mañana

Please don't say mañana if you don't mean it
I have heard those words for so very long
Don't try to describe the ocean if you've never seen it
Don't ever forget that you just may wind up being wrong

Yes I guess there is a bit of a Parrot Head in Judy and Me.   

Well, mañana is almost here and our time here in Mexico is coming to an end.  We have enjoyed our first stay here.  We have not encountered any problems during our month long visit and look forward to coming back. Yesterday we went to the market and picked up fresh scallops and still warm tortillas to put in the freezer.

This morning a crew showed up to wash and wax the rv, polish the wheels, and wash and wax the explorer.

Then we went out to our favorite restaurant La Casa Del Capitan which sits on top of Whale Hill for a farewell meal with Bob, Linda, Earl, and Lynda.

Here are a few snapshots of our last week here.

Oh, one word of wisdom if you find yourself headed this way.  The fermented, distilled juice of the Blue Agave Plant packs a wallop, so be careful.   

P.S.  If you aren't tired of seeing pictures of us and Mexico check out Linda's blog as well

CHOLLA BAY

Yesterday we went with Earl, Lynda, Linda and Bob out to JJ's Cantina at Cholla Bay.  Cholla Bay is an old fishing town which also is home to Americans looking for a cheap place to live.

JJ's is an institution in these parts.  An old tavern with inside and outside seating right on the bay.  This is very much a self serve type place.  Since it was such a beautiful day we opted to sit outside.

After an opening round of margaritas we all ordered fish and chips.

Doesn't sound very Mexican but it was local fish.  We all agreed that the fish was excellent.  The girls decided it would be fun to feed a gull who was keeping an eye on us.

Of course when you feed one gull you soon have lots of gulls.  Later we wandered down to the shore to watch the unique way they pull out their fishing boats.  When you don't have a pier, you make do with what you do have.

They would drive this contraption out into the water pull the boat trailer, hook up the boat and drive back to shore.

We noticed a flock of pelicans who were keeping guard on the breakwater.  Soon one of the fisherman showed up to clean their morning catch.

He would quickly fillet the fish and flip the remains to the pelicans who would fight over it.  We suspect that these fresh fillets found their way into today's fish and chips baskets.

One of the things you come to appreciate is the simplicity of these people's lives.  I know it's not easy and most of them are probably living just day by day, but it does make one stop and think.  As I listen to CNN and FOX  today going on and on about politics and weather, I do envy this simple life style.  Could I trade places with these simple fisherman? Probably not, but it is a lesson in being thankful for all that I have.

6 MORE WEEKS OF WINTER

Well according to Punxsutawney Phil we're in for 6 more weeks of winter.  Not that it matters much here.  But for our friends back in Michigan here's a suggestion.  Build a fire, snuggle up and watch a good movie.  Here's a recommendation.

As for us.  Well we are going with friends for a sunset dinner.

Until later.

Aniversario de la Constitución

So how does one celebrate the first of February in Mexico?  We didn't even know it was a holiday.  But yes the first Monday of February is officially Aniversario de la Constitución.  We discovered this while out shopping.  First we noticed the local school was empty.  Then while at the Super Lay (our local grocery store)  we noticed families everywhere.  Then when we got back and checked on some expected mail, we discovered there would be no mail because it was a holiday.  


So how did we spend our holiday?  Off to the ATM to pick up a few pesos.  Then to the fish market for fresh scallops and shrimp.  Then to the produce market for peppers, tomatoes, avocados, limes and cilantro, then on to Super Lay for cheese, milk and corn tortillas.  I even drove yesterday.  Until now Bob has been doing all the driving, but I decided it was time to learn my way around.  With Bob as guide we were fine.  A few more trips and I'll be on my own.  We made one final stop at the place we get our fresh flour tortillas and they also had fresh tamales.  So we bought two pork and one sweet corn and had our lunch.  


Later that afternoon while we were deciding what to fix for dinner, Earl (one of the Quartzsite trailer trash gang) came by and invited us to go on a sunset cruise.  For just ten dollars a head we got all the margaritas we wanted and a lite dinner.  Well that solved our dinner plans.  So Earl and Lynda, Bob and Linda, Judy and I headed out for the evening.  Here are a few pictures of our evening.  

 

 

Until later.

ha-MIKE-uh

I know I've talked about our drinks of choice here in Mexico.  To be sure, Mexican beer and Margaritas on the rocks are excellent choices.  But we do drink other beverages as well.  One popular drink down here is called Jamaica, pronounced ha-MIKE-uh.  Bob and Linda raved about this tea before we arrived and  quickly introduced this excellent beverage to us.  It is best described as a herbal tea made from dried Hibiscus flowers.

At our local produce stand you can buy bags of these dried flowers.

First you steep the dried flowers in hot water,  dilute with cold water and sweeten to taste.  You can also add this mixture to green tea.

There are studies showing the health benefits of this herbal tea.  Among the reported benefits are lowering high blood pressure and reduced high cholesterol levels in many individuals.  I don't know if all these benefits have been proven but I do know it is a refreshing beverage.

Local restaurants serve it fancy in a margarita glass with a slice of orange.  

The local grocery store sells it in 10 litre bottles.  

With us a plastic cup will do just fine.

Until later. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE!!

Today is our daughter Michelle's birthday.  Michelle we hope you have a wonderful birthday.  Thinking of you and the miracle that occurred in the great snowstorm of 1978.  Love you.

Michelle shares this birthday with two of my brothers, Neil and Mark.  So Happy Birthday to them as well.

MARKET DAY

This morning after getting our daily shrimp delivered at our door, we headed into town. We wanted to find a bank  and ATM to withdraw some pesos and then visit the old town area and a few markets.

Puerto Penasco is not a polished American tourist town full of boring franchise restaurants. If you are looking for a Starbucks or a Applebee's you are in the wrong town.  It's fortune, good or bad, is directly tied to the United States.  As long ago as Prohibition, when tourists were lured south of the border for cheap alcohol and gambling, to the 90's with the rapid building of condos, it's good times and bad times depend on tourism.

Right now there are countless unfinished condos lining the beaches.  It's anybody's guess when, or if ever, they will be completed.  This area still draws the spring break crowd thanks to the age 18 drinking law.  There are signs of culture mixed in with the rough and tumble but it takes some looking.

I certainly don't want to paint a bad picture because we are having a great time and enjoying the warm hospitality of the locals.

We went to a small neighborhood vegetable market today and below is what we bought for 98 pesos, or about $7.50 U.S.  Among our bounty was avocado, cilantro, tomatoes, papaya, dried beans, celery, limes, and jalapeno peppers, onion and garlic.

We then stopped at the main grocery store for some cheese, bakery items, and fresh corn tortillas.  Our last stop was at a little tortilla stand for hot off the griddle flour tortillas.  What a treat.

All told I think we spent under 20 dollars U.S. for everything we bought today including the pound of jumbo shrimp.

This afternoon we took Mollie on our daily beach walk and worked on her obedience lessons.  She did great but has a ways to go. Good thing she is such a part of our life.

Until later

MOLLIE GOES TO THE BEACH

This afternoon we took Mollie for a walk on the beach.  It was cool but sunny. There were a few local families out and a few local vendors peddling flowers, pottery and jewelry, but for the most part it was very quiet.   You can see the amount of beach we have at low tide.

Mollie seem to really enjoy running on the sand.

She even managed to find something to roll in.  I think it is much easier on her feet than the desert rocks and gravel we have been in for the last month.

She also enjoyed chasing the gulls.

All in all a great walk for all of us. As I write this, Mollie is already curled up in a chair fast asleep.   Tonight it's shrimp on the Barby.  You know those shrimp I bought outside our door this morning.

Until later

P.S.  Mollie decided this evening that she wasn't done running and playing and slipped out the door to go visit a few neighbors.  Thanks to Bob she was returned safe and sound, was sent to her room, and we did enjoy those shrimp.

FRESH SHRIMP

Did you have fresh seafood delivered to your home this morning. We did.  One pound of jumbo shrimp for six dollars fresh at our door.   A nice way to start the day.  I hear they are really good with eggs!!

MEXICO

We have arrived in Puerto Penasco, Mexico. For the next month we will be staying at the Playa Bonita RV Park , which is right on the Sea of Cortez.
We enjoyed a beautiful sunny day as we made the short drive down from Ajo today.

Earlier this week the weather was not so nice. We left Quartzsite on Wednesday because we heard a storm was approaching and the weather was going to get bad.  We arrived in Gila Bend late that afternoon.  The first RV park we wanted to stay at was already full, but the second one we checked at had room for both of us.

Thursday morning it was raining and windy as we drove up to Buckeye/Goodyear to finish up our pre-mexico shopping.  Thursday evening Bob and Linda had us over for dinner to celebrate Judy's birthday. We enjoyed a great chicken dinner and chocolate cake while the coach was swaying and the rain came pouring down.  The power at the RV park went out that evening, and Bob's weather station recorded a 51 mph gust of wind. It was wild weather.  Friday morning arrived with partly sunny skies, so we packed up and headed south to Ajo, AZ.  We needed to pick up our mail and Bob and Linda needed to pick up their insurance for Mexico.  At one point during our short drive to Ajo, we were entertained by a group of A10 warthogs doing practice bombing runs at the Barry M.Goldwater Air Force Range.

Shortly after we got settled into our sites at the RV park in Ajo, Bob heard air coming from one of his RV's front tires.  He discovered a large bolt stuck in the tire.  A few phone calls later and Coachnet had arranged for a tire to be sent down this morning from Phoenix. The tire repairman arrived at 9am. the tire was replaced, and we were on the road by 10:30.

The road to Puerto Penasco was covered by mud in several places from all the rain, but we made it through without any problems.  As this was Bob and Linda's third time driving down here we just relaxed and played follow the leader.

This evening we walked up to a restaurant on the edge of the RV park and had a wonderful dinner.  We enjoyed margaritas, calamari, shrimp fajitas, chicken enchiladas with mole sauce, and chili rellenos.  Yes, we even had room for dessert and we all had flan. 

The waiter asked if we wanted coffee and Judy and Bob opted for the Mexican coffee drink.

Prepared table side, it was as much fun to watch the waiter prepare it as it was to drink it.

After a leisurely stroll back to the coaches , we played a few games of Mexican Train. Bob was on a winning streak, he won 3 out of 4 games. A great way to end our first day in Mexico.


Until later.