Red Storm 1941 Journal 13 July 31 4 miles SE Salapa to Boca del Rio, Vera Cruz, Mexico. Broke camp & drove to Vera Cruz in time for lunch. Saw Lacana & mangrove fern (Acrostichum aurem) in marshes west of Vera Cruz. Had lunch (soup, rice, fried chicken, steaks & salad, preserved peaches & coffee) for 90 centavos = 18 cents). Stayed in Vera Cruz until about 5 PM. Before leaving had Chocolate Sodor (20 centavos) Made in a small stall in a public park with a very old soda fountain. The jerker put in two scoops of chocolate ice cream (made with water as usual); pressed a knob labelled "Celery" out of which came sugar water; next pressed a knob labelled "Wild Cherry" (skipping the one labelled "chocolate"). This produced chocolate syrup; next came soda water; then vanilla icecream; & finally more soda water. The result was quite sweet & watery. We then drove to Boca del Rio on the mouth of the Rio Jamapa, stopping for a swim on the way- water brownish from the river, soupy, and shallow with almost no surf. Saw Osprey, Charadrius collaris, Least Tern, and Spotted Sandpiper on the beach. Had excellent sea food dinner at Boca del Rio. (Including squid cooked in its own ink which tasted like lobster). Drove waiter into Vera Cruz & spent an hour or so window shopping. Returned to Boca del Rio and camped on the beach at the mouth of the River.