Santa Ana like winds

Yesterday,  warm, dry downslope winds began to increase forcing originally cold air to flow downslope. In the Rockies, downslope winds during winter can cause snow to disappear owing to their heat and dryness.  They are called "Chinooks" or "snow-eaters".   Here we should call them "awning eaters" or "tarp chewers" as they wreak havoc on our trailer park outdoor community.

The mountains at a higher elevation versus our trailer park at sea level. The air flowing down, similar to the Santa Anas winds, is subsiding. When air descends, it is compressed, and its temperature rises. Dry air warms on descent at a rate of 10C/km. You don't need to change the altitude of air very much to alter its temperature significantly.

At night, the winds merge with the land breeze blowing from land to sea and strengthen because the  land cools more than the ocean due to differences in the heat capacity and because there is no competing sea breeze.  There was a lot of activity around midnight with people taking down their gazebos, awnings, tables, etc.  I saw something white sliding by me on our patio, stomped on it, and it was our front tire cover.  A corner of our white plastic table got a chip out of it when the wind tried to flip it over our patio wall.  Our friends had some damage to tarps and palapas.  There are a lot of branches on the ground and a lot of leaf sweeping going on.  Not bad though.

Afternoon walk into town

The winds subsided today and we put our awning and gazebo back up.  We went up the hill for lunch then picked up friends in Guayabitos and brought them to the park for the afternoon.  It was a lovely day with a nearly calm ocean.

Family from La Cruz

Cam went to La Cruz early in the morning and picked up our niece and her friends for the day.   It was a lovely sunny clear day for a drive through the mountains to La Peñita.   A bit of boogey boarding and beach time followed by a walk into town for lunch and then a dip in the pool to end the day.

We sent them back to their all inclusive in a taxi and since it was Sunday had hamburgers from the fundraiser at the pool.

Frigates & Margaritas

We went to our Spanish lesson then off to market.  After shopping we went to Tonita 4 for lunch and refreshments.  

Magnificent Frigates

Outside Tonita 4  restaurant 

Rick having 4 margaritas

Town was very busy and it took a while to get a taxi.  We finished off the evening with delivery of dinner from Mr. Ribs and then off to Bingo.  Two winners at our table.

Jaltemba Equine Education Project (J.E.E.P.) Fundraiser

It was a busy day working at the JEEP fundraiser.  Friends and I worked selling drink tickets and T-shirts.  Family and friends all came down for this fun event.  Dogs, cats, horses and people all partying together.  It was an excellent turnout.  

Sadly, I was too busy to take many photos but here are a few.

86 pesos

Lazy day - more photos

We spent the day lounging on the patio and eating at the Sunday hamburger night.

Although I did manage to see a Ferruginous Pygmy owl!!!!

Here are more photos from the past week....

Painted Bunting

Cinnamon Hummingbird

My tomato plant and flowers

Mexican Bird of Paradise

Waiting to go with that suitcase

A few photos from the past week

Today we sent Meagan on her way home.  Here are some photos she shared with us.

My garden

Boat trip

This morning we met the fellows who were taking us sport fishing and whale watching in their panga.
First they tried picking us up with their boat (panga) on our beach but the waves were too fierce so they didn't even try to come in.  Then they drove us into the malecon in La Peñita and tried to land the boat there.  Unfortunately, the waves were also fierce there and the nephew of our guide nearly drowned the boat landing it while his uncle was gone for another truck load of our group.  He had it standing on end in the waves and about a foot of water in it before the fishermen on the beach yelled at him to go out again.  I regret having no photos of this but I was too worried about the young man to take photos.  Well, all is well that ends well.  The uncle returned and we moved down to another spot on the beach slightly less iffy and we all managed to board the boat safely.  The uncle told us that young man is just learning and shook his head.

They were very friendly and we had a great time whale watching.  We had one bite on the rods but no fish in the end.  We did see flying fish, a dolphin, a big manta ray, turtles, sea birds and had a nice day on the water touring Jaltemba Bay.

Humpback whale

Whale calf in the distance

Our guides leaving

They dropped us off near Tonita 4 restaurante where we enjoyed excellent margaritas and a light lunch.

All in all a good adventure.