Red Alert in Melaque

 I wasn’t sure if you’ve been following the news, but things have taken a serious turn here in our corner of Mexico. A cartel leader living in Puerto Vallarta was killed in a government operation, and the fallout reached all the way down to our area. In response, the cartel blocked the roads going into and out of Melaque and Barra, as well as the routes leading to the airport in Manzanillo.

The Mexican government issued a red alert and asked everyone to shelter in place for at least three days. All of Jalisco went into lockdown. Airports in Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, and Guadalajara shut down, and every flight was canceled.

The bridge out of Cihuatlán — the only way to get to Manzanillo and the airport from this direction — was blocked as well. We heard reports that a vehicle was set across the road and burned, though that part hasn’t been verified. What we do know is that nothing was moving.

Our friends Teri and Bill Burch were caught right in the middle of it. They were on a day tour in a van when everything unfolded. They ended up stuck in a long line of cars in Cihuatlán before finally having to turn around and come back to Melaque.

The nationals here are deeply concerned, and that alone tells you how serious this is. The whole situation feels strange and unsettling — the kind of tension you can feel in the air even when the streets look quiet.

But for now, we’re safe. And we’re staying put.

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