Tomorrow Pat and I leave for Isla Isabella, a bird sanctuary then on to the historic Spanish town of San Blas.

Mazatlan has been very good to us except that we keep hitting the ATM for cash. There is a Walmart, a Sams Club, Gigante, Ley, old market, Cafe Calypso. La Palapa, bus fare, Pulmonia fare, the Vernados baseball team, tamales made fresh, the old Mercado and on and on. You would think I was visiting one the most popular tourist destinations in all of Mexico!

The only bummer, which is really a blessing in disguise, has been the unsesonably cold weather. 72 degrees in the day and 52 at night, horror of horros. The people from the cold climates are wondering what all the fuss is about. Me, it is just like the weather at home this time of year without the Santa Ana Winds to heat things up occasionally.

There are "interesting people" who decide to pull up stake and go cruising. This place only has one or two. Most people today are very mainstream, not running from the police or exwife (spouse, for you PC folks). In fact, even though the people are very nice there is no one to spice it up. Pat sometimes gets some looks for his long hair but utimately they find he is just another mainstreamer with long hair. Last year someone complained that the security guard was whistling Christmas Carol and they made him stop. Every one is in a tizzy because propane is 15 pesos a liter delivered and 8 pesos if you haul your tank miles away to the propane farm. A farm for propane? Grows on a vine or a tree? Most of these people have plenty of money and they focus on the strangest issues. Hey, maybe that is the new "interesting character" not the old weird single hander who has no money and talks to himself.

I must end here sadly. Most of the people we met have been very gracious and helpful. The Marina staff, Alvira and Marta, are just wonderful. I am glad to know them.

Off to San Blas.