Changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes . . .

Last Friday in Water Valley . . .

We've been in Mexico for just over a week now, and it's feeling more familiar and comfortable every day. 

Things are more simple here - what you see is what you get and people make do ...



Whatever works!

From San Carlos, we travelled south through the state of Sonora  - I've nicknamed the state of Sonora - the state of no shoulders - it's brutal!

Passing into Sinaloa was welcoming . . . yahoo! shoulders, but still the roads seemed a bit rougher than what I remember from the past.

Next stop, Los Mochis, Sinaloa . . . a typical Mexican city.  We had two choices for places to stay . . . the Pemex (gas station) on the south end of town, or the chicken/rooster crowing/dog barking RV park on the north end of town.
 We chose the latter - and really, it was a good decision.








 Somewhere on the travel, a cross brace broke on the underside of the fifth wheel.  It was likely during the "oh my frigging God" pothole filled dusty bypass around Navajoa . . . never again!!  I couldn't even take pictures as it was so rough and dusty.  When we arrived in Los Mochis, Arturo and travelling partner, Gary, were able to take off the bar, and made an attempt to weld it.



Kipper likes to help . . .
 

A couple of workers at the park were very helpful, offered the use of a portable welder .....
 

.....  that wasn't going to work, so the guys went in search of a welding shop - found one, got the brace fixed and back on the fifth wheel.  These guys were so helpful . . . and we have found that all along the way.


Next stop, Mazatlan for one night - but before then, our travelling partners blew a tire on there fifth wheel.   We managed to pull off to the side of the road (thank goodness this was not in Sonora!), change the tire and we were on our way.  While we were working on the side of the road, a fellow from Germany stopped to make sure we were OK and offered help if we needed.  We didn't, but it's good to know there's still people out there that are there if you need them. 

. . . then head south along 15D to Tepic.  You may remember from past trips, the four lane toll road known as 15D changes to Hwy 200 (heading to Puerto Vallarta) and it goes right through a residential/commercial area - I'm not kidding!

Then down the windy, narrow 30 mile or so trip down, down, down to Las Varas, La Penita, Guayabitos . . . getting more familiar each mile til Lo de Marcos and our winter home - Cruz Maria.

We are just getting settled in, and will update the blog again in a couple of days  to keep you up to date on all the happenings around Lo de Marcos . . .

Until next time - Salud!!!

Why do we love Mexico?





So we won't talk about the Grey Cup . . . . other than to congratulate the Toronto Argonauts . . .

 

 

We left Casa Grande at 0630 to get a jump on the day . . . got stuck in Tucson rush hour  - that was OK . . . then hit the Mexican border.   First sunrise of the trip -

Not the greatest pic, but no snow!

The Mexican border is always an adventure . . . you have to go to an Immigration office - then to a copier booth - then to a caja (cashier to pay all your entry permits), then back to the Immigration office . . .and then, you are on your way.  This all took about an hour, which I guess wasn't so bad, but the problemo was that we didn't turn in our RV permit sticker back in 2011 so according to the Mexico records, Arturo already had an RV in Mexico - and you're not allowed to have more than one RV at any given time (prevents people from importing and illegally selling) . . . so, now with the new 5th wheel, it can't be imported under Arturo's name.  Again, problem is, that the registration is only under Arturo's name . . . what to do???  Well, if you have your marriage certificate with you, it can be registered under you espousa's name . . . why would you travel with your marriage certificate???  As luck would have it, we did . . . so we showed that we really were married, and even tho the 5th was registered to Arturo, they let ME bring it into Mexico.  So now neither of us can ever bring another RV to Mexico unless we surrender the 10 year permit . . .Like I said, it's always an adventure . . .

We are travelling with our friends from Kamloops - who just happen to have the same rig as us . . . how cute - twins! 

Travelling south we made it to San Carlos in good time - it was a long day - + 10 hrs of driving and the roads in Sonora aren't great.  No problemos - we arrived at Totonaka RV park, got set up - visited with friends Dick and Mary from Colorado . . . and then off for Camerones at the restaurant next door.

Today, Kipper went for his Mexican hair cut.  We asked for a #2, but I think he got a #1 . . . it's short, but WTH, it'll grow back.  I think we should change his name from Kipper"soff" to Kipper"spot" - and I wouldn't be surprised if there is a bit of Dalmation in there somewhere . . . have a peek!

 Kipper was able to have a swim in the ocean - with his friend, Lola the Labradoodle . . . it got a bit competitive for the stick!

Kipper and Lola



San Carlos Beach
 

Tonight we had a wonderful visit with our Colorado friends who now "winter" in San Carlos.  We will be sure to visit with them on our return north at the end of February.


Tomorrow will be pretty low key - maybe a trip to Guaymas for groceries . . . but other than that, nothing in the plans.

These are our "bibles" for the next three months . . .

High today - +29 . . . lows around +15 . . . perfecto!  Why do we love Mexico???? . . . keep following the blog!

Life is a highway - Part 1

Some of us have started our trip . . . some are still at home working (!) 

Arturo and Kipper headed out at 0500 hrs on Nov 15th,, 2012 - picking up travelling companion Phil in Calgary, and then setting the GPS for Casa Grande . . .



Adios - snow and ice! 






This is going to be a l-o-n-g ride . . . but I'm with my favorite people so it'll be worth it!



Heading strait SOUTH!  Adios!





















Trip report says they made it to Casa Grande yesterday (Nov 17th)- time to break out the shorts and sandals and put those socks in safe keeping for March!

Where is it that you go again????

This is a test - many people ask me where we go in Mexico - and I explain that our destination is about 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta - most people know Puerto Vallarta.  This trip, I am going to add Google Maps as we travel  - just because I can (well actually, just figured it out this morning!). 

So . . . here's our final destination - ETA December 1, 2012.



View Lo de Marcos, Nayarit in a larger map


Do you like it???

21 days and counting!

Arturo y de Beeb

We're packing up . . .

We're packing up . . .  going through the check list to make sure we've got everything we need . . but if we don't  we can just buy it  on the way down.  Plan is for Arturo to leave sometime after Nov 11th, weather depending, and de Beeb will fly down to Pheonix on Nov 24th.  We'll cross the border at Nogales with our friends from Kamloops on Nov 26th . . . . then we'll spend a few days in San Carlos to get Mexico - ized and then head to Lo do Marcos for Dec 1st.    It snowed in Water Valley today, so it's time to load her up and head south . . . keep posted for adventures from Arturo, de Beeb and Kipper . . .

Alamos and beyond . . .

This is the latest in the weight loss craze - I may have to try it when I get home . . .  Duck Tape and Saran Wrap - what a combo!!

On to better things - after leaving Villas Onac, we were headed to Alamos . . . but to get there, we had to follow the right road - NOT!  Getting through Esquinapa should be a no-brainer, but I guess I was looking at the road side BBQ instead of the road signs


but just look at the pollo and peppers - I couldn't resist snapping a photo!

Anywhooo - instead of turning onto the cuota (toll) road, we kept on going through town and when I figured we were not on the right path, I asked some locals "Mazatlan???" and they pointed to the left - so that's where we went.  Thing is, it wasn't to the toll road, but to the "libre" (free) road - which in itself is not a bad thing, but to get there - you guessed it - we had to maneuver through narrow cobblestone streets.  At one point, we tried to turn around (right!) but again, the locals just pointed up the hill and told us to turn left and we'd be on the road to Mazatlan . . . so we did, and we were - on the libre road.  Now, normally, that wouldn't be a bad thing, but you do go through many smaller towns, which makes travel slower - and there has been a few reports of "violence" on those free roads - but we didn't see any evidence of that.  On a good note, we missed a few heavy tolls, but did make it back to the 15D and pulled into Celestino for the night. 

You could see the results of the "episode" at Celestino last year - we stayed at an RV park that is usually packed - but there were only 2 rigs there, and then about 4 others came just to overnight.  It was cool and windy, but we did get another sunset and Kipper got a long run on the deserted beach chasing the sea birds.



Beach at Celestino




Our travelling companions - Craig and Denise




Celestino Sunset



Yup - got the jackets back on!

Now, on to Alamos . . . sort of.  To get to Alamos, we need to take the 15D (toll) around  the big city of Culiacan (pop 950,000) and then continue on to Navajoa.  Somehow, we ended up going through the big city of Culiacan, and then onto the libre road - which again, isn't a bad thing, but it's slower and there is more potential to run into problems - but we didn't - so that is all good.

Now . . . on to Alamos! 

• The town of Alamos is about 30 miles off the main highway - inland from Navajoa.  It is both a national historic monument and one of Mexico's Pueblos Magicos (Magical Towns) - and is currently bidding to be come a Unesco World Heritage Site.    In 1683, silver was discovered near Alamos, and it soon becam a boom town of more than 30,000 people.  After Mexican independence, Alamos became the capital of the province of Occidente (present day Sonora and Sinaloa).  During the Mexican revolution, Alamos was attacked repeatedly, and left a virtual ghost town of beautiful mansions and haciendas.  Alamos was "reborn" in the late 1940's when it was discovered by north americans who bought and restored many of the beautiful properties.  Carroll O'Connor used to have a place here - who knew? 

Here's a picture tour of what we saw in Alamos - and I have to say, we just loved the whole place!




Looking down an old street



... and another street ...

The church - just off of the town square

The town square zocola

Looking up at the roof of the zocola

Inside one of the restored mansions

Outside of the mansion

another part of a restored mansion - this is the "guest" house - btw - the place is for sale if anyone is interested

This was once ONE house - a whole block!!

Alamos from viewpoint - each of the mansions used to fully enclose a court yard, and were typically one block square

The cemetary - many old, old graves of the original townfolk

The graves are all above ground - that's a sign of wealth

Of course, we had to go out for street tacos!

Bev and Arturo

Arturo tried to ride the horse!!!



City Hall at night




The RV park is pretty much empty



... and off to San Carlos - adios Alamos

Had a leaky valve stem - so had to have it fixed in Navajoa - 70 pesos (< $7!)

- and now we are off to San Carlos, and then on to the US border.  One thing we had heard of, and really noticed, was the huge amount of frost damage to the vegetable and fruit crops here - probably north of Celestino right to the border.  We saw fields of tomato plants black from frost, and fruit trees that had lost all their leaves and fruit due to the unusually cool temperatures here this winter. . . . we will all be paying dearly for our fruits and veggies in the future, I'm sure!

Next stop - Arizona . . .

Again, another excellent adventure -

Arturo and de Beeb

Adios, Lo de Marcos . . . and off we go!

 

OMG! I can't believe I have been so sorrowfully tardy with my blog (I'm pretending to be Anne Shirley - haha). My last post was just before the music night in Lo de Marcos. This was another fund raiser for the Amigos de Lo de Marcos - and what a night of music it was!

These three were fantastic!!!



. . . and then more jamming . . . just great!