Backyard Bog Blog

At Welch Homes and Hospitality , we believe that the line between a "vacation rental" and a "home" should be invisible. Since we began our hosting journey in 2014, our philosophy has remained the same: great hospitality is an extension of how you live your own life. Whether we are preparing the Family Cottage for a new arrival or refreshing our own living room at Family Oasis , the goal is to create a sanctuary that feels both curated and deeply personal. Here are our "not-so-secret" ingredients for crafting warm, inviting spaces—whether you’re hosting the world or simply coming home to yourself. The Soul of the Space: High-Low & Global-Local We don’t believe in "showroom" decorating. To us, a room only has a soul when it tells a story. Our signature style is a blend of Canadian craftsmanship and global discovery. Reused & Vintage: We love the character of upcycled furniture and vintage finds sourced right here in Canada. A weathered ...

In December 2025, I cruised from San Diego, CA down the Mexican Riviera and the Sea of Cortez . This 12 day itinerary featured Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo , Mazatlán , Loreto , Pichilingue (La Paz) and Cabo San Lucas as the ports of call. I was looking to do self-guided activities that offered adventure, value and a break from the typical cruise shore excursions. To prepare for the first port of call, Puerto Vallarta, I read some travel blogs and talked to friends who have traveled to Puerto Vallarta, before trying the hike between Boca de Tomatlan and Playa Las Ánimas . This hike was attractive for its scenic offerings of jungle and coastal views full of fishing boats and pelicans. Overall, the duration of the hike, beaches along the way and access by public transportation made this option attractive for my time frame. My partner and I disembarked at the Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port at 8:30am with an all aboard time to be back on the ship at 4:30pm. Our plan was to take the public...