In Memory of Sweet Millie

My dearest, most-loyal companion, Millie, left this world yesterday morning from the comfort of her own bed with me holding her paw.  This last photo above was taken just the day before, as we enjoyed a nice afternoon on the shady, cool grass of Socorro, New Mexico’s town square.

While going through photos today, I realized just how similar our last day was to our very first day together back in April of 2005-- we started and ended our journey from a lush lawn of spring-green grass.

 
What an amazing 10 years she gave me (and so many of you as well who enjoyed her adventures via this blog)!

Northbound to Loreto

 

When Hans, Ursula, and I had decided to caravan back up the Baja together, we initially thought we’d skip Loreto and just head right for the Bahía de Concepción.  But with a couple of rare days of rain predicted further north, we decided it’d be best to wait out the weather in Loreto.  The town welcomed us home with an amazing sunset and more!

The Ultimate Baja Fish Taco Quest

Ah, there is so much to love about visiting Baja—the gorgeous beaches, the abundant marine life, the world-class water sports, and of course, the always friendly and fun people.  But more than anything, what will make a person crave Baja again and again (even  just a few days of leaving it)?  Two words – fish tacos!

Sure, I had eaten fish tacos before this first trip to Baja.  Mainly, in Southern California at the fast-food chain restaurants known for them: Wahoo’s and Rubio’s.  I also had some surprisingly good and fresh fish tacos last Fall at a chain restaurant up in Utah called Costa Vida.

As good as these were, they were just pale, tasteless imitators compared to the real thing in Baja.

Top 10 Things I Loved About La Paz

I had no intention of coming all the way down the Baja this winter, but when the stops further north did not quite “ring all the bells” for a perfect winter nesting spot, I had to keep driving further south until I found that perfect spot.

La Paz might not have been the prettiest town in Baja, nor the most historic, but there was just something that made it instantly welcoming.  Like finding cool, refreshing spring water after a long parched walk across the desert (or in this case, a 1,000 mile drive down Highway 1 !!!). 

Here are the Top 10 things I loved about my month in La Paz:

Visiting Cabo Pulmo National Park

Our final day trip of the bottom of the Baja peninsula took us from La Paz to the East Cape’s Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park.  Established in 1995, its mission is to preserve one of the finest examples of live coral reef in Mexico (and one of the best diving destinations closest to the U.S.).

The Power of Prayers & Prednisone

As much as I try to catch this blog up, it is now running about 6 weeks behind real-time life.  I promise to finish up the Baja trip posts soon, but wanted to give everyone an update on this past week’s events with Millie.

Last September, Millie’s mast cell cancer returned after a 3 year remission.  She showed no symptoms, but I knew that her long-term prognosis was not good and knew I didn’t want to put her through any more heroic cancer treatments.  So, our hometown vet suggested a regime of Benadryl and Pepcid AC, and we hoped for as many happy, active months as possible.