TravelStream™ news feed for member frankandrita on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/frankandrita en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Tue, 02 May 2006 07:27:38 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1146566460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1146566460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1146566460/tpod.html Tue, 02 May 2006 07:27:38 -0400 Almonte, ON to Lake Havesu, AZ for Buses by the Bridge, Mexico through Baja to Puerto Escondido to Kemah, TX to Greensboro, NC, for EveryBus then to New Kensington, PA then back home to Almonte.

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Almonte, Ontario, Canada

From home, Almonte, ON

Back home in Almonte Wednesday evening around 8 pm. Uneventful drive through the Spring scenery of upstate Pennsylvania, the Finger Lakes regin of New York, crossing the boarder at Thousand Islands then into Almonte. No problems encountered at the boarder crossing and we did not get inspected or asked to pay any fees - yahoo ! Our home was found intact and well care for thanks to our good friends Bruce & Cathy who looked after things while we were gone. Thanks a million ! Sleeping in our own "real" bed after four months in our rolling bread box was good. Then came the reality that we are back, our adventure over and digging through the mounds of mail, unpacking the Westy, reorganizing our home, Rita's job at the Almonte General Hospital and getting my business back on track became our major focus. We are making headway on those projects. Hopefully you all enjoyed reading about our adventures as much as we did having them. If we play our cards right we may be off again next winter on another adventure !

Trip stats:

20,252 km total trip distance
$2,300 CAD gasoline

Repair & service:
Replace coolant level sensor
Repair rear exhaust header crack
Replace distributor cab, rotor and spark plugs
Two oil & filter changes

Hasta luego mes amigos !
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1146049140/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1146049140/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1146049140/tpod.html Thu, 27 Apr 2006 21:10:26 -0400 Almonte, ON to Lake Havesu, AZ for Buses by the Bridge, Mexico through Baja to Puerto Escondido to Kemah, TX to Greensboro, NC, for EveryBus then to New Kensington, PA then back home to Almonte.

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New Kensington, Pennsylvania, United States

From New Kensington, PA

Monday morning we head out of Atlanta, make a two hour grocery stop to insure we have enough supplies to last the week at Greensboro, NC for EveryBus. Our intention being to drive straight there and camp out until other arrive. Up through Georgia and South Carolina we go enduring 80 degree temps. Making stops only to visit the largest shipping mall in Georgia and a Flying J for gas.
when we arrive in North Carolina the weather sort of changes and a big black cloud brings strong winds and eventually a bit of rain and a drastic drop in temperatures. We now need to close the windows and put on the heater - imagine that !
Somewhere around 6 pm we arrive in Greensboro and make our way out to Hagen Stone Park and set up for the night with intentions to go back to town in the morning to check e-mail and do one last shopping trip. The night is cold and e are glad we have electric t run our heater. Tuesday morning the sun is out in full force and it warms up quickly. We head off for Greensboro and Wally World and an Internet Cafe on Elms street with the best cheese cake.
Back at camp later in the afternoon we get our campsite ready for EveryBus and expect to wait until Thursday for others to show up and give us company. WRONG, later that day our friends from Atlanta, George & Joanne show up alng with a few other early arrivals.
By the end of Wednesday evening the campground is pretty full, what a surprise. More and more campers are coming early and spending time. It's a great campground, with many hiking trails, fishing ponds, good restrooms with hot water showers and most everyone will be able to get an electrical connection ! Life is good at Hagen Stone Park.
Friday morning the Potts gang from Toronto make their annual pancake breakfast. I and many others pitch in to help. The breakfast is good in the warm North Carolina sun. The rest of the day is spent visiting old friends and looking over the buses. Our friend Benny Boy and his lady friend, Sylvie, arrive from Montreal and later Paul from New York City. We all head off to visit the Internet Cafe on Elm Street and pick up some supplies from Wally World they need. When we get back the remnants of the Pig Barbecue are left for us. Someone was kind enough to bring in a big barbecue and did up a pig and fixin's for Friday night diner. We were late but still had a great meal courtesy of EveryBus.
Saturday morning we get a huge surprise of RAIN. Pouring rain when we wake and it's quite miserable. Eventually it lets up enough so that those brave souls including myself get the Burrito Breakfast started. Eventually we get enough cooks cooking that the crowd of hungry wet campers can be fed. Clean up and the sun shines on us for awhile but then near diner time it hits again and we are wet again. Finally it lets up enough to hold the door prize draw at 6:30. Immediately follows what is the best music show I've seen in years. The Carolina Chocolate Drops, www.carolinachocolatedrops.com, treat us all to a two hour performance of old time Mountain Folk Music, mostly from the local area. Thanks again to Chris, Mr. EveryBus !
Sunday morning the sun is back and lucky thing as we all need to dry out our gear for packing and travelling. Rita & I will now head to New kensington, PA for a visit with my sister Pat and Mom. We had wanted to get an early start but cannot due to all our gear being wet. By noon we are packed. After goodbys to friends we are on our way again.
We make it as far as Camp Creek State Park in West Virginia and call it a day. Camped out beside a rolling creek for the night was peaceful and I kept wishing I could stay and trout fish a day or two as I was sure it as the season for that. However, we must get to New Kensington for Monday.
Up through the mountains of West Virginia we roll using third and sometimes second gear to get our overloaded Westy up the hills. We get to the largest single arch bridge in the world near Fayetteville and stop for a look and pictures. Around 2:30 we find ourselves winding our way through Pittsburgh traffic looking for route 28 North to New Kensington. We arrive there about 3 pm and that's were we are now relaxing with my Mom and sister Pat.
Wednesday morning we will head out on the road home to Almonte and if all goes well we will be back there and the end of our four month escapade ! Rita is anxious to be back home in her house and out of our rolling bread box. Me I'm sad our journey is coming to an end. I would rather be back in Mexico, another day in the future perhaps.
A final report with some statistics of the adventure will be posted when we get time. Thanks to all of you for your support and interest in our Westy road adventure.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1145215800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1145215800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1145215800/tpod.html Sun, 16 Apr 2006 17:23:50 -0400 Almonte, ON to Lake Havesu, AZ for Buses by the Bridge, Mexico through Baja to Puerto Escondido to Kemah, TX to Greensboro, NC, for EveryBus then to New Kensington, PA then back home to Almonte.

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Atlanta, Georgia, United States

From Atlanta, GA

Friday morning we head out from the Shilo Resort and Campground towards Greenville, MS. There are supposedly some good Juke Joints there and it being the start of the week end we hope to find some good music. Stopping at the information centre as we arrive we learn of a Blues Festival in the local community centre Saturday evening. We find our way to Wispers Bar to get tickets then of to the Warfield Point RV Park on the banks of the mighty Mississippi. Friday night proves to be very interesting as we must endure a Tornado, thank you very much. As we're relaxing in the van watching TV the program is interrupted to tell us about a storm watch. The Tornado is heading our way and is supposed to pass through in 15 minutes. We decide to batten down the hatches and escape to the brick restrooms to wait out the storm. Heavy winds with rain and hail had already begun to fall as we make our way through the night to the restrooms. Once in we can hear the wind fiercely blowing and the hail pounding on the metal roof. Within a half hour the storm has passed over and we are fine and we make our way back to the van. No apparent damage around except for tree branches scattered about. We do learn in the morning than the damage to the north of us was intense and some people lost their lives.
Saturday is my birthday so we set out to see what we can do before the Blues show at 8 pm. There are Casinos on Riverboats here so we head there to try our luck. Mostly slots with some table games. We throw a few bucks away, our luck is bad, we give up and head for the Wal Mart to shop, what else ! Out for diner afterwards then off to the Blues show at the community centre. Featuring Bobby Rush and his orchestra along with many other performers we are treated to an evening of down home Mississippi Blues, We are among the four or five white persons in a sea of Negroes. The show begins and soon the building comes to life with action. The show was spectacular, and we feel lucky again to have been in the right place at the right time. We were planning to attend the after show party at Wispers but at 1 am we were too tired to keep on so back to camp for sleep.
Sunday morning, LATE, we pack up and head out for Clarksville, Mississippi, the home of the Blues Museum and other Juke joints. We thought maybe there would be more action there but alas being Sunday everything was closed. We then locate a campground on Sardis Lake, a few miles to the East and go there for the night. Sardis Lake seems to be the favourite fishing hole for people from miles around as the camp is filled with fishermen. We get a spot in the crowded camp near the lake and I do some fishing. We spend Monday there recuperating and relaxing and fishing. I get a nice bass that we have for diner, but end up loosing too many lures to make it a worthwhile ongoing adventure.
Tuesday we pack up and head for Tupelo to visit Elvis's birthplace. As we arrive we find the Tupelo automobile Museum. There's around 50 Model A fords in the parking lot out on tour and they have stopped here. We visit the museum then make our way to the Elvis Birthplace & Musem. All very intresting seeing the house he was born in. Heading East we come across the site of the longest natural bridge east of the Rockys. Quite the rock formation. Some pics then we head further East to the William B. Bankhead National Forest Corinth Recreation Area in the mountains of Alabama for the night,
Wednesday we continue on our way East through the mountains of northern Alabama heading to Georgia. Stopping at the Clarkson covered bridge, a 275 foot structure. Further along in Alabama we pass a field of old beetles and buses so just have to stop. We meet Don of Dons Buggies who came here from Cali some 15 years ago. He builds sandrails and dune buggies and sells restoration parts for Beetles and Buses. We of course have a good chat over a few beers then we get back on the road toward Atlanta. We're supposed to meet up with Westy friends George & Joanne there. It's getting late so we decide to hole up at a Flying J just east of Atlanta before getting lost in the big city at night then make our way to their place in the morning.
Thursday morning we're off to find George and Joanne. Taking I-20 into Atlanta at 9 am Friday morning may not have been the wisest of decisions. Traffic is jammed and we get to see life in Atlanta from the freeway. We eventually pass through the centre to the Northeast side where they live. Getting there just before noon, so not too bad after all.
We now have relaxed in Atlanta with George & Joanne, camped out in their condo parking, for a few days and Monday morning we will head out to North Carolina and EveryBus. George & Joanne can't get away until Tuesday so we won't wait for them as we are antsy to get moving again and get to Hagen Stone Park and get set up and relax before all are other VW friends show up. See you there those of you coming to EveryBus ! Hasta la vista mes amigos.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1144420560/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1144420560/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1144420560/tpod.html Sun, 16 Apr 2006 17:10:18 -0400 Almonte, ON to Lake Havesu, AZ for Buses by the Bridge, Mexico through Baja to Puerto Escondido to Kemah, TX to Greensboro, NC, for EveryBus then to New Kensington, PA then back home to Almonte.

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Lake Bruin, Louisiana, United States

From Shilo Resort and RV Park, Lake Bruin, LA

Leaving my sister and cousin Brian in Kemah Monday morning heading for New Orleans. My sister boards a flight to Saudi Arabia Tuesday where she will hang out with Al for a few years. Hope all goes well. Have a great time sis.
We make our way to New Orleans across the great state of Texas into Louisiana and the Hurricane damage becomes evident. As we near New Orleans we find ourselves with a sick Hunter dog and decide it best to camp for the night instead of going into town and looking for a room as planned. We head for the nearest to New Orleans State Park and upon arrival we are told it's closed, taken over by FEMA and there's no camping. Bummer as it's late and what to do now. We drive down the road to a motel and ask to camp out in their parking. Woman agrees and there we are until morning. We head out ot get into the French Quarter passing hurricane damage left right and centre.
Once down town we go to the place we stayed at last year only to find out it's not open. Driving around for a hour or so we find that any accommodations open do not want our doggy or are asking exorbitant rates to have him. One place wanted an extra $200 for the dog for each night ! Joke or what ? Finally we give up driving around and take to the cell phone. Same story ! We try some nearby by campgrounds. Most are closed or taken over by FEMA. Finally we find the Jude Trailer Park in the east end. They have a spot for $25. We do a bit of touring around in the French Quarter, have Beignets and coffee then head for the camp. Once we get situated we take the bus back downtown which proved to be a project in itself. Buses are few and far between but finally after and hour or so waiting we get one to town. There's no fare, buses are being run for free. We pass much damage along the way and there is nothing open. No groceries, no gas, not much of anything except right down town and the French Quarter which is still in the process of cleaning up. Looks to me like it will take forever. Piles of rubbish and dead cars abound. FEMA trailers set up everywhere to hose returnees and workers. We eventually get dropped off on the far end of Canal Street and take the trolley into downtown at the end of Bourbon Street. We walk around with the intention to find diner at some place with good music. Heading down Decateur Street, in New Orleans towards the House of Blues to see if there was any music for the night. We did not expect much as it was a Tuesday night. As we approach the venue we see a lot of commotion, Security guards and police have the street blocked off, three huge tour buses on the street then someone tells us it's Willie Nelson playing at The House of Blues tonight. Well, what a surprise. As we approach the bus nearest the door the bus door opens and Willie is getting off right before our eyes. No time to get the camera, damn. But I do get it out and get a pic of his sister getting off. We then go looking for tickets and are told it's sold out. We walk around for awhile talking to people and next thing you know somebody offers us two tickets, $65 each, not bad we figure and take them and we find ourselves in the line to get in. That's when I called you. Well, I did not mange to get any of the innumerable items being pitched off the stage. But I did mange to get some photos, despite there being a no cameras item on the tickets. Once the show started there we're lots of folks taking pics with cameras and cell phone so I figure might as well be me too. I shut the flash off so they are not the best but better than nothing. There is a pic of Willie singing a tune with a large gentleman. That is the New Orleans police Chief that Willie made a deal with to send two truck loads of bottled water to after the hurricane. He was giving Willie a commemorative plaque. Willie was also congratulated by New Orleans for taking on the honour of the first outsider to be the Grand Marshall of the Mardi Gras this year. Then they declared April 04 as Willie Nelson Day in New Orleans ! What a hoot ! I can't believe our luck running into this show !
Wednesday morning we pack up and head North again. Following Hwy. 61 to St; Francisville where we spend the night at The Green Acres RV Park after taking a tour of Historical St. Francisville. Green Acres is next door to the Oakley Plantation, an Audobon Historical site. In the morning we visit Oakley Plantation then after some Internet chores are on our way up Hwy. 61 again to Natches, Mississippi where we cross the Mighty Mississippi back into Louisiana and follow Hwy. 65 to the Shilo RV Park on the shore of Lake Bruin where we are now.
Friday morning we will be off again after posting this message courtesy of the free WiFi at this campground.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1143988440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1143988440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1143988440/tpod.html Sat, 08 Apr 2006 16:59:00 -0400 Almonte, ON to Lake Havesu, AZ for Buses by the Bridge, Mexico through Baja to Puerto Escondido to Kemah, TX to Greensboro, NC, for EveryBus then to New Kensington, PA then back home to Almonte.

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Kemah, Texas, United States

From Kemah, Texas - Back in the USA !

Leaving San Louis de Potosi heading North we begin to realize our Mexican Holidays are about to end. Reflection back on some good times at some good places meeting good people. One thing we have not mention much is the constant good weather we have had. Not a drop of rain or cludy sky since entering Mexico except for the couple of drops of rain that fell in Gord's pool in Puerto Escondido. That sort of astounded everyone. Then we get to San Miguel de Allende and we have two days of thunderstorms, not all day mind you but both the Friday and Saturday we were there were thunderstorms with lightning and the whole nine yards. From there on up to Kemah where we are now the weather has not been as admirable as it was up until San Miguel de Allende - go figure !
Well, here we sit in my sisters kitchen in Kemah, Texas thinking about our travels and how we got here. From San Louis we pretty much stayed on the Cuato (Toll) roads heading through Montrerray to Pharr where we crossed the boarder. The mountains were still present but not as treacherous as farther south but we were on large four lane highways most of the time. Once past Monterray the land levels out quite a bit, there is much industry, oil refineries and dams to create water supply for the south. We spend the next night near China at a resovior dam that has a recreation area where we camp for free. Tuesday morning we motor on not stopping for much as we plan to get back to the Ocean at the Padre Islands in Texas.
At the boarder we get the real taste of Mexican confusion. We find ourselves in a long line of trucks trying to get across the bridge over the Rio Grande River to Pharr. Once we get to the bridge we realize if we cross we are back in the USA and will not have turned in our travel documents to the Mexican authorities. We see a pull off just before the tool booth and dive in there and ask a guard what to do. He gives us directions to some building to the left and behind us and we go and get our papers turned in. No signs, no indications, you just gotta stop and ask or your in big doo-doo ! Well, one more bit of Mexican experience before we leave. I still think my major impression of the entire country of Mexico is that it is one big "Curva Pelligrosa" !
Arriving at the US boarder station we are in anticipation about what's to happen with all our goods we have collected during our journey, especially the numerous bottles of alcohol. We get the questions, answer them and are told to pull over to the inspection area. The agent comes and goes through what we have and it ends up all is OK except for ONE TANGERINE and ALL our sea shell collection from all the beaches. Phooy on the Americans. I hope his wife enjoyed the gift she got that evening. Anyways, at least that was that and we were on our way into Texas.
What a shock coming back into such a different culture divided mostly by a river. We head up the road and find a money exchange, turn in all our extra Pesos and head off towards Corpus Christi to find the Mustang Island State Park. We arrive there late afternoon after picking up supplies as we thought to stay a few days to decompress from all the stressful driving. As we pull into the park to find our allocated site we meet friends, Pierre and Nicole and their dog Charlotte, Quebec Westy Club members we know well. Surprise of surprises. They are off to visit some relatives south of here and had just arrived before us to spend the night. A few bottles of wine and snacks get us up to supper time and we are now relaxed and happy to have met friends.
The weather here is not all that hospitable, high winds, heavy dampness and clouds. It is however quite warm. In the morning we take a stroll on the deserted beach and find it not anywhere near as nice as all the Mexican Pacific Coast Playas we had become accustomed too. Boo-hoo we want to go back ! But saneness prevails, we spend another day, taking a tour of the nearby town of Port Aransas for shopping, laundry and bar service. Friday morning we pull up stakes again to go find my sister in Kemah some three hours North. A mechanical glitch stops our plans for a few hours. The van will not start, horror of horrors. After numerous attempts the decision to remove the luggage, all gazillion tons of it, is made to investigate. After a few hours of fooling around getting dirty, installing new distributor cap, rotor and spark plugs the engine fires up and seems OK. Not really sure but I think the heavy dampness played a major role here. Anyways, we get packed back up and soon are on our way. The road north leads us along the Gulf Coast mostly, straight & level, boring roads through freshly tilled agricultural land dotted with oil wells here and there. We arrive in Kemah and find my sisters place thanks to our trusty GPS. It's around five and we have a great meeting of family and dogs. Sister Maria and her son Brian are here with their dogs Bibi and Mardi Gras. Husband Al is in Saudi Arabia having just started a new job there in January. Maria will leave for Saudi on April 04, so our visit is timely. We may not get to see her for a few years.
Well, now we sit here planning some adventures for ourselves between here and Greensboro, NC where we will wind up on April 15 ~ 16 thereabouts for EveryBus and a reunion with our VW Camper amigos. I'm proposing a stop in Clarksburg, MS at the blues museum and Rita wants to go to New Orleans to have a look around. Only time will tell what we do. We have now traveled 15,677 km ! Adios amigo.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1143475440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1143475440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1143475440/tpod.html Sat, 01 Apr 2006 12:51:52 -0500 Almonte, ON to Lake Havesu, AZ for Buses by the Bridge, Mexico through Baja to Puerto Escondido to Kemah, TX to Greensboro, NC, for EveryBus then to New Kensington, PA then back home to Almonte.

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San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

From San Miguel de Allende.

We got into San Miguel last Thursday and have been busy exploring and celebrating Rita's birthday hence no time to write the full story of our adventures since Oaxaca. We're pulling up stakes here this morning, heading of north to a hot springs spa some 20 km up the road then we shall see what's next. We will get to the full story of our adventures to San Miguel and beyond with lots of pics soon. Meanwhile be patient. Adios !

PS : Our Bell Mobility Cell Phone is once again out of service. Bell has told us it'll be back in 48 hours. More jokes !
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1143751800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1143751800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1143751800/tpod.html Thu, 30 Mar 2006 15:52:37 -0500 Almonte, ON to Lake Havesu, AZ for Buses by the Bridge, Mexico through Baja to Puerto Escondido to Kemah, TX to Greensboro, NC, for EveryBus then to New Kensington, PA then back home to Almonte.

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Padre Island State Park, Texas, United States

From Padre Island, Texas - More on that and what happened between the writing below and here later ! For now enjoy the posting below. Pics may get posted this weekend when we will have more time and a good connection to do so.

And no for the rest of the story from Puebla to San Miguel de Allende. Leaving Puebla late we ere not sure to get to San Miguel by evening. The drive became difficult as the mountains to the North of Puebla were certainly hard on our pour underpowered Vanagon. The mountains again have awesome vistas and they become pine tree covered not unlike our Canadian countryside. Quite the change from the dry desert areas we've become accustomed to in the south.
Then we got into heavy traffic on the outskirts of Mexico City, stopped by the Federales who were trying to sell us a pass to get into Mexico City and we kept trying to tell them we did not want to go there but wanted to just skirt around the outside perimeter to get further North. We finally got understood and were on our way. There were more VW bay window Mex buses in this area than I could believe were possible. Mostly being used as taxi service, loaded with 8 to 10 passengers, spring compressed, undercarriage dragging and motoring along in herds in both directions, from the left, from the right and from out of nowhere ! Does not VW understand that the Mexicans need the bus ? What will they do when they all finally die ? There are a few Eurovans, even the TDI models but they are rare compared to the ever popular VW Mex Bus. Toyota and Nissan buses seem to making an inroad so their gain and VW's loss.
We get near San Miguel but find it getting late so we stop near Queretaro at the Aztec Hotel and Trailer Park for the night. In the morning we head off and get to San Miguel before noon. We find the Siesta Trailer Park and Hotel easily by following the good directions in the Churche's Mexican Travel guide. San Miguel is situated in the mountains and we wind our way around and down the mountainside to the trailer park which is a meer 20 minute walk to the centre of town. Once in the campground we find a few rigs there including two VW campers a Vanagon Westy from BC and a Eurovan Winny from Quebec. The folks from Quebec, Felix and Ghislaine, we know from the Quebec Westfalia Club. Jim and Caroline from Vancouver Island we meet and make friends quickly. There are a few other campers from Quebec as well as other Canadain Provinces and the US and we all eventually get acquainted. The best though was still to come as we find out soon that the authors of the Mexican Travel Guide which has been our bible to finding our way around Mexico as it is for most everyone we have meet in our Mexican travels. Mike and Terri Church are here working away in their pick-up truck camper on there new travel book for the Pacific Northwest. We eventually meet them and they graciously sign our tattered copy of their book. I then ask if I can buy a new signed copy from them to give as a door prize at BusFusion. They sadly say they have none with them but will get a new supply soon in Florida. They say they will send me a signed copy as a gift to BusFusion. Very nice of them ! Thanks again Mike and Terry !
We soon get the guided tour of San Miguel by our new friend Jim. He's been here awhile and knows all the ropes. San Miguel is a home for many gringos, artist and retirees. It is very much different from any other place we been so far. Except for the ever present Mexican Topes there is a lot of English spoken and a lot of supplies that us gringos would expect to get back home as well as many cultural activities in English. As we tour the town we see some very impressive Spanish architecture, huge churches and cathedrals, narrow cobblestone streets with the building so close to the street there is hardly a sidewalk to speak of in most places. Buses and taxis ply the narrow streets as many other do with their autos and motorcycles but we are advised to WALK ! We do since the campground is so close to all the action we WALK - a LOT ! There is no WiFi at the campground so we head of to a small Internet Cafe each morning to have breakfast and check in on the Internet. Later e find that the ton square has free WiFi for everyone.
Rita's Birthday is Friday and we go off to town for celebrations and dining. We find ourselves at the Hecho en Mexico, a fine place for a Birthday meal. Then more exploring and browsing the artesans shops and Mercados. Saturday we stay at camp and relax and do chores then Sunday, we go to diner at Harry's, a famous restaurant in New Orleans, which has a location here. Then we go off to a Movie in a bar which is providing cocktails, popcorn and the movie for $7. The place is full, the movie The Weathering Storm, a tale of Winston Churchill's life leading up to the war starring Alfred Finney and Vanessa Redgrave is great.
Monday morning we pull up stakes as our other VW camper friends did the day before, say goodbye to the Churches and head off to a hot springs spa some 20 kms North. We find the Grotto and explore the many hot pools provided. A lunch at their restaurant and we're off towards Dolores Hilgado the home of many fine potters. We drive around looking and seeing way more beautiful pottery than is imaginable but we decide our van is already too overloaded so we proceed up the road toward San Louis de Potosi where we are now in the parking lot of a huge Pemex station We will spend the night here then off agin in the morning, further to the North. Hasta luego amigos !
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1143032340/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1143032340/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1143032340/tpod.html Wed, 22 Mar 2006 11:14:08 -0500 Almonte, ON to Lake Havesu, AZ for Buses by the Bridge, Mexico through Baja to Puerto Escondido to Kemah, TX to Greensboro, NC, for EveryBus then to New Kensington, PA then back home to Almonte.

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Puebla, Mexico

From Puebla

The drive up the toll Mex 150D was pleasant but exhilarating as we now climbed the tallest mountains thus far. The scenic views were breathtaking and the vistas from the Westy were awesome even though they had Rita clutching the grab bar quite often.
We reached the humongous city of Puebla with a population of over 1 million early afternoon. As we were driving along following the instructions to the Las Americas trailer park in Cholula, a suburb of Puebla, we see the Volkswagen plant. That would save us time to find it later so we get off and drive up to the main gate. We ask if it's possible to have a tour tomorrow. Some calls are made, a young German woman, Mignon Droste, shows up and tells us it is not their policy to accord tours to individuals and especially on short notice. After some discussion and pleading she says she will talk to her supervisor and let us know by e-mail later on in the day. We take a few pics and off we go to find our camp for the night. We eventually find the trailer park after much driving around it. It is secluded and there are no signs, as usual ! We set up camp and find we have a WiFi connection so hopefully we get a message from Minion. Later on it comes and we are invited for a tour of the Volkswagen plant at 12 noon. Cool !
Morning comes and we find it quite chilly. So much for the way too hot Playas of the West coast. We are now at 2158 meter elevation with numerous volcanoes surrounding us, quite the change. We get ourselves organized to take the Volkswagen plant tour. We arrive at the main gate at 11:30 not wanting to be late. Mignon meets us soon afterwards and says we can begin immediately. We are led to a convertible version of the Mex VW bay window bus with inline water-cooled engine. Very spiffy. This will be our transportation through the plant. We are given some info about the facilities which are on some 44 hectares, they have their own water and electric plants. Over 1/3 of the grounds are forest and gardens, they employ 14,000 persons directly and 20,000 persons indirectly. Most of the suppliers of parts are in very close proximity so parts are delivered on a "just in time" basis. There is no warehousing of parts. They run a 5 day work week on a 24 hour schedule. The production lines produce the New Beetle for world wide sales and the Jetta 4 and Jetta or Bora 5. There are 950 Jetta/Bora's coming off the assembly line each day and 350 New Beetles. The engine plant produces 4 and 5 cylinder gasoline engines. All diesel engines are manufactured in Germany and brought in. There are currently no vans being produced in Mexico. There are however many new Eurovan TDI models everywhere e look. There is also a test track which is supposed to duplicate all driving conditions including the Mexican topes. We are not permitted to see the track except from the outside of a 6 ~ 8 foot fence covered in a some kind of material to obstruct the view. We're told all vehicles are tested on this track before being sent out.
Soon we're off on the tour with the first stop at the completely automated stamping plant. This is where all the metal panels are stamped out. The tools are rotated automatically as changes are needed. This is one of the most modern, sophisticated stamping plants in the world we're told. They do have, running nearby, a manual stamping plant for production of panels for older models. We then are taken to where the panels are put together by spot welding, laser welding and hot glue welding all of which is done in a closed robotic environment and controlled by workers using video cameras. The completed shells are then sent to the paint shop which we are not allowed to see. Next we're taken to where the painted bodies arrive and assembly starts. Interiors and then the wedding point where the mechanical parts as a complete unit are attached to the body shell. We're then taken through the engine plant where some 2000 engine per day are assembled for use in this plant and export to other plants. Out of the plant we stop at the souvenir shop and yes we got stuff for BusFusion ! We then say our goodbyes and thankyous to Ms Minion and invite her to visit us in Almonte and to BusFusion.
We spend the rest of the day exploring Cholula. Being the first day of spring there are huge celebrations going on here and most everywhere in Mexico. We visit a church high atop a hill which is built on an ancient pyramid. As if we are not already high enough we climb to the top to visit. Back down through the throngs of people, some shopping then back to our camp. In the morning we are off again to the North toward Guanajuato.
Hasta luego amigos !
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1142814780/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1142814780/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1142814780/tpod.html Mon, 20 Mar 2006 09:21:34 -0500 Almonte, ON to Lake Havesu, AZ for Buses by the Bridge, Mexico through Baja to Puerto Escondido to Kemah, TX to Greensboro, NC, for EveryBus then to New Kensington, PA then back home to Almonte.

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Oaxaca, Mexico

From Oaxaca - again

Thursday we met our friend Bill for breakfast in the old Historical section of El Centro Oaxaca. He showed us the ropes of the city and then we went off on our own sight seeing and shopping. With four Mercados, old cathedrals, museums, hundreds of artisans shops, restaurants, street vendors we where kept busy.
Friday we went back to El Centro and tried in vain to take the tourist trolley around town, Seems the local schools had commandeered them for school trips. We visited the Museum of Contemporary Art with an explosion by Alejandro Santiago who has made some 5000 clay statues of Migrantes, 400 of which were on display here. More shopping and sight seeing then we met Bill for diner and back to our camp at the Oaxaca Trailer Park.
Saturday we took an early morning cab ride to Monte Alban, the sight of ancient pyramid ruins. Spent the entire morning looking around there. See the pictures for more of the story, Afterwards we took another cab ride back to our camp for afternoon siesta. Then back down to El Centro for more exploration and diner with Bill again.
Sunday we went off with Bill to Teotitlan the home of Bill's Courandera, psychic card reader, acquaintance and we all had a session with her. Interesting to say the least. Teotitlan is also the village were most of the beautiful Mexican wool rugs are made. Looks like the entire village is working on rugs. On the way back to Oaxaca we stopped at El Tule the home of the largest tree on the planet. An Ahuehuete Cypress over 200 years old, 33' in diameter, 178' in circumference, 130' tall and weighing over 500 tons. See our pics and visit > http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/travel/rbarnett/rbtuletree.html for more info. Back in Oaxaca we go to visit the Museo de Arte Prehispanic de Mexico, expositon by Rufino Tamayo, with one of Bill's friend, Donna, who is learning to be a guide and wants to use us as guina pigs. Another very interesting day. Afterwards we go out for diner at the Marco Polo resturaunt then back to camp. Monday morning we will be off again north to Puebla, the home of the Mexican Volkswagen plant. Hopefully we will get a tour. Hasta luego amigos !
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1142685720/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1142685720/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/frankandrita/mexico_2006/1142685720/tpod.html Sun, 19 Mar 2006 08:14:30 -0500 Almonte, ON to Lake Havesu, AZ for Buses by the Bridge, Mexico through Baja to Puerto Escondido to Kemah, TX to Greensboro, NC, for EveryBus then to New Kensington, PA then back home to Almonte.

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Oaxaca, Mexico

From Oaxaca - 'cause we had no time to write while in Puerto Escondido - way too much happening there !

Monday after our Wallmart shopping in the afternoon we went looking for the campground in Diamante near the Acapulco airport so we could get an early stat on the full days drive to Puerto Escondio. Diamante RV park was filled with big rigs mostly from Quebec who have been there since early November and are well installed. Our neighbour is from Embrun and we had a nice chat with them that evening.
Tuesday morning bright and early we get off to Puerto Escondido on what is supposed to be a long days drive due to the many topes. The road is good but as we were told it's a veritable obstacle course. Besides the approximately 275 topes there are villages with markets and the main road, the Mex 200, turns into a Mercado. Then there are the loose livestock, goats, donkeys, cows, pigs and chickens roaming across the road at every turn. We get a great view of the now dry wintertime scenery. Everywhere there is a watercourse the vegetation brightens up but otherwise is a dull brown except for the many coloured flowers poking from the brown branches in anticipation of the rainy season to come.
We stop in a large market town and find we can get hooked on the Internet while looking for some pastries for a treat. We learn that our daughter April has had a huge crises in her paradise of Santa Cruz. Someone broke into her car overnight in her apartment parking lot. They smashed the drivers door window, got in and took everything but the steering wheel, her check from work which she inadvertently left there, the radio/CD player and speakers which she just had installed, her two cameras, a Cannon 35 mm and a disposable, skateboard, all the manuals for the car, the air freshener and a bunch of other miscellaneous trinkets. Life in paradise is not so good today !
Further on down the road we stop to help some young surfer folks in a bay window bus with California plates. They are huddled around the rear of the bus with the engine hatch open in the usual manner of Bus distress. Turns out they were just checking things, are from Santa Cruz, on their way to Puerto Escondido where they have a piece of land near the lighthouse. We get an invite to visit and off we go again. Then later on we encounter a young couple hitching, we stop to pick them up. They're heading to Puerto, he from Mexico City, her from Germany, we never do get their names. Soon after we hear an uncomfortable noise from the rear of our Westy. A stop to investigate and we find the right rear exhaust header pipe has cracked at the head flange. We decide to continue on and fix the problem in Puerto.
Eventually we get to Puerto late afternoon, let our passengers out, find Playa Zicatella were our friends we're here to visit are. We call and they are there and explain the convoluted route to their rented Casa. We get to their walled compound and find a lush environment with a pool overlooking Playa Zicatella and within minutes we are all in swimming and cooling off from the HOT, HUMID afternoon's drive. Gord and Joanne have been coming here for many years and last year bought some property where they are currently engaged in constructing their own Casa. After some drinks and conversation we're taken on a visit of the construction site and a view of the sunset from their hill top view of the bay. Another gorgeous Pacific Ocean sunset ! Other friends from Ottawa meet us as they are building their Casa just down the hill from Gord and Joanne's. We get the grand tour of their place and are amazed !
Wednesday, we mostly just flake out and relax until eventually I work up enough enthusiasm to go look at the cracked header pipe. It will requires removing the rear exhaust pipe so I set about that task. Afterwards we all go out for diner at a beach front restaurant and it's good to be with friends and get the inside scoop on Puerto Escondido. We had dropped off the cracked header pipe at Carlos', Gord's "personal" Mex welder and we're told it'd be ready manyana. Well, manayana we all went off on errands many of which were related to Gord & Joanne's Casa construction and eventually wound up at Carlos' around noon. The welding had not been done so we wait for him to do it which includes hooking his electric welder to the incoming electric lines, BEFORE the meter, with bare end hook connections ! The welding gets done and we head back for lunch. Afterwards, I check the pipe and go about cleaning up the welding and discover two holes so a short walk down the hill to Carlos' for more "expert" welding. This time he gets it right and back up the hill and eventually I get the pipe back in place and the Westy back in running order. Clean up and diner time's here with another Pacific sunset.
Saturday Rita and I leave Gord and Joanne's, head for the Mercado and shopping then down to Playa Zicatella to find a beach front Cabanna for a few days on our own. We find a nice place at Las Olas run by a Dutch woman who is the local dog and cat woman taking in all the strays. Some 19 cats and 10 or so dogs roam about all which she looks after quite well. The accommodations are rustic but great with hot water shower, cooking stove and fridge, we're set. We spend the next three days lounging around, walking the beach and exploring the shops along the beach. During the day the heat is so intense it's hard to stay on the beach for more than a half hour without jumping in the ocean. The main part of Playa Zicatella is not too good for swimming as the waves are intense, 20 to 30 feet. Surfers heaven and they are here ! At the far end closer to town the Playa is more calm and a short walk there provides better swimming. In the evening just before sunset the beach becomes crowded with spectators watching the surfers. Spectacular to watch is an understatement. Surf boards shooting in the sky and surfers getting pummelled by the huge waves. But, every now and then one good surfer catches a good ride inside the gigantic wave curl and it is awesome to watch his good five minute ride to glory. All this to a setting sun over the Pacific with no admission charge except the price to get here !
Monday we have had enough of Puerto Escondido and we get off down the road south again. Driving the twisted roads to Salina Cruz where we take the Mex 190 toward Oaxaca. We end up at Tehuantepec for the night at the Hotel Cali and very fancy five star place with $70 USD a night rooms but offer camping spots for RVs out back for $30 USD. Not the classiest accommodations but surely the most expensive we've come across. Three tour buses arrive while we're there, one with German tourists, one with French tourists and one with we never did find out.
Tuesday morning we get off up the road to Oaxaca. The road winds it's way up the mountain to a max of 1500 meters and there are spectacular vistas. curvas pelligrossas, topes, and lots of huge slow trucks to make the drive interesting. Passing is a feat of daredevilism as there are hardly any straight spots so the only chances are at the topes where the trucks have a hard go of it so one can zip by them there if there's no oncoming traffic or in the curves where they slow to keep from tipping but the view in front is limited ! Anyway, we have not seen one single accident thus far so we all have been fortunate. But still there are the many roadside memorials to those who did not fare so well keeping us ever vigilant of our driving.
Along the way we see ever increasing amounts of Agave plantations as we are now passing through the prime region of Tequila and Mezcal fabrication. Mostly local artisan places with one or two industrial outfits. The Agave plant seems to grow everywhere and anywhere, steep hillsides, covered with rocks and Agave plants are commonplace. Closer to Oaxaca we enter Matatlan the world capital of Mezcal. We have to stop and do some tasting and purchases. After a few shots of all sorts of Mezcal and the entire life story of the plants and production we get back on the road to Oaxaca.
We get into Oaxaca early afternoon, find the Oaxaca Trailer Park from the good directions in our Church guide book to camping in Mexico, make arrangements then go off to the Gigante near by for provisions. We set up camp and relax for the evening finding we have a free WiFi connection here. Thursday we will do some laundry chores, meet our friend Bill and explore Oaxaca.
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