- We stayed at this hotel right by the beach. In the morning I decided to go for a much needed run as I hadn't done much besides drink and eat chips. So I went for a nice jog on the beach. When I started this lighthouse was far off in the distance. Eventually it was closer and I figured, eh, why not. Here's the thing about the beach, it's super hard to jog on especially when in some places you sink in. It was only maybe 4 inches but there's still that moment of "holy crap if it's quicksand, I'm doomed." It wasn't and I was fine. But still.
- As I approached the lighthouse I realized there were people up at the top. A family actually. Once I arrived I figured I'd head up to check out the view. There was this cement wall surrounding the lighthouse in the shape of a square. I went around one corner, then another, and another, and another. No door. "How the hell did they get up there?" I could have asked them but I only heard them speaking Spanish and I didn't know enough to figure out that sentence. Upon further investigation one wall contained a few small holes, making a makeshift ladder. I'm guessing that's how they got in, and probably threw the kids over. I mean, they're kids. They get hurt and get right back up.
- I then took a much needed shower. You know the kind where you thought you'd shower the day before but then, hey I can do it in the morning. Then morning comes and if I shower now, then I'll only be clean for a few hours before getting sweaty from exercising and having to do it all over again. Needless to say I was rocking a ponytail for 2 days. The best part was using the camper shower which to save water you only really use for about 2 minutes. So much thought, so little pay off.
-That day my cousin Baja Joe had arranged for an author named Herman Hill to come hang out with us as he wrote a book about his crazy Baja adventures and stories from growing up. He was 80 going on 20. At one point Suzi and I were in the car waiting for Phil and he came up to the window saying we looked lonely and proceeded to chat-slash-semi flirt with us. He might have invited us into his house. Dude's got game. It's all in the confidence, boys.
- We all went off exploring and found another camping site on the beach with an outdoor sink to clean your catch of the day. Yet again I found myself along the shore picking up more shells than I could possibly need. Lindsay found a totally bitchin' skull and I spotted the largest lobster exoskeleton ever. It's a fact, I checked with Guinness.
- Suzi, Phil, Paco, and I went off down yet another bumpy dirt road. We found this promising little town looking center where there was, according to the sign, a resort spa. Outside we found the entire population of this town center: some dude sweeping, a woman who I guess was supervising him, and this little dog that kept barking at me and then ran away when I tried to pet him.
- It was now the afternoon aka drinking time and Phil broke out his Spanish, using the one word he could always remember - beer. The guy said yes, we entered and upon inspecting the digs decided the term "resort spa" was a bit misleading. It should have been named, "Large Lobby with a Creepy Painting" because that's all we saw.
- After about 10 minutes we decided to blow that popsicle stand. As soon as we headed back to the car the guy used his limited English to let us know - "Beer" (insert him pointing around the corner). We followed and found another part of this majestic resort spa; a dolphin water fountain...with no water. But we did get beer and enjoyed an amazing view of the water, that was almost ruined when Phil revealed to me he was a Republican who was for the Tea Party.
- Back at the hotel area I found myself having another fling with another Mexican dog. After I pet him for 10 seconds he became my BFF, nuzzling under my legs when I sat down and following me wherever I went, for 20 mins or so until someone else came along. Jerk. This one was named Negro. Honestly I thought he was Paco at first, I mean they all look alike, am I right?
- Later that evening I went for a walk with Paco, you know, let him know he was the only Mexican dog in my life. Ever the worrier and wanting to make sure he didn't have to call my mom to tell her I was kidnapped, Phil gave me his pepper spray. Paco had a blast, especially after I let him off the leash to chase down some birds.
- As the sun began to set over mountains and it started to get darker I figured it was best to head back before Phil sent out a search party. When we approached the road I heard the familiar dog whistle again and spotted Phil walking over to us from the hotel across the street. Suzi later told me that as soon as the sun started to set Phil told her he was starting to worry and slowly made his way toward the beach. I found it adorable.
- Remember when we had ice-cream for lunch? Well, like me, Phil has a sweet tooth and he got more than he could eat that day so after dinner he polished off his leftovers. I've always said I don't trust anyone who doesn't like dessert so when Phil excitedly rubbed his hands together after throwing away the empty ice-cream cup claiming it was cookie time, he earned my complete trust, not to mention respect for doubling down.