What's Inside

What you'll find is a daily dose of musings, observations and inspiration of my path in seeking and living an adventurous life.

Please leave comments and feel free to share your own thoughts and musings.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Small Town Life

In November of 2016 I had the pleasure of visiting a small west coast town on the Baja peninsula which included spending the night in one of the two motels in the town.

The town itself looked old, with small houses, small yards and mostly dirt streets.  There was a small chapel down one of the side streets and small fishing boats in various states of repair on the sides of the road.  The centre piece of the town was the public park.  It was clean, had all the facilities that a small town would need, including a skate park, and it was full of kids and their families enjoying their evening.

The evening was filled with good food from the motel restaurant, which stayed open later than usual to accommodate our group of 7 and we were entertained by the family who managed the motel as they had already invited friends over to play guitars and sing.  Even though we were strangers, we became part of their "family" for the evening.

Super moon rising.  It's amazing how the stars and moon look without any light pollution.

The next morning, I took a walk through the town.  I saw people getting ready for their day, tidying up house fronts, kids heading out the door for school and adults heading out to work.  The locals were warm and it became a game to see who would say "good morning" first.

I walked by a local elementary school where kids were laughing and playing in the school yard under the supervision and participation of their teacher.  Some kids were still walking to school under the supervision of a parent and a few were on bicycles.  I even saw a couple of kids on skateboards, even though there were only a few cement sidewalks to cruise down.


This small town reminds me of what many people are looking for in my home country of the United States and in my adopted country of Canada and yet this small town is in Mexico.

The people of San Juanico, on the west coast of the Baja peninsula have very little in material goods compared to most north american towns.  They're isolated for the most part and their electricity comes from solar, gas / diesel generators and a small wind farm.  The town is without power for several hours during the day and at night in order to conserve what they generate.  Gas is trucked in from the closest large town, which is about 2 hours away,  and sold by the jug at twice the amount as the average gas station.  In other words the people of San Juanico have much to complain about and yet for the most part they don't.

Sure the people want better economics for their town and options for their children, like the rest of the us want for our towns.  In that we're the same.  The one resource San Juanico has that has put the town "on the map" is waves.  The bay generates some spectacular surfing waves that have caught the attention of the surfing community.  The challenge for the community, according to a number of people we met, is to balance growth with maintaining their sense of community.


San Juanico is one of the most peaceful places I've stayed and it's amazing how quiet it is when there is no electricity.  The sound of the waves crashing on the shore through the open windows of my room along with a light breeze was relaxing.

"Home" for the night

For all my north american friends who would like to see what quality small town life is like, cross the border into Mexico and visit a small town.  You'll find warm, friendly people who are very proud of their community and with a smile you'll be welcomed.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Monday, November 7, 2016

November 8, 2016



Tomorrow it begins.

After more than 18 months of campaigning, "mud slinging", name calling and generally childish behaviour, my home country of the United States will choose a new president.  The sad part is, both candidates have said very little on what their plan is for the next 4 years and spent more time trying to convince the undecided voters why the other person is a poor choice for president.  Perhaps substance isn't important in this "Reality TV" age...

Anyway, what started out as an entertaining process into how the Republican and Democratic parties work, including watching the "best" the Republican party could muster be taken down by a loudmouth in the form of Donald Trump and a highly skewed Democratic party process that favoured Hillary Clinton almost be derailed by Bernie Sanders, has drug on far too long.

Who ever wins tomorrow has their work cut out for them as my home country is as divided as I've ever seen it.  The "Melting Pot" has turned into regions of division, special interest groups who feel that there way is the only way and if you disagree then you're not "American" and are part of the problem.

I see "religion" shunning people who live a lifestyle they disagree with even though the bible says to do otherwise.

I see hate escalating when it comes to race.  I find this unsettling, scary and I don't see how this will be "fixed" any time soon.  Politics won't fix any of this and only a miraculous change of heart will.

I see differences being a source of division instead of a source of strength.

I see fear being spread as a way to control peoples thoughts and actions as it's more effective and faster than education and coming up with a solid plan for the future.

Mostly, I see people unwilling to work together for a common good.

In 1858 Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech after being selected by the Illinois Republican Party to be their candidate for the US Senate.  In that speech he spoke of a House Divided, which was in reference to the states being a mix of free and slave states.  His contention, which was considered radical at that time, was that at some point this division would end because a "house divided against itself cannot stand".  Mr. Lincoln, in this speech, did not feel the house (Union) would fall but rather the division would end somehow.

The United States is once again a House Divided and I believe that the division will end one way or another.  The question is, what will the House look like.  That will depend greatly on the will of the people and to some degree the person chosen to lead the country.

May God bless who ever is chosen and give them wisdom that has yet to be seen to bring the House together.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Gasoline, Water and Food

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I'm heading to Baja California, Mexico in a few days with friends and we'll be spending 12 days riding our motorcycles from the California border to Cabo San Lucas.  Most of the places well be riding has gasoline, food and water available.  However we will be riding in some off road sections where gas will be in short supply and if something goes wrong, having food and water will be important.  We've planned for this by packing protein bars and other snack foods.  Each of us will carry 2.5 litres of water in a hydropack and we'll also carry more on the motorcycles.  We'll also carry extra gasoline for those long sections where gas may or may not be available.  Along with the necessary items already mentioned, we'll be carrying spare parts and tools, just in case...

Gas from a roadside vender is common in some countries and not always available

Gasoline, Water and Food are three physical and consumable items that a large number of the world's population take for granted on a daily basis.  Sure, we'll complain about the price of these necessities but we know they're readily available at the local store.

What happens when Gasoline, Water and Food are not readily available?

If you think this couldn't happen to you, take a look at what's happening in Italy today following the countries 2nd large earthquake this year.  Italy is a developed country and yet it will take days or weeks before supplies to the effected area will be restored.

I'm sure many will read this and think "I'm OK".  Please think again!

If you live on or near an earthquake zone, you could be without these three items for days, even if your area isn't directly effected.  Unlike a hurricane, earthquakes come without prior warning so quickly preparing or evacuating isn't an option.

Hurricanes can be monitored and tracked, giving people time to prepare and evacuate.  Usually.  Often it's those who are not near the full impact of the storm who will suffer.  Heavy rain, power outages and impassible roads could happen, cutting off supplies.

I'm not trying to scare anyone, however I am asking that you think about what you'd do if you didn't have access to Gasoline, Water and Food.

Now that you've done that, make a plan that will supply yourself and your family in the event something goes wrong.  It's quite easy to do.
  • Make sure your car is full of gasoline (diesel if that's what your car takes).
  • Store enough food to keep you and your family fed for at least a week.  Non-perishable foods are the best.  Store food for your pets, if you have them.
  • Buy 2 or 3 large water cooler jugs of water to store with the food.
  • Buy water purification tablets and put them in your kit.  They're available at most camping and outdoor gear stores.
  • Have flashlights and candles in your kit, along with fresh batteries.  Make sure the batteries are stored separately and not in the flashlights, they will corrode if you keep them in the devices.
  • Along with the battery powered flashlights, have a couple of rechargeable flashlights and keep them charged.  If all else fails, you'll be able to charge the flashlights and other electronic devices with your car.  
  • Buy an AM / FM band radio that runs on batteries.  This is "old school" but it works and it will help give you information if you're cut off from the rest of civilization.
  • Extra clothes and blankets.
  • A well stocked first aid kit, which can be purchased at Walmart and most outdoor / camping supply stores.
  • Check your kit regularly and change out anything that's close to expiring and refresh the batteries.
Planning for the unexpected makes living in the present more enjoyable.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker