Dinner with our first friends in Mazatlan.

 In 2009 we made our first journey into Mexico with our 5th wheel trailer.  Maps, travel books and a GPS attached to our laptop and away we went.  Our first night was spent in Santa Ana at Edgar and Anna's Punta Vista RV park. Sadly Edgar and and Anna have now passed away.  Next stop was Totonoka RV park in San Carlos.  In March of 2008 we'd come south in our truck on our first trip to Mexico and had  spent a month in a condo in San Carlos so we were familiar with the area. There were lots of people in the park for the winter and many just over nighting.  We stayed in Totonaka for a week

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Next up was Los Mochis before heading on to Mazatlan. We got an early start as the roads in Sonora at the time were horrifying with huge potholes and no shoulders. It was late afternoon when we arrived in Los Mochis and to start we tried to find the local RV park but..no luck.  Then we were going to try and stay in a truck stop our friend Croft had recommended but again...no luck!  So now we were back on the road with no plan and it was getting dark.  Not far out of town Eric saw a Pemex gas station with an over night truck lot and it had RV's in it!  He hit the brakes and in we went.  At this point we were both a bit "shell shocked!"  Shortly there was a rap on our door and a nice guy said " Hi, I'm Frank and my wife says you should come over and join us for happy hour!"  Okay.  Frank and his wife Sandi were in their new 2009 Tiffin motorhome which was eventually named "The Palace!"  They were inside as the biting bugs were bad and their friends Manny/ Connie and Dennis and Marilyn were inside with them.  Introductions were made and it turned out they'd all been in Totonaka the night before and were now heading to Las Jaibas in Mazatlan like us.  Frank/Sandi and Manny/Connie had stayed in Mazatlan but like us this was to be Marilyn and Dennis's first winter there.  All the couples had done previous travels in Mexico.

In the end we made to Mazatlan and Las Jaibas by ourselves with no catastrophes.  So..we all became really good friends in the park and spent many years together there.  Connie/ Manny now rent a condo in El Cid, Dennis /Marilyn rent a condo in  Marina Gardens condos next to us and Frank and Sandi are still in Las Jaibas.  

In 2020 during the pandemic not many people ventured south.  Manny and Connie stayed home but we three couples came south.  Us, Frank and Sandi as well as Dennis and Marilyn started weekly rotating dinners as we weren't venturing out much and we still continue this now.  Last week I decided all 8 of us should have dinner together.  Eight people don't fit at our table but we have 2 stools at the counter.

We started with happy hour with guys downstairs and the ladies in our upstairs lounge area.  Lots of chat and fun.  Connie and Manny's Chihuahua Mitzy came too!  

Connie and Manny on the left, Frank looking over his shoulder, Sandi in blue and then Marilyn and Dennis.  Eric's getting food!

There was nothing low cal on this plate!  All tasty.

Mitzy had to stay on the chair...no begging allowed!  She had a nap instead. 

Dennis is not a "dog person" but he likes Mitzy as she is quiet.  She doesn't let many people hold her either.

I had made hot chicken salad, Elsie's potatoes, brocolli mandarin salad, yams and fresh mango salsa prepared. Chocolate chip brownies for dessert.  Food was good, company was good and a great time was had by all.  Lots of great memories and more to be made.  How lucky were we to meet such great people at that truck stop all those years ago.  Just good karma I guess😊❤️

Below is my trip into nostalgia...all photos are at least 10 years ago!  Birthday's, Fish frys, bocce tournaments, chili cook offs, road trips and so much more !