The Adventures of Familia Bajaboy

I recently had an epiphany that has greatly altered how I see myself.  I am going to do my best to put into words that realization and what it means for me moving forward. After teaching in public schools in San Diego for 15 years as a math teacher, we made the choice to submit our leave of absences and move to Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico.  For many, the decision seemed abrupt and irrational but not for me.  After strugglng through Covid and watching politics invade public education, I knew the future was bleak, at least for me and my happiness.  People who know little about what happens in the classroom were on television making wild claims and accusations that were far from the truth.  It was too big of a battle for me and I knew I would be misearable moving forward.  While I am speaking for myself, my wife, Tracy, was sharing similar fears.  So our decision was very well vetted and thought out and our kids were also driving forces in the decision.  We packed our bags, sold almost ev

  I have been drinking craft beer for most of my adult life.  It was Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, still one of my favorites, or St. Stans IPA that started it for me almost 25 years ago.  I lived in Fresno, California back when I started drinking beer and back then the craft beer scene was non-existent.  But we did have some decent options at the liquor store.  Some of my early beers that I remember were Liberty Brewing, Russian River, and Stone Brewing. Over the years, I found myself gravitating towards pale ales and India Pale Ales.  I never considered myself a beer geek and still don't to this day.  I do love hanging out with friends and enjoying a good beer, though, whether it's at home, camping, at the beach, brewery, or dive bar.  Hands down, it's one of my favorite activities. So when we started seriously considering moving to Mexico full time, I knew that I needed to learn how to brew beer.  Now don't get me wrong, there is a thriving brewery scene happening in Mexico

After a two year break, the Bahia Asuncion Traditional Festival is back in action.  Yesterday, the beach festival took place with all kinds of activities and competitions.  I was asked to help judge the sand castle contest which was a lot of fun. The festival has a variety of things to do.  There is a carnival area with games and rides.  Close by is a dance with top notch bands from Sonora and other states.  Last night, there were two bands and the music went until about 3:30am.  Here is a video from our deck: We woke up today and decided to get some chores finished.  I brewed up a nice Pale Ale and Tracy is doing some touch up paint.  The kids are busy filming videos as well.  I thought I'd share how we recycle our spent grains from brewing here: Later today, we are going to watch the horse races which are a favorite of ours.  I'll definitely post some videos and pictures.  Thanks for following along!

We recently went to one of our favorite little markets in town, Escondido.   They have a great selection of meat so we decided to pick up some hamburger on a friend’s suggestion.   The young man went back to a freezer and pulled out some cardboard patties.   We were dumbfounded.                 We reached out to our friend to confirm we were at the correct market.   She said yes but the meat we wanted is called carne molido.   We  went back and this time asked for a kilo of carne molido.   The young man pulled out some lean meat and threw it into a meat grinder.   The meat came out very fine and had no fat.   It definitely was not what I was expecting.  It also did not have the expensive price tag of a US meat market.                 After a few days of contemplation, I came up with a game plan for the meat.   I cut up an Italian sausage to add some fat to the meat.   I also added bread crumbs along with my standard seasonings.    The meat now had a consistency a bit closer to wh

 Someone recently asked me this question and here is my response. My grandfather used to take my dad down to Baja. I fondly recall my dad telling me stories of them camping in Ensenada as a kid. Then my dad eventually started exploring Baja as a young man. He drove to Cabo San Lucas before the road was completed. He spent a month or so there before returning. As far as I know, my first time in Baja I was only months old. We camped all over Baja as a kid. I can remember many birthday parties sitting around campfires. My grandparents bought a place next to the old Fox Studios. I used to collect mussels at low tide and fish the rocky areas around there. My first drink was at the Rosarito Hotel...I think I was about 14. I always thought I would inherit my grandparents' place. Sadly my grandfather died of a massive stroke when I was 17 or 18. I went on my pilgrimage to Baja when I was 27 or so. My buddy and I drove my 1993 Tacoma down to Cabo and back fishing, camping, and living the li

After many years of dreaming about making a move, we have finally decided to commit.  We are selling our beautiful house in Spring Valley and moving to our place in Bahia Asuncion to live full time beginning in July, 2021. Our kids will be attending the local schools here and we will supplement their education as well.  As for Tracy and myself, we have started a new business venture, Johnston Family Tutoring .  Our goal is to tutor and teach small groups of students remotely.  We should be open for business in fall of 2021. We have started construction on a garage/fun room where we can play ping pong, watch movies, brew beer, do arts and crafts, sing karaoke, BBQ, and store the surf boards and mountain bikes.  Above will be a new master bedroom and office space for our tutoring business.  This will allow us to double the size of our kitchen space as well.   We are super excited with this addition! We are also excited to pursue another long term goal of starting a big garden here.  Sinc