Algodones, Mexico

Wednesday - 27 November 2002: Yuma, Arizona - Last night was stormy. The wind blew hard all night, and about 4 a.m., somewhere in Arizona there was a clap of lightning or thunder and we had a Beagle on our bed. He wasn't quivering and panting - he was just scared, so was appeased by simply sleeping on the foot of the bed. Fine - if he is sleeping, we can sleep.

We had another fun day and more interesting meals today. First, we tried the Pecan Sticky Buns and they were quite lovely, even if I do say so myself. The wind was still blowing, but we headed out to Algodones, Mexico anyway. By the time we were to the border, the weather was just lovely - really warm and no wind. To enter Mexico at Algodones, you must walk across the border. No border check. No passport. No Visa. Getting into Mexico is the easy part - it's the coming back to the U.S. where you can run into trouble. (Sometimes, but not today.) (NOTE: None of this is true any longer. Proof of citizenship is required to re-enter the US. Take your passport.)

Algodones seems to exist to provide for the Snowbirds that flock to Yuma each winter. They go over the border for eye glasses, dental care and most of all - prescription medicines. Usually, the exact same prescription that costs $90 in the U.S. is $9 in Mexico. Plus, no prescription is needed! We didn't buy drugs, but found a few trinkets and gifts, walked around the streets and had a nice lunch in a very clean restaurant. The prices for tequila and Kahlua are unbelievably good. To cross back into the U.S., we had to show our drivers license and say "yes" when the agent asked if we were U.S. citizens. They didn't ask what we had purchased, how long we had been "out of the country" - nothing!

Algodones shopping


Algodones street entertainer

When we arrived back to Goldie - nearly 5 hours later -I took Snickers for a long walk. He had stayed home while we had "left the country". We rested up and I did a little cooking for our Thanksgiving Feast tomorrow. We had a late dinner at one of the nicest restaurants in Yuma - Julianna's Patio Cafe (1951 West 25th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364, 928-317-1961). It is a Continental restaurant, in a beautiful setting, with a very nice dining room. We all had lovely dinners - steak, chicken, or seafood - and a very enjoyable time. After today - I think our stomachs are sufficiently prepared for a Thanksgiving Feast.

RV Park: Yuma Lakes RV Resort