Mexico was wonderful. We could have stayed for another two weeks if reality wasn’t on our minds. The day we left for the airport it was snowing here in Nevada. My mom had made plans to go back to Wisconsin for a family visit, as Gary and I traveled south to Mexico. She scheduled her travels around us, so we headed to the airport together. Perfect timing, in fact, we both boarded our respective planes around 6:00 a.m. Dad stayed home to prepare for the holidays.

Gary and I go to Mexico every year, this year we happened to go twice. Each visit we try to take someone new who has never been there. This time we invited Gary’s brother and friend and a couple from Southern California, Scott and Lisa. Our first afternoon and evening there was spent laying and dining by the beach. That’s usually the unwinding day. The next day, Gary and I went into town to by the groceries for the week. We usually mix it up and go out a few nights and cook in a few nights. Gary and I really love the authentic foods there in Mexico.

We all took a few excursions during the week. Our first was a catamaran trip through the bay. The whales were pretty active again on this visit. This time we had some close up opportunities with both moms and calves. The appeared to be playing, too cute! We also had a large pod of dolphin travel with us for some time. It was a great photo op for our friends. We did some swimming, snorkeling and kayaking that day. It was a great time.

The next day we traveled inland. We went horseback riding back in the mountains to a waterfall. No one on our group opted to swim in the waterfall, but some others did. Back at the ranch we were served a great lunch. Although the tequila was good, we all admitted the homemade corn tortillas were the best. The guys must have ate all our shares, and asked for more. Really you just can’t beat authentic food.

The rest of the time was spent at the beach doing some body surfing and parasailing. I love to swim in the ocean. Born and raised in Southern California, that’s one thing that Gary and I really miss. We both spent many weekends at the beach with friends. I asked Gary’s brother Dave, “How long has it been since you have surfed in the ocean?” He couldn’t remember that far back, not to mention how long it had been since Gary and Dave were at the beach together.

The week came to an end pretty quickly, but we all had a really good time. We (mom. Gary and I) came back to 23 degrees and a cold blast of air that quickly reminded us that it was the holiday season.

My mom and dad went to California to spend Christmas with my sister Laura, Bill, and their boys. She loves the holiday season. Laura’s the one that has every room in her house decorated for each season. They have all inclusive holiday parties that include all the trimmings including a chocolate waterfall and karaoke for all.

Gary and I are staying here in Nevada and spending the holidays at Gary’s moms. She has the family over and always puts on a great holiday evening.

On the other coast, the race team family, Doug and Debbie are staying in Florida and thinking white and snow as the share the holidays with first, Doug’s family and grandchildren, and then traveling north to Debbie’s family. Not too far north as Debbie’s family is just beyond Tampa.

Well, that ‘s it for our time in the sun and now our time in the snow. Happy Holidays to all.