Nov 06, 2011
San Carlos to Culiacan
We left San Carlos at 7 AM on Friday, Nov. 4th. Please be very careful with your electric use there and use a voltage/currant meter because they are putting 30 amp plugs on 15 amp wires!!! Never use anything at Totonaka that uses more than 15 amps!
Just before Santa Ana @ Imuris I noticed much more commerce, plant pots, stone carvings, etc. San Carlos itself is showing much growth since last year, new buildings including what might be a mini mall and a huge general spruce up of the main road into the town, a lumber yard, another Pemex, the vivero and more condos completed. Progress!
Speaking of progress we weren't certain how much further this trailer was going to go, certainly not even a mile.
We noticed a huge presence of Federales at the toll both just prior to Obregon , about nine fellows with weapons at the ready.
The worst road of the trip was from Guaymas to Obregon, rather rough. From Guaymas to to Navojoa there is major road construction happening which will make driving a bit slower. There must be hundereds of workers out there, I also noticed much construction at the Obregon airport. I think the economy in Mexico is slowly picking up.
The large Pemex just before Navojoa is caught in the construction but accessible over a wee gravel detour. We drove right through Navojoa. Now that the road is complete it is not an issue and a local Transito just waived us on. It does take a few more moments because of the traffic lights but we love to check out the local ambience. Since it’s make over last year the town has certainly perked up. If you are in a hurry and need to save 5-10 minutes you can still take the left turn detour @ the Best Western just North of the town.
When you go thru Navojoa be sure to have a look at the pedestrian crossings. As the countdown goes down, the legs start running!!
There were 3 or 4 stops by the various policia today but we were always waived through. I got the feeling that we as tourists were very very welcome and under no circumstances were we to be delayed. Once when we saw every other vehicle being searched from top to bottom but we were waived thru, I felt like royalty. I had a very strong feeling that the Mexicans wanted us to be there and were doing all they could to make the trip as easy as possible.
We stopped at the very last Pemex south of Culiacan, just before the autopista to Mazatlan. Once again we felt safe and special. There are a few security guards who patrol all night. Eduardo came by and asked if we were spending the night and when did we plan to leave in the morning. We asked if he would watch our coach during the night and gave him 50 pesos. We felt very secure and safe.
Doesn't look like we are suffering staying at this truck stop!!
Once settled in, our friends Heriberto and Isela arrived for a visit bearing dinner. We had close to a 4 hour visit. For those new to the blog Heriberto is a Mexican maestro with whom Colin stays each March when he attends the Culiacan International Guitar Festival. Last January we organized a concert here on the Isla. We visited, played the guitar, sang, ate, drank vino y cerveza, laughed and had no idea we were sitting in a Pemex ( this is a fuel station in Mexico, nationally owned by Pemex ). We finally go to bed after 10:00 PM….drove 371 miles today, the longest day this trip.
...the singing part...
...the guitar part....
...to make a very long story short...last March, Heriberto asked Colin a question, once Colin gave his answer. Heriberto asked if that was really true......Colin repied..."do pigs fly". That involved a huge amount of translation and discussion. For the last 6 months every email has had a reference to pigs flying, so when Colin saw this little guy he had to get it for Heriberto.
We had a huge day on the Isla, trying to sort things out on the new site and get some quotes for some work we want done. It was 32C and I did get too much sun but have used mucho aloe vera so I will be good tomorrow. Had a fabulous morning beach walk but just had to share the sunset tonight.
Tommorow……the story about the road………………..
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I heard that Mexico’s economy is better than the US and fewer people are coming over the border to get jobs-they can get them at home. Can’t wait to hear about the road……
Sounds like a great day of travel and campsite at the Pemex, revisiting old friends.
Love the photos. Looks like you had a good trip.
SO glad you are here, it won’t be long before this is just “home” again. We’ll have to plan a lunch one of these days, either on the beach or here in the city. Life is good, no?
Love the pics – sunset is gorgeous! Can’t wait to see how you landscape and decorate – loved the way you did it last year! Hugs! cc
Glad you made it safely to the Isla. Have fun sorting things out and planning the work you want done. So nice to be back in Mexico isn’t it?
Kevin and Ruth
Kevin……so very very good to be back in Mexico.
Nancy…yes life is good. If feels like home, now I just need to make it look like home!
Connie…thanks, this new site is much larger and will take even more plants!!
longdog2….we had a great trip and the doxies are so happy to be here. If they cold they would be on the beach all day.
George…it was a great overnite at the Pemex and even better cuz the friends brought dinner
MArty….the ISla is suffering with fewer tourists.