Mexico Trip

As some of you know we took a mini mexico trip for you that did not know this it was a three day two night but trip to the Rocky Pint Sea of Cortez area to a town called Puerto Penasco.

I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

We left on Monday Jan 21st it is about a 3 to 3.5 hour trip. Basically desert scenery all the way. Our first stop was at National Park and in this are is the Organ Pipe Cactus Mexico is the only place this cactus grows it looks like a cluster of cactus arms all bunched together like pipes guess that is how it gets its name.

When we arrived at Puerto Penasco at 12:00 we were taken to a restaurant for lunch. Then to the hotel it was ok but about the quality of our low end motels. In the afternoon we went to a CEDO Institute where students that are studing Oceanography and told the history of the fish and shrimp that lives there. Much shrimp and clams are harvested there and a lot of other fishing is done there. Above you will see the picture of the fishing boats.

Then we went back to the hotel for a cocktail hour and a dance show by some students from a school of dancing in Phoenix. After the show then it was a buffet dinner.

Tuesday Jan 22 Some of the group went claming at Ochoa Bay where there is one of the lowest tides in the world. We did not go claming. At 10am we were taken to a shopping area if any of you reading this have been to Mexico their shopping areas are one big flea market up and down the streets. So sad the very young children are taught to sell and approach you many times and try to get you to buy.

At 4 pm there was a sunset Cruise for two and half hours. It took us along the north shore of Puerto Penasco where many new condominium buildings are built and or being built. These are located on the Ochoa Bay so a very pretty view of the harbor and the ocean. Very expensive also I understand. After our cruise we were taken to a restaurant to me it was like a cafe in most small towns but the meal was good we had bacon wrapped shrimp dinner. After that back to our hotel for another exhausting day of being on the go.

Wednesday Jan 23 breakfast at 7 am and at 8:30 luggage loaded group picture and we were off to another shopping area. I am surprised that bus could hold all the stuff that the people brought back. Turtles, alligators, of course these are all yard art and many more items. Some brought boose back it was duty free. Also we all could take coolers and bring back fresh fish and shrimp or etc. They packed it in ice for us and all that was loaded on the bus as well. We had a big bus with lots of storage. At 11:30 we headed back for AZ. At approximately 1:30 we entered the boarder and all 50 people had to get off the bus and walk in the building and get checked back in with either picture ID or pass ports. Well we had a couple of young gentlemen checking us all in and what a over whelming sight that must of been when we all march in they were in good humor though they asked some people questions. The guy a head of me was asked if he had ever been in the service he said no the customs guy said oh you look like you might have been. Then it is my turn and he scans my pass port and he says to me do you know Chesty Puller I was shocked to say the least I said no about that time Jerry says he was my brother the customs guy laughed. I guess Chesty Puller was a major in the service 30 years ago. I am not sure why he was picking on me except I was a bit nervous hoping I did not get stuck in Mexico. They only asked a few people if they brought back any commodity. I guess you could bring back up to $800.00 worth before you have to declare it.

Well we are now back to the daily activities and happy that we took the trip and went with the group as if you went a lone you would not have seen or heard so much of the history of this town and area. It would be scary driving down there if you are a lone at least to me and many others that shared that same concern.

Greetings to all our family and friends. Love Barb