The Birthday Bash

We met Karen and Jim at Western Horizon's resort in St. David, Arizona in 2004. They are from Walla Walla, Washington. When we met them, they weren't sure traveling to Mexico was such a good idea. But we assured them it would be just fine. So, we traveled to Kino together. They have been there every winter since, and even volunteer at the campground. Karen works in the office and teaches crafts; Jim runs the honey wagon and takes members on fishing trips.

Karen and Larry share the same birth date, March 15, and we are almost always at Kino when that date rolls around and naturally we always have a party. (As if we needed a reason.) This year the bash was at Pancho’s new restaurant. Well, actually this is his second year in the restaurant business.

We met Pancho four years ago and have since become good friends with him and his family. Pancho is first and foremost an artist who does beautiful ironwood carvings. He has five daughters, ranging in ages from about 18 to 3 yrs. including two 14-year-old twins. Last year his oldest daughter suggested he open a restaurant. He did, and they serve some of the best Mexican food in Old Kino at the most reasonable prices. They open at 5 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. The gringos come to eat early; the Mexicans later.

Anyhow, back to the birthday bash….. At 4:30 (he opened early for us) we started gathering at Pancho’s. There must have been at least 30 people there, just about everyone who is still at the Western Horizons park. Panchos is a small restaurant and they don’t normally handle large groups, but Pancho, his wife and daughters had everything organized and the food was served promptly.

After our meal, Pancho brought out two large birthday cakes. His family sang the Mexican happy birthday; then also sang it in English. Then, Pancho said according to Mexican custom the birthday person(s) takes a bite out of his or her cake before cutting it. Well, when in Mexico…….









The food was wonderful and we all had a great time. As we drove back home after the party, we captured this gorgeous sunset on the beach in New Kino.