Number 180 in a Series

SUE WESTERGAARD OF CASA GRANDE: I visited Rocky Point for the first-time last month. Had a ball. But a guy told me, “You should have been here 30 years ago.” Why would he say that?

CAP’N GREG: How old was the guy?

SUE: About your age.

CAP’N GREG: Mid-forties?

SUE: I said about your age, not when you were born.

CAP’N GREG: Good point, Sue, although a little painful to hear. How old are you? About twenty-six?

SUE: Close enough.

CAP’N GREG: You remember the country song when the guy sings something like, “It takes me all night on to do what I used to do all night long?”

SUE: Sure do.

CAP’N GREG: What that song says is there are definite advantages to youth. Time changes almost everything.

SUE: Has Rocky Point changed that much?

CAP’N GREG: In so many ways, Sue. Not long ago, Sandy Beach was just that: a beach. About 100 years ago, thirsty folks from the States made their way here for a “legal” drink during Prohibition. Small hotels popped up. About 80 years ago, Highway 8 from Lukeville was paved by the US military to access a Sea of Cortez port, if needed, to service WWII warships in the Pacific. But Sandy Beach was still just a beach. People swam and camped there, even caught dinner right off the shore. Then, about 40 years ago, a dramatic increase in tourism caused an explosion in basic infrastructure, condos and homes, restaurants and bars and big events like this month’s annual motorcycle rally.

SUE: Cap’n Greg, since I don’t know how it used to be, this is how it’s always been for me. And I love it.

CAP’N GREG: That’s because what hasn’t changed is the laid-back attitude of pre-boom Peñasco. But I bet 30 years from now when it takes you all night on to do what you used to do all night long, you will be telling new visitors, “You should have been here 30 years ago.”