Trouble In March

It is March and time to start heading back to Mexico. The Corona Virus is in Washington so it is definitely time to leave. We are still trying to get over the colds we had so we don't need anymore sickness.

Ron and Noreen have offered to put us up until we are ready to leave. We figure Monday will be a good day. We have had a nice visit with them and they have been such good friends over the years. We love them like family.

Sunday the 1^st we packed and loaded up the truck which wasn't much. All we have to do tomorrow is strip the bed and gather all our toiletries.

Monday we said goodbye to Ron and Noreen and thanked them for their hospitality again and headed south. We got as far as Salem and stopped at a Best Western Hotel. Dave was tired so we figured we wouldn't push it and just take our time. We planned not to stop at relative or friend homes on the way down. We just wanted to get home.

We got up the next morning and headed out after breakfast. We got to Redding and found a Best Western Plus Hotel. Dave mentioned, after we got settled, that he was having trouble emptying his bladder and it burned when he urinated. He thought it might be a prostrate problem as he had that in the past. So he tried to find a clinic open but unfortunately it was too close to 5:00pm. So Dave was wondering if he should go to the ER. I told him that it was necessary he do that since we are going to be on the road. So we asked at the desk where the nearest hospital was and the lady mentioned she had good results at Mercy Hospital not far from the hotlel. We got the directions and headed out. We got there and since Dave was still coughing a lot, he got a mask. I didn't need one. We went inside and checked in. They asked all kinds of questions and then it was just sit and wait. We sat as far away from people as we could. The waiting room was pretty full with people coughing and hacking. While we were waiting the hospital lost internet so they had to do everything manually. So it took longer but they did a great job. They got to us as soon as they could and then they took us to another waiting room. Then it was into an exam room where they did an ultra sound and had him urinate into a container. Then we waited. Another doctor came in and asked questions. Then we just had to wait to see what the test results on the urine was. We waited 4 hours and found out it was a urinary Tract Infection. So they gave Dave a pill to take right then and made out a prescription for him to get in the morning. I was impressed at how well he was treated and all that they did. When we got back to the hotel we went to bed. We were both exhausted.

Next morning we had breakfast then went to Walmart to get the prescription filled, however, the pharmacy wasn't open until 10:00am. That wasn't going to work. So we went to a Walgreen’s and got it filled. Then we were free to head down the road. The medication Dave was taking seemed to make him really tired so when we stopped in Lodi, California for lunch, we noticed a couple hotels across the street. It was 1:00pm but we said lets just go get a room and both of us can rest up. So that is what we did. Again we stayed at a Best Western. We took naps and just relaxed. I was surprised they had a room cleaned and ready for us.

Next morning we headed out after breakfast and decided we would go as far as we felt like it. So we ended up in Lebec just off I-5, the grapevine. Dave wanted to go to the Iron Skillet for dinner so the hotel was close to that. When it was time for dinner we walked to the Iron Skillet and found it had shut down due to power outage. They had just gotten the power back on and were planning on reopening the restaurant as soon as they got all the food prepared. Well we waited and waited. It must have been like an hour and a half. The restaurant was in a little mall so we browsed in the one store there and thought of having Baskin Robin ice cream for dinner but didn't. Pretty soon the restaurant opened their door and we went in. We checked out the buffet and salad bar. We got a seat and then ordered dinner. After people came in and had finished their meals and went to pay and the waitress said it was cash only. Well that didn't sit well with any of us. But the solution was to use the ATM outside the restaurant to pay for our meals. They didn't charge us tax which was nice. The waitress had told us and others near us that they should have just closed. People were getting a little upset and said they should have told everyone at the beginning it was on a cash only basis. Live and learn. We walked back to the hotel and had a restful night. Dave is feeling better but still very tired. He still has a really bad cough and I still have my cough but it is getting better. We are glad to be going where it is warm and where there is sunshine. Washington was too wet and cold.

Next morning we were on the road again and we drove as far as El Centro which is just on the north side of the Mexican border. We stayed at a Hampton Inn which was really nice. We walked over to have dinner at Olive Garden. Dave wasn't really hungry and I wasn't either so we had a big salad to share and bread sticks and Dave ordered soup. That hit the spot. Walked back to our room and called it a night.

We didn't end up crossing the border where we thought we would as we followed the signs that lead us a different way. We wanted to stop at Walmart just off hwy 111 but the way we were directed took us way beyond that. There was no hassles or waiting time at the border. We had nothing to delcare so we breezed into Mexicali, Mexico. We actually got a little lost and couldn't find the main highway but found it eventually. Then it was 5.5 miles to home. The way we went was down highway 5 which takes us through San Felipe. That road and the bridges they built all were destroyed in the last hurricane that came through and it has taken a long time for it all to be replaced and repaired. But now the road is new as well as the bridges and it is a much faster route to take then from Ensenada. We arrived at our house early afternoon and was glad not to be on the road still. Because we didn't have much to unpack, we were settled in no time.

After being home for a while and watching the news, more cases of Covid-19 are showing up in Washington and everywhere. Now it is getting really serious and schools and business are shutting down. Brooke and Ernie are home schooling the boys and Ernie can't start his new job until it is safe to do so. So they are going a little stir crazy. We are lucky as we haven't had any cases here. But it is inching closer.

We have had cloudy days with quite a bit of rain. The people that live in Rincon, across the bay are stuck there until the flats dry out. That could take a while as it gets slick with thick slimy mud. No one can get to Rincon either. I am sure glad we didn't decide to live over there.

Our little black truck has old windshield wipers and since rain is predicted for later today, I will stop at the mechanic garage and see if he has any that fit the truck. Today the gals are getting together for Mexican Train. I've been having a lot of sinus problems and really didn't want to go but my friend from Oregon was here and leaving soon so I wanted to see her. When I stopped at the mechanic garage the man that owns the place said he had some wipers but he was in the middle of working on someone's car so I told him I would stop by on my way home. Well by early afternoon the skies were getting darker and I was getting antsy to get going. I had to do some grocery shopping since I didn't have much at the house so when we were done with the game, I left and went to one store and got a few items and decided I better get to the mechanic and get the windshield wipers on because it was going to rain. So that is what I did and then I went to another store and got the rest of the items on my list and on the way home it rained. Thank goodness I was able to have the new blades on.

The word is out that the border may be closing going into Mexico and the word was put out that if anyone was in Mexico that was from the U.S. Should get back before they couldn't for a long while. Well this is where we live so we will stay here until it is safe to travel. We were going to head north again to Washington in May, but with all this happening, we are just staying put. We are supposed to be camp hosts for Illahee State Park in Bremerton in June, but the parks are closing at least for now. They will be closed until the end of April and then the powers to be will decide whether they will open them again. We really don't care as we want to stay healthy and no sense traveling when you don't have too. Family seems to be holding their own. All kids are healthy.

Ernie and E.J. are having a great time crossing the country seeing the sights they wanted to see for a long time. Like the Football Hall of Fame. Ernie and E.J. are such sport buffs that it was perfect for them. They are supposed to be in Spokane on the 14^th for Brody's basketball tournament. This is the end game of the season. Ernie said they had good roads and weather until they reached Washington. Then they hit snow. But they made it safely. They were all back in Marysville on Sunday which is his 45^th birthday. E.J. will be with them for a couple days and then head for Sacrament to Travis Air Force base.

Talking to a friend here, I mentioned I wasn't going to play Mexican Train this week just to keep my distance. I have to go into town to shop for grocery's, water and gas and didn't need to be around anymore people. When I left the game last week I didn't feel good when I got home. I was starting a sinus infection and I started coughing again so I decided I wouldn't be around anyone unless I absolutely had to. Well Train wasn't played this week. Not many locals or Americans out and about. Smart. I enjoy playing but don't want to risk getting sick.

Went into town and did grocery shopping and got gas in the black truck and a jerry can. The rumor around town was that the gas stations were running out of gas and there would not be any deliveries for a while, maybe even a month. I was able to get gas so I felt good. We were good for a while and we had gas for the generators. I have been doing large loads of laundry to try and catch up. We just got water delivered for our pila so I have more water for laundry. Dave made a nice clothesline for me so now I don't hang clothes above the deck anymore. The new clothesline is in the sun all day so the clothes dry faster. 

Wind was expected on Wednesday up to 50 maybe even 60 miles per hour. It blew all day around that and seemed to blow harder in the afternoon. The forecast said the wind was to calm down around 6PM. I fixed dinner and we sat down to eat. I made a comment that the wind hadn't calmed down yet and it was after 6. After dinner I was at the sink getting ready to wash dishes when the wind picked up to a loud roar and the west window was shaking so bad I thought it was going to blow in. So I moved away from the kitchen. Dave was in the living room looking out the west window in our bedroom when all hell broke loose. The bedroom window shattered sending glass everywhere, and a big hole was torn through the west side bedroom wall. A couple of 2x4's were split in two and sheet rock, insulation and lots of sand was blown into the bedroom and living room. What a mess. Dave wasn't near the window or wall so he was safe and I saw the damage and just prayed for the wind to stop. What happened was the new garage that was build a year ago, the roof on the west side blew off in one piece, and was blown 150 ft toward the house. It went over our electrical room and slammed into the northwest end of the house. But the amazing thing was it kept going. It skipped across the roof, all along being turned around and around by the wind. It put about 3 holes into the roof and took out one of our large skylights. Debris flew and part struck the roof of my art room which is attached to the north side of the house. Then the roof off the garage landed in the front yard and exploded sending sheet metal out on the beach and into the water along with cement and wood. Unbelievable. I was standing in the middle of the dining room away from the windows praying and saying aloud for the wind to stop. It finally started to calm down by 7PM. Our gate guard came over to see what happened and he was almost in tears because he felt he didn't do a good job on the garage because it came apart. I explained to him that it was Mother Nature and his work was good. Things like this just happen. I explained to him how the wind lifted up the roof and ripped it off. He also lost a couple of his roofs. The wind also blew our Direct TV antenna off the roof. Dave called our neighbor George to come over and he did and helped to secure the sheet metal that was in the front yard to keep it from flying around and other loose debris. Dave had moved our big truck out of the big garage and found no damage to it which was amazing. Cement blocks had dropped right down in front of the truck!! Later I did find a little scratch but boy were we lucky. George went back home and then our other neighbor came over with some plywood so help board up the side of the house and holes in the roof. Tito, our gate guard and him were on ladders screwing in the boards and on top of the roof covering the hole let from the skylight and in the roof. Also patched the hole in the art room roof. Thank God for people like that who will help no matter what. We felt so much better getting that done. The sky looked threatening with dark clouds and I was afraid it was going to pour, but it didn't. It was a little drafty in the house but eventually it would all get fixed. Dave and I got all the glass and debris picked up in the bedroom and living room. All we could do for now is just pile it in the dining room until the next day. Dave started the generator and I vacuumed the rug and floors. I had to change the bed as there was broken glass and sand and all on it. But at least we could sleep in our bed. We did think of sleeping on the hide-a-bed but it wouldn't have been very comfortable. Here are some pictures.

Above is my art room roof.

First thing next morning we contacted the insurance company in Ensenada. We have homeowner insurance so we were hoping some if not all of the damage would be covered. He told us to list materials and labor and send it to him of how much we thought it would cost. The only thing that wouldn't be covered is the TV antenna. We lucked out though because a friend here had bought a new antenna thinking he would need it, but he didn't so he was going to sell it to us for what he paid. Way cheaper than if we had to order one. After we got finished with the insurance stuff, Tito came over and patched the gouges in the roof on the house and the art room so if it did rain we would be alright. Now we had to see about getting some of the materials to start repairs. The insurance man sent us a letter that we needed to sign and send back. Then Dave and him worked out an amount that the insurance man said was good. Dave was too low in his estimate so he and Tona, our insurance man, got it up to a workable amount. So now all we have to do is wait.

Dave went out to the big garage and started cleaning up the sand and cement. I was able to retrieve 3 of the sheet metal pieces out of the water at low tide, but had to leave one there since it has been partially buried in sand. When the tide is at it's lowest in a month or so we can dig it out. The last sheet I pulled out, was awkward handling, and trying to keep off slick rocks, headed back across the rocks to the sand beach when I lost my footing and fell. I didn't get hurt because I had my back belt on, but it jolted me. My butt was a little sore but no real problem. To get the last one out it was going to be tricky trying to walk on slick rocks and I couldn't see clear enough as the waves were rolling in. I decided it wasn't worth the risk so I will get it when I can. Even our gate guard tried to get it and couldn't due to it being buried. 

The 24^th Dave, our neighbor Lee, and I took a drive to Guerro Negro. We wanted to get the window fixed and see if the ferreteria (hardware store) had insulation. We also had to get money and go to the pharmacy to get some meds for my friend. We were able to get the window done and get the meds and money but no insulation. We tried another store but they didn't have any either. So we came back to Bahia and stopped at the ferreteria in town and they didn't have any either. Dave was told that supplies were on hold coming from San Quintin and Ensenada for up to a month. So that means we can't get the beams and wood or insulation.

In the meantime Dave is trying to find out from our insurance guy, Tona, just what is happening with our claim. Well nothing is easy down here, especially where we live. If we were in a big city it wouldn't be so difficult, but because we live so far away from a big city, it is going to be a challenge. Tona told us that they didn't send the claim to Mexico City. It went to Tijuana instead. That guy in Tijuana needs to have pictures of all the receipts of the work done so far and contract numbers and blah, blah, blah. Well the guys down here that work don't have numbers. And after all is said and done, we may not get as much money as we need. So Dave is going to give it a while longer and try to comply with the guy in Tijuana and see where it leads. So in the meantime we are ordering the supplies and having work done. Our little Home Depot here, just a materials store, is having supplies ordered and picked up by his mom and dad in Ensenada. We will probably have all the materials to put the roof on the garage. As far as insulation, the guys that put in 2x4's in our bedroom wall and sheet rock used the insulation that came out of the wall. There was enough of it to piece it all together. So we lucked out there. Here is the repaired wall and window.

So now we will be getting the beams and other wood to make the frame for the sheet metal. We next week we should have that finished.

It has been windy here everyday starting about 10am so Dave hasn't been able to get the TV dish on the roof. Because this antenna we got is different from the one we had, Dave has to find the studs and make sure he is screwing the antenna into wood not roofing material. So eventually we will get TV back. For the time being, without TV, after dinner and cleanup, we read, play games on our tablets and Dave has a war game he likes to play on his computer. When we lived on the boat and cruising we didn't have TV so it isn't anything new to us. I have been reading a lot and enjoying it.

The Americans here have been keeping their distance. When I go into town to shop I haven't seen hardly any Americans and the clerks are wearing gloves and masks. Everyone is trying to be careful. Our little village is healthy so far, and when we do get new Americans in from the states, they quarantine themselves to be sure not to spread germs. There have been cases of the virus reported in San Quintin, Tijuana and Ensenada. The shelves in the stores are looking a little bare because supplies are being held back. We all are making the best of the situation.

Today I tackled painting the north wall that had damage from the storm. We still had orange paint, and enough to put 2 coats on. Have to wait for that to dry before doing the teal color on the west wall. Things are slowing getting done though. Excellent!!!

Our windows are so dirty I couldn't stand it anymore and just did a quick wash. Sprayed water on the windows and used a squeegie to wipe it off. We now can see out our windows. At a later date I will do a better job. But get this-----Dave was saying how awful the windows were and then it took 2 days for him to notice!!! What's up with THAT!!! Ha, ha! No worries.

I'm hoping April will be a better month for everyone!!!