Apr 02, 2015
We actually made it
Here we are all turned around on Tuesday evening, hooked up and ready to go early the next morning.
Our final sunset on the Isla. Hasta Noviembre!
So what went right and what went wrong with our long 510 mile day to San Carlos?
We did leave at 5:45AM, 15 minutes later that planned but better then Colin expected. However we only got to the end of the Botanical Gardens ( under 5 minutes ) when Colin stopped the RV. The car was not tracking correctly. Thank goodness he is so attentive to detail. Out he went and sure enough one of the arms of the two towing arms was not extended fully. It took about 15 minutes to sort out as it was stuck in place but soon we were soon on our way. I did get to see my first sunrise of the year ( maybe for the last 12 months 🙂 ) .
This old fellow was pushing his bike and pulling an even older horse along accompanied by his faithful dog. We hated to have to make them move to the side of the road.
Speaking of the road…wonderful news. The first third has very recently graded and then with the next third paved and the last third graded a few weeks ago we did the entire thing in 30 minutes. A record undertaking! Truly wonderful. Moving on we realized that with potential bad roads ahead we had to drive wisely. Last year our maximum speed was 55 mph. However this year we have all new tires on the RV and so Colin felt comfortable moving along at 65 mph which proved to be a very wise decision at the end of the day.
The second bad thing that happened was Carmeh vomiting all over the dog bed she travels in and then the dash of the RV. Caeli can only travel while sitting on Colin’s lap as we drive. Carmeh just does not eat in the morning unless animatedly encouraged to do so and got so hungry that she became ill. Nothing to do but carry on. We finally were able to stop about noonish so we could play games and sing to her and she finally ate 😳 Yes I do spoil my girls. We were boarded at the Sonora border where my two potatoes were confiscated. Quite funny actually as our RV steps are not working if you recall. Colin has them in a C clamp vice so one needs to jump rather high up to board the RV. These inspector fellows are rather curious and did somehow manage to get up. One fellow at yet another inspection in the search for illegal fruit ( do you think I should tell him I have it hidden in my laundry basket 💡 ) asked for chocolate, then Coke or Pepsi and then cerveza…..finally I told him we were diabetics….he finally left!
It is late and we have traveled 12 hours today and have another long day ahead of us. So to the point…the roads this year seem to be the major concern for the RVers. Traffic was light until we reached Guasave. By the way Colin mentioned to me that he had heard while in Culiacan that Mr. Moro’s RV Park was no longer. The storms last year washed away the RV park as well as the first 2 – 3 streets up from the ocean. Very sad as we know two families whose homes are gone.
Back to the roads. We find them to be worse in some areas but much better in others. On average year after year it is the same. A certain section may be bad this year and another area improved next season. We found that by driving in the fast lane or between the two lanes we managed to avoid most of the problem areas. Perhaps our vantage point of sitting higher up in a Class A helps as we see pot holes, etc, easier. I would have to say that the road from the Sonora border to Navajoa is the worst. The next bad part goes for 27 km from the toll booth North of CD Obregon. All the rest of it is not so difficult but is does slow you down.
Pot holes are being filled left and right with traffic expected to smooth things out.
Other areas are being paved with a cement road. That should last our lifetime. I think that next year we will see much better conditions as so many areas are being repaired. I did not see the roads as horrific but more of a positive impression that next year is going to be great.
As we drove into San Carlos we came across a huge police presence. At least 16 official vehicles with lights flashing and up to 50 officers standing at the ready. All vehicles were funneled into 2 lanes where most were scutinized. We were waved through. Of course, Semena Santa, loads of folks flocking the area and drugs?? Sure enough the RV park mentioned that they were expecting many RV’s coming south for the weekend. Glad we are here for only the one night.
So we are here and hot and tired and open the fridge for some vino. Phew 🙁 Stinky pickles. The dill pickle jar had tipped over on the rough roads and dripped all the liquid through the fridge. Major mop up.
But we made it safe and sound and that is all that counts. Colin took the girls to the beach while I did a mop up. He said that they just sat and looked about.
They know as well as we do what is paradise and what is not. There was no way they were walking on those rocks when they had just been on a perfect beach the morning before on the Isla. I wish I knew how they think. Do they know we are going home? Are they as sad as we are to be leaving such beauty? Do they know they we will go back again as we have year after year?
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Sad to hear of the damage to Mr. Moro’s RV park. Always liked staying there; a convenient stopover when heading in either direction.
It is sad and I feel confident reporting this as our friends in Culiacan come from Guasave and are friends with Tavo.
Well at least that day 1 is done !
just look at their little faces….you do wonder what they are contemplating…..
I always wonder what the dogs are thinking.
Making progress is good.
Too bad about Mr. moro’s we really enjoyed it there.
It was a nice place with a great beach and tons of different shells.
Safe travels. Love the picture of the girls.
Thank you my friend.
Thanks for the update on Mr. Moro 🙁 We enjoyed our stay there and meals in their great restaurant.
Ah yes, the restaurant, very good food. Did I ever tell you that we once ended up spending 3 months there? First I got bronchitis and then our first dog we ever had died of poisoning. We had buried here there but now she is washed away into the sea with so many other peoples possessions and memories.
Thanks for checking in!
30 minutes is impressive considering that the part between Isla and the pavement is as rough as it is! I flew down it with the truck yesterday at probably 40KPH, which is a record, but I thought that bit alone would have taken you 30 minutes.
Hope you have a good border crossing today.
Being higher up Colin is able to spot the pot holes much easier and just got the job done. I didn’t spill a drop of my root barley ‘coffee’.
Wonderful picture of ‘the girls’ on the rocky beach, such sweet faces, you do wonder what they are thinking, huh??
There is always something to keep you on your toes huh.. safe travels, looks like overall the day was …ok….
It was an okay day Dolores. I have resolved myself to the journey and enjoy the trip.
Bring out the winter duds, you are going to need them!
Tuesday left Parker it was 90, high winds all day. Arrived, in Alamo NV weather still warm.
Wednesday, headed North it never warmed up above 45F. Again high winds. Today left Jackpot NV at 800 am it was 35F! Again winds all day, lost the bathroom vent cover today! Now in Mountain Home Id it reached at about 50F. Weather says about freezing temps this evening.
Hopefully this front will move on and you will have a good trip North.
We don’t do that route heading North, it is cold enough when we do it coming South end of October.
If doggie regurge and pickle juice were the worst of the day looks like it was good overall. I hope Colin listened to one of my favorite CDs 🙂 Keep on truckin’ and soon you’ll be back home. Winter is just around the corner!
It was an overall okay day and no we did not listen to ‘that’ CD. The fridge still smells like pickles 🙁