The Baja California Travel & Living Webzine

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF EAST CAPE
Los Barriles • Buena Vista • Santiago • La Ribera & beyond
Late Summer, 2006
 

El Bosque Verde….and “John”

By the middle of July we thought it would never rain. Temperatures reached 95 to 100 degrees day after day. Hot drying winds blew down from the north across the Sonora Desert. Plants dried up, rancheros began trucking in hay for their cattle, bees and wasps crowded around the dog’s water. Could it be that this summer we would be facing one of those multi-year droughts we’d heard so much about? Finally, in early August, thunderheads began to appear over the La Laguna mountain range. Rain followed, slowly at first…just a 5 minute tease every other day. Then, one night we heard it! Rain drops falling on our palapa. Lovely, gentle, steady rain drops! The rain came in waves, soaking into the ground… a promise of El Bosque Verde, the season of East Cape’s green sub-tropical forest.

The transformation of the mountain landscape after the gentle soaking rain was swift and miraculous. Overnight white puffy flowers appeared on Mautos, leaves popped out on Torote Colorados and the green-barked, thorny-limbed, Palo Verde began showing the first hint of fruit pods. Plant relationships began to form. Before the rain they stood like lost barren souls, isolated and lonely, keeping to themselves. But, after the rain they reached out for one another, limbs entwined, leaves caressing the thorny branches of nearby Pitaya, Cardon and Cholla cactus. Groups of plants could be found in artistic arrangements, reflecting a symmetry only found in Nature.

But, by late August we were shaken out of our reverie about the glory of living in such a bucolic place by the impending arrival of a Category #2 hurricane named, “John“! East Caper’s eyes were glued to the Net, comparing photos of the coming hurricane and putting up storm windows. By Friday, September 1 we still expected “John‘s” eye to hit Cabo San Lucas dead on. Naturally, we expected to be affected by “John”. We could get significant amounts of rain and wind…water coursing down the arroyos would probably cause problems like it always does in a hurricane. In the meantime, the Mexican government was ready. Presidente Fox was poised to designate Los Cabos as a “Disaster Area”, alerting CFE and Telmex offices from Nogales to Guadalajara to begin gathering trucks and workers for the 6 hour crossing over the Sea of Cortez .

Then, sometime before 1AM on Saturday, September 2, “John” decided to make a right-hand turn away from Los Cabos and moved north along the western edge of the Sea of Cortez . The eye was heading for a direct hit over the villages of East Cape. As “John” rolled over Los Frailes and Cabo Pulmo, residents of La Ribera, Buena Vista and Los Barriles waited helplessly in their casas for the power of Nature to strike. The tinkling of glass could be heard throughout neighborhoods. Storm shutters and metal roofs flew through the air as if made out of feathers. Boats overturned on their trailer hitches, forming metal pretzels. It was a very long night full of fear and foreboding.

When “John” finally moved north, focused on continuing the trail of devastation from La Paz to Santa Rosalia, residents emerged from their casas astounded that this simple Category #2 hurricane could have done so much damage. Although many of us had experienced much stronger seasonal storms…Julietta (category 4) and Marty (category 3) in 2001, for example… none of those storms rivaled the power of “John”. But, now it appears that “John” was not only a hurricane. Winds clocked up to 275 MPH have led experts to the conclusion that “John” brought with it a series of tornados that REALLY caused the devastation. From this point on we will all take our simple little Category #2 hurricanes more seriously.

East Capers  is published by

The Asociación de Artes del Mar de Cortez A.C.

Editor:   JoAnn Hyslop

Contributors:  Ann Hazard, Camilla Ford, Phyllis Williams, Theda Bassett, Dorothy Latimer, Roseanna Marchetti, Paul Ahuja and Gene Kira (Ray Cannon exerpts from The Unforgettable Sea of Cortez)

Graphics:   Russ Hyslop

Email:   eastcapers@hotmail.com

East Capers is printed at Ciudad de los Niños y Niñas en La Paz and is available in hard copy at many local businesses around the East Cape region. We encourage our local readers to pick up a hard copy and enjoy additional local ads and the creative artwork that makes the East Capers News so unique.

Stories in this issue...

• El Bosque Verde….and “John” (page 1)
• Flying Dogs (page 1)
• Whale Sharks in Baja
• Mexico’s Ancient and Native Remedies
• Migrants Reshape Hometown Villages in Mexico
• San Miguel - Desert flower
• Organic Foods in Mexico
• Letters from Home
• Hurricane Etiquette-An Editorial

• East Cape Business Directory

Air Transportation of Dogs in Mexico

By Pam Gray

There is something so special about a “Mexican Dog” that many people refer to our local canines as if they were their own breed. While generally a thorough mix of many breeds, the Mexican Dogs all seem to share the desirable qualities of adaptability, attentiveness and loyalty. These qualities make for great pets wherever you are. Perhaps you have met one of our local “Mexican Dogs” during your stay in East Cape. So why not take your new ‘friend’ home with you? Your new companion’s ticket is sure to cost less than yours. Depending on the animals size and whether he/she is in the cabin with you or checked in to baggage the cost will be about $100 dollars.

It’s easier than you might think for your new buddy to accompany you back to the USA or Canada. Basically all you need is a crate or soft container (depending on the size of the dog) and a health certificate from one of our local veterinarians. Although the USDA has developed basic guidelines for animal air travel some airlines have unique rules. So, it’s a good idea to check the airline’s web site for the latest information. But, for starters these ideas may help….

The Crate: Your crate must have a secure latching system, ventilation on all four sides, room enough for the animal to stand up, sit and lie down, and turn around comfortably. You can buy a large crate at COSTCO for about $80 dollars. Line it with a blanket or newspapers. Secure a bowl and bottle of water inside. If your new friend is small enough to fit under the seat and your flight is less than 6 hours (3 hours for cats) you may be able to take him/her into the cabin with you in a soft carrier.

The Health Certificate: Our local veterinarians can handle this. It should be in English or accompanied by an English translation, signed by the vet and issued within 10 days of the flight. The certificate must indicate that the animal has had a rabies vaccine and is free of diseases communicable to humans.