San Javier annual festival

Yesterday I went with a group up to San Javier for day 2 of a 3 day Festival. Hundreds of horses and riders arrived at the mission. Coming in from ranches many miles away they were greeted and cheered by the crowd and a local band. Some of the horses danced to the music. The festival is like a Fair. The wide street in front of the mission (about 2 short city blocks) was lined with venders and crowded with people walking, eating, singing, playing music. We saw two "plastic tuba" players. People, cars and tents all along the main street, around the church, along the river and the road out of town. I had heard that many people came for this festival, but wasn't prepared for the masses I saw. We toured the museum. Did not know there was a museum in the church and it is usually closed. They opened it for the Festival. There was a service in the church so we did not tour there. There was a bicycle race from Loreto to the Mission: a distance of about 18 miles and all uphill. Some people walk all the way to the Mission as a pilgramage. It is a fun time for marriages, baptisms, dancing, singing and horse races. Although I saw the horses and riders there were no races to see yesterday. The road has been cleared of debris from Hurricane Paul, but there are still washouts that leave only one lane for driving and detours in other places. My van would not be able to go up the mountain this year without dragging bottom and I was able to drive last year.

Hurricanae Paul video in Loreto

You have heard me talk about walking back and forth to town across the dry river arroyo. Here is a link to a video of the arroyo during Hurricane Paul Oct 2012. www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6vtng50RHY I have never seen the arroyo with fresh water flowing. Have just seen the tide go in and out in the estuary at the mouth of the arroyo. The estuary is much different now as the water removed much of the sand and made it deeper. Birds still love to come.

Thigh-spun another couple yards Chilkat warp today. Little by little I am on my way to getting the 20 yards I need. Relaxed in the pool with laps and floating. More food reports. Walked into town for dinner at Orlando's tonight. It was a nice cool walk. There were a few things I needed to buy from the Government store : ISSSTE while I was in town. The walk from my place across the dry river to Orlando's is at least a mile. My dinner was Malinche Chicken Breast. It was a chicken breast stuffed with mushrooms and cheese and served with a tasty green sauce made from sour cream and peppers. Rice, tortillas and steamed vegetables on the side. Read more of "Into a Desert Place" by Graham Mackintosh today and will settle into my bed to read some more of this book. Buenas Noche.

Today I thigh-spun about 2.5 yards of Chilkat warp. I need 20 yards or so for a new project. Yesterday I walked in search of a jar of instant espresso coffee. Not to be found in town. Will request some from friends arriving this winter. Did not wear my pedometer yesterday, but know I walked 5-6 miles. Had lunch with a friend at the little cafe that is part of Rivera del Mar RV park. "Mama" is the cook and took last year off to reopen this month. She is a good cook. I had chicken fajitas. My brother and I would go there for a breakfast of oatmeal and o-j. No long walks today. Just walked around Loreto Shores and limbered up in the pool.

Doing laundry this morning. Checking my email and drinking coffee while I wait for the clothes to finish. Looks like a good day for swimming in the pool. Friends stopped by yesterday and my CB antenna is on the way to California so I will have a replacement spare. They will be coming back down to Loreto after Christmas and bring me a new antenna then. I do not need to have one until I begin my return north with a group. We all travel with CB's to keep in touch along the road. That's all for now....laundry is ready for the dryer and I am ready for some breakfast.

Another fun time at the Sunday Outdoor Market. Just as at home you meet friends while shopping and stop to visit. Bought squash, romaine, broccoli, apples, kiwis, avocados, shrimp and scallops. Shrimp were from LaPaz and the scallops from Lopez Mateos on the Pacific side. Or maybe it was the scallops from LaPaz. Washed the fruit and vegies in a fruit and vegie wash and put away in fridge. Put shrimp into 3 bags and into freezer along with the scallops. Now have plenty of food for the week, especially since I eat out a few times a week. Having a lazy day reading another Clive Cussler: "Crescent Dawn".

Pancake breakfast today sponsored by the Optomist organization. This was a fund raiser to help feed and clothe families in need. Children ate free. Bicycles were door prizes, teddy bears were auctioned, Santa and Elves were present. I wanted to watch the Oregon State vs Oregon football game today, but it could not be found on TV. Augie tried to find it for me and did get it on the radio so I could listen. I am not surprised my favorite Beavers lost, but to hear them play so poorly was disappointing. I quit listening and walked back to my little home away from home during the last 10 minutes when the score was 48 to 17. Final score: Oregon 48 Oregon State 24. We had a beautiful sunset tonight. There were feathery clouds in the west and the clouds looked like flames in the sky over the pointy mountain to the west. Did a bit of shopping today. Bought a hammer and some nails. Tomorrow is Market Day and I am ready and in need of fresh vegies. Tried another new place to eat yesterday. It is called Mezzaluna. I had a delicious mushroom and spinach omelette and sampled some of the Uruguayan empanadas. New cafes/restaurants are popping up and I will have to share my time between them: Orlandos, Mandilles, PanquePan, Mezzaluna, Brunos and the pie place: Ette's.