January 23, 2023 :: Jon


Jon Klist was born September 3, 1956 in Olean, New York, where he earned top marks in school despite playing hooky and earning pocket change as a pin-setter at the Eagles Lodge bowling alley. At the age of twelve, he hitchhiked to the Jersey shore just to see the ocean, and he's been a traveler ever since. He attended school in Brussels, Belgium, and began his career as a garçon dé tâche at a turbine factory in France. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and he lived in the area all his life. Despite a devastating diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, he embraced each day with passion and creativity.
Jon's entire life was a love story to his family and to his art. He took his kids camping and spelunking, taught them to swim at Barton Springs, and led them on long hikes and cross-country drives to the Pacific Northwest. His dad jokes knew no end, from the coyote bringing carrion luggage on board to the picture that got framed.
He loved books and music, especially the novels of William S. Burroughs and the music of Frank Zappa. He could grow any vegetable and grill any steak to perfection.
Jon was known for his fashion sense, which involved tie-dye, suspenders, neon orange socks with crocs, and his signature red glasses.
A gentle spirit who was completely at home in the world, Jon expressed himself eloquently through art. He explored many aspects of visual art, and developed his talent over forty years, leaving a legacy of more than 600 paintings. He drew inspiration from the dramatic landscapes of Texas and the places he traveled, setting up his paint box and easel to capture  moments of beauty wherever he went. In 2022, his life's work was displayed at the legendary JK Gallery in Seguin, Texas.
Jon passed away as gently as he lived his life, at home surrounded by his loved ones. He is survived by his daughter Joelle and her husband Michael, his son Jeff and Jeff's wife Viviane, his perfect granddaughter Louise, his sisters Susan and Lori, his mother Lou, and Dee Neff, the love of his life. We will never laugh the same again.

"Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when people look at that tree or that flower or landscape you painted, you're there."
 -Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

Hotel Xcaret Arte :: Playa del Carmen :: December 22




We booked a week here based on a YouTube video!  The property is mind-blowingly beautiful, with incredible pools, beach access, friendly and helpful service, everything you’d expect from a luxury resort.

The room was splendid and well-stocked with amenities, a fridge, coffee service, water, and snacks. Special touches abound, from the cool facial by the pool to the sweet potato and plantain cart in the evening to the poolside fruit and street food. The waiters and workers were all impeccable. With few exceptions, all-inclusive really means all-inclusive–cocktails, snacks, admission to the adventure parks. (The parks are wonderful, especially Xenotes and Xenses.)
But do pay attention to non-included items before ordering that bottle of Brunello, because it’ll set you back $200.
Every restaurant we visited was fantastic. We kind of regretted signing up for the $120 Xaax restaurant, which featured a Mayan tasting menu. Although the space is beautiful and there are good wine pairings, it wasn’t noticeably better than the included restaurants: Encanta, Chino Poblano, Apopchoa, and Cayuco. Upon arrival, we were told Encanta and Chino Poblano were fully booked, but then we managed to book a table by visiting the restaurant directly. Both were SO worth the extra effort. So if they’re booked, keep asking!
A few demerits–they’re minor, but they add up.
1. The in-room phone never worked properly–not for us or for the hapless worker who came to help sort it out. It was easier to walk to the registration desk for assistance. Calling room service–that works. Calling the front desk? Easier just to walk there.
2. Pro tip: Don’t stay in a room near one of the hanging bridges. The bell carts, housekeeping carts, and groups of guests passing by sound like a rugby team thundering past at all hours.
3. Housekeeping: There were a couple of days when the room wasn’t serviced until late in the day–around 4-5pm one day, and we had to make a request (in person, because the phone didn’t work).
4. Also, be forewarned–upon check-in, you get a personal orientation and escort to your room. This is really helpful, but then you’re subjected to a lengthy sales pitch to set you up with a “free breakfast” and a “free trip to Turkey” and some resort credits in exchange for sitting through a “90-minute” breakfast and presentation to invite you to join the Mexico Destinations Club.
Note to the resort: Your guests have just finished a 6-hour flight and a 1.5-hour bus ride to get to you. They are exhausted and starving. So PLEASE don’t make them sit through a 45-minute sign-up pitch the moment they arrive. They might be more amenable to joining your club if you give them a chance to enjoy the resort a little before plunging them into the sales seminar.
Suggestions: We liked the creative workshops and activities. How about a happy hour featuring conversational Spanish classes? Yoga classes? Salsa dancing? We’d love to improve our Spanish!