Two whirlwind visits

Hi everyone,
     We're almost in Vegas.  Tomorrow we'll be driving a short while to Vegas.  It's only a hundred or so miles from where we are tonight-Kingman, AZ. 
      We had a great time in Florence, AZ.  I think I mentioned where we stayed. 

The Caliente Casa de Sol is a nice park but it is owner run and to stay there rvers need to know someone or find a place to rent from the many places for rent by owner.  We managed to find a nice spot for only $125 for the week we stayed. 
     For those who are asking, Florence is about 20 miles east of Casa Grande.  We'd never heard of it either but our niece and nephew built a second home there so we had to see it.  It is located in Merrill Ranch, a large housing tract in the desert between Coolidge and Florence.
Now, Florence is not the most beautiful place in the desert and they realized that having found out after they bought that Florence is home to state and federal penitenteries (there is no spell check on this blog site).  The good thing is that Merrill Ranch is a gated community (kind of).  The home is small and comfortable.  Myrna and Amanda took us to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner (located in Chandler).  No I did not have any cheescake.  I wish I had had my camera with me.  The chicken caesar salad I ordered could have fed the four of us.  Expect to take home a doggie bag if you ever eat at this place.
      She lent us her car and we went to Mesa.  A store clerk told me about the Mesa swap meet and I had to go.  His directions were very accurate, only "it's just over there" ended up having us drive about 15 miles east of where we were (Queen Creek).  We found the swap meet-it's a shopper's heaven-but we only spent an hour or so there.  Myrna needed her car back to pick up her friends who were flying in for Spring Break.
     We knew that hubby was coming in and hoped to see him too and see him we did. 
Tuesday about noon we get company.  Mike is out on the street with the camera and just happened to spot these four intrepid bikers.  They rode across the desert taking about two hours to get to our rv site.  It was sunny when they arrived but only a half hour later a rain storm hit.
It's amazing who a person can run into anywhere in the world now-a-days.  Our bikers met someone they knew before they got out of the park and were sheltered and driven home by folks from Kamloops.

     Wednesday, five of the folks went to the Canuck/Phoenix hockey game.  I stayed home with the dog because the car only held five.  Too bad the Canucks lost in a shoot out.  Thursday,  Mike and Myrna had a bbq that also had food for an army, but was it good, yumm!

     Thanks again folks for looking after us.  We love you!!!

Friday we were off again, this time to Apache Junction.  We found a great little park.  I highly recommend it.  We will probably make it a stopover in the fall on our way down to Mexico.  Friends of ours from Vernon just happened to be staying there for the winter and we were able to park our rig right beside theirs.

Ernie's rig is on the left in the picture below.  It wasn't cheap there but it was very neat and clean and the park is built in a circle, with the clubhouse, pool and common area in the middle.  Think of a wagon train in a circle and you will have an idea what it looks like.  Great little place, not large at all, nice wide lots.  Worth the $35.00 a day.  We kept our friends very busy, running here and there.

  We went to Glendale  on Friday to a RV show.  Gave us some good ideas if we ever decide to upgrade our rig.  We went back to Mesa on Friday to the swap meet and Saturday took a nice drive out to Tortilla Flat.  We had the dogs with us so we took them back to the park before going back to the Mammoth Goldmine tourist site for the afternoon.

We stopped for a drink in Tortilla Flats.  We moseyed up to the bar.  The only seat left was a saddle.  I got on okay but getting off was a different matter, lol. 

At the Mammoth site, the boys were hungry for red meat.  Why didn't I take a picture of the 14 oz. New York strips Mike and Ernie ordered?  Too gross! And they ate every bite.  It was a great afternoon.  Thanks folks!

We're 'back in the USA'

Howdy friends and family,
     Today we're resting in Caliente Casa de Sol, an adult retirement travel trailer and rv resort in Florence, AZ. 
     Just to catch up a little on our trip so far, we left San Carlos on Monday, March 1st and drove up to Santa Ana in Sonora state in Mexico.  We didn't have that long a drive and arrived around 12 noon so we settled into a very small, privately run campground.  Edgar and his American wife, Anna, greeted us very kindly and showed us where to park our rig.  By the evening there were two other families in with us.  One rig was from Colorado.  The other, a b class, was from BC.  We had a good night's sleep despite being right on the highway and were up and on the road by 7:30 am.  We got to Km 21 and were out of there very quickly.  The vehicle permit sticker was removed with efficiency and we were on our way again.  One question we had was:  what do we do with our temporary visitor permits?  No one seemed to know there so we just kept on going.  We were at the Nogales border crossing by 10 am (yes the truck crossing, lol) but the line up was long and we were in line for an hour before we reached the booth.  We were asked to pull over and we did without any hesitation.  We were boarded and searched by two very nice women officers and one fellow who came on board to say hello to Weaver.  We sat and chatted for a while; the one lady offered Weaver doggie treats which he accepted very politely.  She was a dog handler and I think Weaver knew she was carrying something in her pockets.  He sat beside her all the time she was sitting down.  The only thing they wanted to check was the dog food.  We had cleaned out all the fruits (courtesy of the fruit police earlier in our trip) and had cooked our chicken up in Santa Ana. 
     We headed out to Tucson where we stopped at San Xavier Insurance Company where we had purchased our Mexican vehicle insurance.  Suzan and her staff were very accommodating to us and she gave us her business cards and some Mexican maps.  Anyone want them, just get in touch with us.  We'll go there next year to get our insurance.
     We started using the Magellan we bought at the beginning of our trip.  Actually this one was the replacement we received when our original purchase broke down and Dave and Kelsi brought it to us from home.  We got a little lost because the Magellan lady (I'll call her Ruby) didn't know that one of the roads was closed because of flooding.  We were able to get back on the freeway very easily and onto the highway we wanted to get to Myrna's home in Merill Ranch.
     Myrna and Amanda (Mike's niece and gr. niece) were out shopping but showed up a few minutes after we got there.  We stayed to visit for a while and then Mave and Myrna went on a rv park hunt.  We found the Caliente and went back to the house where Mike was anxious to get going and parked before dark.
     We parked overnight in the Clubhouse parking lot and in the morning Mike went to see the office lady, Diane, about renting a spot.  Seems it turns out that all these lots are owned and if we want to stay here we have to usually know someone here who has a lot or unit for rent.  She gave us a list of owners wanting to rent/sell their lots/units and we found one.  The owner was willing to rent to us for $120. a week.  It's a nice lot.  Our rig fit on it ok.  The lot sizes only hold rigs up to 36 feet so we were within the size limit.  It's nice and warm out right now so we're cooling it inside and relaxing until we can get a hold of Myrna.
     More news later,
Mave n Mike n Weaver the Wonder dog aka Brutus

February still isn't it?

     Yes it is.  This is the last day of February and it is my good friend's birthday today.  She knows who she is.  Happy Birthday from Mave and Mike and Weaver.

     We are on the road again.  We left Lo de Marcos on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 8 am.  We travelled all day driving through to the Celestino RV park in Celestino Gasca.  Celestino is about 70 miles north of Mazatlan and on the Pacific Ocean.  The park was quite filled with greenery between each rv site.  Our site had a tree of hibiscus flowers and bougeanvilla.  The hibiscus flowers themselves were the size of my hand.  Here is an example:

There are four parks there and we ran into Dave and Sara who were staying in the Savage RV Park for a week.  They were on their way to Las Vegas. 
   Early Friday morning we were again on the move.  This time we drove through hundreds of kms of farmland to the Mexican town of Los Mochis.  The trailer park there is very dilapitated but the electricity worked and the toilets worked so I didn't complain.




 The RV park wasn't very busy as you can see by this picture.  I must admit there was a vehicle and trailer to right of this picture and later two more rigs pulled into the park.  Oh yes, it is on the road to town so it was quite noisy in the daytime but I never heard a thing after I went to sleep.  From Los Mochis one can take a train into the Copper Canyon.  Our neighbouring campers had done so and knocked on our door that evening to introduce themselves.  Grant and Sharon from Port Alberni had just got back and told us a little bit about their trip.  She showed me the beautiful baskets she bought that were made by the Mexican natives up there.  I think next year we will put that trip on our itinerary.

     Have I mentioned that Weaver the wonder dog is happy as a clam on our return trip so far?  Yes, he's quite content to sit beside his dad.  He parks his front paws on the arm rest and his hind feet are on the couch.  When he's ready to make his move he hops up on the arm rest and sits there as pleased as all get out.  He would stay there for miles and miles, then get a little restless and come and visit me for a hug, then back he'd go to his 'seat'. 

      Again, on Saturday morning we were on our way north.  Saturday's goal was to reach San Carlos and reach it we did without any problem.  First people we saw were Dick and Ann from Nelson, BC.  They had stayed at Savage in Lo de Marcos and were taking a break here before heading back home.  We took a long walk to the Oxxo so hubby could get some more pesos.  We found a restaurant right beside the Totonaka RV park and went out for supper because Mike was too tired to cook.  I had crab in butter and Mike had a marvellous concoction of fish stuffed with seafood.  I think it was the best seafood dish I've had in Mexico, and I've had quite a bit of seafood.  We had planned to stay only one night but Mike wanted to rest one more day so we stayed here today and I did laundry and Mike and I watched the Big Game on TV and it was in English.  Way to go Canada!!!!!  Tomorrow we will drive to Santa Ana which is not too far from Nogales, but will give us a chance to rest before driving over the border and on to Tucson. 

     Later dudes and dudettes,
Mave, Mike and Weaver

February 20 and all is good

Hola amigos,
     The sun is out today, hopefully for all day.  We are back from Yelapa where we visited with retired colleagues Ray and Donna.  After spending four nights there we headed back to Puerto Vallarta by way of boat to Boca.  We got off there and walked up the village to the highway where we caught the local bus to the old town.  We walked around a bit but carrying two backpacks got rather tiring so we found a bus stop and headed out to the Fluvial area to visit with Mike's cousin Mike and his wife Debbie.  We got off the bus at Costco and walked from there to their home.  We stayed there two nights and on Thursday Mike drove us to the bus depot where we boarded yet another bus (Pacifico) for Lo de Marcos.  It was raining very heavily by the time we got to Lo de Marcos and we quickly headed to the Oxxo (like a 7-11 store) where I needed the bathroom and we tried to wait out the rain.  That was unsuccessful so we dashed across the street where there was a building that had a large overhang.  Mike was not having success flagging a taxi and we were just about to give up and start walking when our good neighbours, Vic and Bev came around the corner and stopped when they saw us.  Thank you good folks!
     The kids were successful in finding their home on wheels.  We have only had two blogs from them since they left here.  Hope they have made it back home by now so they can license the Gypsy.
      Some of you readers will know Ray and Donna from the School District.  We had a great time with them and their home is really like a big cottage with the big screened porch that they use for eating and sleeping.  Yelapa is hard to describe so I suggest you google Yelapa info.  I'm attaching some photos for you all to see if you've never been there.
     Tony and Kathy were supposed to come but unfortunately Kathy's Dad passed away the evening before Tony was to fly in.  Mike and I send our condolences on your loss.
     Water taxis run often along the Banderas Bay coast so if you want to visit Yelapa go to Los Muertos Pier at the south end of the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta (P.V.) and catch one there.

The boat is almost full of day trippers.  One good tip for going by boat-try to sit in the bow of the boat where the helmsman is steering.  The ride won't be so bumpy!

This is a postcard view of the beach at Yelapa.

This is a beautiful view of the bay from the front of the house.  The hammock is very comfortable.

There is no beach here, just big rocks that are used as drums for the water to beat on.  The pathway is crude but it's beautiful when you get to the water.

Casa Piedra, home to Ray and Donna for six months of the year.  Now to get to the house, follow the pictures from the house to town; oh, and watch out for the donkey droppings.

The path to town is used regularly by donkeys carrying supplies further up the hill to a very fancy spa, called Verana.  They also have a dock that is used by their guests so they don't have to walk up and down the hill.

"Come on Mike, keep up", says our host.

We're off the hill, but the dangerous part is starting.  Don't forget that the tides have been very high this winter all along the coast and Yelapa's coastal waters are no different.  This time I didn't get wet, but the first evening out I got drenched by a rogue wave.  I wasn't taking any more chances.  I was on alert.  Just checking that my glasses were on snugly.

We made it to Casa Isabelle without mishap on this trip.  We still have a ways to go to get to the town centre but at least the path is higher now and the only thing we have to avoid is the donkey droppings.  The walk is now easier and we'll find a restaurant to have dinner.  The restaurants are plenty and the food is good.  I never did see a donkey carrying anything up or down the route to Ray's place. 

Many hours were spent just sitting and watching the water traffic float or paddle by; the fishers cleaning their catch and the sea birds coming in for the spoils; on Sunday morning Donna first caught sight of a whale so the binoculars were brought out and the whales' progress was excitedly tracked.  Meanwhile, Lola the cat found the butterflies a very interesting subject.  Moses, the other cat in residence, preferred to sleep on the bed in the sun porch. 

It seems that I cannot download any more photos on this blog, so I'll sign off and continue tomorrow. 

Hasta manana muy amigos.

Still in Lo de Marcos

Good evening friends and family,
We are still in Lo de Marcos and I thought that I better let you know that we are healthy and fit and enjoying life here at the Savage RV Park.  We've made some friends here and that has been very rewarding for us.  Vic and Bev from next door became 1st time grandparents of a baby girl at the end of January.  Jan and Dale have their daughter and son in law visiting them from Ontario.  Carol and Walter from Vernon took us to LaPenita today to the market.  Thanks for the ride.  Last week we were in Puerto Vallarta visiting hubby's cousin.  We had a great time there.  We stayed longer than we thought.  Thanks kids for looking after Weaver for us.  I hope your experience didn't deter you from the idea of rving and that you've had a chance to find your dream home.
The weather continues to be mixed up.  Last week most of Mexico had rainy weather-almost unheard of for this time of year.  Our trip to Puerto Vallarta consisted of rain for about three days. Today we had a little shower but the weather cleared up for a while and now it is cloudy again. 
Tomorrow we are taking the plunge and going to Yelapa to visit retired colleagues of ours who live in Yelapa.  They went back to Salmon Arm in December but the weather was so miserable they decided to come back here early-in February instead of March. So... here we go.  Weaver is going to doggy day care courtesy of Beach dogs in Mexico, a kennel and dog grooming business here a few blocks from us.  I think he knows something is up because he's been awfully quiet today.  The sight of a suitcase being packed could also have given him the "heads up".  Vic and Bev (from Thornhill,ON) will keep an eye on the rig for us.  Thank you neighbours!!
I must get to bed.  We have to have the dog to the kennel around 8 am and that is going to come earlier than I'd like.
Till next time,
Mave n Mike

More of Lo de Marcos

      It's been a week since I last did a post and I have no excuses this time.  Let me see now, could it be because I'm having too much fun being a lady of leisure and that I can do absolutely anything I want to do or don't want to do?  Yes, that might be it.  No that isn't it. My mind is in a fog.  The days are flying by and already it is January 29, 2010.  Today is Dena and Tusi's birthday.  Happy Birthday you two.  We go back a long way, to good old Deloraine, Manitoba.  But, I am digressing.

     This week and most weeks our schedule is as follows;  get up, have breakfast, do dishes, read the news and our emails.  By the time we are finished doing that, it's about 11o'clock.  We have a look outside, see that the sun is shining and it is very warm out and decide it's time to go to the library. It's usually still cool in the library as there is a nice breeze blowing.  Here are Vic, Bev and Mike getting settled in. Alfonso has made a bookcase to house the books that are in the library.
I should also mention that the library is also the Happy hour meeting place.  The chairs are set this way so that the gecko droppings will not land on the seats. :} 
Alfonso is the very nice, capable, Mexican fellow who manages the park.  He speaks English, but his wife, Erica, who is the housekeeper, does not.  There are some bungalows here for rent plus 12 rv spaces.  Right now there are 10 rvs here but no one booked into the bungalows.  We are a family here .  It is a good feeling.
The bakery here in town travels around to the rv parks selling fresh baked goods.  Sorry, Doc.  I know you told me to stay away from sweets, but everything is so good and until I got settled in Mexico I was being really good.  But the bakery isn't the only merchant who is mobile.  The produce truck also comes at least twice a week.  Saul also has a restaurant in town.  This is Saul's son.  Notice the weigh scale on the hood?  There is Walter trying to decide what to get.

 This past week marked a period of very high tides.  After one very noisy night of wave pounding on the beach we discovered that the beach lost a lot of sand.  Much of the lost sand has returned thank goodness.  It felt weird to be walking on rocks.  The wave activity has also left behind on the beach a multitude of stones of all sizes. This is annoying to the boarders who are scraping feet, toes and other body parts on the rocks as they attempt to come ashore.

This is the serious surfers' area at the south end of the beach.  Oh yes, I have to add that I went out with Mike holding my hand and I experienced for the first time what it is like to dive under these waves.  It is an experience only you dear readers can have by being here.  

     Tomorrow David and Kelsi take over rv living while Mike and I take a break in Puerto Vallarta.  They will look after the dog for us.

      Till next time,

Mave n Mike

Still in Lo de Marcos

Buenos tardes,

     We are sweltering here in Mexico.  The ocean is giving us a great display of its powers as the waves continue to crash onto the beach here.  The noise sounds like thunder but I have to remind myself that the sky outside is sunny without a cloud around today. 
     We've made friends with our neighbours who are from Ontario.  We played Mexican dice with them the other day.  Friends from home it is the same as Farkle I think but they have added a clause that when they hit 1000 points then they can use the 2,3,4 throw as a free throw.  The game goes to 7000 points and I was winning for the whole game until Beth came out of nowhere and beat me.  Mike came in third and Vic was in the cellar.
    This week we've been under the weather a little bit.  I'm still not 100 % so I'm  trying to stay out of the sun.  We are not allowed to use our air conditioners because they use too much power but yesterday I was granted permission to use it while the boy cleaned our Rig.  He did a great job so Mike gave him 200 pesos instead of the 150 they had agreed on the day before.  Figure it out.  12.3 pesos to the US(?) dollar.  We don't have any vehicle wax or we would have hired him to wax it too.  It took him about 3 hours to clean it.  None of the teenagers at home would do it for that money.  I had to grab the english/spanish dictionary a few times to communicate with his mom who works here, but we finally got the messages connected.  Alfredo runs the rv park here.  Erica and her son also work here, but I don't know if they are related.  He's busy digging a garden patch along a low retaining wall so he can plant some bougeanvilla (sp) plants.  I see he's quit for now.  At 1pm it is too hot to be in the sun and siesta time is coming up.  Almost everyone closes up shop for a few hours here to go home and have lunch and a rest out of the heat.
     We are true nortamericanos when we go out for a walk at this tme.  Not anymore.  I've learned.  We usually head to the beach about 3 pm and come back by 4. 
     Three more guests have left us.  They were in the bungalows.  Brenda had to go back to work at Newport Beach and her hubby went home too.  Her uncle is staying in Mexico for a while longer.  Walter is taking them to Puerto Vallarta.   We will probably leave on Sunday and go on to P.V. where the other Mike  lives. 
    We've had a few sightings of iguanas the last couple of days.  One was in Walter's palm tree. It is the pure green one.  The other one was caught on camera by Mike sitting on a mailbox across the street.

The vege man just came so I went out and we bought pistachios for 160 pesos a kilo.  We didn't buy that much but we must have bought almost that amount.  2 large red grapefruit, 3 carrots, and a very small watermelon.  Cost 147 pesos.  He also had lovely brown eggs and strawberries, jicama, mangoes, radishes, celery, habaneres, you name it he had just about everything you could want and you don't have to go any further than the rig four doors down the row.  Well, it's time to try to eat something.  I had egg sandwich for breakfast and last night for dinner as well.  Till next time, Mave n Mike