We’re back in Sayulita, and staying put for at least a few weeks. Feels good sometimes to know we’re not moving—that we can just spread out and let the days happen. Our days here start with a ton of energy and end with tired muscles and eyes that can’t stay open. It’s one of the greatest benefits to life on the beach in a perfect climate. Every day is spent fully outdoors—sun, sand, and swimming. Three things guaranteed to wipe kids out. Of course, Ali and I are having a hard time keeping our eyes open past nine ourselves.
When I feel tired at the end of a day of doing nothing, or worse yet, I don’t feel tired at all, I know that we didn’t live that day to the fullest. But every time we are in a place like this, and I feel that weariness in my body at the end of the day, I know that that day was lived right.
It seems every time we’re in Sayulita I pull someone out of the water after they wipe out badly on their surfboard. Last time we were here a lady dislocated her shoulder right in front of me. This time I had my eye on a guy because I was afraid he was going to barrel right into the kids playing in the water. Instead he wiped out by falling head first into about two feet of water. He came up screaming.
And this isn’t funny, but the guy looked just like Ozzy Osbourne, and even sounded like him in that sort of I’ve taken way too many drugs in my lifetime way.
Anyway, he comes up yelling, “AAAAHHHHHH!” so I tell the kids to swim to shore and then go over to help him. He’s got blood pouring off his head and he is freaking out that he can’t feel his fingers. I’m no doctor, but he was standing up and moving around so I figured he at least hadn’t broken his neck. Gave himself a good stinger, though. I got him to shore, where he calmed down a bit, and eventually he was able to walk off for home on his own. It was good to remind the kids how to fall off a surfboard, but man, this place needs a full-time lifeguard camped right out in front of the beginner surf break. I’m afraid what the next injury I have to deal with is going to look like.
Waxing the board. He’s serious about getting his waves too this time around. He caught a couple his first day. Day two brought really sloppy rough waves. We’ll charge them again tomorrow.
The nightly turtle races are fun—down a hundred bucks so far, though. I’m terrible at handicapping turtles.
Our fresh-water pump (for the water throughout the bus) finally died the other day. It was one of those items I thought about replacing since day one, but decided that just because it sounded like a semi-truck engine-braking down a long hill didn’t mean that it wasn’t doing its job just fine. A few months back it broke, but I was able to fix it with a new bearing. This time it was simply dead.
Fortunately we were in Puerto Vallarta where there is no shortage of 12V water pumps—because of all the boats, duh. I installed the new one, complete with a couple lengths of rubber hose where copper pipes used to be, and oh my goodness, what a difference. We literally can not tell when it turns on. Before, the whole bus shook, and dogs from a mile away would bark. No longer. It’s always nice to fix/repair something and actually end up with a significant improvement. This is not always the case.
13 Comments on “La Vida”
Ha…we also know of the “water pump finally giving up for good” issue. Repaired it once, and it was good for a few more months. And yes, it sounded like a freight train when it came on. Finally replaced with one off Amazon for $62 USD (great deal) and now you almost can’t hear it running at all!
Don’t you jst love it when a repair job goes as planned? I’m one of those people who bleed when using tools…
Careful, guys!! As you are WELL aware, surfing isn’t a sport. Raise up a couple of surfers and you may have lost your kids for life. 😀 Just sayin.
Love that you have made amends with Sayulita — I’ve always loved the place despite the gringos-r-us aspect. I really like that you have what appears to be an ourdoor galley in your campsite. Is it right on the beach down from town.
That picture of Lowe waxing up the board is a framable keeper!
Enjoy, guys!!
LOL…I am here to agree with you! My brother, who turned 50 this year, is still surfing just as often as he can and takes a yearly pilgrimage to El Salvador to catch big waves that he can’t find on the NC coast. It’s a sickness, I tell ya! Watch out, bums. 😉
Love that action shot of the gals running with the baby! Shutter action must have been on fire! You know, your kids will be ahead of the class because they have lived such an unconventional life! Imagine, 4 years old and waxing a surf board!
I’m beat everyday from just enjoying Mexico. Work was easier. Just kidding. Great pics again. Rock on Bums.
Buenos noches from Playita.
Handicapper? Only down $100 quit ahead too many entries!
Oh wow, your description of the water pump sound, just brought back memories of my Parent’s first camper. I’m still waiting to see you with that blue toilet stuff all over your shoes. Dad couldn’t put that in the tank without getting it on himself.
Can’t agree with you more about feeling totally satisfied at the end of a day doing what you love and feeling exhausted by it!
There are two things I dream about even after being in Germany 43 years. Hitting a baseball, and catching a wave. I have not done either for well over 40 years. Keep on surfing, and living each day to the fullest. Maybe some day I will come over and try and catch one again. I think your doing an awful lot right.
I’d like to hear more about the turtles….
Hi Brian, if you are on Facebook here is their page. It looks like we will be going there a few more times during this high season. The kids love it! https://www.facebook.com/Campamento-Tortuguero-Sayulita-129673380416375/
I was sitting on the beach in Playita watching the sunset and a group of people came down and gathered. I was wondering what they were doing. I strolled over and it turns out they were releasing baby tortugas. What a great experience. Have to be honest, I cried. It was beautiful.