Finally posted in The Later Adventures ... The Orphan and Pepe Le Bell Tour the South Seas ...

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The Orphan and The Boot

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 Final Seduction ~ Guadeloupe ~ The Great Northwest ~ Cabo San Lucas ~ The Boot's Web Site

The Adventures of The Orphan and The Boot

 

 

The Orphan and The Boot

Relax in Calming Cabo

 

The Orphan and The Boot cleanse the tensions, troubles and woes of melding their two

powerful personalities -- as well as flee from many stresses and worries in their lives

 

 

 

 

Susie the Dog Beast nearing her 17th birthday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grand Arvee with Susie on the Western Washington RV Trip

 

 

 

 

Odorous House Ants dining on ant poison

These ants are tiny -- only about 1/8 inch long -- and smell like stale sweet coconut when crushed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Playa Grande Resort

a Turkey Vulture soars overhead

 

 

 

 

 

Overlooking Land's End and the uncrowded Playa Grande beach

 

Playa Grande entrance

 

 

 

 

 

view of the ocean from 1302

 

Brigantine Restaurant

 

 

 

 

 

 

the courtyard below with restaurants and pools

 

 

 

 

 

The Orphan in a lounge chair by the pool

 

 

 

 

El Calima with tables set for evening

 

 

 

Galeon entrance

 

Galeon table

 

The Orphan with his book by the pool

 

Mama's Royal Cafe

The Boot and The Orphan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field Guide to the Gray Whale

 

beachfront units

 

the rocks at the eastern end of Land's End from the balcony of unit 1273

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Cabo countryside  with mountains and cardón cactus, similar to the saguaro

 

 

 

 

The Orphan and Radiant Rafael by the bus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Margarita makes margaritas in the bar of the Hotel California

 

 

 

 

the bus in front of the Hotel Los Arcos in La Paz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotel Alcatraz sign

Hotel Alcatraz outside wall with missing paint

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delightful Debi and Positive Pete in the front of the boat

The Orphan, Captain Daniel and friend in the back of the boat

 

a gray whale surfaces next to Rafael

 

Radiant Rafael

 

 

petting the whale

 

 

 

 

 

 

a baby whale exhales next to the boat

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mira Mar Restaurant

 after the lobster feast:

a platter of empty shells

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

preparing Mexican coffee

pouring the flaming coffee back and forth with the lights turned down

 

 

 

 

Throughout much of 2004, The Orphan and The Boot had faced a number of woes -- pet degeneration, ant invasions, personal difficulties, family worries and friends waffling.

The “…woes…” began with the aging dog beast, Susie -- who was nearing her seventeenth birthday.  She lived a slower life, into which -- according to The Boot -- had arrived the maladies of old age -- confusion, near blindness, limping, stumbling up stairs, unpredictable incontinence, and mournful moaning when alone.

Only rarely did Susie, as a former “Jubilant Delinquent,” run up and down the hall with glee and great good humor as she had done so many times while in her prime.  But she  was still mostly cheerful and responsive -- said the defending Boot (“…but only with The Boot…” observed The Orphan).

The Orphan decided this failing behavior was really just being rude and punishing about The Boot ever being out of her sight and smell. The rudeness included tearing napkins and  Kleenexes to shreds (not a malady of old age but a lifelong rude behavior, noted the defending Boot).

The now seventy-year-old Orphan reviewed these symptoms of the dog beast as defined by The Boot with care -- and alarm -- and had been checking daily in his mirror -- and otherwise -- for any personal confusion, near blindness, limping, stumbling up stairs, unpredictable incontinence, or mournful moaning when alone.

So far The Orphan’s mirror had assured him that he was still “…the fairest in the land…” and the other symptoms had not appeared -- or not much.  (The Boot would debate the mournful moaning part.) But The Orphan did decide to do daily stretching exercises, strength workouts and walking, and monitor his drinking and diet.

The Boot’s solution to the aging of the dog beast had been to travel only in The Grand Arvee so the dog beast could see and care for as well as be seen and cared for by her loved and loving human, The Boot. 

No longer did The Orphan and The Boot take two- and three-week vacations to exotic lands while the dog beast languished in dog jail (the boarding pen at the animal hospital).

The result of this “humane” decision by The Boot was The Orphan driving his ass off in The Grand Arvee -- as can be seen by RV Southwest and RV Washington under Travel on The Boot’s Website. 

(The Orphan, to be sure, would have driven his ass off in his new Grand Arvee anyway without this provocation, observed the Boot.)

The Orphan and The Boot also found themselves engaged in The Great Ant War and combating the invasion of Odious Odorous House Ants over a long time span, not realizing that every battle “seemingly” won with Raid Ant Spray only lengthened the war, since the ant queens quickly produced more armies, sending scouts to invade the house from all accesses. 

The Great Ant War finally escalated into a visit to the experts at Do-It-Yourself Pest Control and the purchase of heavy-duty armaments including sweet irresistible poisonous ant bait -- that workers would take back to the queens -- to annihilate this odious odiferous enemy.

As a result, major battles in The Great Ant War had been won and the invasions were abating -- somewhat. Light at the end of the Great Ant War tunnel was finally faintly glowing -- so The Orphan and The Boot could leave home for a time, fairly sure that they would not return to a giant anthill replacing their orderly abode.

Another woe -- a major woe -- was The Orphan and The Boot unhappily redefining their  “…happy-hour…” to be an “…unhappy hour…” by being rude, fussy and contentious with each other -- causing periods of sullen silence and other things.

And as faced by all parents, the needs of their five combined offspring plagued the two with rotating family issues -- issues that included health, behavior, conflicts, jobs, finances -- and other things.  (It is good that the young do not have the foresight -- or judgment -- to see down the road lest the human race become extinct.)

To top it off, back in early 2004 -- before the decision to pardon the dog beast from dog jail -- The Orphan and The Boot had planned a two-week Mexican Mixing in Mazatlan for late 2004 -- and had invited the indecisive Thug and his consort, Resourceful Robin, for one of the weeks.  The Thug and Resourceful Robin were redefining the word “…waffling…” as they were going to Mazatlan one day and the next day were not going -- finally deciding not to go -- and deciding late.

So, with the daily “…unhappy hour…,” the aging dog beast, the ant armies, the offspring, and the companions “…canceling…,” The Orphan and The Boot precipitously -- and sullenly -- canceled the Mazatlan trip, eating $537.00 in reservation fees for all three weeks.

The Orphan was pissed off -- and surly.  The Boot hid in her office for days at a time.

The Orphan and The Boot knew they had the best deal in their world, so they continued to work on the melding of their two powerful and different personalities -- and were making continual -- though slow -- improvements.

The Orphan still had a lot of trouble minding -- and The Boot said he had no trouble at all minding -- he minded everything -- a lot.

So the woes continued, in spite of improvements to recover “…happy hour…,” some good travels in The Grand Arvee and a nice week-long ski trip with some of the offspring to icy Mt. Bachelor in Oregon (see Christmas 2004 on The Boot's Website).

And finally, The Boot’s computer coughed repeatedly and died in early February 2005. 

* * * * *

Suddenly, The Boot flounced upstairs to The Orphan and declared that a sun break was needed.

The Boot had decided they were going to Mexico for two weeks -- and were going right now. The Orphan was elated as he liked extemporaneousness in all things -- but was cautious.

The Boot then started a search through RCI for two consecutive timeshare weeks in either Cabo San Lucas or Mazatlan.  A few days later the search found two weeks at Playa Grande Resort in Cabo San Lucas (where they had previously stayed in December of 2001) from February 27 to March 13, 2005.

The Boot immediately booked two Alaska Airline tickets -- and then quickly ordered updated Cabo San Lucas travel books from Amazon and went to the nearby AAA branch to obtain a Baja California map and Tourbook. The Boot likes to be prepared -- well prepared.

Then The Boot called the Bellevue Animal Hospital and made reservations for Susie for two long weeks.

On the Saturday before departure, Susie the dog beast was sentenced to sixteen days in dog jail and incarcerated quickly -- with no forewarning.

The next day, Sunday, February 27, The Orphan and The Boot departed Soggy Seattle for two weeks in the warm sun and sand of the beach in Cabo San Lucas.

* * * * *

The Orphan and The Boot sat in one of the spacious exit rows on an uneventful Alaska Airlines nonstop flight to sunny Baja California, Mexico.  They deplaned in the pleasant warm sun and entered the Los Cabos Airport.

After standing in line for immigration, claiming their baggage and getting the green “Go” light at Mexican customs, the experienced travelers elbowed and shoved their way through the phalanx of timeshare salesmen, con men, liars and leeches between them and the shuttle ticket counter -- saying “…dejama en paz…” (leave me in peace!) and boarded a van headed for the Playa Grande Resort in Cabo San Lucas, about twenty miles away.

Playa Grande Resort is located at “Land’s End,” on a quiet stretch of beach on the southern tip where the Pacific Ocean meets the Gulf of California (still commonly called the Sea of Cortez).  Because riptides and undertows make the waters too dangerous for swimming, the beach is uncrowded, with no hordes of harassing silver vendors or heavily oiled tourists.

In addition, the resort is within easy walking distance of the marina, shops and restaurants in the town of Cabo San Lucas.

The Orphan and The Boot entered the grand entrance of The Playa Grande Resort and walked to the check-in desk, where they met the Registration Desk Manager, Agent Angel -- a very serious young man who was, nonetheless, very helpful -- and checked them into unit 1302.

The Orphan and The Boot requested that they stay in the same room for the whole two weeks and not have to move to another unit for the second week.  Agent Angel promised to look into it and told The Orphan and The Boot to check back in a few days.

Then they were sent to the desk of Darling Dulce, their favorite concierge, whom they had met during their stay back in December of 2001, when the resort was only half built. 

Darling Dulce was a diminutive, intelligent, confident, well-curved 31-year-old with two children.

Darling Dulce always handled The Orphan with aplomb and was totally and competently helpful.  She gave The Orphan and The Boot brochures and information about the resort, along with four tickets for free welcome drinks.

Then The Orphan and The Boot found unit 1302 -- a spacious one-bedroom unit on the fourth floor with two bathrooms and kitchen, and a large double balcony overlooking the pools and courtyards.  The unit was located far from the beach, but thankfully up high for a distant view of the ocean, so they unpacked, although the room was not as perfect as The Boot had hoped. 

That same night, The Orphan and The Boot started the adventure with dinner at the on-site Brigantine Restaurant -- where they met a new group of people, notably Host Homero, the captain, and Pleasing Porfirio, the waiter.

Pleasing Porfirio quickly became an expert at mixing The Orphan and Boot’s favorite martini:

     “…One part Grey Goose Vodka, one part Bombay Sapphire Gin, dry -- no Vermouth at all -- icy cold, up and in a large glass full to the top -- with olives on the side….”

The Orphan and The Boot also renewed acquaintances with Easy Emilio Camino -- the same piano player they had met on their earlier vacation -- while they were still “…courting…” and who still remembered -- and played -- their favorite songs, including “Unchained Melody.” 

Later, The Boot bought Easy Emilio’s CD and Easy Emilio gifted her with an audiocassette as well.

After a dinner for two of fish, beef, lobster and vegetables warmed over a flame in a tabletop cooker, the two returned to their unit high above the courtyard.

That night The Orphan and The Boot left the drapes and the sliding doors open -- except for the screens -- for fresh air. 

They heard every loud drunken reveler -- and there were a lot -- until 4:00 a.m., as all sounds were funneled into their room from all areas of the central courtyard three floors below.   Lights from the other buildings shone into the room all night.  The noises resumed at 6:00 a.m. with pile drivers and jackhammers from the construction of new units on the rocks above and behind their building.

The next day, on Monday, The Orphan and The Boot decided to tell Agent Angel to withdraw their request for two weeks in the same unit.  Since units were assigned in advance, they asked Agent Angel what the unit assignment was to be for the following week.  The Boot had already walked completely around the resort to understand the numbering system, and when Agent Angel said,

     “…you have unit 1273…”

The Boot could hardly contain her delight, having learned already that units in the 70s were oceanfront units above the quiet beach with a 180° view of the ocean with whales … and sea lions … and fish … and rays …

The Orphan and The Boot returned to unit 1302 content, knowing that they would move to an oceanfront unit for the second week, and secretly plotted imaginary ways to make the current residents of 1273 decide to leave early -- which of course did not work.

On Monday afternoon, the adventure really began when The Orphan and The Boot started on “…two-for-the-price-of-one happy hour…” margaritas near the pool and facing the ocean. (There was clearly no shortage of tequila at Playa Grande -- although there might have been a shortage of margarita mix.)

Relaxing on lounge chairs in the courtyard, they watched whales and saw a huge group of dolphins jumping from the sea into the air as they passed by.

As known by those who know him well -- sober or otherwise, The Orphan knows no strangers.  While relaxing and overlooking the ocean, The Orphan and The Boot met new friends, Darkly-tanned Don and Lovely Lauren from Lynnwood, Washington, and Eager Ed and Chatty Kathy from Vermont.

Even an elevator is a social setting -- particularly after a plethora of margaritas -- where The Orphan and The Boot met two more couples from Minnesota and Arizona who owned units next door and down the hall, and all six people engaged in conversation for a half hour after exiting the elevator.

Then the Orphan and The Boot wobbled to El Calima, the open-air restaurant in the courtyard, for Monday Night Fiesta.  When they ordered red wine, the waiter could only bring them pink wine, which The Orphan drank anyway.

Then they wobbled back to their room -- after dancing in the courtyard to the music of salsa and merengue as they departed from the fiesta.

That night and from then on, The Boot closed the sliding balcony doors of unit 1302 -- by both the living room and bedroom -- and drew the thick lightproof drapes, shutting out the lights and noise from below. The peace and quiet improved greatly.

The remaining initial days were spent relaxing by reading, walking every day, drinking and eating -- except for one abortive attempt to take a Salsa and Merengue Dance Class and a Stretching Class from Serious Sergio. (The stiff Orphan does not stretch without popping noises and creaks and The Boot can already put one of her toes in her ear -- so does not need to stretch anymore lest she resemble an al dente spaghetti noodle).

On Wednesday night, The Orphan and The Boot decided to visit the Galeon, an Italian Ristorante a short walk away, where Regaling Ronaldo Valentino played the piano.  The Boot had already bought both of his CDs after hearing his music played at breakfast in the restaurant El Calima.

There were always “standard” martinis available from The Orphan’s private stash of Grey Goose and Bombay Sapphire in the room to prepare for the rigors of another evening.

After more martinis at the Galeon (made like those by Pleasing Porfirio, except half the quantity), the two ordered an antipasto plate, followed by entrees of freshly caught fish of Cabo and the ubiquitous lobster.  Afterward, The Boot ordered Mexican coffee, served in a flaming display of lighted tequila and brandy and Kahlua poured from one vessel to another while the lights were turned down.

Even from the distant balcony of unit 1302, during the first week The Boot was in ecstasy as she saw gray whales migrating and humpback whales breaching, always followed by a flotilla of boats filled with whale watchers.

The Orphan had previously accused the Boot of being a “…tree-hugger…” – a lot The Orphan still did not know! (Gale Norton, enemy of the earth, beware!)

The Orphan knew that cleansing was occurring when, early in the second week, while basking poolside, the demure Boot turned, batted her eyes, and said softly,

     “…Let’s finish these drinks and go up to the room … … …”

The Orphan immediately closed his book, folded the towels while gulping his drink and stumbling over a beach chair, and started toward the room. The (somewhat) smug Boot asked The Orphan’s receding back if there was any hurry.  Smart-booted she is -- but gorgeous!

Things were becoming so nice that The Boot even gave The Orphan a haircut -- eat your heart out, Joe!

For breakfast, there was either a buffet at El Calima in the courtyard, served by Optimist Omar the Jubilant -- an expectant father -- or many choices at Mama’s Royal Café in downtown Cabo. 

Mama’s served excellent and tasty breakfasts that lasted until dinnertime.

At Mama’s, The Boot discovered Huevos Divorciados -- similar to Huevos Rancheros -- tortillas topped with ham slices topped with gently fried eggs, then covered with green and red sauces and melted cheese and many accompanying salsas, sour cream and guacamole and spicy beans -- all of which she washed down with tall mimosas made with freshly squeezed orange juice.

Since The Boot had insisted on bottled water in the room and at all restaurants, Montezuma’s revenge was kept to a minimum -- not exorcised completely but somewhat tamed -- but lurking at all times!

The Orphan and The Boot were happy and relaxed and the calming was working.

* * * * *

Suddenly a new adventure appeared on the horizon.

On Thursday, while checking to see if The Orphan and The Boot were pleased with their accommodations and thinking they were owners at Playa Grande, a sales manager named Noble Neto showed up to see if all their needs were met and if any more units could be sold to them. 

Noble Neto found that The Orphan and The Boot were well-pleased with their current accommodations and needed no additions to the eight weeks a year of timeshares they already owned (“…nine is better…” say all timeshare salesmen until The Orphan explains that nein means no in German).

Noble Neto then showed them photographs of people in small boats next to whales, and invited them to join a whale petting trip to Bahia Magdalena. 

This involved a 540-mile round trip by bus to San Carlos and an overnight stay in a Mexican hotel.  The bus would leave Thursday midday and return on Friday night of the second week -- and for only $500.00 American -- plus about $150.00 American for meals!  (Noble Neto’s whale trip accomplices were Radiant Rafael -- whom we would meet later -- and Just Juan).

The Boot immediately blurted,

     “…Yes!  We will go!…”

The Orphan asked what whale petting was. When told that baby whales liked to come to the gunwales of the boats and stick their heads up to be petted, he thought,

     “…when pigs fly…”

(Remember this cynicism for a later humiliation and a crow dinner.)

This added a delicious anticipatory time period as The Boot feverishly reread her Field Guide to the Gray Whale which she had optimistically brought along, as well as every travel book in reach.  She located Bahia Magdalena and San Carlos on her AAA Baja California map, and anticipated the trip while waiting with barely bated breath.

As the move to the second unit neared, The Orphan and The Boot met Rigorous Rodrigo at the Registration Desk.  Rigorous Rodrigo -- with slicked-back hair and a dimple -- was even more helpful than Agent Angel – and obviously intelligent -- as he even laughed at The Orphan’s jokes!  Rigorous Rodrigo made the move to the new unit easy and efficient.

The second week at Playa Grande was in the beachfront unit that met all of The Boot’s expectations. Unit 1273 was on the third floor and overlooked the ocean, with glorious 180° views of the open beach and the huge rocks at Land’s End. At night the drapes and sliding doors were again left open to feel the fresh air and hear the crashing of waves.  No lights shone in.

looking west from the balcony of unit 1273

The remaining days continued to be spent relaxing by reading, walking, drinking and eating -- with a little shopping. 

The Orphan bought two lightweight shirts -- guayaberas -- and The Boot bought a new splashy bathing suit set with pants and coverup.  But The Orphan adamantly refused to buy a hat for the whale trip, even under pressure from The Boot to protect his head from the sun.

* * * * *

Finally Thursday arrived, and at 1:30 p.m., a comfortable air-conditioned bus -- with video monitors and a bathroom -- departed for San Carlos, a small town at the edge of Bahia Magdalena.

The bus trip included a driver with no name, Noble Neto and Radiant Rafael -- the two guides -- and ten couples.

The ten couples represented many states:  from Alaska -- Charming Chip and Happy Holly; from California -- Positive Pete and Delightful Debi; and from New Mexico -- Kindly Karen the White Haired and Mild Marilyn. 

But the trip also included four Disdainful Disapprovers:   from North Carolina -- Big Bluto the Bully with his wife the Southern Sour; and from somewhere -- The Junkyard Dog with his wife Yippy. 

Others were one couple from Rhode Island, one from New Jersey, two more couples from California, and The Orphan and The Boot from Washington (The State of Taxes).

The Boot's AAA map, showing southern Baja California and the route of the 270-mile trip from Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip north to Bahia Magdalena where the whales were, with stops at Todos Santos and La Paz

The bus trip to San Carlos included serious and impassioned lectures on Mexico as well as innumerable jokes by Radiant Rafael.  The guides provided soft drinks, water, beer and snacks on the way.

The bus made a twenty-minute stop for margaritas at The Hotel California in the town of  Todos Santos -- at The Tropic of Cancer -- where every blank space on every wall and counter and chair and table was filled with signatures of people who wanted to record their presence at the Tropic of Cancer. 

 

 The Hotel California, located in Todos Santos on the Tropic of Cancer,  has signatures everywhere on everything

Everyone had special large margaritas made by Mr. Margarita in the bar and enhanced with the Mexican liqueur Damiana, made from the herb damiana, reputed to be an aphrodisiac.  All the while the song words “…welcome to the Hotel California…” played in the background.

At the stop, the Disdainful Disapprovers made their attitudes first known. 

The two from North Carolina were unsmiling and unresponsive when conversation was attempted, and a man later to be known as The Junkyard Dog fussed when all the margaritas just made were claimed by those at the bar (where he wasn’t), and grudgingly ordered more.  His claim to fame was that he “…owned a Boeing…” which turned out to be an old Stearman bi-plane.

The bus stopped again in La Paz, and again people ordered margaritas -- but not nearly as tasty -- at the bar in The Hotel Los Arcos, which posted photos of famous visitors like Clark Gable, from the days when the cape area was a playground for the rich and famous who flew in because the first paved highway down Baja California was not completed until 1973.

After the stop in La Paz, the guides played movie videos (including a movie with Nick Nolte screaming out foul language continuously). 

The Orphan and The Boot sat in the rear of the bus.

Also in the back of the bus were Positive Pete and Delightful Debi from California and Kindly Karen the White Haired (Kindly Karen had hair as white as The Orphan’s hair) and Mild Marilyn -- schoolteachers from New Mexico -- all of whom were as nice as nice could be.

These four and The Orphan and The Boot had a merry time during the drive.

Just in front of The Orphan and The Boot sat two of the Disdainful Disapprovers, while the other two sat in front of Positive Pete and Delightful Debi.

The bus voyage was interrupted by a warning light on the bus that said it was thirsty -- leading to many of the precious bottles of pure water assuaging the bus’s thirst while on the road.

While the bus was stopped for water, and with the engine noise gone, the blaring volume from the Nasty Nolte movie was deafening, especially at the back of the bus, where the effect was approaching agony.  At Positive Pete and Delightful Debi’s request, The Orphan bravely walked to the front of the bus and asked Noble Neto to reduce the volume -- to the cheering approval of seven of the couples.

The Orphan returned triumphantly to his seat and continued regaling Positive Pete, Delightful Debi, Kindly Karen The White Haired and Mild Marilyn.

Suddenly, one of the Disdainful Disapprovers (The Junkyard Dog) yapped,

     “…You got the volume low so why don’t you shut up so we can at least hear the movie -- and besides you have been obnoxious all day…”

The startled Orphan replied,

     “…Well, obnoxious is better than being an asshole…”

and Positive Pete joined in, yelling back at The Junkyard Dog,

     “…I don’t think he was being obnoxious at all…”

Yippy, the wife of The Junkyard Dog, stood up, turned and began,

     “…”

But before she could speak, The Orphan commanded,

     “…You turn around and stay out of this…” at which point, she turned and stayed quiet.

Now remember the other two Disdainful Disapprovers (Big Bluto the Bully and the Southern Sour), who were seated directly in front of The Orphan and The Boot.

Big Bluto the Bully stood up, turned around, and started looming with as much intimidating hulk as he could manage.

The Orphan lost his temper -- which can be seen by those who know him well when The Orphan becomes icy cold and deliberate -- and said to Big Bluto the Bully,

     “…You are out of your league. Back off and turn around…”

Big Bluto the Bully said,

     “…So I am out of your league…”

The Orphan began to rise up, ready to poke Big Bluto in the eyes with stiffened fingers if necessary and said -- very ominously,

     “…Yes, you are way out of your league. Turn around right now, sit down and back off…”

The Orphan felt the calming hand of The Boot on his leg as a plea for The Orphan to also please sit down. 

Big Bluto the Bully, who had looked into the depths of The Orphan’s eyes and had seen in there his potential doom, turned around, also sat down and shut up.  (Remember The Bully Rule.)

Shame on the Disdainful Disapprovers of the world, who dim the mood of others around them.  These four had managed to cast a pall over a happy group of adventurers eager to see whales up close. 

Happily, there were no further overt problems with the Disdainful Disapprovers for the rest of the trip, although it was clear that few sought their company.

The bus got another long drink at a Pemex station in Ciudad Constitucion (Constitution City).

The bus trip to San Carlos, with all the stops, took about eight hours -- to an awful dinner in the seediest hotel The Orphan had ever seen (The Boot observed that this may have been a four-star rural Mexican hotel)  -- with the worst bed in the world and a flooded bathroom floor from a misaligned toilet.  It was named Hotel Alcatraz.

The Orphan and The Boot arose at 7:00 a.m. on Friday from the miniscule lumpy bed in the seedy hovel with the flooded bathroom to find that the breakfast matched the previous night’s dinner and the seedy hotel perfectly.  The Orphan and The Boot satisfied themselves with only cafe y hugo de naranja (coffee and orange juice to you gringos).

When everyone boarded the bus to go to the boats, it was gratifying to see that the Disdainful Disapprovers had moved to the front of the bus (and even funnier to see later, for the long return trip, several couples previously in the front moved to the back -- where the fun was).

The bus journeyed to a sandy beach where four open boats were awaiting the group.  Everyone hung around in small groups, trying to avoid any boat which might contain the unsmiling Disdainful Disapprovers.

Finally Rafael pointed Delightful Debi and Positive Pete toward the Disdainful Disapprovers to make six in the boat. 

Delightful Debi pointed to The Orphan and The Boot and replied,

     “We want to go with them …”

Kindly Karen and Mild Marilyn finally joined The Disdainful Disapprovers (“…we are there to balance their mood…” said Karen). Radiant Rafael also boarded The Disdainful Disapprovers’ boat “to lighten them up.”

So The Orphan and The Boot boarded the Daniela, a open green and white boat with an outboard motor, along with Delightful Debi and Positive Pete, plus a single Mexican gentleman.  They began a wild ride with Captain Daniel (who learned his excellent English in Arkansas) for a long distance to search for baby whales.

The weather was cold and cloudy at first -- especially with a wind chill factor seemingly from the North Pole -- as the boat’s motor geared up to full speed to find whale gatherings.  Even the Boot, wearing everything she brought along in layers but with only sandals on her feet, froze her gorgeous reason for being named The Boot. The Orphan merely froze everything.

Soon they found the gray whales, and when Radiant Rafael told everyone to wiggle their hands in the water, the whales and their babies would stick their heads way up out of the water and go under the boats to come up again on the other side.  They arched their backs and exhaled within reach.  Everyone reached out to touch them while being careful not to capsize the boats as people rushed from side to side.

wiggling hands call in friendly gray whales right next to the boat

So, on the morning of Friday, March 11, 2005, The Orphan petted a baby whale that stuck its head up right next to the boat.  Baby whales have soft smooth satiny skin -- especially before the barnacles and other sea parasites ride through life on them. The feeling is akin to stroking a fresh cucumber in the produce market -- only softer.

The Orphan and his friend the baby whale

a friendly whale lifts its head way out of the water to be petted

The Orphan looked assiduously for any flying pigs and ate his crow with a light heart.

The miseries of the trip faded away as the sun came out and The Orphan thawed from the heat and the feeling for his new friends, the baby whales.

After leaving the whales, the group ate lunch in a small outdoor beachside restaurant named Mira Mar -- in an island village named Bahia Magdalena on Magdalena Bay (also named Bahia Magdalena).

They ate clams in their shells garnished with ham and cheese, fresh yellowfin tuna (cooked very well-done), salsa, frijoles and tortillas -- all of which were  followed by all of the fresh broiled garlic-buttered lobster that anyone could eat.  Positive Pete ate five and even diminutive Delightful Debi ate four.*  The Orphan and The Boot had eaten many clams and a large tuna portion and could only eat one lobster each -- but they were  delicious.

*Not that anyone's counting, but Positive Pete and Delightful Debi have corrected and approved these totals.

Then followed one more wild ride in the Daniela back to the mainland and the bus while The Orphan held a life jacket over his chest as a windbreak.  The Orphan suffered but survived.

The long and tedious bus ride back to Cabo included another movie starring Mel Gibson before he reached puberty -- he didn’t have a single wrinkle -- but because there were no stops, the return ride took only six hours.

The Orphan read a book. The Boot read The DaVinci Code, the subversive book that questions the Catholic Church’s control of history (banned by the Pope lest any Catholics be exposed to any unauthorized thinking), and finished it just before arrival back in Cabo San Lucas late Friday evening. 

The exhausted but happy whale viewers collapsed in bed.

* * * * *

Saturday, the last day in Cabo San Lucas,  was spent resting from the whale adventure and the long bus trek.

The Orphan and The Boot decided to end their trip with a final farewell dinner by returning to the Galeon Ristorante.

After dinner The Boot -- having monitored The Orphan’s martinis closely that evening by explaining that she would like conscious company for once on the walk back to the room -- again had flaming Mexican Coffee, made in a dramatic display with the lights turned down.

The Orphan just continued to somewhat sullenly sip his red wine -- which, with an insufficient amount of martinis, was awful -- but came with the dinner.  It should be noted that The Boot did not finish her wine.

It was a good farewell dinner, though.

sunset from Playa Grande

* * * * *

Sunday, The Orphan and The Boot boarded an Alaska Airlines airplane for an uneventful flight to customs in San Diego before journeying on to Seattle for a 9:30 p.m. arrival and a ride back home with their favorite car service, “One Airport Only.”

The next morning the dog beast Susie, when released from dog jail, refused to look at The Boot or show any sign of recognition. The Boot was concerned at the deterioration (“…the punishment is working…” thought The Orphan).

The Orphan noted no difference in the dog beast’s behavior toward The Orphan as the dog beast had always considered The Orphan to be a temporary annoyance who would eventually disappear.

It was several days before the dog beast knew who and where she was, and, confusion aside (“…punishment finished…” The Orphan thought), returned to her former cheerful and responsive self at home.

The Great Ant War was mostly won as there were now only weak forays where the scouts always found “bait” to take back to assassinate their queens. 

The Boot’s new computer with fast thinking and huge memory was loaded and working -- along with some updated software of the latest style for photography editing and web design.  (It would take at least a few days before this new software would be obsolete -- which turned out to be the case because just after The Boot upgraded her Photoshop program to CS, another Photoshop upgrade was announced, CS2.)

The offspring were behaving. 

And best of all, “…happy hours…” were again “…happy…”

The trip to calming Cabo had worked, and all was well again with the cleansed Orphan and The Boot.

 

The Great Northwest RV

End of Calming Cabo More Photos of Cabo 

 

HOME THE BOOT'S WEB SITE wild blue goose nature photography
TIMELINE

ON BEING ONLY AN EGG

JOKES

CAST OF CHARACTERS

PATIENCE, COURAGE AND WISDOM

GRANNYISMS

     
The Early Adventures:   Chapter    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20 
The Later Adventures:   Dance Cruise     Ski Matterhorn     South Seas     North to Alaska     Education in Ethanol     Criminal Side  
The Orphan and The Boot:  

Final Seduction     Guadeloupe     The Great Arvee NW     Cabo San Lucas

The Mighty Boeing Company:   Chapter    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20
The Awesome AquaJet Shower:   Title Page     Philosophy     Preface

Boeing:  Land of Heroes and Assassins

 

 

 

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