Update 2: Porter and I Living in La Ventana Baja Mexico

SO EXCITED to be making travel videos to share on YouTube!!! Porter and I hope you tune in to watch as we make our way around the world.

For the last month, we have been living in La Ventana and it could not be a better place for Porter. We rent a house that is both safe and private. We have one neighbor. Porter explores daily. For me, I try to spend days on the water with whales and rays or at home watching birds and editing photos and videos.

Let’s dive in.

The small town is growing, prices are rising, not quite the prices of Cabo. Which is the most expensive place in all of Mexico.

La Ventana is small, not a single stop light and it is roughly 2 hours from everything in southern Baja. It is perfect for us.

The Sea of Cortez is magical every month. For example:

March = Mako + Blue sharks Fin + Blue Whales

April = Humpback, Sperm, Pilot, Fin, Minke, Bryde’s Whales

May = Mobula Rays, many birds, and Whale Sharks

June = Peak Mobula, Sea Lion babies, Birds, Whale Sharks

It would be easy to say shark fishermen are awful monsters. But, they are men, who risk their lives to provide for their families.

Most have been fishing for generations. It is all they know. Which is why I am thrilled to share the following:

Porter is living his BEST life!!! I am proud of the dog he is and happy every single day for him. La Ventana is the best thing that could ever happen for a dog. Not a single one lives on a leash. Porter is free to be a dog and roam as he wishes. And, roam he does!

As I type this, the stinker has snuck out to go see his doggo pals and hang out with our Canadian neighbor, Scott.

Porter after his dental procedure, Black lab with space blanket

As you may already know, Porter had a dental cleaning plus one tooth pulled. Being that he is on strong meds for his seizures, clearing the fog of anesthesia was a challenge. Rest assured, the next day he was running the beach and sniffing his way to the nearest restaurant hoping for treats.

5,000 mile service on our 2023 Toyota Tacoma

In two months : 5 to 5,000!

Thankfully, we are close to a certified Toyota dealership.

Happy to change the oil, top up fluids, rotate tires, and have a clean ride.

The truck is still nameless, if you have any suggestions, please let me know. I would like to have something Native American that would be after my dad.

Thrilled to be living in dark skies where I can easily camp just about anywhere and practice my night photography. A time lapse of The Milky Way moving will be on my YouTube channel soon.

Hi From Ashley in a red rash guard, sunglasses and a big smile

I am planning adventures and preparing for friends from Bermuda to visit for a few weeks.

Right now, the plan is to keep La Ventana as our home base until July 1st. After that, we will slowly travel up Baja and camp at spots I scouted on the way down.

We will cross back into the US at the end of July or August.

In the states, we will explore National Parks until our overland build is ready to be installed.

PS. The next update is going to be super cool! Recording in progress, capturing the world from Porter’s point of view. With a little MacGyvering, I was able to mount my DJI Osmo to Porter’s backpack. Stoked to share!