Our time in Puerto Penasco was sunny and breezy by the Sea of Cortez. One lunchtime we were entertained by a sea lion submerging and resurfacing while cameras snapped. The whales come to birth in February or so, so that’s another trip.
The one advertised historic marker in town is the light house. 
We drove up the long winding hill past restaurants to view it up close. The area was fenced, but the gate was open–even though it said “passe prohibito.” I went in to take a photo and immediately heard authoritative whistles and realized the guards were looking at me. I took my photo, smiled and waved, and exited.
We drove up the long winding hill past restaurants to view it up close. The area was fenced, but the gate was open–even though it said “passe prohibito.” I went in to take a photo and immediately heard authoritative whistles and realized the guards were looking at me. I took my photo, smiled and waved, and exited.The small downtown tourist area is on the malecon, a cement walkway following the edge of the sea wall. We strolled that several times, had more guacamole and my favorite drink, Coke Limon (fresh-squeezed lime juice in Coke). While walking along the malecon, we noticed signs saying, “illegal drugs sold here.” We found out that everything from viagra to xanax is for sale if you have the right amount of US.
We moved to our friends’ new home after the hotelito for the last 5 days. With them, we visited the Seashell Museum created by a woman who loves and collects seashells–a seashell scholar, I would say. 
It is an amazing little building with wall-to-wall seashells and fascinating things to learn about the life stories of the creatures inside.
It is an amazing little building with wall-to-wall seashells and fascinating things to learn about the life stories of the creatures inside.Because our friends, Blair and Phil, are a 60-something new musical duo (two guitars/bass, a mouth harp, and voices), we played and sang with them. Also worked with them on how to harmonize. So needless to say, a few late nights. All this and several long walks on the beach, watching the pelicans driving, the seagulls, herons and sand pipers. A cool breeze off the water made it sweater weather, but just right. One night, a sunset for a lifetime–no photo can do it justice 
.
.One day Phil mentioned Mexican car insurance. What?, we said! He said you get it when you stop and get your visa as you cross the border into Mexico. What?, we said! WHAT visa? We were concentrating so hard on getting the green light instead of the red to avoid possible search–they do not want guns brought into Mexico–we did not see any signs about stopping to get a visitors’ visa. 
Therefore, we had no visa. (By the way, we had no guns either.) Well, OK, they don’t check visas as you leave, so we’ll just buy the Mexican car insurance which is mandatory by law. Well, no, you need a visa to buy the insurance. What happens if we have a wreck without insurance? And Phil said, “You go to jail.”
Therefore, we had no visa. (By the way, we had no guns either.) Well, OK, they don’t check visas as you leave, so we’ll just buy the Mexican car insurance which is mandatory by law. Well, no, you need a visa to buy the insurance. What happens if we have a wreck without insurance? And Phil said, “You go to jail.”So, needless to say, our trip back to the border (an hour or so) was spent never exceeding the speed limit and steering clear (so to speak) of wild drivers, stopping at every stop sign (versus slowing down, as can be the case) and praying a lot. When we finally got the front tires on US soil, there was a notable dual exhale.
Tucson was our next stop, and the day was spent walking the two miles of paths in 21 acres of desert landscape in the internationally famous Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, enjoying animals such as these javelinas 
in settings as close to nature as possible. Started in 1952 by one man and his dream, William Carr, its mission is “to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world,” and it certainly did so by including us in everything we saw. From a cave where we could see the earth’s evolution and brilliant crystals to sitting with costa’s hummingbird 
in his own hummingbird aviary, our day was pure magic.
in settings as close to nature as possible. Started in 1952 by one man and his dream, William Carr, its mission is “to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world,” and it certainly did so by including us in everything we saw. From a cave where we could see the earth’s evolution and brilliant crystals to sitting with costa’s hummingbird in his own hummingbird aviary, our day was pure magic.On the way back to the hotel, we passed Old Tucson movie studios where cowboys come to life daily and on the big screen. Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer filmed “Tombstone” right there.
We’re now on our way home, stopping in Truth or Consequences for more hot springs’ treats. And a “back-in-time” picnic lunch in Ralph Edwards Park next to Ralph Edwards fishing pool. We could see the band marching and playing. And that’s the Truth!
Thanks for coming along, once again. See you next trip.
Nancy & Bill
Travelers