John: "I came to the Sea of Cortez in 1970, a trip to San Felipe was my first lesson in Mexican; I began to learn about the sea, the sea shells, the beaches, the 'roads' and the people. I tried to to get back to Mexico every year or so thereafter, returning to San Felipe perhaps 6 times over the years; once I drove the old road south as far as Puertocitas. I made a couple of trips down the mainland side, too, to San Blas/Tepic in 1974, and to San Carlos/Guaymas in 1975. After we met, Judy and I came to the Baja together 3 times, to San Felipe, to Puerto Peñasco and to La Paz, where we took a Moorings charter in 1996. I always find the Baja scenery and solitude appealing, and the Mexican people and the food are really enjoyable. My Spanish has been improving since we brought our boat down to the Sea of Cortez."

Judy: "My first two trips to Mexico with John were less than ideal. We camped on the beach in San Felipe during August and it was hot, hot, hot. Several years later we camped on the beach at Puerto Penasco with our kids and dog in a strong wind storm that lasted days. We couldn't go outside to cook, the seams were sand blasted out of the tents, one tent went tumbling down the beach with Tiffany and the dog inside. However I didn't give up. I told John that our next trip to Mexico was going to be at a comfortable resort and it was. For five years we'd go relax, each year, at all-inclusive resorts in the Yucatan, exploring ruins and reefs. Now we're loving the Sea of Cortez and there's so much more of Mexico I want to explore in the future."