Olas y Tequila

During my time off I've aimed to take advantage of all the trips friends have been going on – after all, it's way more fun to travel with mates and I foresee some solo trips in the back half the year (most closely my 50+ hour drive from SF, CA to Haines, AK). With another questionable week forecasted in the mountains, and coming off a pretty fun non-wintery week in Cali, it was a easy 'yep,' to Christa, when she ping'd me to see if I was up for a warm weather, spur of the moment trip. The brief from her was warm water and sun, and for me was good playful waves. We allotted just a short five days for the trip, so an exploratory surf destination seemed like a potential bad investment of time. We landed on Troncones in Gurrero, Mexico – a place I had visited maybe seven years ago for one of, and sadly the last of, the infamous Thanksgiving trips. I think planning took but an hour or two and then just a few days prior to departure, flights were booked and Christa, her roomie Nikki and I were Mexico 'bound.

We stayed in a nice little spot on Playa Troncones called Casa de la Sirena, just a few doors down from the Present Moment Yoga Retreat. We arrived late Monday afternoon and enjoyed our first of many spectacular sunsets with drinks on the beach.

On Tuesday we set out North on MX 200 to check the surf at The Ranch, a left that breaks just North of a large river mouth. The sets were head+, but by the time we made it out, the wind was starting to get on it. I enjoyed some nice rides in solitude, but was chased off by the wind and a horizon blocking cleanup set around lunchtime. So, we packed up and made our way South, to Saladita – a more mellow, long-boarder left. The girls and I ate and surfed then wrapped the night up with tequila tasting and some interesting live & local music at Manzanillo Bay.

The days that followed were more or less similar and no less awesome. I made my way over to the right at The Ranch for the balance of my early AM surf sessions, and got to enjoy the waves with two So Cal rippers who, in their 50's surfed longer, harder and way better than I ever will. Super fun getting to share the waves with Curt & Mike. These guys are a definite inspiration to keep good care of your body in order to continue doing what you love. Waves for the week were consistently chest to head+ until a slight drop on my final day, but were fun to the end. I will definitely miss trunking it for hours in the warm Pacific.

Some additional highlights from the days are as follows:

• Sunset surf with Chris at Saladita, and a few down-the-line zippers under a fiery orange sky

• Camarones tacos and other tasty Mexican meals on the beach with ocean views and the sound of crashing waves

• Getting the 2WD pickup completely stuck, buried to the rear axel on Playa Majahua & bikini clad ladies pushing it to freedom

• Cervezas at any hour of the day – who knew how good a Victoria would accompany huevos rancheros?

• Whales slapping their fins, tails and even breaching right out in front of our villa

• Late night beach-bonfire out in front of our villa sipping on leftover booze, donated by Rob & Kris

• Living in luxury & having Casa de la Sirena more or less completely to ourselves

• Sunset drinks at Present Moment Yoga Retreat on our final evening

• My pop music crash course thanks to the young ladies and our 25 peso CD, purchased one evening driving through Los Llanos – the only source of music for the 400 or so km's I drove during the week

• Hanging with good friends and making new ones

• 15 pesos

I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to jump on the mid-winter Mexico bandwagon, but I'm sold and look forward to a repeat in the future.

Made it to Mexico & our digs aren't too shabby

Christa is stoked to be in MX

Looking North on Playa Troncones

Tons of wildlife everywhere – Pelicans fly up and down the beach diving for fish

Nikki takes an afternoon dip in the warm Pacific

Enjoyed some cervezas on the playa for our first MX sunset

An evening of celebration ensues

We found a nice little breaky spot on the beach and promptly ordered up a much needed cafe con leche 

Nikki checks the surf at Playa Salidita

And chats with a local surf guide and instructor, "Y su abulito? Y los jovenes"

The ladies are ready to tackle Salidita

Nikki patiently waiting for her perfect set

Chris paddling out for another

In town, getting rations to make some guac – our trusty steed in the background

After an AM in the water, a nap and beer were welcome

Tequila tasting is nothing to be taken lightly

Found some nice Rights lining up in the AM

Post AM surf – grabbing an amazing breaky at The Ranch

Hard to beat warm-water, sunset surf sessions

Funny how similar this road looks to the ones I found in Big Sur  – on dirt with the Pacific Ocean in the distance

Ladies keeping eyes on the horizon at Playa Majhaua

Little do they know the dangers that lurk below – Nikki would soon find out

Chris finding her ballance on una pequena ola

Lunch and beers at Playa Majhaua

Mexican cerveza es muy rico

Driving on the beach to check a new surf spot

Dios mio, we royally screwed up – Christa putting in some serious effort to get us out

Fortunately, we made it to safety before the tide came up, and made it over to Present Moment for sunset drinks

Serious sunset drinks

Another picture-perfect MX sunset

Beach bonfires are even fun for 80 degree evenings

Hanging with some Portland folks by the fire

Fisherman getting it done on my walk to The Ranch

Back in the water with Mike and Curt

Nice little Right

Curt about to smack the lip on a quick Left

Good people in a good place – Mike & Curt

Gracias Mexico, until next time