Captain Barry Wilkerson

Barry, my life-long friend Val’s husband, told me that he has the best friends of his entire lifetime in Loreto.

I thought long and hard about what he had said, and why it was in fact, true.  I think it’s because like personalities are drawn to the area for similar reasons.

In fact, it was friendship that drew me to Loreto in the first place.  Val and Barry had finished building their new home and Val invited the ‘girls’ to come down for a long weekend.  It only took 4 days – I had never been in Loreto before – but I fell in love with the charm of the town and the warmth and caring of the residents.

Fishing is one of the great draws.  In fact, anything that has to do with the bounty of the Sea of Cortez serves as a backdrop for gathering friends.

Val as a Sea Bird

Scuba diving, snorkeling, island hopping, swimming, sailing, paddle boarding, kayaking … All related to the beauty and wealth of this pristine sea.

And on a second note, the majority of the “gringos” in Loreto are retired, so the tension and rat maze of making a living have fallen off the radar.  Life is easier, choices are simpler.  A game of afternoon cards?  Why not?  Spanish lessons three times a week? Good idea.  Help you paint that wall?  Sure, come on over.

Neighbors are special.  Everyone looks out for everyone else, and when there is a need, everyone rushes in to help.  Yes.. friendships based on choices surrounding the desert and the sea and the activities that they provide.  Common ground that draws us together.