The Cousins Mexican Adventure

mfa said:

Um...  I don't think that is a prickly pear cactus.

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Organ Pipe maybe?

wendycoke said:

Organ Pipe maybe?

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Looks more like it.

Definitely not a prickly pear.  We have plenty of those around here.

We'll blame it on the tequila

I only repeat what I was told. ;D

Day 11 - On The Beach At Gusave

We awoke around 6:00 this morning to the sounds of yard locomotives humming, freight cars being shunted, and metal ramps being thrown onto our flat cars. The scheduled time for our unloading was 7:00 but we were ready long before then! The trip down the canyon was fascinating but after five days of being loaded on the train with no slides or room to move around we were all ready to get off.

After carefully maneuvering our RVs off the train we were underway around 10:15 to the Hotel Playas Las Glorias and RV Park on the beach west of Gusave. The drive was only 66 miles but was very slow going because of many Topes (towpays), large bumps in the road that will damage vehicles who do not slow down. Topes make speed traps almost unnecessary in Mexico and may or may not be marked so taking it easy is very wise.

We arrived at the RV Park around 1:00 and after getting set up had the afternoon to unwind and clean up from the train. Our site is absolutely beautiful and the view couldn't be more of a contrast after the last few days in the canyon. About mid afternoon Sue asked what the object was on the beach, and it turned out to be not the log Jeff thought but a large seal. The photo was taken out the window of the motorhome.

We gathered at 4:00 for a little fun including a Yo Yo  contest and listening to Ted's renditions of Margaritaville and other favorites. We took a drive down the beach (literally) looking for a restaurant but found many closed because of a lack of power or customers (or both) and returned to eat here at the hotel.We have two more days to unwind here before heading down the coast to Mazatlan.


Miles Driven:  66
Fuel: 0
Dinner $31.00
Misc: $4.00

Jeff:

Just wanted to take a moment to compliment you on your reports.  Your style is great.  They are not only interesting reports, but very concise and easy to read with nice pictures.  About the best travel log I have ever seen Thanks so much!

Smoky:

Thanks but I am just following in Betty's footsteps. ;D


Terry:

Here at Gusave Hughesnet is still showing a 256k 4/5 with a signal of 72 so we may be OK with 83W. Final test will be at Mazatlan this weekend. Speed is 186kps up, 1071kps down ;D

Jeff,

The roads are interesting. In Mexico it's "topes" and in Alaska it's "frost heaves" and both can really hurt you vehicle if you're going to fast.

JerryF

Jerry:

Topes give you a chance to slow down and wave to everyone. ;D

Day 12 - A Free Day at Gusave

This is our first day with nothing scheduled since we started in Presidio. After leaving the train and its busy 5 days we are all ready for a day to catch up or relax.

The day's activities included surf fishing, washing RV'S, a trip to Gusave for some including an overheated engine that was repaired  by a local  mechanic in Gusave. Our tail gunner challenged us to find a hidden figure of Jesus in the mural on his coach with a dinner for two as the prize. Several gathered contemplating his rear end and the prize was won by Jeff. An impromptu gathering before dinner included fresh coconut compliments of our Wagon Masters and more great fun. The Smiths managed a first by ending up with all our daily awards, including managing a new routing to the RV Park!

Dinner was here in the Hotel restaurant and included fresh shrimp prepared three ways and more laughs. Tommorrow we have more of the same and then leave for Mazatlan Saturday morning.

Keep them coming Jeff  Really enjoying the trip via your camera and computer.  Thanks you

Jeff

Hold off on  the rig washing until you get to Mazatlan....Was only $20-25 when we were there, also  good place to get body work done if needed.<G>

Jeff,

          Now that you have completed the "Train Trip" portion of your
adventure I think you should measure your stress level.

        I am not sure exactly how it works, but this is amazingly accurate.
Read the full description before looking at the picture.

        The attached picture has 2 identical dolphins in it.  It was used in a
case study on stress levels at Oregon State University Hospital.

        Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. The dolphins are
identical.

        A closely monitored, scientific study revealed that, in spite of the
fact that the dolphins are identical, a person under stress would find
small differences in the two dolphins.

        The more differences a person finds between the dolphins, the more
stress that person is experiencing.

        Look at the photograph and if you find more than one or two
differences you may want to start home?

JerryF

You on your way home yet Jeff? ???  Somehow I can tell that according to Jerry's test you will fine you are under a lot of stress. ;D

Looks like a fine set of Dolphins to me!

Al

Jerry:

The right one is a Texas dolphin, right. ;D

Terry:

I made the mistake of washing the car only yesterday and it is covered with dust again. The m/h waits for Mazatlan.

Jeff,

Maybe this stress test was really a joint effort between a Texas and a Florida hospital and they just couldn't agree on the final results.     

JerryF

Day 13 - Another Day at Gusave

This was truly a relaxing day! We headed to town with Bob & Trish Close, friends from California, for a trip to Lay's Mercado for food and found a Mexican bar and grill for lunch.  By the time we returned it was time for a short happy hour and briefing for our trip to Mazatlan in the morning.

We gathered at 6:00PM for a potluck and a little serenading by Ted Lloyd before calling it a night. Because this group has to have something going we started a wheel roulette by placing all our rig numbers on Pat & Alice's m/h front tire and when they have parked tommorrow in Mazatlan whoever's number is the closest to the ground wins the pot of a 1.00 per coach. Here is Bob Close collecting the kitty.

Day 14 - The Road to Mazatlan

We departed Hotel Playa this morning at 8:00AM sharp for the longest travel day so far, 254 miles to Mazatlan. The route took us back east to Gusave. The trip through the city was a real snapshot of a bustling smaller city in Mexico. The traffic is heavy but manageable, a lot of people still stand and wave as we pass, and shop keepers like the fish monger are out selling their goods.

Once clear of Gusave we traveled down Mexico Toll Road Route 15, or Cuota 15, as opposed to Libre 15, or free Route 15. This is a major route down the west coast of mainland Mexico and was quite heavily traveled. Fuel is owned by nationalized Pemex Oil and income is used to support the national budget. Toll roads are very common here and are a vast improvement over the libre roads that are bumpy and slow moving.

As it drops further south Route 15  parallels the coast and is a beautiful drive as it approaches Mazatlan. We are staying on the northwest edge of the city a half block from the beach. After arrival we had a thorough briefing by the local Adventure Caravans representatives which described opportunities for tours, having various services completed, including laundry, haircuts, tours, and even repairs to our vehicles.

We went to dinner tonight with Hex and Sandy to collect our prize for identifying the figure in Hex's mural on the rear of his coach. We visited a beautiful restaurant on the beach and had a great evening! Two other couples from the caravan joined us and it became a real party!

Tommorrow is a free day and Jeff and Hex are playing golf while Sue picks up an outfit she ordered from one of the vendors this evening. We will head to Wal-Mart after lunch to catch up on shopping after two weeks on the road. The evening will be a shrimp and margarita party to welcome us to Mazatlan.

Miles Driven: 254
Expenses:
Tolls: $86.00
Fuel: $111.00 (57.8 gal @ $1.92)

Hi Jeff,

I just finished ready your whole thread on your trip. You are doing a great job!!!! Makes me want to join the next caravan!!! ;D Keep up the good work.