Some Northwest Pics

I Get Allergic Smelling Hay!

People assume since I grew up in Kansas that I'm familiar with farms. Nope! I was a city girl having grown up in a town of 2300 people! We've been vagabonds, moving from one area of the U.S. to the other, but we've always lived in suburban areas. So when we moved to our new home in Arizona, I was a little shocked to realize that the minute I drove out of the neighborhood, I was in the country! Anyway, we've discovered that the irrigation canal trails and country lanes are great for our early morning bike rides.

High overcast means a great morning to ride!

Paglia Farms on the edge of the neighborhood.

Ducks on the irrigation canal.

New cornfield with San Tan Mountain in the distance.

Blue Heron on the trail.

Behind this innocent looking oleander hedge --

Lurks a rooster farm! You should hear the noise!

My favorite country lane.

Neighborhood greeter. He's a nice mannerly boy!

Lobo here scares the crap out of us! He can almost jump the fence!

No Smoking Please! This truck's been loaded for a LONG time.

Neighborhood petting zoo!

Yikes!

And here's the hay! Aaaaa-choo! Actually, it gives me a rash!

One morning when I didn't have my camera, I saw a soccer mom on some type of miniature tractor/lawnmower driving carpool to the school several blocks away. She had FIVE kids hanging off the thing! It was more loaded than a moto on Isla! I always miss the good shots! :)

Funky Isla

Sergio Mendes "Funky Bahia" - Click here for more home videos

On our first trip to Mexico, we stayed at a large hotel on the beach in Cancun for a few days and then took the ferry to Isla Mujeres for a week-long stay. We were in love with the island by the end of the first day. In Cancun, we stayed in an oceanview room, but couldn't even hear the sound of the waves. By comparison, the pace on Isla was so much slower and we felt a closer connection with the water and people. It was a flip-flop world with no phone and minimal television. We'd beach by day and shuffle into the village at night to dine and shop. Our room was right on the water, so we woke and fell asleep to the sound of the waves. We were a little reluctant on that first trip to venture past El Centro, and I'm sure we looked like 'raccoons caught in the headlights' on our first golfcart tour. We mainly stuck to the outer road round the island. But we're now totally accustomed to the funky flavor of Isla and wouldn't trade it for a slick five-star resort anywhere! We've thrown out all the alcohol wipes and usually stay away from town, walking, biking, or riding the bus all round the island. Local color is the most entertaining part of our day on Isla! We'll spend part of the day perched on a porch watching the island pass. We always see the most interesting sights -- a topless VW Bug hauling a sofa, loveseat, and chair, a passenger on a motorcycle balancing a tall bookshelf, a full load of pigs in a large truck, colonia dogs barreling down to road to rumble with lagoon dogs, a man pulling a full load of furniture on a wooden cart, etc.... But I still won't eat the 'stomach' tacos! Ha! Here are some of my favorite funky Isla photos.

Funky Isla Mural

Sergio's Boat

This funky little house sits across the market.

Room for rent. Well-ventilated.

Isla Garden Sculpture

Isla Town Crier

Funky Gelato Sign

I'd love to take one of these home!

Ideal pet!

Very small factory!

Ready to Roll?

The Classic Blue-Light Special

Jabba the Hut scares me!

Isla furniture delivery.

What's funkier than Petey dining at the table behind you!

The owner was hosing out the INTERIOR one evening!

Bridal party at Hemingway's?

Necessity, the mother of invention.

Favorite sidewalk on Isla!

Isla Tow Truck!

Island Ugly!

Another Funky Mural!

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm?

Baby on Board?

Hold the boat! We'll be back in a minute!

Some Sunday Laughs!

With all the financial disorder and bad news this last week, I'm in the mood for a laugh! So I've included a bad video (tee hee hee) and a good one. Let's do the Bad first! A special message from legendary Las Vegas entertainer -- Donny Parvo! You'll need a cocktail and a cigarette for your viewing pleasure. Warning -- Rated R(aunchy)!

If Donny Parvo had a favorite beach, it'd need a sign like this one!

And now, brace yourselves -- here's the Good! Grab a glass of Koolaid and an iced sugar cookie! Warning -- Rated S(appy)!

If the kittens had a favorite beach, it might be this one!