Pooks Canyon

It all started with iPhone alarms going off at 6am. Yes, we're on vacation in Mexico... Jon Baker style! We sleepily pulled on our cycling finest and wandered, spandex-clad, toward the main drag in search of a taxi. In the dark. The full crew was Jon, my brother-in-law Richard, my nephew Robert, my dad and myself; we were on the first leg of a bike ride that was to include taxis, buses and even a boat. We arrived at BikeMex on Guerrero where Oscar, the proprietor, set us up with the necessities. Guide, check. Sandwiches, check. Helmet and Gloves, check. Several bikes in varying states of repair, check. In the dawn light we rode through the cobbled streets of Puerto Vallarta to a bus stop where Oscar attempted to deposit us on the next bus to El Tuito. After much exchange with the driver it was determined we would wait for the next bus. The wait was nearly an hour. Standing at a Mexican bus stop wearing spandex - when the working people are all getting on the bus to go t...

Axel took this picture- this is what chickens look like when you are 3 feet tall. Happy farm kids. Sunset Donkey

On the farm there are many vehicles at our disposal. Among these are the clever pedal driven go carts. There is a big double that Jon and I pedal simultaneously. Given that Jon's bikes and wheels are the only bags still missing (too horrible to dwell on) today his work out was tandem pedal carting with me. Bart Wellens would say, "LMAO," as he ate a pigeon before tomorrow's race in Nommay that we will not be going to. When Leah is not riding a donkey she is riding her personal kid-sized go cart. Axel likes riding in the wagon almost as well as riding in the backseat of the double pedal go-cart while mom and dad pedal. Later I used this wagon to haul groceries from the car to the front door of the cottage. Jon and I accidentally ran Leah off the road. As retribution, while we were visiting the playhouse Leah stole our cart and we had to walk back to the main house. We really deserved it.

On the farm we are staying at Leah has her own personal donkey that she can brush, saddle, and ride anytime she wants. His name is Abraham. There are other donkeys but Abraham is the middle-aged, unlikely to kick you donkey. She can ride him to her playhouse in the woods near the cottage and do her homework. Now that we've got (most of) the bags, there is homework. But the donkey mollifies her. Leah brushing off Abraham while he is hitched next to our cottage. You can't tug the rope to move the donkey- he's bigger than you. But lightly tapping him with the bamboo switch (below) will get him to go. Leah likes to attach a carrot to the switch as a form of passive motivation. Leah and Marc (Proprietor) with Abraham.

For some reason we come to Europe, then the donkeys come to us. Those of you that follow the blog may remember the Wine, Donkeys, and Hammer Pants post from our final days here last time. This time, the trio of donkeys live outside our patio and are accompanied by 3 sheep and an apparently domesticated deer. Marc, the proprietor, promised to teach Leah how to saddle up Abraham (the white donkey) so she can go for rides. Kid heaven. Leah is learning to not keep her lollipops from Zuiker (hand-made candy shop here) on her bed because Axel can climb up and get them.

Palisade, Colorado is a river town on the western slope of the Rockies. It is known for its fabulous peaches and Colorado wines. We stopped at the Carlson Vinyards and tasted the selection, including a Reisling which, in 2004, won an international prize for best Reisling. After the tasting and wine purchases we were invited to eat our picnic lunch in their lovely yard looking out at the vines. Leah played with her new hackey sac and Axel frolicked about the yard. Those familiar with this blog may wonder if there were any donkeys. There were several friendly kitties but the closest we got to a donkey a possible mule sighting on the drive in. Next stop: Utah Lake just east of Provo, then on to California on Thursday

Today we drove around the Provencal countryside, stopping in the old stacked rock village outside of Gourdes where we found shells, pottery shards, and tomato paste cans from the 1990's. It was archaeological. Jon wore this jaunty straw hat that was found in the crazy house with many rooms. It keeps us in the mood. We stopped at a roadside wineryfor a little degustation (wine tasting). We rang the bell at the small hut and out came an idiosyncratic French vintner to pour the wines. After a few wines he noticed Leah looked somewhat bored. He looked toward a field and let out several whistles, presumably to call his dog. We all expectantly looked in that direction for a dog to come trotting out and, instead, out came a donkey at full gallop. I nearly fell off my chair at the hilarity. Then the donkey began braying and egging us on until we laughed so hard that Axel started to cry. If you ever expect dog and get donkey you'll see exactly how comical this can be. We dr...