March 15,
on the road by 7 after saying bye to the Omands, waving to the Hammers and hugs with Esperanza and Maria. Those two girls sent us off with a big glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, a plate of cookies and a bag of candy for the road.
Light traffic and no construction made for a quicker trip to PV than planned.
Coffee with the Hamiltons and Mahons then off to La Penita to buy our northern supply of raisins, dried cranberries, peppercorns, almonds and coconut and lunch of our favourite chilis rellanos at Irmas with the Goldbecks and Dixons.
After doing the Compostella and Tepic hills, we stopped for the night at Las Palomas Express, booked on hotels.com, only $60 Cdn with 24/7 security so no worries about the loaded car.
March 16,
Early start but expecting a short day to Mazatlan. Traffic stopped for an hour for a military roadblock. The Omands and Hammets had already been there 45 minutes before we joined the line.
Checked in at Torres Mazatlan by noon and spent a very relaxing afternoon at poolside then dinner at LaPalapa Restaurant, special tonight, filet mignon but I had a huge platter of roasted vegetables topped with a butterflied chicken breast. Eggplant, zucchini, tomato, green pepper, tomato, onion, mushrooms and potato, two large pieces of each vegetable. Needless to say, I shared with Dave as he only got a small piece of broccoli with his steak.
We had thought of returning to Los Arcos for another special meal but did not want to lose the magic of our anniversary dinner back in December.
March 17 Happy St Patricks Day! Hope you are wearing green!
After some banking business, we were on the road by 8. Excellent four lane divided highway from Mazatlan all the way to Los Mochis so I drove most of the four hours.
Flat country with miles and miles and miles of agriculture......corn, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, melons,sourghum, cucumbers, watermelons , grapefruit, apricots and tomotilas.
Turned onto hwy 32 towards El Fuerte, more miles of corn, cabbage, mangos, oranges .
33 degrees today. And 39 degrees when we got to our Hacienda St Cruz. Lovely Mexican scene $33 Cdn
Stopped at a fruit stand. 4 very large oranges and one big grapefruit, total cost 15 pesos, that's about $1.10
Next stop was a clay oven where you could smell fresh bread as soon as you opened the car door. Whole wheal buns, white buns stuffed with dates or cheese. Yummy cookies made of corn flour and crushed nuts. Another purchase ---- 2 big buns, 2 date filled buns, 10 corn cookies and 10 almond short bread... should get us all the way home! Grand total 120 pesos!
Arrived in El Fuerte shortly after 2. Our hotel was an easy find, Hacienda St Cruz, run by a young family with two small children. Very friendly and helpful, even had us park our car in their cochera, even though they said the town was very safe.
Too hot at that time of day for a walkabout, 39 degrees but very dry.
Set out at 3:30 for the walking tour of this town begun in 1534. A very obvious Spanish influence, homes neat and tidy, lots of restoration on homes two and three blocks back from the main drag.
Their zocolo is lovely, huge palm trees, lots of shade and benches. Impressive church.
Found Posado Hidalgo where Dan and his group from Melaque just arrived for their seven day tour of Copper Canyon. They has bussed from Melaque to Guadalajara, spent the night then flew to Los Mochis this morning and bussed to El Fuerte.
They had yesterday afternoon to spend in Guadalajara and this pm to do optional tours here in El Fuerte.
They board the train on the morning with three overnight stops then fly from Chihuahua to Guadalajara.
We had attempted to do the train part of the trip with them and leave our car here in El Fuerte but getting back to the car did not fit in the train schedule and our time line to be in LA for Spring Break.
So we drove up to the station and met lots of folks disembarking, all very pleased with their experience, most of them had done the return trip.
March 18
Heading towards the border, stopped at car registration point, had sticker removed and paper work in order for reimbursement for ICBC rebate on our insurance. Now in the Free Zone.
side trip to Puerto Penasco for the night, a happening place, lots of Spring breakers so the melanin was rocking!
We toured the tourist zone, the public beaches and had a wonderful Sunday chicken dinner, topped off with chili pepper beer at a funky restaurant at the end of malecon.
March 19 early start and across the border before 10. the night in Blythe then three nights
March 20, 21, 22 in Palm Springs at the Oasis. Daily walks, explored Joshua Tree Park and dinners at our resort with Port Alberni friends.
March 24 with friends in LA then a week
March 25- April 1 with son and family for their Spring Break. Disney, SeaWorld, Legoland, Universal Studios made great memories!
April 1 drove to Red Bluff after a stop at the Olive Pit in Corning
April 2 straight to Canada. On the road at 7 and at the border by 9. Good to be home.
March 18
Heading towards the border, stopped at car registration point, had sticker removed and paper work in order for reimbursement for ICBC rebate on our insurance. Now in the Free Zone.
side trip to Puerto Penasco for the night, a happening place, lots of Spring breakers so the melanin was rocking!
We toured the tourist zone, the public beaches and had a wonderful Sunday chicken dinner, topped off with chili pepper beer at a funky restaurant at the end of malecon.
March 19 early start and across the border before 10. the night in Blythe then three nights
March 20, 21, 22 in Palm Springs at the Oasis. Daily walks, explored Joshua Tree Park and dinners at our resort with Port Alberni friends.
March 24 with friends in LA then a week
March 25- April 1 with son and family for their Spring Break. Disney, SeaWorld, Legoland, Universal Studios made great memories!
April 1 drove to Red Bluff after a stop at the Olive Pit in Corning
April 2 straight to Canada. On the road at 7 and at the border by 9. Good to be home.
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