Every once in a while, there are special experiences in the neighborhoods on the East Cape. Every year one of our neighbors in Zacatitos would host a Valentine’s Day part with a band (and several times Kenny Loggins showed up to join them). Recently, John and Sue Labate invited neighbors and friends to an afternoon of food, music and friendship at their home in Shipwrecks. The home had started out simple with an airstream trailer and an outdoor kitchen and has evolved to having a swimming pool, casita, a house and a second two story master bedroom suite. They are great hosts and the table in the center of the outdoor kitchen provided a spread of great finger foods and snacks, servers brought around trays of hot appetizers and there was even a large cooler filled with strong margaritas.

I also helps when your next-door neighbors are Russell and Valerie Leal, the lead singer and percussionist for Extra Large, one of the most popular bands in Santa Cruz, California and on the East Cape. The six-member band put on an amazing performance under a palapa beside the pool. Friends talked, got reacquainted, drank, nibbled and listed to the great music, with a view of the Sea of Cortez and an occasional whale breaching.

Here is Extra Large’s version of Bad Company’s “Can’t Get Enough”. Enjoy!

Thank you, Sue, John and Extra Large for a wonderful afternoon.