Margaritas in Mexico

Cocopah RV Resort
Yuma, AZ
February 19, 2014

Algodones is in the Mexican state of Baja California. It is about 7 miles south of Yuma off Interstate 8. You will actually be in California when you take the exit to the border.

 The border crossing into Algodones is in Anrade, CA. There is a large parking lot...$6 fee...where most people park and walk "over the border". No one checked for a passport like they did when we entered Canada. Just follow the crowd and "tah-dah", you are in another country! First thing I noticed were the pharmacies and doctors offices.



You will see and hear all sorts of people beckoning you to shop...some look very "south of the border" while others look like folks we see in any American town.

  


There are public restrooms...but you pay! Restaurants do provide facilities for patrons.

This was my first time in Mexico. I was not disappointed...I found Algodones to be colorful and fun!

The sidewalks were crowded and uneven...Carol and I laughed at the number of times we stumbled (and we hadn't even had a margarita yet).

 I have no way of comparing the shopping at Algodones to any other Mexican town. Yard art was plentiful...

as were blankets, hats, silver bangles, knock-off purses and leather goods like belts.

 The prices are in U.S. dollars. Nothing is marked so you have to ask! Bargaining is expected which I am not very good at.

We had lunch at El Paraiso, The Garden Place...

 ...an outdoor patio. We enjoyed our lunch and listened to live music.

































A trip into Mexico would not be complete without a margarita. I have to add, this refreshing concoction was a bit more potent than margaritas served at Mexican restaurants in the states.

Los Algodones (The Cottons) comes from the word cotton which has been grown there for many years. Today, tourism is an important source of income.

 

 

Lo pase de maravilla!

 

Hasta luego...

disfrutar!

Up next...Indian Pass Road to Picacho Peak...

Cargo Muchachos Mountains...

Cocopah RV Resort
Yuma, AZ
February 18,2014

One of the things Ronnie and Carol wanted to do was a jeep ride in Pearl. So Joe and Ronnie were off to the BLM office in search of information and maps. After explaining what they were looking for, the very nice lady said "We just aren't there yet. Other states are way ahead of us." There were no books...no information on trails... nada!




They did however find this map...and since we had been close to the Cargo Muchachos Mountains when exploring the American Girl Gold Mine District...we decided to just head that way. With water and snacks loaded, we were on our way at 8:15 am.

 The Cargo Muchachos Mountains are actually in California. To get there from Yuma, we took I 8 west and took exit 164 to Sidewinder Road.

Just after Felicity, CA, Sidewinder changes from pavement to gravel...Pearl was very hopeful at this point and I even heard a "Whoa, whoa!" from the driver!




 There were trail markers along the way. At first we tried following them, but if you look at the map, most of them dead-end. So we tried a different approach.

When we came to a fork in the road, we each took turns giving the direction...left or right. Turned out to be lots of fun!

We followed the trail thru a wash where there seemed to be more green.







I spotted a vulture...actually his white beak gave him away.


I didn't even realize there were two of them until we turned the corner and saw them from the back...

if you look closely at the picture on the left, you can see the second one in the photo. Its below and to the right of the one in view.

 We did make a stop for a picture...I do love the color of these clusters of red on the tips of the ocotillo plant.

From there, it was up...

 ...to a beautiful view. This seemed like the perfect place for water and a snack. It is a little embarrassing to admit, but I have no idea where we were or how we got there.

The Cargo Muchachos Mountains are the most barren area I have ever seen. What a joy it was to spot a bit of color...a tiny bit of color.

 Pearl didn't have quite the challenge she had in Moab and we didn't have quite the views we had in Moab, but it was great just being with friends and enjoying the day!

We have had some beautiful sunsets...

Until next time...enjoy!

 

Up next...margaritas in Mexico!