Prodigal: From the Sea to the Land: May 2023

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Mexico here I come!

I'm almost moved out

Yippee.

________

I'll miss these million dollar views!

Monday, May 22, 2023

All the last minute things before moving

In preparation for my Mexico Adventure I'm getting all my Summer schedules changed. My annual physical, my dental cleaning, my skin check at the Dermatologist. What was that other thing i cant recall?

First the dental hygienist @ 10am. (She, Camila, was a Dentist in Venezuela but has to take two more years of schooling in Florida before she can take the dental exam again to practice here.) Best treatment I've ever had!

1pm and the Dermatologist for my paper towel gown with the great cold butt open viewing. All looked OK and I'm clear to go for another six months.

The annual physical got pushed back till September. Now all I have to do is pack my Mexico bags and then get everything else moved out. Easy!

Green Bay Packer, Skip

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Next stop MEXICO

I'm moving out of the Oaks. (#homeless)

Then I am going on a 3 month adventure to Lake Chapala Mexico.

I'm planning to find a spot on the lake, in Ajijic. (AaHeHic. 'Ahh-Hee-Hick.')

Ajijic is a town about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west from the town of Chapala, part of the municipality (also named Chapala), in the State of Jalisco, Mexico. Many retired Americans and Canadians now live in Ajijic, about 1,000 full-time and another 700 during the winter months. As a result of these foreign residents and visitors, Ajijic has numerous art galleries and curio shops, as well as restaurants and bed and breakfast inns. Located one hour south of Guadalajara, (~30min from the airport) Ajijic is known for its proximity to Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico.

"Ajijic is a wonderful place to retire in Mexico, especially for those who appreciate the support system of an established expat community. Two people can live comfortably in Ajijic on a budget of $1,800 to $2,000 per month."

I gave notice of my departure to the Rental folks and then wrote a letter of resignation for the Residents Board. It's all falling together now. I just need to pack for Mexico and then box up everything else I own here and put it in storage. Simple.

Monday, May 15, 2023

I'm at 'work' in Austin for the week.

I drove down to Austin, for work, after my Possum Kingdom Lake visit.

The car made it fine. (with my patch repair - see last post)

I'm going to put in a new radiator when I get the chance.

Keep Austin Weird!

Happy Mothers Day everyone!

Can't write more now, it's time to get to work. -Skip

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

A trip to Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas

I drove up from Clearwater FL to Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas. A friend of mine, David Cox has a house on the lake and he hosts a gathering each year for some of us, his friends from elementary school.

A good time was had by all and nobody got hurt.

_______

But, I'm getting ahead of myself.... First, the drive.

Wednesday 7:30am

It took three days of happy driving to get up to the lake. There was one less than happy day, when my radiator got a crack and I overheated out in the middle of nowhere. I ended up in Leona TX, about 90 minutes north of Houston and 90 minutes south of Dallas. "The middle of nowhere" and sitting between the towns of Midway and Centerville. Sound like the middle of nowhere?

I was driving north, in the middle of nowhere, when I noticed steam rolling up over my hood. I immediately begin coasting and got off on an exit which was exactly beside me. I coasted off the exit and onto a small county road parking in front of a closed restaurant.

This is where I coasted to. The Triple J Diesel Service sits way back in the metal building on the right. When I looked for a mechanic on my phone, google told me "you have arrived." I was stunned. But a phone call got the guys out to look at the car. (My next closest option was over 15 miles away. The closest Toyota dealer was 50 miles away.) It was a Christmas Miracle!