Back when I was in my corporate life I realized one day how often I looked at my watch without actually needing to know what time it was. This was back in the days where a watch was just a watch. There was nothing else to check when looking at it, other than the time.

So, one day, I decided to stop wearing it.

The first few days were a challenge - I would look down at my wrist and remember, oh right, no watch. This went on for maybe about a week until my brain finally realized it was time to stop obsessively checking the time. I was still on time for work, wasn’t late to my appointments - in fact, life went on pretty much like normal, except for the time check twitch.

Fast forward about 25 years.

“It is a short pilgrimage from head to heart.”

~ from “A Lantern in the Darkness”

Remembering Martha, aka Marfa, aka Mammaw ~ two years ago today ❤️

Among the many things I learned from Martha over the years, there are three that stand out:

It’s time to tell you the rest of the story about my new vintage saddle.

Many of you know that a few weeks ago I happened upon a beautiful ‘vintage’ (50+ years old seems a bit young to be vintage!) saddle. It had been stored in a family’s bodega in Tijuana for at least the past 20 years and who knows before that. But it appears to have never actually been used. Supposedly the saddlery where it came from closed its doors in 1974, so that makes it somewhere in the realm of 50+ years old.

But that’s not the story.

Those of you who know me know that I have been on a rather deep dive the last few years into the world of horses, due mainly to ‘accidentally’ (or should we say providentially?) coming upon my first mare Luna a decade ago - at the time she was the obvious one in need of ‘saving.’ She was skin and bones, mostly abandoned, and tied up where there was nothing to eat.

But over the past decade of our life together the ‘saving’ has most definitely been a two way street.

“You are becoming free, and it might feel strange for a time… You do not need to worry about your destination for it is Love’s Song that will guide you.”

“From now on you will no longer be what you once were. Here is where most stumble and fall. There are so many reasons you can find for going no further, all of them would be valid in the world of form. This is why the mind gets so frightened for you, stepping out of its world into one with no bridges, no handholds. You will be stepping out into the unknown and in most cases the Unknowable. But here you are, facing this.

So excited about my ‘new’ saddle! (There is a longer post coming about the shifts that have led to the change of saddle, but I will save that.) When I did a bit of research about the saddle I came upon the fact that Trails End Saddles, in Des Moines Iowa, seems to have closed their doors in 1974. So, my new saddle is a vintage 50+ years old - just like me! 🤠 I bought it from a you g guy in Tijuana - it had apparently been stored in his family’s bodega for the past 20 years. After a bit of leather conditioning it looks just like new! Alegría and I took it out for a ride yesterday and it was so comfortable - for both of us. 🤠🐴🇲🇽

(Originally written for the newsletter of Baja Bound)

Pizza?? In Baja?? For real? Yes!

Not just any old pizza - possibly some of the best pizza you’ve ever had. This isn’t a daydream; it’s a delightful reality at Ollie’s Pizza, where American dreams mix with Mexican magic. Here a different Baja experience unfolds, one with the irresistible aroma of wood-fired pizzas and the texture of creamy gelato.

Forget fancy resorts and tourist traps. If you are looking for the soul of Baja California, the real taste of Mexico, you need to venture off the beaten path. And what better place to start than a tiny hole in the wall lonchería called Viva México, nestled in the heart of La Mision?

Don’t let its hiddenness fool you - this little gem, run by the warm and welcoming husband and wife duo Gabino and Maricela, delivers a flavor that will make it become a regular stop on your visits to Baja. Their story is one of resilience, family, and a passion for cooking that shines through in every dish. And like any hidden gem worth its salt, finding it feels like unearthing a secret only locals know.

Have you ever felt the tug of a forgotten dream, an ember smoldering beneath the ashes of the day-to-day practicality of the routine of life? Something that you really wanted to do, but somehow just never did? One of those ‘one day I will _____’ dreams for me has been to go horseback riding in the mountains. On the back burner I have had this desire to combine my love of horseback riding with another of my favorite activities - backpacking in the Sierra backcountry.

Like a puzzle piece clicking into place, one day fate intervened by way of a conversation with a weathered vaquero. "Have you been to Rancho El Topo?" he asked, his eyes alive with the memories.

And just like that, the dream moved to the front burner.

Mexico is a land of enchantment and adventure, offering travelers a diverse range of experiences waiting to be explored. For those who seek a more off-the-beaten-path adventure, the Sierra de San Pedro Martir, located about five hours south of the San Diego border, is a must visit. This mountainous region, a surprise for many, is a haven for lovers of the outdoors, offering stunning landscapes, hiking, and a chance to reconnect with nature. On a recent solo camping trip to the Sierra de San Pedro Martir, I brought along my trusty four-legged companion, Mia, for an unforgettable journey filled with rest, relaxation, and outdoor exploration.

Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Do you feel it? A sense of familiarity tinged with distance. It's the aroma of boundless expanses, something that resonates within you, yet remains elusive amidst the daily hustle of navigating traffic, toiling in front of screens, chauffeuring kids from one activity to another. This aroma, like a faint whisper, reminds you of something profound that stirs within.

It's the wildness, the liberation - that sense of feeling free, untethered, expansive. It's not about your 9 to 5 grind but about connecting with your authentic self, with what truly matters. As you immerse yourself in this vision, a rhythmic sound punctuates the moment – the symphony of hooves.

Hundreds of them.

If you are looking for a delicious and authentic seafood meal in Ensenada, Muelle 3 is the place to go. The food is fresh, the flavors are simple, and the service is excellent. You won't be disappointed!

Located on the north end of the malecon (boardwalk), the restaurant bar has some of the freshest and best seafood you will encounter in a region known for its seafood.

Owner David Martinez explains it this way: “We don’t have anything canned or frozen, we don’t use microwaves, we don’t have storage - we buy almost everything every day so that the product is one or two days old for everything we use.”

A small 30 seat restaurant tucked into the farthest north end of the malecón area, Muelle 3 is a big hit with locals and visitors alike. With dishes such as Sashimi Mixto, Calamar Frito and Camarones Ajo there is something for every seafood lover. Working with a small kitchen makes it easy for them to focus on the freshest ingredients and flavors. “We don’t use a lot of sauces or creams that bury the real flavors - we want the fresh flavors to really shine.”