MEXICO...resort grounds, trees & flowers

MEXICO...Rythmns of the Night

We went by boat to Las Caletas. I forgot to wear my sea bands and I felt a little queasy. There is no electricity there. Everything was lit by torches and candles. The use of cameras was banned during the program as it is copyrighted. Of course they want you to purchase their CD. Here are a few pictures before and after the program. We had a tasty meal by candlelight. This experience reminded me a little of a Maori program and dinner we had in New Zealand.

As we pulled away from shore for the boat ride back to Nuevo Vallarta, this is the scene we saw of the torches on the banks and the reflections on the water.

One thing we haven't liked about going out on boats for activities during our vacations is the fact that they usually have an 'open bar.' The cost of all the drinks is included in the price of the event ticket. That is why the events cost so much and, in essence, we pay for other people to get drunk. I have heard these excursions referred to as a 'booze cruise.' This picture shows all the 'happy, dancing, noisy, swinging, drinkers' on the front deck of the boat on the trip back.

MEXICO...animal life

Okay, these aren't living creatures but we did see real ones surfacing when we were at the beach. We didn't see any whales but there had been a few sightings.

We saw quite a few iguanas wandering around the resort.

Reed spotted this coral snake as we walked along a path to a jungle cafe.

This turtle was 'sunbathing' on a rock in a pond.

MEXICO...ocean/beach at sunset

It was a treat to witness the spectacular sunsets.

Buenos noches...(I think that's "good night")

Now the day is over,

night is drawing nigh.

Shadows of the evening

steal across the sky.

A couple of boats are silhouetted in the sinking sun

I'm watching the sun set on the western horizon

Here we are on the evening of our arrival, January 10th. We had just eaten a big seafood platter at a restaurant on the beach.

MEXICO...watercraft of all kinds and sizes

There were little waterways at the resort where you could row around in plastic kayaks or be taken for a ride in electric powered boats. Ski boats took para-sailers up for a ride from the beach. Fishing boats dotted the horizon. Cruise ships docked in Puerto Vallarta where passengers hit the boardwalk and flea markets. Expensive yachts were moored in the harbor. The gentle ocean breeze gave power to little sail boats. We took a boat to a native dinner and entertainment one evening. The ride was about an hour each way and was the only way to gain access to the event.

MEXICO...cool pool pictures

Here are some shots of a swimming pool at one of the resorts we checked out. Very pretty!

The swimming pool on the Mayan Palace Resort property where we stayed is the 2nd largest in Mexico/Latin America. Here are a few pictures of parts of it:

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday To You!

Happy Birthday To You!

Happy Birthday Family Members!

Happy Birthday To You!

JANUARY:

2- Cory and Troy...twin nephews

3- Ralph...brother-in-law

7- HAILEY (12)...granddaughter

8- ASHLYN (5)...granddaughter

9- RILEY (13)...grandson

10- TY (33)...son-in-law and Mike...brother-in-law

12- Brooke...niece and Leslie...niece

28- Emily...niece

29- Heather...niece

Hope I haven't left anyone out.

Winter Poem

We received this poem via email...don't know who authored it.



It's winter in UTAH
And the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At thirty-five below.


Oh, how I love UTAH
When the snow's up to your butt
You take a breath of winter
And your nose gets frozen shut.


Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around
I could never leave UTAH
I'm frozen to the ground!




The weather has been a little different this year. We have bitter cold days and nights, like maybe minus 7 degrees at night and a daytime high of 9 to 14 degrees. Then we have a heat wave like we've had the past two days with highs in the mid-40's. Sometimes it rains. The snow level drops as if we are having a major January thaw. The edges of the grass show along the sidewalks and driveways. Just when it looks like everything will melt, we get pelted with snow again. Late afternoon on Sunday we went for a drive up to Porcupine Dam. The temperature was 1 degree. Some ice fishermen had been there for 4 hours and hadn't caught anything. (but pneumonia) One guy had icicles hanging from his moustache. Both Porcupine and Hyrum Dams still have a little open water. Ice Skating at Central Park hasn't happened for the last several years.



The following pictures were taken at dusk on the way home from Porcupine Dam. They were taken from the car. They are sure blue!

News

It's a GIRL!!! Robin called this afternoon following her ultrasound. The baby should arrive sometime in May. She is following her Mother's footsteps...Robin was my 3rd daughter and was born in May. Granddaughters will be up by two (10 girls to 8 boys). Robin says it is up to Jodi to have a couple of boys to even things out. I think everyone else is done.



The Schvaneveldt home is coming along nicely. Yesterday the insulation people were there. Today they were hauling in the sheetrock and will begin hanging it tomorrow.

Backyard snowscapes & snowblowin'