The Gringo, the Old Ranchero, and his Burro

I have traveled to the Los Cabos area in Baja California, Mexico, for over 20 years. During this time, I have shared many beach activities with my kids, including snorkeling and beach camping.

Every time we landed by the airport, I would look over at the mountains (San Lazare is the big peak), and wonder about the wilderness within that rugged terrain. Slowly, over the years, I heard of trails through these mountains and up to a meadow where there are pine trees.

Through a Mexican acquaintance, I planned a route leaving from a ranch to the north of Santiago. The trip reminded me of an old Western- the gringo climbing along narrow mountain trials, followed by the old ranchero, and his burro taking my gear.

We started off at sea level and crossed the desert, and then began an ascent into the mountains. The initial portion was like jungle, with the old Mexican rancher hacking our way and widening the trail with a machete.

We then began ascending the mountains. This was quite steep. At an elevation of about 3,000 feet, I began to see oak trees. At 6,000 feet, pine trees filled the landscape. We crossed one area at about 7,000 feet before descending into the meadow named La Laguna.

It had been an old lake in the past, but after an earthquake, it drained and now consisted of a grass-filled meadow, fed only with a small stream. I slept outside under the stars, and it got a little frosty by morning.

My Mexican acquaintance also introduced me to some of the native plants that could be eaten, including fruit off of a very spiny cactus. I had to handle this with leather gloves to keep the small spines from sticking in my skin.

The downhill trip was not easy, and was very hard on the knees. However, this old man learned some tricks that result in less stress on the knees so that he can make other trips into these mountains.

The overall trip was one of the most difficult I have ever made, but well worth the effort. The trip covered 22 kilometers and an ascent of 7000 feet and took me 10 hours. When I was at La Laguna, I honestly felt that I was in Colorado- in Cabo!

Joseph Bosiljevac

Two Houses in One Oahu Vacation

I just wanted to share my experience with VRBO.

My husband and I traveled to Oahu last April for a two-week stay in the Islands. It was to celebrate our previous 15th year anniversary. What a dream come true.

I started the planning in November of the previous year. I found really low airfare from Tampa to Oahu on America West. Then I started looking for accommodations. I must preface this by saying we own a time-share and chose not to use it for this vacation. I wanted the time-share kind of accommodations, not a hotel.

I had heard that food was expensive, so cooking needed to be an option. I thought there must be people out in cyberspace who rent their time-shares or cottages as well. So I did an online search for condo accommodations and somehow fell into the VRBO site. I was utterly amazed at how many types of accommodations were out there.

I narrowed my search down to studio size places $100.00 a night or less. Then I started looking at the accommodations pictures. Then I went into the comments and sent emails to people who had already stayed in these accommodations. Most people were extremely receptive and offered good advice for other activities as well.

When we finally settled on the north shore I contacted several owners to see availability of their units. Within hours of my email, I received a phone call from Ken & Linda Martin, VRBO Owners of #45480 and #35796. What a relief to talk to someone.

Before we knew it, 20 minutes had passed, and we felt like relatives. We ended up booking one week at the mountain (Jurassic Park) accommodation - #45480, and one week at the beach (Laie) - # 35796. We were not disappointed.

Ken & Linda were wonderful hosts. They went out of their way to make sure we were able to find everything we needed. They had grocery store discount cards, coffee and fresh fruit. They told us what areas were safe to travel to and where the good restaurants were.

I did pre-purchase an entertainment book for Oahu and highly recommend this to anyone. It not only saved us money on food but also on various museums.

I would use VRBO again, and have researched several different locations. I share this site with many people, and several have used it and have been pleased as well. Keep up the good work.

Sandy DePirro

You'll Wish You Could Stay Forever

If you have a chance to get away to Colorado in January, then you should try the Peak View cabin in Nederland, CO – VRBO #75600.

It's a charming, spacious home with all of the extras that make you wish you could stay forever. Sauna, jacuzzi tub, fireplaces, loft, and a beautiful setting. And that's just the cabin!

The village of Nederland is adorable, with some very unique shops. The First St. Grille has a cozy atmosphere with live music and great food.

Just five minutes away is the Eldora Ski Resort (no waiting in the lift lines!), which offers plenty of slopes from greens to blacks. We had a wonderful time...

Steve Thaden

Japanglish

To much of the English speaking population, “the Yakult Swallows” sounds like a high school insult, but many downtown Tokyoites fervently follow these three words like gospel of a nouveau religion.

The Swallows are the underdog baseball alternative to the Yomiuri Giants, who play at the much newer and better-funded Tokyo Dome. Die hard Swallows fans flock to Meiji-Jingu stadium, located near the liberally-minded Harajuku and Shibuya districts, favoring an open-air freakfest to the mainstream modernity of its rival team’s home.

Jingu, built in 1926, is the oldest pro-ballpark in Tokyo, having hosted many of baseball’s greatest- even The Babe himself. It has since been fiddled with, refurbished, and generally freshened up, but the original character of the stadium oozes from every orifice.

As a New Yorker, regular treks to Yankee stadium were an irreplaceable part of my childhood. The games, as they were then, are still as much about the atmosphere as the outcome- the crowd, the sky, the walk to the gates, all pay homage to the sport that is played within the walls.

We devoted ourselves to the home team because we loved the game they played - the way they played it, and the passion displayed by both players and spectators alike. It was our religion.

Walking towards Jingu around game time is a pilgrimage. The magnetism of the stadium is compelling; the enveloping crowds draw you with them, armed with beers and bagfuls of supplies. (For a Swallows game, one must come prepared.)

Once inside, the cheap seats are up for grabs, and you find any place that looks welcoming. And welcomed you are by your neighboring fans, who will most likely save a seat for you at the next game.

They teach you the words to the home-run song. They show you the choreography that accompanies their chants. They lend you their umbrella- the weather is beautiful, but the Swallows have just scored, and you now need to dance with it.

The community is tightly knit, but there’s always more yarn. Almost 7000 miles from Yankee Stadium, I feel at home.

So the Swallows don’t have the best record. These fans take their fun very seriously, and their ritualistic enthusiasm enriches the game beyond stats.

Oh, they know their numbers, but Swallows fans have a dedication, faith, and love for the game that reiterates what any true baseball fan knows.

It’s about the spirit of the team, and for that, the Yakults are unrivaled.

Allison Glister

Best Ski Vacation Ever!

We had our whole immediate family in one place at one time, and it was so great. Now... we are trying to talk extended family into vacationing with us there again.

Thanks again for your great service...
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, VRBO!!!

Don Bunker and Family