From the city of Guadalajara, we wound our way around volcanos and gradually watched the dry high desert shift to the green of the coastal areas along the pacific.  Kelly´s cousin decided to stay a couple more weeks after the graduation ceremony so the four of us (Griffin, Kelly, Kevin, and myself) all caravaned to one of Kelly´s favorite spots.  About halfway between Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta lies Punta Chalacatepec (a point that juts out into the ocean just west of the very small pueblo, Jose Maria Morelos), where we have spent the last week in a place so perfect it has exceeded expectations... well, it does have a few setbacks... like scorpions (Kelly´s toe is still recovering). 

After a long drive from Guadalajara we arrived at our destination just as the sun was melting into the sea-  a picture perfect beach sunset complete with the pelican´s silhouette flying into the sun.  We quickly set up camp just before the light disappeared and then soon realized that the ocean was aglow with oceanic phosphorescence.  Wherever a wave would break it looked a like a neon green highlighter was tracing it´s course.  Agitation causes these otherwise invisible plankton (i believe?) to light up like underwater lightening bugs at night, so if you run your hand through the water, little tracers chase after it.  It was quite the welcome.    

The point has proven to be the perfect place to remember how to surf (it has been 3 years).  Besides an occasional rip tide that had me concerned one day,  the waves are small and friendly. Our neighbors are wonderful, including a sea turtle conservation project and the local fishermen who see to it that we eat fish everyday. 

In the mornings we wake up to the fishermen starting their boats (I have a great video that shows how they get their boats in and out of the water using coke bottles, but it´s not wanting to load right now).  Then the sea turtle folks usually swing by with their 4wheeler.  Part of the conservation project is to dig up the eggs the very day they are laid to ensure they are not poached (this usually happens at night as the turtles come to shore to lay around 11:00pm).  They then re-bury them in a guarded area and let them incubate there (approx. 25 days).  When they hatch they load them back onto the 4wheeler in a big crate and carry them down to the shore (video below). We have, more than once, been invited to help release the baby sea turtles.  They are beyond precious.

While the drive from the point to town is short in distance, the road is unpaved and slow to travel so we are trying to drive it as little as possible. In the case that we don´t get back to town before Christmas, Merry Christmas to all!

Kelly and his cousin, Kevin, just left but we plan to stay here for at least another week.  I have lots more pics but will have to post later... these computers are great, but occasionally take forever to load pics.

 

Baby Sea Turtles that have just hatched.

A tiny sea turtle paddles hard towards the sea.

Our home at sunrise.