Author Archives: Catharine Cooper

Arroyo Wandering

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Hiking up from the Sea

Hiking inland from the Sea of Cortez

The  arroyos behind the house are amazing.

Nature’s landscape laid out in cactus, paloverde & paloblanco, acacias and various grasses.  Birds

Flowering Desert Shrubs

Flowering Desert Shrubs

flutter between the trees and once away from the roads, the silence is astouding.  The pound of my own thoughts heard clearly without interference.  It makes me wonder why I live in the midst of the city for even a part of my life.

The dogs love to scamper the dusty trails, although we have to stop every 200 feet or so to pull a sticker from one paw or the other.  Blondie is still postiive that she can nab a bird in thin air, and Diego is patiently trying to teach Buster how to corne a rabbit.  Much easier with two dogs, but it takes cunning and patience – something neither of them really has.

My Office

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My Office

My Office

The best work days are those in my ‘other’ office.  That’s the one outside, under the palapa where the Sea of Cortez spreads wide before me.  There is hardly a more creative or inspiring place to work.  Birds chatter in the trees, and at the water’s edge, pelicans skim, cormorants dive and both boobies and terns spiral and call out to one another. The seasonal grebe population has arrived with their tiny red eyes and constant diving behavior.

Sure beats an office tower with recycled air and no opening windows!  I’ve got Skype phone to keep in contact and high speed DSL wireless.  Yes, the work-world has changed, and I am thankful to take full advantage of new options.  It matters less and less where someone actually is – and the quality of work seems to improve.

I think it was Gehry Design in Santa Monica that first began the practice some 15 years ago, of loading their creatives with laptops. sending them out for lattes, and freeing them from the idea of a cubicle.  I owe homage to that breakthrough of re-thinking of how we actually can do business.

Fishing!

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Buster Dreams of Fish

Buster Dreams of Fish

“Vida Suerte”, the newest floating vessel to join the Casa de Catalina fleet, had it’s inaugural ‘fishing’ journey this morning.  And sweet it was.  Not so much in giant yellowtail, which was our intention, but in putting her in the water, exploring the coast, and chasing fish. Buster and Blondie – as usual – got to go along for the ride, snuggly fitted in their life jackets.

When we finally gave up on trolling for yellowtail, and settled in for some reef fishing, two cabrillo made their way into our boat. Friend Rigo caught the first one, and “yo” – Catalina – caught the second. This would be my first fish on our fishing boat – and I was smiling big.  I’d tied the hook and weight on the line myself, and set the bait.  The nibble was sweet, and the catch even sweeter.  Buster was one curious dog when that fish came on board.  He was like, ‘what the heck is that?’

The Baja Friendship List Grows

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It seems that every corner, every turn, provides another opportunity for friendships.  Some come in surprising packages – like Cynthia Wagstaff of San Juanico, who is friends with my sister, Claudia, in her other home in Sun Valley, Idaho. I met Cynthia in a restaurant, and she was sure that she knew me. After some chatter about where & when in our lives, we discovered the connection.

Or George Granger from Santa Barbara, who I met surfing at second point in SJ.  He is good friends with Hulsey Williams and Marc Johnson, both of Laguna Beach.  And Dennis Choate, who builds big boats.

And the connections : Wes, who is Donn’s friend from Mammoth and is just finishing his beautiful home in SJ.  And Angela, who teaches yoga at her studio – Baja Jewel – paints with oils – and has a huge soulful heart.

And Martine, a Brit, decidely an ex-pat, who I also met surfing.  He was kind enough to extend an invitation to join him, Cynthia, and her husband Cal for dinner at their SJ home where Martine is a guest.

And Bob, Mike, Terecitia, and Julie .. Eduardo, Chino, & Maria …

And of course, Donn .. who took me under his SJ wing, caravaned with me from Loreto across the dusty peninsula, and showed me the lay of the land.

Friendships .. everyone .. Lucky the time in Baja.. always lucky.

Whales in the morning…

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San Juanico

Dawn : Second Point : San Juanico

Rose early for gorgeous sunrise .. popcorn clouds filled the sky and the sun slipped between them, painting the sea with white light. Offshore, whales rolled and spouted before diving for fish, while pelicans glided just above the surface of the sea. Glassy, no wind .. and my heart drifting with the swell.  Emotional days .. Glad to be in the shelter of San Juanico.

The Thing About Dogs …..

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Buster Love

Buster Love

The thing about dogs .. is that they turn your life around.  Before you meet them, well, they’re just dogs.  But let them get close … let those dark brown/green eyes lock onto yours with a couple of doggy kisses .. and man, it’s an instant hook for life.

So it has been with Buster – one of Blondie’s 5 puppies – who had not only won me over, but in some sense, taken me over.

In the past week he has hunted for grebe, sheep’s foot, errant stick, dead fish carcuss, bone remnants, and pairs of my socks.  All with unabandoned glee… a big doggy smile on his face.  This dog’s love of life is contagious .. and I am one lucky dog-person to have him in my life.

Holiday Fun

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Mark Burgess and his girlfriend, Chris Galloway, came all the way to Loreto from Cape Code, Massachusets .. via Cabo, which is not exactly the most direct route.  After futzing with car rentals that went kapoof, they ended up on a 6 + hour bus ride north, arriving in Loreto around 3 AM .. Nice folks that we are, we let them sleep until at least 10 AM 🙂

dsc_00011 They were the best imaginable company.  Fun, helpful – along with self-sufficient.  We were lucky to share New Year’s Eve .. along with the inaugural run of “Vida Suerte” – our new to us sportsfishing boat.

Michael, Steve, Mark & Chris

Michael, Steve, Mark & Chris

A Very Special Day ……….

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As I sit next to the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez, thankfulness washes over me. .. For the great goodness of my family and friends …  For the ability to continue to dream …  For the challenges that both shape me and provide the opportunity for emotional, intellectual and spiritual growth ..  On this morning of soft colored sunrise,  I wish you a very special day …. 🙂