Nov 04, 2010
Celestino Gasca – Mazatlan – Tres Amigos, Stone Island!
NOTE #1 Events of this post ocurred Nov.1/10 NOTE #2 I do apologize for the delay of this post but we have been welcomed to Mexico with a power outage followed by a lengthy internet outage. So nice to be back home!!! NOTE #3 Thank you all so much for all your emails and comments. I will get back to you all shortly with answers to your questions. We are almost set up and then I will have mucho tiempo for you all. In order to leave Celestino RV Park, we did unhook the HHR and with a bit of back & forth we were able to turn around and drive out & re hook. Our travel buddy Mary did have to back out all the way as she was towing a 27′ cargo trailer. Cudos to Mary, excellent job! We were driving at 8:10AM. The three 5th wheels decided to stay a bit longer which proved to be a blessing in disguise as for some reason one of them checked his trailer tires and found a huge bulge. After a tire change they were also on their way. The first thing we discovered is that the dip, the 1 ½ ‘ deep X 5 ‘ wide one, was actually at theKM 85 area and not at the 40-50KM area as previously reported. The dip is under repair and a proper (Mexican style) detour has been created around it so you no longer have to look out for it. By the way the two car jackings of last April & last August occurred at KM8 for those who wanted to know. Seems like an innocent enough area to me but I can see how it happened as they travelled Northbound. I believe that these were isolated single vehicle targets and that RV’s are a much safer catergory either traveling alone or in a group. In no time at all we were in Mazatlan. Today was Nov.1, the Dia de Muertos and the cemeteries along the main road were extremely busy. It did not affect traffic at all. Hard to tell from my photos but there were hundreds and hundreds of people coming to visit on this special day with their departed loved ones. 
Again a heavy military presence. We noticed that many of the soldiers were wearing balaclavas. They do this, despite the heat & humidity, so they cannot be recognized by the drug gangs. A protection for them and their families. Soon we waved goodbye to Mary and her group as they drove on to La Penita as we turned on the road towards the Mazatlan airport. Once again we had to stop while surrounded by mucho mucho cattle and three cowboys on horses. Our engine frightened the cattle, especially the young ones. 
We were somewhat concerned that they would charge the coach!
I feel so bad for this little one...running away from us with its mouth open!
A few kms later we were ready to tackle to famous road. Many of you may not have heard of this final test to get to paradise. It is a 10 MILE hard packed road filled with pot holes, small boulders, ruts, a broken cattle guard and dust. This year there is a lot of overgrowth which had to address, once with Colin climbing on the roof to cut some branches and me cutting some along the side. This may not be a concern to you but we are rather particular re our new paint job. A large Class A has more trouble on this road because of the long wheelbase and how the body twists & torques. Lots of rocking from side to side. Just go slow as in walking speed slow, about 6 KMS per hour. There are very few areas where a large rig and a large Coke/beer truck could pass. The good news is that just after we started down the road, the grading of said road began behind us. So probably by Nov. 4 or 5th things will be much improved. As to the cattle guard, we carefully got the front tires across and then gunned it, just in case. 
We made it and so will those who come after us.
..the grate and luck...
..so while my brave hubby dared natures elements, I simply enjoyed nature...
It did take us 1 hour & 40 minutes to complete versus the 50 minutes we did it in last November.
Welcome to the Isla, turn left for Tres Amigos!
We arrived to beautiful warm & somewhat humid temps but oh so very very lovely. I hate to repeat myself but paradise found.
Can you believe...horse crossing...can you see the hackles on Caeli's back?
..and so finally we arrive to the gates of paradise....
Very difficult to tear oneself away from the view but set up we must. We arrived at 11:40AM which gave us plenty of time to get started. Our jack problem did give us a bit of grief, we did it 3 times before they came down properly. We knew we had to be parked in the exact proper spot (as directed by Warren, the park GM) and that the jacks had to be perfect before we opened the slides as once settled that is it till April.
...Warren insisted on the parking...so if any problems down the road..so to speak...not our fault and I have the photo to prove it....
We are not moving for anything. More details coming but set up is the priority. Thanks for all the emails and messages. I will get back to you in a few days.
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Shall we say ‘Welcome Home”
Ocean front property in the tropics, awesome!
We can’t wait to get there. Hope you cut all the branches. We are big too!
Hola. Just wanted to thank you so much for your blog. We are Richard and Terry from Vernon and have travelled to Mexico for 5 years with no issues. Not sure what to make about all the problems. Anyway we have been following your blog and have really appreciated it. we leave here on Nov. 15 via Vegas, probably the same route you took. We cross at Lukeville though and tend to do our US/Mexico transfer in San Carlos. We were just wondering if you knew if the Mexican banks would exchange Canadian Dollars (cash) for pesos. We have used the ATM but this time would like to do our dental with cash and they charge a stupid price here to get pesos. Also do you know how the San Blas route is. We have just heard not to take this route but prefer it to Tepic (especially with the recent happenings there). We like to stop along the way and take our time. Did I mention we are in a 1986 VW Westfalia with our 16yr old dog, Rasta.? We have only seen one message saying don’t take this route but nothing really concrete.
Again, thank you so much and glad to hear you made it with only your jack problems. Hopefully we will make it to Stone Island for a visit and will look you up. We normally stay at Cerritos as they give us poor old VW’s a break price wise.
PS Where do you buy your wine? We generally go to Trader Joes for the $3.00 buck chuck but maybe you have a better deal.
Look forward to hearing from you, Terry and Ricardo and old dog Rasta.
Hi Contessa and Colin
I was looking at your site today. Great photos (of course) and good stories of your travels.
I am envious of your journeys and look forward to the day F and I can take off and see some more great sites.
Safe travels and enjoy!!!!
Hola
Soooooooooo glad you made it to your 5 month destination!!!!! You will need that time for
beach and relaxation. The road in must be good as you didn’t mention it.
Must have been the detour through Navajo. We usually take the perifico to the right…
like a truck route. It was really rough going down last year and came back through town.
Do you know of anyone who has taken the perifoco to the right ??????
We are having a bonus day here in Armstrong it is sunny and 15.2 Yeah!
Hoping for more but really doubt it, we will be looking at the weather and hope to
leave after Remembrance Day.
Enjoy the sun and sand,
Congratulations on making it with relatively few problems!! Now you can relax for a while! Glad the trip was decent…. the jack problem aside. Have a wonderful stay.
Enjoying your blog so very much. As one of this year’swimps, we’re enjoying your trip vicariously. Great to see some of thesame things we enjoyed so much a few years ago. Looking over your shoulders!
Steve (AKA “Belgique” on RV.Net)
Great Blog,
We are headed own after NY’s with 3 other units this year at least for the first couple of weeks. I am hopoiugn there are no incident sinvolving RV’s this season.
Paul
Admin
http://www.mexicorvforums.com
I feel I did ‘your’ journey with you………………….right to your ‘paradise’. It looks heavenly…….
I cannot get over how Mexico is changing…….such a shame for their country………Thank Heavens you got through it all…………..Not an easy task for the weak and untravelled…………..
I’m onto your next install……………..
Be safe…………………………