Guaymas APA Getaway Flight Report
By Brad Lawrence
After much anticipation and anxiety by the members preparing to fly to Guaymas on Feb 5, the trip turned out to be much easier and smoother than expected. We all managed to navigate the CBP’s eAPIS and the Mexican multi-entry permit process. Flights to Mexico are riddled with nearly the same amount of unknowns as is the US ATC system. All of the Mexican controllers were polite, easy to understand, and responsive.
Immigration and Customs at Guaymas was very friendly and helpful. Gene Bourdage, APA member from Flagstaff, helped immensely with planning and orchestrating of our visit with the tower controllers and ground crews. Upon entering the pattern, each APA plane was greeted with a welcome, addressing each passenger in the plane by their first name. I thanked the tower controller for the beautiful weather in Guaymas, to which he responded that he had made a personal phone call to make it happen. What a delightful way to start the day!
Everyone flew in Friday morning and left on Sunday. The usual one day getaway turned into two, which was perfect. There is so much to see and experience in the coastal towns of Guaymas and San Carlos. The mountains on the blue water beaches are so picturesque and inviting. After everyone cleared immigration, we got into our rental cars and set out for lunch at Charlie’s Rock restaurant which is on the south end of San Carlos directly on the water. The food, drink, and impromptu live music were just what the flight gods ordered.
After we were adjusted to sea level, we set out for what I call a bay cruise on a 38’ motor yacht with Captain Carlos and First Mate Dos Equis. We chased a whale for a mile or so in some deep swells, watching it blow and breach every few minutes, even getting fairly close on one pass. We circumnavigated a few of the rock islands in the bay, taking in their wildlife and horticulture. Halfway through the three hour tour we encountered several dolphins doing what they like to do best: an ad hoc version of a sea world routine around our boat. As we returned to the marina, the sun was setting over the rocky horizon, capping a short journey some would pay $150 for in the San Francisco Bay area, but it was only $20 here for a much better view.
Friday evening was an open dinner. Everyone had a great day and was looking forward to Saturday. After a hardy buffet breakfast, complemented with smiles and white cloth napkins at the hotel, we set out for the world famous Pearl Factory on the south tip of Guaymas. Arriving a little early, we stopped in a residential area and walked to the edge of the 50’ rocky cliff overlooking the dark blue Guaymas bay surrounded by the craggy foothills. What a beautiful sight!
Down the road we touched down at the Pearl Factory; once the site of the University, with some majestic architecture left behind. At the top of the steps is a retail shop for pearl jewelry and the starting point of the tour. After getting the official story in a video, we all proceeded to the processing and maintenance hut on the water. They grow pearls in a farm on the water identified by buoys. A pearl takes about three years to mature, and a lot of maintenance. After this enlightening tour (pearls don’t start with a grain of sand) we drove a short distance including 2 speed bumps (a topic in itself) over to Gene and Jan Bourdage’s home on the beach for a short visit (Flagstaff in the summer and Guaymas in the winter – the only way to live).
To keep up with our schedule, we sped off to San Carlos for a delightful lunch at Gustavos restaurant (house special – Molcajete in a lava bowl). Now we were going to do something a little different from the usual Getaway Flight routine, hike. We made our way (in cars) 3 miles up to a clearing and the trailhead of the Nacapule Canyon. This steep vertical walled canyon had spring pools and palm trees which were kind of out of place, but pretty cool. The hike was less than a mile in and there were plenty of things to climb. This area also had a vendor providing zip line rides. The walls of the canyon have 5 or 6 zip lines zigzagging between them. We didn’t experience the ride, but we will next time. Typical zip line rides in the US are $150-$700, but here they only wanted 300 pesos ($20). The zip line stations looked new and safe.
Okay, catching our breath, we drove back to the hotel for showers and reloaded for the Carnival Parade on Main Street in downtown Guaymas. Standing on the street corner, we watched tens of young uniformed dancer groups, as well as floats with music and a myriad of street vendors mostly catering to the children.
The weather was perfect and we really enjoyed the spectacle. After the parade, everyone convened at the Armida Hotel’s “El Oeste” Restaurant for the best steak in Guaymas, more good food and adult beverages! The service was A+ all around, whew!
Sunday morning was a more serious day for the pilots, getting mentally prepared for the flight back into the US. However, we had priorities, which included buying souvenirs downtown Guaymas priorto heading back to the airport, mainly hats and shirts with “Guaymas” logos. The return trip home started with a 100 mile low altitude flight up the coast to the island of Tiburon, abeam Hermosillo, and then a right turn to Nogales for another 175 to the border. Prescott Radio gave us a squawk and shortly after we landed and cleared immigration in Nogales. It was just too easy and way too much fun! Everyone made it home in time to see the Super Bowl game, ending a super weekend.
APA Member Richard Yerian was absent for this trip due to a mechanical issue with his plane, but he is going down in Mid-March and welcomes everyone to join him. Richard Yerian 602-743-4258.
Join the APA Getaway Flight to Arizona Wine Country at Page Springs on Friday April 23rd for a day of tasting and exploring, and an evening of live music. Topping it off with a stay at one of Arizona’s best B&Bs. This should be a great outing!
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