Issue 69 dec 2014 jan 2015 (color)

Recycle and share with a friend.

Read the color version online at www.eastcapearts.com

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Free / Gratis

Photo by Lori Maakabe

the Lord of the Wind Race Director for the last four years, has

stepped down due to medical issues.

Robbie Dean, a board member of the AKA (American Kite-

boarding Association) and the IKA (International Kiteboarding

Association), will be taking Wiley’s position. Robbie has

spent his career racing and managing races and we are looking

forward to having his talent and experience as Race Director at

Lord of the Wind. We are also welcoming Jessica Barhydt as

Technical Director.

Finally, along with epic spectator viewing during the competi-

tion, there are parties every night! This year we will have 2

Tamale Cook Offs, one in La Ventana on the 13th and the other

in Los Barriles on the 14th. There will also be a reggae party, a

beach bonfire party and the ever popular awards dinner.

You can check out the schedule, parties, and results at

www.lordofthewindbaja.com. See you on the beach January 15th!

LORD OF THE WINDS …..let the winds begin!

By: Megan O’Leary

Los Barriles premier kiteboarding event, Lord of the

Wind (LOW), is here! Like the last 2 years, Los Barri-

les East Cape Rotary will be running the event with all

proceeds funding various community projects. In 2013

the proceeds from LOW funded the Los Barriles Tech-

nology Center, which provides computer access to

students all over the East Cape area.

The fun begins on the 15th of January when kiteboard-

ers from all over the world come to compete in free-

style, big air, slalom and course racing. For those

readers who aren’t kiteboarders, here are the categories

explained.

Freestyle – Also called an expression session, the rider

shows off his tricks including rolls, spins, unhooking

(think wakeboarding), and jumps. Points are awarded

for style and execution. The trick must be landed to

receive full points.

Big Air- This is judged from the beach using stop-

watches. The winner is the rider who is up in the air

the longest amount of time.

Slalom- This is a fun race to watch. There will be

markers set up in a zig-zag line along the course. Rid-

ers start upwind and the first to reach the downwind

finish line wins. Slalom is fast and the riders are usu-

ally very close together making it fast and exciting.

Course- Riders start at the downwind marker and race

upwind and then back downwind through the same

course as the slalom.

This year, the rider crowned Lord of the Wind will

have the most cumulative points from all of the disci-

plines. This is different from other years as there is no

long downwind race to determine the Lord of the

Wind. This year the overall prize money will exceed

$12,000! Prizes will be awarded in all disciplines and

for the top 10 highest ranked in the Lord of the Wind

competition for most overall points.

Lord of the Wind chairman, Steve Fowler, is also mak-

ing big changes in the race committee. Wiley Nisbet,

http://www.lordofthewindbaja.com



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 2 35

Advertising in East Capers

Advertising in the East Capers gets the word out about your business AND your ad money supports the 3 week 'Cursos de Verano' summer school, for over 120 local children and provides art supplies for 18 East Cape public schools.

In addition to space in the printed version, your color ad appears in the online version at no addi-tional cost. You can download the 2014/15 Advertis-ing Kit by v is it ing our website at: www.eastcapearts.com.

Tax-deductable Contributions to the Asociación de Artes

The Asociación de Artes del Mar de Cortez A.C., Los Barriles, B.C. Sur, Mexico is a legal non-profit Mexican corporation not affiliated with any other or-ganization, association, club or business.

The Asociación is in full compliance with the terms of the NAFTA agreement of January 1, 1994. As such, contributions made to the Asociación de Artes are tax-deductable in the United States, Mexico and Canada. For more information visit: www.eastcapearts.com or the NAFTA Website at: http://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/north -american-free-trade-agreement-nafta.

Volunteers Needed!

The Asociación de Artes needs volunteers to help support their programs that bring the arts to the lo-cal communities and the schools. To learn more about these programs, visit: www.eastcapearts.com.

If you would like to volunteer, send an email to: [email protected].

Call for Articles

East Capers is looking for fiction and true stories about our region and items that affect our residents. If you are interested in submitting articles, recipes, stories or your personal experiences in Baja, email your 1,000-words or less article to: [email protected]

Thank You! This publication is possible with the help of the board members of the Asociación de Artes and members of the community.

East Capers Periódico

Publisher Asociación de Artes del Mar de Cortez A.C.,

Los Barriles, BCS, Mexico

Editor Christine Kenck-Courtright

Copy Editor Pako Ford

Circulation Brian Cummings

Advertising Kathy Obenshain

Denise Linnet

Contributors

Theresa Comber Meghan O’Leary Connie M. Heinen Russ Hyslop Sefi Held Gary Graham Ann Hazard

Joanne Hyslop Renee Lagloire

John David Lionel Brooke Emma Nicholson Urmas Kaldveer

Jorge Bergen Larry Epstein

Printer Imprenta Ciudad Los Niños,

La Paz, BCS, Mexico To learn about Ciudad Los Niños, visit their website at:

http://ciudadninoslapaz.org/english/home.htm

———————————

The opinions expressed within the articles in East Capers are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Asocia-

ción de Artes del Mar de Cortez A.C.

Newsletter Email Address [email protected]

Customs at the Palapa Verde

By: Jorge Bergin

Gregorio, my fishing buddy, went out real early one

morning, so I slept in and on a fine June afternoon I

found myself rested and thirsty a full hour before cocktail

time. So, there I was at the Green Palapa with my old pal

Pelon behind the bar and we were enjoying the breeze

from the northeast, coming right up the little hill from the

beach and that is enough to keep the bobos away and the

sweat out of your eyes.

A rental SUV from the airport in San Lucas pulled up and

two gringo tourist couples joined us in the bar for a

change of pace. They ordered drinks and nachos and

asked Pelon how the road was to Cabo Pulmo. The driver

and his wife said they were Scuba types and the other

couple were snorkelers; first trip to Baja California and

they were enjoying the hell out of this very first part.

The driver sat next to me and introduced himself, said

they were all farmers from Louisiana. He tried to buy me

a drink and strike up a conversation.

“Howdy. I’m Sailor Ross but you can’t buy me a beer.

Pelon here lets me sit here and sip a few, talk to the tour-

ists but when he opened the place two years ago I prom-

ised I wouldn’t be moochin’ off the clientele and so far

I’ve kept that promise.

What kinda crops let you slip away for a few days in

June?”

“Soy beans, corn and rice. Not much farming around

here?”

“Yes, yes there is, you have to get off the highway. They

grow a lot of albahaca, basil, tomatoes and mangos.

Pretty primitive area here – up in the canyons, on the ran-

chos they still grow veggies milpas style for their own

table.”

The nachos came and my bar mate, Dave asked me to

pass the salt for the guacamole. I did but when he reached

for it I held it back, set it down in front of him.

“Sorry, Mexican superstition.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard Mexico has a ton of superstitions. Are

there any about farming, farmers?”

“Some strong ones down this way. These palm palapas

are an important item of industry down here. Mine, at

home here, has lasted through many a bad storm for over

twenty years now and still has some life in it. The Mexi-

cans believe they have to cut the palm for the roof at a

time close to the full moon; any fronds cut close to the

beginning of the new moon won’t last a year.

Every season they fly red flags above the largest mango

trees in the orchard. They believe if they don’t do that

and a lunar eclipse sneaks up on em’, the flowers will fall

off the tree before they can become fruit.”

“Is Pelon a typical Mexican name. I don’t think I’ve

heard that one before.”

“No, his name is Euardo. Pelon is his sobrenombre, his

nickname. Down here, everybody gets a nickname. Pelon

means “baldy”. They call me barco, “big ship” cause I

have a large tattoo on my back of the U.S.S. Constitution,

a three-masted frigate. I’m from Nantucket and spent my

youth at sea.”

“Well, how did you end up down here?”

“I have no idea. When I travel on dirt I’m usually drunk.”

A jeep Wagoneer pulled in and a large Mexican family

came in and took a big table near the bar. The farmer la-

dies were smiling, admiring the kids and a little newborn

in a car carrier.

I turned to the girls and said “In the old days if you smile

at a baby, you have to touch it. If you don’t, the mother

thinks you might have the mal de ojo, the Evil Eye which

could bring the baby bad luck or sickness. Then she

would have to go home, take an egg, rub it all over the

baby, break it gently into a glass of water --- if the yolk

floats it means the baby is at risk, if it goes to the bottom,

no Evil Eye.”

The farmers finished their drinks and prepared to leave.

Dave said “Well, Sailor, that was all very interesting. It

was nice meeting you. Maybe we’ll see you on the way

home. Are you sure we can’t say thank you somehow?”

“A centuries old custom in Mexico, and maybe it was

started by Olmec or Toltec farmers, is when somebody

brings you new knowledge, news or information, you are

to repay their kindness, if you can, by helping them with

their work, their chores. So on your way home or the next

time you come down, stop here and Pelon or somebody

will tell you how to get to my place. Odds are I won’t

have to press you into any strenuous service, probably

none at all.”

They left Pelon a handsome tip and hit the road. Pelon

was all smiles but said “That last dicho, about the favor,

what is shores?”

“Not shores, CHORES. Little projects around your house;

the cleaning, garbage, painting, whatever.”

“Sailor, I don’t know that one.”

“It’s new Pelon, brand new. Try to keep up.”



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 3 34

Menopause And The Skin

By: Connie M. Heinen

The hormonal changes that occur during and after meno-

pause tend to change the skin's physiology in new and

different ways. A woman should take special care of her

skin after she reaches 40 years of age. The decrease in

Estrogen during menopause often results in a reduction of

oil production, and a decrease in both the thickness and

the suppleness of the skin. Light reflectivity decreases

leaving the surfaces looking dull and dry. The reduction

of Estrogen results in more testosterone which can cause

acne flare ups. Estrogen helps to control acne and to keep

the size of the sebaceous (oil) gland small while reducing

oil secretion. Increased testosterone will also increase

terminal hairs on the face, particularly on the chin.

Loss of elasticity

Women will notice that their skin is not as elastic. This

means that they will experience more sagging or drop-

ping skin and more wrinkles begin to appear. Protein syn-

thesis particularly collagen and elastin are controlled by

estrogens. The lowered estrogen levels results in less pro-

duction and repair of collagen and elastin in the dermis of

the skin. This lack of repair is particularly pronounced if

the skin has been exposed to UV rays, and who is-

n't exposed to UV rays living in Baja? COLLAGEN IN-

DUCTION THERAPY (CIT) SKIN NEEDLING or MI-

CRO NEEDLING along with LED treatments will help

to increase collagen and elastin production.

Thinning Epidermis

The growth and maintenance of blood capillaries in the

dermis is partially under the control of estrogens, thus the

blood flow through the dermal capillaries is reduced. The

result...less nutrients and oxygen are available to the basil

layer of the epidermis. This contributes to the thinning of

the epidermis and slower function of the epidermis,

which leads to increased transept dermal water loss and

dry skin.

Sun Damage

Sun damage may be more pronounced during meno-

pause. The maintenance of melonocytes is controlled by

estrogen and when these levels decrease, melanocytes

become more visible. This means that areas that have

been exposed to the sun for years and years are now be-

ginning to appear as brown spots or age spots known as

hyper pigmentation. It is essential to wear a total sun

block with UVA and UVB protection and a hat or visor

to protect your skin. Glycolic or lactic peels as well as

LED treatments can greatly decrease the hyper pigmenta-

tion.

Letter from the Incoming Editor

I was asked to write a letter of introduction of myself as

the new editor of the Eastcapers Magazine. I am Chris

Courtright and I have been coming to Los Barriles since

2001 (it was love at first sight) and then bought here the

year of hurricane John. My education is Interior Design,

work history along with interior design includes Public

Relations and Nursing Supervisor – not a very cohesive

work history... For the past 20 years I have been a

‘professional volunteer’ and CEO of an on-profit (I

called it the “job I do that I don’t get paid for”). Our big

fundraiser was a boat racing regatta and family festival

(the 4th largest inboard racing event on the West Coast)

in the Seattle area. Now, I am involved with a wooden

boat show in my home town of Lake Chelan, which is a

smaller event and very fun – the show, not the work put-

ting it on.

Being a volunteer has always been a big part of my life,

and I knew I had to find a good group to work with while

in the Eastcape… heaven forbid I sit and relax for very

long…those that know me will verify that statement!

The rewards I get from volunteering, are too numerous to

mention and so the hunt was on for where to put my time.

I was introduced to the Association de Artes by my

neighbor, and their mission is so wonderful and right up

my alley…. and that was it! I was also familiar with

their big Art festival in spring as I have had a booth for

the last several years.

I enjoy writing and creating, so I thought that I could be a

big help, even when I am back in Washington, by editing

the Eastcaper Magazine. I am, by far, no computer ex-

pert, but I am sure I will learn…so bear with me as I

learn the program used to make the publication!

Over the years I have heard so many of you tell of your

great experiences while down in the Baja, and I hope I

can encourage some of you to put those experiences to

pen and paper – or keyboard and screen. I enjoy reading

other’s stories and through them, sharing some of their

experiences. I invite you to send me your articles and

stories or other interesting things you have found that

might be of interest to your fellow Baja residents.

I would prefer that you attach as a doc, rather than imbed

them into your emails. Same with pictures, sending them

as an attached JPG is the best way for me to easily use

them. I hope you will feel free to email your comments

and articles to. Please send them to :

[email protected].

Nourishing your skin.

It is important to nourish your skin with vitamins such

as Vitamin C and vitamin A topical application as well

as peptides. Getting regular facials and mild peels will

greatly improve the overall appearance and texture of

your skin. Your skin will look smoother, softer and

more hydrated.

Although the fate of menopause is inevitable for most

women, there are therapeutic treatments that can be

done to the skin to combat the changes that occur.

For more detailed information of some of the thera-

peutic treatments that I provide and the benefits of

these treatments please visit my website:

www.solutionsdebelleza.com

http://www.solutionsdebelleza.com



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 4 33

Mixed Emotions

about Turtles By Jorge Bergen

Got a call from a friend who took a walk on the beach

this morning just a couple of miles west of the new

marina. He found some late Ridley turtle nests and

gave me the location so I could find our local Tortu-

guera guys to report it. Luckily the beach cleanup

team were on our beach and they used their cells to

alert the egg rescue squad. By now they’ve found the

nests and moved the eggs to the safety of the nursery.

Lots of mixed emotions on the turtle thing all the way

around this late in the hatch. Those hardy soldiers on

their quads have saved, nurtured and released 34,000

hatchlings this season alone all along our East Cape

beaches.

I suppose by now it has sunk in that the whole exer-

cise is one of those feel good things that helpers

HOPE will do some good. The mama turtles usually

scout out the beaches two months before they make

the first nest – then they leave the eggs not knowing

what comes next; knowing nothing of the tides or

threats to the eggs from the weather. They lay eggs

year round but since the arribadas bring all the atten-

tion in the summer months, we all think about their

actions as warm weather events.

I’m not sure the local turtle group has incubators at

East Cape and if they don’t those 400 eggs will proba-

bly die or the hatchlings will all be males because it

will surely be cold and wet down there at the nursery

over the next 50 to 70 days until the eggs are ready to

hatch. These young Mexican guys and gals know they

won’t see the males again and the baby females they

say goodbye to at the releases won’t be back on our

beaches for 15 to 50 years.

Mexico Facts of Interest The red poinsettia (which the Aztecs called cuetlaxochitl) originated in Mexico and is named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico, (in the 1820's).

Continued from page 32

Juan thought about it for awhile and finally said, "I'm

looking for a cave that has fire coming out of it. Can you

take me there?"

"I know where that cave is," said the coyote, "but it will

take three days to get there."

Juan got on the back of the coyote and off they went into

the wilderness. When they had travelled a whole day,

Juan was so hungry that he was ready to eat the coyote.

'Please don't eat me," said the coyote. "There is a friend

of mine that lives nearby. You can eat there."

So, off they went till they came to a cave where a bear

lived.

"What do you have to eat?" Juan asked the bear?"

"Nothing at all," said the bear.

"Well, then. I'm going to eat you," said Juan, and he

gulped down the poor bear.

Juan and the coyote went to sleep, and the next morning

they started on the road again. When it started to get dark,

Juan began to get hungry and said to the coyote, "I'm so

hungry that I can't stand it anymore. I'm going to eat

you."

The coyote said, "Please don't eat me. I know a friend

where we can get some food."

So, they went to a cave where a wolf lived.

"What do you have to eat?" Juan asked the wolf.

"Nothing," answered the wolf.

"Well, I'm going to eat you," said Juan.

After he had eaten the wolf, Juan and the coyote went

to sleep.

The next morning, bright and early, Juan and the wolf

went on their way again. When it started getting late,

Juan was very hungry and said to the coyote, "I'm so hun-

gry that I'm going to eat you."

"Please don't eat me," said the coyote. "I know a friend

where we can get something to eat."

So, off they went.

It was getting pretty late in the evening, and it was dark

when they came to the cave.

"Knock on the door," said the coyote, and he gave Juan a

pair of pliers. "When he puts his head out the door, you

grab him by the nose."

Juan knocked, but nobody answered.

"Just take a peek so you can see who it is that's knock-

ing," said Juan.

The door opened and Juan took the pliers, grabbed the

nose, and pulled. Out popped the devil himself!

"What do you want with me?" asked the devil.

Juan told him the whole story of how his parents had sent

him. He told the devil to fly him home, and off they went

with Juan holding him by the nose.

When they got to Juan's house, his mother and father

said, "Who is this?"

"It's the devil," Juan answered. "You told me to fetch the

devil, and here he is."

Juan's parents were very frightened and asked Juan to

forgive them.

The devil then went and fetched the coyote and said,

"Every time you get hungry, you pluck a hair from the

coyote's tail and it will turn into a cow. From now on, all

of you will have enough to eat."

So, the devil flew off into the starry night, and Juan, his

parents, and the coyote all sat down to dinner and coffee.

The Devil made

me do it!



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 5 32

Juan Fetches the Devil By Anthony John Campos

There was an old man and woman and they had a son

called Juan. Juan had such an insatiable appetite that he

was eating them out of the home and toward the hill.

They had arrived at a point where despair and hunger

were overwhelming them.

One evening after they had finished their meager supper,

they asked, "Juan why don't you go fetch the devil and

bring him here?" Juan didn't answer because he was very

sad. He went to his room to get some sleep. He sat on his

bed and began thinking, "Sure, I'll go fetch him. My

mother and father want me to fetch the devil, so I'll go do

it." And away he went, walking and walking and eating

what got in his way.

He continued walking until he came to a cliff that over-

looked the wide ocean. He began conversing with an old

man who was sitting on the cliff. "Sir, I'm looking for the

devil. Can you give me some idea where I can find

him?"

The old man thought for a moment. "I've heard people

say that he lives across the water on the

other side. There's a large cave where fire comes

out, and that must be his home."

"How am I going to cross the ocean?" Juan asked

the old man.

"There's an eagle that will take you across on his

back" the old man said. "But you will have to fur-

nish seven cows because he has such an enormous

appetite that every time he cries out for meat, you

will have to feed him one of the cows."

So, Juan went and stole the cows from a nearby

ranch. Then he went to where the eagle's nest was

and asked him to carry him across the water. The

eagle agreed, and soon they were flying over the

ocean. They had flown only a short way when

Juan, who was on the back of the eagle along with

seven cows, heard "Meat, I want meat." So he

threw down one of the cows and the eagle quickly

devoured it.

When they had flown a bit further over the ocean,

Juan heard the eagle crying again, "Meat, I want

more meat." Once again, Juan threw a cow to the

hungry eagle.

By this time Juan was getting hungry and the eagle

kept eating cow after cow. Juan finally said to the

eagle, "Well, it seems that you want to eat every-

thing and don't want to leave anything for me."

"Shut up, or I'm going to eat you," said the eagle.

"What's that?" cried Juan. "Before you eat me, I'll

eat you."

As soon as Juan said this, the eagle turned over

backwards and Juan went spinning down into the

ocean. Fortunately for him, he fell near land and

was able to swim to shore.

When he was on dry land again, Juan began asking

the people he met, "Where is the cave that has fire

coming out" They told him that the cave was lo-

cated in the middle of a large desert that was very

far away. So Juan started walking and he walked

for miles and miles.

When it began to get dark, he became very hungry

and started looking around for something to eat. He

saw a coyote and started running after him until he

caught him by the tail.

"I'm going to eat you," said Juan to the coyote.

"Please don't eat me," said the coyote. "I know the

whole desert and I'll take you to whatever place

you're looking for.

Continued on 33

.Paul’s Priceless Story

The start of “Baja Misadventures 2011” had me doing

battle with more roaches a little larger than I care for.

I had just returned home from the bar and figured a

quick way to regain my composure would be to rinse

off. But, when I opened the shower door, I found a

large roach just above the shower head. The lady,

whose house I’m staying at, does not leave for an-

other week and as she is still showing me the intrica-

cies of her house, one of them being; how to deal

with roaches. She grabs a can of roach spray and fol-

lows me to the shower. The floor mat is still hanging

on the door and before she can kill the roach on the

wall, I need to remove the matt. As I do so, two more

roaches are exposed. She takes aim and fires sending

one up and onto the ceiling where it then fell on my

head. I jumped and knocked it off, at the same time

knocking the towel that was wrapped around my

waist off.

Four beers and two margaritas: 10 dollars. One can

of raid roach killer: 4 dollars. Accidentally exposing

myself to my 69 year old roomy: PRICELESS.



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 6 31


only resource which could connect with family and

friends up north. Marie Larson’s sister, Anna Marie

Hanlon, a retired nurse, came down after and taught us

proper Spanish. Ginger and Chuck Potter who camped

on the beach in La Ribera, had some great adventures on

the original “Old Road”. On a trip north in 1968 a rear

spring on their truck broke at Guerrero Negro, which was

only a salt flat and a bus stop at the time, ending up with

an eight day stay before it got fixed. Ann Hazard and

her parents, Dottie and Togo, drove down to Buena

Vista in 1969, and stayed at Rancho Buena Vista which

was the only game in town. Ann’s cookbooks are on

many kitchen shelves in East Cape and beyond.

Bobby Van Wormer met Herb Tansey, the original

owner of Rancho Buena Vista, in the 1950s and served as

the General Manager for several years. He and his bride

Cha Cha Ruiz founded Hotel Las Palmas de Cortez in

Los Barriles. “Palmas” had its own airstrip at the time

which attracted visitors with small private planes. Den-

nis Riley remembers his first trip down the Baja penin-

sula in 1964 when he was 21 and fresh out of the Navy.

He was instrumental in helping his stepfather, Johnny

Mitre develop the original hotel at Punta Pescadero.

Bringing building supplies down from the U.S. was a

challenge on the “Old Road”. They hired an experienced

truck driver who had the right kind of truck with balloon

tires on the back that could accommodate the center

Mexico and Jaguar’s???!!

The first great civilization in Mexico were the Olmecs (1400-300B.C.), who established many cities along the eastern coast of Mex-ico, sculpted the famous Colossal Heads, and worshipped a mysterious unnamed god that was part human and part jaguar. The largest wildcat in North America is the jaguar, which can be found in Mexico's southern jungles.

ridge in the road. They also had to cut a road north

from the San Bartolo arroyo in order to get to the site.

Hotel Punta Pescadero was opened in 1968. Others like Ray Lee and Earl Weaver were also

early East Cape pioneers. Earl came down with his

parents who settled on the north shore of the Cape re-

gion, close to what is now known as “Light House Es-

tates”. Ray first crossed the border in 1954 to go fish-

ing in San Felipe. Then in 1969 he decided to brave the

“Old Road” and drove all the way down to East Cape.

Listening to Ray describe his trip inland through the

Comondu mountain range past Mission San Javier was

fascinating!

When you’re flying down the Baja peninsula, think

about the early East Cape Pioneers as you gaze out the

window. It looks pretty rugged down there, right?

They were truly an adventurous group, that’s for sure!

The “Old Road” went over sand, rocks, and washes…

by steep cliffs, up and down winding grades over

mountains and through forests of cactus. In August,

during the rainy season, the trip to East Cape could

take a month due to washouts and flooding. If you

REALLY want to take advantage of your East Cape

time on the Baja peninsula, get a map and ask around

for information about where you can experience your

OWN adventure. Go off road...visit the little historic

communities like Santigo… Miraflores…El Rosario.

Then when you get back home you can tell your

friends that you trod in the footsteps of the East Cape

Pioneers. JAH

Details of

the Symbol

on

Mexican

Flag

In the fourteenth century, a group of Chichmecas

(warrior nomads) called the Aztecs, (or Mexicans), set-

tled in Mexico. When they saw an eagle, (representing

the sun), standing on a cactus, (a symbol of the heart),

clutching a snake, (a symbol of the earth or Quetzalcoatl)

they knew this was a special place. This image is now

depicted on the Mexican flag and is the national coat of

arms.

Red, white, and green are the colors of the national lib-

eration army in Mexico.

The current flag was adopted in 1968, but the overall

design has been used since 1821, when the First National

Flag was created.

So now you know!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 7 30

East Cape’s Founding

Families

By Joanne Hyslop

After Hernan Cortez conquered Mexico in 1521, the

King of Spain assigned representatives of the

“Society of Jesus”, now known as the Jesuit Order

of the Catholic Church, to travel to “New Spain” and

build missions, bringing in members of the local

population as neophytes. The Jesuits began building

missions along the eastern shore of the Gulf of Cali-

fornia in Sonora, Sinaloa.

The effort proved to be a success so the King or-

dered the Jesuits to explore the territory west of the

Gulf, which was thought at the time to be an island

and is now known as the “Baja Peninsula” The Jesu-

its came over and established the first Mission at Lo-

reto in 1697. They sent for stonemasons, caulkers,

carpenters and blacksmiths from the mainland who

had worked to build the missions there. Enlisted

soldiers were also sent over to protect the new mis-

sions here. Most of these soldiers began their service

at the Presidio de Loreto.

When the Jesuits were expelled by the King in 1768,

many of the workers and soldiers were released from

service and began to spread out along the peninsula,

establishing permanent homes for their families.

You have probably come across this familiar

collection of surnames here in East

Cape….Gonzáles, Ceseña, Manriquez and Ruiz, to

name a few.

Anastasio Verduzco established one of East Cape’s

most notable Founding Families. Sr. Verduzco, who

had enlisted as a soldier, was stationed on the Baja

peninsula before 1765. He served as the supervisor

of the Mission in Todos Santos and at La Pasión at the Mission de los Dolores north of La Paz. He re-

tired in 1787 and moved to the East Cape of BCS

where he founded Rancho Caduaño south of Santi-

ago in the 1790s. Anastasio Verduzco died in Ca-

duaño in 1818. Many of his ancestors live in and

around the La Ribera area today. JAH

Welcome Back to

Turtle Town! By: Theresa Comber

Even the dramatic and damaging effects of Hurricane Odile

could not dampen the passion and resolve the Araiza broth-

ers, Noe and Omar, share for the world’s sea turtles. The

egg laying season usually begins at the end of July. This

summer’s began with a bang in the middle of July and

more than 200 nests (+/- 20,000 eggs) had been moved

from the 13 kilometers of the East Cape coast which Grupo

Tortuguero monitors before the September 14 hurricane.

This is early morning work, with searching for nests occur-

ring in the wee hours of the morning when mother turtle

tracks moving up from the sea can still be seen in the sand.

When the nests are located with a special prod, they are

gently excavated by hand and moved to the protective

nursery preserve on the beachfront near the Buenos Aires

arroyos.

The incredible architecture of a turtle’s nest has evolved

over millennium and Omar and Noe’s mimics the mother’s

original. They begin narrow at the top with approximately

a 6” circumference that extends a foot deep. A cavernous

space able to hold up an average of 100 ping pong sized

eggs is then excavated below the opening about a foot and

a half wide and a foot deep. A mother turtles uses her back

flippers in a synchronized fashion to excavate the nest, first

moving sand by making a small scoop. Then heavily bal-

ancing on her front legs she works tirelessly with big

scoops flinging the sand away until the nest is complete.

The eggs grow through a 6 week incubation period. Incom-

ing nests are meticulously recorded with date, number of

eggs and estimated hatch date.

And then came the destructive forces of Odile. With hurri-

cane force wind, waves and an enormous amount of storm

driven debris it seemed as though the entire season of the

East Cape turtle population would be lost, as sadly it has

been in Cabo San Lucas. But - no way, Noe, the Araiza’s

resiliency, commitment and their ever deepening knowl-

edge of turtles came in to play.

Even with mounds of debris, the perimeter fence badly

damaged, two feet of sand atop the nests and nearly all flag

markers of the 200 nests missing, back to work they went;

all thanks to one remaining marker that allowed Noe and

Omar to triangulate the other buried nest locations. By

hand they excavated away sand to the pre-hurricane surface

level, then used the tool normally used to find the morning

nests in order to find the ones lost. If they had not under-

taken this work, when the babies hatched ,

they would not be able to make their way through

the additional two feet of sand to the surface, and they

would have died.

And then the hatching began! Twice in the middle of Oc-

tober more than 1,000 babies hatched on the same day.

And just when Omar & Noe thought the laying would be

waning

It’s well recognized that substantial sea turtle loss and attri-tion occurs from the time eggs are laid until they hatch and

the babies find the safety of the water. We can thank the Ara-iza brothers and Grupo Tortuguero for assuring our turtle population not just survives, but thrives, even though the

worst of times. Once again, we can be confident and proud that the East Cape is making a profoundly positive effect on

the world’s sea turtles.

Baby turtle releases will likely occur through December. Please stay tuned to the BPE for notices and also ‘like’ the Grupo Tortuguero Los Barriles facebook page for more infor-

mation. Welcome back to Turtle Town!

East Cape Pioneers By: Joanne Hyslop

In days of yore, traveling to the East Cape region of BCS

was more of an excursion than a simple drive down High-

way #1 or a plane ride to the Los Cabos airport. Although

the road was paved from the border to Colonia Colonet on

the northern part of the Baja peninsula, those wishing to

venture further south on what was known as the “Old

Road” used specialized vehicles. Four wheel drive cars

and trucks were popular, as were motorcycles. Another

group came down in private planes but mainly stayed in

resorts in Loreto, Mulegé and La Paz. (“Cabo” wasn’t

“Cabo” back then).

Many of our East Cape pioneers came down to the Los

Barriles-Buena Vista area in the ‘50s and ‘60s. They set-

tled down around the area, mixing with Mexican

neighbors, forming a knowledgeable resource for those of

us who came along later. Jim Smith, perhaps the most

colorful of the group, could be found sitting in his rocking

chair on the porch of his casa on Highway #1 behind

Lupe’s changarro (minisuper) holding forth with historic

tidbits and remembrances of his many trips down the pen-

insula. When Jim left his job as an LA Cop in 1953 he

decided to come down on his motorcycle. He stopped

along the way in San Ignacio, spotted Guadalupe del So-

corro Romero Lopez and fell head over heels. The rest is

history…and Jim loved telling about it!

Marie and Jack Larson, came down in the early ‘50s.

They had a “ship to shore” radio which provided the Continued on page 31



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 8 29

THE EARTH UNDER

OUR FEET

BY RUSS HYSLOP

Sorry that I missed the last issue of East Capers, but

I was marooned in the Pacific N.W. dealing with the

V.A. and family issues, while my geology resources

occupied a shelf in my Baja residence. Therefore, no

article.

I’m back now and ready to talk about Geology, in

particular the geology of the Baja Peninsula. In my

absence, I understand from several of my friends,

who were here, that several “earthquakes” rattled the

East Cape area. But, in talking to one individual

who was of the opinion that these “earthquakes”

quite possibly were detonations set off by the mining

companies that want to do strip mining in the Sierra

de La Laguna and that they are continuing to explore

to determine if the uphill battle to sway the public

opinion that is.

Opinion that is opposed to any mining operations in

the delicate environment of our beautiful mountains.

Even though this operation will mean jobs for the

surrounding area, I believe the loss of this natural

area is too great a price to pay for any prosperity it

may bring to the surrounding communities that

could gain employment by these opera-

tions. WRH

“LET’S GO FISHIN’ ON THE SEA OF CORTEZ”

Let's go fishin' on the Sea of Cortez! That's what Grandpa Parker says.

We'll cast our line with feather bait And settle down to watch and wait.

Let's go fishin' in the early day, While frigates sweep across the bay.

Among the dolphins, whales and more Look there -- you'll see a manta soar!

Grandpa Parker, who's in the know, Says catch a marlin, let it go...

And skip that skipjack -- not for you, But "Si" to sierra and tuna, too.

We wait until the time is right: The rod jerks hard -- we've got a bite!

Then Grandpa reels in slow and steady While Gram gets her big fish net ready.

And there it is, beyond the rail -- A big one, dancing on its tail! A good dorado, full of fight,

Will fill our tummies well tonight.

And after dinner, tired and fed, I’ll settle in my comfy bed

And hope tomorrow Grandpa says, "Let's go fishin' on the Sea of Cortez!"

Yes!

Woody 2014

The Intimate and True Adventures

of El Balleneroâ continued from page 24

important was going on because there were innumerable

breaches, fin slaps and tail lobs, even a head butt from the

side by one whale on another. Though I had seen two

male Humpbacks fight before this was a brawl! There

was also a lot of trumpeting (a sound males make when

antagonized and/or communicating aggression) that I had

never heard before...and blood in the waters.

We had come upon a competitive group of males in full

combat and believe me it was a sight to see from close

up. As I began taking fluke shots (there were tails every-

where) we noticed that one whale did not enter into the

fray. She was in the lead, cruising at leisure while the

males fought behind her. This was indeed a classic com-

petitive group and I felt gifted to witness it. Humpback

whales, as all Earth’s creatures, vie for genetic survival

through some form of selection process. In the case of the

great whales it is physical combat (rarely if ever to the

death) with the individual having the greatest stamina,

strength and intelligence becoming the sole escort and

eventual reproductive male. I got six ID’s out of that

group and a new appreciation for The Whale People.

Soon the breeding season (Feb-April) begins in earnest

again here on the Eastcape. Please consider helping fund

my work by going to my GoFundMe sight, or send a

check to MioSah, 106 Canyon Dr., Ukiah, CA 95482.

The donation is tax deductible. Or purchase my book -

The Others, The Whale People - on The Balboa Book-

store, Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Our work during the

past 20 years has accomplished much in protection and

understanding of these great mammals.

WHALE FACTS-

Every year from mid-December to mid-April, hundreds

of gray whales arrive off the coast of Baja California Sur

from the Alaska shores. Whale-watchers flock to Guer-

rero Negro, Laguna San Ignacio and Sierra de Laguna,

where they can see whales jumping up to 40 feet in the

air.

Did you know this

about the Baja?

Control of Baja California shifted between vari-

ous groups in its early history and it was not ad-

mitted into Mexico as a state until 1952. In

1930, the Baja California peninsula was divided

into northern and southern territories. However

in 1952, the northern region (everything above

the 28th parallel) became the 29th state of Mex-

ico, while southern areas remained as a territory

until statehood in 1974 for Baja California Sur.

http://geography.about.com/od/geographyglossaryp/g/ggparallel.htm



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 9 28

I have to say that this first camp, which we really did not

know what to expect, went very well. The kids had a

great time and learned a lot, the coaches and volunteers

may have been tired, but we all felt like we did some-

thing great!

I could not say enough about those who volunteered to

help make Sawyer Camp a reality. We had about 15

folks that came out and registered the campers, coached,

played, cooked and tore down. And not one volunteer

asked for a 2nd dose of Advil! One person (and it was 9

year old Sawyer) may be able to come up with an idea,

but it takes many to make it happen!

Juan tells me the kids are so excited and are planning on

starting a team – actually they are planning 3 teams,

Campamento, Santa Cruz, and Santiago. In some of the

equipment donations, I was given uniforms – right now

enough to cover the 3 teams, and that is really exciting!

If we can keep the kids excited about baseball and keep

them playing, then they have something fun to do, and

hopefully stay out of trouble. And judging from some of

the talent we have seen, maybe there will be some pro

players out of the Eastcape sometime in the future!

Our goal is to be able to do at least one camp a year –

hopefully the same weekend each year – maybe the

weekend before Thanksgiving?? If we have enough help

and equipment, maybe even do a spring camp here in Los

Barriles. We will do it in a different community each

time, and then find a home in each neighborhood to be

the holder of the equipment. After we get to each com-

munity, then we will start over with level 2 camp!

But to keep the camps going, the biggest thing everyone

can do now is to collect and bring down equipment. I

have lots at my home in Washington State, and if you can

bring some of it, that would be great. I have many little

league clubs willing to give me equipment, it is just get-

ting it down here that is slowing me down. Right now,

we will have to get it down 2 large bags at a time - and if

you are willing to bring some, we would greatly appreci-

ate it! Donations of dollars are also appreciated which

we will use for purchasing bases and food for the camps.

We have a facebook page-

www.facebook.com/beisbolcampoeneastcape Some of the many pictures that we took and more infor-

mation is on the page. Make sure you ‘like’ the page too.

As the new editor of the Eastcaper, I will shamelessly

promote the camp, and keep everyone posted to what we

are doing. And being that the Asociacion de Artes is our

sponsor……I guess it is ok!

Sawyers Baseball Camp at

Campamento

By: Christine Courtright

You have hopefully heard about it. Maybe you brought

down some equipment. This idea that started 2 years ago,

finally came to fruition….. we finally had the first annual

Sawyers Baseball Camp on November 22nd in Cam-

pamento. This first camp saw 50 kids, ages 5 to 15yrs, 6

of them girls, with the bulk of the kids coming from

Campamento. We even had a pretty good parent crowd.

Now, to make the camp happen, we had to have a local

connection. Juan, who lives in Campamento was our

eyes and ears on the ground. It is Juan’s house where

the equipment, we brought down spring of 2014 is kept.

It was under his direction that we decided to leave the

gear in one central location where the kids would come

after school and get it and then dutifully return it when

done playing that night. I am happy to report, many

months later we still have a full set of gear!

After the hurricane, we worried if we would be able to

have enough volunteers, would the kids come and what

would the field look like? The field was full of debris

and weeds and the neighborhood was also full of piles of

debris and other hurricane garbage – which the neighbor-

hood and DIF could not get the county to remove. Well,

Juan, being very wise of the ways of Mexico, went to the

county and told them that a “delegation from the United

States was coming to put on a baseball camp in Cam-

pamento”. Well, that did the trick, and come Nov 21st,

there were street cleaners, graders and dump trucks in the

neighborhood. Unfortunately, we had to wait a short

time for the grader to finish cleaning up the field, as they

did not start until 8am on the day of our camp – which

was to start at 9am!

We split into three age groups, 6 – 9, 10 – 11, 12 – 15

yrs. We had three sessions: batting, throwing and pitch-

ing, and fielding and catching. Our plan was to let our

three coaches teach their way. We did not have enough

translators, but that did not stop the learning. We quickly

discovered you can do a lot with jesters – to get them to

pay attention to you, tap their shoulder, point two fingers

to your eyes (three stooges style), and then demonstrate.

It worked great! It became evident real soon that there

were some talented kids out there, and that the younger

kids were super cute to watch! Our sessions were about

80 minutes long, we had a mid-morning snack, hot dogs

for lunch, and then a scrimmage after the 3 ses-

sions….still broken up by ages. At the end of the day,

the kids were ready to keep playing, the volunteers and

coaches were ready to take a break- a drink!



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 10 27

Where is Noelia?

By: Theresa Comber

The World Wildlife Fund partners with our East

Cape Turtle Program

Noe had his precious two year old daughter Noelia

tucked into his lap in the dawn light as they rode a well-

worn three wheeler ATV along the shores of Los Barri-

les. That’s when they first came upon the awe inspiring

experience of a Momma turtle laying her eggs in the

sand. At yet just two years of age, it was Noelia’s pas-

sionate response that inspired Noe to begin an ad-hoc

turtle program to protect Mother turtles and their eggs to

assure there would be sea turtles in the East Cape well

into Noelia’s future.

Five years hence, the East Cape’s now established Grupo

Tortuguero turtle program, run by Noe Araiza and his

brother Omar, received a great honor this fall when the

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) sought them out to partner

on a special mother turtle tracking and release program.

Mexico’s Telcel communications company provided the

funding for the WWF program which partnered with the

Araiza’s to capture and tag a mother turtle and then chart

her travels after release.

It wasn’t hard to figure out that her name would be

Noelia, of course! But finding her was the challenge. The

timing for the program was in early November, during

the waning days of the laying season. After looking for

two days and nights, a mother turtle labored ashore in

front of the Buenos Aires arroyo, very near the turtle

nursery. Que Suerte! After delivering her eggs, Noelia

was carefully managed into a large salt water tank to pre-

pare her for the attaching of the GPS tracking device.

Costing $5,000 and full of impressive and durable tech-

nology,

the device was fiber glassed to Noelia’s shell. After two

days ashore (they can easily manage as many as four

shore days), Noelia was released to much fanfare with a

large crowd in front of the Palmas de Cortez Hotel on

Tuesday, November 11. The entire classroom of Noelia’s

namesake was allowed to attend the sea. Once she found

her bearings on the hot sand, she made fast work of her

return to her precious waters and disappeared nearly as

quickly as she entered.

But not for long! With her newly attached GPS, Noelia’s

first report came just 24 hours later when it pinged a sat-

ellite that showed she headed north and was off of Punta

Pescadero. In the past 5 weeks, Noelia has covered an

enormous amount of water offshore of the East Cape â€“

in fact swimming a remarkable 675 kilometers. From

Punta Pescadero she headed 25 miles north to the Bay of

Dreams and Punta Perico, then east another 15 miles east

off of Isla Cerralvo and near the popular fishing grounds

marked by a tall pinnacle. She meandered a bit before

heading back toward Los Barriles, but instead kept on-

ward toward La Ribera before heading out and south; it

appears now she could be leaving our Sea of Cortez and

heading toward the Pacific!

Want to know where Noelia is? Use www.seaturtles.org/

tracking and enter Noelia - there are two and she is the

Olive Ridley in Baja California Sur. You can even sign

up to receive emails when the satellite signal pings. The

GPS can last for up to 8 months, so our journey with

Noelia may just be beginning!

Now, it seems not just Noelia, but all of us, have been

gifted by Telcel’s investment in this truly unique GPS,

coupled with the World Wildlife Fund’s constant efforts

to expand global awareness and then ultimately the won-

derful partnership with our Grupo Tortuguero’s commit-

ment to the sea turtles of the Cortez and the oceans of the

world.

An Unconventional Solution By Ann Hazard

Life throws us curve balls. We all know that. Sometimes

it damn well pelts us with them. That happened to me in

2010 and 2011. I lost the ability to walk. A few months

later my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Imme-

diately after I moved with my husband from Florida back

to San Diego. I had a hip replacement just weeks before

my dad died on Christmas Eve. My husband and I bought

a house in the spring and I hoped we’d settle well in San

Diego. It wasn’t to be. Our marriage was in shambles and

ended abruptly soon after.

I fled to my home in Idaho where I fell in love with

someone I’d been good friends with for nearly a decade.

Would he and I finally get our happily ever after? Nope.

On our first big romantic vacation he got sick and nearly

died. His health continued to deteriorate and he just

couldn’t handle a relationship anymore. So ours effec-

tively ended with 2011, right after I’d had to put my two

dogs down. He has since passed away.

My closest friend Debbie had a similar pummeling. Her

dad died after a long battle with cancer in the spring of

2011. A couple months later her husband of 30 years died

unexpectedly of a heart attack. Then one of her best girl-

friends was discovered dead. Debbie was left with a big

house and not much money.

2012 found us both reeling from too many losses, and

floundering as to how to move forward with our lives. I

hadn’t lived alone in over 30 years. Debbie hadn’t in

even longer. Our homes were about 20 long freeway

miles apart in San Diego. Her mom lives close to me in

Pacific Beach, and they spent a lot of time together as

they dealt with their grief. My daughter and her family

live two blocks from Deb’s mom, and I was there fre-

quently as well.

We’d always been close and now we had more reasons to

hang out. But mostly what brought us together was lone-

liness, and the inability to get ourselves off the “pause

button.” How does one do “single and sixty” in San

Diego? That was the resounding, endlessly repeating

question in our heads. San Diego is young people’s city

and one of my friends liked to remark how we older

women are basically invisible. Invisible? I don’t think so.

I have never been anything even approaching a wall

flower, so at my sister’s suggestion, I delved into online

dating. Oh my God. Not my idea of a good time. Try in-

terviewing for the position of significant other. Worse

yet, try dealing with guys who really just want to have

“some fun.” That was awkward! My favorites were the

men whose online photos were a minimum of 10 years

out of date, along with their waist lines.

Continued on page 11

http://www.seaturtles.org/tracking




Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 11 26


So I joined meet up groups where the pressure would be

less evident. Wine lovers, dog lovers, baby boomers.

People I had something in common with. I ended up

starting my own meet up group to target people in my

specific situation—in their 50s and 60s and single. Trying

to start over and make new friends who were also single!

The group took off, and it’s still going strong even

though I’m long gone. Come to find out, that really

wasn’t my thing either!

By the fall of 2013 both Debbie and I were discouraged.

We both hated being stuck on the “pause button,” waiting

for our lives to recharge and restart. I missed Baja in-

tensely and wondered if I dared move back by myself.

So, on five days’ notice and a whim, we flew to Cabo.

She wasn’t quite ready to retire, and I wasn’t sure where I

should live. After checking things out, I chose Todos

Santos. I hoped that the artsy atmosphere there would

ignite my creativity and get me writing again, as I’d been

bone dry for way too long. I love Todos Santos, but liv-

ing there was another slap upside the head. If I thought I

was lonely living alone in San Diego, I was triply lonely

there. I knew soon after moving there that my heart lives

in the East Cape. I’ve been coming here since 1970. I got

married here. I lived here. Even my parents’ ashes are

here. But living alone here? Not my first choice.

So Debbie and I spent the summer traveling, curious to

see how we’d get along and if we could actually live to-

gether. We must have passed all the tests because we

ended up buying a house in Buena Vista. Now that’s kind

of unconventional. I mean, we definitely are not a

“couple.” Friends and family members cautioned against

investing together. “What if you have a falling out? What

if one of you meets a guy? Then what will you do?” We

had to take a leap of faith. We trust each other, we’re ad-

venturous, curious and eager to live our lives here in Baja

Sur.

It is proving to be an excel-

lent choice. As soon as we

crossed the border and

headed south down Mex 1

with our three dogs in early

October, we knew instantly

that we’d made the best ever

decision. We blew kisses to

that “pause button” as we

watched it disappear out the

rear view window. Adios

boredom. Hola adventure!

6 Things Mentally

Strong People Do

1. They move on, they don’t

waste time feeling sorry for

themselves.

2. They embrace change. They

welcome challenge.

3. They stay happy. They don’t

waste energy on things they

can’t control.

4. They are kind, fair and un-

afraid to speak up.

5. They are willing to take cal-

culated risks.

6. They celebrate other peoples

success. They don’t resent that

success.



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 12

four paws are carefully spread open and gunk and detritus

cleaned out. Nails are clipped and polished.

The pooch moves up on another removable ramp to sta-

tion two. The Tub, first a cleansing shampoo is applied,

any concealed ticks or fleas are exposed, a rare event. A

special shampoo is administered and the normal steps

proceed. However the operation of the spa is closed down

for 24 hours to decontaminate the premises. Appoint-

ments for other spa customers are rescheduled.

Normally, a thorough soaking and cleanup follows, each

dog is brushed and styled. Through this final procedure

the doggies woebegone faces transform into grinning ca-

nine smiles. Bow wow wagging tails, even only stubby

little wriggly things. Big sloppy pink tongue doggy kisses

of appreciation on Vickie's face at the end of their day at

the Fur Face Spa.

When the owners return to fetch their transformed canine

companions their concerned faces turn to smiles. Their

happy pets cavort and

preen showing off their

reclaimed handsome

beauty. Together they

sashay down the red brick

road after their visit to

see Vickie, the wizard of

ahhs. Arf arf

The Los Barriles Dog Show … A thirty year dream come true By Emma Nicholson

I love dog shows. Not big, fancy multi-million dollar dog shows like Westminster (or Crufts in the UK), but small, locally run dog shows in tiny towns and villages up and down the country. Dog shows designed for every size, shape and breed of dog… Shows where scruffy dogs can wag their tails furiously in order to please their owner, or where cattle dogs race around agility courses at break-neck speed, missing most of the obstacles, but having the time of their lives. Shows where racing terriers, distracted by a burger stand, disappear out of the show ring like a group of giggling girls, or where a great dane can lie down in the event ring and go to sleep snoring like a steam-train.

From the age of 11 years, I was hooked on dog shows. I think because the overriding emotion as a spectator was of pure joy and love for our four-legged friends who always strive so hard to please, amuse and enter-tain us. That’s the beauty about a local dog show; it’s a chance to have fun with your dog if you’re a dog owner, and it’s hilarious to watch if you’re just a spec-tator.

I never imagined that, after thirty years since my first dog show, we would be planning our own show as a community in Los Barriles! But what a great place to have a show; I don’t think you could get any more lov-ing and generous dog owners in one region as in the East Cape, and where you’re hard pressed to find two dogs the same as we’re blessed with a multitude of breeds, types, sizes and personalities (dogs not peo-ple).

So what can the community expect from The Los Barriles Dog Show? As this is our first year, we’re starting off with small ambitions. However, the sup-port from sponsors and volunteers has been over-whelming, and with the help from groups such as An-nex Brands Inc., Playa Norte RV Park, Van Wormer Resorts, Quadman, Baja’s Awesome Sportfishing we are working to make this a fun-filled, exciting event for both spectators, dogs and dog owners. Plus we are raising money for neutering and spaying activities as well as recycling efforts.

This is a community event and ALL dogs are welcome to enter. No training or previous experience is

25

VICKIE HEAPS

LOVE ON OUR FUR

FACED FOUR FOOTED

FRIENDS

By John David Lionel Brooke

Do dog owners resemble their pets? Active and playful,

peppy, plucky, busy, fun-loving, mischievous, and on

occasion conniving. She has a big attitude! Sometimes

too intelligent for her own good. Loyal, affectionate

and devoted. Fearless toward any aggressor. Thinks she

is far larger than she actually is. No this was not a de-

scription of Vickie but of Bella, a Shih Tzu and her

constant canine companion and manager.

Involved in our Los Barriles community, Vickie volun-

teer’s in spay and neuter clinics. Has served as the

house manager through several Baja Shakespeare’s

annual performances.

A day at Vickie's Fur Face Pet Spa is by appointment

only. Her spa is not exclusive for pedigreed canines and

mixed breed mongrels all are welcome pets to be pam-

pered with love and care under her sensitive knowl-

edgeable hands.

All appointments are booked ahead of time. At the ap-

pointed time the dog and owner arrive at the beautiful

gated house. On the side, big gates open to a long red

brick road leads to the spa. A trek designed to isolate

the doggies from ticks and fleas which may lurk in the

luxurious green lawns in front and back of Vickie's

home.

An inscribed marble slab beside the doors of the Spa

are dedicated to Abbey, Vickie's fur faced female com-

panion for many years. Deceased now and the Spa is

named after her affectionate pet name "Fur Face."

Once inside the doors a doggie grooming production

line which would make Henry Ford proud. First the

registration desk, where the appointment is confirmed.

Notes are taken about the dogs condition and any dis-

crepancies logged of the mutts current physical condi-

tion.

Vickie dominates, the dogs obey her physical messages

and the occasional spoken command. She is the Top

Dog in the spa. The dogs trust her completely through

the whole process.

The dog walks up a removable ramp up to station num-

ber one. Inspection and first visually appraisal of the

animals condition. The head is held high and kept still

in a light adjustable sling, front legs folded back. All

necessary. In fact, the more amateurs the better! The day will kick-off at 11am with a packed program that includes: The agility course – a chance for your dog to have

fun running around eight obstacles in the ring. Lots of jumping and excitement!

Best costume (all dogs) – open to every size and shape of dog.

Best looking dog (over 40 lbs/18 kg) – open to all dogs.

Best looking dog (under 40 lbs/18 kg) – open to all dogs.

Cutest pair of dogs – could be a matching pair, or a mismatched pair; we’re just looking for the cutest and happiest!

Best trick or skill – dogs that can sing, catch a Fris-bee, jump in the air, or perform a trick or skill are welcome to take part in this category.

Every dog that enters will get an award. There will also be one winner plus three runners-up in each event category.

This is a fun event designed for the whole community, and a perfect day out for families, groups of friends and visitors to the area. Join us on the 15th March and as well as the dog show, you can enjoy traditional and local foods and drinks, refreshments, music and en-tertainment.

With your help, we can hopefully make this a regular

date in the diary for Los Barriles… and who knows?

Maybe we can take the show to La Paz, Todos Santos,

Cabo and San Jose to help support other charities

with their spaying and neutering efforts. We can’t

wait to see you on Sunday 15th March – with or with-

out your four-legged friend, and thanks so much for

your support in advance from the team of volunteers

at the Baja Kennel Club www.bajakennelclub.com.

http://www.bajakennelclub.com



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 13 24

Continued from pasge 23

I didn’t hear anything but my eye caught a large splash in

the sea north of me around San Isidro (3 miles distant).

Then I saw another and a momentary large black object

break the water...breaching Humpbacks, no doubt! I pad-

dled to where I thought was a good intersect point, hav-

ing watched for a while and seen that they were moving

south toward me, and waited. There was a rare but occa-

sional fog bank just a bit further out from me that day and

I stayed on the edge of it hoping the whales would not

venture into it and I would lose them. After waiting some

time, perhaps 20 minutes it was clear I was in the right

place and I could now see the blows and characteristic

dark humped backs of three whales now only a few hun-

dred feet from me. As I continued positioning myself I

found myself closer and closer to the fog bank and as

they came within 100 feet, yes, they disappeared into the

mist. I followed for a bit but lost them. I could still hear

their blows and I knew they were close but I also knew

that it was best I not go too deep into the fog.

I paddled back out of the fog, using the sun as a marker,

and rested from my attempt for an encounter (by this time

I had come to think of a close encounter in my kayak as

being less than 20 feet). As I rested and enjoyed the feel-

ing of having been in the fog and just hearing the whales

nearby (reminiscent of my experience 35 years before in

Bodega), I glanced up and down, once again just a bit

North of me two more Humpbacks coming my way. This

was great and a very rare occurrence in such a short time.

I positioned myself again, paddling in a fury, and once

again the whales disappeared into the fog. I had been

close, maybe 50 feet or so but not a close encounter. I

was a bit tired now so decided to paddle in, I mean how

many whales I could encounter in a day. Well, here

comes another one and I paddle like the devil to get to it

but alas, I am once again defeated by the fog. Now I am

really tired! This time I am very ready to head for home

because I have been paddling for some time now and still have a good distance back to my pull out. But no, here

come yet two more whales and is there a choice? Of

course not, I NEED to make contact. This time the two

whales do not enter the fog (the fog actually had dissipated

quite a bit) and I am in great position. It turns out to be a

mother and calf. As I they come along side I paddle to stay

with them and edge closer and closer to them. Soon I find

myself only 10 feet or so from the calf with the mother (a

very big whale) on the other side. I realize I am being

completely trusted by the mother because the calf is very

young and cannot stay down long. As we continue to-

gether for three blow series I feel that I have been given a

blessing from The Whale People.

I was so tired after this that I made it only half way to my

usual pull out and beached instead in front of El

Cardonal’s one motel. As I pulled my kayak out, the Que-

bec family (later to become my adopted family) that

stayed at the motel each year during winter came down to

meet me. They laughingly told me how they had watched

the great chase and how they wondered at my stamina; I

told them it was all adrenalin, eh? The young daughter of

my Pangero Vicente had also been watching this from her

house on the hill and had run to her father calling, El

Ballenero, El Ballenero. I am still known by that name

here in the village today, El Ballenero, The Whale Man.

One beautiful day in the middle of March, Vicente and I

were at the southern end of our grid and I spotted some

blows a bit further south. Vicente confirmed them and

gave me a thumbs up for my spotting (always a thing of

pride for me when out with my pilot Eagle Eye Vicente).

They were quite a distance away and it seemed there

might be more than the common two or three (Humpbacks

are not often found in large family groups and it is thought

by some researchers that it is a result of the massive de-

struction of their family units by whaling activities during

the 19th and 20th centuries). As we closed on them we

could see that there were at least four and maybe more. It

was also very clear that something




Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 14 23


get a flank shot of the two together. A flank shot is meant

to ID two whales traveling together, particularly a mother

and young calf for future studies of migratory and/or long

-term relationships. A mother generally does not dive

(fluke up) when she is with a young calf for fear of leav-

ing it on the surface for very long because the calf does-

n’t know how to dive deep yet, and is vulnerable at the

surface. Due to this it is often not possible to get a good

fluke shot on a mother during this time. The fluke shot

being a photo of the underneath of the flukes (tail) where

each Humpback is distinctly marked.

After I got my shots of both flanks I was surprised to see

the mother change course and swim towards us with her

calf. Grey Whales are known for this but not so with

Humpbacks, they are far more reticent to make contact

with humans. I asked Vicente to shut down the motor and

we drifted as the whales approached. The mother circled

the boat with the calf nearby and then stayed about 50’

off as the calf came closer and examined us more closely.

So closely indeed that the calf bumped the gunwale of the

panga, turned its eye to us and treated us to a fine spray

of whale breath! Exhilarating experience, albeit a bit ran-

cid.

Blues and more Blues, Feb. 25th, 2005

The daughter of a good friend, Kirin Riddell, who had

just begun studies in Environmental Biology at Stanford,

was visiting her parents at their home across from me in

El Cardonal. I really enjoy giving people The Whale Ex-

perience (being up close to whales) and since Kirin was a

student of Biology I asked if she would join me one day

for a search. She was delighted and we began the day

with a Humpback encounter within 15 minutes of setting

out. Like most everyone I’ve taken out she was excited

about her first encounter. I got a good fluke shot and then

asked if she would like to perhaps see a Blue Whale.

Need I ask right? It was rhetorical anyway. She nodded

and since the Sea was utterly flat we took off for deeper

waters (I had found by this time that if I were to ID Blue

Whales it would require an expenditure of much more

time and effort due to the distance needed to go out, usu-

ally 10-15 miles). When we were about 8 miles out

Vicente (he of the Eagle Eye) spotted some blows. They

were yet further out but as we looked it was clear there

were more than one, no, more than two...or maybe more?

We hustled out to them and there they were, a group of

11 Blue Whales of all ages and leisurely cruising South.

With Blue Whales the photo ID shot is of the flank as its

dorsal fin is most exposed.

I asked Vicente to get us in the midst of them so I could

shoot to both sides. Soon we were surrounded by Blue

Whales on both sides, behind and in front of us. Some

came real close to the panga and as we worked our way

through the group I felt elated in a

way I never before felt. These were the BIGGEST

creatures the Earth has ever seen, and I was in their

midst. I did not start diving with Whales until two

years later so I missed an incredible opportunity, but

whose to complain, eh?

To top it off, on the way in we came across two more

Humpbacks and I was able to get fluke shots on

both...what a day!

My first encounter with Sperm Whales, 2007

Late in the 2007 season, April 6th, Vicente and I were

searching off Punta Pescadero for Humpbacks and I

decided to go into deeper waters to see if any Blue

Whales were passing through. When we got out about

10 miles Vicente spotted some blows but they looked

odd to me. As we approached, Vicente said Cacha-

lotes (Sperm Whales). I had never seen a Sperm

Whale (we’re talking Moby Dick now, their blow is

very different due to only one blow hole located

slightly to the side of the head so the blow is diagnal)

and they are TOOTHED. There were four

of them logging on the surface after a deep dive and

getting their breath back. We were in about 1500’ of

water and they had probably been deep diving for

Humbolt Squid in the area. My friend Nadia Cisneros,

who was working on her PhD at Scripps, focused on

Sperm Whales so I thought I would get her some

ID’s. The whales were cooperative; one even turned

and came for us (talk about having images of Moby

Dick) but only out of curiosity. I got my ID’s and we

moved on. Later Vicente asked me why I didn’t dive

with them (I had begun diving with whales that sea-

son). Well...I tried to rationalize it all but the truth was

that I had considered the fact that they were

TOOTHED whales (like Orcas) and could really do a

number on me if they so desired. Vicente understood

but I vowed I would not miss the chance again. It

wasn’t until 2011 that I got the chance and this time I

took it for the Dive of a Lifetime.

Perseverance Furthers, kayaking with a mother

and calf- 2007

By late March of 2007, I had acquired a number of

good ID’s and my research funds were pretty much

expended so I spent more time in my kayak out at The

Whale Zone (WZ, 2 miles from shore) where I had

made most of my encounters. The winds had died and

I decided to go out in the afternoon, which I rarely do

since the winds generally come up then and paddling

is not pleasant. At about 1 mile out I stopped to listen

for blows. I had discovered that often one hears a

blow rather than sees a whale since hearing is a 360

degree sense and seeing is around 90 degrees. A

whale blow can be heard from a good distance


Stephen Jansen:

Baja Beach Booster

By: Gary Graham

Ray Cannon first exposed Baja and its phenomenal sport-

fishing decades ago. Although fishing from boats has

drawn the most attention over the years, there are grow-

ing numbers of anglers who have discovered the remark-

able sportfishing opportunities and challenges available

while prowling miles and miles of beaches surrounding

Baja's tip.

Technical advances in both tackle and techniques in all

disciplines – conventional, spinning or flyrod – have al-

lowed extraordinary catches that would have been un-

thinkable in the past.

Jansen Inshore Tackle, located in a corner of the Mar de

Cortez Hotel in downtown Cabo San Lucas, opened its

doors 14 years ago, specifically focusing on the tackle

required for Baja Beaches. Jansen, a 6-foot, 3-inch tall

lanky Hollander with an unbridled passion for fishing,

first visited Cabo on a side trip in 1994, during a lengthy

outing from Amsterdam to Los Angeles. "My goal was

to catch a marlin," he admitted recently. "The captain

caught three and let me reel them in," he continued with a

sheepish grin. "I fell in love with Baja … the ability to

fish in shorts for giant fish."

Returning to the Netherlands where he worked in a tackle

shop, he proposed to his boss that since the off-season

was November through January, he would take those

three months off to fish in Cabo. For the next six years,

Jansen saved his money for nine months each year, then

spent Holland's frigid winter months in Cabo, blowing

the money he had saved all year for the trip. He was lov-

ing it! Although he purchased a 16-foot outboard, he

soon learned that he couldn't afford to go out every day.

Fuel and boat maintenance costs were too expensive, so

he began exploring the local beaches for fishing

opportunities instead.

Then, in 1998, he met the love of his life. After a whirl-

wind courtship, he and Monica were married in Holland

in 1999. When they returned to Cabo they opened

Stephen Jansen Inshore Tackle. Their well-stocked

shop tucked away in the corner of Mar de Cortez Hotel

should be a must visit on your next trip south. Fourteen

years

later, that excitement he felt when he first visited Cabo

has matured into a passion that he can barely contain.



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 15 22

The Intimate and True

Adventures of El Balleneroâ

By: Urmas Kaldveer, PhD

2007 was another very good season with lots of hump-

backs, and much to my, and Richards delight, I was also

able to ID twelve blue whales along with my hump-

backs. On March 17th of 2007 while tracking a hump-

back on a most beautiful day I decided to make my first

whale dive. At first Vicente was very skeptical about

my doing this because he was convinced that there were

man eating sharks everywhere in The Sea of Cortez and

I was foolish to voluntarily enter the water and tempt

them. My previous dive in Cabo Pulmo in 2004 with

The White Finned Reef Shark and my successful desen-

sitizing of the fear that went along with that experience

assured me that all would be well. I put on my gear and

sat on the gunnels waiting to bail out as soon as Vicente

could maneuver the boat into a position in which I

could get in the water in front of the whale and wait for

it to arrive. Vicente skillfully put me in position, I

bailed out and was able to get within about sixty feet of

it before it fluked up and dove too deep and fast for me

to follow. On board was my colleague and good friend

from the college, Susan Janssen, and she took pictures

of this first dive.

Shortly after this first dive with a whale, Vicente and I

came across a mother and calf pair that were cruising

south near Punta Pescadero. The mother would not

fluke up due to the youth of the calf and not wanting to

leave it near the surface without supervision. I took

flank shots of the pair and noticed that the calf did not

look at all healthy. I wanted a closer look but did not

want the boat to frighten the calf or anger the mother. I

asked Vicente to position me well in front of them and

then I dove in to wait. The timing and position were

perfect with both whales diving just before arriving at

where I waited in the water. I then dove hoping to see

the whales as they passed nearby and get a close-up

look of the calf’s body. I didn’t see the mother but I got

a good look at the calf. I was both thrilled (this was my

first underwater encounter) and dismayed. The calf was

only a few feet away and was clearly curious as to what

I was. Its eye was on me and it turned its body slightly

to get a better look at me and I felt a strong connection

with this intelligent little critter. The calf however was

in very poor health; the backbone was pronounced and

the skin looked pasty and gray. There seemed to be a

number of open sores and a fair number of long lacera-

tions across its body. I feared that it had been badly en-

tangled in a drift net or gill net. The marks did not look

like Orca rakes. I have had a number of underwater

encounters since then and it is often the case that a calf

will be the initiator of closer contact.

It was exhilarating and very empowering. I now under-

stood the joy of diving with the critters that was so well

documented in Ocean Spirit. Though there was no inter-

est on the part of that whale in making close contact I

was certain it was fully aware of my presence and I felt

HONORED to be in its space. I made eight more whale

dives that season and each one, just like the ones I con-

tinue to make now, is a special treat in my life. I have at

this point been selected for whale visitations three times

initiated completely by the whales themselves.

I have swum alongside many both above and below the

surface and have had the truly wonderful experience of

having five whales make a point of swimming TO ME

and letting me look into their eyes from a distance of

less than 20 feet. In April of 2010 I had the very, very

special experience of diving with a blue whale close

enough so that I was able to look into its eye and believe

me when I say, THAT WAS A TREAT. My Native

American friends in Northern California refer to the blue

whales as The Ocean’s Wisdom Keepers. Once again

my dear friend Susan Janssen was on board, how sweet!

I had also begun kayaking out to what I referred to as

The Whale Zone (WZ) every few days to see if I might

have an encounter. The WZ is two miles out from shore

directly in front of my village (I also refer to this area

from 1 mile to 5 miles out as The Humpback Highway).

I go out early in the morning and usually stay out for

about 2 hours. I have had many wonderful experiences

out there. I have swum with five different species of

whale (including a pod of twelve Orcas), four different

species of dolphin, three species of rays and a number of

sea lions and turtles. Never once have I felt anything but

acceptance, interest and awe at my good fortune to be

with these critters in THEIR WORLD

My First close encounter with a mother

and calf Humpback,

2005 was my first real season of photo IDing the Hump-

backs in my area. My intention had been to assist Rich-

ard Sears in his monitoring of The Blue Whales in The

Bahia los Muertos (that is the bay formed by the Puntas

(points) Perico to The North and Arena to The south.

With me on those very early searches was one of my

interns from California, Lenee Goselin and her cousin

Kristine from Australia. On one of those searches we

came upon a mother and calf Humpback in front of

Punta Pescadero (a smaller point in The Bay) and we

were all delighted and moved by the sight. I asked

Vicente, my pangero, to parallel the whales so I could


And his one shop located in Cabo San Lucas has

turned into two, the second located in San Jose del

Cabo, BCS, México. (Addresses below.)

While I'm sure that there is some offshore stuff

somewhere in the shops if you ask, his stores are

primarily celebrations of Baja Beaches and the

fishing adventures they offer. The walls are cov-

ered with lures of every shape and description,

mostly designed for flinging from the shore.

Easy to spot, Jansen’s height and blond hair are a

dead giveaway. Chances are he will be in an ani-

mated conversation with someone about some as-

pect of fishing. Maybe he’ll be showing them one

of his custom designed lures. His enthusiasm is

contagious.

His Cabo Killer, in a variety of color combinations,

is a local favorite. It is one of his early designs

adapted primarily to fish the surf in different condi-

tions. Similar to the popular Ranger born on the

East Coast to target striped bass, Jansen's version

sports a weighted keel so it doesn’t flip over and

tangle; the arrow shape allows long casts and a

rapid retrieve. Available in a variety of colors, the

most popular are ballyhoo, blue mackerel, and red

and white according to Jansen. Confirming how

effective the Cabo Killer is, Jansen produced a

photo of a huge dorado caught the week before my

visit with a Cabo Killer hanging out of its mouth.

CONFIRMING HOW EFFECTIVE the Cabo Killer is,

Jansen produced a photo of a huge dorado caught the week

before my visit with a Cabo Killer hanging out of its mouth.

Stephen Jansen

Inshore Tackle locations:

L. Cárdenas E. V. Guerrero S/N, Interior Mar de Cortez,

local 1

Col. Centro, 23410 Cabo San Lucas, BCS, México

Telephone (+52) 624 143 58 04

Cabrilla S/N E/Coronado y Guerero

Col. La Playita, 23450 San Jose del Cabo, BCS, México

Telephone (+52) 624 105 66 88



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 16 21


powerful than when you were younger and use your dec-

ades of experience to shine.

A few of the many, many by-products of movement in-

clude: more happiness, positive image, more creativity,

more energy, feeling stronger, more flexibility and bal-

ance and less stress. All of these benefits and more await

you at the fully equipped Sukhasana Yoga and Pilates

Studio.

“The way to happiness: Keep your heart free from hate,

your mind free from worry. Live simply, expect little,

give much. Scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others.

Try this for a week and you will be surprised.” Norman

Vincent Peale.

Sefi Held, A.C.E., CanfitPro certified

Personal Trainer, Fitness, Yoga, Pilates

and Older Adult Fitness Specialist

Instructor, Resist-A-Ball and Zumba

certified at the Healing Winds Holistic

Center.

Mexican Firsts

* Mexico introduced chocolate, corn, and chilies to the world. (now I know why I

like Mexico so much!)

* The first printing press in North Amer-ica was used in Mexico City in 1539.

BAJA SHAKESPEARE 2015 By: Larry Epstein

For 15 years, a talented band of actors and crew from the

East Cape, Todos Santos and points in between have put

their spin on an otherwise lofty Shakespearean play. In

March 2015 they will present another original, family-

friendly comedy that promises just the right balance of

humor, drama and music.

Entitled “Shakespeare’s Robin Hood OR a Funny Thing

Happened On My Way Through Stratford Forest,” the

show is a retelling of the familiar legend of heroes and

heroines in England during the reign of Richard the Lion-

hearted and his evil brother, Prince John.

This year’s script is written by Larry Epstein, who

penned last year’s show, and is co-written by Jill Brous-

sard. Their take on the legend has a uniquely Baja twist.

Directed by long-time cast member and choreographer

Camilla Ford, the production promises the best that Com-

munity Theater has to offer.

Although the legend of Robin Hood is a familiar one, the

engaging plot is full of spins. For instance, an actor play-

ing Shakespeare appears throughout the play, and he and

other characters speak memorable lines from real Shake-

speare plays.

Familiar characters from the legend --- such as Maid

Marian and Robin Hood and his Merry Men --- are here

to inspire and impress. Also here are the evil Prince John,

the Sheriff of Avon and a gruesome dungeon master,

whose threatening demeanor is moderated by a penchant

to break into song. Once again a live band of minstrels

will entertain the audience and accompany the actors in

songs and dance.

As always, Friends of Baja Shakespeare will support the

cast with contributions and more. In return the Friends

enjoy benefits such as premium seats. For information

about Friends of Shakespeare, contact Anne

at [email protected].

This year, too, longtime Friends of Baja

Shakespeare members, Bob and Liz Pudwill

of Rancho La Venta, will share a special vin-

tage of their delicious mango mead just for

our 2015 production!!

For the second year, the show will be per-

formed at the air conditioned Buena Vista

Beach Resort in Spa Buena Vista. The resort

will offer audience members special deals on

rooms and meals. For reservations, contact

Robin at [email protected]

or phone 624-142-0099.

As a community theater group, Baja Shake-

speare always is looking for enthusiastic new

cast members. This year’s show will be a per-

fect opportunity for newbies to become in-

volved, as there are a dozen mostly non-

speaking parts for actors. No experience nec-

essary. Aspiring actors can contact Kim at

[email protected].

Performances will be at 7:00 PM on Friday

March 20, Saturday March 21st, Thursday

March 26th, Friday March 27th, and Satur-

day March 28th, 2015. There also will be a

matinée performance at 1:30 PM on Sunday

March 22nd, 2015. Tickets are only $20. They

will be available in Los Barriles at Galeria

Los Angeles and at Baja Homes and Land.

For “Will Call” contact Anne at nanatemb-

[email protected] or phone 624-141-0593. For

more information, go to www.facebook.com/

pages/Baja-Shakespeare/220397878011557.

Look for details in future editions of Gringo

Gazette.

mailto:[email protected]




http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baja-Shakespeare/220397878011557




Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 20 17

Cooking Adventure

in San Bartolo

By: Renee Lagloire

Greetings from San Bartolo, BCS, Mexico where De-

nise Elliott and Renée Lagloire have relocated Buen

Provecho Mexican cooking and culture classes. In

2012, the two high school friends came to Baja, refur-

bished a rented kitchen in La Paz, and held authentic

Mexican cooking classes for two seasons. Their classes

were very popular, but they realized their dream was to

live and offer classes in a more rural setting, perhaps

over time growing organic vegetables and building ca-

bañas. And so they chose the beautiful oasis that is

San Bartolo, bought a property with an orchard, and

built a teaching kitchen using local talent and materials.

The building was designed and executed by San Bartolo

artist Robin Ray Stewart (www.santanairon.net) and a

talented team of stone masons. Renée and Denise’s

f r i e n d H o l l y B u r g i n ( E a s t C a p e

Recycling Baja) was instrumental in helping them think

through their needs and desires, and played an impor-

tant role in planning the layout of the interior of the

cook house. Much to Denise and Renée’s amazement,

the project moved faster than anticipated, so they are

able to offer their signature cooking classes starting No-

vember 22 from their new location in San Bartolo.

Their third season will run until the beginning of

March, with cooking classes scheduled Tuesdays,

Thursdays and Saturdays.

Information and posted menus are available by phone

6 1 2 - 1 1 9 - 8 0 3 4 , e - m a i l

www.buenprovecholapaz.com, on their web page

www.buenprovechobaja.com, with photos docu-

menting the construction of the building available on

Facebook “Buen Provecho Baja.”

HAPPINESS IS NOT A

NUMBER ON A SCALE

By: Sefi Held

Our society is bombasrded with messages to be thin, to

be sexy, to lose weight and to have that perfect body and

the, finally, we will be happy. Sound familiar? That

obsession to finally fit into those “skinny jeans” and

once obtain, is just a fleeting moment on the happiness

scale. We look for happiness in all the wrong places

(just like the Garth Brooks song about love) How many

times do we convince ourselves that improved looks,

more money, a bigger house, a better job, etc. will make

us happy even though science has demonstrated that our

happiness level is influenced by how we feel about our

body, rather than our actual shape, we still behave as

through it’s the other way around.

Happiness means many different things to different peo-

ple. Martin Seligman, author of Flourish: A Visionary

new Understanding of Happiness and Wellness deter-

mined that people are happy when they flourish in the

five areas below which he refers to as PERMA. Positive Emotions;

Engagement;

Relationships;

Meaning;

Achievement.

At the Sukhasana Yoga and Pilates Studio, located

within the Healing Winds Holistic Center in Los Barriles,

our trained, certified professionals contribute to our par-

ticipant’s happiness by creating a positive, functional

movement experience for all age groups, shapes and

sizes, by combining the elements of PERMA. Some-

times, the by-product is weight loss or feeling stronger,

and it will be due to the body and brain adapting to the

positive environment and knowing that you are not en-

slaved to the number on the scale.

It is important to reap the emotional benefits of exercise

so the motivation behind the movement is positive –

that’s when the change starts to happen. Being focused

on the quality of life and developing abilities to feel suc-

cessful instead of focusing on areas of weakness and

viewing exercise as punishment will enhance the chances

of enjoyment and, perhaps reaching a goal in a positive,

happy way.

Forget about the scale, self-doubt, self-criticism, body

hate and judgment. Let’s fire up the brain to be happier

through the positive benefits that come from movement

and exercise and become empowered to elevate our lives

without the need of approval from other people. Be more


February of 2011, the price of a gallon of diesel cost

$2.10. Perfect. That meant that filling the 300 gallon

tank of the twin screw 'Too Awesome' was manage-

able against the charter day rate. The more fuel effi-

cient 200 gallon tank on 'Awesome', even more so.

As Omar took over boat operations, he carefully

noted the price of each gallon. In mid-2012, he

started to get a bit of heartburn and shared that the

cost of fuel was now $3.00. Then the fire deepened

and we all were having heartburn. As warned by Pe-

mex, Mexico's Federally controlled petroleum op-

erator, the price of fuel at the pump had gone up

every 3 weeks for two years - yes, read that

again. When we clicked over January 1, 2014, a gal-

lon topped out at $4.00. Not perfect.

The rate increases still don’t make math sense as the

costs of fuel are up nearly 100%. Likely there will

be another nudge in order for many to justify send-

ing boats out. But then again, this is when we re-

mind ourselves about the ‘lifestyle business ‘ and

then the ‘passion’ factor comes into play for owners

and their crews. Add in the affection for our clients

and the relationships that have been built over fish-

ing, and talking about fishing and catching fish. And

with or without it all making financial sense, the

business of Baja fishing will surely continue.

The Importance of Passion in the

Lifestyle of a Fishing Business

By: Theresa Comber

It's fun to talk about fishing.

Actually, it's more fun to go fishing.

Really, it's the most fun to catch a fish.

And it's all better than talking about how much it can

cost to go fishing. Fishing is worth it, of course. Po-

ets, writers, drinking men, sane men and business

men, and a lot of women, all agree. The pursuit of

fish, and the places it can take you, is worth it.

But for those of us in the business of fishing, we've

been spending an undo amount of time talking about

fishing's rising costs. Especially when we'd rather be

fishing. We understand that this is a 'lifestyle' busi-

ness and there'll

never be any real money made in it. But the truly

successful remind us to work where our passion is.

And luckily if it's fishing, then you'll always be able

to eat, you'll live near the water, and be content; at

least until the next fishing day.

But back to those annoying costs. With the dawn of

2014, we were caught in a double whammy which

we could no longer ignore - the fishy smell of in-

creased fuel costs. At “Baja's Awesome Sportfish-

ing” we took note of prices when Omar was hired. In

http://www.buenprovecholapaz.com

http://www.buenprovechobaja.com



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 18 19

Lord of the Wind 2015

Located in beautiful Los Barriles Baja California Sur, Mexico the

LOW kiteboarding competition is one of the most exciting events in

Baja. Our mission is to promote the largest International Kiteboard-

ing event in Baja. The Rotary Club of Los Barriles is again the orga-

nizing body of this overall community event. With major support

from the BCS Tourism board, Annex Brands and others this four day

event will again showcase some of the world’s best. Proceeds will be

used for ongoing and new Rotary projects.

Lord of the Wind founded 5 years ago has quickly become the do

not miss event in Mexico. Bringing riders from around the world

our North winds seldom disappoint. With friendly warm waters,

friendly people and great hospitality Lord of the Wind deserves its

reputation.

The Lord of the Wind Showdown will feature Four days of world-

class Kiteboarding. All disciplines of this exciting sport will be

showcased with Course Racing, Freestyle, Big Air and Slalom. In

addition to the high caliber competition, each night will see authen-

tic local cuisine along with live music and entertainment.

www.lordofthewindbaja.com

Don’t miss it!!!!!




Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 18 19

Lord of the Wind 2015

Located in beautiful Los Barriles Baja California Sur, Mexico the

LOW kiteboarding competition is one of the most exciting events in

Baja. Our mission is to promote the largest International Kiteboard-

ing event in Baja. The Rotary Club of Los Barriles is again the orga-

nizing body of this overall community event. With major support

from the BCS Tourism board, Annex Brands and others this four day

event will again showcase some of the world’s best. Proceeds will be

used for ongoing and new Rotary projects.

Lord of the Wind founded 5 years ago has quickly become the do

not miss event in Mexico. Bringing riders from around the world

our North winds seldom disappoint. With friendly warm waters,

friendly people and great hospitality Lord of the Wind deserves its

reputation.

The Lord of the Wind Showdown will feature Four days of world-

class Kiteboarding. All disciplines of this exciting sport will be

showcased with Course Racing, Freestyle, Big Air and Slalom. In

addition to the high caliber competition, each night will see authen-

tic local cuisine along with live music and entertainment.

www.lordofthewindbaja.com

Don’t miss it!!!!!




Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 20 17

Cooking Adventure

in San Bartolo

By: Renee Lagloire

Greetings from San Bartolo, BCS, Mexico where De-

nise Elliott and Renée Lagloire have relocated Buen

Provecho Mexican cooking and culture classes. In

2012, the two high school friends came to Baja, refur-

bished a rented kitchen in La Paz, and held authentic

Mexican cooking classes for two seasons. Their classes

were very popular, but they realized their dream was to

live and offer classes in a more rural setting, perhaps

over time growing organic vegetables and building ca-

bañas. And so they chose the beautiful oasis that is

San Bartolo, bought a property with an orchard, and

built a teaching kitchen using local talent and materials.

The building was designed and executed by San Bartolo

artist Robin Ray Stewart (www.santanairon.net) and a

talented team of stone masons. Renée and Denise’s

f r i e n d H o l l y B u r g i n ( E a s t C a p e

Recycling Baja) was instrumental in helping them think

through their needs and desires, and played an impor-

tant role in planning the layout of the interior of the

cook house. Much to Denise and Renée’s amazement,

the project moved faster than anticipated, so they are

able to offer their signature cooking classes starting No-

vember 22 from their new location in San Bartolo.

Their third season will run until the beginning of

March, with cooking classes scheduled Tuesdays,

Thursdays and Saturdays.

Information and posted menus are available by phone

6 1 2 - 1 1 9 - 8 0 3 4 , e - m a i l

www.buenprovecholapaz.com, on their web page

www.buenprovechobaja.com, with photos docu-

menting the construction of the building available on

Facebook “Buen Provecho Baja.”

HAPPINESS IS NOT A

NUMBER ON A SCALE

By: Sefi Held

Our society is bombasrded with messages to be thin, to

be sexy, to lose weight and to have that perfect body and

the, finally, we will be happy. Sound familiar? That

obsession to finally fit into those “skinny jeans” and

once obtain, is just a fleeting moment on the happiness

scale. We look for happiness in all the wrong places

(just like the Garth Brooks song about love) How many

times do we convince ourselves that improved looks,

more money, a bigger house, a better job, etc. will make

us happy even though science has demonstrated that our

happiness level is influenced by how we feel about our

body, rather than our actual shape, we still behave as

through it’s the other way around.

Happiness means many different things to different peo-

ple. Martin Seligman, author of Flourish: A Visionary

new Understanding of Happiness and Wellness deter-

mined that people are happy when they flourish in the

five areas below which he refers to as PERMA. Positive Emotions;

Engagement;

Relationships;

Meaning;

Achievement.

At the Sukhasana Yoga and Pilates Studio, located

within the Healing Winds Holistic Center in Los Barriles,

our trained, certified professionals contribute to our par-

ticipant’s happiness by creating a positive, functional

movement experience for all age groups, shapes and

sizes, by combining the elements of PERMA. Some-

times, the by-product is weight loss or feeling stronger,

and it will be due to the body and brain adapting to the

positive environment and knowing that you are not en-

slaved to the number on the scale.

It is important to reap the emotional benefits of exercise

so the motivation behind the movement is positive –

that’s when the change starts to happen. Being focused

on the quality of life and developing abilities to feel suc-

cessful instead of focusing on areas of weakness and

viewing exercise as punishment will enhance the chances

of enjoyment and, perhaps reaching a goal in a positive,

happy way.

Forget about the scale, self-doubt, self-criticism, body

hate and judgment. Let’s fire up the brain to be happier

through the positive benefits that come from movement

and exercise and become empowered to elevate our lives

without the need of approval from other people. Be more


February of 2011, the price of a gallon of diesel cost

$2.10. Perfect. That meant that filling the 300 gallon

tank of the twin screw 'Too Awesome' was manage-

able against the charter day rate. The more fuel effi-

cient 200 gallon tank on 'Awesome', even more so.

As Omar took over boat operations, he carefully

noted the price of each gallon. In mid-2012, he

started to get a bit of heartburn and shared that the

cost of fuel was now $3.00. Then the fire deepened

and we all were having heartburn. As warned by Pe-

mex, Mexico's Federally controlled petroleum op-

erator, the price of fuel at the pump had gone up

every 3 weeks for two years - yes, read that

again. When we clicked over January 1, 2014, a gal-

lon topped out at $4.00. Not perfect.

The rate increases still don’t make math sense as the

costs of fuel are up nearly 100%. Likely there will

be another nudge in order for many to justify send-

ing boats out. But then again, this is when we re-

mind ourselves about the ‘lifestyle business ‘ and

then the ‘passion’ factor comes into play for owners

and their crews. Add in the affection for our clients

and the relationships that have been built over fish-

ing, and talking about fishing and catching fish. And

with or without it all making financial sense, the

business of Baja fishing will surely continue.

The Importance of Passion in the

Lifestyle of a Fishing Business

By: Theresa Comber

It's fun to talk about fishing.

Actually, it's more fun to go fishing.

Really, it's the most fun to catch a fish.

And it's all better than talking about how much it can

cost to go fishing. Fishing is worth it, of course. Po-

ets, writers, drinking men, sane men and business

men, and a lot of women, all agree. The pursuit of

fish, and the places it can take you, is worth it.

But for those of us in the business of fishing, we've

been spending an undo amount of time talking about

fishing's rising costs. Especially when we'd rather be

fishing. We understand that this is a 'lifestyle' busi-

ness and there'll

never be any real money made in it. But the truly

successful remind us to work where our passion is.

And luckily if it's fishing, then you'll always be able

to eat, you'll live near the water, and be content; at

least until the next fishing day.

But back to those annoying costs. With the dawn of

2014, we were caught in a double whammy which

we could no longer ignore - the fishy smell of in-

creased fuel costs. At “Baja's Awesome Sportfish-

ing” we took note of prices when Omar was hired. In

http://www.buenprovecholapaz.com

http://www.buenprovechobaja.com



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 16 21


powerful than when you were younger and use your dec-

ades of experience to shine.

A few of the many, many by-products of movement in-

clude: more happiness, positive image, more creativity,

more energy, feeling stronger, more flexibility and bal-

ance and less stress. All of these benefits and more await

you at the fully equipped Sukhasana Yoga and Pilates

Studio.

“The way to happiness: Keep your heart free from hate,

your mind free from worry. Live simply, expect little,

give much. Scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others.

Try this for a week and you will be surprised.” Norman

Vincent Peale.

Sefi Held, A.C.E., CanfitPro certified

Personal Trainer, Fitness, Yoga, Pilates

and Older Adult Fitness Specialist

Instructor, Resist-A-Ball and Zumba

certified at the Healing Winds Holistic

Center.

Mexican Firsts

* Mexico introduced chocolate, corn, and chilies to the world. (now I know why I

like Mexico so much!)

* The first printing press in North Amer-ica was used in Mexico City in 1539.

BAJA SHAKESPEARE 2015 By: Larry Epstein

For 15 years, a talented band of actors and crew from the

East Cape, Todos Santos and points in between have put

their spin on an otherwise lofty Shakespearean play. In

March 2015 they will present another original, family-

friendly comedy that promises just the right balance of

humor, drama and music.

Entitled “Shakespeare’s Robin Hood OR a Funny Thing

Happened On My Way Through Stratford Forest,” the

show is a retelling of the familiar legend of heroes and

heroines in England during the reign of Richard the Lion-

hearted and his evil brother, Prince John.

This year’s script is written by Larry Epstein, who

penned last year’s show, and is co-written by Jill Brous-

sard. Their take on the legend has a uniquely Baja twist.

Directed by long-time cast member and choreographer

Camilla Ford, the production promises the best that Com-

munity Theater has to offer.

Although the legend of Robin Hood is a familiar one, the

engaging plot is full of spins. For instance, an actor play-

ing Shakespeare appears throughout the play, and he and

other characters speak memorable lines from real Shake-

speare plays.

Familiar characters from the legend --- such as Maid

Marian and Robin Hood and his Merry Men --- are here

to inspire and impress. Also here are the evil Prince John,

the Sheriff of Avon and a gruesome dungeon master,

whose threatening demeanor is moderated by a penchant

to break into song. Once again a live band of minstrels

will entertain the audience and accompany the actors in

songs and dance.

As always, Friends of Baja Shakespeare will support the

cast with contributions and more. In return the Friends

enjoy benefits such as premium seats. For information

about Friends of Shakespeare, contact Anne

at [email protected].

This year, too, longtime Friends of Baja

Shakespeare members, Bob and Liz Pudwill

of Rancho La Venta, will share a special vin-

tage of their delicious mango mead just for

our 2015 production!!

For the second year, the show will be per-

formed at the air conditioned Buena Vista

Beach Resort in Spa Buena Vista. The resort

will offer audience members special deals on

rooms and meals. For reservations, contact

Robin at [email protected]

or phone 624-142-0099.

As a community theater group, Baja Shake-

speare always is looking for enthusiastic new

cast members. This year’s show will be a per-

fect opportunity for newbies to become in-

volved, as there are a dozen mostly non-

speaking parts for actors. No experience nec-

essary. Aspiring actors can contact Kim at

[email protected].

Performances will be at 7:00 PM on Friday

March 20, Saturday March 21st, Thursday

March 26th, Friday March 27th, and Satur-

day March 28th, 2015. There also will be a

matinée performance at 1:30 PM on Sunday

March 22nd, 2015. Tickets are only $20. They

will be available in Los Barriles at Galeria

Los Angeles and at Baja Homes and Land.

For “Will Call” contact Anne at nanatemb-

[email protected] or phone 624-141-0593. For

more information, go to www.facebook.com/

pages/Baja-Shakespeare/220397878011557.

Look for details in future editions of Gringo

Gazette.









Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 15 22

The Intimate and True

Adventures of El Balleneroâ

By: Urmas Kaldveer, PhD

2007 was another very good season with lots of hump-

backs, and much to my, and Richards delight, I was also

able to ID twelve blue whales along with my hump-

backs. On March 17th of 2007 while tracking a hump-

back on a most beautiful day I decided to make my first

whale dive. At first Vicente was very skeptical about

my doing this because he was convinced that there were

man eating sharks everywhere in The Sea of Cortez and

I was foolish to voluntarily enter the water and tempt

them. My previous dive in Cabo Pulmo in 2004 with

The White Finned Reef Shark and my successful desen-

sitizing of the fear that went along with that experience

assured me that all would be well. I put on my gear and

sat on the gunnels waiting to bail out as soon as Vicente

could maneuver the boat into a position in which I

could get in the water in front of the whale and wait for

it to arrive. Vicente skillfully put me in position, I

bailed out and was able to get within about sixty feet of

it before it fluked up and dove too deep and fast for me

to follow. On board was my colleague and good friend

from the college, Susan Janssen, and she took pictures

of this first dive.

Shortly after this first dive with a whale, Vicente and I

came across a mother and calf pair that were cruising

south near Punta Pescadero. The mother would not

fluke up due to the youth of the calf and not wanting to

leave it near the surface without supervision. I took

flank shots of the pair and noticed that the calf did not

look at all healthy. I wanted a closer look but did not

want the boat to frighten the calf or anger the mother. I

asked Vicente to position me well in front of them and

then I dove in to wait. The timing and position were

perfect with both whales diving just before arriving at

where I waited in the water. I then dove hoping to see

the whales as they passed nearby and get a close-up

look of the calf’s body. I didn’t see the mother but I got

a good look at the calf. I was both thrilled (this was my

first underwater encounter) and dismayed. The calf was

only a few feet away and was clearly curious as to what

I was. Its eye was on me and it turned its body slightly

to get a better look at me and I felt a strong connection

with this intelligent little critter. The calf however was

in very poor health; the backbone was pronounced and

the skin looked pasty and gray. There seemed to be a

number of open sores and a fair number of long lacera-

tions across its body. I feared that it had been badly en-

tangled in a drift net or gill net. The marks did not look

like Orca rakes. I have had a number of underwater

encounters since then and it is often the case that a calf

will be the initiator of closer contact.

It was exhilarating and very empowering. I now under-

stood the joy of diving with the critters that was so well

documented in Ocean Spirit. Though there was no inter-

est on the part of that whale in making close contact I

was certain it was fully aware of my presence and I felt

HONORED to be in its space. I made eight more whale

dives that season and each one, just like the ones I con-

tinue to make now, is a special treat in my life. I have at

this point been selected for whale visitations three times

initiated completely by the whales themselves.

I have swum alongside many both above and below the

surface and have had the truly wonderful experience of

having five whales make a point of swimming TO ME

and letting me look into their eyes from a distance of

less than 20 feet. In April of 2010 I had the very, very

special experience of diving with a blue whale close

enough so that I was able to look into its eye and believe

me when I say, THAT WAS A TREAT. My Native

American friends in Northern California refer to the blue

whales as The Ocean’s Wisdom Keepers. Once again

my dear friend Susan Janssen was on board, how sweet!

I had also begun kayaking out to what I referred to as

The Whale Zone (WZ) every few days to see if I might

have an encounter. The WZ is two miles out from shore

directly in front of my village (I also refer to this area

from 1 mile to 5 miles out as The Humpback Highway).

I go out early in the morning and usually stay out for

about 2 hours. I have had many wonderful experiences

out there. I have swum with five different species of

whale (including a pod of twelve Orcas), four different

species of dolphin, three species of rays and a number of

sea lions and turtles. Never once have I felt anything but

acceptance, interest and awe at my good fortune to be

with these critters in THEIR WORLD

My First close encounter with a mother

and calf Humpback,

2005 was my first real season of photo IDing the Hump-

backs in my area. My intention had been to assist Rich-

ard Sears in his monitoring of The Blue Whales in The

Bahia los Muertos (that is the bay formed by the Puntas

(points) Perico to The North and Arena to The south.

With me on those very early searches was one of my

interns from California, Lenee Goselin and her cousin

Kristine from Australia. On one of those searches we

came upon a mother and calf Humpback in front of

Punta Pescadero (a smaller point in The Bay) and we

were all delighted and moved by the sight. I asked

Vicente, my pangero, to parallel the whales so I could


And his one shop located in Cabo San Lucas has

turned into two, the second located in San Jose del

Cabo, BCS, México. (Addresses below.)

While I'm sure that there is some offshore stuff

somewhere in the shops if you ask, his stores are

primarily celebrations of Baja Beaches and the

fishing adventures they offer. The walls are cov-

ered with lures of every shape and description,

mostly designed for flinging from the shore.

Easy to spot, Jansen’s height and blond hair are a

dead giveaway. Chances are he will be in an ani-

mated conversation with someone about some as-

pect of fishing. Maybe he’ll be showing them one

of his custom designed lures. His enthusiasm is

contagious.

His Cabo Killer, in a variety of color combinations,

is a local favorite. It is one of his early designs

adapted primarily to fish the surf in different condi-

tions. Similar to the popular Ranger born on the

East Coast to target striped bass, Jansen's version

sports a weighted keel so it doesn’t flip over and

tangle; the arrow shape allows long casts and a

rapid retrieve. Available in a variety of colors, the

most popular are ballyhoo, blue mackerel, and red

and white according to Jansen. Confirming how

effective the Cabo Killer is, Jansen produced a

photo of a huge dorado caught the week before my

visit with a Cabo Killer hanging out of its mouth.

CONFIRMING HOW EFFECTIVE the Cabo Killer is,

Jansen produced a photo of a huge dorado caught the week

before my visit with a Cabo Killer hanging out of its mouth.

Stephen Jansen

Inshore Tackle locations:

L. Cárdenas E. V. Guerrero S/N, Interior Mar de Cortez,

local 1

Col. Centro, 23410 Cabo San Lucas, BCS, México

Telephone (+52) 624 143 58 04

Cabrilla S/N E/Coronado y Guerero

Col. La Playita, 23450 San Jose del Cabo, BCS, México

Telephone (+52) 624 105 66 88



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 14 23


get a flank shot of the two together. A flank shot is meant

to ID two whales traveling together, particularly a mother

and young calf for future studies of migratory and/or long

-term relationships. A mother generally does not dive

(fluke up) when she is with a young calf for fear of leav-

ing it on the surface for very long because the calf does-

n’t know how to dive deep yet, and is vulnerable at the

surface. Due to this it is often not possible to get a good

fluke shot on a mother during this time. The fluke shot

being a photo of the underneath of the flukes (tail) where

each Humpback is distinctly marked.

After I got my shots of both flanks I was surprised to see

the mother change course and swim towards us with her

calf. Grey Whales are known for this but not so with

Humpbacks, they are far more reticent to make contact

with humans. I asked Vicente to shut down the motor and

we drifted as the whales approached. The mother circled

the boat with the calf nearby and then stayed about 50’

off as the calf came closer and examined us more closely.

So closely indeed that the calf bumped the gunwale of the

panga, turned its eye to us and treated us to a fine spray

of whale breath! Exhilarating experience, albeit a bit ran-

cid.

Blues and more Blues, Feb. 25th, 2005

The daughter of a good friend, Kirin Riddell, who had

just begun studies in Environmental Biology at Stanford,

was visiting her parents at their home across from me in

El Cardonal. I really enjoy giving people The Whale Ex-

perience (being up close to whales) and since Kirin was a

student of Biology I asked if she would join me one day

for a search. She was delighted and we began the day

with a Humpback encounter within 15 minutes of setting

out. Like most everyone I’ve taken out she was excited

about her first encounter. I got a good fluke shot and then

asked if she would like to perhaps see a Blue Whale.

Need I ask right? It was rhetorical anyway. She nodded

and since the Sea was utterly flat we took off for deeper

waters (I had found by this time that if I were to ID Blue

Whales it would require an expenditure of much more

time and effort due to the distance needed to go out, usu-

ally 10-15 miles). When we were about 8 miles out

Vicente (he of the Eagle Eye) spotted some blows. They

were yet further out but as we looked it was clear there

were more than one, no, more than two...or maybe more?

We hustled out to them and there they were, a group of

11 Blue Whales of all ages and leisurely cruising South.

With Blue Whales the photo ID shot is of the flank as its

dorsal fin is most exposed.

I asked Vicente to get us in the midst of them so I could

shoot to both sides. Soon we were surrounded by Blue

Whales on both sides, behind and in front of us. Some

came real close to the panga and as we worked our way

through the group I felt elated in a

way I never before felt. These were the BIGGEST

creatures the Earth has ever seen, and I was in their

midst. I did not start diving with Whales until two

years later so I missed an incredible opportunity, but

whose to complain, eh?

To top it off, on the way in we came across two more

Humpbacks and I was able to get fluke shots on

both...what a day!

My first encounter with Sperm Whales, 2007

Late in the 2007 season, April 6th, Vicente and I were

searching off Punta Pescadero for Humpbacks and I

decided to go into deeper waters to see if any Blue

Whales were passing through. When we got out about

10 miles Vicente spotted some blows but they looked

odd to me. As we approached, Vicente said Cacha-

lotes (Sperm Whales). I had never seen a Sperm

Whale (we’re talking Moby Dick now, their blow is

very different due to only one blow hole located

slightly to the side of the head so the blow is diagnal)

and they are TOOTHED. There were four

of them logging on the surface after a deep dive and

getting their breath back. We were in about 1500’ of

water and they had probably been deep diving for

Humbolt Squid in the area. My friend Nadia Cisneros,

who was working on her PhD at Scripps, focused on

Sperm Whales so I thought I would get her some

ID’s. The whales were cooperative; one even turned

and came for us (talk about having images of Moby

Dick) but only out of curiosity. I got my ID’s and we

moved on. Later Vicente asked me why I didn’t dive

with them (I had begun diving with whales that sea-

son). Well...I tried to rationalize it all but the truth was

that I had considered the fact that they were

TOOTHED whales (like Orcas) and could really do a

number on me if they so desired. Vicente understood

but I vowed I would not miss the chance again. It

wasn’t until 2011 that I got the chance and this time I

took it for the Dive of a Lifetime.

Perseverance Furthers, kayaking with a mother

and calf- 2007

By late March of 2007, I had acquired a number of

good ID’s and my research funds were pretty much

expended so I spent more time in my kayak out at The

Whale Zone (WZ, 2 miles from shore) where I had

made most of my encounters. The winds had died and

I decided to go out in the afternoon, which I rarely do

since the winds generally come up then and paddling

is not pleasant. At about 1 mile out I stopped to listen

for blows. I had discovered that often one hears a

blow rather than sees a whale since hearing is a 360

degree sense and seeing is around 90 degrees. A

whale blow can be heard from a good distance


Stephen Jansen:

Baja Beach Booster

By: Gary Graham

Ray Cannon first exposed Baja and its phenomenal sport-

fishing decades ago. Although fishing from boats has

drawn the most attention over the years, there are grow-

ing numbers of anglers who have discovered the remark-

able sportfishing opportunities and challenges available

while prowling miles and miles of beaches surrounding

Baja's tip.

Technical advances in both tackle and techniques in all

disciplines – conventional, spinning or flyrod – have al-

lowed extraordinary catches that would have been un-

thinkable in the past.

Jansen Inshore Tackle, located in a corner of the Mar de

Cortez Hotel in downtown Cabo San Lucas, opened its

doors 14 years ago, specifically focusing on the tackle

required for Baja Beaches. Jansen, a 6-foot, 3-inch tall

lanky Hollander with an unbridled passion for fishing,

first visited Cabo on a side trip in 1994, during a lengthy

outing from Amsterdam to Los Angeles. "My goal was

to catch a marlin," he admitted recently. "The captain

caught three and let me reel them in," he continued with a

sheepish grin. "I fell in love with Baja … the ability to

fish in shorts for giant fish."

Returning to the Netherlands where he worked in a tackle

shop, he proposed to his boss that since the off-season

was November through January, he would take those

three months off to fish in Cabo. For the next six years,

Jansen saved his money for nine months each year, then

spent Holland's frigid winter months in Cabo, blowing

the money he had saved all year for the trip. He was lov-

ing it! Although he purchased a 16-foot outboard, he

soon learned that he couldn't afford to go out every day.

Fuel and boat maintenance costs were too expensive, so

he began exploring the local beaches for fishing

opportunities instead.

Then, in 1998, he met the love of his life. After a whirl-

wind courtship, he and Monica were married in Holland

in 1999. When they returned to Cabo they opened

Stephen Jansen Inshore Tackle. Their well-stocked

shop tucked away in the corner of Mar de Cortez Hotel

should be a must visit on your next trip south. Fourteen

years

later, that excitement he felt when he first visited Cabo

has matured into a passion that he can barely contain.



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 13 24

Continued from pasge 23

I didn’t hear anything but my eye caught a large splash in

the sea north of me around San Isidro (3 miles distant).

Then I saw another and a momentary large black object

break the water...breaching Humpbacks, no doubt! I pad-

dled to where I thought was a good intersect point, hav-

ing watched for a while and seen that they were moving

south toward me, and waited. There was a rare but occa-

sional fog bank just a bit further out from me that day and

I stayed on the edge of it hoping the whales would not

venture into it and I would lose them. After waiting some

time, perhaps 20 minutes it was clear I was in the right

place and I could now see the blows and characteristic

dark humped backs of three whales now only a few hun-

dred feet from me. As I continued positioning myself I

found myself closer and closer to the fog bank and as

they came within 100 feet, yes, they disappeared into the

mist. I followed for a bit but lost them. I could still hear

their blows and I knew they were close but I also knew

that it was best I not go too deep into the fog.

I paddled back out of the fog, using the sun as a marker,

and rested from my attempt for an encounter (by this time

I had come to think of a close encounter in my kayak as

being less than 20 feet). As I rested and enjoyed the feel-

ing of having been in the fog and just hearing the whales

nearby (reminiscent of my experience 35 years before in

Bodega), I glanced up and down, once again just a bit

North of me two more Humpbacks coming my way. This

was great and a very rare occurrence in such a short time.

I positioned myself again, paddling in a fury, and once

again the whales disappeared into the fog. I had been

close, maybe 50 feet or so but not a close encounter. I

was a bit tired now so decided to paddle in, I mean how

many whales I could encounter in a day. Well, here

comes another one and I paddle like the devil to get to it

but alas, I am once again defeated by the fog. Now I am

really tired! This time I am very ready to head for home

because I have been paddling for some time now and still have a good distance back to my pull out. But no, here

come yet two more whales and is there a choice? Of

course not, I NEED to make contact. This time the two

whales do not enter the fog (the fog actually had dissipated

quite a bit) and I am in great position. It turns out to be a

mother and calf. As I they come along side I paddle to stay

with them and edge closer and closer to them. Soon I find

myself only 10 feet or so from the calf with the mother (a

very big whale) on the other side. I realize I am being

completely trusted by the mother because the calf is very

young and cannot stay down long. As we continue to-

gether for three blow series I feel that I have been given a

blessing from The Whale People.

I was so tired after this that I made it only half way to my

usual pull out and beached instead in front of El

Cardonal’s one motel. As I pulled my kayak out, the Que-

bec family (later to become my adopted family) that

stayed at the motel each year during winter came down to

meet me. They laughingly told me how they had watched

the great chase and how they wondered at my stamina; I

told them it was all adrenalin, eh? The young daughter of

my Pangero Vicente had also been watching this from her

house on the hill and had run to her father calling, El

Ballenero, El Ballenero. I am still known by that name

here in the village today, El Ballenero, The Whale Man.

One beautiful day in the middle of March, Vicente and I

were at the southern end of our grid and I spotted some

blows a bit further south. Vicente confirmed them and

gave me a thumbs up for my spotting (always a thing of

pride for me when out with my pilot Eagle Eye Vicente).

They were quite a distance away and it seemed there

might be more than the common two or three (Humpbacks

are not often found in large family groups and it is thought

by some researchers that it is a result of the massive de-

struction of their family units by whaling activities during

the 19th and 20th centuries). As we closed on them we

could see that there were at least four and maybe more. It

was also very clear that something




Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 12

four paws are carefully spread open and gunk and detritus

cleaned out. Nails are clipped and polished.

The pooch moves up on another removable ramp to sta-

tion two. The Tub, first a cleansing shampoo is applied,

any concealed ticks or fleas are exposed, a rare event. A

special shampoo is administered and the normal steps

proceed. However the operation of the spa is closed down

for 24 hours to decontaminate the premises. Appoint-

ments for other spa customers are rescheduled.

Normally, a thorough soaking and cleanup follows, each

dog is brushed and styled. Through this final procedure

the doggies woebegone faces transform into grinning ca-

nine smiles. Bow wow wagging tails, even only stubby

little wriggly things. Big sloppy pink tongue doggy kisses

of appreciation on Vickie's face at the end of their day at

the Fur Face Spa.

When the owners return to fetch their transformed canine

companions their concerned faces turn to smiles. Their

happy pets cavort and

preen showing off their

reclaimed handsome

beauty. Together they

sashay down the red brick

road after their visit to

see Vickie, the wizard of

ahhs. Arf arf

The Los Barriles Dog Show … A thirty year dream come true By Emma Nicholson

I love dog shows. Not big, fancy multi-million dollar dog shows like Westminster (or Crufts in the UK), but small, locally run dog shows in tiny towns and villages up and down the country. Dog shows designed for every size, shape and breed of dog… Shows where scruffy dogs can wag their tails furiously in order to please their owner, or where cattle dogs race around agility courses at break-neck speed, missing most of the obstacles, but having the time of their lives. Shows where racing terriers, distracted by a burger stand, disappear out of the show ring like a group of giggling girls, or where a great dane can lie down in the event ring and go to sleep snoring like a steam-train.

From the age of 11 years, I was hooked on dog shows. I think because the overriding emotion as a spectator was of pure joy and love for our four-legged friends who always strive so hard to please, amuse and enter-tain us. That’s the beauty about a local dog show; it’s a chance to have fun with your dog if you’re a dog owner, and it’s hilarious to watch if you’re just a spec-tator.

I never imagined that, after thirty years since my first dog show, we would be planning our own show as a community in Los Barriles! But what a great place to have a show; I don’t think you could get any more lov-ing and generous dog owners in one region as in the East Cape, and where you’re hard pressed to find two dogs the same as we’re blessed with a multitude of breeds, types, sizes and personalities (dogs not peo-ple).

So what can the community expect from The Los Barriles Dog Show? As this is our first year, we’re starting off with small ambitions. However, the sup-port from sponsors and volunteers has been over-whelming, and with the help from groups such as An-nex Brands Inc., Playa Norte RV Park, Van Wormer Resorts, Quadman, Baja’s Awesome Sportfishing we are working to make this a fun-filled, exciting event for both spectators, dogs and dog owners. Plus we are raising money for neutering and spaying activities as well as recycling efforts.

This is a community event and ALL dogs are welcome to enter. No training or previous experience is

25

VICKIE HEAPS

LOVE ON OUR FUR

FACED FOUR FOOTED

FRIENDS

By John David Lionel Brooke

Do dog owners resemble their pets? Active and playful,

peppy, plucky, busy, fun-loving, mischievous, and on

occasion conniving. She has a big attitude! Sometimes

too intelligent for her own good. Loyal, affectionate

and devoted. Fearless toward any aggressor. Thinks she

is far larger than she actually is. No this was not a de-

scription of Vickie but of Bella, a Shih Tzu and her

constant canine companion and manager.

Involved in our Los Barriles community, Vickie volun-

teer’s in spay and neuter clinics. Has served as the

house manager through several Baja Shakespeare’s

annual performances.

A day at Vickie's Fur Face Pet Spa is by appointment

only. Her spa is not exclusive for pedigreed canines and

mixed breed mongrels all are welcome pets to be pam-

pered with love and care under her sensitive knowl-

edgeable hands.

All appointments are booked ahead of time. At the ap-

pointed time the dog and owner arrive at the beautiful

gated house. On the side, big gates open to a long red

brick road leads to the spa. A trek designed to isolate

the doggies from ticks and fleas which may lurk in the

luxurious green lawns in front and back of Vickie's

home.

An inscribed marble slab beside the doors of the Spa

are dedicated to Abbey, Vickie's fur faced female com-

panion for many years. Deceased now and the Spa is

named after her affectionate pet name "Fur Face."

Once inside the doors a doggie grooming production

line which would make Henry Ford proud. First the

registration desk, where the appointment is confirmed.

Notes are taken about the dogs condition and any dis-

crepancies logged of the mutts current physical condi-

tion.

Vickie dominates, the dogs obey her physical messages

and the occasional spoken command. She is the Top

Dog in the spa. The dogs trust her completely through

the whole process.

The dog walks up a removable ramp up to station num-

ber one. Inspection and first visually appraisal of the

animals condition. The head is held high and kept still

in a light adjustable sling, front legs folded back. All

necessary. In fact, the more amateurs the better! The day will kick-off at 11am with a packed program that includes: The agility course – a chance for your dog to have

fun running around eight obstacles in the ring. Lots of jumping and excitement!

Best costume (all dogs) – open to every size and shape of dog.

Best looking dog (over 40 lbs/18 kg) – open to all dogs.

Best looking dog (under 40 lbs/18 kg) – open to all dogs.

Cutest pair of dogs – could be a matching pair, or a mismatched pair; we’re just looking for the cutest and happiest!

Best trick or skill – dogs that can sing, catch a Fris-bee, jump in the air, or perform a trick or skill are welcome to take part in this category.

Every dog that enters will get an award. There will also be one winner plus three runners-up in each event category.

This is a fun event designed for the whole community, and a perfect day out for families, groups of friends and visitors to the area. Join us on the 15th March and as well as the dog show, you can enjoy traditional and local foods and drinks, refreshments, music and en-tertainment.

With your help, we can hopefully make this a regular

date in the diary for Los Barriles… and who knows?

Maybe we can take the show to La Paz, Todos Santos,

Cabo and San Jose to help support other charities

with their spaying and neutering efforts. We can’t

wait to see you on Sunday 15th March – with or with-

out your four-legged friend, and thanks so much for

your support in advance from the team of volunteers

at the Baja Kennel Club www.bajakennelclub.com.

http://www.bajakennelclub.com



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 11 26


So I joined meet up groups where the pressure would be

less evident. Wine lovers, dog lovers, baby boomers.

People I had something in common with. I ended up

starting my own meet up group to target people in my

specific situation—in their 50s and 60s and single. Trying

to start over and make new friends who were also single!

The group took off, and it’s still going strong even

though I’m long gone. Come to find out, that really

wasn’t my thing either!

By the fall of 2013 both Debbie and I were discouraged.

We both hated being stuck on the “pause button,” waiting

for our lives to recharge and restart. I missed Baja in-

tensely and wondered if I dared move back by myself.

So, on five days’ notice and a whim, we flew to Cabo.

She wasn’t quite ready to retire, and I wasn’t sure where I

should live. After checking things out, I chose Todos

Santos. I hoped that the artsy atmosphere there would

ignite my creativity and get me writing again, as I’d been

bone dry for way too long. I love Todos Santos, but liv-

ing there was another slap upside the head. If I thought I

was lonely living alone in San Diego, I was triply lonely

there. I knew soon after moving there that my heart lives

in the East Cape. I’ve been coming here since 1970. I got

married here. I lived here. Even my parents’ ashes are

here. But living alone here? Not my first choice.

So Debbie and I spent the summer traveling, curious to

see how we’d get along and if we could actually live to-

gether. We must have passed all the tests because we

ended up buying a house in Buena Vista. Now that’s kind

of unconventional. I mean, we definitely are not a

“couple.” Friends and family members cautioned against

investing together. “What if you have a falling out? What

if one of you meets a guy? Then what will you do?” We

had to take a leap of faith. We trust each other, we’re ad-

venturous, curious and eager to live our lives here in Baja

Sur.

It is proving to be an excel-

lent choice. As soon as we

crossed the border and

headed south down Mex 1

with our three dogs in early

October, we knew instantly

that we’d made the best ever

decision. We blew kisses to

that “pause button” as we

watched it disappear out the

rear view window. Adios

boredom. Hola adventure!

6 Things Mentally

Strong People Do

1. They move on, they don’t

waste time feeling sorry for

themselves.

2. They embrace change. They

welcome challenge.

3. They stay happy. They don’t

waste energy on things they

can’t control.

4. They are kind, fair and un-

afraid to speak up.

5. They are willing to take cal-

culated risks.

6. They celebrate other peoples

success. They don’t resent that

success.



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 10 27

Where is Noelia?

By: Theresa Comber

The World Wildlife Fund partners with our East

Cape Turtle Program

Noe had his precious two year old daughter Noelia

tucked into his lap in the dawn light as they rode a well-

worn three wheeler ATV along the shores of Los Barri-

les. That’s when they first came upon the awe inspiring

experience of a Momma turtle laying her eggs in the

sand. At yet just two years of age, it was Noelia’s pas-

sionate response that inspired Noe to begin an ad-hoc

turtle program to protect Mother turtles and their eggs to

assure there would be sea turtles in the East Cape well

into Noelia’s future.

Five years hence, the East Cape’s now established Grupo

Tortuguero turtle program, run by Noe Araiza and his

brother Omar, received a great honor this fall when the

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) sought them out to partner

on a special mother turtle tracking and release program.

Mexico’s Telcel communications company provided the

funding for the WWF program which partnered with the

Araiza’s to capture and tag a mother turtle and then chart

her travels after release.

It wasn’t hard to figure out that her name would be

Noelia, of course! But finding her was the challenge. The

timing for the program was in early November, during

the waning days of the laying season. After looking for

two days and nights, a mother turtle labored ashore in

front of the Buenos Aires arroyo, very near the turtle

nursery. Que Suerte! After delivering her eggs, Noelia

was carefully managed into a large salt water tank to pre-

pare her for the attaching of the GPS tracking device.

Costing $5,000 and full of impressive and durable tech-

nology,

the device was fiber glassed to Noelia’s shell. After two

days ashore (they can easily manage as many as four

shore days), Noelia was released to much fanfare with a

large crowd in front of the Palmas de Cortez Hotel on

Tuesday, November 11. The entire classroom of Noelia’s

namesake was allowed to attend the sea. Once she found

her bearings on the hot sand, she made fast work of her

return to her precious waters and disappeared nearly as

quickly as she entered.

But not for long! With her newly attached GPS, Noelia’s

first report came just 24 hours later when it pinged a sat-

ellite that showed she headed north and was off of Punta

Pescadero. In the past 5 weeks, Noelia has covered an

enormous amount of water offshore of the East Cape â€“

in fact swimming a remarkable 675 kilometers. From

Punta Pescadero she headed 25 miles north to the Bay of

Dreams and Punta Perico, then east another 15 miles east

off of Isla Cerralvo and near the popular fishing grounds

marked by a tall pinnacle. She meandered a bit before

heading back toward Los Barriles, but instead kept on-

ward toward La Ribera before heading out and south; it

appears now she could be leaving our Sea of Cortez and

heading toward the Pacific!

Want to know where Noelia is? Use www.seaturtles.org/

tracking and enter Noelia - there are two and she is the

Olive Ridley in Baja California Sur. You can even sign

up to receive emails when the satellite signal pings. The

GPS can last for up to 8 months, so our journey with

Noelia may just be beginning!

Now, it seems not just Noelia, but all of us, have been

gifted by Telcel’s investment in this truly unique GPS,

coupled with the World Wildlife Fund’s constant efforts

to expand global awareness and then ultimately the won-

derful partnership with our Grupo Tortuguero’s commit-

ment to the sea turtles of the Cortez and the oceans of the

world.

An Unconventional Solution By Ann Hazard

Life throws us curve balls. We all know that. Sometimes

it damn well pelts us with them. That happened to me in

2010 and 2011. I lost the ability to walk. A few months

later my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Imme-

diately after I moved with my husband from Florida back

to San Diego. I had a hip replacement just weeks before

my dad died on Christmas Eve. My husband and I bought

a house in the spring and I hoped we’d settle well in San

Diego. It wasn’t to be. Our marriage was in shambles and

ended abruptly soon after.

I fled to my home in Idaho where I fell in love with

someone I’d been good friends with for nearly a decade.

Would he and I finally get our happily ever after? Nope.

On our first big romantic vacation he got sick and nearly

died. His health continued to deteriorate and he just

couldn’t handle a relationship anymore. So ours effec-

tively ended with 2011, right after I’d had to put my two

dogs down. He has since passed away.

My closest friend Debbie had a similar pummeling. Her

dad died after a long battle with cancer in the spring of

2011. A couple months later her husband of 30 years died

unexpectedly of a heart attack. Then one of her best girl-

friends was discovered dead. Debbie was left with a big

house and not much money.

2012 found us both reeling from too many losses, and

floundering as to how to move forward with our lives. I

hadn’t lived alone in over 30 years. Debbie hadn’t in

even longer. Our homes were about 20 long freeway

miles apart in San Diego. Her mom lives close to me in

Pacific Beach, and they spent a lot of time together as

they dealt with their grief. My daughter and her family

live two blocks from Deb’s mom, and I was there fre-

quently as well.

We’d always been close and now we had more reasons to

hang out. But mostly what brought us together was lone-

liness, and the inability to get ourselves off the “pause

button.” How does one do “single and sixty” in San

Diego? That was the resounding, endlessly repeating

question in our heads. San Diego is young people’s city

and one of my friends liked to remark how we older

women are basically invisible. Invisible? I don’t think so.

I have never been anything even approaching a wall

flower, so at my sister’s suggestion, I delved into online

dating. Oh my God. Not my idea of a good time. Try in-

terviewing for the position of significant other. Worse

yet, try dealing with guys who really just want to have

“some fun.” That was awkward! My favorites were the

men whose online photos were a minimum of 10 years

out of date, along with their waist lines.






Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 9 28

I have to say that this first camp, which we really did not

know what to expect, went very well. The kids had a

great time and learned a lot, the coaches and volunteers

may have been tired, but we all felt like we did some-

thing great!

I could not say enough about those who volunteered to

help make Sawyer Camp a reality. We had about 15

folks that came out and registered the campers, coached,

played, cooked and tore down. And not one volunteer

asked for a 2nd dose of Advil! One person (and it was 9

year old Sawyer) may be able to come up with an idea,

but it takes many to make it happen!

Juan tells me the kids are so excited and are planning on

starting a team – actually they are planning 3 teams,

Campamento, Santa Cruz, and Santiago. In some of the

equipment donations, I was given uniforms – right now

enough to cover the 3 teams, and that is really exciting!

If we can keep the kids excited about baseball and keep

them playing, then they have something fun to do, and

hopefully stay out of trouble. And judging from some of

the talent we have seen, maybe there will be some pro

players out of the Eastcape sometime in the future!

Our goal is to be able to do at least one camp a year –

hopefully the same weekend each year – maybe the

weekend before Thanksgiving?? If we have enough help

and equipment, maybe even do a spring camp here in Los

Barriles. We will do it in a different community each

time, and then find a home in each neighborhood to be

the holder of the equipment. After we get to each com-

munity, then we will start over with level 2 camp!

But to keep the camps going, the biggest thing everyone

can do now is to collect and bring down equipment. I

have lots at my home in Washington State, and if you can

bring some of it, that would be great. I have many little

league clubs willing to give me equipment, it is just get-

ting it down here that is slowing me down. Right now,

we will have to get it down 2 large bags at a time - and if

you are willing to bring some, we would greatly appreci-

ate it! Donations of dollars are also appreciated which

we will use for purchasing bases and food for the camps.

We have a facebook page-

www.facebook.com/beisbolcampoeneastcape Some of the many pictures that we took and more infor-

mation is on the page. Make sure you ‘like’ the page too.

As the new editor of the Eastcaper, I will shamelessly

promote the camp, and keep everyone posted to what we

are doing. And being that the Asociacion de Artes is our

sponsor……I guess it is ok!

Sawyers Baseball Camp at

Campamento

By: Christine Courtright

You have hopefully heard about it. Maybe you brought

down some equipment. This idea that started 2 years ago,

finally came to fruition….. we finally had the first annual

Sawyers Baseball Camp on November 22nd in Cam-

pamento. This first camp saw 50 kids, ages 5 to 15yrs, 6

of them girls, with the bulk of the kids coming from

Campamento. We even had a pretty good parent crowd.

Now, to make the camp happen, we had to have a local

connection. Juan, who lives in Campamento was our

eyes and ears on the ground. It is Juan’s house where

the equipment, we brought down spring of 2014 is kept.

It was under his direction that we decided to leave the

gear in one central location where the kids would come

after school and get it and then dutifully return it when

done playing that night. I am happy to report, many

months later we still have a full set of gear!

After the hurricane, we worried if we would be able to

have enough volunteers, would the kids come and what

would the field look like? The field was full of debris

and weeds and the neighborhood was also full of piles of

debris and other hurricane garbage – which the neighbor-

hood and DIF could not get the county to remove. Well,

Juan, being very wise of the ways of Mexico, went to the

county and told them that a “delegation from the United

States was coming to put on a baseball camp in Cam-

pamento”. Well, that did the trick, and come Nov 21st,

there were street cleaners, graders and dump trucks in the

neighborhood. Unfortunately, we had to wait a short

time for the grader to finish cleaning up the field, as they

did not start until 8am on the day of our camp – which

was to start at 9am!

We split into three age groups, 6 – 9, 10 – 11, 12 – 15

yrs. We had three sessions: batting, throwing and pitch-

ing, and fielding and catching. Our plan was to let our

three coaches teach their way. We did not have enough

translators, but that did not stop the learning. We quickly

discovered you can do a lot with jesters – to get them to

pay attention to you, tap their shoulder, point two fingers

to your eyes (three stooges style), and then demonstrate.

It worked great! It became evident real soon that there

were some talented kids out there, and that the younger

kids were super cute to watch! Our sessions were about

80 minutes long, we had a mid-morning snack, hot dogs

for lunch, and then a scrimmage after the 3 ses-

sions….still broken up by ages. At the end of the day,

the kids were ready to keep playing, the volunteers and

coaches were ready to take a break- a drink!



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 8 29

THE EARTH UNDER

OUR FEET

BY RUSS HYSLOP

Sorry that I missed the last issue of East Capers, but

I was marooned in the Pacific N.W. dealing with the

V.A. and family issues, while my geology resources

occupied a shelf in my Baja residence. Therefore, no

article.

I’m back now and ready to talk about Geology, in

particular the geology of the Baja Peninsula. In my

absence, I understand from several of my friends,

who were here, that several “earthquakes” rattled the

East Cape area. But, in talking to one individual

who was of the opinion that these “earthquakes”

quite possibly were detonations set off by the mining

companies that want to do strip mining in the Sierra

de La Laguna and that they are continuing to explore

to determine if the uphill battle to sway the public

opinion that is.

Opinion that is opposed to any mining operations in

the delicate environment of our beautiful mountains.

Even though this operation will mean jobs for the

surrounding area, I believe the loss of this natural

area is too great a price to pay for any prosperity it

may bring to the surrounding communities that

could gain employment by these opera-

tions. WRH

“LET’S GO FISHIN’ ON THE SEA OF CORTEZ”

Let's go fishin' on the Sea of Cortez! That's what Grandpa Parker says.

We'll cast our line with feather bait And settle down to watch and wait.

Let's go fishin' in the early day, While frigates sweep across the bay.

Among the dolphins, whales and more Look there -- you'll see a manta soar!

Grandpa Parker, who's in the know, Says catch a marlin, let it go...

And skip that skipjack -- not for you, But "Si" to sierra and tuna, too.

We wait until the time is right: The rod jerks hard -- we've got a bite!

Then Grandpa reels in slow and steady While Gram gets her big fish net ready.

And there it is, beyond the rail -- A big one, dancing on its tail! A good dorado, full of fight,

Will fill our tummies well tonight.

And after dinner, tired and fed, I’ll settle in my comfy bed

And hope tomorrow Grandpa says, "Let's go fishin' on the Sea of Cortez!"

Yes!

Woody 2014

The Intimate and True Adventures

of El Balleneroâ continued from page 24

important was going on because there were innumerable

breaches, fin slaps and tail lobs, even a head butt from the

side by one whale on another. Though I had seen two

male Humpbacks fight before this was a brawl! There

was also a lot of trumpeting (a sound males make when

antagonized and/or communicating aggression) that I had

never heard before...and blood in the waters.

We had come upon a competitive group of males in full

combat and believe me it was a sight to see from close

up. As I began taking fluke shots (there were tails every-

where) we noticed that one whale did not enter into the

fray. She was in the lead, cruising at leisure while the

males fought behind her. This was indeed a classic com-

petitive group and I felt gifted to witness it. Humpback

whales, as all Earth’s creatures, vie for genetic survival

through some form of selection process. In the case of the

great whales it is physical combat (rarely if ever to the

death) with the individual having the greatest stamina,

strength and intelligence becoming the sole escort and

eventual reproductive male. I got six ID’s out of that

group and a new appreciation for The Whale People.

Soon the breeding season (Feb-April) begins in earnest

again here on the Eastcape. Please consider helping fund

my work by going to my GoFundMe sight, or send a

check to MioSah, 106 Canyon Dr., Ukiah, CA 95482.

The donation is tax deductible. Or purchase my book -

The Others, The Whale People - on The Balboa Book-

store, Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Our work during the

past 20 years has accomplished much in protection and

understanding of these great mammals.

WHALE FACTS-

Every year from mid-December to mid-April, hundreds

of gray whales arrive off the coast of Baja California Sur

from the Alaska shores. Whale-watchers flock to Guer-

rero Negro, Laguna San Ignacio and Sierra de Laguna,

where they can see whales jumping up to 40 feet in the

air.

Did you know this

about the Baja?

Control of Baja California shifted between vari-

ous groups in its early history and it was not ad-

mitted into Mexico as a state until 1952. In

1930, the Baja California peninsula was divided

into northern and southern territories. However

in 1952, the northern region (everything above

the 28th parallel) became the 29th state of Mex-

ico, while southern areas remained as a territory

until statehood in 1974 for Baja California Sur.

http://geography.about.com/od/geographyglossaryp/g/ggparallel.htm



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 7 30

East Cape’s Founding

Families

By Joanne Hyslop

After Hernan Cortez conquered Mexico in 1521, the

King of Spain assigned representatives of the

“Society of Jesus”, now known as the Jesuit Order

of the Catholic Church, to travel to “New Spain” and

build missions, bringing in members of the local

population as neophytes. The Jesuits began building

missions along the eastern shore of the Gulf of Cali-

fornia in Sonora, Sinaloa.

The effort proved to be a success so the King or-

dered the Jesuits to explore the territory west of the

Gulf, which was thought at the time to be an island

and is now known as the “Baja Peninsula” The Jesu-

its came over and established the first Mission at Lo-

reto in 1697. They sent for stonemasons, caulkers,

carpenters and blacksmiths from the mainland who

had worked to build the missions there. Enlisted

soldiers were also sent over to protect the new mis-

sions here. Most of these soldiers began their service

at the Presidio de Loreto.

When the Jesuits were expelled by the King in 1768,

many of the workers and soldiers were released from

service and began to spread out along the peninsula,

establishing permanent homes for their families.

You have probably come across this familiar

collection of surnames here in East

Cape….Gonzáles, Ceseña, Manriquez and Ruiz, to

name a few.

Anastasio Verduzco established one of East Cape’s

most notable Founding Families. Sr. Verduzco, who

had enlisted as a soldier, was stationed on the Baja

peninsula before 1765. He served as the supervisor

of the Mission in Todos Santos and at La Pasión at the Mission de los Dolores north of La Paz. He re-

tired in 1787 and moved to the East Cape of BCS

where he founded Rancho Caduaño south of Santi-

ago in the 1790s. Anastasio Verduzco died in Ca-

duaño in 1818. Many of his ancestors live in and

around the La Ribera area today. JAH

Welcome Back to

Turtle Town! By: Theresa Comber

Even the dramatic and damaging effects of Hurricane Odile

could not dampen the passion and resolve the Araiza broth-

ers, Noe and Omar, share for the world’s sea turtles. The

egg laying season usually begins at the end of July. This

summer’s began with a bang in the middle of July and

more than 200 nests (+/- 20,000 eggs) had been moved

from the 13 kilometers of the East Cape coast which Grupo

Tortuguero monitors before the September 14 hurricane.

This is early morning work, with searching for nests occur-

ring in the wee hours of the morning when mother turtle

tracks moving up from the sea can still be seen in the sand.

When the nests are located with a special prod, they are

gently excavated by hand and moved to the protective

nursery preserve on the beachfront near the Buenos Aires

arroyos.

The incredible architecture of a turtle’s nest has evolved

over millennium and Omar and Noe’s mimics the mother’s

original. They begin narrow at the top with approximately

a 6” circumference that extends a foot deep. A cavernous

space able to hold up an average of 100 ping pong sized

eggs is then excavated below the opening about a foot and

a half wide and a foot deep. A mother turtles uses her back

flippers in a synchronized fashion to excavate the nest, first

moving sand by making a small scoop. Then heavily bal-

ancing on her front legs she works tirelessly with big

scoops flinging the sand away until the nest is complete.

The eggs grow through a 6 week incubation period. Incom-

ing nests are meticulously recorded with date, number of

eggs and estimated hatch date.

And then came the destructive forces of Odile. With hurri-

cane force wind, waves and an enormous amount of storm

driven debris it seemed as though the entire season of the

East Cape turtle population would be lost, as sadly it has

been in Cabo San Lucas. But - no way, Noe, the Araiza’s

resiliency, commitment and their ever deepening knowl-

edge of turtles came in to play.

Even with mounds of debris, the perimeter fence badly

damaged, two feet of sand atop the nests and nearly all flag

markers of the 200 nests missing, back to work they went;

all thanks to one remaining marker that allowed Noe and

Omar to triangulate the other buried nest locations. By

hand they excavated away sand to the pre-hurricane surface

level, then used the tool normally used to find the morning

nests in order to find the ones lost. If they had not under-

taken this work, when the babies hatched ,

they would not be able to make their way through

the additional two feet of sand to the surface, and they

would have died.

And then the hatching began! Twice in the middle of Oc-

tober more than 1,000 babies hatched on the same day.

And just when Omar & Noe thought the laying would be

waning

It’s well recognized that substantial sea turtle loss and attri-tion occurs from the time eggs are laid until they hatch and

the babies find the safety of the water. We can thank the Ara-iza brothers and Grupo Tortuguero for assuring our turtle population not just survives, but thrives, even though the

worst of times. Once again, we can be confident and proud that the East Cape is making a profoundly positive effect on

the world’s sea turtles.

Baby turtle releases will likely occur through December. Please stay tuned to the BPE for notices and also ‘like’ the Grupo Tortuguero Los Barriles facebook page for more infor-

mation. Welcome back to Turtle Town!

East Cape Pioneers By: Joanne Hyslop

In days of yore, traveling to the East Cape region of BCS

was more of an excursion than a simple drive down High-

way #1 or a plane ride to the Los Cabos airport. Although

the road was paved from the border to Colonia Colonet on

the northern part of the Baja peninsula, those wishing to

venture further south on what was known as the “Old

Road” used specialized vehicles. Four wheel drive cars

and trucks were popular, as were motorcycles. Another

group came down in private planes but mainly stayed in

resorts in Loreto, Mulegé and La Paz. (“Cabo” wasn’t

“Cabo” back then).

Many of our East Cape pioneers came down to the Los

Barriles-Buena Vista area in the ‘50s and ‘60s. They set-

tled down around the area, mixing with Mexican

neighbors, forming a knowledgeable resource for those of

us who came along later. Jim Smith, perhaps the most

colorful of the group, could be found sitting in his rocking

chair on the porch of his casa on Highway #1 behind

Lupe’s changarro (minisuper) holding forth with historic

tidbits and remembrances of his many trips down the pen-

insula. When Jim left his job as an LA Cop in 1953 he

decided to come down on his motorcycle. He stopped

along the way in San Ignacio, spotted Guadalupe del So-

corro Romero Lopez and fell head over heels. The rest is

history…and Jim loved telling about it!

Marie and Jack Larson, came down in the early ‘50s.

They had a “ship to shore” radio which provided the Continued on page 31



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 6 31


only resource which could connect with family and

friends up north. Marie Larson’s sister, Anna Marie

Hanlon, a retired nurse, came down after and taught us

proper Spanish. Ginger and Chuck Potter who camped

on the beach in La Ribera, had some great adventures on

the original “Old Road”. On a trip north in 1968 a rear

spring on their truck broke at Guerrero Negro, which was

only a salt flat and a bus stop at the time, ending up with

an eight day stay before it got fixed. Ann Hazard and

her parents, Dottie and Togo, drove down to Buena

Vista in 1969, and stayed at Rancho Buena Vista which

was the only game in town. Ann’s cookbooks are on

many kitchen shelves in East Cape and beyond.

Bobby Van Wormer met Herb Tansey, the original

owner of Rancho Buena Vista, in the 1950s and served as

the General Manager for several years. He and his bride

Cha Cha Ruiz founded Hotel Las Palmas de Cortez in

Los Barriles. “Palmas” had its own airstrip at the time

which attracted visitors with small private planes. Den-

nis Riley remembers his first trip down the Baja penin-

sula in 1964 when he was 21 and fresh out of the Navy.

He was instrumental in helping his stepfather, Johnny

Mitre develop the original hotel at Punta Pescadero.

Bringing building supplies down from the U.S. was a

challenge on the “Old Road”. They hired an experienced

truck driver who had the right kind of truck with balloon

tires on the back that could accommodate the center

Mexico and Jaguar’s???!!

The first great civilization in Mexico were the Olmecs (1400-300B.C.), who established many cities along the eastern coast of Mex-ico, sculpted the famous Colossal Heads, and worshipped a mysterious unnamed god that was part human and part jaguar. The largest wildcat in North America is the jaguar, which can be found in Mexico's southern jungles.

ridge in the road. They also had to cut a road north

from the San Bartolo arroyo in order to get to the site.

Hotel Punta Pescadero was opened in 1968. Others like Ray Lee and Earl Weaver were also

early East Cape pioneers. Earl came down with his

parents who settled on the north shore of the Cape re-

gion, close to what is now known as “Light House Es-

tates”. Ray first crossed the border in 1954 to go fish-

ing in San Felipe. Then in 1969 he decided to brave the

“Old Road” and drove all the way down to East Cape.

Listening to Ray describe his trip inland through the

Comondu mountain range past Mission San Javier was

fascinating!

When you’re flying down the Baja peninsula, think

about the early East Cape Pioneers as you gaze out the

window. It looks pretty rugged down there, right?

They were truly an adventurous group, that’s for sure!

The “Old Road” went over sand, rocks, and washes…

by steep cliffs, up and down winding grades over

mountains and through forests of cactus. In August,

during the rainy season, the trip to East Cape could

take a month due to washouts and flooding. If you

REALLY want to take advantage of your East Cape

time on the Baja peninsula, get a map and ask around

for information about where you can experience your

OWN adventure. Go off road...visit the little historic

communities like Santigo… Miraflores…El Rosario.

Then when you get back home you can tell your

friends that you trod in the footsteps of the East Cape

Pioneers. JAH

Details of

the Symbol

on

Mexican

Flag

In the fourteenth century, a group of Chichmecas

(warrior nomads) called the Aztecs, (or Mexicans), set-

tled in Mexico. When they saw an eagle, (representing

the sun), standing on a cactus, (a symbol of the heart),

clutching a snake, (a symbol of the earth or Quetzalcoatl)

they knew this was a special place. This image is now

depicted on the Mexican flag and is the national coat of

arms.

Red, white, and green are the colors of the national lib-

eration army in Mexico.

The current flag was adopted in 1968, but the overall

design has been used since 1821, when the First National

Flag was created.

So now you know!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 5 32

Juan Fetches the Devil By Anthony John Campos

There was an old man and woman and they had a son

called Juan. Juan had such an insatiable appetite that he

was eating them out of the home and toward the hill.

They had arrived at a point where despair and hunger

were overwhelming them.

One evening after they had finished their meager supper,

they asked, "Juan why don't you go fetch the devil and

bring him here?" Juan didn't answer because he was very

sad. He went to his room to get some sleep. He sat on his

bed and began thinking, "Sure, I'll go fetch him. My

mother and father want me to fetch the devil, so I'll go do

it." And away he went, walking and walking and eating

what got in his way.

He continued walking until he came to a cliff that over-

looked the wide ocean. He began conversing with an old

man who was sitting on the cliff. "Sir, I'm looking for the

devil. Can you give me some idea where I can find

him?"

The old man thought for a moment. "I've heard people

say that he lives across the water on the

other side. There's a large cave where fire comes

out, and that must be his home."

"How am I going to cross the ocean?" Juan asked

the old man.

"There's an eagle that will take you across on his

back" the old man said. "But you will have to fur-

nish seven cows because he has such an enormous

appetite that every time he cries out for meat, you

will have to feed him one of the cows."

So, Juan went and stole the cows from a nearby

ranch. Then he went to where the eagle's nest was

and asked him to carry him across the water. The

eagle agreed, and soon they were flying over the

ocean. They had flown only a short way when

Juan, who was on the back of the eagle along with

seven cows, heard "Meat, I want meat." So he

threw down one of the cows and the eagle quickly

devoured it.

When they had flown a bit further over the ocean,

Juan heard the eagle crying again, "Meat, I want

more meat." Once again, Juan threw a cow to the

hungry eagle.

By this time Juan was getting hungry and the eagle

kept eating cow after cow. Juan finally said to the

eagle, "Well, it seems that you want to eat every-

thing and don't want to leave anything for me."

"Shut up, or I'm going to eat you," said the eagle.

"What's that?" cried Juan. "Before you eat me, I'll

eat you."

As soon as Juan said this, the eagle turned over

backwards and Juan went spinning down into the

ocean. Fortunately for him, he fell near land and

was able to swim to shore.

When he was on dry land again, Juan began asking

the people he met, "Where is the cave that has fire

coming out" They told him that the cave was lo-

cated in the middle of a large desert that was very

far away. So Juan started walking and he walked

for miles and miles.

When it began to get dark, he became very hungry

and started looking around for something to eat. He

saw a coyote and started running after him until he

caught him by the tail.

"I'm going to eat you," said Juan to the coyote.

"Please don't eat me," said the coyote. "I know the

whole desert and I'll take you to whatever place

you're looking for.

Continued on 33

.Paul’s Priceless Story

The start of “Baja Misadventures 2011” had me doing

battle with more roaches a little larger than I care for.

I had just returned home from the bar and figured a

quick way to regain my composure would be to rinse

off. But, when I opened the shower door, I found a

large roach just above the shower head. The lady,

whose house I’m staying at, does not leave for an-

other week and as she is still showing me the intrica-

cies of her house, one of them being; how to deal

with roaches. She grabs a can of roach spray and fol-

lows me to the shower. The floor mat is still hanging

on the door and before she can kill the roach on the

wall, I need to remove the matt. As I do so, two more

roaches are exposed. She takes aim and fires sending

one up and onto the ceiling where it then fell on my

head. I jumped and knocked it off, at the same time

knocking the towel that was wrapped around my

waist off.

Four beers and two margaritas: 10 dollars. One can

of raid roach killer: 4 dollars. Accidentally exposing

myself to my 69 year old roomy: PRICELESS.



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 4 33

Mixed Emotions

about Turtles By Jorge Bergen

Got a call from a friend who took a walk on the beach

this morning just a couple of miles west of the new

marina. He found some late Ridley turtle nests and

gave me the location so I could find our local Tortu-

guera guys to report it. Luckily the beach cleanup

team were on our beach and they used their cells to

alert the egg rescue squad. By now they’ve found the

nests and moved the eggs to the safety of the nursery.

Lots of mixed emotions on the turtle thing all the way

around this late in the hatch. Those hardy soldiers on

their quads have saved, nurtured and released 34,000

hatchlings this season alone all along our East Cape

beaches.

I suppose by now it has sunk in that the whole exer-

cise is one of those feel good things that helpers

HOPE will do some good. The mama turtles usually

scout out the beaches two months before they make

the first nest – then they leave the eggs not knowing

what comes next; knowing nothing of the tides or

threats to the eggs from the weather. They lay eggs

year round but since the arribadas bring all the atten-

tion in the summer months, we all think about their

actions as warm weather events.

I’m not sure the local turtle group has incubators at

East Cape and if they don’t those 400 eggs will proba-

bly die or the hatchlings will all be males because it

will surely be cold and wet down there at the nursery

over the next 50 to 70 days until the eggs are ready to

hatch. These young Mexican guys and gals know they

won’t see the males again and the baby females they

say goodbye to at the releases won’t be back on our

beaches for 15 to 50 years.

Mexico Facts of Interest The red poinsettia (which the Aztecs called cuetlaxochitl) originated in Mexico and is named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico, (in the 1820's).


Juan thought about it for awhile and finally said, "I'm

looking for a cave that has fire coming out of it. Can you

take me there?"

"I know where that cave is," said the coyote, "but it will

take three days to get there."

Juan got on the back of the coyote and off they went into

the wilderness. When they had travelled a whole day,

Juan was so hungry that he was ready to eat the coyote.

'Please don't eat me," said the coyote. "There is a friend

of mine that lives nearby. You can eat there."

So, off they went till they came to a cave where a bear

lived.

"What do you have to eat?" Juan asked the bear?"

"Nothing at all," said the bear.

"Well, then. I'm going to eat you," said Juan, and he

gulped down the poor bear.

Juan and the coyote went to sleep, and the next morning

they started on the road again. When it started to get dark,

Juan began to get hungry and said to the coyote, "I'm so

hungry that I can't stand it anymore. I'm going to eat

you."

The coyote said, "Please don't eat me. I know a friend

where we can get some food."

So, they went to a cave where a wolf lived.

"What do you have to eat?" Juan asked the wolf.

"Nothing," answered the wolf.

"Well, I'm going to eat you," said Juan.

After he had eaten the wolf, Juan and the coyote went

to sleep.

The next morning, bright and early, Juan and the wolf

went on their way again. When it started getting late,

Juan was very hungry and said to the coyote, "I'm so hun-

gry that I'm going to eat you."

"Please don't eat me," said the coyote. "I know a friend

where we can get something to eat."

So, off they went.

It was getting pretty late in the evening, and it was dark

when they came to the cave.

"Knock on the door," said the coyote, and he gave Juan a

pair of pliers. "When he puts his head out the door, you

grab him by the nose."

Juan knocked, but nobody answered.

"Just take a peek so you can see who it is that's knock-

ing," said Juan.

The door opened and Juan took the pliers, grabbed the

nose, and pulled. Out popped the devil himself!

"What do you want with me?" asked the devil.

Juan told him the whole story of how his parents had sent

him. He told the devil to fly him home, and off they went

with Juan holding him by the nose.

When they got to Juan's house, his mother and father

said, "Who is this?"

"It's the devil," Juan answered. "You told me to fetch the

devil, and here he is."

Juan's parents were very frightened and asked Juan to

forgive them.

The devil then went and fetched the coyote and said,

"Every time you get hungry, you pluck a hair from the

coyote's tail and it will turn into a cow. From now on, all

of you will have enough to eat."

So, the devil flew off into the starry night, and Juan, his

parents, and the coyote all sat down to dinner and coffee.

The Devil made

me do it!



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 3 34

Menopause And The Skin

By: Connie M. Heinen

The hormonal changes that occur during and after meno-

pause tend to change the skin's physiology in new and

different ways. A woman should take special care of her

skin after she reaches 40 years of age. The decrease in

Estrogen during menopause often results in a reduction of

oil production, and a decrease in both the thickness and

the suppleness of the skin. Light reflectivity decreases

leaving the surfaces looking dull and dry. The reduction

of Estrogen results in more testosterone which can cause

acne flare ups. Estrogen helps to control acne and to keep

the size of the sebaceous (oil) gland small while reducing

oil secretion. Increased testosterone will also increase

terminal hairs on the face, particularly on the chin.

Loss of elasticity

Women will notice that their skin is not as elastic. This

means that they will experience more sagging or drop-

ping skin and more wrinkles begin to appear. Protein syn-

thesis particularly collagen and elastin are controlled by

estrogens. The lowered estrogen levels results in less pro-

duction and repair of collagen and elastin in the dermis of

the skin. This lack of repair is particularly pronounced if

the skin has been exposed to UV rays, and who is-

n't exposed to UV rays living in Baja? COLLAGEN IN-

DUCTION THERAPY (CIT) SKIN NEEDLING or MI-

CRO NEEDLING along with LED treatments will help

to increase collagen and elastin production.

Thinning Epidermis

The growth and maintenance of blood capillaries in the

dermis is partially under the control of estrogens, thus the

blood flow through the dermal capillaries is reduced. The

result...less nutrients and oxygen are available to the basil

layer of the epidermis. This contributes to the thinning of

the epidermis and slower function of the epidermis,

which leads to increased transept dermal water loss and

dry skin.

Sun Damage

Sun damage may be more pronounced during meno-

pause. The maintenance of melonocytes is controlled by

estrogen and when these levels decrease, melanocytes

become more visible. This means that areas that have

been exposed to the sun for years and years are now be-

ginning to appear as brown spots or age spots known as

hyper pigmentation. It is essential to wear a total sun

block with UVA and UVB protection and a hat or visor

to protect your skin. Glycolic or lactic peels as well as

LED treatments can greatly decrease the hyper pigmenta-

tion.

Letter from the Incoming Editor

I was asked to write a letter of introduction of myself as

the new editor of the Eastcapers Magazine. I am Chris

Courtright and I have been coming to Los Barriles since

2001 (it was love at first sight) and then bought here the

year of hurricane John. My education is Interior Design,

work history along with interior design includes Public

Relations and Nursing Supervisor – not a very cohesive

work history... For the past 20 years I have been a

‘professional volunteer’ and CEO of an on-profit (I

called it the “job I do that I don’t get paid for”). Our big

fundraiser was a boat racing regatta and family festival

(the 4th largest inboard racing event on the West Coast)

in the Seattle area. Now, I am involved with a wooden

boat show in my home town of Lake Chelan, which is a

smaller event and very fun – the show, not the work put-

ting it on.

Being a volunteer has always been a big part of my life,

and I knew I had to find a good group to work with while

in the Eastcape… heaven forbid I sit and relax for very

long…those that know me will verify that statement!

The rewards I get from volunteering, are too numerous to

mention and so the hunt was on for where to put my time.

I was introduced to the Association de Artes by my

neighbor, and their mission is so wonderful and right up

my alley…. and that was it! I was also familiar with

their big Art festival in spring as I have had a booth for

the last several years.

I enjoy writing and creating, so I thought that I could be a

big help, even when I am back in Washington, by editing

the Eastcaper Magazine. I am, by far, no computer ex-

pert, but I am sure I will learn…so bear with me as I

learn the program used to make the publication!

Over the years I have heard so many of you tell of your

great experiences while down in the Baja, and I hope I

can encourage some of you to put those experiences to

pen and paper – or keyboard and screen. I enjoy reading

other’s stories and through them, sharing some of their

experiences. I invite you to send me your articles and

stories or other interesting things you have found that

might be of interest to your fellow Baja residents.

I would prefer that you attach as a doc, rather than imbed

them into your emails. Same with pictures, sending them

as an attached JPG is the best way for me to easily use

them. I hope you will feel free to email your comments

and articles to. Please send them to :

[email protected].

Nourishing your skin.

It is important to nourish your skin with vitamins such

as Vitamin C and vitamin A topical application as well

as peptides. Getting regular facials and mild peels will

greatly improve the overall appearance and texture of

your skin. Your skin will look smoother, softer and

more hydrated.

Although the fate of menopause is inevitable for most

women, there are therapeutic treatments that can be

done to the skin to combat the changes that occur.

For more detailed information of some of the thera-

peutic treatments that I provide and the benefits of

these treatments please visit my website:

www.solutionsdebelleza.com

http://www.solutionsdebelleza.com



Dec/Jan

Dec/Jan 2 35

Advertising in East Capers

Advertising in the East Capers gets the word out about your business AND your ad money supports the 3 week 'Cursos de Verano' summer school, for over 120 local children and provides art supplies for 18 East Cape public schools.

In addition to space in the printed version, your color ad appears in the online version at no addi-tional cost. You can download the 2014/15 Advertis-ing Kit by v is it ing our website at: www.eastcapearts.com.

Tax-deductable Contributions to the Asociación de Artes

The Asociación de Artes del Mar de Cortez A.C., Los Barriles, B.C. Sur, Mexico is a legal non-profit Mexican corporation not affiliated with any other or-ganization, association, club or business.

The Asociación is in full compliance with the terms of the NAFTA agreement of January 1, 1994. As such, contributions made to the Asociación de Artes are tax-deductable in the United States, Mexico and Canada. For more information visit: www.eastcapearts.com or the NAFTA Website at: http://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/north -american-free-trade-agreement-nafta.

Volunteers Needed!

The Asociación de Artes needs volunteers to help support their programs that bring the arts to the lo-cal communities and the schools. To learn more about these programs, visit: www.eastcapearts.com.

If you would like to volunteer, send an email to: [email protected].

Call for Articles

East Capers is looking for fiction and true stories about our region and items that affect our residents. If you are interested in submitting articles, recipes, stories or your personal experiences in Baja, email your 1,000-words or less article to: [email protected]

Thank You! This publication is possible with the help of the board members of the Asociación de Artes and members of the community.

East Capers Periódico

Publisher Asociación de Artes del Mar de Cortez A.C.,

Los Barriles, BCS, Mexico

Editor Christine Kenck-Courtright

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Contributors

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Jorge Bergen Larry Epstein

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Customs at the Palapa Verde

By: Jorge Bergin

Gregorio, my fishing buddy, went out real early one

morning, so I slept in and on a fine June afternoon I

found myself rested and thirsty a full hour before cocktail

time. So, there I was at the Green Palapa with my old pal

Pelon behind the bar and we were enjoying the breeze

from the northeast, coming right up the little hill from the

beach and that is enough to keep the bobos away and the

sweat out of your eyes.

A rental SUV from the airport in San Lucas pulled up and

two gringo tourist couples joined us in the bar for a

change of pace. They ordered drinks and nachos and

asked Pelon how the road was to Cabo Pulmo. The driver

and his wife said they were Scuba types and the other

couple were snorkelers; first trip to Baja California and

they were enjoying the hell out of this very first part.

The driver sat next to me and introduced himself, said

they were all farmers from Louisiana. He tried to buy me

a drink and strike up a conversation.

“Howdy. I’m Sailor Ross but you can’t buy me a beer.

Pelon here lets me sit here and sip a few, talk to the tour-

ists but when he opened the place two years ago I prom-

ised I wouldn’t be moochin’ off the clientele and so far

I’ve kept that promise.

What kinda crops let you slip away for a few days in

June?”

“Soy beans, corn and rice. Not much farming around

here?”

“Yes, yes there is, you have to get off the highway. They

grow a lot of albahaca, basil, tomatoes and mangos.

Pretty primitive area here – up in the canyons, on the ran-

chos they still grow veggies milpas style for their own

table.”

The nachos came and my bar mate, Dave asked me to

pass the salt for the guacamole. I did but when he reached

for it I held it back, set it down in front of him.

“Sorry, Mexican superstition.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard Mexico has a ton of superstitions. Are

there any about farming, farmers?”

“Some strong ones down this way. These palm palapas

are an important item of industry down here. Mine, at

home here, has lasted through many a bad storm for over

twenty years now and still has some life in it. The Mexi-

cans believe they have to cut the palm for the roof at a

time close to the full moon; any fronds cut close to the

beginning of the new moon won’t last a year.

Every season they fly red flags above the largest mango

trees in the orchard. They believe if they don’t do that

and a lunar eclipse sneaks up on em’, the flowers will fall

off the tree before they can become fruit.”

“Is Pelon a typical Mexican name. I don’t think I’ve

heard that one before.”

“No, his name is Euardo. Pelon is his sobrenombre, his

nickname. Down here, everybody gets a nickname. Pelon

means “baldy”. They call me barco, “big ship” cause I

have a large tattoo on my back of the U.S.S. Constitution,

a three-masted frigate. I’m from Nantucket and spent my

youth at sea.”

“Well, how did you end up down here?”

“I have no idea. When I travel on dirt I’m usually drunk.”

A jeep Wagoneer pulled in and a large Mexican family

came in and took a big table near the bar. The farmer la-

dies were smiling, admiring the kids and a little newborn

in a car carrier.

I turned to the girls and said “In the old days if you smile

at a baby, you have to touch it. If you don’t, the mother

thinks you might have the mal de ojo, the Evil Eye which

could bring the baby bad luck or sickness. Then she

would have to go home, take an egg, rub it all over the

baby, break it gently into a glass of water --- if the yolk

floats it means the baby is at risk, if it goes to the bottom,

no Evil Eye.”

The farmers finished their drinks and prepared to leave.

Dave said “Well, Sailor, that was all very interesting. It

was nice meeting you. Maybe we’ll see you on the way

home. Are you sure we can’t say thank you somehow?”

“A centuries old custom in Mexico, and maybe it was

started by Olmec or Toltec farmers, is when somebody

brings you new knowledge, news or information, you are

to repay their kindness, if you can, by helping them with

their work, their chores. So on your way home or the next

time you come down, stop here and Pelon or somebody

will tell you how to get to my place. Odds are I won’t

have to press you into any strenuous service, probably

none at all.”

They left Pelon a handsome tip and hit the road. Pelon

was all smiles but said “That last dicho, about the favor,

what is shores?”

“Not shores, CHORES. Little projects around your house;

the cleaning, garbage, painting, whatever.”

“Sailor, I don’t know that one.”

“It’s new Pelon, brand new. Try to keep up.”



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Photo by Lori Maakabe

the Lord of the Wind Race Director for the last four years, has

stepped down due to medical issues.

Robbie Dean, a board member of the AKA (American Kite-

boarding Association) and the IKA (International Kiteboarding

Association), will be taking Wiley’s position. Robbie has

spent his career racing and managing races and we are looking

forward to having his talent and experience as Race Director at

Lord of the Wind. We are also welcoming Jessica Barhydt as

Technical Director.

Finally, along with epic spectator viewing during the competi-

tion, there are parties every night! This year we will have 2

Tamale Cook Offs, one in La Ventana on the 13th and the other

in Los Barriles on the 14th. There will also be a reggae party, a

beach bonfire party and the ever popular awards dinner.

You can check out the schedule, parties, and results at

www.lordofthewindbaja.com. See you on the beach January 15th!

LORD OF THE WINDS …..let the winds begin!

By: Megan O’Leary

Los Barriles premier kiteboarding event, Lord of the

Wind (LOW), is here! Like the last 2 years, Los Barri-

les East Cape Rotary will be running the event with all

proceeds funding various community projects. In 2013

the proceeds from LOW funded the Los Barriles Tech-

nology Center, which provides computer access to

students all over the East Cape area.

The fun begins on the 15th of January when kiteboard-

ers from all over the world come to compete in free-

style, big air, slalom and course racing. For those

readers who aren’t kiteboarders, here are the categories

explained.

Freestyle – Also called an expression session, the rider

shows off his tricks including rolls, spins, unhooking

(think wakeboarding), and jumps. Points are awarded

for style and execution. The trick must be landed to

receive full points.

Big Air- This is judged from the beach using stop-

watches. The winner is the rider who is up in the air

the longest amount of time.

Slalom- This is a fun race to watch. There will be

markers set up in a zig-zag line along the course. Rid-

ers start upwind and the first to reach the downwind

finish line wins. Slalom is fast and the riders are usu-

ally very close together making it fast and exciting.

Course- Riders start at the downwind marker and race

upwind and then back downwind through the same

course as the slalom.

This year, the rider crowned Lord of the Wind will

have the most cumulative points from all of the disci-

plines. This is different from other years as there is no

long downwind race to determine the Lord of the

Wind. This year the overall prize money will exceed

$12,000! Prizes will be awarded in all disciplines and

for the top 10 highest ranked in the Lord of the Wind

competition for most overall points.

Lord of the Wind chairman, Steve Fowler, is also mak-

ing big changes in the race committee. Wiley Nisbet,


Documents

Issue 69 dec 2014 jan 2015 (color)