3 Feb 2011 - Puerto Peñasco - Days 8-12

We had a couple days of cold, windy weather. Since this is desert, and we are on the beach, the wind whipped the sand up into the air, and we were in the middle of a sandstorm. When we went outside, which wasn't often, we all were wearing our winter coats. As cold and yucky as it was here, however, we knew it was better here than it was up north in the US, as friends and family were letting us know just how miserably cold and windy it was up there. After the weather cleared and warmed up some, a group of us went to tour a classy local resort, where we weren't allowed to take pictures in case we might catch a celebrity unawares. Then we went to eat at a palapa on the beach near an oyster farm. The ceviche (marinated shrimp) was excellent, the quesadillas were good, and those who had oysters said they were good too. I took off with one of the guys in his jeep, heading down the beach and to the estuaries, looking for birds. We saw some earred grebes (with red eyes) in winter plumage [on right], but, mostly, got to see a wilder part of Mexico's coastline. Our last full day there, we looked for walking clams at low tide. We saw one, but it wasn't walking. :-( As we were searching, the birds around us went into a fishing frenzy, and we were surrounded by screeching, flying birds. Incredible! As I watched the sun set over Cholla Bay for the last time, I was so grateful for this wonderful trip to Mexico, but looking forward to heading back to the US.

The trip back was uneventful. There were several groups leaving that day. I was in a caravan of four rigs. The route we took back, through Ajo, to Casa Grande, got us back to the US in only about 75 minutes. The border guards decided to check out my rig thoroughly (even looked through the bedding), so there was a slight delay at the border. I was glad to be back in the US, but with many wonderful Mexican memories. I will definitely go back!!