Wednesday, October 8, 2024

For the third time in 2024, we are bound for Mexico again.  Except instead of a Mexican Riviera cruise and then a 70th birthday week in Puerto Vallarta, this time we are traveling southeast from Tucson, in a motor coach, with Gate1 Travel.

We checked into the Hilton Doubletree at the Tucson Airport around 5pm on Tuesday evening.   How GREAT it was to not board an airplane to start this trip!  We were even able to park my truck at the hotel at no charge!

We’re traveling with Beth Ann and Steve King, my fabulous neighbors. Beth Ann is a travel agent and has helped me plan and  book several trips.  Steve has been incredibly helpful to me around the house since Dennis transitioned.  I’m so blessed to have them as neighbors AND friends.

Our orientation dinner and meeting was Tuesday night where we met, Rodrigo, our Gate1 guide for the next 10 days.  A native Mexican, he is very knowledgeable and friendly.  I feel we are in good hands. 

We were up early on Wednesday morning as our bags needed to be outside our room at 6am.  After a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel, we hit the road promptly at 7am. 

We are a group of 41 (one woman lost her traveling companion to illness), and we’re traveling in a large motor coach WITH A BAN̈O.  My prayers have been answered; everything else is gravy to me.

The 4 of us grabbed the seats in the back of the bus, and since there are extra seats, we could spread out.  We will see about the following days; Gate1 operates on a rotating seat procedure.  

We drove east through Deming and then dropped south through the Palomas Border.  We had to exit the coach to be processed into Mexico, but we actually got through pretty quick. 

Lunch was provided at The Pink Store, which was pretty darn tasty.  There was lots of shopping to be had, but most of the wares  could be purchased closer to home.

We continued on our journey with a VERY rough and bumpy ride for a few hours.  Of course, being at the back of the bus always holds the most road action.   I tried to nap, but it was too rough.   The scenery was pretty bland until we got closer to our home for the night in Nuevo Casas Grandes, where there is a lot of agriculture.

We arrived at Hotel Hacienda around 4:45 and had an hour to get settled and rest in our room.  Then, back on the bus for a 20-minute ride to our evening excursion, which was a lovely private home!

We were greeted by the owners  with a margarita, and then escorted to the back area where we enjoyed a pottery demonstration.  And not just any pottery, but Mata Ortiz! 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mata_Ortiz_pottery

I’m familiar with this pottery thanks to my days working at The Grand Canyon in the 70’s.  I’ve always been drawn to it’s beautiful designs and especially the black color. 

I was absolutely blown away when  they uncovered this piece, and I just KNEW it was meant to be mine  …

The extra bonus was then enjoying a lovely catered dinner in their home. 

We’re now back in our hotel room resting and watching the Mexican version of Survivor.  I’m sure we will sleep well tonight, even though I feel like I’m still rocking from the motor coach. 

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AND IT MUST BE SAID  …. my heart is with everyone in Florida who is feeling the ravages of Hurricane Milton.  It seems surreal that we are here enjoying our tour, and Milton is happening simultaneously.  Prayers go to all.