A few years back we got involved in a timeshare on Isla Mujeres. Although I would never suggest anyone to get involved in a timeshare, I would definitely encourage you to visit Isla Mujeres. The island is a charming place to unwind and drink in that incredible island culture.

Isla Mujeres is approximately 9 miles off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. The name Isla Mujeres translates to “The Island of Women” This name comes from the many female idols found on the island when it was discovered in 1517.

As you can imagine, Isla Mujeres has a far more relaxed atmosphere than the nearby Cancun. It is a 45 minute ferry ride to from Cancun to the island. This means that a visitor can enjoy both the peacefulness of the island and the up tempo beat of Cancun, depending on your mood.

Downtown
Approaching the island by ferry you will notice the explosive color of the downtown buildings. I love the way the Mexican culture uses so many vivid colors in their dress and architecture.

The island itself is 7 miles long and approximately 2 miles wide. The downtown area is quite small at about 10 blocks long and 5 blocks wide. There are both shops and restaurants that have a local feel to them and others that are a bit more polished. We prefer the local establishments.

We stay at the Avalon Reef Club, which is on a little island all its own, connected to the main island by a bridge. It’s a wonderful place to stay but we checked out some other local lodgings and found some good deals downtown. You can find lodgings that will accommodate most budgets. Because the downtown area is so compact the majority of lodgings are near the water. You might have to walk a few blocks. Big deal. Although I have to say that waking up to the view of that blue-green water is something you won’t forget.

Downtown comes alive at night. You’ll find folks strolling up and down the streets, dining in the many restaurants and dancing to the live music. It is a lively festive atmosphere.

Scooters, mopeds, golf carts and bicycles can be rented on the island. This is a great way to explore this small island jewel . Taxis are also available to take you to your desired destination.

While touring the island in a rented golf cart we came upon an old refurbished Mayan temple toward the southern end of the island. The site sits on a cliff with a terrific view of the Pacific ocean.

Beaches
The outlying reefs are fantastic for scuba diving and snorkeling. Day excursions to the reefs can be arranged at one of the diving shops. Or you can arrange your own transportation and check out the islands beaches..

Playa Norte, North Beach, has white sand beaches with blue-green calm waters that are not too deep. You can walk out quite a ways the water will only reach your chest. There are restaurants and beach bars dotted along the beach. This beach is a great place to try your hand at sail boarding.

Garrafon Beach is  a popular spot for snorkeling, even for those who are just trying out their snorkel gear for the first time. We like to visit early in the day to beat the rush of island visitors.

There is no doubt, Isla Mujeres is a little piece of paradise. I can not wait to visit again.

Summer Pastimes - it's always summertime somewhere

Del Norte golf course is located on the north coast’s 101 corridor in northern California just below the Oregon border. Whether you’re just traveling through or visiting friends or relatives at Crescent City’s Pelican Bay Penal Institution, you might want to consider stretching your legs at this picturesque municipal course.

The green fees are as reasonable as you’ll find anywhere,(9 holes@$18 seniors@$15/ 18holes@$26 seniors@$21, and the burger bar is a favorite with the locals. Although you may mistake the club house for the cart shed, the staff is gracious and the grounds are beautiful and well kept.

This is a 9 hole course that uses multiple T areas to create an 18 hole experience. The front nine T’s are red and the back are blue. The following is a synopsis of the course from this golfer’s perspective.

No. 1 is a straightforward gently ascending 430yd par 4, and ranked 3rd in difficulty because of the distance.

To find the T area No. 2, I had to refer to the diagram on the back of the scorecard, which shows an upside down slingshot, the right leg being No. 2. From here, it’s a straight forward 375yd par 4.

Del Norte Golf Course #4

No. 4 is a 386yd par 4 that traverses a steep dell that you climb in and out of with the green sitting atop a hill. Being unfamiliar with the course and it’s distance markers, I’d be lost without my Bushnell range finder.

No. 5 is a 185yd par 3 that has you teeing off well above the green. With the probable descending roll, you’ll want to club down. My 160yd got me about 10yds short of the green

No. 6 is a 320yd par 4 with enough bend in the fairway, that the green is around the corner. With the range finder, I shot a tree on the far side of the fairway, at the bend and got 220yds, so a 180 club should put me in the middle and about 140yds out. Bingo!

No.7 is similar but it bends left enough to qualify as a dogleg. Once again, the rangefinder gives me a 240yd reading so I’ll use a 200yd plus fairway wood to get in good position for my approach. When I got to the T, I realized I’d grabbed my driver. Deciding this must have been Divine Intervention, I went ahead and nutted the ball right along the left edge of the fairway, leaving my approach 80yds out.

No.8 is a 490yd par 5, the only par 5 on the front. The fairway is straight and wide, so you can let the big dog out of the bag. My second shot was still wide open and 250yd out so just about any club selection strategy would work to set up for the approach shot. I pulled my approach a little right and had a 15yd chip up the hill.

No.9 is a 345yd par4 dogleg right. You can just see the 100yd marker at the bend. Being left-handed, I managed a draw along the left side, leaving me set up about 100yds out. If my shot had been any longer, I would have been in a lateral water hazard I wasn’t aware of. Lucky can be just as helpful as being good sometimes.

I ended up paring No. 9 for a 7 over 42. Being a 15 handicap, that makes me as content as a gopher in soft dirt! Del Norte golf course is a nice straight,wide open pretty course. I’d recommend it for anyone who is traveling through.

Summer Pastimes - it's always summertime somewhere

Dried leaves plus coffee grounds plus time equals compost.  The leaves are falling, it is time to learn how to make compost.

Steaming Compost Pile

Compost needs….

Compost needs two main ingredients; brown material and green material. The brown material is carbon based and the green material is a source of nitrogen.

Dried leaves are going to decompose one way or another, but we can help them along by adding some nitrogen. Used coffee grounds are a good source of nitrogen.

Compost also needs…

The decomposition process also requires moisture.  Too much or too little water will stop the compost from “cooking”.  Your mixture of greens and browns need to be damp, not soaked.

Heat is another element in composting. If the mixture is the right combination of shredded browns and greens the compost will produce it’s own heat. Placing your pile, cage or tumbler in the sun is another way to help the process along.

Getting the goods, leaves and coffee grounds

A few weeks ago we “lifted the skirt” on eleven of our Redwood trees. The boughs were dipping too close to the top of our back fence and severely limiting our late afternoon sun exposure. Those branches didn’t look all that large swaying up there with the sky as their backdrop, but once we got them down on the ground the mound was about 40 feet long, 12 feet wide and 6 feet high.

We rented a chipper and condensed the boughs to a pile of chips 12 feet long, 4 feet wide and 4 feet high. Lots of redwood leaves and chips for lots of compost.

We then visited the local coffee drive thru and they were more than happy to fill and refill and refill our five gallon bucket with coffee grounds.

Mix it up

We’ve been slowly adding the chips, mixed with coffee grounds, to wire cages that just last month housed our tomato plants. The mixture is about 80 percent chips to 20 percent coffee.

The Finished Product

Our black plastic compost tumbler is also full of leaves and coffee grounds and the original pile of chipped boughs is already cooking; billows of steam can be seen coming off the pile as we excavate some of its contents.

Learning how to compost this way is easy – leaves and coffee grounds. We tried composting with the food scraps but it took quite a while for the scraps to decompose. We are now using our kitchen scraps for a worm farm – but that’s another story.

So if you’re interested in trying your hand at composting collect some dried leaves, mix them with coffee grounds -  in the right proportions, moisten and let it sit. Come Spring the bottom of your pile will be rich compost to add to your garden. Set aside the top portion, if it isn’t yet “cooked” and save it for adding to your garden later in the summer.

For more information on how to compost click here.

Summer Pastimes - it's always summertime somewhere

photo by Michelle Cormier

When warm weather prevails, many of us are attracted to activities that will get us out on the water. one of the most popular summertime activities is kayaking. The popularity of this pastime is due to the fact that it can easily be done by folks of any age, skill level, or ability. Not only that, gliding on the waters surface is very relaxing and provides excellent opportunities for fun in the sun.

If you are new to these types of adventures there are a few things to take into consideration before you set out for the lake. Here you’ll find the kayaking basics.

Kayaking and canoeing are both physically undemanding and offer a calming ride on the lake or streams -not fast moving rivers, that’s white water rafting – big difference! I’ve done both and they each offer a unique experience – one relaxing, the other exhilarating.

Check with your local outdoor stores for guided tours in your vicinity. Generally they will not only be in charge of the tours but will also have equipment for you to rent. Until you have a few outings under your belt there is no reason to invest in a canoeing or kayaking equipment.

When you are ready to head out on your adventure, be sure to wear quick-drying clothes, made of synthetic fabric – shorts, tops, and jackets. Sun protection is essential – hats, sunglasses and sunscreen, because the sun tends to be stronger reflected off the water. Take along some water bottles and snacks for a quick energy boost.

It’s also a good idea to also bring along a first aid kit just in case an emergency arises.

And don’t forget the waterproof camera so you capture the memories you’ll be making – like kayaking on Lake Tahoe.

Share your canoe and kayak adventures with us!

Check out what this gal can do with her canoe – Canoe Dancing

Summer Pastimes - it's always summertime somewhere

Birney Falls California

To help assure that your outing is a pleasant one there are a few things to keep in mind before you head out. Below you will find a some hiking tips for beginners.

What to wear on your hike.

* Cotton clothing is not advisable on a hike due to the fact that it drys slowly. Choose comfortable clothing made from synthetic materials that will dry quickly.
* Comfortable footwear is very important. Do not wear brand new hiking boots that have not yet been broken in.
* Broad rimmed hats are necessary when hiking in hot weather for sun protection.
* Have a bandanna handy to wipe sweat from your brow.
* Sunglasses

What to bring along on your hike.

* Salty snacks and plenty of water. Plan on drinking a pint of water every hour in hot weather.
* A spray bottle for an instant cool down.
* A first aid kit that includes insect repellant and blister pads – just in case.
* Binoculars and cameras are nice, but optional.
* A pack to put all your stuff in.

Where to hike

Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary

* Plan your hike in the cooler hours of the morning or evening.
* Know the weather conditions before setting out on your hike.
* Decide the length of time you will hike; a couple hours or all day, resting for a meal.
* Plan your hike in the cooler hours of the morning or evening.
* Know the weather conditions before setting out on your hike.
* Many parks have multiple trails of varying difficulty. Common sense will let you know which is right for you. When in doubt, choose the easier one and then move up to the more strenuous trails.
* Look for trails and parks that are well maintained. Trails that haven’t been kept up can create a safety hazard with overgrown plants and bushes and loose rock and gravel.

Taking these hiking tips for beginners into consideration your hikes should be pleasant and memorable. Most important of all, have fun!

Summer Pastimes - it's always summertime somewhere

Learning how to grow tomatoes is well worth the effort for the end result. There is no comparison to the taste and quality of all vegetables grown at home to those purchased in a grocery market. But in my mind, home grown tomatoes have it hands down in the improved taste department. Like the old saying goes “Only two things that money can’t buy and that’s true love and home grown tomatoes”.

Tomatoes are a warm season plant and have a long growing season. They require well drained soil and lots of sun. The soil needs to be light and should contain humus and be slightly acidic. Tomatoes will not thrive in clay soils. It’s a good idea to test your soils composition and find out it’s saturation point. If it is low you might want to grow tomatoes in a raised bed.

Giving your Tomatoes Support

Plant the seedlings deeply so that they send out side roots from the stem. Tie the main stem to the stake with yarn or strips of cloth, loosely, underneath a lead node on the plant.

Caging tomato plants gives improves yield, makes them easier to harvest and also prevents some forms of diseases. Take about six feet of hog wire, or a similar wire, and form a cylinder. Place the wire cage over your young tomato plant and it will grow up and wire using it to support it’s heavy branches.

Water Your Tomatoes

Keep in mind when you grow tomatoes that they are 95 percent water and need 1-2 inches of water a week. Water your plants deeply, a couple times a week, to encourage deep root systems. Keep the water off the foliage. Tomatoes should be mulched once the soil has warmed to keep the soil moist.

Fertilize your Tomatoes

Fertilize your plants with compost when the fruit is about one third of their mature size. Work the compost in to the top one inch of soil. Apply another round of compost after your first harvest.

Pruning Your Tomatoes

Keeping your tomatoes pruned will allow energy to go to the fruit rather than the foliage. Pruning the lower branches will help prevent these lower stems from collecting water and coming in contact with the ground. Both the water and the soil are potential disease producing elements.

Depending on the size and variety you choose to grow, tomatoes mature between 45 days for cherry tomatoes to 80 days plus days for larger beefsteak varieties. And tomatoes not only taste good, they are good for you. Tomatoes are packed with vitamin C, potassium, fiber and vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene.

Now you know that it isn’t difficult to learn how to grow tomatoes and the rewards are delicious!

Summer Pastimes - it's always summertime somewhere

Raised bed gardening is a good choice in areas, like mine, where the soil composition leans heavily towards clay. Rather than digging up an area of our yard and adding amendments to the soil we chose to plant our vegetables in a raised bed.

But poor soil quality isn’t the only reason to use raised beds. Raised bed gardening has become the choice of most gardeners, and with good reason.

Plants that require good water drainage will benefit from a raised bed. Some plants can handle the excess water that comes about from being in an area that doesn’t drain properly, but most plants can’t handle having their “feet wet”. When purchasing your plants find out about the drainage required for each plant you buy and make sure that it won’t conflict with any of the areas you are considering planting it in.

Test Soil Saturation Level
If you’d like to test the saturation level of your designated garden patch, dig a hole approximately ten inches deep and fill it with water. Check the hole the next day and when all the water has been absorbed fill the hole again. If the second hole full of water isn’t gone in 10 hours, your soil has a low saturation point. This is unacceptable for almost any plant, and is a strong indicator that a raised bed vegetable garden is in order.

Preparing Raised Bed Vegetable Garden Area
There are slightly different preparations that need to be addressed if your prospective garden area is to be located on a grassy area or on dirt. If you want to start a raised garden in a non grassy area, you won’t have much trouble, Just find some sort of border to retain the soil you will be adding. Any lumber will do for constructing the walls of your raised bed. Make certain the lumber is untreated wood. Some gardeners use cinder blocks for the border in their raised bed vegetable garden. Your raised bed should be high enough to allow you to add at least six inches of soil for planting your garden.

Below is a video of an enterprising man who had never built a raised bed before and did it in twenty minutes. This is just one of many options for a raised bed vegetable garden.

If the area you are working with is where grass is growing, it is recommended that you cut the sod around the perimeter of the garden and flip it over. Being one that likes to cut to the chase and make things as easy as possible, I like to lay a layer or two of cardboard directly on the grass which will help discourage the grass from growing again. Once this is accomplished simply add topsoil with a couple inches of compost mixed in to the soil. Now you are ready to plant.

Planting your raised bed garden should be quite easy and enjoyable. You are ready to grow tomatoes , lettuce, squash, cucumbers, snap peas, green beans or any vegetable you fancy in your newly constructed raised bed. It is a simple process and the long term results are worth every bit of effort. Once you try raised bed gardening you’ll never go back to putting your vegetables in the ground.

Summer Pastimes - it's always summertime somewhere

The clear waters off Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Many of us are drawn to the sound, color and feel of water. It’s a primal thing. Snorkeling is a great way to enjoy being surrounded by water. It is extremely relaxing to float on top of a buoyant sea and watch the underwater show. It is even more enjoyable when you know what you’re doing. Wish I had known these snorkeling tips before our first snorkeling experience.

My first snorkeling experience was over a decade ago when my husband and I joined a group of friends on a trip to Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Before we left town we went to a big box chain and purchased snorkel packages that included a mask, snorkel and fins. We left town thinking ‘How hard could it be’? Afterwards it was ‘I wish I’d known then what I know now’.

Here’s what I have learned since.

* Snorkel gear that fits well is essential to a positive snorkel experience.
* Practice clearing your mask and snorkel in shallow water, before you venture into deeper waters.
* Choose a beach with calm waters for your first snorkel adventure.

Choosing a mask. Hold the mask up to your face and inhale slightly. This will create suction and the mask should stay on your face without having to use the strap that goes around your head. If it doesn’t adhere to your face this means that air is able to get in and so will water. Try another mask using the same technique. Masks should have a good seal yet feel comfortable.

Wearing your mask. Make certain that the strap goes above your ears and around the widest part of your head. Adjust the strap so the fit is snug, but not too tight. Having the strap too tight can break the seal of the mask. Also, if the strap slips down it will break the seal and let in water.

Clearing your mask. To clear your mask, bend your head back a bit and place your hand on the top of the mask and exhale. Make sure to begin exhaling before you tip your head back to prevent water from entering your nose. The mask will reseal when you inhale.

Choosing a snorkel. There are many different varieties of snorkels. They range from a solid tube with a mouthpiece to snorkels that have a valve at the top of the tube that seals the tube and prevents water from entering. The dry snorkels are a bit more expensive, but they block water from entering the tube when a wave comes over or when diving.

Wearing your snorkel. The snorkel is attached to the mask. Adjust it so that it extends above the water surface when your face is in the water. Rest your teeth gently on the rubber tabs with your lips surrounding the mouthpiece. If you are tense and clamp down on the mouthpiece you may end up with a sore jaw.

Practice clearing the snorkel. Clearing the tube of the snorkel can only be accomplish when the snorkel is above the surface of the water. Exhale forcefully and the water will be blown out of the tube. Inhale slowly and carefully to make certain all the water is out of the tube. If not repeat the clearing and blow forcefully again

Swim fins come in full foot and strap varieties. The full foot fin covers the entire heel. Fins that have straps are generally worn with booties. Again, the fit should be snug but comfortable. Your foot will slip into the fin more easily when it is wet. Fins that don’t fit well could possibly come off in the water or may cause blisters..

Swim easily, keeping arms at your side and kick from the hip gliding over the surface of the water. It’s more relaxing, the sea life won’t get spooked as much and there’s less chance of your snorkel filling with water.

Because snorkeling is so relaxing and watching the underwater scenery is captivating, losing track of time is a real concern. It’s a good idea to lift your head and check to make certain that those you are snorkeling with are still close by and that you can still see a landmark where you entered the water.

Also be aware that there may be currents that could take you further out than you had intended. If you do get caught in a current, swim diagonally across the current not against it.

Whether you rent or purchase your snorkel gear, it is well worth the extra expense to be geared up with proper fitting snorkel equipment. With proper fitting snorkel gear and a little practice in safe waters, snorkeling just may become your new passion.

Share your snorkeling adventures with us!

Summer Pastimes - it's always summertime somewhere

In June we followed Highway 395 up from the Mojave Desert to Mammoth Lakes where we were treated to an array of chiseled mountains capped in snow. We were looking for some hiking trails near Mammoth Lakes.

There are many hiking trails to take advantage of from the Mammoth Lakes vicinity. Some of them are easy and a few are of moderate difficultly. Most of them have both short and longer hike options.

Crystal Lake and Mammoth Crest has options of 1.75 miles of easy hiking and 3 miles one way for a moderate hike. The trail head is to the right of the parking lot entrance at Lake George. After about a mile you will find the trail to Mammoth Crest. The steady uphill climb will bring you to the Crest and unbelievable views of the Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes Basin and the Minarets.

Mammoth Pass Trail to McLeod Lake is an easy trail and just a little bit better than a mile round trip. The trail begins at the Mammoth Pass sign at Horseshoe Lake. After a half mile in the trail forks. The trail left will take you to McLeod Lake. If you are looking for a longer hike, the trail to the right is a 3.5 mile hike to Reds Meadow.

Convict Lake is an easy 3 mile hike around the lake. Take the Convict Lake turn off 5 miles south of Mammoth Lakes on 395. Because the trail goes around the lake there are many places to start your hike. We chose to follow the road to the end and parked at the turn around. The trail takes you to the base of the mountains where a recently constructed boardwalk allows you to easily traverse the snow run off. There is more hiking opportunity up the canyon at this point.

Earthquake Fault is a half mile nature trail that encircles the fissure. It is located off 203 on the way to Mammoth Mountain. This deep crevice is up to 10 feet wide and 60 feet deep and was formed from a series of earhtquakes that occurred centuries ago.

The Inyo National Forest is an incredibly beautiful place. There are so many places to see and explore. Due to the past winters snowfall, there were areas that were still inaccessible in early summer. We will be making that trip again.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Summer Pastimes - it's always summertime somewhere

Soil supplies plants with the nutrients and minerals they need to survive. It also acts as the support structure in which they root. Determining the soil composition of your garden area and then making any needed adjustments is important to your gardens success.

Soil supplies plants with the nutrients and minerals they need to survive. It also acts as the support structure in which they root. Determining the soil composition of your garden area and then making any needed adjustments is important to your gardens success.

Soil Composition
Soil is composed primarily of minerals and organic matter. Minerals from ground rock and other solid materials and organic matter from decayed animal and vegetable matter form the basis of soil. The deeper one digs into the soil the less organic matter is found.

The size of the mineral components is very important to the soil. The ability of the soil to absorb water, it’s porosity and its tilth all depend on the size of the soil particles.

Soil texture
The texture of your soil is related to the size of the mineral particles in the soil. Pick up a pinch of soil between your fingers and rub your fingers together. Sand feels gritty, silt has a powdery feel and clay is hard when dried, slippery when wet and rubbery when moist. These three substances determine the texture of your soil.

Sandy soil will benefit from the addition of organic matter. This will help to bind soil particles and hold water in the soil. Clay soil also benefits from the addition of organic matter and the planting of sod crops

Soil Temperature
Soil composition also influences the temperature of your soil. Soil temperatures fluctuate just as air temperatures do to a depth of 20 inches. The temperature of your soil influences your gardening results in a number of ways. Germination of seeds is slowed in cooler soils. Cold soils tend to make it difficult for plants to absorb phosphorus from the soil.

Mulch will help regulate soil temperature . Mulching makes the soil warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The temperature of soil depends on the ease with which the heat can be conducted from particle to particle across the gap in the soil which contain air when dry and water when it is wet.

The temperatures of the top three inches of very dark soils will warm up much faster than those of light colored soil. Sandy soil heats up fastest, clay soil the slowest.

Determining your soil composition and amending it in any way necessary is the first step to planting your victory garden.

Summer Pastimes - it's always summertime somewhere