Living in Ciudad Obregon does have some advantages over the interior of Mexico, one being that the ocean is located only a short drive away. For Shannon's big 30th we decided to head to San Carlos, a beach community about an hour and a half north of Obregon. We were planning on leaving Saturday but got sidetracked taking Rowan to the little animal safari near the Laguna by our apartment. I say little, but this thing has a lion, huge black bear, and a number of other large predators who's living conditions would have PETA up in arms if this place were in the states. Rowan loves animals though, and was of course naive to their poor habitations, so we let him enjoy himself. So being that you really don't want to drive to an unfamiliar place in Mexico in the dark, we decided to leave early Sunday morning. Monday was a Mexican holiday for former president Benito Juárez, so I had the day off.
Having received mixed reviews about San Carlos from my co-workers, we really didn't know what to expect. I booked a cheap hotel on-line, as it was really rather difficult to find an expensive one, packed up three six packs of Pacifico beer, some fruit and snacks and set out. The drive was easy, as most of the time we take the cuota (toll-way) as oppose to the libre (free-way) and these roads are generally very good, better than Louisianna for example. Apparently we must have gone to a different San Carlos than some of my more negative co-workers, because this place was beautiful. The water was clear and the view was excellent. Mexican beaches, like the rest of the country are often mountainous, which gives them a different feel than in the states. In addition, the humid and sticky feeling was missing, I'm guessing because this area of northwest Mexico is mostly dry and desert. We arrived before check-in so we spent some time in the sand followed by some excellent fish tacos and shrimp stuffed avocados for lunch. This is Rowan fourth trip to a beach. He's been to Padre Island, Galveston, and Mazatlan as well. He loves the water, but I'd say it is a love-hate relationship between him and the sand. He hates for his hands to be dirty, so he's not much for building sandcastles at this point, but he loves to run into the tide. He'll also pick up the occasional shell, making sure to use his finger tips and get as little sand as possible on his hands. Nonetheless, he had a great time, we did as well. Our $70 hotel (San Carlos Plaza and Resort) could have easily been $170 in a more touristy local, beers were only $280 pesos (or about $2.30 US) and food was extremely cheap and very good.
Having received mixed reviews about San Carlos from my co-workers, we really didn't know what to expect. I booked a cheap hotel on-line, as it was really rather difficult to find an expensive one, packed up three six packs of Pacifico beer, some fruit and snacks and set out. The drive was easy, as most of the time we take the cuota (toll-way) as oppose to the libre (free-way) and these roads are generally very good, better than Louisianna for example. Apparently we must have gone to a different San Carlos than some of my more negative co-workers, because this place was beautiful. The water was clear and the view was excellent. Mexican beaches, like the rest of the country are often mountainous, which gives them a different feel than in the states. In addition, the humid and sticky feeling was missing, I'm guessing because this area of northwest Mexico is mostly dry and desert. We arrived before check-in so we spent some time in the sand followed by some excellent fish tacos and shrimp stuffed avocados for lunch. This is Rowan fourth trip to a beach. He's been to Padre Island, Galveston, and Mazatlan as well. He loves the water, but I'd say it is a love-hate relationship between him and the sand. He hates for his hands to be dirty, so he's not much for building sandcastles at this point, but he loves to run into the tide. He'll also pick up the occasional shell, making sure to use his finger tips and get as little sand as possible on his hands. Nonetheless, he had a great time, we did as well. Our $70 hotel (San Carlos Plaza and Resort) could have easily been $170 in a more touristy local, beers were only $280 pesos (or about $2.30 US) and food was extremely cheap and very good.
Rowan running in the sand and me trying to finish as much Pacifico as possible. Shannon said I would come home with a 12-pack of my 18 left. I came home with 11.
There is a story behind the hat, it finally fits him now.
No worries, we rubbed him down good with sunscreen and he had a shirt on most of the day.
He only got in to about knee deep, no tumbles into the ocean water. The kid pool, that is a different story.
Dunes and some mountains in the background.
A little Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See before Rowan called it a night. He partied pretty hard up until around 7pm.
All in all a very good time and we will definitely be planning a return trip, or trips when possible. As part of my birthday present to Shannon, she wanted me to write a blog, so, feliz cumpleaños mi amor!
What a J.Crew baby!!! beautiful pics, and a very happy birthday to Mrs. Mason :) Looks like it was perfect...you guys make me cry. I miss you so.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Jess N