Some Enchanted Isla Sunsets

A number of readers have commented on how pretty the sunrises are here on the Isla de Piedra, and indeed they are.  But, the main attraction, the thing that has drawn so many of us to navigate all the way down to Mazatlan and drive our RVs down a long dusty, bumpy road to get here…are the sunsets.

Last winter, when I was unable to leave cold and snowy Chicago due to caring for my terminally ill mother, one thing that made those days just a little more tolerable were the near-nightly posts of gorgeous sunsets from Contessa’s blog.  I resolved that when my mom’s final chapter was done, I’d make it a priority to start enjoying my life and those kinds of sunsets RIGHT NOW and not before old age or failing health could push them forever out of reach.

So here I am a year later…actually living that dream!  Honestly, it still feels a bit surreal, but I don’t let that worry me too much!  This is a winter I hope each and every one of you gets to experience some day for yourselves.

Not only am I now experiencing those gorgeous sunsets, I’m discovering that great travel experiences really don’t require jam-packed itineraries to check off how many new places one can see every day.  The better, more meaningful experiences can happen just sitting still for awhile—to fully absorb a new culture, new natural surroundings, new music, foods, and people.

I’m learning that if you happen to finally discover paradise….for gosh sakes, don’t be in any great hurry to leave it!

Weather on the Isla continues to be absolutely perfect (the continued forecast is sunny days with highs in the low 80’s and lows in the upper 50’s), the community here is wonderful, and there is still much, much more of this little piece of paradise to appreciate.  So I’ve decided to stay here another month to see what new sunsets come my way!

The view never changes….just the twin peaks at the end of the Mazatlan harbor entrance of Las Chivas on the left side, and El Faro on the right.

And yet…the view seems to be different almost every night!  Some nights there are motorcycles..

   or the local caballero on his horse..

or a beach walker…

or a sailboat…

or just a long line of pelicans on their way home to their island for the night…

Some nights the sky is so clear you can see Venus shining above almost as bright as the moon…

Other nights bring moody storm clouds with only the lighthouse at the top of El Faro to show the way…

The colors of the sky are ever-changing.  From deep blue with gentle wisps of golden clouds..

to broad sweeps of pink and orange…

to a sky full of pink polka-dotted clouds..

and even some nights of vivid purple!

When the sky has no clouds to offer, the palm trees and party lights can fill in…

But when the clouds look ready to put on a show, such as two nights ago, I bring out my big Canon, set it down low on a tripod, and begin snapping away at the ever-changing colors. (photo by Contessa)

The bright blues and yellows of the setting sun…

to the vivid reds of the sun’s last light…

this is some enchanted Isla indeed!