Black June

The title says a lot about June. The morning of Saturday, June 2^nd Dave and I were awoke by our neighbor honking her horn in the front of our house. Sleepy eyed we got dressed and came to the deck to learn that our neighbors about ½ mile north of us had been murdered along with their dog in a thwarted attempt to steal their boat. The boat was parked in the back of their house, just outside their back door. Ray had just pulled the boat out of the water a few days before so he could take it into town to have the oil changed in the outboard and looked over. His daughter was coming down soon so he wanted everything in working order so they could go fishing. Before this happened, we had heard of some guys coming to that area and talking and looking around. This was at 12:30am!!!! That should have been a warning sign right there. These guys were heard and asked what they were doing there and the guys said they were looking for water and gasoline!!! That was the last Wednesday of May. Our friends Elwyn and Annie, who live 2 houses away from Ray and Jo, were startled to find someone creeping around their house. Elwyn just told them to leave as he had nothing for them. To make this a little shorter, the guys that were canvasing these homes in that area where Elwyn and Ray lived, were from San Quintin, as they found out later. They had traveled here and stayed in a hotel in town for 3 days. During those 3 days they were driving along the shoreline neighborhoods. It isn't anything new to hear voices and see people (bandits) trying to get in somewhere to steal things. But these guys seemed brazen, approaching homes not even caring if someone was home or not. They had gone to Ray's house shortly after being at Elwyn's, and Ray chased them with off with a baseball bat. Then these guys showed up at another friends home same time frame but different night, asking for water and gasoline. They turned them away. None of this was reported to the police as in our sleepy little fishing village, there are only 3 police and they haven't been real prompt about checking things out. The police have to catch the thief red handed before anything can be done and even if you say you saw something, they might dismiss it. So on with the story. Saturday morning around 12:30am, these guys came back to Ray's and Ray must have been woken by a noise so he went to the back door with bat in hand and opened it and immediately got shot in the head. His wife (significant other), they weren't married, was shot too but in the leg. She tried to hide and the dog ran out of the house at the guys and they shot him. These thieves were trying to hook their vehicle up to the boat trailer with the boat on it and take it away. It was obvious they didn't know the area as they took off like a bat out of hell and went around the next door neighbors house, full speed. Thank goodness those neighbors weren't there. The thieves thought they were headed for the road but in fact they ended up on the sandy beach and got the trailer stuck. They weren't trying to launch the boat, they were trying to get away. Unfortunately they must have heard Jo, Ray's significant other, cry out so they headed back to the house and finished the job. She had crawled toward where Ray was laying and that is where the bodies were found, inside the back door. Bart, the dog was found outside as he must have been chasing the car and he was shot twice. So when our neighbor, Joanne, that just lives 2 houses away from us told us the news we couldn't believe it. This was an American couple who had been coming down to Bahia for years. Like 25, 30 years. They both were retired and they had a beautiful home. Ray was a retired carpenter and a wood artist. He made beautiful furniture, and Jo was a retired school teacher and was a mosaic and glass artist. Their house was full of these beautiful things they had made which made it a warm and fun place to visit. They were the couple who always had a Cinco de Mayo party at their house where we had great food, played a corn hole game, and bocce ball. Everyone always looked forward to this party and there was always new art displayed from Jo in the house. They were very well liked and loved to fish and she played Mexican Train with the ladies and Ray played poker with the guys. They will truly be missed but not forgotten. After our neighbor, Joanne told us the news, we were in shock and couldn't sleep. I kept thinking it was a nightmare and in the morning it would be alright. After being in shock for several hours, I finally broke down and cried!!! The police were called, but didn't hear the call until later and then they were at the scene in a heart beat, but by then it was too late. There were conflicting reports from the police and a lot of people speculating what happened. But the official investigators who came from Ensenada, to investigate the crime scene, were there many hours and for about 3 days, came up with some facts. The boat was left on the sandy beach. The car was unhooked from the boat and they sped away. The whole village was in an uproar and very frightened. This was the first and only theft where a hand gun was used. No one is allowed to have a gun here except the military and the police. There were 3 men and they were Mexicans out looking for large horsepower outboards to take back to the ring leader and have him sell them on the street. The investigators told Dave the next day, since we were at Elwyn and Annie's at the time, about this happening. It wasn't cartel it was a theft ring that has been going around and stealing boats with large outboard motors to sell. The police have found boats scattered along the roadside or out in the desert with the motors missing. The police from San Felipe, San Quintin, Ensenada, which is north of Bahia and Guerrero Negro just south of us were represented in a town meeting. The Mexican people are so afraid that the American's are going to leave because we are their bread and butter. Without the majority of Americans (expats) living here, and tourists coming to fish and see the sea life, snorkel and dive, the village of Bahia would be no more. The meeting that happened was a very good one and we are seeing results from that meeting. Military and the police here are working together to have check points before coming into town and are driving through neighborhoods. We are very lucky as we have a gated community with a gate guard. He is very good and young and keeps a sharp eye out for all of us in the daytime and at night. He and his wife have been here for 3 years and watch our homes while we are gone in the summer. They check the empty houses to make sure doors and windows are locked and he keeps watch at night with a search light for any suspicious activity. He has chased bandits away during the summer. The area where the murder happened has no guard. It is neighbor looking out for neighbor. You never expect something like this to happen, especially here in this small village, but it just proves that no one is immune to danger, theft, drugs and what have you. We do have a lot of drugs being sold in this village and all the people who live here have been complaining about it for a long time. A lot of the thefts are to sell what they stole to get money for drugs. Unfortunately, this one was just to get large motors to sell elsewhere. We as a whole village learned a valuable lesson. When you see or hear any suspicious activity around your home or someone else, report it. Who knows if that would have changed things, but at least we wouldn't have to say-----if I only reported it!!! The police know who they are looking for as there were fingerprints all over the boat and house, and a hotel record with names. So far they haven't been able to find them. As each day passes we hope and pray they catch these guys and they pay the price for taking 3 lives without any hesitation!!! We do know, from traveling in Mexico, that things are done very differently here in this 3^rd world country. They don't have the forces of police and other officials like the states do so things don't happen real fast. Everyone who travels to any foreign country needs to realize that we are the guests and we don't have a say in another country. So many Americans that we have talked too, have gotten very impatient with how slow these people respond to things. Manaῆa doesn't mean tomorrow, it means when they get around to it. It is the same way in the Pacific Islands. Dave witnessed that a lot when he worked for NOAA (National Geographic Atmospheric Association) and traveled all over the pacific. Dave and I still can't believe our friends are gone, and we miss them a lot. We know you can't hide or run from anything, and we aren't about to let fear rule our life. Anything can happen anywhere in the world and if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, well that is that!!! We love Mexico and it's people. Every Mexican person we have talked too and met have been very kind, respectful and would help you in a heart beat, or they know of someone who can. They are friendly, loving, happy, family oriented people who love life!!! I love the music, bright colors and festivals. It is a beautiful place and people should not be afraid to come to Mexico. I have felt safer here in Mexico then in the States. I know that is sad, but that is how Dave and I feel plus many other Americans too. We will live here as long as we can and enjoy this culture and it's people.

Now I have gotten that out, I feel better. It took me a long time thinking about whether to write this in my blog, but since this is like a diary about my life, living in Mexico, I needed to tell the story. We are not in danger here and we will be heading to the states in another week for the summer. We will come back in October and live our beautiful, paradise life here by the Sea of Cortez until we choose not to anymore.

Our grandson Cameron is 3 today, the 2^nd. He is almost as tall as his 5 year old brother!!!! Cameron was a big baby and will grow up to be a big bulky man!!! Watch out big brother!!! Ha!  Jonathan who is 5 is on the left and Cameron is on the right!!!  Love these guys!

My eldest sister, Colleen's 80^th birthday is today, the 8^th. 80 looks pretty good on her and young!!! She has had so many health issues and we thought this surgery, which is suppose to happen on Monday the 11^th would be her last one, but it won't be. She has 3 hernias and on Monday she has 2 of them removed. Then when she is healed from that operation, she will go in and they will remove the 3^rd hernia. Man-----she just can't catch a break. I pray she will have a quick recovery and get all this stuff done so she can just live.

Our friends, Libby and Pete had us and many of Jo and Ray's friends over for dinner. They were getting ready to pack up and leave and had all this food, so they had a party to celebrate Jo and Ray's life. Libby found Bart, the dog outside so she was really shaken up. They live on the south side of Jo and Ray. It was a sad time but a time to talk about it and I was able to find out more information. It was good for us all to get together and visit.

My niece, Sandi, turned 59 today, the 16^th. I hope she gets healthy and has a quality life ahead of her.

It's Father's day and life is no different for Dave as any other day. Same for me on Mother's Day. We hear from the kids and that makes our day. At least they remember!! Ha!!

Every Saturday I go into town to buy groceries and so this Saturday was like any other. I had the new black truck all packed with the cooler and empty 5 gallon water bottle to be filled with drinking water and garbage in the back to dump in town. I went to start the truck and all I heard was clinking noises. Uh oh!!! This doesn't sound good. Dave had taken a walk with our neighbors and was on his way back. So I waited for him and told him the truck wouldn't start. Well it ended up being the battery. So I had to take the new truck in which meant I had to back it out of the big garage and park it close to the black truck to unload the stuff from the black truck to the new one. Then I was off to do shopping. This is not a big deal any other day, but it was hot and sticky and I was sweating up a storm. Not a way I wanted the morning to go, but it happens. Dave wasn't too happy about it either. We had been to our neighbors place last night for dinner and it was dark by the time we left their place so we used the headlights. Dave thinks that is what did the battery in. So Dave was charging the battery while I was gone and when I returned he said he didn't think it would last long. So the next day he put the battery back in the truck and took the truck to town to the mechanic. Dave thought the alternator was going too so he had Sammy put in a new battery and check the alternator and sure enough, we needed a new one. Thank goodness he had one in stock. So now we have a new battery and alternator and when we return from the states in the fall, we will have Sammy put new spark plugs and air filter in and do a tune up and she should be good as new. We also need to look at getting some insulation to put in the doors. For whatever reason, the last owner(s) had cut out the insulation that goes from the top of the door down the edge. The doors rattle because there isn't anything there to secure the door. I have enjoyed driving a stick. The road is so bad again on the main road to town, that the truck rattles and I can't hear the RPMS so we just drive in 3^rd gear, it is a 4 speed, and not go over 23 miles an hours. That way the truck doesn't swerve from hitting rocks and ruts, and it saves on gas. Then we put it in neutral going down the hills. We aren't in any hurry so we just trudge along. So far the gas tank is still full and the truck has made several trips into town. This is a good thing. Life is simple here!!!

The weather has been very interesting. May was heating up a little but not too bad, where June had a few hot and very humid days. The good thing was we are still getting north winds. This is very unusual for this time of year as the hurricanes are forming down south. Usually we get southerlies starting because that is when the cruisers start heading north to get out of hurricane weather. There have been 2 hurricanes that have formed. The first one went west out to sea. The second, Bud, came straight for Cabo San Lucas. It was heading up the middle of Baja California Sur (Southern half of Baja) and to Bahia. We just kept watching it every day and Bud turned east toward the mainland, away from us. All we got were clouds, a few sprinkles and very muggy weather. We did get some fog which is always interesting to see here.

The water here in the bay hasn't warmed up enough for the Whale Sharks to come and for a month now we have had a red tide!!!! It looks like a red sea!!! No one wants to swim in it as when they do they come out all slimy. No one wants to put their boat in the water either plus we have been watching the birds and they can't even see in the water to catch fish. This isn't good. We usually have a ton of birds flying around fishing. The local fishing has been bad and those who have gone out to fish have had to go quite a distance away to the big island to catch yellow tail, and grouper. This is not good for the town because if we get tourists, they want to get in the water and no one wants to do that right now with it red. There hasn't been anyone clamming on the beach at low tide either so that says a lot too. Bummer. I sure hope it clears up while we are away and when we come back in the fall it will be crystal clear again. I do have to say that because of this algae the phosphorescence has been awesome, bright and beautiful at night.

I got some distressing news from my youngest son the other day. He has been having painful lower G.I. problems off and on, and has gone to see a doctor, but nothing was done. Well he has been out of work since January and has been on the beaten path to find a job. He finally got accepted at a training school where he can apply for a CDL license (driving large vehicles) and he was training to be a Metro bus driver in the Seattle area. He had 2 more days of training to go and he would be in and have a job. Well he didn't want to go to the doctor and take a chance missing his classes, but was in such pain that he had to be taken to the ER. They did some tests and found he has diverticulitis which left untreated can be serious. He was kept in the hospital so he missed his last classes and now he doesn't have that job to look forward to. No excuses they said. You miss you are out. What a huge bummer for Jon. So now he is on antibiotics waiting for the fever to subside and the infection to clear up. He will be alright in time, but it sure sucks for this to happen now. He must have had this for a long time. I am glad I will be up there so I can help him when necessary.

Took the black truck into town on Thursday and topped off the tank since it had been a while since we filled it last. Well it only took 3 gallons so it is getting great gas mileage!!! That is awesome.

Dave was finally able to get the boat out on the bay. It was a beautiful calm sea day. He tried to catch fish but they weren't biting. But he had a nice ride. I stayed behind to dust and clean the bathroom. When he got back we rinsed off the boat, let it air dry and parked it back in the large garage. The water is clearing up as Dave could see the rocks close to shore. That is very very good!!! Each day it seems to be getting better.

Time is getting shorter here in Bahia for us. We will be heading north in a week. So cleaning and packing are on the chore list for the next few days. I have been trying to use up our food and whatever is left over will go to our gate guard. Our neighbor, Joanne will be heading back to her home in the states soon too and then there won't be anyone here except Tito and Brenda. On my list of to do stuff was to vacuum the inside of our good truck and then the next day treat the leather seats and protect the rest of the inside with armoral. Well once I got going there was no stopping. So I ended up vacuuming inside, treating the leather then putting armoral on the rest of the dash and such. I cleaned the windows and then I crawled in the back (the truck bed) and vacuumed the dirt out of there. When we get to the states, we will wash out the back of the truck, but for now we just need to settle on getting the dirt out of there. It does look better. I did all that while Dave was putting in a new water spigot in our front yard. This way it will be gravity fed from the pila so Tito can water my few plants while we are gone. We now can turn off the water pump when we leave. I was going to go for a beach walk but the wind has come up and it gets stronger the further south I go. I think I got enough exercise cleaning the truck. Ha!! I like to read in the afternoon so I plan on sitting on the deck and reading if it isn't too windy.

The tides have changed so the tide is high in the morning and low late afternoon. So I haven't been walking on the beach. If I walk inland it is hot so I just sit on my deck and read while the breeze blows a sorta cool wind.

We need to get our pila filled with water before we leave, but we haven't heard from our water gal, Ava. Our gate guard has tried to contact her and Dave tried the other day. The main water pump in town broke so water is very limited. There are people in town who don't have water. That isn't good. It took a few days to get the pump running again so we have the main water in town and the place where we get spring water. It takes several days to fill those water tanks so people are rationed until there is enough water coming in. Ava finally showed up yesterday and we were happy campers.

I did a load of laundry this morning and most of the clothes dried but then it got pretty humid so I ended up bringing in what was left on the line to dry inside. At least I don't have all this laundry to do when we return in the fall!!! If we hadn't gotten water I would have had to do that. Tomorrow (Monday) the sheets and large towels get washed and I am done. All that is left is to pack.

Monday the refrigerator gets emptied and the food goes to our neighbor. We load the truck and Tuesday we are on our way to Ensenada for the night.

It is defiantly time to head north. It is warm at night but we still get a little breeze, but it is sticky and we are always sweating!!! So Washington here we come!!!

The last of the laundry is done, bags are packed and this afternoon we load up the Toyota and get everything secured.  We had a convention of turns, seagulls and pelicans on our beach.  Since the water is clearing we are seeing a lot of bird action.  This is a good thing.  

I am looking forward to spending tomorrow night in Ensenada. Much cooler. Tomorrow, June 26, it will be 102 here in Bahia with humidity. Ugh!!!! North here we come.

The house is secured, the truck is packed, and we are leaving for Ensenada. We said goodbye to our gate guard, Tito and his wife Brenda and off we went.

The ride to Ensenada was uneventful and most of the trucks on the road were heading south, while we head north. That was nice as we didn't have a lot of truck traffic. We got to Ensenada in the afternoon and checked in. Our room wasn't ready so we walked to the insurance office to pay our house insurance bill. When we got back our room was ready. We counted the pasos we had and figured how much we would need for the night and the rest we would exchange for dollars. We didn't want to be carrying around a lot of pesos. Once we figured that out we walked to the money exchange place down the street and took care of that then back to the hotel room. I went out on the patio and did some reading while Dave was getting connected to the internet. We walked down to an Italian restaurant later for dinner and ordered salad, bread sticks and beer. After dinner we walked back to the room and relaxed and watched TV until bed time.

This morning we were back on the road but not too early as we are only going as far as El Cajon, California. No traffic and when we got to the border there were only a small amount of cars ahead of us. We lucked out because not too many people were on the road due to Mexico playing in the World Cup that morning. So smooth sailing all the way across. We arrived at our friends house in El Cajon, around noon. It was good to see them. We also saw Lysel, who used to be our land, landlord. It was great to see her. We visited for a while. She came over to get some tangerines from Creela and Lysel gave Creela some avocados. Both these ladies have an orchard, small, but they have fruit all year round. Creela grows lemons, limes, oranges, tangerines, avocados, tomatoes, and grapes. She also has roses, dahlias and gladiolas.

Creela and Phil are leaving today, the 29^th to see her brother in Sonoma and come home on the 2^nd of July. We are house and dog sitting. They have 3 female dogs. Taco, the oldest has cancer and is 13 years old, the other one, Chiquita is about a year younger and has some issues too, and then there is the pup, Panda. We had a lunch invite at another friends place in La Mesa at noon and our other friends, from Bahia, were there too. We had a wonderful lunch and visit, but we had to cut it short due to us taking Creela and Phil to the airport at 3:00pm. Their flight was at 5. Before we left La Mesa we made dinner arrangements for Monday night since our Bahia friends were still going to be around. We dropped Phil and Creela off at the airport and headed back to the house.

Next day, Dave took me to Joann's to see if I could find some fun fabric to have lounge pants made. But I didn't have such luck. We left there and stopped at the grocery store to pick up food enough for 2 nights. Then it was back home. Pretty lazy afternoon. I have a book I am reading that I want to finish before we leave here so I am almost done. We had BBQ pork chops with baked beans and coleslaw for dinner.

This is the last blog until Fall as it is too hard to post every month in the summer. So I will have a summery of my summer adventures this fall. Hope you all have a wonderful and safe summer.  I have enjoyed sitting on Creela and Phil's deck watching the hummingbirds come and go.  Did you know they squeak?  Here are some pictures.