We got home from our little mountain road trip, and we were happy to once again be in the sun with bare feet. Whenever we’re away it is amazing just how much we all miss our own home, and our own beds. Or maybe it’s not so amazing at all. I guess we’re no different than anybody else in that respect. Our home just happens to have wheels.
The kids were really missing their best buddy, Xoch.
Mambo was certainly happy to have us back. The dashboard has become his afternoon nap spot.
Spider-Man and Spider-Girl take to the beach in search of wrongs to right.
They found one. This is Brownie #2, another friendly beach dog who has been hanging around with us a bit over the past couple of months. Not as much as Brownie #1, but she was wandering the beach out front every day. While Ali and the kids were out walking this particular morning they noticed that Brownie #2 had a boyfriend following her, and it was immediately clear why—she was in heat.
The superheroes all jumped into action. Ali e-mailed the clinic who said yes, please bring her in. The kids got a rope, and then they all walked through town to the clinic together. Even Blackie, the new boyfriend, who fought off a dozen other dogs along the way.
A couple of weeks ago Brownie #1 disappeared. We don’t know what happened to her. There is an unconfirmed rumor that a Canadian couple took her home with them, but there is no way of knowing for sure if it was Brownie they took or not.
We pick up Brownie #2 today, spayed now, and ready to hit the beach again without a cadre of horny male dogs.
Grandparents joke that they’re going to buy us drums—we just go out and buy them ourselves. We have quite the collection of musical instruments on the bus now, and not a clue how to play any of them. Hopefully one of our kids has been born with a little rhythm in their bones, because Ali and me don’t have a bit of it. You should see us dance sometime.
This guy played a pretty killer tune for us in exchange for a beer. He says he’s from LA and everyone knows him there. They call him Slash. And every time he is supposed to meet someone from a major record label he ends up getting trashed and going to jail. At least one part of that story rings true.
Another beach dog. This guy fetches a rock all day, every day. Obsessively. He’ll walk up and down the beach, standing in front of people for ten minutes just staring at the rock he has dropped at their feet. If they throw it, he’s their friend forever. If not, he’ll wait ten minutes and move to the next person.
Cruiser friends. We first met these guys when Lowe was just a wee baby. Every year or so our paths cross somewhere. Boat or no boat, travelers always find a way of making this a very small world.
Ali has been making toast on the stove for the past couple of years, but recently she bought a toaster. I know, right? Fancy pants.
Well, our kids think so too. They crack me up. This is just a sampling of today’s questions and comments, all of them said with wonder and amazement in their voices.
“Where do you keep it?”
“It makes really good toast!”
“What other colors did they have?”
“I wish I was there when you bought it.”
8 Comments on “The Rhythm of Sayulita”
The kids’ comments about the toaster are so amusing and cute. Out of the mouths of babes! Ali, thank you for helping to spay/neuter a few of Mexican’s many stray dogs. Every one helps!
I’m with Emily, thank you for caring enough to spay Brownie #2. I really appreciate your efforts and it does help! Ali, you’re the best! 🙂
The kids should be called Spayder Man and Spayder Girl now. Take advantage of those wandering minstrels, they can show the kids a few chords on the uke.
So cool that you met up with your family’s mirror image traveling friends! That is the best feeling when you get to spend time with fellow adventurers 🙂 Maybe one day, my husband and I will cross paths with you and your family when we get our camper van and hit the road!
Good job getting Brownie #2 spayed.. I’m sure she will appreciate not being hounded (literally) for the rest of her days.
oh, that reminds me of our first toaster! my boys were teens I think. They finally got tired of making it on the stove and insisted on one. 🙂
Road toast! You might have found another income stream!
I agree with Emily and Valerie. It’s so good of you guys to spay the dogs. It will really make a difference in their lives and others. I hope Brownie #1 got a good home!
Greatly appreciated this post. sorry to not have been around the blog for awhile. I need some pointers on my blog… or maybe just a reprieve form so many problems to keep talking about, The latest of which I lost both rudders and 726 miles out in the Atlantic had to fight my way back against the wind and waves to Cape Verde. I wasn’t sure I would make it. It took 22 days to go 250 miles, and I had to use my boom and a cabin door for a gondolier to steer both of which are now ruined. My dog Blue Belle seemed totally at peace through the entire ordeal, and never seemed worried if we were going to get out of this situation.. I am glad for her. she is a great help. Well, we got rescued 40 miles off the coast of Cape Verde and towed in, where now I have to fabricate a new rudder system, get a working boom, spinnaker pole, and repair the jib… Geeze, what a travesty this trip has been. I haven’t worked in 7 months, i am behind on my payments, cant leave the boat here, and want to get it back as it is now my home… Sorry to ramble, but i feel like it is good to keep you posted..