We arrived on Monday the 6th of November with no problems on the road. Even the bad Isla roads ( huge pot holes ) worked out for us. We did not have to have anyone move their vehicle for us as we lumbered the heavy RV down roads .Our final day on the road in Mexico had us driving only 195 miles but it seemed to take forever. We were so very anxious to arrive.

November 6th. We are parked in the middle site allowing access to our site to be levelled, etc.

They worked and worked and worked till dark. It was at least 35C and 88% humidity.

From our home in Kelowna until our arrival here we have driven 2654 miles. The girls seemed to be tired of traveling as well as us. Once we started down the road from Estrella del Mar they knew where we were. Their tiny noses never stopped. However they were confused when we pulled into our new compound at 12:45PM. Where were we? If you have any specific questions re the road conditions or anything else make a comment, send me an email. I apologize to those following, but we have not yet had the time to set up our Shaw TV System. Hopefully within the next 5 days or so. I have read in a few places that Shaw will no longer be functional in Mexico come February.

Erik and Gustavo installing our water system.  Good thing Colin had our portable generator to provide electricity for the drill.

The guy in white is the electrician and the other is his helper. And that is the 50AMP plug that we brought here from the USA.

We have electricity, connected to the very old meter to the left of the post.

Tuesday morning working out how much length we need to reach the main pipe. All of that distance was dug by a pick and shovel. It took about 10 hours.

We could not drive into our site, as a wire was hanging about mid level from the front RV window. Colin reached out to the manager who showed up an hour or so later. He simply cut the wire. Turns out it was someone’s internet/TV fiber optic which was broken anyways. Glad we did not do it.

A full truck load of small pea gravel was delivered at 8AM Tuesday. We only ordered it Monday afternoon. The black area is the landscape cloth we put down to control the weeds. 3000 MXN for the gravel. A few times during the day some of the workers stopped to help Colin get the gravel moved.

First thing that Colin did was to brick in the chosen circumference of our site. I say chosen because we could have much more land behind us but for now we have enough. Maybe we should build a guest cottage?? So happy that we did the pea gravel.

Next we had to park in order to show the manager where the services had to come to. It was a challenge moving the bus back and forth trying to find the perfect position for a set up which would be permanent. I did not have time to take photos and was exhausted. Just 48 hours earlier Colin was told that the site was ready for us except for power and water. It wasn’t what we expected. Weeds/grass needed to be removed. There were some rocky areas. We wanted the site to be as level as possible re our set up plus avoiding any tripping hazards for me. It is a new RV Park and a new concept to the manager here. There was some concrete in an area where they had mixed the cement to build the fence last April. It did not appear to be too difficult to remove it. He thought the site was ready while we did not.

Breaking up and removing the lumps of hardened cement.

Monday, I went to bed very early with no dinner. I was too tired to eat. The next several days all began at 6AM, most usual for me. And never ended before 7PM. We were often in bed by 9PM. Because of the heat and humidity we have had to run air conditioning 24/7, either the front or the back and sometimes both.

Our very first sunset in our new Isla home.

About two hours later Erik arrived ( at least a month ago we gave him our our arrival time and date ). We could not believe our eyes, Erik and Gustavo had arrived 😀 They even had our water tinaco and pump which they proceeded to install. Suddenly we had over ten people working for us 😛 An electrician just showed up, no idea who he was. It was magical. They hooked up the 50AMP plug that our special friend Colin ( yes same name ) had purchased for us the day prior to our leaving Arizona.” we can’t thank you enough, notre ami especial” and shrugged their shoulders as if to say okay.  Our 50AMP electricity is running. It is even being metered. Incredible!

As you can see they started delivering the palm branches for the palapa almost right away.

So by dark that very first night, we were able to pull into a reasonably level rv site. We had electric and we had water. I can’t say anything other than that it was a TRUE miracle. Thinking back I was pretty sure I would’ve not made it that first night dealing with the heat/humidity and no electricity.

Our power on the left and the very well made septic system.

The next day more area around and behind us was cleared. Two days later the entire three sites had been cleared.

The water project complete with the tiny house house Colin built for it including a rain roof for the engine. We had moved all of our bricks here last March.

It really appears to us to be a miracle to have a clean and level site, 50 AMP  power and water. Tuesday they actually connected our site to the septic system, using much physical labour to connect up to that main line. It has been a fascinating three days watching how these so very skilled labourers work all day with the extreme high humidity readings. It was obvious to us that we needed to be onsite for them to measure the electrical hook up, where the water should be linked to our RV plus where to connect the sewer to the exceptional septic system. We can attest to the fact that it all works perfectly.

Our set up the second evening.

Such a perfect first night.  Since then many activities have been happening. Colin and I have been involved whenever we could to help including the provisions of liquids and comida, carrying bricks, raking gravel, etc.

The girls were happy to have a fenced in yard to run around in. Colin has taken them to the beach I think 3 times and will again today. I can barely get in and out for the RV. I ache everywhere. But is so very worth it. We are in love with this place. We are constantly looking out the window or at the vista when outside.

Alex, the master palapa builder, and his crew are outstanding, they never walk when they run. More on the palapa next post.

Our local temps remain high with extremely prominent humidity readings all day. Looks like El Nino is going to control the weather pattern this winter.

Each day has been a challenge from the delivery of our pea gravel early Tuesday morning to spreading of it out over the next few days. Wednesday, Colin along with King Kong (truck taxi driver we have used in the past ) to pick up our plants and stored belongings.  Two back and forth runs and to pick up our fabulous looking plants ( they were so well looked after this past winter ), plus another two runs from storage with all of our “stuff”. I spent a few hours that day on the phone arranging for our internet to be set up. I had arranged that once with someone back in September but he backed out a few days before we arrived saying that Total Play would not install in an RV. I didn’t believe that and arranged for someone on the Isla to handle the installation. They were a no show Tuesday. So after a few hours on the phone Wednesday I had a crew coming to do the job on Thursday.

The palapa construction started with hole digging on Wednesday and something has happened everyday since. It was a good thing that I had planned a weeks worth of meals as we still have not had a moment to get out to purchase any food. At then end of everyday we sit with a glass of wine and look at each other and say ” we sure did a lot today, didn’t we “. We are constantly astounded at our daily accomplishments.

We have officially had 4 sets of visitors including Sonny from back home. A very short but lovely visit. These huge cargo ships cruise just behind us. Fascinating. Taken from inside the RV.

We have been busy setting up our site, a bit here and there. Of course once the palapa construction started that all had to be moved away from the side of the RV. Because of so much outdoor activity by others, we kept the girls inside with us and took two days to organize things. So nice to not be stepping over things. Once the palapa is complete then more things will go outside. I have no idea where Colin gets the energy to keep on going and going. Hopefully towards the end of next week we can take a few days off and just sit and enjoy the moment.

The photos I have included have come from our 2 iPhones and my camera. Neither of us have been taking a lot of photos, too busy working. So what is here is a mix of everything. Beauty shots and beach shots and sunrises and sunsets will be coming in the weeks and months to come.

Our very first sunrise, this taken Tuesday morning. I think that we are going to be very happy here.

We have been without internet for so long ( a full week I think ) that I became used to not having. It took a bit if a push to write this and to sort out the  photos. Mind you I did get to sit down to do it 😎

We will be on the Isla tomorrow. We have been dealing with roads with holes in them today. It could’ve been worse. But because it takes two of us to drive we are worn out. Then I had another Issues I needed to deal with. All I can say is that I am doing the best I can but I only have so much energy. My solar plexus is almost empty. I have lots to share and some photos but it will have to wait.

Today  has been extremely hot and humid. Colin set up the portable generator. Now at 9PM we have to shut it off as we can’t run it all night. Of course the humidly has shot up to 72%.  Colin is having a few issues with the generator situation and he is being bitten over and over.

We still have not had dinner so I am doing to make something really quick. Collins says he will just go to bed.  I disagree, he needs protein to covert into energy for tomorrow.

So you my dear readers are the ones left out tonight. We are all well ( not to mention stressed )  and the RV is functioning 100%.

Hopefully next time you hear from me, I will be on the Isla.

We arrived  early enough, here at De Anza Resort in Amado,  to get two loads of laundry done, have our showers, dump the tanks and fill the water tank to the brim. We know we likely will have no electric nor water.  We are good with the water situation. Something is happening that requires us to be there no matter the circumstances. Otherwise we will never get our services set up.

We are driving in less than 7 hours from now. We likely will  have no internet tomorrow. Just wanted to let you know.

Lots of stories and photos to come.

Next post will be from Mexico.

So ends our time here at Picacho Peak State Park.

Our last few days here have been rather busy with lots of good fun as well. We continue to have had a few set backs with the new site. One is water but we can live with that situation for a while. What I can’t handle is the lack of electricity. We found out late Wednesday evening that the owner of the site has yet to sign a contract with the electric company allowing electricity to be provided to us on the site. However Jesus said ( all in Spanish of course ) not to worry as we could run a cord to the house next door. 15AMP!!  That will work to boil the kettle but not run A/C within the RV. We require 30 amps minimum.

A few people had decorated their units for the occasion.

Fortunately we had friends who were coming to visit today who were able to find us a 50AMP receptacle that we can use to get us up and running. But that might be more that a week. We have several options that we are working on. More on that another day.

Unique idea to create shade for the twins.

Colin changed the fuse holder in the RV kitchen fantastic fan. We are going to need everything we can to stay cool in the days to come.

Lovely nap with Ciela Wednesday afternoon.

Our special friends Genie & Joe came up for a visit yesterday as well as lunch. We had a great time. So much to talk about. We will soon be seeing them on the Isla.

Colin took the girls for a sunset stroll and this is just one of the hundred or so photos he took.

Our long time  Canadian friends Jannose and Colin came for visit this afternoon. It became too hot in front of the RV so we moved to the back and found shade.

We visited for many hours and enjoyed the sunset together. The are off on a trip to Morocco next week and yet another trip/cruise in December.

Tiny little icky bugs came out as the sun set. Apparently they like wine. Look closely to see them.

Jannose and Colin surprised us with a sushi dinner. Perfect end to our visit. Thank you again so very very much. Nice to not have to cook tonight.

Today November 1st is called Day of the Dead in Mexico. Click here to read a short explanation of the celebration. Both on the Isla and in Mazatlan there will be many dressed up as Catrinas tonight walking the streets. And a bit more from PBS.

I am sad to miss this celebration of death because of delay re the hurricane, but it is what it is. Here are some photos I have collected over the past few days. My purpose in sharing this blog with you is to make those of you who know little or nothing about Dias de los Muertos aware of the celebration. I wish I had more time to go into detail but Google is your friend.

“day of the dead

weep not when we die don’t let your life go awry for the time was nigh attributes were diminished the mortal course now finished words were all written no longer need to fit in worry what’s twitten opinions will not long last as all existence shall pass never born-again but a human with a pen human among men back to whence everything came no more demons left to tame now no need for shame care who or what is to blame life ends all the same good, bad, rich, poor, or wiser death, the great equalizer don’t feel bad for me what I was, has been set free beyond slights or fees through eternity we schlep in evolution’s next step”

 

As expected Colin has a spooky movie all set up for night. I promised that I would watch one with him every Halloween and I always hope that he will forget. He never does.

Colin’s full moon shot this past Friday in Quartzite.

It was a very cool Sunday morning in Quartzite @ 51F.  The girls only went out to do what they had to do.

Yesterday morning the 30th we were on the road at 8:15AM. Beautiful coolish day to do the drive and lo wind. We could just enjoy the passing scenery and clear blue sky. The night prior we had reviewed Google maps and had screen shots and written directions. But we left a bit earlier just in case.

Well just in case came in handy. Stupid, stupid error on both of our parts. Once we got off I8 onto Hwy 84 then we were to hang a left on Hwy 387.  Colin said there is the turn and off we went. It was only Hwy 347. Much much too soon. Needless say we got lost, very lost. We had driven north from I 8 to within one block of  I10. So our precious extra 50 minutes were used back tracking and getting to where we were supposed to be at the repair shop. Fortunately we were only a few minutes late. We were taking the RV in to get the dash A/C checked at Rich’s Auto Repair. He came highly recommenced by friends K & J who had the same problem a week earlier. dd

Our view from site B19.

First thing Rich said, was that our Freon was rather low and we had a leak in the hose. He drained our system ( dash air system ) and 90 minutes later and $250.00US later we were ready to leave. We needed four additional pounds of Freon. However the leak in the hose was exactly where the hose attached to the valve. He tried repeadefly to take the valve off but it was impossible. After six attempts he gave up. Colin asked about changing the 40′ hose. We were told that that was a full two day job, because the hose ran from the dash area all the way back to the engine in the back of the bus. He explained that he fixed it as best as he could and that it should last a long time.

By the time we re hooked the Jeep to the RV it was getting to be late afternoon. I made as quick as I could stops at Fry’s and Walmart. I have been looking for a solid week for veggie burgers, any kind. None to be found. Most strange.

That is Picacho Peak and its state park. We are almost there.

We got to our site at Picacho Peak just as the sun slid below the horizon. So much colour and beauty. It is because of Hurricane Norma that we are here for four nights. Colin loves it here.

How fortunate we are to enjoy this view for four nights.

We had a wonderful evening and good sleep. That is until the girls woke us at 7:30AM.  The insisted on a walk, They were so happy to be here. They could not stop kissing me once they got back to the RV.

Such happy doxies.

Once again today we had internet issues. Over and over. I guess that’s why I never posted yesterday. I have my personal ATT hot spot device and it worked but it was extremely slow. Suddenly AireBeam WiFi popped up on the screen advertising the safe or wifi from 4.00 per day to 35.00 per month. RV park internet is usually awful – although last year we had great internet in Las Vegas. So we took the bait and paid $8.95 for 3 full days of service. Best thing we have ever done. Colin called the company to see how we were restricted. No cap at all and it was a fiber optic system 😀 Wonderful service and speed. I was happy about that as I had some unexpected banking to deal with.

Hey that’s me in the green.

Colin is working with the gilrs in keeping them close with just voice commands. So far today, only one escapee. Ciela just wanted to see what was on the other side of the road.

Just a lovely day here. I have never seen the park so empty but perhaps todays date has something do with it.

Thanks for sharing Carol. We hope to see it one day as well.

Happy Halloween from the chocolates. This is our October 2023 calendar photo. It was taken a year ago.

Our last few days in Lake Havasu were quiet. We got everything we need for our trip way south.

I may or may not have ( likely not ) mentioned that we discovered that we had left our rice behind and several packages of pasta. Cindy, my friend, who is looking after our home took photo a photo of my pasta drawer. Looks like someone left it behind.

I vaguely recall that I went to pack this stuff and then found that all of my packing baskets we full so closed the drawer to pack it later and there it remained.

Yesterday we drove from Las Vegas to Quartszite, a total of 210 miles. It was a perfect day for a drive. Not too hot considering we had to keep the windows open.

Once again we have seen reports of how bad the roads are between Los Mochis and Mazatlan. Of course now that I want to attach the screen capture, I can’t find it. I think it is on my desk top and I am using the laptop while here in Quartszite. We do have a few sets of friends on that road right now. We should know more in a few days.

We of course shared a large Silly Al’s pizza for dinner. We are staying in a new location for us called Holiday Palms Rv Resort. 

It really is a nice RV park at a reasonable rate and it is a short minute walk to Silly Al’s. It has a hot tub, a lovely pool and even two pickle ball courts.

Look at their library. Isn’t it fabulous.

We were put into a pull through site at the edge of the property. Hence an extremely weak wifi signal. Even my ATT hot spot device would not work nor our cell phones. Poor Colin he was dealing with the brunt of if. It still took a another few hours to sort that out. But we got through it and were able to work with it today. We had important issues that needed to be dealt with. I wonder if I should upgrade my ATT hot spot device. Its pretty old.

Lovely day today but windy, the girls had a few walks but preferred to sit inside with the sun coming through the windows.

I did do my exercises last nights so if I go do them right now that will make 3 nights in a row.

Oh, I almost forget. I booked my wifi installation for our new place back in September. Today the fellow said that he was unable to fulfill what he had promised. So a great deal of time today was spent trying to find where we can get wifi for the next next seven months. I have found unlimited monthly internet @ 300mg for $55.00 CAD per month. Much cheaper then Starlink but still pretty expensive in my opinion.The big problem is that I have to pay the first 12 months even if we are not there.  I will get it sorted out eventually.

Meanwhile we are on the road early morning enroute to Casa Grande to get our RV dash A/C repaired.

Off to do do those dreaded exercises  😉

It was a great day for our drive. Love the RV park we are in BUT no internet, at last not for us.They do have it have it. But we are just at the edge of the signal.  Colin spent 2.5 hours trying to get things up and running. He went back and forth to the office many times. The last time he mentioned that I wrote a blog. Not even 10 minutes later the mangers private wifi extender is working in out RV. They very kindly gave us their personal extender. It is late and I am tired. Colin just said that I was a blogger and nothing else.

Stay tuned for the rest of the story. I made a decision to do my exercises tonight rather then post.

Hasta mañana.

Fabulous full moon tonight.

Things have been moving along the speed of a Category 5 Hurricane 😳  We wintered 4 years in Acapulco @ Pie de la Cuesta. So much damage in Acapulco itself but I have no idea of the amount of damage sustained in the Pie de la Cuesta area. We are hoping for some good news.

Friends leaving Kelowna two days ago. Just across the US border – Omak, WA

However Mazatlan had to endure Hurricane Norma hitting Cabo San Lucas as a Category 1 and then turning directly toward Mazatlan. Mazatlan was hit by Tropical Storm Norma. It brought winds and very much rain. The Golden zone was flooded and busses were stopped. We saw a photo of a bus door opening and watched the water rush up two stops to the interior of the bus. Even the airport was flooded and was closed for a few days. Canals flooded and the main street of El Quilete looked like a raging river. Even Erik our RV tech had the road to his home washed out. Of course the Isla was inundated with rain and became a soggy mess. The roads looked/look like swimming pools.

How lucky I am to have Carlie in my life.

Erik said that he had heard of some damage on the toll roads in Sinaloa and that we should delay our arrival. The road from Navajoa to Mazatlan was deemed problematic for a day or so. One of the toll booths near Mazatlan has/had flooding problems. Plus our new site was quite the mess. Because of the constant rain from almost 2 hurricanes in a row Erik suggested we hold back our arrival, so that the ground could dry out. Also the actual road to our site was under water. The sewer system has been completed but because of the rain both the electricity and water installation have been delayed. Once I saw the photos taken by a neighbour I realized that it would not be to our benefit to press on to the Isla.

In the midst of all these changes I somehow in error tore up my master shopping list and threw it out. Not fun going thru all the garbage re find it.

We have just discovered that we left our rice and most of our pasta back home 🙁  How could that happen??

So we have delayed everything by six days. Where would we stay on the Isla if we could not get to our site? Plus the last thing we want to do is get stuck in all the mucky mud. It took three days to get us out of a similar situation back in our Acapulco Days. The RV was buried right up to its belly. It took a few hours for all these changes to sink ( pun intended ) in and we had to make a new plan.

Our very well built septic system, complete with cement cover.

Making a new plan was easy but we had to reschedule all of our site work including the internet installation and palapa builder. I had even managed to hire some casual labour to shovel the pea gravel we plan to bring in. The tinaco has been delayed by the rain. The biggest thing ss that we do not want to be stuck in the muck in our new site.

Very soggy site. We really have to wait for this to dry out.

That same day we found out that our mobile tech hired to sort out our RV dash A/C here in Las Vegas, could not come. He had been hurt on the job the day prior and would be out for a few months. Then we found our that this company was the only one in all of Las Vegas that had a mobile unit. No one else was certified.

Not sure what this is all about.

I might have gone through Plan A to H ( hell ) to J ( Jewall ) to…..on and on. We are a work in progress.

Thanks to good friends and neighbours from home we were directed to an A/C specialist in Casa Grande. Perfecto. So we made plans based on seeing him, Tuesday the 31st. When we called we found out that he was going on vacation until mid November but he could se us October 30th. Back to the planning stages. Las Vegas RV Resort only had one extra night that we would stay, tomorrow – Friday. They are very close to 100% occupancy.

A lake outside of our property, who knows what is underneath? We are confident that we made the correct decision.

So as you shall see in the coming days we have a new plan that should unfold nicely in the next few days. It is really difficult to stay here in the US but we also know that we would be foolish to press on to Mazatlan. There are a few folks we know who will cross into Mexico before us so we will have current information as to the roads. Getting to Tres Amigos should be easy but not so much to our new site. I’m sure there are details that I have failed to share but my mind has being going non stop the past few days.

Moon shot by Colin on my iPhone last night.

Colin and I are a solid team with a positive outlook and the girls are being extra special wonderful. Only negative is those dang exercises. No excuse for not doing them tomorrow. All of our errands are done. Tomorrow I have lots of time to prepare to leave Saturday and to do those exercises 😎

The girls and I had a fabulous nap the other evening. They both felt the need to keep touching me.

Looking forward to driving out of here Saturday and getting the relaxation happening. What will be will be!

Everyday is so different from the last one. And we get to do it all again tomorrow, except we need to make choices on how to direct that new day. What say you?

The days just flow one into the other. We are much more rested but just try and slowly take each day and even sometimes just each hour as it comes. I would be happier with myself if I spent more time reading my novel instead of being on the computer. I would be even happier if some of you sent me a big kick in my back end ” Contessa you have not done your exercises in over a week – get moving lady  🙄 {

I used to love carving pumpkins and then roasting the seeds.

We have continued to enjoy very hot days along with blue skies. Enjoyable but realistically that means running the A/C 24/7. Not something we enjoy.

Saw this in the news yesterday. Heads up for those traveling south of the US border.

We have visited a few of our favourite shops. I guess that I have been out of the loop. Did you know that Two Buck Chuck is now Four Buck Chuck at Trader Joes? They were sold out of of the Jo Jo Pumpkin Spice cookies much to Colin’s dismay. Third year in a row and we are much earlier this season 😮  We did pick up a small order at Total Wines and More.

Years back a few readers suggested this is the best place to purchase wine in Las Vegas because it was less expensive. Silly me, we were always too busy to check it out. Finally last year we did and I thank you folks for the suggestion over and over. So Friday we picked up the small order and realized that we would need much more for the winter. Saturday I started a new order and discovered that our favourite Italian Pinot Grigio, Bella Sera, was low in stock. The only way we could get more than the four we had was to create shipping carts from each of the three Total Wine stores in Las Vegas. Even our favourite Australian wine had only 3 bottles here and 5 there. The photo shows the final larger order.

Saturday morning I managed to get most of what I wanted. We then took a two hour drive around the city to do our pick ups. Hopefully I made the correct decisions and ordered the the right amounts. It was a lovely drive around Las Vegas. I have heard so many cpmpalitns from rvers on how difficult a city is a is to navigate. Not true. With all the new freeways it is so easy to navigate this city.

Sunday I worked on my large Walmart order. Many food items are cheaper in the US but some are cheaper in Canada. Things like a difference of $2.00 per 8oz of creme cheese. I have never ever ordered from Walmart online before but seeing as my list was rather clear I ordered online and pick it up later that afternoon. It was such a great way to save both time and energy. I still have a few last minute things to pick up before we cross into Mexico.

The girls were having a nap at the same time. Ciela was laying in this position on the floor in the new dog bed.

We have got everything put away and are ready to travel, more or less. Still hot here and Colin has had to carry the girls to the dog park to do their business. The pavement is much too hot for them to walk on.

At the very sane time Carlie was laying in a bed on the sofa. Almost mirror imagines of each other. They do tend to do this rather often. Twins thru and thru.

We have been following Hurricane Norma closely. The third hurricane in the past few weeks to hit the area. So much rain has already fallen.

Colin just washed the RV. We had to pay $25.00 to the RV park here for the extra water we used. They gave us two days to get the job done.The RV looks so much happier. Windows cleaned inside and out as well as all the screens. Many small repair jobs have been completed as well. Colin spoke with our insurance company today and discovered that tires will not be covered, they say how can you prove that the tire wasn’t worn out. They will cover the damage to the Jeep only because Colin has been driving over 50 years and has never had an accident nor a claim. It is a tough world out there.

There was significant damage to the rv from where the chrome tail pipe fell off. Fortunately we were able to get someone to do a fast and efficient repair. Now we can continue driving safely.

Looks like we got out of town just in time. Tonight they are expecting a low of -8C/17 F including the windchill.

Oh so cute and how very true.