READ ON TO GET SOME IDEA OF WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THE INDEX OR JUST START CLICKING AWAY IN THE INDEX TO THE LEFT. IT IS VERY POSSIBLE YOU WILL ENCOUNTER A BAD LINK. THE SITE HAS AS MANY BUGS AS MICROSOFT BUILT INTO WINDOWS BUT WE ARE TRYING TO CORRECT THEM. What's here? Most of these pages contain information about Northern Sonora from Nogales to Guaymas and San Carlos and especially Hermosillo and Kino Bay. It may take a little digging but I can assure that you will find information here that you will not find anywhere else. Some of the information needs updatng but it is still useful. Some may seem trivial unless you are interested in the particular topic. In those cases, if you are not interested, don't waste your time. Play around with the index at the left and see what you can dig up. Below you will find a brief explanation IF YOU DO NOT SEE OUR INDEX FRAME TO THE LEFT

ABOUT THE INDEX The Index frame should always be to your left as you browse these pages. If it is not, , before you continue. SOME LINKS DO OPEN A NEW PAGE. IF THAT HAPPENS, USE YOUR BACK BUTTON TO RETURN TO THE INDEX. Below is a brief explanation of what you should find when you select one of the topics.

FIND IT	Type in one or two words and then press the find button. You should get a list of our pages where the word or words are found. WARNING! This site has more trash than NASA has circling the earth. You could come up with some really wild stuff. Like NASA, I have no idea how to clean it up. Unlike NASA, I don't have the time or money.
HOME PAGE	Choose this whenever you want to end up here.
PADRE KINO	Information about the humanitarian Missionary who explored this territory.
YOUR LETTERS	, I have always wanted to include the comments, opinions and experiences of people who read these pages. Here is our first attempt.
Ironwood Carvings and More! ROSA LORENA'S	Interested in Ironwood Carvings and other types of Mexican folk art? We buy many of our ironwood figures directly from the artesanos in Hermosillo, Miguel Aleman and Kino Bay... Many are not only unique, they are signed by the carvers. Our prices are great and we do not make false claims or misleading statements that suggest that they are carved by Seri Indians... but when we have Seri carvings, we will let you know. It's one way to to help us make a few bucks and encourage us to keep up these pages. It is also a way to help the carvers and their families. At least half (usually more) of what you pay us goes directly into the hands of the carvers themselves.
NOGALES AZ	Not much here. A few pointers and biased remarks for now. We have to do better for this stop off before you take the plunge. It may not be the place to rest up.
THE BORDER	All about the experience of crossing into Mexico ... step by step with all the gory details ... or at least most of them.
NOGALES TO HERMOSILLO	Step by step including landmarks, places to eat, service stations, bathrooms and more.
HERMOSILLO QUICKLY	There is no easy way to get through Hermosillo but it is not so bad either. Here are some suggestions that might help a little. Other veteran snowbirds have recommended other routes. I just live here and this is the way I would go.
HOT SPRINGS	Sonora's Hot Springs are located in the middle of the state. They are about three hours from Hermosillo and probably 3-4 hours from Nogales or Douglas. Beautiful, exotic and undoubtedly therapeutic, a visit to the aguas calientes would make a wonderful outing. But they are not easy to reach and that is probably why they are so attractive.
HERMOSILLO TO SAN FELIPE!	Even though the hot springs are a bit out of the way, you can make the three hour trip enjoyable with short stops in Ures, Baviacora, Aconchi and marvelous San Felipe.
THE KINO CHRONICLE by Norma Morgan and Harper Simms	If you are thinking about retiring to Mexico, if your are curious about what North Americans find so attractive, or if you just want to know a little ( or a lot) more about Kino Bay, this wonderful booklet is a must and a delight.
MAGDALENA	This is an index for the few pages that we have for the teriffic poblado, Magdalena. About an hour from the border and on your way to Hermosillo, it is well worth a look see. In fact, we recommend as a major goal for a relaxing vacation ... no need to go all the way to Alamos.
SAN CARLOS	Another index. This one for the few pages that we have on San Carlos. That will change but for the moment, the index will also take you to more links with information on Sonora's Beach Front Resort Paradaise ... That's what they call it.
KINO BAY	There are a number of pages here and, of course, links to the seafood pages. I am told it is the most comprehensive coverage available for Kino Bay. We like Kino Bay for what it is and want to encourage people to visit, so we will update and add to the information whenever possible.
SONORA CITY MAPS	A link to some fairly decent city maps put up the Sonora's Oficina de Turismo.
MEXICAN AUTO INSURANCE	We try to take some of the mystery out of it and encourage buyers to shop around. You can get some good buys, especially if you buy for 12 months. But you don't have to wait until you get to the border to buy insurance. You may have an agent in your home town or you can buy it right here on the internet ... in at least one case, you can print out your policy immediately. A great way to cut down on border hassle.
REAL ESTATE	There are lots of unfounded rumors about buying land in Mexico. Hopefully these pages won't add to them. Personally, I think there are some wonderful investments that can be enjoyed while increasing in value.
NAFTA	NAFTA has made a lot of wealthy people wealthier in Mexico and I suspect the same for the U.S.A., but for the millions of regular everyday people, the benefits are not obvious and some commentators claim it has actually harmed the small Mexican farmer. This is an English version of the agreement.
RECIPES	Not many here right now but they are authentic and they are pretty interesting. You really should read about how to have a real carne asada. And of course there is one of the few if only recipes for authentic Sonoran "machaca." Most machaca recipes wthat we encountered are just recipes for boiled, spiced beef which is called "carne deshebraba" and it will never have the distinctiveflavor of authentic machaca.
CONTACT US	Click on this link to send us a message or ask a question or send us information that will help make these pages more useful. If it does not work with your browser, our address is sonoragateway@nschool.org.
CAUTION	A typical disclaimer ... don't blame us etc.
VISAS AND PERMITS	Another attempt to allay fears and rumors that seem to be rampant ... including bad information in many of the more "professional" travel guides. We cross very frequently and do the whole gig several times a year.
DOCTORS	Mexican dentists and doctors are quite good. Some medicines are very inexpensive. But the dollar is taking a real walloping by the Peso right now and things might not be as bright as when I wrote these pages almost two years ago.
EMERGENCY	Here are some suggestons about what to do in an emergency, but the truth is, Mexicans in general do not like to see people in distress. You may find ample help where you least expect it. And unlike in the U.S., most Mexicans do not see other peoples troubles as a way to make a lot of money. In fact, I have often had trouble getting the people who helped me to take money for their services.
FOOD & DRINKS	A friend of mine once wanted to take me to a restaurant in Tucson where I could eat "good Mexican food." I worried a little about this. The food was neither particularly good nor Mexican (at least Sonoran). Food and drinks in Mexico should be one of the most enjoyable experiences of any vacationer. These pages will help you enjoy it. And be sure and check out the "do it yourself seafood recipes" which include how to catch it as well as prepare it.
GASOLINE	If you are worried about quality and availability of gas and clean restrooms in Northern Mexico, read this. By the way, the current price of regular unleaded gas in Mexico is 5.5 pesos per liter. Take into account the exchange rate and that there are about 3.8 liters to a U.S. gallon and you will come up with about $2.25 a gallon... add to that lower gas mileage ... gasp!!!
TAXIS & RENTAL CARS	I put this in because of the nonsense I read on one of the other popular travel guides.
LODGING INDEX	A list of hotels and motels in major Sonoran cities. Some of the listings include first hand information and comments. This is true for Magdalena, Santa Ana, Hermosillo and Kino Bay. The rest are taken from lists provided by the "oficina de Turismo del Estado de Sonora." Do the phone numbers work? Some do.
MAJOR CITIES	Just a list of the major cities and a little information about each ... standard tour guide stuff ... most is pretty worthless.
HERMOSILLO INDEX	My idea of the best of Hermosillo. You won't find this kind of information anywhere else. Print out the El Centro Map for a handy guide while you are there.
LINKS MEXICO	General links to information about Mexico.
LINKS SONORA	General links to information about Sonora.
LINKS CULTURE	General links to information about Mexican Culture.
LINKS INDIGENOUS	General links to information about Mexico's Indigenous groups. Paltry considering this fascinating topic..

IF YOU DO NOT SEE OUR INDEX FRAME TO THE LEFT

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