Outlet Mall Shopping!

I do love a good outlet mall so I was excited to hear there is one in Calexico--the next town south of El Centro, which just so happens to be a border town. (Hence the name....Cali...Mexico...creative, don't you think??)

Since I'd done a little research and found that there was a Gymboree Outlet, it meant I needed to take a trip to see for myself how this outlet mall was.

First...thanks to my trusty Google Maps I had my directions. I did notice that I was going to literally be near the border, but that didn't worry me so much...until I drove closer and closer and saw only signs for the border and not my beloved outlet mall.  No need to worry though...I got to turn one block from the border crossing and I was on my way!

Here's what I saw as I drove into the mall parking lot:

Yes. That is literally the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico IN  the parking lot of the mall. Or beside it. Whatever! There is a border patrol truck at the end of the white razor blockade, but you can't see it very well. I did didn't want to be a gawker, so I moved on...but I really wanted to check this out. I'm glad I didn't have the boys with me because I needed to just see it and realize the safety for myself before I brought them here. I called Jeff to tell him where I was and asked it he'd ever seen the mall when he crossed the border and he had no clue it was even there!  There is a bit of construction between the border crossing and the mall (imagine that!), so I'll give him that.

Oops...didn't realize I didn't get the full name due to the palm tree!
Gran Plaza Outlets

All in all it was a good visit. Good outlet prices for Gymboree and I was glad to score some cheap swimsuits for my little fish!  I'll be back--apparently it has a decent play area for kids, so that's always a winner in my book!

Calexico Outlet Mall