Trivia Night at the Rusty Compass

Setting the Scene

Thursday afternoon at the Rusty Compass wasn’t just about drinks and trivia—it turned into a spectacle we’ll never forget. We grabbed a table, ordered our drinks, and settled in. But before the trivia even began, the real entertainment walked through the door.

The Characters

A group of five nearby plotted their domination of the music trivia world, cleverly recruiting a Canadian couple to cover any songs from north of the border. Then came the unforgettable entrance: an older gentleman in a wild toucan Hawaiian shirt, and his flamboyant companion—decked out in a sheer see trough top hardly covering the largest breasts you could imagine, tight denim shorts, and oversized sunglasses dripping with rhinestones. It was a scene straight out of Taxi Driver, and one we’ll never unsee.

The Contest

The trivia itself was simple: identify song titles, artists, or quirky facts while the moderator played generous clips. Our team worked together—Beth nailed the country songs, Linda and I chipped in with titles, and Deb carried us through most of the rounds. Meanwhile, the rowdy team in front of us shouted answers, more drunk than strategic.

Points weren’t just for correct answers. Margaritas, finger foods, t-shirts, and hats all earned bonus credit. Only in Mexico could nachos boost your trivia score.

The Results

When the dust settled, the stacked team of eight—musicians, drunks, and one unforgettable character—took first place. We came in second, which felt like a victory considering our smaller numbers. Half the brainpower, nearly the same score.

Paradise Vibes

And honestly, who cares about winning when you’re sipping drinks on the beach, spotting whales, and laughing with friends? Just another day in paradise. Wasn’t that a Phil Collins song?

DB/AI 

Sunset Rhythms in Melaque

The flow of life down in Melaque has changed a bit in two years. More construction, higher prices, and of course more tourists. Yet the heart of the town feels much the same. We’ve slipped back into the daily rhythm, reconnecting with friends we’ve made over 25 years of week-long and longer stays. Faces are familiar, conversations spark easily, and each encounter carries a memory of past visits. Happiness seems to hang in the air here — maybe it’s the weather, maybe it’s the way life slows down.

Evenings bring their own ritual. Most folks gather to watch the sunset, and last night Beth, Deb (Beth’s sister), Linda and I found ourselves at The Rusty Compass, a beach bar with a front-row view of the horizon. We shared appetizers while a talented musician played electric piano and sang. His playlist wandered through slower, somewhat obscure songs — Talking Heads, REM, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie — each one a puzzle we tried to solve as the sky shifted from gold to deep violet. With music, laughter, and the ocean as backdrop, life couldn’t feel much better.

That’s the magic of Melaque: even as the town grows and changes, the rhythm of connection remains. A smile from a familiar face, a wave across the street, a shared memory over a drink — these small moments stitch together the larger story of why we keep returning. The sunsets remind us that some rhythms are timeless, and in their glow, we find ourselves exactly where we’re meant to be.

DB/AI

Mexico Return

The journey began at the ungodly hour of 4:00 AM, when our next-door neighbor backed his SUV into our driveway and helped us load the luggage. Steve and Jodie have proven, yet again, that they’re the best neighbors in the world — the kind you’d nominate for sainthood if sainthood included airport runs.

At Spokane Airport, everything went surprisingly smooth. Bags checked, security cleared… well, almost. I forgot to mention my titanium knees to the TSA agent, which earned me a short but friendly lecture about declaring metal before stepping through the detector. Lesson learned: titanium may be strong, but it’s not stealthy.

Melaque, it's good to be back.

This was our first time in years flying Spokane → Los Angeles → Manzanillo. The flight into L.A. landed early, but then we sat waiting for a gate to open. Normally, no big deal — except we had a tight connection. Alaska Airlines announced that six passengers had short transfer times, and we were two of them. Cue the tension. When the plane door finally opened, the six of us sprinted like contestants on The Amazing Race. Luckily, all the gates were close together, so we hustled over and made it in time.

The final flight was uneventful (always the best kind), and before long Linda had us in a taxi headed to Sunny Side Luxury Villas. Two smiling employees greeted us at the door, and just like that, stage one of the adventure was complete.

Laguna del Tule

First order of business: unpack a little, get the apartment layout figured out, and then head to Gaby’s for street tacos. Nothing says “we’ve arrived in Mexico” quite like tacos on the corner. After a quick shower back at the casa, we melted into bed.

Linda was up early the next morning, already walking and shopping like a local. I, on the other hand, slept in — travel always knocks me off rhythm, and it takes me a couple of days to find my groove again.

Day two was all about settling in. We made lists of groceries and kitchen items to make life easier, then walked to Las Palmas to reunite with our volleyball crew. It was a warm reunion, and we were welcomed back into the group like no time had passed.

One of the two pools at Sunny Side, from our balcony.

Our friend Beth is back in Melaque, staying at the same casa where Linda and I stayed two years ago. This time she’s joined by her sister Deb and Deb’s husband Darrel. We met up with them for drinks at the pool at Laguna de Tulla, which sounded like a perfect plan until an obnoxious group of gringos decided to blast old rock and roll so loud that conversation was impossible. Rather than risk needing hearing aids before dinner, we relocated to a quieter spot where we could actually talk and enjoy each other’s company.

The next day was all about sports. We spent hours together watching our teams fight for a chance to move on in the championship. There’s something special about sharing those tense moments with friends — the highs, the lows, and the collective groans when a play doesn’t go our way. It wasn’t just about the games; it was about being together, picking up right where we left off, and making new memories in a familiar place. 

Since then, our days have been filled with exploring bodegas, gathering provisions, eating more street tacos (yes, there’s a theme here), and watching NFL playoff games. And of course — Go SEAHAWKS!

Can't figure out why I'm still hungry after lunch,

My morning coffee buddy. We meet each AM.

Our luxurious front room.

El baño.

The bedroom.

Our deluxe kitchen.

DB/AI

Shopping and Lunch

 If you drive west on Hwy 8 for 21 miles and turn left, you will reach the Mexican border at Los Algodones in five miles. That's where we went yesterday with Steve, Jodi, Wanda and ### before crossing in the truck we paid $10 to park in the Quechan Tribe Border Parking Lot.  The rest of our journey was on foot.

26.7 miles from our lot we crossed into our neighboring country to the south and were immediately asked if we needed, dental work, glasses, or shrimp. This area has now moved to the top as the location with the most peddlers asking if we needed those types of services. We have traveled quite a bit in Mexico, and we are familiar with the salespeople in many of the towns visited. In Pourta Villarta they can be aggressive. In other areas, they can be persistent. Here in Algodones, they were polite about interactions, but there were many more than in other areas. We just got used to saying "no gracias" and kept moving on.

We did a bit of shopping, there were many metal, glass, and trinket shops like in all tourist areas in Mexico. Linda and I didn't buy anything, but Steve and Jodi acquired a metal Roadrunner figure. 

Our group took a break and ate lunch at a restaurant. The food was very good and everyone enjoyed the meal.

After lunch, we headed back to the border crossing. The line was medium sized and it took us about an hour to get back into the US with no problems. 

Linda in front of "The Wall."

Surprise!

The other day the gang at our compound were all settled in at the palapa. They were ready to play cards and I was still napping in the room. All of a sudden I hear a bunch of noise from above, so I got up and wandered up the metal staircase of death to see what was happening. 

I got to the roof and out of nowhere pops Dan Breeden. I was surprised and still sort of sleepy so I stood there trying to figure out what the heck was happening. Dan had just surprised Linda and the Burches and that was the ruckus that woke me.

We have been inviting Dan to come down and visit us in Mexico for years. Now with the help of Beth, he made the trip, keeping it a complete secret from us.

What a fun surprise!

For the next week we get to spend some time with Dan, show him our little hideaway town, and let him enjoy the warm weather and relaxed lifestyle that is Melaque.

Drinks at the pool bar, Laguna de Tule.

Street tacos on the way.

Bus ride selfie.

On the beach in Barra de Navidad.

Boat ride to Restaurant Mary's.

The 375

This season in Mexico is coming to an end for Linda and I. We have less that a week left in Melaque then we move on for a few days in La Ribera north of Cabo on the Baja peninsula. After that we will head home.

We will look back on our stay this year with fond memories of living in our apartment. This winter residence came to be knowen as The 375 by those who resided within the walls behind the address numbers: 3 7 5. 

Bill and Teri.

The whole of The 375 was made up of six residents. To introduce you to our posse, we will start at the ground floor where Bill and Teri Burch resided in the appartment next to the pool, if we had one. Teri and Bill are from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and this was their first long stay for the winter months in Mexico.  The Burches are retired elementary school teachers, which is how we came to know them. Linda taught at the same school as Teri where they became close friends. They have been visiting us in Melaque for several years. They stayed with us at Big Pink, the pink house on the beach, way back is the day. Bill and Teri will be returning to this area for a month next year, though staying in a different place.

Stephen and Curt.

If you come through the black gate at The 375 and turn immediately right, you will find a set of stairs that lead you up to the second level. There you will find the apartment where the next 1/3 of The 375 stays. Curt Blumer and Stephen Bean have the apartment which would overlook the pool, if we had one. Stephen and Curt are from Vashon Island, Washington. Stephen worked at Amazon and Curt was a carpenter. They are both wonderful musicians who make up the heart of the local band, the Electro Lites. Curt is an amazing harmonica player and Stephen plays electric piano, mandolin, guitar, and spoons. He also does most of the vocals.

The ocean view.

The apartment closest to the beach, with no view of the beach, is where we resided. This apartment would also overlook the pool, if we had one. 

The 375 has another space where we all spent many hours relaxing and talking. The rooftop palapas could be found at the top of a wrought iron spiral staircase. They would also have overlooked the pool, had there been one. They did provide a view of the ocean if you looked past the building behind us and between the many coconut palms.

To access this area, you must climb the hot metal spiral staircase to the sky. This climb and descent is a bit precarious and we always had to make sure we had one hand free to belay us safely up and down. We decided at the very beginning that it might be a good idea to have just one person at a time going up or down.

The 375 had other amenities. The laundry facilities were close to the front entrance and was equipt with the finest machinery for washing and rinsing our clothing.

Drying was accomplished via the clothesline we hung between the palm trees that would have shaded the pool, had there been one.

On belay?

The final shared space is the palapa that we used for our pursuit of the arts. In this area Teri created her crafts, Bill wrote thought-provoking music, Linda read, Curt and Stephen enjoyed the shade, and we all puzzled. It was a wonderful gathering place which would have complemented the pool, had there been one.

That is The 375. The memories of this year will live with the crew that lived there for many years to come. 

Our laundry facilities.

The activity palapa.

Estamos Yendo a Casa - Día Seis

The morning of our departure day we enjoyed our final breakfast, tipped and said good bye to the kitchen staff, and climbed into our van for the last time. We flew Aeroméxico back to Mexico City and then from there to Manzanillo airport. There were no hitches on the return trip and we were dropped off at our casa's front gate. We were a bit tired, but all in all, very happy. The trip was amazing and we would highly recommend to others to explore the region. We'd love to thank Jill and Barry for making arrangements and getting this group together. Thanks, also, to our fellow travelers: Tom and Deborah, Kathy and Jeff, and Ruth and Tony. It was a pleasure spending the week with you and getting to know you all a little bit more.

Saying goodbye to Oaxaca!

Cerámica y Talla de madera - Día Cinco

Our last day's tours started with a van ride to a family's workshop where Oaxaca’s famous black pottery is created. This black pottery is found in only two places in the world - in Oaxaca and in New Mexico. Oaxaca is the location where Doña Rosa discovered the method of rubbing the unfired clay pots with a quartz crystal which then gives the black pottery a shiny finish. Barro negro pottery ("black clay") can be fired with the shiny finish or with a matte finish.

It starts with a blob of clay.

Our potter was the grandson of Doña Rosa and he created an amazing pot from a clay blob to a pot ready to fire with step-by-step demonstrations.  One interesting point is that the pot was spun on two plates placed bottom to bottom allowing the potter to turn the clay by hand. They do not use any kind of mechanical device to turn the pot (or for anything else), just their hands. The pot, when he finished was perfectly round! Wow!

After he spun the pot, he then used bamboo knives to cut an intricate design into the vessel. Once that was done he used a quartz crystal and rubbed the exterior of the pot, giving it the famous reflective sheen.

The clay is form into a crude pot.

The finished pot will then be fired in an underground furnace, hardening the clay. In this part of the process the temperature and humidity plays a large role. It takes an expert to create these special items.

The final part of the tour was when we were turned loose in the gallery to purchase way too many finished gifts.

The pot blob is placed on two plates.

The pot is formed.

The lip is then placed on the pot and formed.

The pot is rubber with a crystal.

The design is then cut.

The finished pot ready for firing.

Underground furnace where the
clay creations are fired.

There have been so many interesting stops and wonderful places to explore on this trip to the Mexican highlands. It is hard to pick a favorite. To me the most intriguing stop was in San Martin Tilcajete where we got to see the famous Alebrijes being created in a workshop where professional carvers and painters teach their techniques to young interns who have been accepted into this community.

A welcoming Aelbrijes greets us as we arrive.

At this workshop, we were able to see paintings, carvings, creative crafts and much more, all in the style of the Aelbrijes. The traditional Aelbrijes are wood carvings that combine two animal spirits, the Tona (the animal spirit when you are alive)  and the Nahual (the animal spirit when you are dead). The artist carves these spirit forms into a very interesting and detailed carving.

Linda's tona comes from her birth date and month, so her animal spirit is the Armadillo. The year she was born gives her a Nahual represented by a monkey. Her Aelbrijes would possibly be a wooden carving of a monkey's head with the body of an armadillo, or something like that. My tona is a mockingbird with a Nahaul of a deer. The artist who is commissioned to create the carving would chose how the tona and nahaul are combined through a process of meditation and spiritual enlightenment, along with the input of the individual.

Three carvers working on different pieces, each
in different stages of the process.

Once the carving is complete and the wood has been dried, filled, and sanded (this alone can take many months), the artist paints the design onto the wood. This design is very colorful and amazingly detailed. Artist strokes with two hair bristles are not uncommon. I was amazed how these artists can paint such delicate designs.

The entire process can take many months or even years. The results are amazing and can be very expensive. We were told that the large rhinoceros in the photos below is nearly complete. It will be finalized and then flown to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and entered into a famous art competition.

The detailed drawn concept for the carving,
next to the crudely started piece.

The tonas and nahuals representing an entire 
in the artist's drawing.  

A partially painted tortoise.

Details using very small brushes.

Details on the back side of the full-sized rhinoceros. 

The photo above shows the impressive detail.

Detail and color from the rhino's shoulder. 

The rhino!

A smaller finished rhino ready for purchase.
This piece might sell for approx $6000.

Barry has made a friend.

Two tired puppies.

After we visited the Alrbrijes ln San Martin Tilcajete we had a great lunch at a vivero that also serves delicious food. this was a grand ending to a very insightful day of exploration.