Back in the Good Old USA after PP

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Lorraine’s Report

We are in Yuma, AZ at our friend’s, TJ and Sharon, lot on the east side of town, just beneath the mountains. We got here Thursday afternoon, after spending the night in Gila Bend, at the gas station RV park.

Monday was a day spent shopping and looking in Puerto Penasco, MX. We ate lunch in old town with Virgil, Sharon, Linda #1 and #2, Jeanette, Sue, Marcia, Chuck and me.

Everyone was looking for specific items to take home. We finished up in town and went to Shack’s for more looking around.

Tuesday was our last full day in PP, MX so the guys went into town at 8 am to get fresh shrimp and fish to take home. Patsy and Sue packaged up the shrimp in no time for all three of us. We went back to town, this time the shopping was finished in fifteen minutes. Mark and Sue wanted fresh oysters so we drove out of town to an oyster farm. Mark bought some to take home. We then went back to make our side dishes for the sunset dinner cruise.

The dinner cruise is how the group that started this trip to Puerto Penasco ended the last night of our week in Mexico. All 23 went out on a catamaran boat for fun, food and free margaritas. Mark barbequed all the assorted meat, shrimp, chicken and fish we all brought as main dishes. There was so much food, that when a young Mexican girl vendor, with three young children came on board at the end of the meal, selling her wares, we wrapped what was left up and sent her home with enough food for several days, hopefully. Then we went out for the sunset. The water was not too rough, about one and a half foot to two foot swells, but I found it hard to walk. They cranked up the music and everyone danced, some more than others. Sunset was extremely beautiful, with lots of clouds and color, it felt like God was talking to us. We returned to port one tired group of people.

Wednesday was moving day, back to the good old USA. We traveled with the Kings, the Didelots, and the Esparzas back the way we came. We had no problems at the border, but some of the group that went another way did.

We arrived in Gila Bend and went to the RV Park where we were before the trip. We spent the afternoon cleaning the inside of the coach. Then the gals threw together another potluck for dinner, hot dogs and hamburgers. Linda #1 and Mike came to the same park after us and joined the group for dinner. It would be our last night together as a group.

Thursday morning Chuck and I and Mike and Linda left to go to Yuma. Mike and Linda are at Yuma Lakes RV Park and we came here to TJ’s and Sharon’s. We spent a great afternoon with them, just relaxing, watching the shadows on the mountains, enjoying the warm sun, and then had a wonderful dinner that Sharon prepared for all of us. It is so nice and peaceful here.

Friday, Chuck had to go back to Ehrenberg to pick up a part for the broken blind that hadn’t arrived at the post office. I had a ton of laundry to do. I was fortunate enough to be able to use Sharon’s outdoor clothes line. Everything came out smelling so fresh and clean. Then Sharon took me to Dillard’s for my face cream. I picked up a gift for Susy’s, (our daughter) birthday on the 16^th. We stopped at a shoe store out here by the foothills and Sharon bought a pair, and I ordered a pair. They were both on sale.

We got back to the lot, and I brought in laundry and then it was time for dinner. We had invited TJ and Sharon to dinner, since they we so kind to let us store our car here. Dinner was at the Texas Roadhouse, a great place to eat and very busy. We enjoyed ourselves very much.

Saturday we met up with Mike and Linda and Bill and Jeanette at the Yuma Swap Meet and spent the rainy morning and afternoon looking and shopping. We went to Cracker Barrel for a late lunch and decided to play a new game for the evening. We went to Mike and Linda’s and brought TJ and Sharon with us for a game of Pegs and Jokers. Bill and Jeanette were there also, so we all learned the game from TJ and Sharon. It was a great way to spend a rainy evening.

That was our week, I hope this finds everyone well. Take care and we’ll see you down the road…..Lorraine

Chuck’s Report

We are back in Yuma after a good week in Mexico. We were had some concerns about going into Mexico, the US government even has warnings about driving down there. Mike and Richard assured us we wouldn’t have any problems so we agreed to go along. They were right, we were waved through the border into Mexico, didn’t have anyone stop us along the way. In fact, there are signs along the road saying “US Vehicle Hassel free Zone” or something like that. Once we got to the campground, we weren’t hassled by anyone (although the vendors could and did stop us along the beach). The trip back to the US was uneventful, we were asked a few questions at the border by the US Border Patrol and then home. In fact, it was so uneventful, I wouldn’t hesitate going again sometime. Now that doesn’t mean everyplace into or out of Mexico is the same, some of our group crossed at a different town and they were stopped by the Mexican Police along the way and had more problem crossing back home.

Last week we watched the Super Bowl at our place. It was a bit chilly, some of the guys were cold but the women were smart enough to watch it inside our coach. All the guys were hoping for Arizona to win, we got real excited when they scored late in the fourth quarter and got disappointed when Pittsburg came back to win. Oh well, at least it wasn’t a blowout like some previous Super Bowls.

Monday some of the folks went into town for some shopping and placed our order for shrimp and fish pickup the next day. We had found a fish vendor earlier, he had good shrimp and would have enough for all of our group.

Some of the gals at lunch.

This shop was three stories high and full of stuff. I don’t think anyone bought anything here, they didn’t want to dicker in the prices.

Tuesday was our last full day in Mexico and we ended it with a sunset cruise.

Sunset pictures. The whole gang. We missed Mike and Kathy, they weren’t feeling well so they didn’t go on the cruise with us.

Virgil leading everyone in doing the “Margarita”

Of course they had to do “YMCA”.

Lorraine didn’t feel too steady on board so she held on to the pole whenever she stood up.

Bob and Jim dancing.

Bob and Virgil dancing.

Bob asking Richard to come out and dance?

Bill and Jeanette from California.

Yep, we were there too.

Richard and Patsy.

Connie and Manuel.

Sue doing her version of pole dancing.

After dancing the night away, we headed back to port and then back to our campground. I don’t think anyone stayed up too late that evening, we were beat.

The next day, Wednesday, was our travel day. We weren’t ready to leave when the first group headed out but were in the second bunch. Although we enjoyed our time at Puerto Penasco, we were ready to head back home.

We made it back to Gila Bend and had a good time with Richard/Patsy, Manuel/Connie, Mark/Sue and Mike/Lynda. Once again, Mark was asked to do the honors at the Bar-B-Q and he did another fine job. Lorraine and I were leaving the next morning, I managed to get a couple of sunrise pictures for Richard, he said he hasn’t seen a sunrise in a while.

We left friends there and headed to Yuma. I called our friends, TJ and Sharon, who winter in Yuma on their RV lot. We had left our car with them while we were in Mexico and needed to pick it up. They have an extra RV hookup so I asked if we could stay with them. They allowed us to stay here until next week when they have another friend coming by. They are nice people, we wanted to visit with them, not just use their spot.

Here are Sharon and TJ, thanks for letting us stay at your place for awhile!

That’s us on the right, you can see their coach on the left.

Thought I would include a picture of our dog, Misty. She has turned into a good traveler. She seems to like go to new areas and seeing new things too.

Saturday, we went to the Yuma swap meet with Mike/Linda and Bob/Jeanette. Afterwards we had a good meal at Cracker Barrel. It had been raining off/on most of the day so we were to go to Mike/Linda’s place to play Pegs and Jokers. They are staying at Yuma Lakes and in the rain, they had quite a water puddle in front of their coach. With four couples playing and most of us new or inexperienced in the game, we played one round with everyone showing their cards. Maybe I can talk everyone into showing me their cards every time we play, it may be the only way I can win as I won this game.

So here is our week, once again. We are really enjoying ourselves, visiting with friends and meeting new people. Our plans have us staying here in Yuma for the couple of weeks, going to Mexico for some dental work and eyeglasses. There are a couple of casinos in the area which I’m sure we will have to visit sometime. And I hope to have a few days where we just sit around in the sun and do what I do best - - - NOTHING—.

So for now I’ll say bye and get this posted.

Thanks Chuck