Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Today the bus took us south to the tiny town of Mismaloya to visit the local zoo.

 We walked the stone path through the jungle and saw many unexpected animals; hippos, giraffes, bears, rhinos. Most were sleeping as we visited during the heat of the day, but we had fun feeding those who were interested.

After the zoo we got a couple of beach chairs at Mismaloya Beach and had some guacamole and chips. We spent the afternoon people watching and reading.

 There was a cute little dog who chased fish in the river. Can't imagine he ever caught any, but he sure was entertaining himself!

Later, back at Vista del Sol, we watched another beautiful sunset...no green flash tonight.

Wednesday, October 20

October 20

Tuesday, October 19

Slow day today. Took a walk on the Cuale River and visited the Flea market.

 Ruth bought a beach coverup. Then we went to the roof top pool and frittered away the afternoon reading, swimming and lounging. Great view up there, but we forgot the camera.

We visited Sol at Cafe Bohemio for dinner. Great soup (as always) and we loved our coconut shrimp and bacon wrapped shrimp. Yummmmm. Because Geoff was not in town yet, Rick had to take his place and have Sol sit on his lap. Fun night!!

Monday, October 18

Today we had the pleasure of touring the amazing property, Ocho Cascadas ~ Eight Waterfalls. Yesterday, while watching the Bronco game at El Torito, we met Steve and Kyle, who were staying in the penthouse of Ocho Cascadas. This is Ruth's dream...to stay at this unique property. It was built in 1979 by hand. Each room is open air and has a pool that cascades to the pool below. Steve was a great tour guide. We got to see the penthouse, numero nuevo y siete. Each was a little different, but all had no exterior walls. Steve told us no one was staying in numero tres and that we should peek in our our way out. Well, we stepped in and as Ruth was snapping a few photos, Rick discovered someone was indeed staying there...oops! One day we hope to stay there.

From Ocho Cascadas we headed to our favorite place in PV ~ Lindo Mar. We will be staying for one week beginning October 30, but wanted to stop in for lunch. We enjoyed talking with Maria Elena, the conceirge, Javier, the salesperson and Kay, who is always staying there when we make our October trip.

After lunch we got a couple of beach chairs at our condo, Vista del Sol, and just relaxed. Maria y Roberto, Mariano y Rafael say, "Hola!"

To top off a great day~~~~~Ruth FINALLY saw the GREEN FLASH!!! She has been looking for this phenomenon since learning about it around 1986 while in PV with Jayne. The bad news is that Rick was looking away at that split second and he missed it.

 

Sunday, October 17

Our first full day in Puerto Vallarta! Yesterday we spent time grocery shopping and getting settled in our condo at Vista del Sol.

 We had our first meal at our long time favorite...Cafe de Olla. Today we slept in late and had breakfast on our balcony overlooking beautiful Bandaras Bay.

We headed north to the beach near the Holiday Inn where PV is hosting an international volleyball tournament, which is a qualifying tournament for the Olympic trials. Big stuff for PV. The street was closed and there were Federales all over. We watched the USA team lose pretty soundly to a younger, scrappier Mexican team.

For dinner we walked south along the beach to Amapas Sunset. We have a favorite mariachi duo called Veracruz that we have been listening to for years. Here are a few pictures of Veracruz from our last three annual trips.

 This year we brought them Bronco caps.  As we were walking down the beach, Rick spotted Manuel with a trio. How is it that things can change? They now are working separately. Manuel and his new group, Trio Veracruz, sang La Paloma for us. He loved his ball cap.

Manuel called Galdino on his cell and had him come down to Amapas Sunset. Galdino also loved his cap.

 It was really fun for us to see that they knew we remembered them and brought them un regalo.

Sunday, October 17

Sedona September 13

Red Rock Country!

 We loved the drive down through Oak Creek Canyon. Ruth has such fond memories of college weekends spent riding bikes down the switchbacks and finding a ride back up. We are staying at the Sedona Summit, a beautiful resort in West Sedona. Our view of the red rocks and juniper bushes is awesome! 

We golfed at Canyon Mesa Country Club. It is an executive course, but so pretty.

 After golf we had some Mexican food in Tlaquepaque and then did some window shopping. Ruth resisted purchasing a beautiful painted photograph entitled Desert Magic. Next was a drive on Schnebly Hill Road, which is the route all the jeeps take their clients on. It was very pretty up on the ridge looking down on the city and the red rocks.

 Dinner-pizza and chianti wine. Hot tub after in the infinity pool.

Sedona September 12

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Red Rock Country! We loved the drive down through Oak Creek Canyon. Ruth has such fond memories of college weekends spent riding bikes down the switchbacks and finding a ride back up. We are staying at the Sedona Summit, a beautiful resort in West Sedona. Our view of the red rocks and juniper bushes is awesome! We golfed at Canyon Mesa Country Club. It is an executive course, but so pretty. After golf we had some Mexican food in Tlaquepaque and then did some window shopping. Ruth resisted purchasing a beautiful painted photograph entitled Desert Magic. Next was a drive on Schnebly Hill Road, which is the route all the jeeps take their clients on. It was very pretty up on the ridge looking down on the city and the red rocks. Dinner-pizza and chianti wine. Hot tub after in the infinity pool.

Aspen September 11

Golf and  Oktoberfest! What a great combination. We met Dave and Ellen at the Glenwood Springs Golf Course and worked our way through that beautiful course. So many trees and the red mountain backdrop. 

 There was a pear tree at the first tee that was dropping all of its fruit. We all took a pear to eat and some to take home. A young deer wandered up to sample some, too. Yum!

After golf, we stopped at the Farmers Market and bought a box of Palisade peaches. Looking forward to a peach pie made by my Mom, who makes the best crust ever!

On to Oktoberfest in Snowmass. Loved the bratwurst, saurkraut and potato lunch while listening to an Oom-pa-pa band. Later the German folk dancers performed. We learned that the tassels on their hats cannot be touched as they want no oil on them. The tassels are from mountain goat beards and are very hard to come by. We saw two; one cost $500 and the other $1000. 

Moving on down Snowmass Mall, we found free ATV rides being offered by Harley Davidson. We had so much fun driving around their little course. All of us like the RZR, a dune buggy type machine. Very, very fun.

 

Next we took the gondola down to an area where they were staging a 12 hour bike race. More hardy souls!

Dinner was Takeh Sushi in Aspen. Great sushi. Loved it. In bed early so we can get up bright and early for our 7:00 am departure.