Turn Left at the Cactus

Show Notes: Tune into Cactus Connection for a lively report  on happenings in and around San Felipe! From the El Dorado swap meet to exclusive scoops on Shrimp Festival and Songwriter’s By the Sea collaborations, we're diving into local events, special tributes, and community highlights. Get ready to mark your calendars and join the fun in San Felipe's vibrant life—with extra details thrown in, ri...

HEY, yes YOU! It'll take less than 4 minutes of your time! Take a listen! In this Introductory Episode to Season 3 of Turn Left at the Cactus we'll tell you what you stand to gain from putting our pod on your pod follow listen list! AND, you get to hear our very special, first time aired, debut of the official TLAC pod jingle created by our very own, newly appointed, music producer: Tricia Sikes....

Season 3 Episode 44: George Peters and Raceland [This episode contains descriptions of an event which some listeners may find disturbing.] Show Notes: Dive into George's remarkable life story, from a childhood sparked by curiosity and innovation to his impactful career in the film industry and the adrenaline rush of off-road racing. Learn about his deep connection with San Felipe, his passion proj...

Show Notes: Join us as Karen Hefner shares her voyage from the Pacific Northwest to “igniting spirits” in San Felipe. Dive into her fascinating world as a single mom, alternative healing and personal growth facilitator, traveler, and part-time resident discovering her sanctuary in Pete's Camp. Her story of trials, tribulations, and finding her frequency showcases the transformative power of commun...

SHOW NOTES: Building in EDR: Rules, Tips, & TRC Insights with Ron Enzweiler Join Tricia and I as we chat with Ron Enzweiler, civil engineer and EDR Technical Review Committee member, unpacking the sometimes-confusing world of Homeowners Associations and the Technical Review Committees. We look at the guidelines, responsibilities, and homeowner tips for ensuring a harmonious community here on T...

Wherever you may be--on the road, thinking about being on the road, or, already here in San Felipe--WELCOME BACK! We have a great season of really interesting folks lined up as guests this season. We hope you will enjoy listening to their stories--why they came, why they stay or return, and what they love about the area. Join us now for season 3 of Turn Left at the Cactus!

Show Notes: Join us on a journey with Marnie J. Ross, who shares thoughts of her life as an expat in San Felipe, Mexico, and dives into her work as an author of murder mysteries. Marni shares her experiences, from everyday cultural nuances to the world of pickle ball inspired novels. Key Points • Marnie's transition to life in San Felipe • Cultural observations in Mexican traffic • Discoveries...

Show Notes: Join us as we explore the amazing struggles and triumphs of Carol Dougherty and Wendy Sanguinetti, two passionate souls who, with the help of many volunteers, have  transformed their lives for the love of stray and abandoned dogs in San Felipe, Baja, Mexico. Relive their inspiring journey through an intense and informative conversation that uncovers the stark reality of what it takes t...

 Show Notes Strap in as we join forces with Mike Lawrence and Dawnette Carpenter on an exhilarating ride called "Racing for Boobs." This annual all-women’s off-road race doubles as a crusade against cancer, raising funds, and awareness in a flurry of dust and determination. From breast cancer survivors to newbies behind the wheel, hear how these racers and their off-road machines power t...

Show Notes: In this conversation, Tricia and I dive into the journey of Carol and Jayna as they share their transition from California to Oregon to finally settling in on snowbirding from Montana to San Felipe, Baja, Mexico. Their tale weaves through beginnings in a landscaping business in Oregon to adventures and new discoveries in the desert of Baja, Mexico. Key Points: Swapping Oregon ranch for...

Show Notes Dive into an interview with Rotarians, Lou Dezarn and Tina Sweeney, as they whip up a blend of Rotary's spirited missions, projects and San Felipe's Taste of San Felipe. From eradicating polio to fostering education, to development of first responder services, get a taste of their passionate endeavors as well as information about the Taste of San Felipe event, all seasoned with...

Show Notes: Dive into the delicious detours of San Felipe with Turn Left at the Cactus' hosts, Cal Whedbee & Tricia Sikes, as they chat with Lou Dezarn and Tina Sweeney about the annual Taste of San Felipe . Sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Felipe , it's a walking tour with a twist—gastronomic gems await at every corner! From starting points tips to social sips, get the skinny on on...

This narrative paints a vivid picture of an expatriate's immersive journey—navigating changes, embracing simplicity, advocating for sustainability, fostering connections, and appreciating the diverse tapestry of nationalities in the vibrant community of Mexico.

Show Notes: Dive into Steve and Leslie's captivating journey from the Bay Area to San Felipe, where they stumbled upon a new home and a life dedicated to community service. From culturally rich beginnings to heartwarming charity work, this episode offers a profoundly personal glimpse into the lives of two expats transforming their slice of paradise by giving back. It's a tale of culture cl...

Tales from San Felipe: Life, Laughter, and Lemonade: An interview with Christine Buffaloe Summary Dive into the dynamic journey of a Milwaukee native as she embraces San Felipe's vibrant culture, from trivia nights to desert walks to the Baja 250. Discover heartwarming stories, cultural hurdles, and the joy of making Mexico home. From trivia defeats to embracing Baja life, motorcycle experienc...

Dive into Jeanie Young's inspiring tale as she takes us through her youth, global adventures, life modifications, and how her entrepreneurial spirit led to opening My Baja Nest in San Felipe, Mexico. This episode is a blend of personal memoir and business inception, seasoned with a taste of local culture. Key Points My Baja Nest: Unique home goods Jeanie's global escapades in the '90s...

Summary This podcast explores the Parrot Head Club, a social club dedicated to promoting a laid-back lifestyle inspired by Jimmy Buffett's music. It discusses the annual Songwriters Festival, where talented artists come together to showcase original Trop Rock music and pay homage to Buffett's influence as a songwriter. The festival creates a sense of community and celebration of life throu...

Summary In this episode of "Turn Left at the Cactus," Warren Sundquist joins hosts Cal Whedbee and Tricia Sykes to delve into their shared experiences in San Felipe, El Dorado Ranch, and the off-roading community. They discuss topics such as building straw bale homes, the love of solar energy, volunteer organizations, two-way radio communication during desert runs, the use of Starlink fo...

Series by the Sea: A Community Baseball Fundraiser in San Felipe/A Conversation with Elena Enzweiler Summary This transcript highlights the upcoming community fundraiser, Series by the Sea, which aims to foster unity between foreign nationals and Mexican nationals in San Felipe through a softball game. The funds raised will support baseball and softball leagues for both youth and adults in the are...

In this interview, hosts, Cal Whedbee and Tricia Sikes discuss the early playing of Christmas music in October and the involvement of a renowned violinist, José Tovar. The conversation then shifts to their upcoming guest, Al Hague, an ex-Marine and published author, who has become a supporter of José's Young Musician's program. It is revealed that Al is sponsoring a Christmas concert in Oc...

Summary Al Hague and Nicole Cougher discuss the upcoming Jose Tovar Christmas concert aimed at raising funds for the Youth Academy for Young Soloists in San Felipe. The concert will showcase performances by Jose Tovar, Augustine Andre, and Jamie Jose Aguire across various music genres. Al and Nicole emphasize the significance of live music and the importance of supporting young aspiring musicians....

This is the second in a 2 part, end of summer Fork in the Road outlining a few upcoming events and a bit of local news for September, October, and November of 2023. If you are enjoying this podcast, please give us a llke and take a moment to let us know in the comments. You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify and follow us on Face Book.

This special September edition is one of a series of experiments to see if the community of San Felipe is interested in a weekly news & information edition of the podcast. If it resonates with you, and you find it useful...or, interesting, and, would like to see us continue, please let us know by answering our questionnaire or sending us a message either through cactusleft@gmail.com. or, throu...

In this, our final episode for Season 1 (We will be back with Season 2 in October)-- Tricia and Cal are joined by Marnie Ross and Linda Wiggins for a relaxed, informal conversation looking back over the year and sharing thoughts, feelings, and stories about everything from moving to San Felipe to experiences with getting around town. It was an opportunity to be silly and serious as we discussed st...

In Episode 13 we were introduced we were introduced to Chris Steger. Chris is from Phoenix, Arizona. He served several tours of duty in the U.S. Navy before making a career in the field of fiber optics. He has been coming to San Felipe since 2005. Although he still has a few more years to go before retirement, he has chosen to make San Felipe his home base even though he continues to work in the U...