February 28, 2015. Back to the USA

CAMPGROUND: Organ Pipe National Monument.  Run by National Park Service, so no hook-ups.  Beautiful sites.  All pull-throughs. Nice grill and picnic table.  Great bathrooms. Utility sink for washing dishes.  $6.00/night with senior pass.  4 stars.

LOCATION:  Southwest Arizona.. Near #4 on map below

WEATHER:  Cooler. Highs in 60s

We got an early start from San Carlos, and spent the day driving 360 miles north to the border.  We managed not to get lost in Hermosillo, as we did the other 2 times driving through, but almost missed a turn due to road construction.  Nothing is marked!

We stopped at this little taco shop for lunch.  George went across the street to buy a beer to go with the tacos.  He had a "mixed head" taco, made with cow eyes, tongue, brains and cheeks.  He could have had any of the parts separately, but chose the combo.

 Factoid..the beer he bought was Dos Equis (XX).  I read on the bottle that it was first brewed in 1897 to commemorate the start of the 20th (XX) century, hence the name.

As we have discovered, every taco bar has some sort of way to provide condiments.  This was a nice set-up...

When we were about 20 miles from the border, we saw what looked like the immigration station we stopped at on our way down.  There weren't any signs saying to stop if you were going back to USA.  No parking lot.  When we first entered in Nogales, they  had told us we had to turn in our tourist card when we left Mexico.  Could this be where?  I got out, and had to cross 3 lanes of traffic.  No one else stopped, perhaps because we were the only non-Mexicans.  I went up to a fierce-looking military guy with a menacing rifle to ask him if this is the place. He told me to ask at a nearby office.  That lady did not know anything, and pointed me to another office.  I entered this dark room.  One guy was just sitting there.  I asked if this is where we relinquish our tourist cards, or was there a place farther down the road, next to the border.  He said yes, this is the place, then asked me for the original receipt showing we had paid! In addition to the tourist card and passport. I said I didn't have it; he was insistent that I turn it in.  I ran back to the car, across the 3 lanes of busy truckers again.  Thank goodness, George had kept it.  I ran back to his office and he busily stamped the passports, and did other official-looking things.  He turned friendly after that, and encouraged us to return soon.

Then, we drove to the border.  There weren't any other cars.  We breezed right through.  

Here is our route...

1.  Nogales, where we entered

2.  Bahia de Kino, where we stayed about 7 days

3. San Carlos/Guaymas, where we stayed 3 days

4. Sonoyto/Lukeville, where we crossed back to USA

We drove just about 5 miles from the border, and entered Organ Pipe National Monument.  We will stay here a few days.

DINNER:  The cupboard is getting a little bare, and there are no towns nearby.  I made a box of wild rice mix and added sautéed onions, garlic, and the fish leftover from the restaurant last night.