January in San Carlos-Boats, Dolphins and Beautiful Sunsets

Our friends, The Andersons, were celebrating their 25th anniversary by taking us and another couple on a boat ride around San Carlos.  They have owned an interest in a beautiful 36 ft. fishing boat for a few years with several other families.  This year they decided to sell their share and this was the "farewell tour".  It was chillier than usual but the best day we've had on the water in the 4 years we've been coming down.

Hooked, our wonderful boat for the day

Dave checking out the Fiesta Condos and Hotels.  One was finished
(on the right) and the other was never completed.  It has sat there
unfinished for all the time we have been coming down.

We passed the Roca San Nicolas, which
was full of interesting creatures.  This was
a breeding male pelican.

Martini Cove, where we enjoyed some champagne
and cookies!

Lynne and Dave

Jeff and Trish

My handsome husband

Jane, dog lover extraordinaire-like all the Andersons

The way home was into the wind and chilly so some braved the elements
but Lynne, Boo and I chose to be inside out of the wind.

The chilly side

Roca San Nicolas
Can you see the great blue heron on top?  They nest in the cacti here.

Cormorants, gulls and pelicans on what is called (strangely) Roca San Carlos
Such a small spot for that big name

Our house is the two story right in front of the green tree in the middle of this picture.  We do have the most wonderful view.

First sighting of the dolphin pod

 There are many bottlenose dolphins in the Sea of Cortez.  They love to play in the wakes of motor boats and even come close to kayakers.   Apparently the fishing boats attract fish that the dolphins feed on.  We often see them swimming by in Shangri-La Bay, below our house.

We were just thrilled with how entertaining
they were today

Such a show off!!

Lots of jumping and spinning about today

Back home for a sunset watch from our margarita deck

Leaves on the big tree in our cactus garden
Does anyone know what it is?  There are a bunch of little buds on it-how
cool if it blossoms while we are here!  This is the tree that you see in the
big picture above behind our house.

The Tetakawis from our deck

When the clouds, the sun, the sea, the mountains and palms all line up
for sunet, it is extraordinary!

And the skies in the evening on the front deck are to die for!

Boo likes them, too!

A big sailboat landed in our bay for an overnight, right
below us.

Bill Thompson, at the country club

Jim and I stopping by for a Sam Rainwater concert

Bill and Cheryl

Elizabeth in Jim's shirt

The ever-present Frida-this time at Blackies'

This is Boo, enjoying the sunshine on the front, seaside deck.  It's interesting
that it is so much warmer on this southeast facing deck.  The margarita deck,
the cactus garden and entrance to the house and garage are at least 10 degrees
cooler.

This is one of our bougainvilla plants.  They don't last long in a vase, but
they sure are prolific and beautiful.

We finally got the kayak blown up and in the water.  We
had a wonderful day exploring Shangri-La Bay, around
the rocks, islands and caves.  No pictures
from the water yet-too afraid to bring my camera with me.
This is our little teeny garage.  I'm amazed we can fit in here.

From our entrance and cactus garden.  That's an organ pipe cactus, which
is well known in these parts.

Another sunset from home-can't help
but take pictures every time!

Our neighbor, who doesn't seem to be here.  They call it
the ice cream house-you can see why.

At Piedras Pintas (Painted Stones) for a few hours
The rocks here are gorgeous.  Right now I'm collecting
seashells to fill our fountain, but I may have to start
collecting rocks again soon.

I don't know who has more fun-us or Boo.  There was
another couple here today-very unusual for us.

Love this moss

Could almost be Ireland

Running free at the sea-what could possibly be better than that!?