My brother-in-law had a brilliant idea a few months ago. He suggested we head to Puerto Peñasco for the Fourth of July weekend. Hubs and I would fly to Phoenix, where BIL would pick us up. We had two quick and drama free flights to Phoenix, before the “real” trip began! We proceeded south, driving through Aho, Arizona, a tiny town called “Why”, and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
We proceeded to the border, where we were directed to pull over for a quick search of the vehicle. We got out of the car, passports ready, but the officers were more interested in the Subaru than our passports. One was fascinated with BIL’s knife (which the officer struggled to close after opening it); two officers thought BIL’s straw hat was amusing.
Thursday Evening
We arrived in Peñasco, seeking first a grocery store for food and other essentials. Puerto Peñasco – Gobierno de Puerto Peñasco (puertopenasco.gob.mx)
Sunscreen is only available at one of the dozen pharmacies in town. Pharmacies in Peñasco are like bars in Montana- they outnumber any other type of facility.
We explored a bit around our resort, and found a cantina called Skully Z. Because cantinas do not sell food, the bartender gave us menus to local eateries who would deliver food. The bartender was great; his name was “Ignatius”, but he goes by “Nacho”.
Nacho had a Mexican YouTube channel playing that featured thigs like seahorses, fish antics and other oddities. Nacho also gave us suggestions for places we should eat, including Martinez for seafood.
I needed a straw hat, and found one at a shop below Skully Z. I wasn’t a fan at first, but it grew on me once I rediscovered the “pig tails” from my youth!
We closed Thursday by exploring the resort grounds, and the pools, but not indulging in the water.
Friday
Friday morning, the guys cooked an amazing breakfast. Dressed in swimsuits, we headed to the ocean. In the morning the tide was out so lots of barren sand.
I was fascinated by the tide pools! So much life, squirming around. I filmed the movements of tiny crabs trying to stay in the water and vying for space.
For lunch we tried Los Magueyales for Mexican food, recommended by a security guard at the resort. It was, ironically, not the best Mexican food I’ve had.
Friday evening, we wanted to hit the Fish Market and made the acquaintance of a cabby named Fausto. Because I was the only member of the party with international calling, I was the point of contact for the cabbies we got to know.
I introduced myself as “Jenny” and said I was from Montana. Fausto said Tony Montana must be my brother, lol! We discussed Scar Face and lines we could remember from the movie. I saved Fausto’s phone number, and he did the same.
Fausto drove us to the Fish Market, where we went to a restaurant called “Martinez” for seafood. It had been recommended by Nacho the day before; Nacho was right! (12) Los Martínez Cantina | Facebook
After dinner we explored the Fish Market, a bit of shopping (Mexican vanilla!) and enjoyed the night life!
When we’d had enough of the Fish Market, I called Fausto. He answered “Jenny Montana!” and said he’d be there soon.
Brief Segue
I completed an internship at the University of Kansas’s Anthropology Musem (since closed) back in the day, and one of the exhibits I worked on was a display of Los Dias de los Muertos items. I’ve had a fascination with that holiday for a long time and seek out that imagery when I can and have started a small collection of my own. http://www.talestrailsandtransformations.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=72&action=edit
Saturday
Because our first trip to the Fish Market had been after dark, we returned during daylight for photos we hadn’t been able to take the evening before.
We also went back to the street vendors we’d encountered the previous night; I always buy earrings when I travel to new places and decided to look for Los Dias de los Muertos earrings. Because it was the off season in terms of the number of tourists, the vendors were both more assertive and willing to barter for lower prices.
I also discovered the way to shut vendors down was to request the specific earrings I sought. I was surprised to discover the holiday is not commemorated via earrings!
I found beautiful dragon fly earrings, and within a few doors found the only “skull” type earrings around, sold by a gentleman named Carlos.
We had lunch near the resort, a sort of open-air place (as in no air conditioning) called Mariscos Gamma. We ordered a plate of mixed seafood, including octopus. I had previously stated my objection to consuming octopus, which I’ve read are crazy smart! But my objections are always met with “do you eat calamari?” Which I do. So I tried it, and promptly lost my appetite.
After lunch we headed back to the beach, where we found swarms of beach goers. A band was also mixed in with vendors and moved from groups of beach goes over the course of the afternoon.
I also found that $16 will buy a pina colada served inside a pineapple, with a plate of pineapple and additional cup with the rest of the drink – three hands required!
Saturday evening, we ate at Fire Pit Meat, within the Peñasco del Sol hotel near our dwelling. After dinner, we called Fausto for a ride to Wrecked At the Reef for live music. (12) Wrecked At The Reef | Facebook
The band was hilarious as the lead singer spoke to the audience, primarily locals, in Spanish, yet all the songs were Top 50 US tunes, to which the crowd happily sang along. It was a great performance! Wrecked also has amazing staff, and some of the best customer service I’ve seen – I highly recommended it to anyone who travels that direction!
Cabbie Wars!
Ok, maybe “wars” is too strong. But we learned on Saturday that particular cab companies have “called dibs” on specific locations. When we called Faustio to pick us up for a ride to Wrecked on the Reef, he received notable glares as we drove off. He explained another cab company has set up shop on our street. There wasn’t much they could do since we’d called and requested him, and we got a kick out of it!
So Faustio drove us to Wrecked but warned us that if we called him for the return trip, it would cost an extra $10, since he’d be driving into another companies’ territory. So after Wrecked, we went to the “local” cabs to find a ride. BIL took up the gauntlet for negotiations. The most eager cabbie said $25. BIL said, no, it cost less to get us there two hours earlier. And that we were going to call our favorite cabbie to pick us up. Much negotiation later, and two attempts to renegotiate once the ride had started, we received the fastest, bumpiest cab ride of the trip. It was exciting, anyway!
Sunday
The last full day of our remarkable vacation. They guys fixed breakfast again, as was their habit. I made my way to both a local pharmacy for sunburn gel and to a coffee shop I’d spotted nearby.
Then back to pool, then the beach! The water was the perfect temperature, nice and warm! I floated in the salt water, spent time “jumping” the waves, allowed the waves to move me as they would; it was glorious!
We had paid a deposit on a sunset cruise for Sunday evening, so we left the ocean early to clean up and change. We went to the meeting place for the cruise only to learn it had been canceled due to wind!
That cancellation, while sad, allowed us to head over to Manny’s, another place we’d heard about.
This place is literally an open-air joint, with a large, thatched roof over the bar and extensive seating area. It’s also beach front, so many folks were in and out of the ocean. A bandstand also provided entertainment. This band did not exclusively specialize in American music! MANNY’S BEACH CLUB, Puerto Penasco – Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number – Tripadvisor
The last evening. The guys wanted to head back down to the beach, but I opted to stay in. I sat out on the balcony, overlooking the pools and palm trees. Happy yet indistinct chatter rose from below, on the gentle, incredibly humid breeze. I just absorbed in the ambience, knowing I’d miss the next morning.
Monday, the Fourth of July
Monday was exit day. The guys fixed the last breakfast, we packed up and began the long drive back to Phoenix.
I took a lot of photos from the back seat, as is my habit.
The true test of my limited validity, Mexican issued passport, issued back from February, was at the border crossing to get back into the States. The passport doesn’t expire until February 2023, and I’d been assured by the passport folks at the US Post office in Montana, the document is still valid.
The only comment from the official handling my passport is that I need to get a new one, said with a chuckle. I agreed, and said I’d take care of that asap. And I did, indeed, apply for a new passport three days after I got home.
