The End of January and Janet and Tony Come to SC

We took a drive over to one of our favorite beaches:  Piedras Pintas (Painted Stones) where the stones really are beautiful-all different colors.  I didn't have time to collect any as we met a young couple who were traveling through here to go south to Latin America.  They had gotten their car stuck in the sand and wanted our help.  As we didn't have our tow rope with us, I drove their car while the three of them pushed and, believe it or not, it worked.  By the time that ordeal was over, it was time to go home.  Funny story as they were staying at this odd looking place in town called Gringo Pete's which we had always wondered about.  Apparently the place is closed up, but whoever wants to can stay there and do so for a pittance.  You wouldn't find me staying there!

Piedras Pintas (otherwise known as Zorro Beach because
the latest Zorro movie was filmed here)

In this picture, you can see the little slice of beach that
was featured in Zorro.

One of those magical nights that finds the sun setting between the Tetas

This was a pretty funny afternoon.  Bobby and Leslie had
given Cheryl a nice bottle of tequila for her birthday.  She
decided to have a "shots" party at 2 pm!  The man beside
Bill is from Boston and is a record producer.  Bobby and
Leslie and he are collaborating on a new CD.

 Omar is finally back in town.  He is one of our favorite musicians and was playing solo at the Soggy Peso one afternoon.  He and his wife just had a new baby boy named Oliver.

I had a little episode with my back one evening, so made an appointment with Bill Lay, our local chiropractor.  When he saw how Jim was walking, he suggested an adjustment for him too.  We are now both so much better.

The Wellness Center

Rachelle was in town for a few days again, so we suggested we meet for drinks at the La Playa Hotel.
It was a beautiful afternoon and wonderful to see her.

Got this picture taken just as the sun was setting behind
the Tetakawis.  That's Rachelle on the left.

And back home that night, the sky was an incredible pastel
painting

And it's still chilly enough for the fire pit at night.

I'm sorry that I keep doing this but these skies down here
are truly remarkable and constantly changing.

I don't know what's more beautiful-Jim,
the fire or the sky!

 So, finally, Janet and Tony leave cold and snowy Manhatten to enjoy a little sand and sea with us.
Since they arrived after dark, we decided to have a driver pick them up at the airport.  Driving at night here can be a little iffy for us as there is always construction, pot holes in the road, and often, cows on the highway.  They arrived safely and we still had our sanity!

First ladies' luncheon at Bonafacio's
We had grilled artichokes and marlin tacos-yummy!

On Saturday, we spent the afternoon sitting on the beach at the Soggy Peso (and dancing, of course) for the Jump Up Event to benefit the local kids steel pan band.  Almost all of the local musicians turned up to celebrate and raise money for the kids.  It was a great event organized by our friend, Susan King.

Check out the little guys

The beach was more crowded than I've ever seen!

Dancing Girls

The taco bar

Tim Jones of The Dudes

Bob, the bongo guy

Omar and Cesar

Sam Rainwater, our rocket scientist ukulele player who
donates all his fees to the local kids.

I got a real kick out of this guy, who is
89, singing "My Way".

The man in the striped shirt, Ansel, came from Trinidad to teach the kids how to play
the drums.  His wife is in the white T shirt.  We had dinner with them at the Sunset
Grill afterwards.

There was even a conga line around the beach.

La Playa for brunch one day

I love this one of Tony!

The mandatory Hattie Annie cruise took place on their last day here.  Tony wasn't feeling well enough to join us and thought a cruise could make his stomach a little iffier, so we three held down the fort.

Susan King and two of her friends joined us.

And a good time was had by all!

You can see Joe and Margene's house in this picture-the
orange one in the background on the left.  This area of town
is called Shangra La!

Hole in the Rock-always part of the trip

In these next two pictures-with and without bird-you can see our house.  We sit two houses behind the big adobe-colored one on the left.  It is kind of a khaki green with an orange roof.  Our back windows face the mountains.  Our front faces the sea.

The birds admiring Janet or vice versa

Just like that movie

The marina just glows in the fading light as we return.

The Johnsons arrived at the end of the month and rented a lovely place right on the beach at Creston.  I had to show you these pictures, as we were over at Cinda and Win's for sunset when Suzanne and Mike brought over the three little puppies that they were fostering.  They were absolutely adorable.  Anyone want a puppy?  They are being trained and cared for by Suzanne and Mike (who are from Lyons, CO and now Gloucester, MA).

Cinda

Suzanne

Win