Barefoot Diary's Podcast

MARCH 11, 2018 ~ Mexico & Belize Each time we have visited Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula and Belize we feel like we've been dropped into an Indiana Jones adventure story. And even though we never had to crack a whip and never fell into a pit of snakes, each new ruin site provided us great insight into an incredible people (the Mayans) and a thoroughly entertaining experience. You won't want to miss the photos as well as the audio clip of the howler monkeys at: Stairway to Heaven.

MARCH 10, 2018 ~ Mexico & Belize Growing up, I feel like I got a pretty good education in the public schools of Texas, but since we've explored the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and Belize, I've discovered that I knew very little about the Mayans. Okay, okay I knew they had slopey foreheads, and some were cross-eyed, but that's about it. Listen as we share our "aha" moments as we learned about how these wondrous people changed the world. Photos and the written story are at: The Magnificent Maya 

FEBRUARY 27, 2018 ~ Xcalak, Quintana Roo, Mexico Did you ever go on a scavenger hunt as a kid? Fun times, huh? We felt something akin to our childhood exhilaration when we walked the beaches in Xcalak. No messages in bottle, or Spanish doubloons, but we did find some fascinating things that had washed up on the shore. We also found mounds of trash! Not good! Listen to how John started an area beach clean up program as well as check out the cool treasures we found in: All That's Treasure is not Gold

FEBRUARY 22, 2018 ~ Xcalak, Quintana Roo, Mexico We felt a little like cavemen when it came to finding food during our Xcalak house sit. unlike our time after Maria in Puerto Rico, there was an abundance of food, but it just took time, as in HOURS, to get to it. Listen to the sago of our quest for food and then make sure you check out the photos (especially the last one!) that we've posted on our website: Food, Glorious Food

FEBRUARY 2, 2018 ~ Xcalak, Quintana Roo, Mexico I'm kind of a klutz. Balance, grace and charm are not my strong suits and, believe me, I've never been tempted to quit by day job and join a travelling ballet troupe. I've taken tumbles and all out falls in many countries of the world, but this time, here at our gorgeous beach house sit on the Mexican Riviera, the fall served me well and turned me into a fish monitor! Make sure you check out the story as well the photos on our blog site here: Fish Monitor

JANUARY 26, 2018 ~ Xcalak, Quintana Roo, Mexico So, here we are at a wonderful house sit on the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, also known as the Mexican Riviera.  It’s gorgeous! We share the beach with many delightful sea and sand critters, and some of the most fascinating are the hermit crabs. These little guys are the ultimate real estate tycoons as they trade up their digs (shells) as they grow.  You won't want to miss the video we made as well as photos of the occupied and "for sale" shells found on our beach at: Shell Shock

JANUARY 22, 2018 ~ Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico Getting lost is just part of our travel adventure norm. While looking for one of the weekly markets in the Lake Chapala area we got lost...real lost. We ended up in a....well I won't spoil it for you, but if you've ever seen the Disney movie, Coco, you'll appreciate this story. You can read the story and view the photos at: To Market, To Market

JANUARY 19, 2019 ~ Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico Brace yourself.  SPOILER ALERT!!! Prepare to be wowed by some of the cleverest, cuddliest and cutest animals south of the “wall.”   This past November and December, John and I were fortunate enough to get to “critter sit” all the wonderful creatures at Rancho San Francisco in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico. From pigs to peacocks, ducks to dragons (iguanas), horses to hummingbirds, and bunnies to burros, it took only a few days for us to be sappy and giddy in love with each one.   Are you ready to go “awwww…?” Ta Da! Meet the Menagerie!   Make sure you check out the special photo portraits of each animal at : Meet the Menagerie

JANUARY 12 2018 ~ Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico Once upon a time in wonderful kingdom called Mexico, there existed a magical place called Rancho San Francisco. We were fortunate enough to take care of this marvelous spot and over 100 animals that call it home.  We're still smiling all over ourselves! Read and check out the photos at: Rancho San Francisco 

December 31, 2017 ~ Mexico Frankly, 2017 was one of the hardest years we've ever experienced, but physically and emotionally. We lost dearly loved family members and friends as well as almost lost our own lives during hurricanes Maria and Irma. These 2017 tragedies have left us heartbroken, but they have also given us a new resolve about how we will approach things in this new year. Life is precious and none of us know that we will ever see mañana.  This is a reflective piece that gives us hope and new resolve for facing a brand new year. Read it at: Maybe Mañana

NOVEMBER 18, 2017 ~ Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico Hola Amigos! We love Mexico! This is our first trip together as a couple and yes it is the "fun" side of the wall! Listen to our adventures as we explored the Chapala and Ajijic areas.  You won't want to miss the photos and videos about this wonderful place at: The Fun Side of the Wall

NOVEMBER 8, 2017 ~ Dallas, Texas, USA We traveled back to Texas after we left Vieques to wash our clothes, buy new clothes, take hot baths and showers and hug of family and friends. Even though we had only been away five months is was tough acclimating back to the hustle and bustle of city life. We stalled out a lot on our week in Dallas. This story depicts a few things we just couldn't adjust to! Read on our blog at: Acclimation

NOVEMBER 6, 2017 ~ Vieques Island, Puerto Rico On November 2nd, we left behind a shattered island that Mother Nature is slowly, but surely, healing. We left behind friends that are, and will be, precious to us for the rest of our lives.  We left behind an island people that continue to struggle with daily existence, recovery, and a rebuilding process that will take months or even years to complete.    We left behind a part of our hearts. Read along and check out the photos at: Bittersweet Farewell

OCTOBER 17, 2017 ~ Vieques Island, Puerto Rico Bugs, bugs, bugs!!! They are everywhere here on Vieques Island, post Hurricane Maria! We coped the best we could and frankly, this was the worst part of hurricane survival for me. So if this "bug" in your ear is not enough, you can always read and see the cartooned pics at: Bug of the Day

OCTOBER 16, 2017 ~ Vieques Island, Puerto Rico Standing in line for ice, groceries, use of a SAT phone, gasoline, water and relief food was part of our daily existence after Hurricane Maria. In fact, if we hadn't waited in some sort of line each day, we felt like we hadn't accomplished anything for the day. Waiting in line builds leg muscles, patience and character. Listen and/or read about the many lines we experienced during our survival process in: What's My Line?