Todos Santos, Baja Sur, Mexico
December 2010
The three of us flew down to Baja and spent a week in Todos Santos, where my parents live.
All of the images below link to larger images.
Todos Santos is situated on the west coast of Baja, about an hour and a half north of the southern tip.
A fresh water stream runs down from mountain springs, through an oasis of agriculture and homes, and into this lagoon on the beach.
The only paved roads in todos Santos are the highway and a few blocks of streets downtown.
The architechture is really beautiful, with abundant outdoor living areas.
One evening, on the way out to a restaurant, the ladies rode in the back of the truck (Saudi-style), while Brock, Morgan, and I rode up front.
We saw these two revolutionary-types while we were having dinner that night.
The way out to my parent's house is down a few bumpy dirt roads.
The roads are tough on little cars, and most locals drive trucks.
Brock and Cydney built a few houses on this little road, including this one, which is adjacent to 'La Cochera', their current abode .
From the driveway, this is the first view I got of the place.
Right away, I wanted to check out that palapa on the rooftop.
It turns out, there is a spiral staircase leading up there from a lower rooftop.
Walking toward the house, I could see that it actually consisted of two separate little buildings separated by a courtyard and surrounded by beautiful and colorful tropical plants.
This is one of the two buildings. It contains a simple kitchen, a small bathroom, and a loft with a bedroom.
It is surrounded by a palapa, which is made of palm fans and fishing nets draped over a network of branches lashed together with rope.
We used the outdoor shower after most beach excursions.
Those bananas are HUGE, and they grew nearby.
Altough it was actually nice to escape the American Christmas-hysteria, we kept up the spirit with this cactus in the courtyard.
The dining room is outdoors, under the palapa, and at the edge of the courtyard.
The courtyard is a private place nestled between the two buildings and the lush tropical vegetation.
This fountain was a source of entertainment and exploration for Morgan (see video below).
Video loading... Please be patient
Cydney and Chloe hanging out in the courtyard.
Video loading... Please be patient
Anyone know that tune?
The other building contains a bedroom, Cydney's studio, a bathroom, and Brock's office upstairs.
I love the outdoor staircases!
Morgan has always loved staircases.
This one leads up to the roof, where we had coffee most mornings.
Coffee in the morning sun.
We celebrated Brock's 60th birthday up here.
This year we decided to load him up with 60 small gifts!
Flora
There are lots and lots of different palm species in Todos Santos.
Here are a few photos we took of these beautiful plants:
Bananas and papaya are growing nearby, as well as passion fruit and pomegranates.
Aloe vera, cacti, and agave everywhere.
Beaches
We went to at least one beach every day!
By the end of the week, I was dreaming about the rise, fall, and break of the waves.
Lets head down to the 'local beach'! It's a five minute walk.
The local beach, facing north.
You guys have got it figured out.
Brock took us to the 'fish beach' one day.
He purchased some Red Snapper from the fishermen, right as they came in from the ocean.
Morgan and I watched the pelicans beg for food and wait for scraps.
They were acting like dogs, and Morgan woofed at them appropriately.
Las Palmas is a great swimming beach named for the forest of palms growing on the dunes.
This beach is about 10-15 minutes south of town.
Las Palmas, facing north.
Brock and Cynthia coming back in from playing in the waves.
Video loading... Please be patient
Video loading... Please be patient
I love this guy!
Showing off.
Sun, calm, fruit, fish, waves, and good company.
This was a very relaxing and much needed vacation.
What a great time. Ahhhh.....
Thanks Brock! Thanks Cydney!
You are a source of inspiration.