Sunday, January 14, 2007
Photos
It takes too long to upload photos. Please chack back once we get in the US and we'll post pictures.
Sat 13, January 2007, Alamos to Bahia Kino (State of Sonora)
Back to where we started this adventure: Bahia Kino. Faithful readers will know that we came back to get the cat that escaped almost a month ago. Success! He’s back and doing fine. We’re trying to get in a frame of mind to leave this beauty and people. Fellows came buy selling lobster last night so that helped!!! $14US for all of these (and they were still kicking!!!
Fri 12, January 2007, Alamos (State of Sonora)
We did some shopping at an native handicrafts store and then went to La Adunana, a village several miles out in the desert. The church (now being renovated) is said to be famous and has a cactus that mysteriously started grown out the side. One person said it had achieved miracle status but we’re not sure of that.
A great find was a first class gourmet restaurant in this tiny village.
A great find was a first class gourmet restaurant in this tiny village.
Thur, 11 January 2007, Alamos (State of Sonora)
A quick drive inland to a town that we’ve heard a lot about: Alamos. It is a colonial mining town that now has historical protection from the Mexican government. It was nice but we were disappointed. We liked El Fuerte better.
Wed, 10 January 2007, Huatabampito (State of Sonora)
Today we drove around the area checking our markets and looking for Maya Indian crafts. We ended up in an Indian village, way out in the desert. Neat village, no paved streets but the village and the citizens were immaculate. We could not find any shops selling the crafts so we stopped at a regular shop to ask. To our surprise, the lady closed her shop and she and her 2 year old got in the car with us and took us to several of her friends who made the articles. These are normally sent to Alamos where they are sold to tourists. Everyone was super nice and we picked up several nice things. It was a nice trip and we got to see some things that very few people ever do.
Tue, 9 January 2007, El Fuerte to Huatabampito (State of Sonora)
Man with gun awakens Daniele
Another short day, 3 hours and 109 miles. Daniele is excited: says it was the first time she has ever awoken to a young soldier standing over her carrying a gun! Geeze, if I had known, I would have carried a gun more often! What happened was that as we get closer to the US border, we will start encountering military checkpoints looking for guns and drugs. At this one, they were walking through every RV and even making the 18 wheelers back into a loading dock and opening the doors for checking. Our 2 soldiers spoke no English but were very polite. One was fascinated with the dogs and wanted to know their names. The other one checked the coach fairly carefully and is the one Daniele saw when she woke up. I recognized his collar patch as being artillery and he was excited that I knew that. I suspect that they rotate units on this duty. Was not a big deal and we were soon on our way to another check point, this time for agriculture (California does the same thing). The various states are trying to protect their crops and try to stop import of fruits and some veggies. For the first time at one of these the nice inspector came in but just looked at the fruit bowl (that was empty), glanced around and said adios.
The route continues through intense agriculture areas with lots of irrigation, even though we’re getting into the Sonora desert. Again, we continue to get waves from everywhere. We found our park (El Mirador in Huatabampito www.el_mirador.tripod.com) and again, fantastic (If you find Navojoa on your map, look SW on the coast and you might see this village…it is very small though.) This one has a very nice restaurant and we’re closer to the water than we have ever been. The beach is almost deserted in every direction. There are only 3 other RV’s here. The dogs can run loose and had a ball. Surf is very calm but the water is a bit cool. We just chilled out in the sun and then had another fantastic meal of shrimp.
Another short day, 3 hours and 109 miles. Daniele is excited: says it was the first time she has ever awoken to a young soldier standing over her carrying a gun! Geeze, if I had known, I would have carried a gun more often! What happened was that as we get closer to the US border, we will start encountering military checkpoints looking for guns and drugs. At this one, they were walking through every RV and even making the 18 wheelers back into a loading dock and opening the doors for checking. Our 2 soldiers spoke no English but were very polite. One was fascinated with the dogs and wanted to know their names. The other one checked the coach fairly carefully and is the one Daniele saw when she woke up. I recognized his collar patch as being artillery and he was excited that I knew that. I suspect that they rotate units on this duty. Was not a big deal and we were soon on our way to another check point, this time for agriculture (California does the same thing). The various states are trying to protect their crops and try to stop import of fruits and some veggies. For the first time at one of these the nice inspector came in but just looked at the fruit bowl (that was empty), glanced around and said adios.
The route continues through intense agriculture areas with lots of irrigation, even though we’re getting into the Sonora desert. Again, we continue to get waves from everywhere. We found our park (El Mirador in Huatabampito www.el_mirador.tripod.com) and again, fantastic (If you find Navojoa on your map, look SW on the coast and you might see this village…it is very small though.) This one has a very nice restaurant and we’re closer to the water than we have ever been. The beach is almost deserted in every direction. There are only 3 other RV’s here. The dogs can run loose and had a ball. Surf is very calm but the water is a bit cool. We just chilled out in the sun and then had another fantastic meal of shrimp.
Mon, 8 January 2007, El Fuerte (State of Sinaloa)
Decided to stay another day and see the town by day. We went to the market area and strolled. Daniele started looking at clothes; Steve saw a tiny barbershop and got a haircut for $3US. Daniele says it is the best haircut in years. We got hungry so we sat at one of the many stands where they make tacos to order. We had 5 delicious beef ones with everything, plus 2 cokes for $5US! By then, the streets were emptying for siesta. We saw a small hotel and the lady invited us in to the courtyard….beautiful! We’ve seen here that you should not judge a house by its front. As you peek down the driveway or entrance path, you will usually see a magnificent, landscaped patio and interior. We ended up at the plaza and enjoyed the quiet. Then, it was siesta time for us too. For dinner we went to a very nice restaurant and had a fantastic meal for about $40US total. Restaurant really reminded us of one you would find in Spain.
Sun, 7 January 2007, El Fuerte (State of Sinaloa)
Today was a short trip of only 60 miles to El Furerte an old colonial mining town way in the hills. Good road most of the way through beautiful agricultural areas and neat villages. We were told that most of the veggies and fruits that we see in the US during winter come from here. The RV park is mid size and we’re the only rig here. Caravans use it in Feb and March as a base for Copper Canyon tours. The owner is an American that is a retired pilot from Frontier Airlines. He organizes dove hunting trips for rich folks he says.
El Furerte is great! We had an excellent dinner of shrimp (what else?) at a very nice restaurant and then went to the Plaza as do many other residents. The Plaza is beautiful, right off of a postcard with a big bandstand in the middle and gorgeous trees all around. Citizens of all ages were strolling around the square or sitting and chatting on one of the benches. This truly is a wonderful snapshot of something you don’t find much anymore. Food venders are at various places around the square and we finally found the famous Churros again. Remember at our first park in Kino the vender came through with a tank of hot oil in the back of a pick up truck selling a doughnut type thing (and Steve ate them all)? Well here they were again. We got plenty this time. Lot to be said for strolling around a plaza munching on Churros.
El Furerte is great! We had an excellent dinner of shrimp (what else?) at a very nice restaurant and then went to the Plaza as do many other residents. The Plaza is beautiful, right off of a postcard with a big bandstand in the middle and gorgeous trees all around. Citizens of all ages were strolling around the square or sitting and chatting on one of the benches. This truly is a wonderful snapshot of something you don’t find much anymore. Food venders are at various places around the square and we finally found the famous Churros again. Remember at our first park in Kino the vender came through with a tank of hot oil in the back of a pick up truck selling a doughnut type thing (and Steve ate them all)? Well here they were again. We got plenty this time. Lot to be said for strolling around a plaza munching on Churros.
Sat, 6 January 2007, Teacapán (State of Sinaloa) to Culiacan, er make that Las Mochis (State of Sinaloa)
We hated to leave Teacopan but they were full so off we went at 0845. We decided to try the free (Libre) highway because other RV’ers say they are fine and the toll roads can get very expensive. They are right! We were on toll for only a short section and saved at least $75US. Plus the free highways were great and scenic. You get to see more towns and these do not slow you down much. We had 2 or 3 instances to getting stuck behind trucks, but nothing of concern. It is the libre for us (except in mountains, probably).
We arrived at our campground in Culiacan about 1400. It was lovely…a water park with a nice lake and pools. So far so good. As we neared the site, the coach began vibrating. When we stopped there was a loud, steady ka-thump, ka-thump. It was “music”. Thinking it was just workers with a boom box we set up and unhooked the Jeep. Steve drove (it was that far) to where the “music” was coming from and it was a DJ setting up! Steve drove to the office and asked (it was loud there too, a mile away) about it. “Oh, that is a fiesta.” When will it end? 0200. We left.
Driving was good so we pressed on to Las Mochis and arrived at 1830. We’re in a bare bones campsite that is used as a storage place for RV’s while the owners take a train into the Copper Canyon (Mexico’s grand canyon, which is bigger than ours!) Doesn’t matter, it has utilities and is fairly quiet. We’re ahead of schedule so now we’ll be able to spend extra time in the colonial towns of El Fuerte and Alamos.
We traveled 357 miles today, a long way in Mexico. We also chatted about what we’ve done so we did some numbers:
We left NC on 25 Oct
We arrived in Mexico on 9 Dec
We traveled 3,382 miles (so far) in the US
We traveled 2,004 miles (so far) in Mexico
Grand total of 5,386 miles, so far.
Some random observations:
•We have not seen one single person begging for money, anywhere.
•We have not seen anyone sleeping on the streets or sidewalks.
•We still get smiles and waves from people everywhere
•No one has tried to cheat us (other than the “Dr” in Mazatlan) and we have never felt uneasy in spite of having traveled from the biggest to the smallest areas.
•Dirt streets seem normal now, we don’t even notice them
•There are very few signs admonishing you to not do something. There seems to be an attitude of act like you know you should act and be responsible for yourself (we are told that lawsuits are almost unheard of here…you should have watched where you were going)
•Baseball is a big deal here. We’ve seen quite a few games being played in village ballparks. The players are in nice uniforms and there is always a fair size audience
We arrived at our campground in Culiacan about 1400. It was lovely…a water park with a nice lake and pools. So far so good. As we neared the site, the coach began vibrating. When we stopped there was a loud, steady ka-thump, ka-thump. It was “music”. Thinking it was just workers with a boom box we set up and unhooked the Jeep. Steve drove (it was that far) to where the “music” was coming from and it was a DJ setting up! Steve drove to the office and asked (it was loud there too, a mile away) about it. “Oh, that is a fiesta.” When will it end? 0200. We left.
Driving was good so we pressed on to Las Mochis and arrived at 1830. We’re in a bare bones campsite that is used as a storage place for RV’s while the owners take a train into the Copper Canyon (Mexico’s grand canyon, which is bigger than ours!) Doesn’t matter, it has utilities and is fairly quiet. We’re ahead of schedule so now we’ll be able to spend extra time in the colonial towns of El Fuerte and Alamos.
We traveled 357 miles today, a long way in Mexico. We also chatted about what we’ve done so we did some numbers:
We left NC on 25 Oct
We arrived in Mexico on 9 Dec
We traveled 3,382 miles (so far) in the US
We traveled 2,004 miles (so far) in Mexico
Grand total of 5,386 miles, so far.
Some random observations:
•We have not seen one single person begging for money, anywhere.
•We have not seen anyone sleeping on the streets or sidewalks.
•We still get smiles and waves from people everywhere
•No one has tried to cheat us (other than the “Dr” in Mazatlan) and we have never felt uneasy in spite of having traveled from the biggest to the smallest areas.
•Dirt streets seem normal now, we don’t even notice them
•There are very few signs admonishing you to not do something. There seems to be an attitude of act like you know you should act and be responsible for yourself (we are told that lawsuits are almost unheard of here…you should have watched where you were going)
•Baseball is a big deal here. We’ve seen quite a few games being played in village ballparks. The players are in nice uniforms and there is always a fair size audience
Friday, January 5, 2007
Friday 5 January 2007, Teacapán (State of Sinaloa)
A really lazy day. Did very little of anything. We tried to stay another night but the park is full and even has RV’s dry camping on the road. That did not effect the pool or beach though. The bungalows here are really nice. We checked and a 1 BR is $322US/week! They are really neat looking and the pool etc is first class. Maybe we can get folks out of Dade City and Richmond to here for next Christmas?????
Thursday 4 January 2007, Teacapán (State of Sinaloa)
Wow!!! Every place we go, we think it cannot be any better. Well, here we go again. We have miles of secluded, beautiful, beach with, at most, 3 or 4 other people on it. The dogs wore themselves out in the surf and we had a relaxing time just chilling out. The place is quiet with the only sound being the surf. Sunset was spectacular…not a cloud in sight. Went by the pool today and it looks fantastic…even has “bar stools” in the water next to a bar so you can imbibe while in the pool (the bar is not in operation at this time of year).
Found out that the company won both of the competitions that I had worked on. This was expected but, as my boss says, a signed contract is the only one that matters. They want me to work on 2 more in Norfolk that will encompass most of Feb.
Had dinner is a beach side Palapa last night. No one else there and the Senora did all the cooking herself. Daniele and she chatted a long time about the life of being a chef. Daniele’s Spanish is getting better by the day. We had 3 shrimp dinners of different types for $21US. The shrimp were fantastic…great taste.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Guadalajara
Tue 2 January 2007, Guadalajara
Stayed in the park today waiting from the Dr to call re Daniele’s med. Waited and waited. Went to the office to pay and to ask the manager to help call some pharmacies. Well, he had THE solution: “Jessie”. Jessie happened to be in the office and both the manager and Jessie said that he helped park guests all the time. He then handed me a card that said: “Jessie…Serving the needs of visitors to Mexico for over 24 years”. I gave him the prescription and off he went. Couple of hours later he showed up with the right meds in a sealed box. Seems that he knows that only hospital pharmacies carry this and he knew where to go.
We are leaving here Wed for Teacapan. It is below Mazatlan on the southern border of the state of Sinaloa. May or may not have wi fi for a few days. Cell phone should work.
Wed 3 January 2007, Guadalajara to Teacopan (State of Sinaloa)
Banditos!!!
Left Guad at about 0815 and proceeded SW. Beautiful day. Was getting close to our comfort level on gas so pulled into a Pemex but it was closed. 2 fellows were there and told me there was one about 10KM ahead. I thought they were giving me directions but it turned out that I had just offered them a ride to Tepic, about 2 hours away! So they piled in, pushed dogs aside and off we went. Mind you, Daniele is asleep in the back! They were really nice fellows with very little English. Later Daniele came into the living area and they all started chatting big time since her Spanish is not too bad, especially comprehension. The older fellow has 2 daughters married to Americans in Wisconsin. We actually hated to see them go when we dropped them off in Tepic and we expect the ride in a motor home will be the subject of conversation for awhile. We then went through some light rain…more than we’ve seen since Oct.
We arrived at the Onac RV Park in Teacopan at about 1530. (www.villasonac.com) (click on the US flag for English version) What a park and only $15US/nite! The view is amazing. The beach is fantastic with light surf. We’re right on the water, concrete pads, Wi-Fi. Just watched the sun go down in the West and here comes a full moon in the East.
Doesn’t get any better than this. The best park ever.
We pan to be here for 2 nights but might just stretch it to 3…the damned cat in Kino will have to wait.
Stayed in the park today waiting from the Dr to call re Daniele’s med. Waited and waited. Went to the office to pay and to ask the manager to help call some pharmacies. Well, he had THE solution: “Jessie”. Jessie happened to be in the office and both the manager and Jessie said that he helped park guests all the time. He then handed me a card that said: “Jessie…Serving the needs of visitors to Mexico for over 24 years”. I gave him the prescription and off he went. Couple of hours later he showed up with the right meds in a sealed box. Seems that he knows that only hospital pharmacies carry this and he knew where to go.
We are leaving here Wed for Teacapan. It is below Mazatlan on the southern border of the state of Sinaloa. May or may not have wi fi for a few days. Cell phone should work.
Wed 3 January 2007, Guadalajara to Teacopan (State of Sinaloa)
Banditos!!!
Left Guad at about 0815 and proceeded SW. Beautiful day. Was getting close to our comfort level on gas so pulled into a Pemex but it was closed. 2 fellows were there and told me there was one about 10KM ahead. I thought they were giving me directions but it turned out that I had just offered them a ride to Tepic, about 2 hours away! So they piled in, pushed dogs aside and off we went. Mind you, Daniele is asleep in the back! They were really nice fellows with very little English. Later Daniele came into the living area and they all started chatting big time since her Spanish is not too bad, especially comprehension. The older fellow has 2 daughters married to Americans in Wisconsin. We actually hated to see them go when we dropped them off in Tepic and we expect the ride in a motor home will be the subject of conversation for awhile. We then went through some light rain…more than we’ve seen since Oct.
We arrived at the Onac RV Park in Teacopan at about 1530. (www.villasonac.com) (click on the US flag for English version) What a park and only $15US/nite! The view is amazing. The beach is fantastic with light surf. We’re right on the water, concrete pads, Wi-Fi. Just watched the sun go down in the West and here comes a full moon in the East.
Doesn’t get any better than this. The best park ever.
We pan to be here for 2 nights but might just stretch it to 3…the damned cat in Kino will have to wait.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Happy New Year!
Mon 1 Jan 2007, Guadalajara
Here we go again. Cannot find Daniele’s other medication. The Dr in Puerto Vallarta wrote her a prescription for it effective today but after visits to quite a few pharmacies, no one has it. The closest to an answer is that it is controlled and there are only a couple of sources but no one seems to know who those are.
Did a SkyPE New Year’s calls to France, Richmond, Tampa, and Cedar Island…what a great system! In the afternoon we took a long drive down to Chapala and surveyed potential future sites. Very nice area and countryside. Had a great dinner…very affordable. No black-eyed peas and pork though.
Here we go again. Cannot find Daniele’s other medication. The Dr in Puerto Vallarta wrote her a prescription for it effective today but after visits to quite a few pharmacies, no one has it. The closest to an answer is that it is controlled and there are only a couple of sources but no one seems to know who those are.
Did a SkyPE New Year’s calls to France, Richmond, Tampa, and Cedar Island…what a great system! In the afternoon we took a long drive down to Chapala and surveyed potential future sites. Very nice area and countryside. Had a great dinner…very affordable. No black-eyed peas and pork though.
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