Today was a bit rough.

There was a mariachi band playing next door from about 11:00 last night to 4:00 this morning. It was loud, crazy, and annoying. From 4 – 5 am the musicians said goodby, honked their horns, hooted, yelled, and finally…..there was quiet and I was wide awake!

At about 7:30am I thought I would go for a run. It was a coolish, mild morning. I ran up over the hill behind the hostel, to the beach, down the beach to a road, and then did a big loop over the hill back toward town.

Along the way, I found a trail and followed it. The trail led to some human-laid, rock stairs. I went down the stairs and four dogs, with collars, came at me. I thought they would bark and then move on, but no, rather they went after me, circling me, ultimately attacking and biting me in four places.

I yelled for some help, and a couple of women walked toward me up, what I now realize is a private driveway, to help. They summoned the dogs’ owner, and she arrived to call off her dogs.

I was a bit of a wreck. Once the dogs were secured, the owner had me sit down and called on her Wilderness First Responder (WFR) to clean out my wounds.

Turns out, the dog’s owner, Bryan, runs Todos Santos Eco Adventures and the guide was next door with a tour group. He was very helpful, and while he cleaned my wounds, I calmed down. Bryan told me I must go to the Hospital (which is a one-room building in downtown Todos Santos).

Next, I asked if she would agree to pay for my medical treatment. She immediately called the hospital and made all necessary arrangements. I was grateful I didn’t have to push her to agree. She also told me that she could provide proof that all four dogs have had ALL of their shots. Whew!

Her WFR employee (sadly, I cannot remember his name) insisted he drive me to town, and deliver me to the emergency room. A doctor and a nurse immediately greeted us, showed me to a room, had me lie down on a cot, and began their work.

The Dr told me I needed to have three stitches in my right shin dog bite, the others just needed a good cleaning. He probably treats dog bites all of the time. There are many unattended dogs running around in Baja.

Before I left the hospital, I was armed with antibiotics, ointments, and ibuprofen. No swimming for some days. The Todos Santos Hostel has armed me with a device to fight off a future attack.

It’s so easy to feel bad, feel afraid, think that this place sucks, hear the message “retreat”. Instead, I just choose to think it’s simply another experience and not that big of a deal.

• So, I got no sleep last night.
• So, I have a few new scars on my body and my brain.

When the worst thing that can ever happen to you in life happens, nothing else is a big deal, ever.

Some days are so fun! I didn’t do anything special today, yet everything I did just tickled me!

The day started with meeting Ivette, the owner of Habla Mexicano in Todos Santos. Apparently, she has not been getting my emails. Doesn’t matter! I am enrolled in an immersion class starting next Monday. Bueno! Oh, and the price was about 1/5 of what I was expecting. Muy Bueno!

The Todos Santos Hostel is turning out to be perfect! I do LOVE Pescadero Surf Club, with it’s quiet, older clientele, fresh well water, and pool. I will be back there in January.

The Hostel, though, is a medium distan Dds Dr. ce run or a short bike ride to several beaches, walking distance to town, has super fast internet (I am online in the Westie), and is much quieter than I expected. They are letting me stay one full month, at a discount. Score!

Today, I rode out to Playa La Pastora, which is North of Todos Santos about 5 miles. The beach is sandy and there were maybe five other people as far as I could see.

I perched on the steep sand, and watched whale after whale breech and blow. WOW! What a show!

On my way back from the beach, I stopped at a barber shop and had my hair removed. Ah! It feels so good to be light! The barber was very kind and, I think, had a great time working on my crazy hair!

Living here is getting easy already. So far, I love it!

It’s beautiful! I am watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean, on the deck, at Pescadero Surf Camp just South of Todos Santos in Pescadero.

Was a pretty grueling drive. We did about 7-8 hours each day for 3 full days to get here. David and Leea were SO MUCH FUN!

The way home will be much longer, with many more stops – for sure!

Westy did fantastically! Zero problems or issues!

Now to settle in for the winter. I will go to town tomorrow and sign up for my Spanish course, which starts Monday. I will also figure out how to have full-time internet on the TelCel network. My work for tomorrow.

The boojum trees (also called ‘candle trees’) were everywhere. You can kind of see them….

Driving from Sumas to Todos Santos has been an adventure for sure! I’m not the best, or most confident “driver”. Driving is one of the things in life that pushes me out of my comfort zone.

I’m so glad I did it! I’m so happy to be here.

Was a breeze!

Finally! Yes, I am going to cross the border tomorrow. I have my tourist visa, my Mexican Auto insurance.

I’m meeting up with David and Leea to caravan down the Baja Peninsula. I’m relieved to be traveling with buddies!

I have been staying at free camping sites for the past six nights. Showers have been a dunk in the Pacific. Tonight I am going to stay in an RV park with a lake, pool, fitness center, and all the “luxuries” including a real shower!

The beach was fun and CROWDED! I think southern California has too many people for me.

I escaped into the BLM lands between San Diego and Calixeco, not far from the start of The Pacific Crest Trail. The mountains climbed over 4000′ in elevation. I found the area stunningly beautiful!

Cool rock formations everywhere

Today, I get to learn all about olives, olive oil and what it takes to be a farmer at the border. OH! The border wall is horrifying!

It feels like it’s been a long journey to get to the border. I pointed it south on Nov 4. I’m finally here and tomorrow, over I go. I have no idea how long I will be there. I might be back before the snow melts…..we’ll see!

I left from Sumas, WA which is on the Canadian border. This week I landed 6 miles from the Mexico border, outside of San Diego. That’s pretty much border to border!

The ride from San Francisco to San Diego was fun, beautiful, interesting, and frustrating!

I got to see my river sister (Lisa) in Santa Cruz. Lisa, Matt, and I shared a boat on the Grand Canyon eariler this year. They are fabulous people, whom I feel so lucky to call my friends. They are both pilots, ski, bike, hike……you get the idea. They are just plain COOL!

Then, onward down Hwy 1. Wow, it’s just stunning! Hard to imagine the humanity that awaits near LA while traveling this coastal route. It’s meandering, quiet, and beautiful.

I did stop a lot to take in the beauty.

And, of course there is wildlife. These big fatties were fun to watch as they rolled, flopped, and flipped in the sand.

Then, I was in stop-and-go traffic for nearly 75 miles through LA – on a Sunday, at noon. Ugh. How do people do that regularly!!??

Then, San Diego. What a nice clean, beautiful city! I really like this place. Not too big, not too small, not too many homeless folks. I found a cute boutique hotel to stay in while a few last items are being done to my van.

I am hedging my bet for no breakdowns in Mexico. (fingers crossed) The shop here has been beyond great. Jose only works on VW’s, has done so for 30 years, and owns two VW’s himself. How fortunate to find him!

For Thanksgiving, I will be Boondocking near the beach. I plan to do a 5K in Balboa Park and then hit the water for some SUP’ing. Not too shabby. I have some more mail to scoop up before I head to “Calixeco” to cross the border with David and Leea on the 30th. They have been kind enough to let me caravan down the Baja Penninsula with them.

Almost to Mexico! Just a few more days. Y’all have a great Turkey Day! I’ll be thinking of how thankful I am for you!

Birthdays are fun. I feel like it’s a personal holiday where you get to indulge in something that makes you happy.

I spent Wednesday riding my bike through San Francisco and out to Baker Beach—birth place of Burningman.

All that sunshine sure felt great!! The bike lanes and closed streets didn’t hurt a bit either.

I’m now on my next spin around the sun. Always an adventure to see what this life of mine will bring.

I’m a bit behind on my travels. I’ll just point out the highlights.

I started heading south on Dec 4. I made it to Seattle, Issaquah and then, finally Maryhill, WA.

Next, was The painted Desert. Go there, it’s stunning!

I was hoping to go to Alvord Hot Springs, but the car started missing, so instead, I spent that night at a Truck Stop in Klamath Falls.

Onward to Reno, but not without a stop at Sierra Hot Springs. I got my springs!

While in Reno, I worked, visited the Burningman office, and fly ranch. Audrey let me stay with her for the full week and we then carpooled together to the Bay Area.

I dropped her at a retreat and headed to Alameda where I parked my van in front of my burner friend’s house-built in 1889. What a cool, beautiful, warm, safe, neighborhood.

This week, I’m having new bumpers installed on my van. While they are at it, I’m also having them check out the car more generally. Just hedging my bet before crossing the border.

I’m out of quarantine! Whoot! Being alone, not going to any stores, and hanging out with just me for a week was both lovely and excruciating.

I had time to trail run, hike in snow, bicycle, lift weights, knit, and hang out in the hot tub. I could not have been in a more lovely place.

Thank you LYNN, ERIC and LISA!!

While I was sequestered; Charlie Mike’s engine made it to Canada, thanks to Ephraim. I basically ran out on him two days before the trucking company was set to pick it up. Ephraim packed it up for me, met the truck, and made sure it was loaded. He also found a place for CM to ride out the winter.

THANK YOU EPHRAIM! 

Aero Sport Power send me an email this week asking for a decision. I get to choose the color they will paint the engine. How funny! They have several shades of black/grey and also red, yellow, and blue. Help me decide!

My plan is to get my Westie packed up by Thursday for a Friday morning depature to Baja.

First stop is Reno, to do some work with Burningman.

Second stop is Oakland to pick up some heavy-duty bumpers and have them installed on Westie.

Third Stop is TBD!

Let the next adventure begin!

I had to get a covid test for a medical procedure. Seemed simple enough, and I thought nothing of it…..until I got the result. Which was positive! What!!?? I’ve had three vaccinations!

Being in town, I had stacked up Dr appts, which I had to cancel immediately. I was also supposed to house and dog sit – for my sister, which was out. The procedure was off too. Ugh.

I called my rhumatologist to ask him what to do. He said I had two options: ride it out and hope for the best, or go to an emergency room and get monoclonal antibody treatment. I went for the latter. No need to play with this virus that has killed so many.

Next, I had to find a place to quarantine. Staying with my 85 year old father was out, my house was rented, my westie is still in the shop……

My friend Lynn, always a life saver, offered her house for the following Monday through Friday. She lives on the Methow River, has a hot tub, and is a place I feel “at home”. Thank goodness for Lynn.

I found a hotel room in Winthrop, where I could stay the three nights until Lynn’s house opened up. Is that cool? If you have covid, can you check into a hotel?

Then Lynn offered to ask another friend if I could stay at her house while she is away. She said yes. A much better option. It’s always nice to have a kitchen and I just don’t want to be a covid spreader.

In the end, I am living in pure luxury, in a beatiful home, overlooking the Methow Valley. There are trails, fall colors, and plenty of space to be alone. I have no symptoms, so long runs on vacant trails keeps me entertained.

My hope is that I can be this helpful and generous for someone else someday. Feel free to hit me up. I would love to pay this generosity forward.