If you have photos or stories about Mr. Gomez, send them and I'll post them.
Happy New Year to all!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Romulo the Patriarch
Here are some photos of Romulo Gomez, the patriarch of La Bocana. I never met him but I wish I did. I only hear good things about the man and he's the one that brought us all together on this piece of paradise. Enjoy:
If you have photos or stories about Mr. Gomez, send them and I'll post them.
Happy New Year to all!
If you have photos or stories about Mr. Gomez, send them and I'll post them.
Happy New Year to all!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
I've been thinking about the Great Egret
A little while ago, a few of us decided that the Pelican was the Official Bird of La Bocana. It was a unanimous vote and seemed like the obvious choice. The pelicans are spectacular and I remember one awesome afternoon when somewhere near 1,000 pelicans flew by in 30 minutes. My jaw was open the whole while I tired to keep count. Even if I never saw another pelican again in La Bocana, that one incident would have led me to give the pelicans the vote.
However, I am now older and perhaps wiser, or maybe not wiser though I am definitely older, and I've been thinking about that beautiful white long necked creature that stalks the lagoon and flies so gracefully through the valley. I sometimes see one on the kelp just off shore - standing very still while waiting for an opportunity to grab something to eat.
A few weekends ago, I watched one walk awkwardly yet beautifully through the lagoon, contorting its long neck for the best view into the shallow water and every so often jabbing its beak into the water and coming up with a little fish to eat. I could have watched it for hours. And that is when I thought that I, and all of us, should take a good look at the Great Egret.
Here is some information from the book Birds of North America:
The Great Egret has white plumage, a yellow bill, and black feet and legs. Adults birds stand up to 41 inches with a 55 inch wingspan and incredibly, weigh about 2 pounds. They prefer to feed in open areas from salt marshes to freshwater habitats and fly to communal nests in trees at night. They feed on a wide variety of small aqautic animals and other animals found in wetlands including fish, frogs, snakes, crayfish, and large insects. They are monogamous and live in colonies, usually with other species of herons, egrets, and similar species.
The incubation period is 23 to 26 days and the young stay in the nest for 21 days. Both Ma and Pa feed the young. Only one brood per year and they have 1 to 6 pale blue-green eggs per brood. The nests are in trees or shrubs, usally 10 to 40 feet above ground.
In the US, they are a protected species. In the late 1800s, they were decimated as they were hunted for their plumage. The book says that they should "winter" in northern Baja but I seemed to see them year round.
Let's look at some photos:
However, I am now older and perhaps wiser, or maybe not wiser though I am definitely older, and I've been thinking about that beautiful white long necked creature that stalks the lagoon and flies so gracefully through the valley. I sometimes see one on the kelp just off shore - standing very still while waiting for an opportunity to grab something to eat.
A few weekends ago, I watched one walk awkwardly yet beautifully through the lagoon, contorting its long neck for the best view into the shallow water and every so often jabbing its beak into the water and coming up with a little fish to eat. I could have watched it for hours. And that is when I thought that I, and all of us, should take a good look at the Great Egret.
Here is some information from the book Birds of North America:
The Great Egret has white plumage, a yellow bill, and black feet and legs. Adults birds stand up to 41 inches with a 55 inch wingspan and incredibly, weigh about 2 pounds. They prefer to feed in open areas from salt marshes to freshwater habitats and fly to communal nests in trees at night. They feed on a wide variety of small aqautic animals and other animals found in wetlands including fish, frogs, snakes, crayfish, and large insects. They are monogamous and live in colonies, usually with other species of herons, egrets, and similar species.
The incubation period is 23 to 26 days and the young stay in the nest for 21 days. Both Ma and Pa feed the young. Only one brood per year and they have 1 to 6 pale blue-green eggs per brood. The nests are in trees or shrubs, usally 10 to 40 feet above ground.
In the US, they are a protected species. In the late 1800s, they were decimated as they were hunted for their plumage. The book says that they should "winter" in northern Baja but I seemed to see them year round.
Let's look at some photos:
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Cathy, this is for you
This is for Cathy and everyone who lives in Northern La Bocana - I drove by the new water tank today and is was nearly full!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Lt. Commander's Daughter Reports In
Divina, daughter of Dallas and Emily, visited La Bocana with some friends and she sent this report:
We visited the first week of April and actually arrived on April Fools Day, Ibelieve. It was me and three of my friends ( Mandy Fessler, Brad Fessler,and Carrie Ragland). They are all from Ohio and had never been to the west coast.
Upon arriving in La Bocana we were immediately met by the official greeting committee of Mike,Tank and Rocco (three dogs). They all wanted to know who the four strangers were invading the commanders house.
We had many nights sitting around the fire,watching the sunset while giggling (due to the Berringer that my parents had supplied). We visited many of the beaches, took long walks on the trails, had the pleasure of meeting Canaro, and ate some fresh lobster.
I also had the pleasure of falling in the water while exploring the rocks......my camera took a dive with me and all my dad could do was laugh. That wasn't the only time I fell either.....I also slipped when coming back up the bank with my body board...we just had to laugh and compare myself toBella from the Twilight books....quite clumsy....now if I could only find my Edward shimmering in the sunlight I would be all set!
La Boufadora, shopping, wild horses.....mountains behind and the ocean ahead. I have never seen anything like it. So now I understand why my parents sold the house I grew up in and persued this dream house in this place in the middle of Mexico. We miss it already and are planning to all come back next year.
If Brad and Mandy had their way, they would own the house two down from my parents already.
Here are some photos from our adventure:
We visited the first week of April and actually arrived on April Fools Day, Ibelieve. It was me and three of my friends ( Mandy Fessler, Brad Fessler,and Carrie Ragland). They are all from Ohio and had never been to the west coast.
Upon arriving in La Bocana we were immediately met by the official greeting committee of Mike,Tank and Rocco (three dogs). They all wanted to know who the four strangers were invading the commanders house.
We had many nights sitting around the fire,watching the sunset while giggling (due to the Berringer that my parents had supplied). We visited many of the beaches, took long walks on the trails, had the pleasure of meeting Canaro, and ate some fresh lobster.
I also had the pleasure of falling in the water while exploring the rocks......my camera took a dive with me and all my dad could do was laugh. That wasn't the only time I fell either.....I also slipped when coming back up the bank with my body board...we just had to laugh and compare myself toBella from the Twilight books....quite clumsy....now if I could only find my Edward shimmering in the sunlight I would be all set!
La Boufadora, shopping, wild horses.....mountains behind and the ocean ahead. I have never seen anything like it. So now I understand why my parents sold the house I grew up in and persued this dream house in this place in the middle of Mexico. We miss it already and are planning to all come back next year.
If Brad and Mandy had their way, they would own the house two down from my parents already.
Here are some photos from our adventure:
Friday, July 24, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Agave or Century Plant
Joe's mom would wait for years to see one of the century plants bloom in her garden. So lucky are we to take our morning walk in La Bocana and see literally hundreds of these regal plants in bloom.
The name agave comes from the Greek word agavos, meaning noble or admirable, and this group of plants has lived up to its name. There is archeological evidence that humans have used agaves for at least 9,000 years, baking the leaves in pits for food and using the fibers and stalks to make everything from rope to clothing to weapons.
The Agave americana is often called the century plant because was reputed to bloom only once in 100 years, but that's an exaggeration. It does only bloom once in its lifetime, but usually between 7 and 20 years. The main plant then dies, but most species produce shoots that will take over and grow to maturity. Beautiful flower spikes reach for the sky in many, including the Century Plant Agave americana which can have a bloom spike up to 40 feet (12 meters) high!
Perhaps one of the best known uses for agave is the production of tequila, which has long been a vital industry in Mexico. Tequila is made from the fermented and distilled juices, called aquamiel or "honey water," produced by the agave just before it flowers. In 1999, Mexico exported some 21 million gallons (80 million liters) of tequila to the United States, and the current annual value of these exports is about 200 million dollars. In fact, the agave plants grown on plantations are so valuable that they must be protected from agave rustlers!
Photo taken by Joe Darrough
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Caption Contest
If a highfalutin magazine like The New Yorker can have a caption contest, so can we. Joe took this photo over by Dallas and Emily's house. Maggie is our little dog and Mikey, Rocko, and Chuckita are the dogs that hang out (and are cared for) by Dallas and Emily. I thought it was a funny photo. If you think of a funny caption, click on comments (below) and share it with us.My suggestion is:
"Red Rover Red Rover, send Maggie right over"
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Society Page - New Year's Eve Gala Extravaganza
On New Year's Eve, the finest of La Bocana society gathered together for their annual reapas partage'.
Hosted at the Darrough residence (a classic example of early La Bocana charmant cabine architecture designed by former owner Chuck Schmuck and built by the late Romulo Gomez), the high society of La Bocana sent food from their executive chefs to create a wonderful meal of beans and rice.
Emily Smith, wife of Lt. Commander Dallas Smith, served as the honorary chair of the Gala Extravaganza. In addition to the Smiths and the Darroughs, in attendance were: Cathy and Paula of Albuquerque, Jerry and Susan of Ventura, Kevin and Margery of Maine, John (JB) and Elaine of Arizona, Carol of San Diego, her sister Linda of San Diego and Washington, Kiko and his son Omar of La Bocana, and Ben and Brenda of San Diego.
The women made this magical evening glow with the glistening of their sequins, diamonds, pearls, fleece, denim, and Ugg boots, while the men looked dapper in their black formal wear from L.L. Frijole of Maneadero.
This marvelous portion of the evening ended with a champagne toast, the opening of British Party Crackers (thank you Cathy and Paula) (those Party Crackers explain the funny hats in the photos posted earlier) (in case anyone was wondering), and a multimedia presentation highlighting life at the Poussiéreux* et Venteux** Resort of La Bocana.
*Dusty **Windy
Hosted at the Darrough residence (a classic example of early La Bocana charmant cabine architecture designed by former owner Chuck Schmuck and built by the late Romulo Gomez), the high society of La Bocana sent food from their executive chefs to create a wonderful meal of beans and rice.
Emily Smith, wife of Lt. Commander Dallas Smith, served as the honorary chair of the Gala Extravaganza. In addition to the Smiths and the Darroughs, in attendance were: Cathy and Paula of Albuquerque, Jerry and Susan of Ventura, Kevin and Margery of Maine, John (JB) and Elaine of Arizona, Carol of San Diego, her sister Linda of San Diego and Washington, Kiko and his son Omar of La Bocana, and Ben and Brenda of San Diego.
The women made this magical evening glow with the glistening of their sequins, diamonds, pearls, fleece, denim, and Ugg boots, while the men looked dapper in their black formal wear from L.L. Frijole of Maneadero.
This marvelous portion of the evening ended with a champagne toast, the opening of British Party Crackers (thank you Cathy and Paula) (those Party Crackers explain the funny hats in the photos posted earlier) (in case anyone was wondering), and a multimedia presentation highlighting life at the Poussiéreux* et Venteux** Resort of La Bocana.
*Dusty **Windy
Society Page - New Year's Eve Grand Finale
The guests of the Gala Extravaganza adjourned at midnight (La Bocana time) for the Grand Finale at the Casa de Artura, the beautiful home of Art and Jennifer Smith (no relation to the Lt. Commander and his wife). There, the guests joined Art, Jennifer, Tristan and Tanyon of Fallbrook, Carrie, Dan, Max, and Dillon of Santa Monica, Merlinda, Ernie, Vincent, and Andrew of Fullerton, and Mark, Edie, Cameron, and Kylie of California.
The finale opened with the traditional igniting of a Christmas tree down at the cove followed by a spectacular, awe inspiring series of fireworks, surpassing the shows at Disneyland and Times Square.
A good time was had by all and 2009 received a proper welcome!
The finale opened with the traditional igniting of a Christmas tree down at the cove followed by a spectacular, awe inspiring series of fireworks, surpassing the shows at Disneyland and Times Square.
A good time was had by all and 2009 received a proper welcome!
Society Page - New Year's Day Male Retreat Especial
On New Year's Day, a special retreat for the men of La Bocana took place at the Lt. Commander's house where loyal Trojan fans watched USC triumph over Penn State. In attendance were Lt. Commander Smith, Ernie, Vincent, and Andrew of Fullerton, John (JB) of Arizona, and Joe of Poway.
Fight On.
The women of La Bocana had better things to do.
Fight On.
The women of La Bocana had better things to do.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
New Year's Eve Grand Finale
Thanks Art and Jennifer for inviting us all over to enjoy your hospitality and the firework show.Let me know if I got any names wrong. We looked and looked but were not able to find Linda and Kiko in this photo. I think they were out of frame or behind a tall person. We're sorry. We'll get you next year!
Click on photo to enlarge.
La Bocana New Year's Eve Gala Extravaganza!
Thanks to all who showed up at the Kennedy-Darrough house and enjoyed a wonderful New Year's Eve in La Bocana. Report from the society page editor to follow in a few days.
Click on photo to make larger.
Click on photo to make larger.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Happy New Year to One and All
Thank you Art and Mark for a spectacular welcome to 2009!(click on photo to make larger)
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