TravelStream™ news feed for member koncur on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/koncur en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:55:13 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1197498360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1197498360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1197498360/tpod.html Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:55:13 -0500 Canada to Mexico

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Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Just outside Moab we spent the day hiking around the Arches National Park. The weather was still hovering around zero but at least the sun was now out and no snow. The highlight of our hike was the longest arch, the Landscape, measuring 306 feet base to base.
The next day was filled with shopping in Salt Lake City. And now we are on the road again making a run for the Canadian border. Should be there hopefully by tomorrow afternoon. Since we have nothing but driving ahead of us this will be our last entry in the travel pod. Hope everyone enjoyed reading the adventures of our road trip to Mexico and home again.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1197167640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1197167640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1197167640/tpod.html Sat, 08 Dec 2007 22:12:02 -0500 Canada to Mexico

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Cortez, Colorado, United States

A winter storm has forced us to call it a day in Monticello Utah. Heavy wet snow is falling making the highway to dangerous for us to travel any further. Locals tell us the weather is going to improve by morning and if not we will sit and wait it out.

From our last entry we haven't done much other then drive. Today being the most eventful in days. First we stopped in Farmington to get the propane leak taken care of. We had been aware of this problem since we left the coast of Mexico but hadn't done anything about it other then a quick snoop of the lines which turned up nothing. The regulator was replaces and a hose connection fixed. All fixed just in time for us needing to use the furnace at night. (Due to the leak we had the propane system isolated to be on the safe side since we discovered the problem). It was a couple of chilly mornings in the interior of Mexico with no heat. Also winterized the water lines in the van today. Who knew New Mexico was so cold at this time of year. Not used to the cold and the drizzle of rain/sleet didn't make this a fun job. Well that was the excitement for the last couple days.

Hoping to make it to Salt Lake City by tomorrow where we plan on doing a little shopping before the remainder of the drive home.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1196824320/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1196824320/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1196824320/tpod.html Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:58:39 -0500 Canada to Mexico

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Zacatecas, Mexico

A caravan booking all the camping spots in Melaque forced us to move north. There isn't any additional camping south so we had to do some back tracking. First we checked out Boca Beach. Beach was nice but campsite was nothing but soft sand. Well after our previous experience in soft sand and not a soul around to push we decided to go check out Tenacatia. This beach was also nice but the lagoon behind town resulted in crazy amount of bugs at night. Even with our bug room we still were getting bit. Needless to say we only spent one night there.

Heading inland Colima was our next stop. Not many hotels in town and the one clean one we found wouldn't allow the van to be parked in their private parking area. Didn't want to park on the street for the night so lived it up and spent the night at the fancy place in town. We were a little under dressed for this hotel but we enjoyed sleeping outside the van for a change. Did a day trip out of the city to the magic zone, which is a stretch of road that seems to slope downhill but if you stop your car and let it roll it will go backwards. Had lunch in Comala which is a town know for free snacks so needless to say we only bought some beverages.

With hustle and bustle of Guadalajara we didn't stay there long. Took a hotel just outside the the city at Lake Chapala after finding out or destination campground was closed. Spent a morning shopping in Tonala and the afternoon in Tequila taking a tour of the Jose Cuervo distillery. Very interesting learning the history and production of tequila but we found the tour a little over priced. Headed north up the road and ended up spending the night at a Pemex gas station.

Today we visited the ruins of La Quemada which stands 45km south of Zacatecas. It was thought that these ruins were inhabited between 300 and 1200AD with a peak population of 15,000 people. This civilization was linked to the major trade network of Mexico. Traces of a major fire indicate its final downfall. The site covers over one square km and has roads systems stretching over 170km, some of which can still be seem in the country side today. Only about 1% of this site has been excavated. These ruins stand on a hill in a broad valley so we were able to take in great views of the country side as we explored.

Tomorrow is a shopping day in Zacatecs. This region is know for fine leather and silver. Dan can hardly wait. Woo Hoo!

Pictures to follow and Haley is now back to good health.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1196824260/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1196824260/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1196824260/tpod.html Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:12:17 -0500 Canada to Mexico

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Guadalajara, Mexico

guadalajara
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Colima, Mexico

colima
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1196824080/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1196824080/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1196824080/tpod.html Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:09:48 -0500 Canada to Mexico

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Manzanillo, Mexico

man
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1196363100/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1196363100/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1196363100/tpod.html Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:07:23 -0500 Canada to Mexico

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Barra de Navidad, Mexico

This will be the third night for us in Perula. This sleepy little town is located only two hours south of Puerto Vallarta. Not much in this small town but a few stores and other small businesses, most seem to be closed for the season. There are two small RV resorts located on the beach and another in town but since it still low season everything seems to be deserted. Saturday we were able to experience the release of baby tortoises into the ocean. Haley and Dan were able to hold a little guy and release him on the beach. Unfortunately our guy was very young and therefore very slow in making it into the big bathtub we call the ocean. Hopefully he makes it. Sunday was the final day of a weeklong celebration of the towns Saint and the town seemed to come alive for the final celebration. We wondered where all these people could have come from. You walk down main street during the day and you'll be lucky to see two or three people. The beach here is also very deserted. A nice sandy beach stretching for miles in either direction. The beach also is perfect for taking Haley for a swim since it doesn't drop off too quickly and the waves aren't too big. The RV resort we are staying in has only three other tenants who are all very friendly and nice. Today we had to take Haley to the local doctor because she came down with a slight fever and a cough. She looks as though she will be all though.

Moved to Melaque to be closer to a larger hospital if we needed to take Haley in. Tonight will be our third night here. Will have to pack up in the morning since the campground is fully reserved for some big caravan that is coming through town. Not sure yet if we will take a hotel for a couple of nights or move inland towards Colima. Other then a couple walks on the beach we haven't been doing much other the lazing around. Haley's fever finally broke yesterday morning but she had a round of the Mexican shits which I think is clearing up today. She seems better other than a cough. We will keep giving her antibiotics and if she doesn't improve in a couple days we'll have to take her in again. But please no one worry...

Pictures have now also been added to the Sayulita to Perula entry.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1195857540/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1195857540/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1195857540/tpod.html Sat, 24 Nov 2007 09:47:24 -0500 Canada to Mexico

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Sayulita, Mexico

Well not much to write when all we have been doing for the last 4 days is sitting on the beach in Sayulita. This town is known for surfing but we haven't seen big enough waves to really surf on since we arrived. The waves are more along the lines for body boarding but we don't see much of that going on. Instead there are all these armature surfers out in the water. Seems pointless to us since as soon as they are up on their feet the wave they were riding has disappeared. Nice little campground in this town but the ocean drops off too quickly to safely take Haley in for a swim.
Walked to the next cove over yesterday. Calmer waters which meant Haley was able to go for a swim.
The day we arrived was Day of Revolution in Mexico so we were able to watch the local parade and other festivities going on around town. I'm sure every school kid from miles around was in the parade. Haley seemed to enjoy the marching bands the most and was a little frightened by the horses.
Will move on to Perula in the morning it is a 165 km south of here. Pictures to follow.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1195442700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1195442700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1195442700/tpod.html Sun, 18 Nov 2007 23:19:00 -0500 Canada to Mexico

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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

From Mazatlan we continued to head south down the coast. We didn't make it to our destination but still found a nice campground to spend a couple of days. At Tepic we got off the Mex 15 (similar to an interstate in Mexico standards) and followed the coastal highway towards Puerto Vallarta. This road is nothing but twists and turns. The max speed limit 50km/hr but the buses and big trucks will make one go even slower then this. This road gave Dan a taste of true Mexican driving. With no shoulder and the crazy Mexican on the road no wonder Dan was white knuckled most of the drive. For those of you that haven't driven in Mexico before anything goes. Passing on hills, around corners, tailgating, cutting one and other off, you name it. NO wonder there is so many crosses on the sides of the roads. We originally planned to make it to Sayulita but this road made the drive longer then expected. Stopped in La Penita at a nice campground over looking the ocean. With RV park has over 120 stalls and we lucked out getting one over looking the beach. Nice view but our neighbors are a little close. Been here two nights already and planning on staying a couple more. Haley had her first swim in the ocean today. The beach has a little bit of surf but Haley didn't seem to mind. Once we got out past the breakers she happily played in the waves. Went to the community BBQ tonight. If you haven't had a Mexican hamburger you don't know what your missing. Yummmmmmy. It was like we were at a retirement party or something along those lines. With all the other campers (mostly snow birds) telling us about their grandkids and googling over Haley. They even had live music with all the retired ladies up in front dancing.
Next stop will be Sayulita but we don't think there is internet there so if you do't hear from us for a couple days please don't worry.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1195227900/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1195227900/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/koncur/mexico_2007/1195227900/tpod.html Fri, 16 Nov 2007 22:19:52 -0500 Canada to Mexico

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Mazatlan, Mexico

The first night since the last time we wrote we spent in Huatabampito, just west of Navoja on the coast. These towns don't seem to appear on the travel pod mapping system so to give you some type of idea it's around 250km south of Guaymas. We found ourselves to be the only ones at this campsite. Lovely white sand beach that stretched for miles in both directions. It was like camping directly on the beach since the whole site was nothing but sand. Since Haley is on the go it was hard to keep her clean here and the sand out of her mouth. This is where she first dipped her toes into the ocean. Between the giant red ants, no-see-ums and mosquitoes we only spent one night. If it wasn't for the bugs we may still be there.

Covered in bug bites we packed up and headed for Alamos, which was about an hour inland. This little town is known for it's colonial builds and cobblestone streets. All our travel books warned if you are driving a large vehicle not to attempt going to the campground on the far side of town. Being in a van we were ok but we could tell why there were so many warnings. The streets were very narrow with tight little corners that one needed to try and get around. Most seemed to be one ways but with no signs showing direction we got caught more then once going the wrong way. Lovely little campground once we made it there. It seems like mostly Canadians in all the campgrounds so far.

Couldn't keep Dan is one place very long. On the road again. The plan was to only drive to Los Mochis. Well the campground turned to out to be a dump and since it was only noon we figured we could make the additional two-hour drive to Culiacan. The campground here was no better. We parked in the back of some upper scale hotel in an empty lot, which appeared to be were they dumped their garbage for the evening. This was the campground.

This morning, we are on our way to Mazatlan. Found us a nice little campground one block from the beach. Will spend a couple of days here.
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