Local Couple Launchs New E-book !

Well, Dann loves to fish. And Lynn loves Dann. And they live here locally where we are surrounded by ocean and estuary waters where halibut live. So, it was a natural for Lynn and Dann to write their new e-book together. With Lynn at the keyboard, Dann sharing his years of experience and then a few months of battling with the computer, they completed their e-book. After all of that, it was how to get it out to the public and market it.

It was quite the adventure to hear Lynn tell it. I think that Lynn and Dann are contemplating writing an e-How article on the things that they learned while developing the idea of a book, then writing it with all the photos and, of course, marketing the book in our electronic media we call the WWW.

This e-book tells of Dann's time-proven technique for catching the mysterious but much-sought-after Halibut. Their e-book is a fully illustrated, practical down to earth, "how to" book with little fluff. They have great pictures and step-by-step instructions on the right way, and the fun way to have a great day on the water. They even have recipes so you can top it all off with a fantastic meal.

Take a look at the website for the ebook. It's called "Methods for Catching California Halibut", (by Expert Fisheries Technician Dann V. Manz, Department of Natural Resources) or you can email them for information at info@shallowhalibut.com.

Commuction and Mexico

Lets face it without

Up Coming Events In Our Little Piece Of Paradise !

MARCH 13-20 - BAJA BEACH HOUSE SINGLES VACATION in Ensenada, Baja Mexico

Join a group of NorCal singles (most are 55+) sharing a huge 4 bedroom/4 bath beach house in guarded neighborhood with private beach just south of Ensenada in the Punta Banda area. There are American singles already living in the area that will share activities with us like horseback riding, golf, winery tours, shopping, kayaking, sight seeing, dining out, beach bonfire, barbeque, etc. Some will drive to San Felipe on Sat 3/14 to watch off road racing at the Baja 250.

We have only one bedroom still available (with 2 twin beds) with ocean view & balcony (shared bathroom) for $200 ($100 each for 2 roommates). We also have a travel trailer on site (no view) with queen size bed, your own kitchen and bathroom for $200. Other options are sofa, futon or daybed for $75 for the week or $50 for anyone bringing their own tent or RV.

We will share the cost of groceries and the use of the kitchen. Hostel style.

Most are flying into San Diego and we can arrange transportation from the airport to the beach house.

Passports are NOT necessary until June 2009. Bring driver's license and birth certificate.

See house photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/BajaBeachVacation

Photos of last year's singles week can be viewed at: http://chicosingles.multiply.com/photos/album/5/Baja_Beach_Vacation

We take paypal, visa & mastercard. Call 530-988-5065 to make your reservation or email shawn@dinner4six.com

Vacationing in Baja, Part I: The Water

Many people have never left the United States. For those who are thinking about it, maybe there are some questions you have. Maybe you don't even know what to ask. We've all heard stories about traveling in Mexico. So lets talk about the real deal.

The Water

It's true--you can't drink the tap water in Mexico. I'm sure there are some places in Mexico that have sanitized their tap water. But I wouldn't even think about it. Here in Baja, we do not drink tap water. And, contrary to popular belief, Mexican people don't drink it either.

((The pictures show local people that sell water. Tony sells Pila water by the truckful, delivering it to your pila at your residence. The lady sells purified drinking water at an AquaSys stand in the town of Cantu for about 60-65 cents (9 pesos) for a 5 gallon bottle.))

The water that comes from the tap, at least here, comes from a "pila", or a storage tank on the property. This water comes from a well in town and is delivered to your storage tank by friendly local Mexican in his water truck. (See the picture above). You can shower, wash dishes, wash laundry, and water plants with it. Some people use it to brush their teeth, some don't. It is not for cooking or drinking.

You can wash produce in pila water as long as you use some type of soap or (better yet) some disinfectant drops you can get at any grocery store here (it's a colloidal silver solution). Soak the produce in pila water with the solution in it, for about 10-15 minutes, then just dry them off. You must wash all produce you plan on eating raw. If you cook the produce, just rinse in pila (tap) water and cook.

You could cook with pila water I suppose, as the cooking would kill any bacteria present. But it doesn't taste good, so I would not use it to cook with myself.

As for drinking water, we all drink purified bottled water. There are plenty of places to buy drinking water whether in small bottles, or in 5 gallon water bottles (you know, like the Sparletts type). Even the gas stations will have it available. Most people have 5 gallon water containers and take them to be refilled at local stores or stands that sell purified water. Some people that live in the area have purified water delivered to their residence. A 5 gallon bottle of purified water costs about 9-10 pesos here in the little town of Cantu. This works out to be about 60 to 65 cents at the current exchange rate. If you prefer the small individual bottles of drinking water, you will find the brands you are familiar with in the States, and the prices will also be the ones you are familiar with in the States.

If you eat at a restaurant and ask for water, it will be purified bottled water. The ice cubes in your drink will be made with purified water. It's the law here in Mexico. The food they serve will be washed and disinfected like you would do at home. Restaurants are in the business of making money, they will not try to make you sick. If you're still nervous about eating at restaurants or "taco stands" (that make some of the best food in Mexico, by the way), just look for the ones that have a lot of business, especially if the customers are Mexican. Quite honestly, we have eaten at many restaurants and taco stands here and have never become sick from it. Still, it's better to be cautious when traveling, just like in the States.

So, if you are planning a trip to Baja, bring plenty of bottled water. If you stay at a hotel, the hotel will usually provide a couple of small sealed bottles of water along with the room.

If you decide to rent a house on the beach, here in our camp for instance, the house will be furnished with a 5 gallon bottle of drinking water. And there are plenty of people here who can tell you where to eat.

That's the real deal about the water. In Part II, we'll talk about crossing the border (here and back).

Wishing you all Warm and Sunny Days!

Time's Up!

The Following Written By An 85 year-old man, who has just learned he was going to die:

“If I had to live my life over again, I’d try to make more mistakes next time, I’d try not to be so perfect. I’d relax more, I’d limber up. I’d be sillier than I’ve been on this trip. In fact, I know very few things that I would take quite so seriously. I’d be crazier, and I’d certainly be less hygienic.

“I’d take more chances, I’d take more trips, I’d climb more mountains, I’d swim more rivers, and I’d watch more sunsets. I’d eat more ice cream and fewer beans. I’d have more actual troubles and few imaginary ones.

“You see, I was one of those people who lived life prophylactically and sanely and sensibly, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, that doesn’t mean I didn’t have my moments, but if I had it all over to do, I’d have more of those moments. In fact, I’d try to have nothing but wonderful moments side by side.

“I’ve been one of those people who never went anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it all over again, I’d travel lighter next time.

“If I had life to live over again, I’d start barefoot earlier in the spring and I’d stay that way later in the fall. I’d play hookey a lot more. I’d ride more merry-go-rounds. I’d smell more flowers. I’d hug more children. I’d tell more people that I love them. If I had my life to live over again. But, you see I don’t.”

Just a Thought !