Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco), Mexico March 1-14

On March 1, 7 RVs traveled together to Rocky Point, Mexico.  RP is located about 65 miles from the border at Lukeville, AZ. We drove to the border from Ajo, where those that wanted to, purchased visas.  This is a gray area - you are suppose to have a visa if you stay longer than one week but most do not pay the $26 and stop to do the paperwork.  But most in our group did since we were told we "should do it".  Yes, I got one because of my very cautious husband.  But not next year!

We had no problem driving the very nice road to RP.  I drove and was in the lead.  Feeling pretty confident with my driving, thanks to Dan Shepard and my driving school in January.  We are staying at Play Del Oro located south of the fish market and main shopping area in town.

The weather was excellent during our two week stay.  After parking, we immediately established our spot at the beach wall were we met for coffee in the morning and drinks in the afternoon.

Me, Jim,  Chuck, Dean, Frank

Jan, Betty, Diane

We ate at the fish market many times.  Our favor spot is Flavo's.

Jan, Judy, Diane, Dean - first lunch.

The boys went fishing.  Frank caught one really big grouper.  Thank goodness they had agreed to share this and a few sea bass that were caught.

Joe, Frank, Dean, Duane, Chuck

While boys fished, the girls went to visit my friend, Linda, who lives in RP full time.  We had a delightful lunch at Wrecked at the Reef and then champagne at her condo, which has wonderful view of the ocean.

Linda, Judy, Betty, Diane, Jan

On Linda's patio overlooking Sandy Beach.  Diane, Betty, Judy, Linda

We drove to Cholla Bay one day to check the famous bar - JJ's -and then for lunch.

We enjoyed margaritas on the beach and the beautiful sunsets.

One day we drove to the Mayan Princess, south of RP about 30 miles.  It is a beautiful resort and we had a nice lunch and walk around the lavish grounds.

Of course, one of the reasons to come to RP - buy shrimp, relax at the beach, and be with friends.

Judy buying shrimp at the fish market.

Dean getting massage at beach.

Happy hour with the group.

We had a delightful dinner at El Capitan on the 'Rock' - one of the best views in RP.

New couple on the left - neighbors from Prescott - Chuck and Lynn.

View from El Capitan  - downtown and Sandy Beach condos in distance.

One mistake we made on this 'first annual' RP trip was scheduling during Spring Break.  We had very loud music playing each night, sometimes until 3 in the morning.  We had our own ways of coping - earplugs, fan for gray noise, drugs.  Never again will we go down during Spring Break!  Lynn, Jan, Betty and I got brave and on the last night we walked to one of the noisy discos.  We were the only ones there so we had some fun.

Our last night we had a 'cook everything that you can not take across the border' potluck.  Mainly, you can not take across the border into the US fruits and veggies.  We had a great last night together and lots of good food.

Frank and Diane dancing.  They will soon celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Last fire - Chuck and Lynn and dog Peanut.

We all want to come back next year.  But not during Spring Break!  See you then!

Ajo, Arizona - February 3 to March 1

After Quartzsite, we made a short trip to the Tolleson Freightliner to have the rig checked over and then we were off to Ajo.  We parked at the Roping arena and paid for a month - $25.  Pretty good deal!  The Boondockers were parked there so we renewed some old friendships. Mark and Judie parked near and Chuck and Jan arrived just in time to celebrate Dean's birthday.  We went to the Fiddlers contest and into Ajo to see friends Dorothy and Bill.  We had hear of the wild burros on our previous trips to Ajo but this time they walked very close to our rigs.

One evening the Mooreand us went to Child's mountain on a guided sunset viewing by a Cabeza Prieta ranger.  We took wine and snacks and enjoyed the beautiful views.

Chuck, Jan, Dean and I played desert bocce ball.  Most of the time the guys win but we managed to win and we were pretty excited!

During the last week of our Ajo stay Joe Moody, Betty and Duane, Frank and Diane, Jim and Diane arrived to stay a few days before we all drove into Mexico together.

Dean, Chuck, Jan, Betty, Diane, Duane

Joe, Frank, Duane, Chuck, Jan, Betty, Diane, Me, Dean

Jerry, Joe, Duane, Betty, Dorothy, Bill, Me, Diane, Frank, Chuck, Dean

We spent a lot of time together during happy hours and dinners.

Finally the day has arrived for our journey into Mexico.  The campground looks very empty.

Last minute dump and fill at the rodeo arena.

Now we travel the 90 miles to Puerto Penasco or Rocky Point, as the gringos call it.

Quartzsite

On Jan. 14, we drove to Quartzsite to Boomerville, which is an annual gathering of the Boomers (a BOF of the Escappees.). During the week there was over 200 rigs coming in and out of Boomerville.  We stayed the entire two weeks plus some.  This is a fun gathering with friends sharing, learning, laughing.  After the pictures I hope to include the list of activities for the week.  

The boys discussing world issues.

A view from a drone over Boomerville and Happy Hour.

Men singing at the campfire.

Zumba on the rocks.

Improve class with Jan and I.  

Cooking pizza with the group.

Sue celebrating her birthday.

Our ukulele group playing at the campfire.

Levitating at night after champagne.

Happy Hour

Beautiful sunsets everyday.

Boomers have chosen CARE in Livingston TX, as our charity of choice. During the two weeks we raised money to donate to CARE. Over the 14 days Escapees CARE donations were received by a rib dinner, 4 pancake breakfasts, two 50/50 drawings, baked potato dinner, recycled aluminum, just givin’ a donation, and of course the CARE Auction. This year Boomers BOF will proudly donate over $7,000 from all these efforts to

Activities (something for everyone!)

Daily Walk, Group Dog Walks, Trash Runs to the landfill, Pancake Breakfasts, Daily Happy Hours with 50/50, Blythe Canoe Trip, 4 X 4 off road trip, Karaoke - Rockin’ the Desert, Men’s Donut Runs, Women’s Chit Chat, Men's Chit Chat, Newbies ChitChat, Howl at the Full Moon, Arts and Crafts Show and Talk, CARE auction, Trip to Desert Bar, Ukele -Jams, Videoand Dance 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, Singles Brunch, Wine tasting, Desert Hike to the Bathtub, Chili Contest and Potluck Dinner, Dog Parade and Dog Tricks, Music Jam, Laughter Yoga, Comedy Improv, Zumba, BBQ Ribs and Chicken + Pot Luck Dinner, Hitch Up Dinner at Silly Al’s. Cool Theater Presentations

Albuquerque Boomers and Balloons, Travel Europe with World Wide Travel, Movies at Cool Theatre, Death Valley Encampment, Funny Signs – Lots o’ Laughs.

Workshops and Discussion Groups

How and Why of Veggie Ferments, Curtis Coleman founder of RVillage, Boondocking 101, Redlands Truck and RV, RV Traveling in Europe, Solar Cooking and Coffee Roasting, Speaking Circle,

Inventor of ARPrv control – Paul Unmack, All About Valley Fever, Self Inquiry Group, Workamping Chit Chat, Jojoba Hills SKP Resort Q &A, Down and Dirty on Dogs, Traveling to Mexico Discussion, Wild Writing Workshop, Mac the Fireguy,

October 2016 Boomer Cruise Chit Chat, Batteries and Solar Panels, Sharing Favorite Gadgets, Kombucha, Kefir, and Pickle, Alaska Traveling,

Skymed and Emergency Evacuation Q & A, Working on Rose Bowl Floats, September Winchester Bay Oregon Boomerang.

Plan to attend Boomerville 2017 in Quartzsite AZ. Our gathering next year will be January 15-29, 2017. George and Diana Meyer Ruelens (co- chairs of Boomerville, 2016)