What a wonderful life we have lived over the years 😎 Some downs but many many ups. We have experienced so many unusual and wonderful adventures. Over the past few months we have been reminiscing. We got married in 1987 ( 39 years together ). Got our first doxie about ten years later. And then a second to keep her company. Of course then we had to purchase our first RV ( we have only had 3 overall ) so that the girls could travel with us. Previously we used to frequent Hawaii annually before the girls. But now, they had to travel with us. The chocolate twins are our last set. They were our Covid babies. But in the future, once we are healed, we plan to travel again. Well that is, if there will still be a world left in a few years. We started RVing to Mexico in 2001.
Yesterday I actually unpacked our final two totes that we brought with us from Kelowna. Inside the final one I found ALL of my travel notes staring from day 1 of RVing. Including the ones I emailed ( I had to learn how to use a computer on the road in the early 2000’s ) to my parents and that a sister had printed out for my parents to read. So incredible to have this detailed information from 2001 and on. What an incredible time we have had traveling Mexico all along the east coast as far down to the isthmus. That was the most dangerous and difficult crossing that we had ever done because of a road washout and we were stuck. We could not go forward nor back. Suffice to say that we crossed the two steel pipes put over the river when a bridge washed out. Colin crossed first in the RV and I crossed next in the car with the dogs. It was a very steep decline with a very short place to cross. Somehow Colin barely got the 40′ RV front tires onto the steel pipes before he bottomed out. Honest to God I closed my eyes as he crossed. He had only a few inches on each side of the RV and I did not want to see what happened. So I just kept my eyes closed and simply pushed the gas pedal down. We lived to tell the story, but meeting up a ways down the road and connecting were another horror story.
Isthmus of Tehuantepec, isthmus in southern Mexico, between the Gulf of Campeche on the Gulf of Mexico to the north, and the Gulf of Tehuantepec on the Pacific Ocean to the south. From gulf to gulf the isthmus is 137 miles (220 km) wide at its narrowest part; and it is 120 miles (193 km) from the Gulf of Campeche to the head of Superior Lagoon, an inlet on the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The isthmus is a broad, plateaulike ridge. Its climate is hot, but Pacific winds often bring relief. The northern side is swampy and densely covered with tropical forest; the Pacific slopes on the south are drier.
The reason I brought up this story is that just a few days ago Colin met up with a fellow from Catamaco, Veracruz where we had stayed for several nights before we had this washed out bridge adventure. Colin actually has met many Mexicans walking the dogs in the early mornings. Catemaco is a town in the Mexican state of Veracruz, famously known as the witchcraft capital in Mexico. You can imagine Eddie’s surprise to find out that Colin had not only visited there but had driven there and back from Canada ( approximately 3,203 miles one way ). I even met a few witches in the market one day.
To be honest the rest of the journey to the Pacific Ocean and then north to Acapulco only became more complicated. But we did ( very ) eventually get to an RV Park in Acapulco ( not to mention a road we could not drive down in Huatulca ( it got pitch black in 30 seconds and for the second time in as many days we were unable to move forward or back without damaging the RV), PLUS a flat tire, broken tow bar and so on, including staying in our bus in a Pemex with space for 3 cars max ) and where we met some of the very best people we have ever met in our lives. We spent 4 – 5 winters in Pie de la Cuesta, Acapulco. Traveling the west coast from Vancouver to Acapulco was a grueling, 3,170 mile journey in each direction. Such a long drive but worth every mile. I miss those people more than I can explain. And very fortunately we are still in touch with some of them.
Colin and I have so many complicated / exciting / fun & dangerous stories to share. We have spent many many years years exploring Mexico. Most RVers get as far as Mazatlan and are content. There is so much more of Mexico to explore. So way back in October of 2009 we stopped at Tres Amigos RV Park on Isla de la Piedra and after a pro and con list, that is how we decided to stay in this area of Mexico. We are so very happy to have stopped there and were content to live there five to six months every winter.
Taken with the past 14 days. I was too lazy ( or sore ) to get up and go out onto the balcony.
Sadly, I do not have the energy ( at the moment ) to expand on these thoughts. Back to October 24, 2024.
We had no idea how long this stay in Mexico would be. We were so very excited to be driving our new to us full-time home, a 45′ diesel pusher. We actually had planned to be traveling months to Canada as well as the USA to explore the many wonderful vistas. All we knew was that this was our new forever home. We had hoped to travel north in the summer and return to the Isla in the winter.
And then Colin had a damaging stroke the end of April 2025. Our life and future goals were changed in an instant. You can go back and read about the struggles, if you wish.
This story is somewhat disjointed – but here we are a full two years to when we arrived in Mexico back in 2024. Sadly we came to realize that we would no longer be living in an RV full-time. As you know the RV was moved to Mesa in early May to sell on consignment. It was the only RV lot taking consignments at that time. A few weeks ago we had it moved to a much larger RV lot in Sun City, AZ. We hope to get it sold within the next few months.
April was spent selling personal items and packing to move. I had started last February to find us place to live in Mazatlan. The prime requirement was a place with a view and constant perfect sunsets, space to move about, a usable balcony for the twins and a beach as close as possible. Strangely some of the beachfront condos did not qualify as it was a long long way from the apartment to the actual beach. We are closer here.Unfortunately we had to move here once from the Isla and then move again ( within the same building ) 3 months later. We are ecstatic with the condo we are living in. We have everything that we need. And finally we have just unpacked all that left Canada two years ago. But yet again I have a few more totes coming and some art that we love. That is it, the end of our possessions from Canada. Not saying we will never go back to Canada. We are totally aware that life is a constant change but this is home for a few years. Anything can change,
Sadly part of the change was my taking a heavy and damaging fall the day of our second move, ( July 26, 2026 ). Within about 5 days it was established that I had a fractured pelvis. I was on bedrest for two months.
Even worse it was discovered about 13 days ago that I had not one but TWO ( but ?? 2 or 3 ) fractures in my pelvis. No wonder the pain continued. So now I am on DAILY physiotherapy. The purpose is to try and get the bones of the pelvis to join and heal. We both continue to work daily to get ahead of our current health issues. In real time Colin has done a HUGE amount of improvement based on his daily strict attention to detail. He is working so very hard day by to increase the normality of his gait.
Oh and I neglected to discuss the most thorough eye examination I have ever had in my 73 years.
A 90 minute eye examination for only1000 MXN. Extremely long story short! My eye vision is what it is – which will allow me to see to the best of my ability. This eye doctor was an ophthalmologist and also a retina specialist. I have to keep using top quality eye lenses such as Zeiss.
That red zig zag line on the bottom right shows that I have a hair follicle growing inside my right eye. This is affecting my vision. At the moment I am using eye drops during the day and an eye ointment at night. Poco a poco. They can pull the hair follicle BUT it can regrow and be even thicker which will create a greater problem! So they are trying drops and creme for a few months. At least the eye pain has stopped and I am so glad to have a reason for it.
Last Sunday we headed out about 5:30PM. This is in front of our condo. We were going out on a really actual date. Possibly our first since the stroke in April 2025. Such a beautiful sunset.
We went to El Recreo. It was the first night of Season 2 of the Monologue series, he performance was less than an hour. So glad we went as it was most enjoyable. Five story tellers about “the line not crossed”. Afterwards, we waked over to the Plazuela Machado.
The vendors were there but no shoppers. And empty tables everywhere. So we sat and had a drink and shared an excellent dinner. Great food and service at Pedro and Lola’s.
Later last week I had my ‘sun spots’ removed. I went for the full Monty and turns out it was a lot….I am going to be a mess but should be normal in a few weeks. Sadly the week ahead will have me doing my six month vein appointment. I don’t think it will ever end.
My plan was to publish this yesterday, October 24, 2026. That way I could say that we have officially been in Mazatlan for two years – without leaving the Isla nor the city itself. So now this evening as I publish, I will add that we are now a full 2 years and one day here in Mexico. The time has gone so quickly. Who knew that we would be here for two full summers! HOT, HOT, HOT!!!! Hopefully the humidity will start to decrease soon. Then I can start walking with Colin and the girls in the morning.
We have one cruise ship in tomorrow, Monday, then two one Tuesday the 27th and another two on the 28th. Life is grand here in Mazatlan.
Sunset tonight Oct 25, 2026
