Loving Life in Close Quarters

There can be few better tests of the strength of a relationship than sustained time living in confined quarters.  Shelly and I are concluding 34 days of living together in a 10 ft by 24 ft cabin on the high seas.  24/7. Full time. It's been great, and we are still (occasionally) acting like newlyweds 30 years later.   We are just moments away from sailing under San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, coming home to America after 2 years abroad.  This has been the trip of a lifetime, and I could not have imagined a better partner on the voyage!  I love you Shelly!!

In Old Mexico, Tasting New Mexico

We are so close to home, we can taste it!  Wonderful times with friends from home, comfort foods, and sunny days in the sand!  We've had stops in the Mexican states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and California Baja Sur . . . with visits in such legendary resorts as Huatulco and Cabo San Lucas.  Enjoyed  tacos, ceviche, huevos rancheros, and margaritas all the way up the Mexican coastline.  Victoria Holt and Danny Deaver were wonderful hosts at their gorgeous home in Cabo.   Thanks, amigos!!

Danny and Victoria took us to Hacienda,
a beautiful and tasty Cabo restaurant

Our home the last month parked in Huatulco

Shelly is serenaded on the beach
De Colores, anyone?

Danny and Victoria's Cabo home
We like what they've done to the back yard

Loyal New Mexicans in Old Mexico

More back yard--que hermosa!

Pacific side of Cabo

Hacienda Restaurant, Cabo

Great brunch with friends

Shelly getting tastes of home

Wacky new fun on the ocean

For a great meal, try this!

Lots of sun in Baja California Sur

Snorkelling in Huatulco

Snorkelling selfie

Colorful Historic Antigua Guatemala

Shelly finds weavings in Antigua's plaza

When in Central America, a visit to historic Antigua Guatemala is a must see.  The old buildings, colonial architecture and cobblestone streets have endured quakes and political turmoil. You're sure to find a bargain or two with the vendors in the colorful markets and plazas.  We did!

Antigua cathedral

Antigua's iconic Arco de Santa Catalina

The Arco de Santa Catalina

Still enjoying the Long Long Way Home

Our Day With a Guatemalan Coffee Farmer

Timoteo has 8 acres of coffee plants
in the shadow of a volcano in the
Guatemalan highlands.

We spent a day with a Guatemalan coffee farmer, and learned much about his life and the provenance of our favorite morning beverage.  Timoteo is part of a coffee cooperative that has greatly improved his life and made it possible to send his 6 children to school including university. He was one of several founders of the coffee cooperative called De La Gente (from the People), that has now grown to a couple dozen farmers in the countryside near Antigua, Guatemala.  They combine resources to acquire necessary materials and processing equipment, resulting in value added to their product. In addition to getting higher prices for their coffee, and a better standard of living for families, the co-op engages in eco-tourism and education for those who love coffee and have no idea about the conditions under which it is grown and marketed.  See more at THIS LINK.  A very educational and tasty day with Timoteo and his family, in the field and at home!

Ripe red coffee beans ready to be picked

Shelly tries her hand (and back) at the picking process

Mugging for the camera in the field

Does it look hot?  It was!

Timoteo's brother Gabriel at work

Freshly picked and hulled coffee beans

A converted bicycle for separating
the coffee skin from the bean, faster
than by hand

Timoteo shows the wet beans

Coffee beans drying in the sun

Drying in the sun on a rooftop

Doing well by doing good:  DLG Coffee Co-op

At home, Timoteo's wife Rosa demonstrates roasting
coffee beans the old fashioned way

Shelly tries her hand at stovetop coffee bean roasting

The smell of roasting coffee beans--que rico!

Grinding the beans
while granddaughter plays

Shelly about to renounce
a coffee farmer's lifestyle

Lunch at home with Timoteo

Drinking our very own coffee after the meal

The family at home:
thanks for educating us!

Great organization helping farmers
See more at this link

A solid charitable organization making a difference
in peoples' lives

Costa Rica Ziplining

Getting ready to zip

We've enjoyed Costa Rica's flora and fauna and incredible volcanoes and beach sites in years past, so this one day visit we decided to go for the thrill ride of ziplining through the forest.  25 zips across 11 waterfalls and miles of hilly forest land was just plain adrenaline boosting fun!  Not to mention the bracing swim at the base of a mountain waterfall. Our Costa Rican guides were great.   See the smiles!

Serious zipper

Waiting our turn to zip

Some zips were steep so we went abseiling and rapelling

David takes a refreshing dive

Shelly joins in the fun

A bracing bath in a mountain waterfall!

Waterfalls all over the place

25 zips and 11 waterfalls

Adrenaline rush

Our Costa Rican guides who called themselves
Red Pant Monkeys