My trip to La Ventana took on many iterations before execution. It began with the intent of me going down there with a few of my guy buddies–all mutual friends to enjoy the sand and surf (at nearby Todos Santos/El Cerritos), base-camping from my boss’s newly purchased house. The original plan didn’t pan out. And then a girlfriend and I were going to go for a couple weeks and literally two days after buying the tickets she tore her meniscus. The details aren’t really important but what DID happen was that I was presented with a two-week trip, much of which solo, in a town where kiting/winging is the primary attraction. Spoiler alert, I’m neither. What it did create was a “self-retreat” that I didn’t know I deeply needed. I’ve been hosting retreats for a decade and a half for other people, with varying degrees of self-development and exploration as its focus. But for myself, no. What transpired was nothing short of transformative, and at the core of this adventure was the wonderful, beautiful, soul-nourishing ocean which at the risk of sounding totally woo-woo, is the womb of the earth for me, and like a “coming home”.

For me, this vacation really began the day before I left for Mexico, with a reunion of sorts, with longtime friends from undergrad. It doesn’t matter how long we go without seeing each other because we’ve known each other so long, and shared so much, that the laughs and heartfelt catching-up is natural and free-flowing as if we were still sitting down at Taylors on 13th enjoying a beer (or 3). I share this because I boarded the plane the next day with such a sense of joy and groundedness. The flight and customs easy, and the shuttle from the airport long but simple, I arrived in the dark having bought for dinner/breakfast whatever I could grab in 5 minutes from a mini-mart about a mile from the house.

The first day was spent doing mostly nothing! Sidenote: those who know me, know I don’t stay still for long. I thrive in action and activity, at times to my own detriment. In this wonderful space, all alone, with no access to the van (yet) or bike (yet) or anyone to answer to, meet up with, appointments etc, I simply lazed into the day. Slept in! Poked around figuring out the nuances of the house…where’s the water? Here’s the French press to make my coffee. The book I’d brought for the trip was missing about 50 pages starting at page 38. As if the universe was making an extra effort to provide, one of the rooms had a shelf of books including a Bill Bryson book I’d wanted to read and a second book “Inward” which is a reflective book on one’s emotional self. I began each day by opening it at random and letting the message guide me. I love music and I’d decided I would explore a completely new genre and after several “no go’s” I landed on African Drum/Lounge Music which was PERFECT.

After hours and hours of doing “nothing” I jumped in the ocean for a swim. This was fantastic. Having lived in Maui for years it was an experience I was spoiled with and didn’t realize how much I missed. Post swim, I took my time but eventually made it out the gate and began the walk to town to explore. I took a small, light-weight backpack and my phone/wallet walking the dirt road which eventually turns to pavement. Hitch-hiking is really easy in this town and I accepted a ride to the north end of town-proper, but walked the town from there… about 6 miles round trip that day. I checked out whatever grabbed my attention. Drank a smoothie. Got basic details on mountain bike rentals, going rate for massages. On the way back, hitched another ride from a kite instructor, making my first new friend. The cool thing about traveling alone is that you make friends easier. It just IS.

Day two, much of the same. Except for one big exception…as I walked onto the beach right outside the house, I ran into a woman who I thought was the woman staying in the upper house. It was not, but turned out to be a Canadian woman from Fernie who knew an old friend of mine from grad school. She invited me to join she and a crew that were going biking that late afternoon in the south trails. By now I’d scored a mountain bike and I said “hell ya!” This began a really fun series of activities from bike rides to dinners, salsa dancing and drinks. What a fun group of people and I’d have to say Canadians are about the easiest people to like.

With that said, I still had an abundance of alone time. Each morning after my slow start, I’d paddle the SUP downwind and back up checking out the AMAZING fish and marine life the Sea of Cortez is known for. I can say, without question, it’s the best experience I’ve had for this, and that includes living in Hawaii for three years. Humpbacks, dolphins and Mobula rays plus so so so many incredible fish. There were times when I thought “where are the camera crews?! Is someone getting this?” because it was straight out of some NOVA special. And then I’d swim and snorkel.

There are moments in my life that I remember with extreme clarity. One such moment was the morning I sat on my paddleboard, post surf session, staring at the west Maui mountains and knew I needed to move off island because it was “time”. Another of those moments happened a few weeks ago on this trip, swimming in the Sea of Cortez right out the door of Geoff’s house. Staring out at Carvello island (now named Cousteau island) I knew with every fiber of my being that all the changes in my life over the past 6 months were true and right and the best for me and my path forward. All of them. I’ve led a life of wanderlust, and while I’ve lived in Bend for longer than I’ve lived anywhere in my adult life, I made the decision a long time ago to live a somewhat “non-traditional” life. I don’t have the family and picket fence (and what that all represents) but what I crave in my life at this time, is to have and grow my community and to explore the world, experiencing adventures along the way (which are not always easy or positive) but ARE character-building and self-expanding.

The rest of the trip was fabulously fun. I saw old friends, hung with new friends and my boss/buddy/house-owner showed up and knows everyone which was fun too. I’m grateful for ALL of it. For me, La Ventana–translated “The Window” truly was a window for me to view my path forward with clarity. The details are still taking shape slowly. But one thing’s for sure…it will include more trips to Mexico!

Thanks for listening and I’ll see ya out there on the frisky ripples….river, oceans, lakes or trails!