As COVID cases began to decline (again), we expanded our social outings, accomplished our volunteer responsibilities, and hosted Ben, Al, and Jackie Barnhardt, Larry's nephews and niece, from North Dakota and Nebraska. They are our first house guests since May of 2019.  The weather was a bonus.  Here we are posing by a stack of bulbs or core of the Blue Agave, called Pina, ready to be baked, juiced and distilled into tequila. 

When the kids arrived, Glorine surprised them with this berry cream cheese dessert with layers of local raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries.	This is the first time Ben and Al have visited Mexico and they fell in love with it. We introduced them to Michelada, which became their drink of choice.
We spent Sunday at LCS's Open Circle, then later at the Concerts in the Park featuring Debby Holiday, who did an awesome tribute to Tina Turner, only as Tina could have performed them.	We took a two-day road trip to the city of Tequila. There, we watch Flying Dancers climb to the top of a 30 foot pole, then launched themselves tied to ropes as they descended in a circle to the ground.
Tequila is a Magic City and home to over 150 tequila distilleries. Many of them offer tours, both in Spanish and English including options to sample their wares.	The barrels used to age tequila come from US whiskey distilleries and are used up to five time, before being discarded and after which some are used as Tequila Barrel Art.
The ancient Tequila Volcano (background) produced the rich red soil that now produces the blue agave. It takes seven years to mature with an estimated five million agave plants growing throughout the region.	Our next stop was the city of Magdalena, famous for its fire opal and obsidian gems. Jackie's husband is a rock hound, so she spent time shopping while the rest of us enjoyed touring the city plaza.
Next, we toured Hacienda El Carmen (now a hotel, spa and gourmet restaurant) built in the 16th century by monks, but never used as a monetary. The hacienda includes 500,000 acres of farmland.	On the way home, we toured Guachimontones, one of the only ancient ruins in the world whose structures were built in nearly perfect concentric circles. Used mostly for rituals by theTeuchitlan people, these ruins were occupied beginning in 300BC and 350AD.
This center pyramid is one of three that have been excavated and stand 60 feet tall. They are roped off so visitors cannot climb them. There are seven more that have not yet been excavated.	This would become their favorite restaurant the week they were with us. It is located in Jocotepec, about 20 miles west of Ajijic. Pedro, who took over from his father makes the MOST awesome tacos.
After our second trip to Jocotepec and when most places had closed, this guy, welcomes us into his bar and shows us how to make Michelada the right way.	After Ben and Al got test for COVID, we went to Panchos, to wait for the results and enjoyed a Michelada. Larry couldn't  resist taking this picture of Ben with this message.
After we dropped Al and Ben off at the airport, we took Jackie to this AirBnB in Tlaquepaque, where she was meeting up with a friend from Nebraska to tour Guadalajara, San Miguel de Allende and Sayulita.	Another volunteer gig Larry has is being a driver for the Behind the Walls Home Tours. They raise money for students with special needs. The tour includes four eloquent homes that owners open to the public. Not the casita in the back of this home.
Here is the interior of the casita, with a full kitchen, dining, bedroom and bath.  It is the best use for 400 square feet in Ajijic.	This manicured lawn and garden was nothing short of spectacular.  They have two gardener that come in a couple times a week.
Pools are the center piece of most of the homes in the Home Tour. This one sports a hot tub with water that cascade into the pool.	This home has a huge patio overlooking Lake Chapala with a covered patio that was designed to let two Bermuda Palms grow through it.
Dinner with friends. This would be the first time in two years that we dined out with four couples.  It included live music and the best jambalaya ever.	Glorine spent time with other FoodBank Lakeside volunteers practicing a speech they will be giving at an upcoming Open Circle set for March 6th. Break a Leg!