RL RV Park
Trip Start
Oct 01, 2007
1
14
34
Trip End
Apr 28, 2009
Ranger,
Texas,
United States
Saturday, March 8, 2008
The Western Horizon Resorts group which we joined in November has only one property in Mexico. It's in Kino Bay just outside Hermasillo. That was our next destination; just over two weeks of sun and relaxation and coping with the 10 miles of dirt road that took 1 ¼ hour to navigate. We had some incredible seafood feasts and met up with more fellow travellers. One couple, Pat & Warren Knight from Kamloops, BC left with us in our search for even warmer weather. We spent two nights in a less than memorable RV site called Totonaka in San Carlos, Mexico and then on to three nights at an old resort from the 30's, Playa de Cortes in Guaymas. It has a hotel as well and hosted many famous people over the years. It certainly had a grand atmosphere of colonial Mexico. There is a tile mural of the Spanish explorer Cortes in one of the imposing dining halls. By this time, the Bell's had left us to join their friends, Sandi & Ted Gilbert from Port Alberni and returned with them so we were four couples enjoying a great time until all but the Knight's left for Alamos. Alamos is a designated UN World Heritage Site. We took a tour with one of the locals and were shown more of colonial Mexico and its opulence of bygone years. We celebrated Gary's birthday in a watering hole adjacent to the town square. The annual festival was just winding up which made for excellent people-watching. On the 29th of January we spent one night in El Fuerte with a view of possibly taking in the Copper Canyon. The bugs were so bad that we did not hang about. Instead, we made for a beautiful resort called Mr. Moro in Las Glorias outside Guasave. We intended only a day or so but that became a week. The beach was amazing!
The WIFI was pretty reliable there but not strong enough to support Skype. Carie's brother and sister-in-law found it a challenge to reach her. There were pretty major decisions afoot. Both of her parents have since gone into care. It has been extremely difficult to be so far away from them but at least they are getting the care that they need. They are not together but are in the same facility and are wait listed for the next available semi-private room.
After two nights in Celestino Gasca (near Mazatlan) still in search of higher temps we decided to move into Mazatlan itself (after sussing things out) and checked into El Paraiso in Playa Cerritos (north end of Mazatlan) for nearly a week. Gary had been in the area the previous January and took great delight in showing the rest of us around. We attempted snorkelling but the water was too clouded to see anything. Once again, the beach is amazing!!! We walked for miles on the beaches and along the sea wall, Malacon; toured the old town, the cathedral, former opera house and the market. We took Mexican busses everywhere plus the Mexican version of a Kabuki cab, the Pulmonia. It is motorised but is like a Volkswagen with a canopy. We hit the road on Valentine's Day to return to Las Glorias where we spent that wonderful week only a short time ago. We are on our way north now and expect to cross in the US at the end of February. After another outstanding week at Mr. Moro's we travelled to Huatabampito near Los Mochis and spent four nights there. The beach was lovely but the winds were high and much of the beach ended up in our rigs. While there, we also heard from Carie's brother and sister-in-law saying that her father was not doing well. After a couple of nights in Magdalena (as in the southbound trip), we crossed the border into the States on March 2nd - exactly 2 months of bliss in Mexico. We have since change our itinerary and are now heading east to Ottawa.
To date we have crossed the remainder of Arizona, the width of New Mexico and are in the great state of Texas. It will take us three nights to traverse it. It is March 6th and we woke up this morning to temperatures below freezing and bitterly cold winds from the north. As we hit the trail, the snow began to fall. It took us nearly 5 hours to travel 141 km in chaotic road conditions. For safety's sake, we left the highway and found an RV site which is the epitome of "deep in the heart of Texas". Everything is expected to freeze tonight so our start in the morning may also be delayed. We trust that our weather conditions down here are of some consolation to you. We have now transitioned from the high 80's to 31 degrees F. in 6 days. The plan is to keep an eastern bearing until we hit Charlotte, NC and then turn northward. After Kemptville, we are not sure in which direction we will head. We were intended to be with Drew and Courtney in May and to see Dawn and Daniel in Toronto on the way to Ontario. That decision will be made from in Kemptville.
Comments
From Bath U.K
Just received your blog Sounds as though you are having a brilliant time.I am well Em and Ed have moved out,into a house in Bath, Stephen has emigrated to Oz, Brisbane, he is looking for work. Nicola is working in Cardiff and buying a house with partner. We don't talk about my life!!
Take care much love Katexx
You have to experience some winter!
Hi Gary and Carie,
What an exciting winter you've had. Sorry to hear about your folks, Carie. Safe travels eastward. Hope to see you sometime this year! Graham and Jacquie
From an island in the Pacific (Victoria, B.C.)
I have just found your journal! Have enjoyed the pics and now the journal. Very sorry to hear about your mom and dad Carie but you're right, they will have good care. It will be good when they can get them together. You sound like you are having a wonderful time! Hugs and Blessings, Susan, Brian and the Calder Clan