A Taste of Baja

/ marniesteve / 1 Comment

Our RV lifestyle continues south of the border in Baja California, Mexico, enjoying two back-to-back, guided RV caravans with Fantasy RV Tours. Our first tour, A Taste of Baja, allowed us to tip our toe into Baja before diving further south.  

Map showing the region of Baja California, Mexico, highlighting locations such as San Diego and Ensenada.

We started our Baja exploration by basing ourselves at Clam Beach RV park, just north of Ensenada and about 85 miles south of the US border. We’re the blue dot on the map above. With 41 other RVers we caravanned across the border and spent seven days exploring Northern Baja’s wine area, Valle de Guadalupe.

A winding road in a mountainous landscape with multiple RVs traveling in the same direction.
Caravan on the road

This tour was all about food, and wine (and some tequila), and the culture of northern Baja. Our first night featured dinner at the seaside restaurant Splash. The leisurely meal, accompanied by plentiful margaritas, offered the perfect environment for making new friends. 

Group of eight people seated at a table enjoying a meal and drinks in a cozy restaurant setting.
At Splash with Jay, June, Brad, Denise, Jim & Yujing

On our first full day in Mexico, we boarded a tour bus for the 50 minute drive to Valle de Guadalupe. Our first tasting experience at family-owned Xecuè was complimented by fresh seafood and a range of wines.  

A plated dish featuring a stack of green avocado slices layered with onions, served in a vibrant green sauce, on a textured placemat.
Aguachile
Tall cacti with multiple arms surrounded by various desert plants and rocks under a cloudy sky.
Window display featuring the text 'ENTRE AMIGOS Xecué' surrounded by greenery and cacti, suggesting a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Between friends
A bottle of Xecué Malbec wine from Baja California, 2021 vintage, displayed on a wooden table with a wine glass partially filled with red wine. A blurred background shows a person wearing a blue hat.
One of four offerings
A group of people seated around a long table in a restaurant, enjoying a meal together with drinks and food in front of them.
Meeting new friends

After lunch we headed to L.A. Cetto winery, one of Mexico’s largest and most influential wine producers. We toured the grounds and learned about the history of Cetto, which began in the early 19th century in Italy.

A man in a green jacket and cap stands next to a welcome sign that reads 'Bienvenidos' and 'CETTO' in a garden setting.
Interior view of a modern winery featuring multiple large stainless steel fermentation tanks arranged in a row.
Stainless steel
A weathered sign on a wooden post in a vineyard, labeled 'L.A. Cetto Malbec 62', with vines and soil visible in the background.
One of many types of grapes grown at Cetto
Two smiling people standing beside large wooden barrels in a winery or brewery.
In the barrel room

The wine and olive oil tasting with our new friends was a great way to spend the afternoon.

A bottle of L.A. Cetto Chardonnay Vino Blanco, 2022, displayed on a table with wine corks and caps in the background.
One of four tastes
A group of people enjoying a tasting event at a long table with various food items, including sliced bread and olives, while an instructor explains the offerings. Bottles of wine are displayed on the table.
Tasting bar

The next day we bussed to Ensenada and toured the Casa del Cultura, Riviera del Pacifico. Once a former luxury resort and casino, the building now serves as a cultural space and welcoming center. There we were treated to margaritas from the bar that claims to have created the drink, named after its patron, Margaret King Plant. We’ve since learned that claim is also attributed to about five or six other sources. Oh well, the margaritas there were great!

Elaborately painted wooden ceiling with floral and geometric designs, featuring a vintage chandelier.
Beautiful ceiling in Casa del Cultura
A woman smiling next to a framed black and white photo of a glamorous woman in vintage clothing, with a background featuring additional framed images.
Me & the original Margarita

We spent the rest of the day wandering Ensenada, lunching on tacos, and tasting tequila. 

A bustling street market scene with colorful stalls displaying various goods, including handbags and clothing. People are walking and browsing, with a clear blue sky overhead.
Streets of Ensenada
A classic blue Chevrolet Chevelle SS parked on a busy street with shops in the background.
Scenes in Ensenada
A table set with plates of colorful Mexican food, including enchiladas topped with sauce, rice, grilled fish, and fresh salads, accompanied by various hot sauces and beverages.
So many food choices

On Steve’s birthday we returned to Valle de Guadalupe and the incredible Casa Frida. Great wine, great art centered around the influence of Frida Khalo, and great tequila marked our visit. First we tasted four wines complemented by a robust charcuterie plate.

A man and a woman posing in a vineyard next to a large, colorful heart sculpture featuring a portrait, surrounded by vines and blue sky.
Art in the vineyard
Colorfully painted vintage truck with an artistic skull design, parked in front of a building, featuring directional signs for tourist attractions like 'Frida's Lake' and 'Wine Tasting'.
Colorful place
A glass of sparkling wine in the foreground, with a charcuterie board in the background featuring various cheeses, breads, olives, pretzels, and small bowls of jelly and fruit.
Charcuterie
A person posing in front of a large mirror featuring the name 'Frida' and decorative wings made of leaves, with a vineyard and clear blue sky in the background.
Casa Frida
A group of people mingling on an outdoor patio during a social event, sitting around glass tables with drinks and snacks, under a shaded area.
Part of our wine tasting group

Immediately following we tasted four tequilas complemented by uniquely garnished citrus. Steve got extra of everything as a tribute to his birthday!

A wooden serving board with slices of orange and lime topped with different seasonings, accompanied by a glass of clear liquid, reflecting light.
Citrus for tequila
A man in a baseball cap holds a decorative bottle shaped like an avocado, sitting outdoors with others in the background.
Avocado tequila
Four bottles of Tequila 'Los Tres Tonos' in various types (Extra Añejo, Añejo, Reposado) displayed on a wooden table, with a blurred restaurant background.
Our tequila offerings

From Casa Frida we stumbled into King and Queen cantina for lunch. There we enjoyed a welcome mezcal cocktail and four appetizers.

Signage for King & Queen Cantina featuring decorative skulls with crowns, set against a concrete wall with succulent plants in the foreground.
A plate of sizzling fajitas with grilled meat, bell peppers, and onions, accompanied by guacamole, refried beans, and rice, with a glass of red wine and cocktails in the background.
Shrimp & steak fajitas
A dessert dish featuring churros and ice cream, topped with a sparkler, served on a table with a person in a colorful shirt in the background.
Churros on 🔥 for dessert
A man sitting in a bar holding two cans of beer, wearing a hat with 'Red Dog Saloon Juneau Alaska,' and a lanyard with a name tag. Other people are seen in the background, enjoying a social gathering.
Beer for dessert

Lunch was served with margaritas and our firecracker-topped dessert was served with house-brewed beer. By this time, the DJ had the crowd on the dance floor and the old folks were boogying. Steve remained seated, as per the “Green” norm.

A man giving a thumbs up and a woman posing with a thumbs up, both seated at a bar with a mountain view in the background, surrounded by other people enjoying their time.
Steve and Denise not dancing
A lively bar scene with patrons enjoying themselves, some dancing, and a large screen displaying a performance in the background.
Everyone else dancing

Believe it or not, we had one more stop after King and Queen. A tasting of four more wines about did us in at Valle de Rondo. We left that stop with a gifted bottle of wine, thanks to Fantasy RV tours. What a day!

Sign for Rondo del Valle winery featuring a circular logo with the initials RV and the word 'WINERY' above it.
A lively restaurant scene with a group of diverse diners gathered around a table, enjoying their meals, while staff serve food in a rustic setting.
Ugh! More wine!
A group of people gathered around a long table in a cozy indoor setting, enjoying drinks and conversation. The room features large windows showcasing an outdoor view, with guests smiling and engaging with one another.
We’ve all had too much!

We finished our time on this tour with a free day at Clam Beach followed by a farewell dinner at the renowned restaurant Finca Altozano. Finca Altozano was created by Michelin-starred chef Javier Plascencia, who is known for pioneering Baja-Med cuisine.

A scenic view of a garden featuring various plants, including cabbages and cacti, with a wooden deck and seating area in the background. The landscape includes rolling hills and colorful flowers under a partly cloudy sky.
Garden at Finca Altozano
A busy restaurant kitchen scene featuring two chefs at work, with a variety of grilled meats and colorful dishes served on wooden tables in the foreground.
Open-air kitchen

Our six course meal, served in the open-air restaurant overlooking the sweeping vineyards, featured panzanela salad with vegetables from the garden, shrimp sopes with bone marrow, blue fin tuna tostados, grilled octopus, beef ribs, and lamb. Dessert of pan de elote with fresh cream sealed the deal.

A wooden platter displaying a vibrant taco topped with fresh diced fish, avocado slices, pickled onions, and leafy greens.
Blue fin tuna tostada
A sizzling platter of chicken pieces cooked with nuts in a savory sauce, served on a wooden board.
Grilled octopus
A plate of five shrimp tacos on blue corn tortillas, topped with pink pickled onions, green sauce, and herbs, accompanied by grilled lemon slices.
Shrimp sopes
A slice of golden dessert topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, served on a decorative plate with a paper liner.
Pan de elote

A long, leisurely meal with spectacular views and a great group of friends was the perfect way to end our Taste of Baja experience.

A smiling man in a plaid shirt and cap is holding up a glass of red wine in celebration at a dining table, with a plate of food and a woman in a plaid shirt sitting beside him.

Once the tour was over we relaxed at Clam Beach with a few fellow adventurers until our next tour began. Our small group visited local sites, shared dinners, and shopped at a Mexico Costco.

Group of eight people sitting around a wooden table enjoying food and drinks at a coastal restaurant with a view of the ocean.
Lunch at La Bufadora
A group of people unloading items from a pickup truck in a rain-soaked parking lot near a Costco store, with shoppers and shopping carts visible in the background.
Costco run

Our next tour will take us deeper into Mexico to see the famous grey whales and their babies. Stay tuned! We’ll have another update soon.

We love you Bob!

/ marniesteve / 1 Comment

Our little Bobdog brought so much joy to our lives and to the lives of anyone he met.

Actually, Bob joined the family 15 years ago when my Dad adopted him as a puppy. Dad gave him a wonderful life and we tried to live up to that standard.

As a puppy
With his Daddy

Bob was in our home for just five years, yet he (and we) made the most of every minute.

Party hat
Texas Hill Country
Handsome boy

Bob loved riding in the car, visiting breweries, going for hikes in the frontpack, and hanging out at happy hour.

With Tom in Key West
With Larry in Glacier NP
With Brynn
At another brewery
With Renee at Happy hour
With us over the Hudson
Nate was a favorite!
In Duluth
His first brewery
With Uncle Gary at a brewery
With Tanya at the Tampa RV Show
With Russ & Susan going to Alaska

Bob made friends everywhere he went, and above all, loved his Steve.

Losing our furry family members is never easy, but we have sweet memories that will endure.

Catching Up – East to West

/ marniesteve / 2 Comments

Time flies when you are on the go! The last time we posted an update we were in New Hampshire, where Steve completed his first of four fall marathons. A lot has happened between then and now, so we’ll try to give an update of the highlights.

From New Hampshire we headed south to Connecticut for Steve to run the Hartford Marathon. It was a great excuse to connect with some very special friends. One day we  drove to the coast to see our friends Alan and Cheryl.

A group of four adults smiling outdoors, holding two small dogs. They are wearing sunglasses and standing on a grassy area with a beach in the background. An American flag is visible, and the sky is clear and sunny.
Alan, Marnie, Cheryl, and Steve + Bob and Poppy

Other days we were guided around by our RV friends Gail and Jeff. These two even came to the race expo and cheered Steve at the finish line. 

A group of people sitting in bleachers, with three adults in the foreground taking a selfie. One woman is wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap, while another is wearing a gray jacket. An older man with glasses is sitting next to her. The background shows several spectators, including children holding signs.
Waiting at the finish line with Gail and Jeff
A male runner in a blue t-shirt with 'Missoula Marathon' printed on it, wearing sunglasses and earbuds, running past a crowd of spectators enjoying flowers in pots.
Final steps to the finish
Three individuals at an outdoor event: one woman standing with sunglasses and a hat, a man in a blue shirt holding a snack, and another man sitting on the grass displaying a marathon medal.
Celebrating State #42

From Connecticut we headed west through Pennsylvania and caught the trotters at Mohegan Casino. We also made a quick stop at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville.

Harness race with two horses racing on a track, in front of a scoreboard displaying race information.
Cheering on the trotters
A person standing near a tall, modern concrete tower against a clear blue sky.
Flight 93 Memorial Belltower

Our next major destination was my hometown of Ashland, Ohio. There we had a great reunion with the Finley/Shoemaker clan, including several meals with Uncle Dave Shoemaker (Uncle Shoey), who is turning 96 this month.

A group of five people standing together in a warmly decorated room, featuring a wooden shelf in the background. The individuals are smiling and casually dressed, including two men wearing jackets and a woman in a patterned sweater.
Steve, Marnie, Uncle Shoey, Judy, and Dave
A man sitting in a rolling walker smiles at the camera, flanked by a woman leaning on the chair and a man holding a small dog, all in a rustic setting with wooden walls.
Barn party with Uncle Shoey
A group of seven people posing together indoors, with six standing behind a seated elderly man in a wheelchair. Some individuals are holding small dogs.
Steve, Sharon, Marnie, Judy, Dave, and Uncle Shoey

While in Ohio we also took a tour of the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. The historic former prison, is now a museum famous for being the filming location for The Shawshank Redemption. The reformatory was built between 1886 and 1910 and remained in operation, without much maintenance, until the Federal government ordered it to close in 1990.

A wooden door with a glass panel displaying the text 'OFFICE of PRISON SUPERVISOR' and 'SAMUEL NORTON WARDEN'. The view shows a room behind the door with patterned tiled flooring, a wooden table, and curtains.
Two people smiling in an old, possibly historic building with peeling paint and barred windows.
Interior of an abandoned prison cell featuring a rusty metal bed frame, a sink, and a toilet on a concrete floor with peeling paint on the walls.

From Ohio we made a quick trip to Indiana to have our refrigerator replaced and then back to West Virginia for the Marshall University Marathon. Steve finished the race without issue, and I even completed the 3.25 mile race. We both crossed the finish line in the football stadium on a chilly day.

A woman smiling while walking on a football field, holding a football, with a university stadium in the background.
Finishing the 3.25 at Marshall University

On our way to the fourth fall marathon, we stopped in Lexington for a few of our favorite things…horses and bourbon. We hit up the big breeding stock sale at Fasig-Tipton and visited a few farms to see the top stallions. Of course we also took several distillery tours including one at Wild Turkey.

A man holding a horse on a lead next to a woman smiling while posing for a photo, with a man nearby and trees in the background during evening light.
Streak of Luck sold for $6.2 million
A man leads a brown horse on a brick pathway in front of a large building, with a group of people observing and taking photos.
Stallion showings
A man standing next to a large metal art sculpture of a turkey on a building wall.
Wild Turkey
A man posing next to a large wooden barrel labeled 'Wild Turkey Distilling Co' in a distillery setting.

After a too-short stop to see Steve’s brother Gary and his family (not sure why I don’t have more photos) we made it to Tulsa for Steve’s fourth fall marathon and his 44th state. 

A young woman sitting in the backseat of a car, smiling while holding a small brown dog with curly fur, wearing a turquoise harness. The background shows a clear blue sky and grassy fields outside the car window.
Poppy loves Brynn
A man poses next to a large illuminated sign that reads '26.2', surrounded by colorful balloons and star decorations.
Last marathon of the year
A person stands next to large illuminated letters spelling 'TULSA' in blue lights, with a black curtain in the background.

From Tulsa we made a last minute decision to go north to Nebraska for Thanksgiving, rather than heading to Arizona as planned. Spending time with Steve’s brother Brian’s large family for the holiday was full of fun.

A group of five people sitting at a dinner table with plates of food, drinks, and a festive atmosphere. The table is set with various dishes, including turkey and rolls, and decorative elements are visible in the background.
John, Hannah, Lydia, Elise, and Jarrot
Two young men smiling at a dining table set with plates of food and drinks during a festive occasion.
The boys, Nate & Zach
A group of eight people seated around a dining table filled with various dishes, drinks, and desserts during a meal. The setting features a warm ambiance with decorative artwork in the background.
Brian, Heidi, John, Hannah
Three people enjoying a meal together at a dining table, with plates and drinks, surrounded by a cozy interior and plants.
Steve, Nate & Zach
A group of six people standing together outdoors in front of a large tree, each holding a small dog. The setting features greenery and autumn leaves scattered on the ground.
The Green Five
A group of seven people and three dogs pose together outdoors, standing in front of a large tree and a house. The scene shows a sunny day with clear skies and trees in the background.
Brian and Heidi’s beautiful family

But the real reason we drove 400 miles out of our way was the Nebraska Cornhuskers! All three Green boys, Hudson, Brynn, and Nathan braved the cold to support the Big Red football team. 

A group of five people posing for a photo at a Nebraska football game, wearing red and black apparel, with a stadium view in the background and the field visible.
Brian, Brynn, Nate, Gary, Hudson, and Steve – Go Big Red!

We finally made it back to Arizona on December 1st and set up camp at the Sunflower RV Resort in Surprise. We took advantage of a few of the resort’s activities and celebrated the season with Steve’s parents and our dear friends Russ and Susan Shoemaker who were also staying at the resort. 

A man with glasses holds a small dog while standing in front of a recreational vehicle at night, with a lit decorative tree nearby.
Celebrating the season
Two men taking a selfie in a sunny outdoor setting with palm trees and a building in the background.
Larry & Steve

Our year of full-time travel ended in our happy place, Puerto Peñasco, Mexico. A week at the condo was a great way to wind 2025 down. Mitch, Lauren, and Caleb joined us for a few days of fun as well. 

A pair of feet resting on a lounge chair with a view of a shimmering ocean and a clear blue sky, alongside a sign that reads 'Owner Only Area.'
Ahhhh…
A dog sitting on a striped cushion, gazing at the sunset over a beach with palm trees in the background.
Poppy’s first beach visit
A smiling man wearing sunglasses and a straw hat leans on a wall, with a sunny beach and ocean in the background.
Beach bum
A group of five people smiling together in a restaurant setting, enjoying food and drinks at a table.
Lauren, Caleb, Mitch, Steve, and Marnie
A stunning sunset over the ocean, with vibrant orange and pink hues in the sky, reflecting on calm waves. Silhouetted palm trees line the beach, and a pool area is visible in the foreground.
You can’t beat a Peñasco sunset
A group of five people sitting around a table in a colorful restaurant. The background features green walls and festive decorations. A decorative centerpiece is on the table.
Dinner at Regina’s!

Whew! We’ve caught you up to present day, but there’s more to come. We have BIG changes planned for 2026, more marathons, and more adventures. Stay tuned!