Las Jaibas has a happy hour/appetizer reunion party.

 Over the last 8 years Pat and Reg have been hosting a Vagabond Christmas Eve party at their site in the RV park.  This year they were late coming so that didn't happen.  Pat and Steffi got together and decided we should have a Las Jaibas reunion get together at the park with everyone from the park that wanted to come and all the rest of us that are no longer in the park.  Over the years I've done many, many blogs of the wonderful people that were in the park and all the fun times we had.  Fish Fries at John and Jeri's, potato night, bocce ball tournaments, ladies playing Hand and foot cards,a park Christmas dinner and many other fun things.  Always a very loose park, come to events if you want and if you didn't that was fine too.  The biggest event of the year for 5 or 6 years was the Chili Cook Off which at the end was huge and a fund raiser for a local orphanage.  When the orphanage closed it's doors the Chili Cook off stopped and for many there was a sigh of relief as it had started to take over our relaxing winter.  We were incredibly lucky to meet such a great bunch of people and we were just all in the right age group and in the park at the right time. So many memories and so much fun.  A few are still in the park, some have passed away, some no longer come and the some of us have moved into condos and houses in the Mazatlan area.  Those were very fun special times and last night was no exception.  

Eric with Helene.  Hal an Helene were our neighbors in the blue bus for many years in the park and great neighbors they were.  The bus has been sold and Hal and Helene are now renting in the old part of Mazatlan.  

There were about 30 of us together last night and some of the current people in the park came to meet us as well.  We missed Christine and Larry as he has a cold and very respectfully didn't attend. 

That's me talking to Christine when she popped over briefly to say why they weren't coming.  Nice people!

On Friday Frank was 80 and this is the hat that Ruth brought for him.  We've been friends with Frank and Sandi since 2009 and they just spent their first winter in a condo close by.  They miss their motorhome and the park just like the rest of us do.  Times change and we have to change with them. 

Frank and Sandi kindly provided the birthday cakes.  Franks favorite Tres Leches or three milks.  We all sang a rousing happy birthday and wished him many more.  80 looks pretty good on Frank!

Diane and Dennis having a chat.  Diane's husband Ron passed away a few years ago but she is still coming to Mazatlan for the winter. 

Cathy, Doug, brother in law Ian, Helene, Stu, Hal and Ruth in front.  Ruth is an honorary Las Jaibas alumni!

Here Pat is welcoming us to the party and saying how happy she is that we all came and that we've remained friends.  Reg usually blows his horn to quiet us down but, not last night!  This is likely Pat and Reg's last winter in the park as they have their trailer for sale.  We hope that they'll rent somewhere and we'll still get to see them.  

That's Steffi next to Pat.  She and Robert are in the park as well and leaving soon to return to Tucson.  They are world travelers and really interesting people.  We hope to see them back next year as well. Steffi wants to keep up the tradition so I said she'd have to come back and organize it😊

There was a lot of food and no one went hungry.

Hal, Frank, Doug and Cathy.  

Susie, Stu and Marion had wandered over to Papa John's to have a chat.  

Marion and Susie trying to decide what to eat.  Marion and Fred were our neighbors for many years in the park.  Fred has since passed but Marion comes every winter and we're very happy that she does.  

That's Susie talking to Raphael.  Raphael is the park maintenance man and Jack of all trades.  He has been come good friends with all of us over the years and is just the nicest man you could ever meet.  He finished up work at 4 and joined us for happy hour and food.  He bought a bunch of beer to share...how nice is that.  I hope he didn't get into too much trouble when he got home late from work!

A big hug from Cathy for Raphael. 

Dennis and Frank chatting with some of the younger people who are staying in the park. 

I took a nostalgic walk through the park.  Not too many rigs this year....perhaps due to the cartel issues although in years past we had the same issues and came anyway. 

Looking forward to the street and the park is now surrounded by condos and houses.  

Felipe the park owner had a small palapa built behind the washroom at the back of the park. 

Over in that corner is where we used to park except we had an old derelict sail boat beside us!

The north corner where Bill and Carol used to be. 

Papa John isn't too social but he did pop over for a visit.  I'm not sure what Sandi is giving him heck about!

Ruth with Reg beside.  

Frank talking to Steffie and husband Robert looking on. 

Marion says there is never a picture of me so...here I am. 

Steffi and Frank. 

Sandi.

Ruth, Hal and Steffi chatting to a young woman from the park. 

That's a lot of food. 

Pat. 

I'm not sure if Marilyn is saying no pictures or thumbing her nose at Marion.  Marion took lots of these pictures...thanks Marion.

Cathy, Marilyn and Diane in a serious conversation. 

Sandi and I.  

Ruth and Pat.

Marion wanted a regal picture of herself so...here it is!

Pat had some beautiful painted glasses. 

So...a good time was had by all and next year we'll have to figure out how to do the same thing.  Thanks to Pat and Steffi for organizing and Marion for pictures.