Enjoying the Southwest - again!

We have been back in the States one week and have covered some ground!

       Joshua Tree (and Doug)

After spending two weeks in Mexico, we have been traveling fast on the highways - zoom zoom.

Much easier when you don't have to dodge potholes!

Our first stop was Tuscon.  Good place to relax and enjoy the USA and watch some UofA basketball with the locals.

With Alameda boat buddies Kim and Kevin 

Then on to Scottsdale.  Kim and Kevin, our fabulous marina neighbors in Alameda, let us crash at their beautiful home.

We had such a great time catching up with them.

They are so easy and fun to be with - just like old times.

Me and Vijay

Plus, we got to stroll around the Phoenix Open on practice day.

Kevin convinced me to grab Vijay Singh for a photo op.  He is from Fiji too.

He was very nice. Hope he does well in the Open!

ABQ friends - Bill and Rise

Then a short hop to Anthem to see Bill and Rise.

We have known these wonderful people since the softball days at Sandia (Go Gunrunners!)

We enjoyed a yummy steak dinner and great conversation.

They have figured out retirement. Summer at their cabin in Chama; winter in Arizona enjoying the weather and all those sports teams.

We will be back to visit for sure!

Cousins Dick and Elaine and their Shelby!

Cousins Dick and Elaine live in Sandy Valley, Nevada. It is a great small town where almost everyone owns a plane or two.

It was fun to catch up on all the family stories, plus hear about Dick's adventures flying down to Mexico.  And lots of great food - yum

Plus, meeting more of Doug's family - Marian, Brian, and Chris. Always special. Wish we could have spent more time...

Hoover Dam

On the way to Albuquerque, we had to stop and check out Hoover Dam.

 We haven't been there since they finished the new bridge.

It is an impressive piece of engineering and sure speeds up the trip, but not as cool as driving over the dam.

 Scary to see the water so low...

Sunset in Anthem

We are in Flagstaff tonight and it is cold and SNOWING - yikes.

Hope we can make it to Albuquerque tomorrow.

 We have friends to see and a Big Game to watch!

Looking forward to seeing everyone and eating lots of New Mexican food!

Peacocks

Doug and Kevin enjoying the day

Viva La Paz!

We have been in La Paz almost 2 weeks all ready and had such a wonderful time and seen so many of our friends.  Time has gone by way too fast! 

Our La Paz Amigos!

Ana and Doug - happy to be together!

Our best friend,  Ana, opened up her home and heart to us - as always.

La Paz sunset - amazing

We have spent so much time at Casa Ana in the past, it feels like our home.

Can't believe we have been away for 3 years...  We had lots of catching up to do!

Fern and me sipping Cazuelas

We have squeezed so much into our visit, it is a wonderful blur.

Good thing I took pictures!  Here are some of the highlights:

Buddies since Alameda - Judy and Michael

• Ana throwing a potluck and inviting our amigos - so wonderful to see everyone again!
• Lots of Mexican food and margaritas - yum
• Strolling along the Malecon and visiting old haunts
• Road trip to Todos Santos - shopping - yeah
• Dinner at Los Molcajetes - so good and so fun to experience it all with Brian, Fern, and Robin
• Spirited matches of Rummikub (I won - hah) and other games
• And so much more...

Dining out at Otra Vez

Lots of laughter, some tears, and so many new memories were made.

Darrell, Sarah, and Sparky

And for the grand finale, Sarah and Darrell taking us out on their sailboat El Tiburon.

Our goal - to track down the whale sharks.

And we were successful!  Darrel and Doug got a close up.  Way cool!

Enjoying the day on El Tiburon - it was a beauty

Unfortunately, the whale shark swam faster than they did, but pretty exciting all the same.

Ana Cutie and her noodle!

It felt so good to be back in the Sea of Cortez again.

So much wild life and what a view - just can't beat it. 

Captain Doug at sea again

We enjoyed being back on a sailboat again - we have been missing ol' Moondance so this was a real treat.

Doug and Brian enjoying the view

Plus, Darrel and Sarah whipped up some great fish tacos for lunch.

Thanks for sharing your boat and your Wahoo with us!

Now, it is time to get moving again.

Tomorrow,  we load us and our car onto the ferry heading to Topolobampo on the mainland.

Hammerhead statue

We decided to take the shortcut to the USA.  No reason to drive Highway 1 again if we don't have to!

Plus, we get to visit our friends Dot and Brian (s/v Rainshadow) in San Carlos - yeah!

Pelicanos!

Then, onto Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and ending up in Texas.

Lots of jalapenos

What a great road trip so far.  Thanks to everyone for making us feel so welcome!

But, as always, it is difficult saying goodbye...

Our view in Santa Rosalia

Hopefully, we will be returning to wonderful La Paz and our amigos again soon.

Or, they will come and see us in Fiji.

We would love that!

Road trip to Todos Santos!

Doug drove Ana and I over to Todos Santos for a shopping play day - we had a wonderful time!

Beautiful Ana

Todos Santos is a funky little town on the Pacific side of the Baja - only about 50 miles away.

Wall Art!

Lots of art galleries, curio shops, and great bars and restaurants - of course.

And close by are the best beaches and big waves - very popular with the surfing crowd.

Cerveza por favor!

We spent the day wandering the streets, trying on clothes, consuming beverages, and enjoying colorful Mexico.

Beautiful old buildings

Our best finds were not on the main street.  So, be sure to check out all of the back roads.

We also found some affordable hotels - just in case you want a weekend getaway!

Dinner at La Costa

We finished up back in La Paz at one of our favorite restaurants (with the best margaritas) - La Costa.

Lots of great memories have been made and shared at this place.  More to come...

Ana - Tamale Shopper

A great day was had by all.  Wish you could have joined us!