A Melones Afternoon

I took a walk to Melones yesterday afternoon, hoping for a colorful sunset. Instead, quite far above the horizon, the washed out yellow ball slid into a dense cloud bank with only a small whimper. Or maybe that was me. There were still visual pleasures to be had and I had them.

You can barely see them in the photo, but a nice young couple were out there in an inflatable of a kind I'd not seen before, at least in a personal size. While I wandered around, they came to shore. We had a little chat while he put the engine on a dolly, deflated the boat and then they drove away. A bit of work but more than enough fun to balance it out.

A little closer look

Mario's poor zinc boat planter needs some love

This shoreline always captivates me

Nice spot for a cool beer

We've had so much rain even the rocks are sprouting

Resting between swoops

Nope, not walking any farther today.

If you can guess who this is, you know your Culebra!
There was some good singing going on.

A little bit of wave action after the ferry had passed by

Good night, dear Sol. Turning in early is a good thing sometimes.

Have a satisfying Saturday. Do something simple. 

Melones Art

After waiting out some rain storms yesterday, Melones seemed like a good spot to hit the water. Luckily for us, it was after two tour boats with approximately 100 people AND jet skis had left. I believe that would be illegal in the reserve. I wasn't there to see or report it - maybe that sign with all the do's and don't's on it could have the DRNA phone number posted as well, for violators, so that locals and tourists who care about saving what's left can call these incidences in.

What these  !@#$%* on and off island tour operators don't seem care about is that (same for Tamarindo, where feeding the turtles with dog food!, standing on coral and again, overuse) these practices will, in the not distant future, destroy the very things they are there to see; they'll just go find another beautiful, relatively unspoiled place to ruin. Ask around the Caribbean. It's been done many times before and sadly, won't abate unless great care and enforcement are exercised. Okay, soapboxing done.

All was quiet on our arrival. Being the cold water wuss that I am, I stayed on/shin deep to the shore while braver souls took the plunge. In looking around, artists had been at work. I missed some - the dusky sky filled with hungry no-see-ums - that will be for a later date.

This is what first caught my eye, that something was going on

Photographs don't really capture the imaginative whimsy here. I went back for a closer look. 

Hearts are us

I was seeing all manner of animals and other objects that might have just been my imagination or it might have been intention. Whatever was going on, it was really enjoyable and fun. I hope they stand the test of time for awhile.

Thank you, Melones!

Have a tangential Tuesday. Do something temporarily timeless.

Mellow Melones

When I was on the corner with the Island Woman cart, I often got asked by tourists 'What is your favorite beach here?' I never really had a good answer then and I still don't. The closest I could get was something like 'it depends on my mood and the weather, all the beaches here are different and all have their own feel.' 

Melones is just one of the special ones, with its dual beaches, both completely different from each other, even though they are only yards apart. The sea urchins (I wear whatever is on my feet into the water; black spikes in my feet hold no appeal) are easily overbalanced by soft warm water, a thousand shades of blue, flowers and roosters, the views of Luis Pena, good snorkeling, and a vibe of home town. 

Right now these brilliant vines are blooming like mad.

Butterflys and bees

Coral or a petrified shell?

Earth swimming through flowers - I see you!

As the ferry comes in or out, gentle water gets wavy, the big metal butterfly effect in action. But deep thoughts drift to floating. It's easy. It's ease.

Have a salty Saturday. Do something simple.

Earth and Surf Day 2015

I know that surf is part of the Earth but I just couldn't help myself. No surfers either. Sorry!

“Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul.”
Edward Abbey

Today is a celebration and a reminder, like Earth Hour, of actions we can all take to repair and prevent and clean up damage done to our home in the Universe. It would be lovely if, and some places really are like this, we could just celebrate the beauty of Earth and ongoing efforts to keep her that way. This list of the 10 most pristine places on Earth notes a wide variety of places, some inhabited and some not. For the 12 cleanest cities in the world, check this out. If you live in or close to one of them, pats on the back to you and your (and your government's) stewardship!!

These photos are some of my Earth. It could be a lot cleaner around here, though over the years people have gotten better about putting trash where it belongs. What happens more these days is scraping the earth raw, legally or illegally, with no consideration of runoff, erosion or saving valuable soil - we don't have much of it - shifting into the bay where it affects everything from turtle grass to corals to fish to turtles. Some days, it seems perfectly crazy here and some days I'm really surprised at how good things look. Each human only gets to be on this earth a few seconds, in the Big Timeline. Don't be part of leaving a Trail of Tears behind yourself.

We don't see much big driftwood around here.

Coral world

You can snorkel in a few inches of water behind this reef and see the Magic Kingdom

These rocks and corals wearing new life. Try not to step on them!

Yes, I was maybe a little overenthusiastic about water yesterday. Ok, that's not true. Maybe I overshared. I cannot be overenthusiastic about water. Ever.

Artsy moment. But it really happened without planning so in it goes.

There was a family with friends sitting on the ground, cutting open coconuts, drinking the milk and eating the meat. Without a machete. They were there for a long time, working and eating and grinning. I was jealous, especially when they tossed one to some chickens. Lucky chickens.

One more. I liked how it looks like the water is spilling out of a circle. It was.

A glance the other way. Vieques.

Up on this hill, where I've housesat on and off for almost two years, there used to be no trash pick up. But after seeing the trash trucks come up here and turn around and then talking with a few people, I went to the municipality depot (yellow house/building - with all the machines around it - on the right before you get to Abbie's school) to investigate possibilities.

I asked one of the men if this  information was true and if so, could I get a trash can (and this is - one more reason - why it's hard to learn Spanish; when I try to do so, someone is kind, and/or doesn't want their ears tortured, finding someone who speaks English or enough that with my bad Spanish we can communicate). The woman I spoke with said:

They were out of barrels at the time but said they could bring one when one came along. Only two days later, one came along in the truck! And it was brought here! They also took the old broken stove and fridge, saving a trip to the dump, when and if I could find someone to help do that. Happy dance time! 

Pick up isn't every day up here like in other parts of the island, but that's fine; it definitely beats carrying it down the hill to some unsuspecting trash can. I love our trash guys. 

I believe they also come in black. Decorated by owner discretion.

I wish we had trash cans all along the route from town to Susie's restaurant, a stretch where trash is flung willy nilly. I pick up plastic but I usually leave drink cans unless I'm on my way home. Spilling really nasty old beer on yourself while trying to do a good deed? I think my instant reaction sort of negates the good deed part. Bad beer can Karma blow back.

Do something fun for Earth Day! Plant something, build something, unbuild something. Play in a park. Create a park! Hug your neighbor (ok, I'm getting out of control now).

Have a widespread WednesEarthDay. Do something for the world's welfare. Even if it is just in your backyard.

Sunrise, Sunset

Oh the days go by.

Good morning, sky shine!

It's getting quite civilized in my neighborhood! A sidewalk! Oh my.

Sangria for everyone. And beer, if you like.

Thank you, New York sausage makers, for coming up with broccoli rabe spicy sausage! Thank you, friends who bring NY to Culebra by way of lovely selves and delicious food!

A very happy dog

To everything, tern tern tern

Good night sweethearts, it's time to go

Sometimes, there is not much to say but yes. And thank you.

Have a talismanic Thursday. Do something telepathically.