Hola Penasco!
I had the fortune of opportune timing both for living in, and leaving Puerto Penasco. This town has given me some of the greatest memories of my young (LOL) life. There’s a dynamic associated with living in Puerto Penasco that will forever escape those who haven’t experienced it. The city has its own character and personality forged by the successes and failures of the adventurers, locals and visitors who have claimed this city as their own. There are myriad personalities that have guided Penasco over the years. The stories of the Old Guard who came to this city and imprinted themselves on it involve comedies, tragedies, dramas, occasionally gunplay and biographies that over time will be lost to the explosive growth that dwarfed the history of Penasco only a few decades ago. Some of the gringo players in town have been here for (most of) it all. Times change and people move on, but I think that for the sake of perspective, it’s important to look back at those who have chaperoned this city’s future with a sense of community that has engendered a passion for the future, not just for success, but for the propagation of the aura of Puerto Penasco.
Many people know about the Poturalskis and the McKenzies, two families, two neighboring families that shared a common, yet competitive vision for the future of Penasco. I consider myself a neighbor of the family that lives two blocks East of me. I try my best to be available for the weddings, fifteenth birthdays, anniversaries, graduations etc. of their families. I try my best… Now consider the two families I mentioned before. These two families have shared with each other, competed with each other, cared for each other and in general have exemplified the spirit of community with each other for DECADES!!! Think about that, how many of us can say that for even five years, we have had the backs of our vecinos (neighbors)? How close are they? There are literally thousands of cold beers that have been tossed from house to house for decades.
The bond between these two families was forged by their patriarchs, Grant Mckenzie Senior and Dave Poturalski, who was succeeded by Encanto’s matriarch, Margie Poturalski. On paper, these two families didn’t share much. One family hailed from New Zealand and the other from Poland (with a little bit of California thrown in). However, both families shared a vision of a connected, remote and pacific community on the shores of the Sea of Cortez. Both families also have a legacy carried by their children, who carry that same vision as a banner for the future.
I counted both Grants, Judy and recently Branden, and all of the Poturalskis as my friends for many years, I still do. When Branden returned from Iraq, I shared old war stories with his new ones and welcomed another member into my family South of the border. When Darryl returned to Puerto Penasco to work with his mom I was elated to find that he, like the rest of his family was a good man, and he was eager to pursue a life in Penasco based on the same precepts as his father. Where Branden brought a personalized sense of patriotism, Craig Poturalski brought his style and music to the town, and for good measure, he threw in a great wife and recently children to the mix. Branden married also, and in the fashion of his family introduced his wife to the community as another advocate for the town, and a member of the communal family. Michael Poturalski, well what can I say… this is one of the most decent and kind people any of us can ever hope to meet.
Scott Poturalski… well he gave me insight, friendship, guidance and a true belief in the power of good intentions and friendship. My entire experience with the man has been an education on what one man who has it all can do with what he has. If you are ever challenged in life and have to make a decision, I hope you realize that this man had those decisions flying at him for years. Investors come and go, buyers are there or they aren’t, tourists come in like the tide. Friends… If you’ve had them you don’t need to read another sentence. If you haven’t, you won’t understand.
A special “shout out” to Grant Sr. from someone with immense respect for him…. Fifteen two, fifteen four, and their aint no more…
Thank you to all of you who were there when I needed you, McKenzies, Poturalskis, Zacatelcos, Larges, Rolands, etc. Puerto Penasco is a good town, full of friendly and good people. If you haven’t figured that out yet, you’re not spending time with the right folks.
I know Puerto Penasco isn’t enjoying the boom it was when I lived there, but I want everyone to know that my life, and the lives of dozens of people I’ve known who still live there are better because we knew the people who make Puerto Penasco what it is. I am confident that that same spirit will bring Puerto Penasco to a well deserved renaissance long before the US issues have been sorted out. I wish you all happiness, success and most importantly, community.
I miss you all,
T
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