LaPaz Blog

Paradise in La Paz

Hurricane Rick Hurling Toward Baja

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While my beloved wife, Linda, is not thrilled that the strongest Mexican hurricane on record (1997) is named after her, we are praying that Hurricane Rick does not push past second place to claim the crown.

Hurricane Rick is barreling north along the Pacific coast of Mexico, picking up speed and girth over the warm water. Forecasters predict Rick will become a Category 5 hurricane, but expect it to fizzle to a Category 1 hurricane before hitting land.

That will be a blessing. Los Cabos and La Paz were spared major damage from the recent Hurricane Jimena, but towns to the north in Baja suffered major damage. The recovery process will be long and difficult, and these suffering people do not need to go through it again already.

We fly to La Paz in less than two weeks. We’ll know the outcome of Hurricane Rick  by then, so I’ll be able to report the news from the ground.

Hopefully the internet will be connected in our house by the time we get there!

Hurricane Jimena – Kind To La Paz

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After the Category 5 scare, Hurricane Jimena almost seemed like a non-event as she passed by La Paz, staying to the west, with much diminished strength. Heavy rain and some local flooding, but no serious damage that we are aware of.

Others were not so lucky up north, in mid-Baja. Where Jimena hit landfall there was much devastation. Let’s all find out how we can lend a hand or contribute to repairing these peoples’ lives and livelihoods. Please contact the Red Cross or another legitimate organization providing aid.

We decided maybe we will spring for hurricane shutters after all (timing is everything…). Later we’ll give you the contact info for the man who is installing our hurricane shutters.

Jimena In La Paz

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What’s up with all these hurricanes in Baja?

When we put down the deposit for our home in La Paz five years ago, they told us there was hardly ever a hurricane near La Paz. At least one has come through almost every year since.

As I write, the powerful Pacific hurricane, Jimena, is heading toward Baja, with a path which may go over or very near La Paz. Last year Bahia Magdalena and Ciudad de Constitucion were badly damaged.

Jimena may stay slightly west of the peninsula – due to hit Wednesday so it’s still slightly early to tell the exact trajectory.

Let’s all pray that homes and especially all living things stay safe and dry during this storm.

Flu In La Paz? No Worries!

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With the swine flu media hysteria toning down, some of you may be anxious to head to Mexico. After a week in Baja, I feel confident to assure that you have a high probability of staying healthy in La Paz, all other things being equal.

I delayed my departure for an intended two-week trip due to a bronchial conditional lingering after a severe winter cold. Not the slightest bit concerned about catching the flu in La Paz, I was more worried about spending two hours in LAX and breathing everyone’s air in the planes.

After clearing Mexican customs in La Paz, travelers were greeted by a friendly crew of doctors and nurses who proceeded to give us cursory physicals, starting by pressing an instrument against our foreheads to take our temperatures. They handed out flyers stating that if we are sick, they want to help us.

There may be isolated cases of flu in La Paz, but no one I talked to heard of anyone who was sick. Some bank tellers and retail cashiers wore face masks, presumably as a preventive measure.

The weather was perfect (okay, 90 F. may sound hot to some people, but it FELT perfect!), I had a blast at the owners’ tournament of the first golf course in La Paz, and by the time I left in one short week, felt better than I have all spring.

If you have spring fever, I suggest you carve out two weeks and head to La Paz!