Photo opt on the last beach in America

We had an adventure four days before Christmas. We decided to go to the beach for photos with our self timer. Joe decided to take us to the last beach America (Tijuana State reserve/ park) Well it was closed due to flooding on the roads, no signs were posted though so we waited a half hour to find this out, then we made it to the beach after walking 1 1/2 miles ( the park ranger told us 1/4 mile) we were real happy. It was beautiful. Then border patrol made a point to tell us not to touch the water. We knew that, but as you can see we were in bear feet. Then Joe decided to walk to the actual fence and touch the border, and put their hands in the Mexico. cool! Wow! so they(WE) walked another mile there and back. Phew! This is with children, 9 and under. so we started carrying and slinging encouraging, cheering, anything we could think of to help them be happy for the other 1 1/2 we had to get back to the car.
So, I had not packed snacks or drinks, thinking we would be going to IB which is only 5 miles away. not a 15 mile drive, then a long walk. so when we started back to the car, kids were hungry, thirsty, tired, and then Joe realized he had lost his phone. And for sure it was back on the beach somewhere between where we were and the border, Oh and he had gone the other direction toward IB about 1/2 mile also with the girls. so I and the girls set up camp on the pathway and Joe headed back to the beach. A couple of birdwatchers passed and asked if we were waiting for Triple A sarcastically. I told them by husband lost his phone and was looking for it on the beach. I had started dialing his phone over and over. Apparently they heard it right when they made it to the beach and Joe was heading back from going to the border, so they gave it to him. Needless to say it was a long photo opt.
An excursion that I thought would be an hour was 4 1/2 hours 9am to 1pm min. We kept telling the girls they should write about it in there journals. At the border there was a man that came up to the fence to sell cotton candy. Too bad we didn't have any cash!