I just learned that my daughter and her young family will be here next month! I’ve really missed my spunky little Jossy and will finally meet the family’s newest member, her nine-month-old brother Jackson. I want them to have a great visit, to consider Vallarta their second home and love it here as I do. So, my mind’s racing with things for them to see and do, but how to narrow it down to what can be done in 14 days?

Son-in-law Mark is an avid bicyclist and golfer, so maybe he’d like to do this and that and then… Stop! They undoubtedly have their own agenda. My role in their trip should be nothing more than to welcome them with open arms and let them know their options, which is pretty much the principle I try to adhere to when I write about Vallara – but it’s not easy.

Because I love and care for the town, it’s natural there are outcomes I would like to see for it. For example, I make no bones about feeling very strongly that reducing the number of city buses on the roads and ensuring the remaining ones are safe is an urgent priority. When newcomers ask my opinion about potential dangers here, all that rolls off my tongue are dire warnings about the buses – particularly when getting on and off of them.

If you feel that a driver’s behavior is reckless, you can do your bit to eventually bring this untenable situation to a head by calling 060 and stating clearly the number of the vehicle, where it was traveling, the time at which you noticed a problem, and what the problem was. In turn, you will be asked for your name, telephone number and address. I’ve been assured by the head of the police that your personal information remains confidential and that a phone call can be the end of your involvement. I like to think that if enough of us do this, critical mass will be reached and a paradigm shift will take place in the way this town moves people.

And move us it does, Vallarta touching each of us differently and often in unexpected ways, which is why I live here after experiencing quite a bit of the world. Yet, I still lust for new frontiers. They’re just a lot closer to home these days! My absolute favorite thing has always been to walk down a street and not know what I’ll find when I turn the corner. Well, with over 120 “colonias” or neighborhoods to explore, I’ve got my work cut out for me.

It’s fun to get out of town now and then, too. The bustling village of El Tuito, a mere 30 miles north, provides a welcome respite from the summer heat. Home to several species of pine trees and a population of 3,513, give or take, its attractive shaded plaza is fun to stroll and a neat little café on the square provides comforting java jolts. To overnight in this laid-back environment, check into the 40-room Real del Valle with its big round pool, AC, TV, and rates ranging from $300 to $500 pesos. The bilingual front desk knows about all the nearby diversions, including horseback riding and fishing.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions about what you’re reading, you’re encouraged to let me know at heather@mexmags.com.