Springtime at Los Dos

Last May, six delightful, frequent visitors to my B and B, Los Dos, invited me to Ontario. Thanks to these warm and generous hosts, I got to sample the best of a northern spring after living for thirty years south of the border. Having spent my childhood in northeastern Ohio, it was a special treat for me to see fields of tulips, smell the incomparable perfume of lilacs, and witness the uniquely tender shade of green that only appears after the rigors of a northern winter.

Thanks to last's year's immersion in a northern spring, my eyes are more attuned this year to my own garden. I'm paying more attention to my purple and mauve iris and to the white lilies that begin to bloom at Easter and still are a focal point in the flowerbeds. The lavender jacaranda blossoms that covered the paths for the past month are disappearing, but the brilliant red flowers of the royal Poinciana tree are just starting to appear. And most recently I discovered in a local nursery something that isn't supposed to bloom here – two lovely blue and purple delphinium plants.

The new bi-colored fuchsia and white bugambilia I planted at the entry gate a few months ago is coming into its own now and, as I had hoped, the two colors are blending and tumbling down the outer wall – a lovely welcome to arriving guests.

Manuel, not just the gardener but my man of many talents for over thirty years now, warned me that anything I planted outside the gate wouldn't last long. It would be too tempting to anyone passing by on his way up or down from the mountain. After mulling over Manuel's advice, I cut off pieces from various large cacti dotting the property. Though I was careful, sure enough I ended up with a number of small spines in my hands and fingers. Two and a half months later, the cacti are still in place and even starting to sprout new little branches. They are a welcome glimpse of green amongst the brown and gray rocks, but obviously not that appealing to Calle Rico pedestrians who might want to help themselves..

Most of the snowbird Canadians have returned north, but Jim Murray, a recent guest, made the absolute most of his two-week escape from a long, frigid Ontario winter. He usually works hard all year installing electric garage doors. While here he played volleyball in the mornings, joined a salsa class, celebrated the re-opening of a favorite local bar, and by the night he left, Jim was transformed into a fitter, tanned, more relaxed version of his former self.

Inquiries are coming in now from May and June brides. I'm lucky to receive the overflow from other larger hotels in my area.. Recently Mexican visitors from Puerto Vallarta and Michoacan stayed a few days at Los Dos while they were visiting area healers and shamans..

Yes it's quieter and slower now, but next month the rains begin, as does the heavenly high plateau summer, that season I call "Mexico's best kept secret." Tune in next month to find out why!

Phyllis Rauch is a photo-journalist whose columns and articles are regularly featured in the magazines Ojo del Lago and Lake Chapala Review as well as the websites www.mexconnect.com and www.Mexico-insights.com.

Phyllis and her late husband, Georg, first traveled to Mexico in 1967. In 1974 they purchased their dream property overlooking Lake Chapala, Mount Garcia and the village of Jocotepec. Guests are welcome at her home and inn, Los Dos B and B Villas,
www.losdos-bandb.com and to Georg's on-site art studio.

Copies of his book, The Jew with the Iron Cross, A Record of Survival in WWII Russia are available for purchase as is his unique art work.