With hunting season done and the ground covered with snow, it looked like it was time for Lil Annee and me to pack up for what has become our annual getaway from the cold down into Ole Mexico. Last year we turned our annual trip from a one weeker into a full month long sojourn, and had so much fun, we decided to do it again this year. From the efficiency apt we had last year, we moved up to a 3 BR condo right on the beach and enticed Sherril & Don into joining us for 2 weeks. Everyone else we invited to come down promptly declined in fear of drug gang violence reported along the borders. Not to be deterred, we vowed to become southbound wetbacks for the month of March.

Dee, Linda, Mike

At the end of February we headed out in convoy in search of warmer climes and sunny beaches. That nite we bunked over in Flagstaff, then were up running south in the AM. At Phoenix we planned a lil diversion to visit some folks I knew back on the ole E4 ranch in southwest Montana in the 80s. Mike and Linda Morse were lifelong sweethearts who had been living in Tempe since leaving Dillon, MT back in the mid 80s. Mike met us and we followed him home for a great visit. Sure was glad to see these two after 23 years. Hopefully it wont be that long next time.

Sherril, Annee, Mike

That nite we camped on the border at Nogales and slipped quietly across early AM, kind of like wetbacks in reverse. Five hours later we pulled into the great seaside town of San Carlos and decided to lunch at La Palapa, an open air restaurant on the beach. Fred Carter, our realtor, brought us the condo key and we spent the afternoon moving in for our extended stay.

Moondown at Sunrise

First thing to do was catch up with Bruce Watson and Val from up at Campbell River ,BC, who were down again this year to escape the cold of Vancouver Island. We would hit the beach regular for sun and suds, spending lots of time learning about all our BC frens. Then our reunion with them called for a shore nuff steak & shrimp feast with lots of Tequila to celebrate seeing them again. Looked like this was going to be a less expensive trip than last year since the rate of exchange from dollars to pesos was 50% better than last year.

Bruce, Annee, Val, Don

Since we had only two weeks with Bruce & Val and Don & Sherrill all together, it seemed necessary to make the most of it. One day we all went for a hike back into Nacapule Canyon, noted in our posting from last year with Bruce & Val, but for Don & Sherril it was a new treat. From the parking area it was a half mile plus hike back into the waterfall section, but down in the canyon, shaded by towering cliffs, it was like a desert oasis with clear pools and lots of lush green palm varieties cooling the canyon floor. Don & Bruce settled in on some rocks by a pool to talk, while the gals and I hiked on up to the falls that were running dry with the drought they were having.

Annee & Sherril

Bruce & Don

Our days were pretty well spent on the beach, with early AM 3 mile hikes , shelling, or just soaking up the sun betwixt cold cervesas. Lots of times in the afternoon we would head up north about diez kilometers to the Hideout and the Soggy Peso Bar, our favorite beach kickback spot. you could either take a table on the beach or lounge chairs, but with the sun going down, the Tequila flowing, and hot music it was relaxing to say the least.

At the Soggy Peso

All too quickly Bruce and Val had to pull out for Campbell River, so we had a big going away dinner for them. Sure had been good seeing them again. We really need to be thinking about planning a summer trip up to Vancouver Island to see all our old frens there, but, when can we work it in?

Goodby Dinner

We met up with frens Gary & Mary Browning from Montrose, who were spending 3 months in San Carlos. Gary was my retired Farm Bureau Insurance agent, and they were loving being there for multiple months. Gary had his boat down with him, so he took Don & me out one day and we caught lots of strange looking fishes. Another day we joined them for the Carne Asada festival fundraiser for the local school and the food and entertainment provided by various native dance troupes was excellent.

Carne Asada Fiesta

One day Annee, Sherril, Don, & I went over to the Delphinario to see the trained dolphins and sea lions in an enclosure similar to Sea world. It was an excellent facility and the entertainment was both exciting and economical. Then we stopped by the Pearl
Farm for a tour of their growing operation and how the pearls are extracted for jewelry sold worldwide.

Delfinario

Las Perlas

After Sherril & Donny had headed home, Annee & I went over to have dinner with our frens, Jan & John Gray, from whom we had rented an efficiency apt last year on our first visit to San Carlos. We cooked out a great steak dinner, caught up on last years doings, and watched the sun go down. Then on the following Sunday, they joined us for church at a non denominational mission church. I met a gregarious gentleman , David Rey, in line at the bank, and he told us about his bi-lingual Sunday service at his mission. So, the four of us attended and were amazed at the service done both in Spanish & English. It was like taking a Spanish four condensed class. After, we wandered thru David’s citrus orchard and picked juicy grapefruits.

With David Rey

Next up Lil Annee & I joined Gary Browning for a fishing trip back out on the high seas. We loaded up his boat and headed about 15 miles south to a hot spot he had found a few days earlier. We didn’t catch as many fish as Don & I had, but we caught enough to make it interesting. Then, before Mary & Gary packed up to head home to Montrose, they came over to our condo for a fish, shrimp, & steak dinner to put the cap on a great vacation.

Annee

Dee

Mary & Gary

Our last week was spent lollygagging on the beach and with frens Jan & John. They came over one day and we took a kayack trip down the beach and back in the estuary on an incoming tide. We could just ease along and creep up on all kinds of sea bird critters or just beach up for a swim or some shelling. It was a great morning, but by noon we were HUNGRY and ready from a great lunch Annee had fixed.

Jan & John

With Jan & John

Annee & Dee

Lunch

Our last afternoons were spent at the Soggy Peso bar, our favorite afternoon spot, just sunning on the beach and sipping margaritas. Then the day before leaving, we joined Jan & John for brunch at the marina restaurant for a great breakfast.

On the Beach

Paloma Joins the Picture

The rest of the afternoon was spent packing for the return trip home after an all too short month long vacation in Ole Mexico. As the sun went down that nite, we vowed we’d be back, hopefully for longer next time.

The Last Sundown

Next AM we were up and off before light and by noon had crossed the border with only a 15 minute delay. By 5PM we hit Flagstaff for the night and next day slipped in betwixt two snow storms over the mountain passes for cold and snowy Montrose. Boy were we missing the warm beaches already! VAMOS A REGRESAR!

COMING UP

Next issue will include our just completed weekend trip to Moab,UT for Lil Annee’s birthday celebration. The pics are spectacul;ar-you don’t want to miss this trip.

On May 23 we will be hitting the trail for 3 weeks back in Va  visiting kids, grankids, and frens of all stripes.

So, stay turned for notices of upcoming adventures!