Allow plenty of time for travel this Labor Day Weekend

It’s time to celebrate Labor Day Weekend this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A day for workers and their families to kick-back, relax and have a great time in Rocky Point, Mexico. With school starting and summer vacation over, Labor Day Weekend is typically thought of as the last “hoorah” of the year as summer comes to a close.

The town will be teeming with ATV riders, jet-skiers, sunset cruise goers and hordes of people on the beach getting that last bit of summer tan before diving back into their hectic school and work schedules. There’s a lot you can do in Rocky Point over the weekend, but first let’s get you here safely. Leave a little extra travel time this weekend for construction and other delays. Here are some tips:

• Border Patrol check-point south of Gila Bend. South-bounders do not have to stop, but obey posted speed limits as police have been known to issue tickets.

• Customs stop on U.S. side of border. Every vehicle is stopped and asked a few standard questions (ie: carrying more than $10,000 USD, guns or ammo?). This can cause quite a back-up so allow an extra 20 minutes plus to wait in line. And be courteous to those coming from Mexico who want to cross the line of traffic to get gas, mail, or go to the duty free store. OBEY the stop signs posted – only 1 car at a time. The agents can get testy when vehicles do not stop at the stop sign and crowd the booth. Wait at the sign and when the car clears the booth you may proceed.

• Bring little or no beef, poultry, dairy, fruits and vegetables. If you get the red light as you cross into Mexico and are inspected, the items above can be confiscated due to agricultural warnings – just as the U.S. has. With Rocky Point having Sam’s Club, Bodega Aurrera (a subsidiary of Wal-Mart) and other large supermarkets, neighborhood stores and stands you can find everything you need for your vacation. Saves time packing and less hassle at the border.

• Obey the posted speed limit signs in Sonoyta especially at the north and south ends. At the north end it changes from 20 kmh to 40 kmh and at the south end it is 40kmh and this is where most people are ticketed. There doesn’t have to be a police vehicle present. Last week one lonely cop stood at the south end and pulled speeders over with a wave of the hand. A ticket is about $10 USD and is to be paid at the police station and NOT to the officer even if he offers you a receipt. You pay your fine at the police station. If you pay the officer on the spot you encourage him to pull other visitors over even if they are barely speeding or for some other infraction.

• Allow extra time for the traffic detour through Sonoyta. Since the main bridge through town is still under construction, traffic is being routed onto Highway 2 and through the wash – also known to us locals as the “back way”. Traffic comes from 3 points and gets jacked up with people crowding and semi trucks so be patient and follow the hand signals of the traffic cop. At the end of the wash there is another traffic back-up for the same reason. Be sure to give semi’s plenty of room, be courteous and watch the traffic cop.

• Highway 8 is patrolled by the State Police in their black and white’s and will ticket you for speeding and not wearing a seat belt. The posted speed limit is about 55 MPH, but it seems if you keep it around 65-70 MPH they do not bother you (just an observation).

• Be prepared to wait in line at the border on Monday. Stay a day or two later if you can.

• The same applies to Rocky Point – keep to the speed limits, drive carefully and enjoy your weekend in our little paradise on the Sea of Cortez.

While you’re out and about why not come down the Coastal Highway and take a tour of Laguna Shores Oceanfront Resort and have some lunch or a cool beverage. It is a great low-density master planned community right on the ocean with its own estuary and plenty of amenities that no other master planned resort in Rocky Point offers. It’s always fun to see what progress has been made and if you’d like the nickel tour, just ask – the Laguna Shores staff will be happy to show you around. Check out their website at www.lagunashoresresort.com and visit them on Facebook. “Like” the page and get access to a special “Fish & Stay” package.