Jeep Shaffer and Joyce Jerome of Redondo Beach hadn't been back to the Rosarito Beach Hotel since 9-11 and the subsequent restrictions at the border.


That combined with the deluge of press suggesting that there was widespread violence throughout Mexico kept them from traveling south.


The notion that they had not been able to travel to Baja left a hole in their hearts, for they had so many fond memories and had made so many lasting friendships.


This past weekend, the couple decided to go back on a guided tour with 976-TUNA. The group was not only headed to Rosarito Beach to enjoy Baja and all it has to offer but also to treat more than 300 local children to a day at the beach. Included was a basketball clinic put on by 1972 world champion Laker Flynn Robinson, fishing on the Rosarito Beach Pier with 976-TUNA, as well as swimming and relay races on the beach.


Roughly half of the 300 children were from the local orphanages, and this was the first time they felt the beach sand under their feet.


"Joyce and I just wanted to be part of it. "It was a moment in time we will never, ever forget," Shaffer said as he wiped tears from his eyes.


Shaffer made it down to the Rosarito Beach basketball courts to see Robinson giving the children instruction on how to improve their game.


Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres had opened up his beautiful hotel to the children while Arturo Martinez from the State Secretary of Tourism Office

and other locals made sure the kids had water and a fantastic meal. "It's just as I remember it," Jerome said. "The hotel, the food, the people, the beautiful ocean."
One little girl from the orphanage hugged Robinson as he continued to teach the fine art of basketball.
"Te amo mucho," she said to Robinson.


"This has been an extraordinary day," Robinson said. "Winning the world championship with Wilt (Chamberlain) was one of the greatest days of my life. This is not far behind it."


Jerome and Shaffer remembered a favorite restaurant in town where they had enjoyed some memorable meals. Even though news reports made it seem like a bad idea to go into town, the two couldn't resist trying to get down to El Nido for some delicious quail and filet mignon.


With the help of a lovely young lady from the Rosarito Beach Hotel, the threesome headed through downtown Rosarito Beach until they came to a curb that they could not push the wheelchair over. As they started down the block to go around the curb, three waiters from an adjacent restaurant ran out, picked up the wheelchair and Jeep and helped him up on to the curb.


"This is the same Baja I remember," Shaffer said.
And yes, the quail and filet mignon at ElNido were as delectable and tender as they had remembered.
Back at the hotel, the children were wrapping up a memorable day. Redondo Beach volunteer Mike Aaker said the looks and smiles on the kids' faces would have him coming back again and again.


The group is planning another trip this fall. For more information, you can e mail philip@976-TUNA.com.
philip@976-TUNA.com


http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/ci_14896154