25th Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at Madison Square Gardens, New York … too much fun!

I missed blogging last week because life was more of a whirlwind than normal. I left Loreto on Tuesday, Oct 26 at 4 am and drove to San Jose del Cabo for an 11 am flight. From La Paz I decided to take the San Jose road as there is a lot of construction on the Pacific highway towards Todo Santos. I saved myself an hour and my little Mercedes finally felt like a Baja Car as it took the curvy mountain roads at 120 km/ph, with the tunes blaring and the windows down blowing fresh 84 degree temperate air to start an exciting week.

I arrived at Cabo airport at 9:30 am and left the car at the terminal parking lot as there are really no other options. The car was very safe when I returned, and the cost is 320 pesos for the first day; and 150 pesos for each day thereafter; and more expensive by the hour for partial days. To park for 4.5 days, it was 890 pesos, which is expensive but worth the benefit of just having the car within steps of the terminal and safe.

I took the flight to Dallas Fort Worth and was greeted by my friends and Loreto Bay neighbors, Joe and Miki Mckenzie. I had never been to Texas and we have often talked about my visiting over many glasses of wine in Loreto. Dallas is an attractive city, very clean and modern, with lots of green spaces. I was amazed how friendly everyone was, from the minute I landed at Immigration and Customs, to meeting Joe and Miki’s friends at CRUSH the local wine bar near the exclusive Highland Park neighborhood. It is a place that would be fun to go back and wander through the many stores and enjoy the never ending restaurants.

The next morning I left for New York City for one of those very special weekends. My friend Ann had been the highest bidder at a Charity for Children Auction on VIP Box Seat tickets for the 25th Rock & Roll Hall of Fame performance at Madison Square Gardens on Oct. 29. She generously invited “the girls” and we had the most spectacular time. I flew into Newark Airport where you can take a private car to Manhattan for $75 or the subway for $15. Tanya flew from Halifax, and Lorraine came in from Toronto. Ann flew from Victoria and it was a truly international weekend.

I booked the New Yorker Hotel which is only a block away from the Gardens and about 8 blocks from Times Square. It is located in the Fashion District with lots of shops, restaurants, and always people on the street at all hours of the day and night. It is very reasonable by New York standards, only $350 a night for a standard queen room. The room is not large enough to swing a cat, but it is similar to all other quality hotels in size and amenities.

The main event of course was the concert and the only way it has been described is “legacy”. The first of two massive Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary shows had monumental moments that just keep coming on the stage starting with Tom Hanks opening the show, which last six hours – yes that’s right 6 hours! It was amazing to be in the private VIP box with catered food, endless drinks, and our own bathroom! Show highlights were:

Jerry Lee Lewis reminds the crowd of rock & roll’s ’50s roots by settling in at a white baby grand for “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”

Crosby, Stills and Nash add another layer of perfect harmony when James Taylor joins in on “Love the One You’re With.” The capper: one of many awe-inspiring guitar solos by Stephen Stills.


Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s voices mingle on “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” The pair throw their arms around each other at the conclusion of “The Boxer.” Will the U.S. see this reunion again? Garfunkel admits their recent shows together “were a lovely falling back together again” but they have “no such plans,” after their set.

Stevie Wonder turns a technical difficulty into a hilarious quip: “Aw, shit … stuff happens, you know what I’m saying?” and changes his set before it even gets going to kick off with a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind.” He later pays homage to Michael Jackson with a stunning “The Way You Make Me Feel.” Not enough yet? Smokey Robinson emerges for a loose, warm rendition of “Tracks of My Tears.”

Moments later, John Legend arrives onstage to pay homage to Marvin Gaye with “Mercy, Mercy Me.”



B.B King is up next, earning Stevie’s praise as “the king of blues for every city in the world” with “The Thrill is Gone.”













Sting strides onstage popping the bassline to “Higher Ground,” and the song morphs into “Roxanne” and back again.

Two words: Jeff Beck. The guitar legend joins Wonder for “Superstition” and breaks into an otherworldly solo on the break, flinging his bare right hand at the strings and tapping away.











Springsteen hits the stage with his famous plea, “Is there anybody alive out there?” He gives even himself a jolt with guest Sam Moore, who he praises as “one of the all time great bandleaders.”

Springsteen welcomes John Fogerty for “Fortunate Son” and a pair of sweet covers for E Street: Fogerty’s own “Proud Mary” and Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman.”

The E Street Band make their own Wall of Sound as Darlene Love joins Bruce and the gang for “A Fine, Fine Boy” and “Da Doo Ron Ron.” “We’re in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame now,” Springsteen exclaims.

Tom Morello wah-s out a bone-crunching solo on a mind-blowing cover of “London Calling” with the E Street Band that nearly outdoes his earlier heroics on “The Ghost of Tom Joad.”

Springsteen delivers a brief and hilarious speech about how New Jersey and Long Island were once a connected landmass as a way of introducing the night’s final very special guest: Billy Joel. E Street keeps cranking through “You May Be Right,” “Only the Good Die Young” and Joel’s hometown anthem “New York State of Mind.”

Bruce Springsteen brings the house down with “Born to Run” and reluctantly leaves after wringing the last possible “higher” out of “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher.” “That’s rock & roll!” he exclaims.

There was just too much to remember and it was a perfect evening among friends! Thanks Again Ann!!

HBO will broadcast four hours of highlights from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concerts on 29 November at 8 pm ET (US).

We also took in Broadway and the newest play that the town is buzzing about is MEMPHIS. We were able to secure great mezzanine seats for this show that had only opened Oct 19, 2009. This is a real song and dance musical. The lead vocalists were amazing and the music was very good. There is lots of R&B and the choreography is terrific. I highly recommend it as entertaining and many “in the know” say it will be nominated for a Tony next year. High energy, great story and terrific talent!

I could have stayed another week, but New York is expensive and I needed to save things to do for my next visit. It is easier to get from Cabo to New York and less expensive than to fly Loreto to Victoria. Although I visit my family often in Victoria, it’s nice to have a playground that is culturally, geographically and socially very different from Loreto for a change of pace occasionally.

News in Loreto is that Dorado Properties Real Estate is now 100% owned by me, and with five full time sales associates, we are the largest independent broker north of La Paz. We are opening our downtown office in the Loreto Plaza next to Hotel Posada del las Flores and near Mita Gourmet Restaurant. Our Grand Opening will be Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 from 11 am to 7 pm. Drop by and say hello to our team and see our inventory of reduced prices for properties in this area. I will be there from 4 pm to 7 pm and look forward to being back in business downtown!

See you in Loreto!
Miss Nellie

Slow News Week in Loreto, Mexico

This has been another bright and sunny week in Loreto. Hurricane Rick was downgraded to a tropical storm and missed Loreto completely. We had some wind but no rain, and it is back to perfect warm days with gentle breezes. The community pool is always so inviting and at this time of year still a wonderful 80 degrees.

They did take down the thermometer that always displays minus 30 degrees C. I guess the joke got old after a long hot summer?! Loreto Bay has now posted Pool Rules, which can be viewed on my property management site at www.bajaboss.com for those that live here.

I have had my head down and focused on team meetings with both my Baja BOSS Property Managers and our Dorado Properties Real Estate team that are arriving back to Loreto for the winter. So, not much to write about this week …

The main buzz in Loreto Bay was around the Community Pool where people made new friends and met their neighbors. There was an impromptu happy hour on Friday which was nice to chat in a relaxed setting. The men left earlier as hunger set in, but the girls (Lindsay, Jennifer, Lorna, and Lorene) just kept drinking and telling naughty jokes.

Happy Birthday to Patti McNulty! She is looking radiant with friends Dale and Loretta at her side. There was much laughter and it was still early when I left, so not sure what the late night plans were. It was a very nice crowd and everyone was positive enjoying the beginnings of our community forming.

The party was at the home of Mike and Sue Matthews on the poolside. They had it catered complete with Sangria and Mexican appetizers. Tables were set up outside and people mingled in and out of their home, which has undergone some very nice renovations. People passing by were all invited to join in and it was an easy going atmosphere.

Many homeowners are returning for longer stays now that it is approaching winter in many northern climates. It is good to see familiar faces and hearty hellos. A few of us ventured over to the INN for dinner. There was a large table of 12 people who were on an off road racing tour, which was great to see. It kept the one waiter and cook hopping, but as long as the cervezas were flowing, no one seemed to mind.

My friend Alfredo Rosas, formally the GM of INN is now the Sales & Marketing Manager of La Mision Hotel. He called to let me know they were having a Halloween party on October 31st. Unfortunately, I will not in Loreto this week but it should be a lot of fun. Check it out!

Where in the World is Nellie? Quien Sable?!

Loreto ... Lush Tropical Countryside

Who knew?! The recent concentration of rains has made this desert paradise more similar to Kauai, Hawaii than the normal comparison of Phoenix, Arizona.

This little town has seemed to awaken in the last week with last Sunday's flight bringing in more than 100 people. This is more seats on one flight than we have seen for many months. There are more cars in Loreto Bay and downtown, the restaurants are busier that we have seen since before the media craze of Swine Flu, and people are happy.

For those that have endured the heat and vast emptiness of the summer, we become euphoric and giddy when we see people we know. There is the irresistible urge to run up and hug them as though we were embracing long lost friends. In some ways, this is true. We appreciate the simple things such as passing time laughing at fish stories because we know what it is like to not have someone to share them with.

Sharing awesome experiences is another common pastime here. Although sometimes you must be ready, willing and available to go outside of your comfort zone. If you don’t leave the house, you won’t be around for the impulsive spontaneity of “let’s do it” ideas that crop up regularly.

There are so many things to do here; yet nothing at all. This depends upon one’s outlook and attitude. Not everyone must be a fisherman, golfer, hiker, or into water sports to be active. There are many people that enjoy leisurely walks at sunrise, getting together for Spanish lessons, or card games. You simply must leave the house and find like minded people. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes here.

This week we hiked Tabor Canyon which was spectacular. Take the highway south and when you get to the entrance of Pt. Escondido, take a right turn on the dirt road and go as far as you can. These are the photos taken in the mid afternoon, and I would recommend going in the morning. Wear good shoes and keep your hands free as there is a bit of navigating and rock climbing.

There were several small waterfalls, hundreds of baby frogs, but not another person when we were there. It takes a full day to get to the top, and some serious hikers will camp overnight and then come back the next day. I will not see this in my lifetime! However, even going into the canyon for an hour or two, you will see incredible beauty and it is well worth the effort of taking the path less traveled.

We came upon this waterfall and small lake that was well over 12 feet deep. In the middle of the afternoon, the water was far too cool and clear not to be tempted to jump in. Life doesn’t get any better!

Boys and their toys is why I love Baja! We took the road to Prima Aqua and I have never seen it so beautiful. Fields of mesquite and green trees that seem to have grown 4 feet in the last few weeks go as far as the eye can see.

The backdrop of the Sea of Cortez and Mountains are spectacular every direction you look. As we wandered along the arroyo, there is remaining water still running from the mountains creating life all around.

We saw baby cows, and hundreds of goats … I LOVE the goats! You can spend an entire day exploring and not see another person. There are several places to rent ATVs; you just need to ask around. La Mision Hotel has many different varieties for rent and you can see them parked along the malecon.

The rock formations are just as interesting as the different botanical varieties. Simply walking a little further, one finds the most wonderful spots such as this waterfall. This is a peaceful place to hang out and share the moment with friends.

The water is raging and it took a bit of effort for Mel to become part of the wall of water and stone. It doesn’t matter how old we get, we are never too old to play. Did I mention that life doesn’t get better than this?

Have a great week!
Miss Nellie

Del Borracho in Loreto is Open for Business Again!

The highlight of my week was having lunch at Del Borracho Saloon located just off the main highway 5 minutes from downtown Loreto on the road to San Javier. Mike and Chole took the summer off to work on their guest cabins and marketing the Western Style Resort and we sure missed them! They have the best hamburgers, salads and soups north of La Paz! Great food, reasonable prices, friendly service, and a place where everyone knows your name! Drop by and see Mike’s newest Hedge Dragster ... before it takes off!

Many of you know my right hand person in business, Jeanny Pinedo. Over the past 3 years, Jeanny and I have lived and learned a lifetime of education about doing business in Mexico and specifically Loreto, Baja. We are still laughing, albeit much wiser. While I had a sabbatical this summer, Jeanny has been busy being a new mom and has a brand new baby girl named Lucile to keep little Pedro company. We had her Baby Shower at Del Borracho and there is not a better place for a party in a relaxed comfortable setting.

Jeanny is now doing business under her own company BCS Baja Consulting. She is sharing an office with my Accountant Adriana Drew, and their office is on H. de Independencia esq. Ignacio Allende near the Police Station. Adriana also owns the Stationery Store at Quatro Altos (4 stop corner at Independencia and Benito Jueves). It was great to see Yolanda who is looking great! She is the Director of DIF which is a government agency rehabilitating and helping those in need. Many of you helped out with contributions towards her home and I am pleased to say that it is “almost” finished and furnished. Yolanda and her family are enjoying it very much! Thanks!!

“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now”

Alan Lakein
Creator of Lakein’s Question: “What is the best use of my time right now?”

Congratulations to Bill and Julie Thompson on having the first custom home completed in Aqua Viva! Slightly more than a year ago, Bill and Julie took control of their fate and investment by hiring Finton Construction to build their custom home and Loreto dream. Now they have a beautiful reality that they can enjoy, even in the midst of organized chaos.

I was invited to view the home by Robin Donaldson. I commend Santa Barbara Architects Shubin & Donaldson on never giving up, continuing to promote, invest, and turn the Loreto Bay vision into solid quality homes for many custom owners. It has been five years that they have regularly come to Loreto, supported the local economy, and bought a Loreto Bay custom lot in 2005, to be a part of something great.

This is Finton Construction Mexico’s first completed home. Robin Donaldson, Russell Shubin, John Finton and Daniel Tontini are all equal partners in this construction company. Together they provide architects and builders with collectively well over 100 years custom home experience building in Loreto Bay. They are completely independent of any builders associated with Loreto Bay. They have their own construction crews and provide local training with US trained supervisors on the job to keep the highest quality standards.

The Thompson home was completed in thirteen months from start to finish, as promised by Finton. The 2600 sq. ft. home is simple in design with true courtyard living to bring the outdoors inside. It is open on two sides on the canal and designed to make the most of the views, yet maintaining privacy and practical living.

Having resided in Victoria, Seattle, Scottsdale and Loreto, I am not impressed easily. What I noticed immediately walking through the home was the quality of finishes and functionality that most people overlook. There is a 4000 gallon cistern that provides steady water pressurization. It is actually built in and properly plumbed to be esthetically pleasing and efficient.

The air conditioning units are Daikin which are recognized globally as top of the line … and again are built in and hidden from view behind these cabinet doors. All cabinet doors are well made and slide smoothly, with quality door handles that will not break or loosen within a few weeks. These extra touches are an indication of the quality that Finton maintains for its customers. Their contract price reflects their standards and is good value if you are looking for the very best.

I toured some of the other Finton homes under construction and was most impressed how clean and organized they were. Robin tells me that he has a night watchman on every home they have under construction for security. I have been through every home in Founders Neighborhood several times during construction and never have I seen one with so few flaws as the Finton homes.

The simple pleasure of appreciating the level door frame; smooth finished plaster; ceiling lights centered and all rough in plumbing and electrical is properly enclosed. This was a spontaneous tour, and still there was no garbage or debris anywhere on the site.

This custom home on the golf course has a grand rock wall that leads into a circular courtyard. They are using a special high end acrylic paint that is amazingly smooth to the touch, look and feel of the interior spaces. The circular fountain will showcase the backdrop of the mountain views beautifully.

We had more rain last week than during Hurricane Jimena. As a Property Manger, I appreciate the smooth clean finish of the membrane on this roof that goes up the walls so there is no water seepage between the joints. Anyways, the rain has made the mountains and surrounding areas more lush and green that I have seen for many years. There are many fat cows, horses and their babies feeding near the highway, so please slow down and enjoy the scenery.

Only Loreto Bay homeowners really know about the vision, lifestyle, and passion that evoked them to buy in the first place. It is easy to stand on the sidelines and offer comments, criticisms, and the ever abundant hindsight, if you never believed enough to buy here in the first place. It is not something that one can explain easily. Like many great things in life, you can not rationalize it. It is not for everyone, but the dream is still alive and well thanks to the sheer determination of many homeowners. We welcome everyone to our community.

Have a great week!
Miss Nellie

It is raining in Loreto! Warm and Refreshing!

This has been a very busy week and so many things have been accomplished that my head is spinning. Yet, typical Loreto style, not much of this matters. It’s just another day in paradise and we enjoy the moment.

We had some beautiful weather earlier this week, and I was invited on a yacht to take photos of Loreto Bay from the water. You can see the many beach front homes taking shape and that is exciting. More people are now taking advantage of the downturn to build homes at realistic prices and without the many guidelines and burdens of dealing with Loreto Bay Company. We should see 4 more beachfront homes completed in 2009.

The INN is open to the public, but the operations are very sad. If you have very low expectations, then you will not be disappointed. There is a minimal staff, many of whom work from 6am to 11 pm for very little wages. They are short staffed since there are few visitors or guests at the moment. If they do happen to get a busy spell of 5 tables in the restaurant, do not be alarmed if you see the Head of Housekeeping or the Maintenance appear to be your waiter. Just smile, accept that they are trying to help, and tip generously!

The new airport is fully open and operational. My friend Jesus is the new airport manager and gave me a tour. He is very happy to be in Loreto and takes great pride that this will become an important part of the future of Loreto. This airport is much more beautiful than Cabo San Lucas, complete with areas for retail shops, car rental stations, and both domestic and international gates.

Pedro Lopez from Porto Bello Restaurant in Pt. Escondido has opened a new restaurant at the airport. It is beautiful and open 7 days a week from 8:30 am to 4 pm. This is a great place to meet friends for breakfast or lunch, or grab a quick panani sandwich to go for your flight. His menu is the same as Porto Bello and reasonable.

Pedro is getting much local support which is very important. It is a casual meeting place, elegant, and relaxing with a touch of class and fully air conditioned. There are a couple of couches that can seat groups of 8 comfortably for drinks or meeting friends before your flight. Please support Pedro and the airport, and tell him Nellie says Hi!

This week we had some magnificent thunder and lightening storms, which lowered the temperatures below 80 degrees. It was nice to see the rain and feel the tranquil ambiance that it brings. Everything seems to have been washed and clean. There is no dust flying about and it is very peaceful.

Our team was busy checking the houses, and we were amused about the many side gardens being flooded. So typical of Loreto Bay construction, which does no harm but doesn’t make a lot sense either. Luckily it only rains 8 days a year! There are many interesting things if one is only aware. I was checking this home where the side garden was under 6 inches of rain. It’s just water and will evaporate in a couple of days.

I saw out of the corner of my eye something large move very fast. On a closer look, I was surprised that it was a crab?! This is in a home behind a walled gate, on the other side of the paseo no where near the beach. How did it get here? Did the wind bring it over the wall… does it fly? Anyways, I left it alone and hopefully it will find its way back to where it belongs. Otherwise, we may have to go to the garden to pick crabs for dinner?

This is the season for bugs … the cockroaches grow to a couple of inches in size and actually fly! There are large spiders with spots that look like black widows, but they are not poisonous… however, you don’t want them laying hundreds of eggs in your home. There are crickets, ants, termites, and yes the infestation of mosquitoes, along with many other varieties of crawly things. The grasshoppers and butterflies will come soon. The absence of bats and dragonflies is noticeable as they feed on mosquitoes. Even with regular pest control spraying; it doesn’t seem to have much effect without Mother Nature’s predators.

The streets were deserted in Loreto Bay yesterday as most workers stayed home and took a rain day. However, it was good to see Security out in their rain gear patrolling the common areas. We see so few people in Nopolo these days that when we do, it’s always a cause to stop and greet each other with friendly smiles and take a moment to chat. Isn’t this why we all want to live here?

Have a great week!

Miss Nellie

Good Signs for Loreto, Mexico … The INN is OPEN!!

The Inn at Loreto Bay opened in Loreto, Nopolo, yesterday without much fanfare or fuss. I believe only the Snack Shack is open at this time and there will be 30 hotel rooms available in October. The pools are filled with water and the lounge chairs available for use of Loreto Bay homeowners and guests.

It was great to drop by and see a few familiar faces of our waiters and friends. This group of diehard homeowners who braved the summer heat and lack of restaurant, gift shop or amenities, were out to share a meal and some laughs. We toasted to each other and all our friends for good times ahead.

People have wondered Where In the World Is Nellie as I vacated my Loreto office earlier this year and been taking a well deserved rest since the media frenzy of Swine Flu destroyed our tourism. I will be opening my new office in the Loreto Plaza in the next few weeks and more to come about that later.

In the meantime, Alan Axelrod and Michael Bartlett were in here last week and I am reserving one of their commercial spaces on the paseo in Loreto Bay for our Baja BOSS Property Management and Dorado Properties Loreto Real Estate businesses. It was a coincidence that we happen to be discussing this in my old malecon office which is now a quaint little breakfast and lunch spot! Great food, low prices, friendly service. Check it out!

There is still much positive energy and good news in this tranquil little town. The Villa Group’s new Santa Fe Hotel is nearing completion next to Domingo’s Steak House at the entrance to Loreto and scheduled to open in November. It will be their business hotel for guests interested in their newest resort Villa Del Palmar Loreto located 30 minutes south of Loreto in Ensenada Blanca.

The Villa Group, with its solid reputation for delivering vacation experiences to its thousands of clients in several Mexican destinations describes its newest resort the Villa Del Palmar Loreto as follows:

Loreto: Untouched. Unspoiled. Unbelievable.

You may have seen the color aqua before. But never like this.

The water is untouched. This earth is unspoiled. And this aqua is uncommonly brilliant. Bay of Loreto is one of the few remaining places on earth worthy of its most common description, pristine. The bay is blessed with enormous amounts of natural beauty, yet is is largely undeveloped. It seems the world is just now discovering how magical this setting really is. In the distance, the five islands that float on the horizon of the Sea of Cortez have formed an ecological barrier creating an underwater concentration of every spectacular sea animal one can imagine. And with the mountains reaching into the brilliant, sun-soaked skies, it is not only hard to believe it is real, it is nearly impossible to endure the moments before you arrive.

I completely agree as the magic of Ensenada Blanca takes my breath away each time I visit, and I get swept up to think "YES, I want a vacation place here". The Villa Group concept is a simple one. Build a resort of uncommon beauty and world class luxury on Mexico’s most dramatic beachside locations. Their master plan for Loreto will feature 1,800 acres of remarkable beauty, including restaurants, a Rees Jones golf course, up-scale timeshares, various ownerships, and grand hotels.

My friend and Loreto Bay neighbor, Brant Roshinsky is the Sales Manager for the Villa Group. Brant gave me a personal tour of the development this week and I was awed by the progress as they only seemed to break ground late last year. The site is very secure and access is only provided by invitation.

There are 3 large buildings under construction at the same time including Building 4 and 7 which are residential time share units and the Commercial Building that will house 41,000 sq ft of spas, retail shops and restaurants. They have a viewing platform which shows the views from a first floor unit and I can only imagine how spectacular the 5th floor would be!!

The master plan includes 165 time share units similar to the luxurious quality of the Estancia in Cabo San Lucas. I have stayed often at the Villa Del Palmar, Villa Del Arco, and Villa La Estancia and each new resort property is better than the last. I appreciate the tasteful furnishings, large open spaces, natural stone floors and countertops. There are plenty of large windows everywhere to enjoy the breathtaking view.

The Villa Group is offering some fabulous preconstruction incentives at this time which make it very attractive to get in early to enjoy the amenities and benefits that will be available as early as next year. Even for those local Loreto homeowners, this is a great place to have a unit for your extra guests or romantic weekend getaways. Brant tells me that they will allow owners to covert their full value into fractional ownership or custom golf course lots in the future when those become available.

The Villa Group has 25 years experience building resort properties in Mexico, and this project is fully funded. There is no risk involved in buying here. I was impressed by the clean and expansive worker housing and food service on site. They have their own construction company and cement batch plant.

The first floor you see is the underground parking and they are already working on the second floor of the buildings. Breaking ground and putting in the mechanical infrastructure is always the most time consuming and I am excited to see the progress from here on in.

Brant is a fellow Canadian and very friendly. If you see him by the Community Pool, say hello and tell him Nellie says hi! For more information on the Villa Group visit www.villagroupresorts.com or email brantb11@gmail.com

Have a great week!

Miss Nellie

Loreto Nellie expands Dorado Properties and Baja BOSS

It is September in Loreto, which means the quietest month of the year. Many residents leave to escape the storms, heat and humidity; and the tourists are far away at home busy with their regular family routines of work and school. Many Loreto business owners take this month to close and vacation as well. All has gone quiet in the rumor mill and there is little discussion of what will happen to Loreto Bay.

We continue to have raining days … grey skies, slightly overcast and the occasional thunder clap, followed by a torrent 5 minutes of rain. If you blink, you just may miss it! However, even a few moments of rain can cause the homes to become saunas in just a few hours. Our Property Inspectors are all busy ventilating and airing out homes to avoid mold and mildew.

Loreto has certainly had its challenges in the last 6 months. First there was the media frenzy of Swine Flu in April; and just when people were realizing that it was not in Baja Sur ... Loreto Bay collapsed all its companies and closed the INN and Golf Course. These facilities remain closed today; however, Fonatur is maintaining both at bare minimum standards until a new buyer can be confirmed.

So many of our friends and business colleagues have left the area, and many have started new businesses. It can be overwhelming to understand all the different players, their roles and responsibilities.

As the owner of Baja BOSS (acronym for Business One Stop Solutions) we offer Property Management Services. There are several good Property Managers available and each differs in their value added services. What we offer that many do not, is that we are an independent company that will pay your Condo Regime Monthly Fees and actively participate in Annual General Meetings and decisions affecting the homeowners. We have no conflicts with other Construction Companies or Rental or Management Companies, so we can wholly act in your best interests. I live in this community and can make a difference.

Our mandate is to provide quick, responsive communication and expedient solutions. We have a program for unfinished Custom and AV Homes for only 600 pesos ($45 USD) per month. We will pay your Condo fees, property taxes, bank trust fees, utility bills, and more importantly you have access to me for all your miscellaneous queries about IRS Form 3520, Mexican Capital Gain taxes, Immigration and Customs, suppliers, vendors, and our concierge services. Visit our new Baja Boss Loreto Newsletter at www.bajaboss.com and see what we do for our clients on a regular basis. We thank all 80 of our clients for supporting us since July 1st, 2009.

Loreto Bay Realty terminated all its employees and closed its doors in June 2009 making Dorado Properties Loreto the ONLY real estate company handling Loreto Bay Resales. So, since I am not one to let an opportunity pass it’s time to get back on the treadmill, set the speed dial, and get ready to hang on! Hope you will join me. It will prove interesting, that I can assure you.

Dorado Properties Loreto Real Estate specializes in Loreto Bay and handles many different projects and individual properties. We are in negotiation with Gerardo Prieto Trevino, owner of Turistica Advisors, to establish a joint venture which will make us the largest broker north of La Paz in Baja California Sur.

Gerardo Prieto Trevino has served as Vice President-Tourism Division since April 2007. Mr. Prieto joined Homex from Grupo Questro, where he served as Sales and Marketing Director. He was also Sales Director at Fonatur from 2000 to 2004.

I am very excited about this new avenue as I have been friends with Gerardo Prieto for many years now. I admire his energy, enthusiasm, management style and am personally in awe of his skill and experience. Be the first to visit our beta site at www.turisticaadvisors.com/ and have a look around.

If you are thinking of selling or buying at the bottom of the market, contact me at Nellie@Doradoloreto.com and I will put you in touch with our experienced sales staff that resides in Loreto Bay. We are a team focused on supporting our community.

In the meantime, watch for our new pricing and announcements October 1st, 2009.

Have a great week!
Miss Nellie

Nellie’s Back in Loreto, Baja California Sur

Time flies when you are having fun … and what a nice summer this has been. I spent much time away from Loreto visiting friends in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, and Halifax. I had vacations in Seattle, San Diego and New York and now feeling rested and with some semblance of balance in a place where time seems to stand still … Loreto.

I brought a 1998 Dodge Durango from my friend Albert Basil, who owns AJ Motors in Los Angeles. I gave the specifications of what I wanted (model, year, color, fabric type, a/c, 4x, miles, and other options) and he found the car at the auction. He drove the car for a month and replaced all the parts that he thought would be necessary so I could have a good safe Baja car. This included a new axle, tires, brakes, steam cleaning the engine, and a brand new radio for my long drive down Baja. The price was great and I feel very confident that the car is in good condition to last me a couple of years of hard off road driving.

I left San Diego about noon on Sunday, Sept 6, and decided to take the Tecate border. It was not that far from where I was staying and it was worth the extra hour drive to bypass Tijuana on a holiday weekend. The border crossing was very fast with no line up at all, and although I got the red light, the Customs Officer was very pleasant and did not search the vehicle too thoroughly, although I had brought very few things other than some food and gifts.

Driving from Tecate to Ensenada is a lovely drive along wine country. I was traveling on my own, so did not stop and visit L.A. Cetto and Santa Tomas vineyards but I always think “next time”. Ensenada is growing with a lot of construction on the main roads. It took much longer than expected to get through the town than I remembered, but I was not in any hurry. Most of the drive from Ensenada to Catavina is not very interesting. There are many small local towns, with as many topes (speed bumps) to slow speeding tourists passing through.

There is plenty of gas along the way, with the exception between El Rosario and Guerro Negro. This is 314 km and only a very small sign to warn you that there is no fuel in between. El Rosario has Mama Espinosa’s Restaurant famous for its lobster burritos and is a good place to fill up your tank and tummy. There is a makeshift gasoline station in Catavina where they will siphon fuel out of barrels into your car, but it is understandably twice the price of Pemex.

When buying gas in Baja it is best to have pesos as Pemex usually gives lousy exchange rates. Also, get out of the car and watch them start the fuel pump at $0.00. A common scam is to place the nozzle in the tank and wait for a few minutes. Then the attendant will ask you for 100 pesos and point to the meter. Many times, he never put any fuel in at all. You will say “no, I want it full”, so he will then start the pump and add the 100 pesos to the total bill. What can you do if you did not watch him from the start?? It’s not worth the altercation for 100 pesos, just remember caveat emptor – buyer beware.

I always am happy to get to Catavina as I know I am approaching Baja Sur which is very different in topography and socially from Baja California (norte). Catavina has the spectacular mountains of large boulders with forests of cactus scattered among them, and then flat plains in the distance. It makes one wonder “how did those giant boulders get there?” Quien Sabe?

I took my time from Tecate to Guerro Negro as I did not know the car well, and it was almost 9 hours. My usual place to stay is Malarrimo Motel because the rooms are clean and the restaurant is decent. For 350 pesos a night, it is all I need.

The next morning I headed off for Loreto, unsure what I would encounter along the way with the hurricane damage. Again, fuel is scarce between Guerro Negro and Santa Rosalia which is about 230 km, so it is recommended that you do not go below half a tank of gas when traveling along Baja.

We learn to amuse easily living la vida loca in Loreto. As I passed this single cow munching happily by the side of the road; I wonder – Why is the most succulent morsels of life always associated with the greatest risk? You can see from the prior photo that the surrounding area is covered with fresh greenery for miles, yet this cow makes his way to the dangerous road to enjoy his feed, totally oblivious to the cars that speed past at 100+ km per hour.

When approaching Santa Rosalia there were road crews working and many flag men directing traffic. It was reassuring to see the heavy equipment, bull dozers, and dump trucks making endless runs to move dirt and rock back to where it came from. I imagine that Road Crews, the Military, and CFE Electrical crews have been working non stop for the past 5 days to make the roads passable and safe.

It was slow going but everyone was in good spirits and very friendly. I had a cooler of water bottles in my car and was passing them out to those that looked a little parched in the hot sun. It’s the least I could do for safe passage thanks to their tireless efforts at minimal wages.

To see how Hurricane Jimena decimated the main square in Santa Rosalia was very sad indeed. Many parts of the town on higher ground seemed intact, but near the old railroad station and main square, there was an obvious mud slide and raging river of water that had left much destruction it its path.

Moving along to Mulege the damage was much worse. These photos were taken from the car as I was driving down the main highway through town. It was shocking just how much damage the storm caused. Luckily very few were hurt and anyone living in Mulege must know the risks involved with tropical storms of any magnitude.

I turned into town to take some better photos however, the roads were so backed up and there was still a lot of cleanup going on, so I backed up and decided not to be a curious tourist and let the crew do their job.

The homes along the river in the middle of town were the hardest hit. Many were just remnant walls of their former self and people were scattered around picking up the pieces. Every few years Mulege gets hit hard and yet the people rebuild and stay until the next bad one. There must be a magic in Mulege that I do not see? However, many people probably say the same about Loreto.

From the bridge you can see all the flatten palm trees and washed out roads. The famous octagon shaped home that was in the center of town under the bridge appeared as though it had been completely overtaken by the water current and although I could not get close enough to see, most windows had been blown out and there appeared to be little furniture inside.

Onto a lighter note, it was nice to get to Bahia Concepcion and see the beautiful Sea of Cortez again. With the Sierra Mountains as protection from the East, there was no damage or rock slides in this area as I drove south. The contrast of the lush green mangroves and hillside landscape compared to the rocky peninsula and still blue water is always amazing to me. It is like a breath of fresh air every time I drive this road.

For miles and miles there are no residences or commercial buildings. It is pure unadulterated natural beauty. The beaches are white sand and pristine. The road is good and curves the mountains like a rollercoaster ride. Only an hour away from Loreto, it is a great day trip to pack a picnic, swimsuit, and visit an undiscovered place that is new to you.

Along the way there are more cows, goats and horses feeding along the side of the road. When I pull over with my music blasting and roll down the window, they curiously look at me the same way I must be looking at them. I snap my camera and move on, before this guy decides to chase me away from his young herd.

Anyways, that was my third drive down in the past three years, and I would recommend it to anyone. There are about 6 military stops, but they are mostly checking cars for drugs heading north. As long as you are respectful and patient, there is nothing to fear but fear itself.

Stay tuned next week and see what I have been up to this summer when not vacationing. It’s a whole new chapter in Where In the World is Nellie? Soon to be a mini-series I am sure!

Have a great week!
Miss Nellie

¡hasta luego! See you later!

As I had coffee on my deck in Loreto Bay this morning, I relished in the complete solitude and silence. Even at 7 am it is 84 degrees with 95% humidity with no relief of breeze or shade. There is no person, bird, or animal as far as the eye can see and not even the sound of crickets or bees to break the trance-like state of being. As I look out onto the lush green golf course and waves lapping against the beach in the distance, surrounded by the backdrop of mountains … I realize that this is a desert and it can be a lonely place.

It is a wonderful reprieve for a short vacation or even an extended stay for a month or more, to get away from reality and the worries of everyday life. No matter where you live it is the same juggling of priorities between family, finances, career, and pleasure. For those that chose to make Loreto Bay our home, it has become a revolving door of unfilled expectations.

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

The remaining employees of TSD Loreto Partners are gone and the company ceased operations last week. All Loreto Bay email addresses and phone numbers have been terminated, so no point in calling or writing. Elvis has left the building.

Sometimes I feel like the last person remaining, and it is no prize. There are many good friends and people that contributed to the dream over the years that have moved on and will always fondly remember being part of something great. There are a few who are choosing to stay and start new ventures in the hope of finding what they are looking for. To each it is different. This is definitely a rough patch for everyone. For some it appears subliminal and others feel the Fight or Flight Response. For me, it is more of an awakening.

Having absolutely no idea what to write about this Sunday, I checked out my horoscope. Not something I live my life by, but hey… sometimes clarity comes when we least expect it. Today it read …

You are a lover of the mystery of life, yet sometimes you long for straightforward answers. Unfortunately, there's no easy way out; you must be satisfied exploring for a solution to your questions, rather than finding exactly what you're looking for today. However, keep in mind that this is not about giving up; it's about letting go.

Ironically this is exactly how I was feeling. I am not giving up on my goals of community, prosperity, and quality of life. However, it is time for me to let the Loreto Bay vision go. The dream was not a mistake, or even a failure. It allowed thousands of people the opportunity to step outside the box and commit to an unknown promise, and I truly believe we are all better for it. Loreto Bay Company put this area on the map and helped many Mexicans with jobs and increase their land values and living standards. There are many positive signs for the future here.

The Loreto Bay Homeowners are united under the Condominium Regimes and are meeting their challenges together to create a great place to live. Remember all the issues that are surfacing now were here for quite sometime. The only difference is now homeowners are empowered with the knowledge to make a difference. It is my personal opinion that what has transpired over the last month should have happened a year ago when it was clear RePlay was not the white knight. However, it is difficult to convince people who want to continue to believe that the problems would go away or be solved by those that created them.

Since there is no more Loreto Bay Realty Company; DORADO Properties Loreto is now the only Real Estate Company able to adequately represent the true value of these homes. We are increasing our sales team for the fall when we expect to see increased activity, and it is important that we maintain stable pricing as we still believe there is terrific value in these homes and future development.

Several weeks ago FADESA the Spanish group developing San Bruno 30 kms north of Loreto, had an open meeting in Loreto to announce that it was again starting its plans to move forward. The discussion was mainly around changing their MIA (Urban Plan) and Environmental Impact Assessment to fit better with the limitations of the area. Their plan is still for hundreds of homes, golf course, and a multi million dollar development. It could be two years before they start construction and/or sales, but times passes quickly.

The group that own the old Whales Inn Hotel, which was doing sales under the J.W. Marriott flag, are still around. They are simply putting the project on hold until the economy improves.

The VILLA Group in Ensenada Blanca is continuing with its construction and already starting the second floor of their first building. They have quite a set up with their own cement plant, worker accommodation and are self contained. Their new Santa Fe Hotel downtown next to Domingo’s Steak House is expected to be open this October.

Dorado Properties Loreto represents a new project called Amala which is located at the mouth of Baja Concepcion and consists of 30 one acre parcels on the beach, starting at $400,000 USD. We are marketing this property to those that want space, a truly environmentally sustainable product, and common care services (ie. housekeepers, cooks, shoppers, gardeners, etc) living on the premises to take care of the residents.

Fonatur is busy putting in a new malecon in Zaragoza (between Loreto and the airport) and have many large trucks and heavy equipment in doing what it does best… build roads.

People know that I avoid rumors and misinformation whenever possible; however, the latest one seems to have merit from inside sources. It will be interesting to hear the announcement of the new owner and watch the reactions of both local and foreigners. Change is never easy, but it is necessary and usually takes us to a better place.

People visiting often want to know my opinion or what I know about the latest gossip. I tell them: "Any information more than 5 minutes old has expired". Living in the past or future doesn’t leave much attention for the present. I intend to live in the present and seize the moment.

Considering that I had writer’s block this morning, it appears that I have run on quite a bit. It seems inappropriate for me to comment further on past or future speculations in this public forum. It also feels uncomfortable for me to write about my adventures and trips away when there is so much angst around us. So, I will be taking a break from this blog for the summer to focus on ramping up my Property Management and Real Estate companies for the fall. Will I return to writing Where In the World Is Nellie? Quien Sabe?

Thank you for tuning in and sharing my journey. It has not ended, just taken a detour and respite. Have a great summer!

See you in Loreto!

Miss Nellie

Only one way to go ... and that is UP!

It was overcast today and looked like rain. There was a bit of thunder and Mother Nature tried hard and it did rain for about 15 minutes, but mostly all we got was 74%humidity. The cloud cover and wind made it a cool 84 degrees, but when the humidity is this high, it always feels at least 10 degrees warmer. Last week my car registered 108 degrees and if it did not spend three years in Scottsdale, I would fear that it would melt.

In this heat, we crave fruit and vegetables and they are even more scarce in the summer months. The lack of refrigeration in the smaller stores means that the fruit ripens instantly and generally goes bad before it is sold. However there is the Juice Shop which has cold coconuts, fresh fruit, and can make any assortment of smoothies and freshing fruit shakes at your request.

The owner/operator is Gabriel and he is from Huatulco. He is open for business 7 days a week from 6 am to 8 pm and a very hard worker. Drop by for a cool one and light snack, and rest in the shade at the tables inside. It is located kitty corner to the Mision Church along the boulevard of shops. You can't miss all the green foilage and large coolers in the front. Tell him BajaBOSS sent you.

Another great escape from the heat is the Clam Shack (Vista Almejas)located on the highway between Loreto Bay and Pt. Escondido. It is rustic, with plastic furniture in the sand, but the naturales almejas (raw clams) are a sweet treat if you are not skimish that they are still moving when you squeeze lime juice on them! Brycen and Jared from Calgary were bold enough to try them ... are you?

Boys will be boys, and being in Loreto we can step outside the box just for a while. Live in the moment and be a little crazy. Never be too old to play!

During difficult times, communities come together. With so few people in residence in Loreto Bay, I find we stop more often to talk to neighbors that we ordinarily don't see or are too busy. Today my neighbor of the last 3 years called and asked to borrow an onion. I laughed and said that was perfect because I needed 1/2 cup of milk for a receipe tonight and didn't want to face my dry sauna car and drive to town.

The Community Pool is becoming a natural gathering place in the late afternoon. People are happy and chatting, and there is always a blender close by. It is the place to find your neighbors and future friends.

Things have settled down a lot in Loreto Bay. All LBC employees were paid their legal severance packages, and there is no longer the desparation of a few weeks ago. Many people have left the area for good; some have taken vacations; and some are investng their money to start new companies. People are working and staying busy, and have adjusted their expectations. All good.

I have had many inquiries regarding my private website for information on Loreto Bay. If you would like to view the same for a two months with no obligation, just send me a email to nellie@bajaboss.com with a note, and I will add you as a user. This is particularly good for AV and custom owners with no finished product and no one on the ground to turn to. Do you really want to trust the same management that put you in this predictment?

Call me at 602 628 2820 or email me at nellie@bajaboss.com