5C's Que Pasa

NOTE #1  Events of this post ocurred Nov.1/10 NOTE #2 I do apologize for the delay of this post but we have been welcomed to Mexico with a power outage followed by a lengthy internet outage.  So nice to be back home!!! NOTE #3 Thank you all so much for all your emails and comments.  I will get back to you all shortly with answers to your questions.  We are almost set up and then I will have mucho tiempo for you all. In order to leave Celestino RV Park, we did unhook the HHR and with a bit of back & forth we were able to turn around and drive out & re hook. Our travel buddy Mary did have to back out all the way as she was towing a 27′ cargo trailer. Cudos to Mary, excellent job! We were driving at 8:10AM. The three 5^th wheels decided to stay a bit longer which proved to be a blessing in disguise as for some reason one of them checked his trailer tires and found a huge bulge. After a tire change they were also on their way. The first thing we discovered is that the dip, the 1 ½ ‘ deep X 5 ‘ wide one, was actually at theKM 85 area and not at the 40-50KM area as previously reported. The dip is under repair and a proper (Mexican style) detour has been created around it so you no longer have to look out for it. By the way the two car jackings of last April & last August occurred at KM8 for those who wanted to know. Seems like an innocent enough area to me but I can see how it happened as they travelled Northbound.  I believe that these were isolated single vehicle targets and that RV’s are a much safer catergory either traveling alone or in a group. In no time at all we were in Mazatlan. Today was Nov.1, the Dia de Muertos and the cemeteries along the main road were extremely busy. It did not affect traffic at all. Hard to tell from my photos but there were hundreds and hundreds of people coming to visit on this special day with their departed loved ones. Again a heavy military presence. We noticed that many of the soldiers were wearing balaclavas. They do this, despite the heat & humidity, so they cannot be recognized by the drug gangs. A protection for them and their families. Soon we waved goodbye to Mary and her group as they drove on to La Penita as we turned on the road towards the Mazatlan airport. Once again we had to stop while surrounded by mucho mucho cattle and three cowboys on horses. Our engine frightened the cattle, especially the young ones.

We were somewhat concerned that they would charge the coach!

I feel so bad for this little one...running away from us with its mouth open!

A few kms later we were ready to tackle to famous road. Many of you may not have heard of this final test to get to paradise. It is a 10 MILE hard packed road filled with pot holes, small boulders, ruts, a broken cattle guard and dust. This year there is a lot of overgrowth which had to address, once with Colin climbing on the roof to cut some branches and me cutting some along the side. This may not be a concern to you but we are rather particular re our new paint job. A large Class A has more trouble on this road because of the long wheelbase and how the body twists & torques. Lots of rocking from side to side. Just go slow as in walking speed slow, about 6 KMS per hour. There are very few areas where a large rig and a large Coke/beer truck could pass. The good news is that just after we started down the road, the grading of said road began behind us. So probably by Nov. 4 or 5^th things will be much improved. As to the cattle guard, we carefully got the front tires across and then gunned it, just in case.

We made it and so will those who come after us.

..the grate and luck...

..so while my brave hubby dared natures elements, I simply enjoyed nature...

It did take us 1 hour & 40 minutes to complete versus the 50 minutes we did it in last November.

Welcome to the Isla, turn left for Tres Amigos!

We arrived to beautiful warm & somewhat humid temps but oh so very very lovely. I hate to repeat myself but paradise found.

Can you believe...horse crossing...can you see the hackles on Caeli's back?

..and so finally we arrive to the gates of paradise....

Very difficult to tear oneself away from the view but set up we must. We arrived at 11:40AM which gave us plenty of time to get started. Our jack problem did give us a bit of grief, we did it 3 times before they came down properly. We knew we had to be parked in the exact proper spot (as directed by Warren, the park GM) and that the jacks had to be perfect before we opened the slides as once settled that is it till April.

...Warren insisted on the parking...so if any problems down the road..so to speak...not our fault and I have the photo to prove it....

We are not moving for anything. More details coming but set up is the priority. Thanks for all the emails and messages. I will get back to you in a few days.

…no internet…..posts coming soon…

THE FOLLOWING ACTUALLY HAPPENED OCTOBER 31, 2010.

A long long day with 430 miles under the tires. Left Totonaka RV Park at 6:30AM and arrived at Celestino RV Park at 5:00PM. The exact same timing as last year. However this year due to a number of incidents we only had 51 minutes when Colin was not driving. A very long day for all.

Just before Ciudad  Obregon at KM 27/28 we came across a group of ‘guys’ in some sort of uniform, using red cones to direct traffic to one lane….they did not look legit to us, but they did not flag us down so we all just passed by. They did stop some Mexican vehicles. They did have some sort of weapon. We did not feel threatened. They could have been some local group…..????

At the final left turn off the perifico from C. Obregon back onto  HWY 15, the last of our group went through a red, following someone else as well as a local next to them.. They were stopped and a fine of 400 Pesos was quickly folded into the palm of the officers’ hand and quickly placed in his pocket. Word of warning…if a sign says “Alto” or the light is red….STOP! A Mexican may get away with it daily but those cops are just waiting for you….!

Then came Navojoa….detour big time. Never mind using the turn left at the Best Western as the perifoco, it is now Main Street. The real main street is under construction so everyone is using a perifico. Only problem is that there are no right of ways being observed so be very careful.

Free for all

We got seperated from our group and seriously got lost! Somehow we got onto a different detour and caught up to them even though they were way ahead. This is a 17 KM detour starting at the Best Western left turn. Unfortunately the speed limit is 40/KPH . We are so glad we did this on a Sunday with less truck traffic.

Out for a Sunday drive.

As we drove today I kept looking for signs of the Day of the Dead, alters, roadside memorials but nada. At 2 or 3 cemeteries that we passed I saw a very few families tidying up the grave site. There was the one family who was have a picnic graveside. I was disappointed….so very different than Patzcuaro with all the alters done up and the decorations for the entire village. Hopefully we will see more the next 2 days;

Joe mechanico ready to do road side service as we come thru a cuota caseta

Once we got on the Culiacan/Mazatlan Autopista we noticed a HUGE militalry presence. We saw several sandbag bunkers along both sides of the road, the odd solitary police patrol and then between 8-10 military vehicles in convoy with soldiers standing looking out in all directions with guns ready to do business. What a relief!! They are patrolling this dangerous area. I felt safer than I had earlier. So folks don’t let fear be your guide south this winter. At KM 126 Northbound the military have set up a camp in a closed Pemex lot.

Final fuel fill for our caravan in Culiacan!

Colin tired to get her to share her lunch with him

Due to the uncertain conditions of the vados from exit 78 to Villa Celeste (Noe could not confirm that we could get through) we chose, for our first time to use exit 75 to Celestino RV Resort. We has a few surprises along the way, nothing serious but certainly entertaining.

At this point the window was almost to dirty to see through but once off #15 at Exit 75 to Celestino RV Park we found ourselves surrounded by cattle and just had to wait it out.

Despite advising the park that we were arriving on the 31^st it seemed they were not prepared for out group of 5 and odd requests. However within 30 minutes we are all parked. Off to the beach to catch the glorious sunset with the shrimp boats in the foreground. Longs walks on the beach were in order with the exception of one who went in for a dip, came out and gave us an “au naturelle” show!!! Beware the mozzies are here at sunset. Sad to report that today no colorful shells to be found, just huge, almost enormous lobster carsasses.

We were advised that the wifi was working but not told that it only worked at the front office!!

Also we specifically asked re being able to do the turn around and out through the field…well Chris never did mention that the field has not yet been cleared. Colin chose not to drive through the high grass and so  on Nov. 1 we will have to disconnect the car and back out of here…and then reconnect.  In fact the 3 5th wheels also chose to turn around within the park and not risk the field.  I’m sure it will be cleared eventually.

A good end to a safe day. Almost there!!!

…we are here safe and sound and have adventures to share as well as some advice.  But it has been a very long 2 days and we are exhausted and off to dinner  with the entire RV Park.  Details later tonight or as they say in Mexico…manana!!

Quite frankly folks…we almost never got here.  Yesterday, Friday the 29th Colin decided to pull the slides in and lift the jacks so he could build some air to inflate our over weighted tires by 3-5 pounds each.  Very very interesting but the front left jack would not go up and then would not go down.

Colin had to lift the entire dash to get to the HWH fuse box, which was not the problem in the end. But it took many hours to take it all apart & restore it. We missed happy hour...we were sad....

Hour after hour we struggled, phone call after phone call we asked, no it was not a fuse, no not a broken solenoid….finally a logical suggestion…a bent jack!!!!!!!  Bottom line translation…with a shovel and some wood we got the jack ‘up’, we shall travel for a few days with the slides in ( I really really hate this) and when at Tres Amigos on the Isla we shall put the jacks down and open the slides.  In five months if  the jacks don’t go up we’ll get a super duper Mexican in to cut the jacks off and travel North to Lake Havasu with the slides in!!!  So yes we are on the road to Mexico.  Our group of 3, grew today to a total of 5 RV’s plus Peggy & Robyn who have decided to relax a bit and only leave on Monday.  Colin & I have been quite strong since day 1 of the planning as to when we left and where we overnighted.  So today two units left at 6:00AM and three left at 7:30AM.

We got to the US/Mexico border at 7:00Am (after stopping for fuel).  It took us 20 minutes to get through the US section, which consisted of a maze for the cars and topes for the RV’s.

Hard to see but the car maze is on the left!

Then a toll booth which overcharged us.  Then comes a corded off area that directed RV’s to the left and cars through another maze on the right. Suddenly the two lanes become three...RV’s stay to the LEFT..and then you get to go over the biggest tope ever constucted.  Finally you come to the Mexican security which had the diagonal topes.

An American soldier working on a quick pull spike belt!

..and just down the road the Mexican security area with the deadly topes!

Actually our tow car set off a series of alarms as the system thought it was another vehicle trying to break into Mexico!!!  At the end of the finish line marked by a  barrier we were escorted to an exact place to sit and wait for a minute….well closer to 10 minutes.  We were boarded and basically the Mexican ‘agent’ entered and knocked on at least 20 different wall area & cupboards in the RV.  We assume she was checking for hidden compartments which could be carrying???? Finally we get to KM 21, a mere 50 minutes from when we crossed the USA/ Mexico border!!  The paper work was a breeze and we were through the entire process in 45 minutes.  While you are waiting in line to get your Visa forms be sure to read the instructions taped to the counter which are written in English.  When you actually get to fill in the form there will be no English translation nearby ( at least not for us….but as we have some understanding of the language we were fine).  The only different thing this year is than when  you register/import your vehicle you will also need to pay for your tourist visa at the same time.  You will then have to return to that first office to get your final stamped visa!  Then off you go.

We were finished before the rest of our group arrived but they were processed and left us as we elected to wait for a newer member of our group and a newbie to driving in Mexico.  She had a few paperwork issues.

..typical street scene....

We were on our way and arrived in San Carlos about 4:15PM, about 10 minutes behind our ‘travel buddies’.  I must say we were surprised to find Totonaka so empty.  The fellow who checked us in wanted to know why we were all only spending one night.  Please stay the season he said.

Beautiful beach just across the street from Totonaka Rv Park.

Throughout the day we noticed no problems what so ever although our ‘travel buddies’ said they saw several police vehicles at one toll booth.  I noticed about 12 other RV’s heading south today which I think is a good number.  One fellow said that  a group of ten vehicles were pulled aside at the USA crossing and directed to separate area where they were asked to leave their vehicles ( a mix of cars, pickups and RV’s).  There vehicles were then x-rayed.  A random selection so be aware of this possibility.  I also observed many single cars travelling alone, both USA & Canadian plates.  No one seemed concerned re security.  We felt so very very safe. Even Hermosillo seemed just fine.  Perhaps because we were travellng on a weekend when many Mexicans are out and about made it seem safer.

Debra & John on the left, with Donna & hubby in front and then Jessie & hubby in front of them. We are on the front right with Mary and her group just behind us!

Totonaka is charging 300 pesos/nite or 24.00USD unless your name is Donna and you are married to a Brent then you only pay 18.00 USD. Actually I have to say that Donna was an angel today to a poor Mexican who was asking for money for fuel. she definitetly played it forward. Way to go Donna! It has already come back to you!

Most of the group have gone out to dine but we are relaxing (well Colin with his guitar and me doing the blog).  We are driving at 6:30AM, so start our engines accordingly folks.  Destination…..Celestino Gasco!!