garden and were busy bees whilst waiting for the crowds and traffic to thin, and for Banamex to restock their cash.

Manana!