western skies - road trip to puerto penasco

WESTERN SKIESPhotographic journeys celebrating the West

ON THE SEA OF CORTEZ

Road trip to Puerto Penasco

Come with us down one of America’s most southerly highways, AZ 85, to Puerto Peñasco, Mexico. The locals call it Rocky Point. We call it “good eatin”. We make this pilgrimage south from Phoenix regularly for fresh seafood, some cheap margaritas and to enjoy the laid back Mexican lifestyle. Don’t forget your passport. And leave your side piece at home.

All images and content © Jan Oliver-Schultz. All rights reserved.

Getting there

• Take highway 85 south through Ajo to Lukeville

• Continue straight through Sonoyta onto Mexico 8 for 64 miles

• Then follow Benito JaurezBoulevard to the Malecon

RIDING IN EXTREME HEAT When the temperature on the bike is 113°, you have to be prepared. We wore hydro vests, hydro neck scarves and Jan kept a wet handkerchief over her face to keep cool. If you are travelling to Puerto Penascobetween June and September, be prepared for extreme heat.

PUERTO PEÑASCO Once just a small fishing village on the Sea of Cortez, “Rocky Point” is a bustling little tourist destination just a few hours south of Phoenix. We’ve found the people to be friendly and have never had any problems travelling to and from Puerto Peñasco.

HOTEL POSADO DE LA ROCA (HOTEL PENASCO) Built by Al Capone as a personal resort during prohibition, Hotel Peñasco is a funky and quaint little hotel on the Malecón that offers the basic comforts at an affordable price. With two foot thick stone walls, it feels like a fortress inside and you get the distinct feeling that you are stepping back in time. The hotel lobby has a variety of memorabilia about Capone and early Rocky Point history. We parked the Harley in the enclosed courtyard to be guarded by a mother cat and her kittens.

VIEW FROM THE MALECÓN The view from the Malecón of the “Americanized” resorts on Sandy Beach where you can expect to pay between $150-$300 per night. We like our little boutique hotel instead at just a fraction of the price. It’s within walking distance to all our favorite restaurants.

QUINCEANERA We caught this scene of a proud father and his beautiful young daughter celebrating her 15th birthday.

A CURSORY INSPECTION As cows are brought in to the pen, a sharp eye identifies any animals that are injured or require medical treatment.

RIDING THEIR CHOPPER Young boys double up for a ride on their “chopper”.

MERCEDES RUSTICO Jan’s favorite shop is Mercedes Rustico. Their enclosed garden and collection of Mexican folk art and Spanish colonial art are definitely worth the visit.

A GARDEN COURTYARD. A beautiful iron door leads into the lovely courtyard garden at Mercedes Rustico.

SPANISH COLONIAL ART A beautiful collection of retables and bultosfrom varying regions in Mexico and South America.

ADORNED WITH MILAGROS A collection of bultos adorned with milagros.

THE RESORTS AT SANDY BEACH

TO CHOLLA BEACH. We weren’t completely sure we wanted to take the Harley out to Cholla Bay, but we had never ventured that way before so….Why not?

BEAUTIFUL PRIVATE VILLAS. Colorful villas line the beach on Cholla Bay.

A FRIENDLY WAVE For the adventurous, you can take a ride on everything from a Pirate ship to an ultra light.

HEADING HOME We’re always a little bit sad to leave the good people of Mexico, but we’ll be back!