Back before the days of the condo boom RVing was the way to go. There were RV’s coming and going constantly. They came in groups of all Winnebago’s, Prevosts, Allegro etc. At one time, it was not unusual to see 30-40 Prevost’s in a caravan and that meant a lot of money on the highway. Sometimes a group of single women would drive down and stay for a week or two. In most cases the ones coming from Arizona, the West Coast and Rocky Mountain areas met up at the Elk’s Lodge in Gila Bend. From there they would come down in small groups to cross into Mexico. They came from Elk’s Lodges, FMCA, Escapes, Good Sam and other clubs.
In those days, many of the RVers made friends with each other and then over the next few years they would all plan their trips together. Friendships were made at Manny’s Beach Club with the locals that had moved here from the USA. At that time there were 9 RV Parks starting in the Mirador area with Playa Elegante, San Rafael, Playa del Oro, Senorial, Playa Mirador, Playa Miramar, Sunrise and Playa Bonita and The Reef rounding off on Sandy Beach. Many of the folks spent at least 3 -6 months in Puerto Peñasco and loved calling Rocky Point home for that period of time. Now there is only Playa del Oro and Playa Bonita. The Reef is currently not taking reservations at this time.
What more could they ask for? Beautiful warm sunny skies, stunning sunsets, fishing, sitting on the beach, mingling with each other or just going into town to shop. They also would caravan in their vehicles for day outings to Caborca and Pitiquito to go leather shopping and have lunch. I personally was delighted to always go with them and show them around. In those days, once past the Mayan Palace area it was dirt road for many miles. Sometime it was smoother driving in the desert rather than struggling with the ruts. In some places the road had 4 lanes going each way.
Before the new coastal highway from P.E.Calles (which now leads to El Desemboque, Puerto Libertad, Punta Chueca and Kino Bay) you could drive through the asparagus fields, snow pea fields and Thompson grape vineyards and buy a case of which ever you would like directly from the processing plant. Within that area there was and is so much agriculture grown including olives, pecans and citrus as well as cattle ranching. The folks in the RV’s loved to stop by a local ranches and buy the fresh citrus they could offer.
Back to the caravans. Many of the groups consist of 20 or more rigs, so getting through the border was not easy. Now a local Rocky Point businessman Russ Black (organizer of the Mermaid Market) has a program that will meet the caravan on United States side of the border and then they have a police escort to get everyone through Sonoyta in an orderly fashion. If you are interested in bringing down a caravan and would like the information for Russ Black send me an email to nocomosi@msn.com and I will get it for you. If you a Wagon Master and would like information sent to you again please let me know and we can bundle some things up and get them delivered to you.
There are some things you do need to know about what you can and can’t bring into Mexico. No need to haul a lot of groceries, as there is Sam here as well as 2 great butcher shops and numerous FRESH produce markets. Please follow Puerto-Peñasco.com blogs this month as we will publish this list. It like everything else is subject to change. As of this blog, one group from the Sun City Elk’s Lodge is already making plans for their 2018 trip. Planning to bring a large group down, start planning now as the RV parks are filling up rapidly.
For the first timers coming here, there is really a lot to do and see, so I hope you will take a day or 2 and look around. Bring your golf clubs or fishing poles and enjoy what Rocky Point has to offer or just sit in your chair and watch the water go by. Once you are hooked on Puerto Peñasco, you will want to return every year. If you have any questions or comments that need immediate attention email to nocomosi@msn.com.
