M E X I C O // 2 0 1 2

This trip was magical (for more reasons than one)!

Sunset at El Pabellon

I don't know if it was the the amazing rehash of our trip 7 years ago, the engagement, the places we have fallen in love with, the places that we hold deep in our memories and heart from these places, that new love feeling we still had 7years ago, the allure of Mexico itself, or the amazing off the beaten path adventure feeling you get when we go to these place, but I think it is a little bit of everything.

Mexico has been high on our list and in hearts for some time now.  It had been 5 years since we had crossed that border, and a lot has happened to our beloved Mexico during that time.  The growth there is insane.

A ship beached and abandoned in the middle of nowhere used to be the view of a small little lane of houses, and has now grown into a sleepy little fishing village stretching about a half mile. This would be Shipwrecks (or Freighters).  Now probably a favorite place in the world for the time being.

We had just come up from El Pabellón, arguably, the best nicest campsite in Northern Baja.  Here you find a little spot in the middle of nowhere where you can only see beach fro miles and you are the only two people on it for miles.  Nice drivable hard sand and soft sand dunes that open up to a nice flat campground that is definitely geared toward fishing and RVing.  Here Ozzie played for hours, we went for a beach run, we made chocolate chip pancakes, took tons of pictures and enjoyed the overcast, yet pink sunset.  Dolphins came to say hello and I was able to have a hot shower in a clean bathroom!

Views of El Pabellon

 El Pabellón is right outside of San Quintin where we fulled up and made our way north back up toward the border.  About an hour north we came into Camalu on Highway 1.  Here we turned left and hit the dirt for the coast, stopping at Shipwrecks, Robert's Left and finally coming to Cuatro Casas.

Perfect Baja truck

Robert's Left

 Quatro Casas is probably my favorite place in Baja so far.  Dolphins, high cliffs, a little cove, perfect waves, perfect sunsets, and make you want to get up early sunrises.  This was the perfect spot to celebrate our engagement.  Rum and Coke, steak, bonfire, hot pink sunset, dying winds, crashing waves and a warm bed to sleep in with my boy and my dog.  We have lots of pictures from this spot 7 years ago because it was freezing so we ended up in Jimi's truck with the heater and music blasting watching the sunset.  These are good photos from a happy time and are forever engrained in my head. I think that is what makes this place so special.  We now have a ton of new photos, same place, different day but still a very happy time.

Baja Doggie, Ozzie

Sunset at Cuatro Casas

Sunrise at Cuatro Casas

Me on the pebble beach of Cuatro Casas

Mexico = Happiness
Happiness = beach, off road, tacos, dolphins, things that take your breathe away

No matter how many times you see a sunset, you never grow tired of it.  We still sit there in awe of the colors and the beauty of it.  That is my favorite thing about traveling, seeing all the places that take your breathe away, no matter how many times you see it.

¡Mexico, hasta luego!

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Kona withdrawls

Still having withdrawls.  I had forgotten how much I love the Big Island.  It is still my favorite, yet I have not been to Maui or Kaua'i (I should really go!).  It was so great to be back after so many years and I have to say it is still generally the same place I fell in love with the first time I went.

Here are a few places to check out if you are ever on the Big Island or in Kona.

#1 - The King Kam - The King Kamehameha Hotel is right at the site of where King Kamehameha resided when he prospered on the Big Island.  This hotel is all about Big Island history and royalty.  The bay in which The King Kam sits on offers a gorgeous white sand beach, the picturesque view of the Ahu'ena Heiau, the historic temple reconstructed by King Kamehameha himself.  In the lobby they offer 20 paintings depicting the history of King Kamehameha, his predecessors and of the island, all painted by a local artist, along with tons of photographs, artifacts and a mural.

#2 - Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Park - The City of Refuge - This is considered a sacred site as it was a place of sanctuary, where you could be saved.  It was also Royal grounds in which chiefs came to visit and the many ki'i house the bones of these chiefs, that infuse the area with their mana, or spirit. Another great historical and spiritual site.

#3 - Waipi'o Valley - Hike down into this gorgeous valley and check out the waterfall, the black sand beach, the dense forest and river that make up this lush valley deep set in high sea cliffs.  The hike back up is brutal, but if you have 4 wheel drive and a car that can make the climb and the trek through large mud puddles, that is a plus.  Well worth the hike though, if you are on foot.  The hike starts at the top of the southern lookout point, which also has great views.

#4 - Mauna Kea - Also, a sacred place, as are all the peaks in Hawai'i.  Best known for being the highest peak in all of the state of Hawai'i.  It is home to The Mauna Kea Observatories.  Lots of stars to see and the drive is pretty awesome.

#5 - South Point - Down here you are at the most Southern point in the USA. There are giant sea cliffs that drop off into the ocean.  Lots of fishing and jumping off of rocks happening here! There is also a green sand beach in which you can hike the 3 miles to or catch a ride with a few of the locals that take tourists to and from the beach for a small fee (it is worth it).  The drive through this area is gorgeous! Lots of farm land and lots of untamed land that is rough, rugged and beautiful.

Here are some photos of our trip.  Enjoy!

30 feet up at South Point

Green Sand Beach, South Point

Honaunau

Jimi on beach in front of the King Kam

Kona, Big Island, Hawai'i

Jumping off South Point

Kona Sunset

Waipi'o Valley

Waipi'o Lookout

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Happy 200,000 miles!

So my Toyota 4Runner ran over 200,000 miles last week.  

She is a '96 and in great condition, we take her everywhere and she has been so good to us so far.

Jimi told me about a commercial Toyota used to do and I think they should bring it back, because I think it is perfectly befitting of a Toyota.  He said the commercial consisted of the mileage reader going over 100,000 miles, and the driver getting so excited they would need to pull over on the highway, get out and jump for joy.  I thought it would be fun to do that for my girl when she rolled over 200,000 miles.  Take a look.  I missed it by 21 miles, as you can see, I was a bit bummed by this, but it is still good, none the less.

Happy 200,00 miles to my 4Runner!

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