Thursday, September 24, 2015

Return to Paradise

I'm back home in Mexico, alone. Ron and Sofia are staying in Minnesota another month or maybe two for hunting with the grandsons. I drove my little Nissan 2150 miles BY MYSELF with the cat. Stayed in Motel 6's. Except for a backache (Nissan: not quite a luxury ride), had no issues. But a few issues here...

They've had some weather here. Six big storms, I'm told. The property was waist-high in weeds. The fridge wouldn't work, turned out the fan had gotten stuck due to humidity. The propane was empty. The driveway has a big arroyo (ditch) from runoff. All except the driveway remedied by tossing pesos willy-nilly to various skilled workmen and women. The driveway will get fixed next week, and I've conscripted substitute husbands from the neighbor pool to handle various husband-type chores.

Before

After

Before

After

Water pipe broken in the road (also from runoff exposing pipes then a construction truck driving over it.) No water since yesterday, should be repaired and cistern filled later today. GOTTA remember to keep a bucket of water handy for toilet flushing.

The road to town has some major cleanup to be done, huge washouts through the "tunnel" area and 1/2 of the northbound lane fell off in one spot. The roads in our neighborhood are still sodden, so aren't the problem they'll be when they dry: deep fluffy sand.

The neighbor across from me has an issue from runoff:
Tunke's
Oops

The car looks extricable, but the little trailer may need jacks and shoring. But they now have a banked driveway!

Everyone's property has the waist-high weeds, and I recommend Marisela and her boys if you want it cleared before your arrival.

The NoSeeUms arrived yesterday, bring DEET.

I'm composing a long list for Ron, stuff he needs to bring home from the trailer. Couldn't fit much in my car. (I have TWO towels here!) The trailer's going to live at Brian's in Minnesota, so I'll have no guest quarters this winter. Will find you accommodations if you want to visit us! Will either have a new trailer or a new casita built atop the garage by next winter.

Here's my favorite Welcome to Paradise photo: Look what my Agave did!
Flower spike

It's going to be one of those 30 foot tall blooming things! Looks like a giant asparagus spear now.

Low tide tomorrow early, haven't even been to the beach yet. Big road issues past LeRoy's, driveable but not with the Nissan's 3 inch ground clearance. ATV works fine.

K, going to town for groceries. Actually, smokes, gin, and tonic. As usual.