Chacala

We were up early yesterday and we left Tepic at around 7:15am. Made a quick pit stop for 52 litres (13.8 gal)  500 pesos ($39.00) worth of gas and we were on our way. We like to get an early start, and arrive early. Besides, we didn't know exactly where we were going to end up last night.

Back with Sherman

Yesterday we caught the 11:00am bus back to Tepic. This time, we did manage to get the cheaper bus at 220 pesos ($17.16) each. And, it was a nicer bus! Watched a Steve Martin movie en Espanol, and the trip was uneventful.

Mazatlan (day 3)

Yesterday morning, we went back to the historic central area with Lee. She works as a volunteer to help tourists in need of information or directions, so it made sense to share a taxi down there because we were meeting fellow bloggers Contessa and Colin in the same area at 11:30am.

Mazatlan (day 2)

We've been in Mexico for 8 weeks now, and we finally made it to the ocean! But first, we had to have some breakfast, and Lee took us to a restaurant called "Te amo Lucy"...I love Lucy. The restaurant is owned by an ex-pat American, and his Mexican wife Lucy is the chef.

Mazatlan

We left Sherman at 6:00am yesterday morning an walked to the bus terminal. We had done this route the day before so that we would be familiar with where the station is, and so that we could confirm what bus we were taking etcetera. The plan was coming together. Or so we thought.

Tepic (day 3)

Well, by the time this is posted, we will be on a bus to Mazatlan!

Tepic (day 2)

First thing yesterday we had to find a laundry. The lady here said there's one two blocks away, so we walked over there first and made sure they were open and could do it before we lugged our clothes all that way.

Tepic

We got ourselves set up in the Los Pinos campground in the city of Tepic. The campground itself has been here for many years, and the city has grown around it. Now, you have to enter below an arch that is part of a little shopping plaza and if you didn't know it was here, you might have a hard time finding it.

Laguna del Santa Maria (day 2)

Yesterday's post has now been updated with pictures, so maybe you want to check that out first. The following was written Tuesday evening, with an update from this morning later on...

Laguna del Santa Maria

We said our goodbye’s to Bonnie and we left Delia’s Trailer Park near Etzatlan at 10:10am, just a little later than we planned.

Etzatlan, Mexico (day 7)

Yesterday was our last day here at Delia's Trailer Park. We're heading out of here this morning, back on the road!

Etzatlan, Mexico (day 6)

We decided to walk into town yesterday morning. It's not really that far and Bonnie had said that the town market was on Saturdays.

Etzatlan, Mexico (day 5)

What a busy day we had yesterday! We had the use of Bonnie's car for the day, and we were going to the ruins at Tuechitlan. But near there was the road turning off to Piedras Bolas, so Ruth came up with the idea that we should return there to complete the hike we tried to do last Monday.

Etzatlan, Mexico (day 4)

Had a relaxing morning yesterday. Then Bonnie had said we could use her car to go visit some ruins, but she needed it again late afternoon so we said we would wait another day because we didn't want to rush or risk being late.

Etzatlan, Mexico (day 3)

Another beautiful day. Bonnie was driving into town early so we hitched a ride with her at about 8:30am. We wanted to hike up to the mirador (lookout) up the mountain behind the town.

Etzatlan, Mexico (day 2)

When we arrived here at Delia's Trailer Park on Monday, a woman came out and welcomed us in Spanish. We said our hello's, and I was quick to explain that I only spoke a little bit of Spanish. She asked if I spoke English, and I said yes. And it turned out that her English is perfect!

Etzatlan, Mexico

We made it to a little RV park just outside the farming community of Etzatlan. But what a ride we had getting here! There was no easy direct route, so instead of taking the main highway back up to near Guadalajara, I decided to take some backroads.

Chimulco Water Park, Villa Corona

We wanted to leave Roca Azul early yesterday, and it was 8:07am when we did. We knew we only had a short drive, but because it was Sunday we wanted to get to our destination ahead of the crowds.

Roca Azul (day 2)

Another beautiful day yesterday, and we decided to go exploring on our bicycles for the first time since entering Mexico. We ended up doing 23 kms (14.5 miles)!

Roca Azul

We left Hacienda Contreras at our planned time of 10:00am. Said our goodbyes to Barb and Sal and their daughter Andrea who's visiting for a few days, and we look forward to returning in time for Christmas.

On the road again!

Just a short note this morning. We're hitting the road again today! After nearly five weeks here at Hacienda Contreras, it's time to go exploring!

Tope

Pronounced "tow-pay". Or several, as in topes "tow-pays". This is the Mexican version of a speed bump, and they are everywhere in Mexico. And, they are very effective.

Dia de los Muertos

Day of the Dead. November 1st and 2nd are Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico. It's actually one of the reasons we're still here at Hacienda Contreras as originally we were expecting to have headed out by now.

October, our cheapest month ever!

Well, in keeping with our budget goal of $1,000 a month, we are pleased to report record low spending for the month of October! Living expenses came in at a total of $707.14.

Hunting for wild potatoes is like fishing!

And I'm not into fishing. However, we still had a fun day out in the mountains. We picked up Martin and his father Don Jose, and drove out of town at just after 6:00am yesterday morning. Don Jose grew up in these mountains and knows the area well.

Picking potatoes?... at 6:00am?

Well, not quite but we will be leaving here at 6:00am...therefore posting this before going to bed!

Panama?

I was reading about RV'ing in Guatemala and Belize, and I thought we might take a trip through there in the spring. Then I thought, if we're going to do that, why not go all the way to Panama?

What a game!

If you think baseball is boring, then last night's game would have changed your mind. No point in going into detail, because if you're a baseball fan then you already know, and if you're not, then you don't care anyhow!

Back to Canada!

That's it, we've had enough of this damn blue sky and sunshine. And I'm tired of having to wear shorts and t-shirts every day!

The view from under our awning.

Another beautiful blue sky day. Last year, we managed to go three and a half months without a drop of rain. Wonder what the record will be this year!

A visit to the outskirts of Guadalajara

Yesterday, Barb was going back to Chicago to visit their daughters for a week and a half. Sal was driving her to the Guadalajara airport, and they asked if we wanted to go along for the ride. They were also going to stop at the Sam's Club and the Walmart, so we could pick up any items we might need.

Nice hike and then a meal out

Ruth and I went on a nice hike up another hill in the area. We could see a road in the distance on the hill, and wanted to see where it went. It was a private road with gates and fences, but the rancher working at the bottom said we could go for a walk, no problem.

Saturday is market day

Barb was going into town, and Saturday is market day in Valle de Juarez, so we went in with her. First, we stopped at her house and used Skype to say hi to our son, then we went to the main square and picked up some meat at the carneceria (butcher).

Hacienda Contreras (day 21)

Wow, I can't believe we've been here for three weeks already. And although we're not bored yet, we are getting excited about moving on especially after planning our route yesterday!

Planning our next destination

Well it looks like everybody who wanted to vote took the time to do so, and we want to thank everybody who participated in choosing where we're going next. It looks like we're taking the route around Puerto Vallarta, so I've been doing some planning for that trip!

A busy day with lots of photos!

More perfect weather, so we decided to hike up the hill in front of Hacienda Contreras. But first, Barb was going into town to see the metalworking guy who was building the frames for the windows for the new addition.

Hacienda Contreras (day 18)

Well, we just had a lazy day yesterday. Other than our two mile fast walk around the park in the morning, it was just a relaxing day. And once again, the weather was perfect.

Los Cazos, near Mazamitla

Yesterday after lunch, Ruth and I went into the town of Mazamitla. On the far side of town is an area called Los Cazos. It's a kind of a different spot because while there are homes and cottages in there, it's also gated and you have to pay to get in. But it's really nice to walk around, and there's a pretty waterfall.

A nice hike in the hills

Yesterday, we went for a nice hike in the hills. It was another beautiful sunny day. Barb stayed behind in case the tile workers showed up. She wants to make sure they use the proper tiles in the right place because once they go down it's too late!

The beautiful weather returns!

Clear sunny skies and a high around 26C (79F). Perfect! The clear skies do bring some cooler nights, but it's nice sleeping weather. Woke up this morning and it was 5C (41F) outside, however the sun is shining and it's starting to warm up already. Looks to be another beautiful day here in the mountains south of Guadalajara!

A visit to Sahuayo

Well I lied. Yesterday I said "today we'll visit Mazamitla for sure" or something like that, and then plans changed! Barb and Sal were going into the city of Sahuayo to order some floor tiles for the new construction, and asked if we'd like to tag along.

Hacienda Contreras (day 13)

Well the rain dogged us again on and off all day yesterday so we just hung out here. We did get patches of blue sky in the afternoon and we took advantage of that to go for a walk, but by evening it was raining again.