Note of interest

While we have never been scared to travel in Mexico, we did have an interesting occurrence this trip.  We were coming into the city of Vicam south of Guaymas on Hwy 15 and saw semi's backed up for several miles in both directions.  As always, a helpful local waved us to the other lane so we could pass all the semis.  In the middle of town a tall cone was set up to make us stop.  Realizing that they were not military or police we were a little startled.  An older man came to the side of rig and asked for money.  Not knowing what the issue was and we don't speak Spanish Tom just said we had no money and didn't understand.  Another man came over and removed the cone and waved us through.

Looking at the internet for Vicam, Sonora, there is an issue between the government and the local people about an aqueduct being built.  So the stopping of the semis was a protest.  I guess it was lucky that we didn't have to wait with the semis.


ON A HAPPIER NOTE!

Our property in Punta Perula is officially ours.  We are now in the process of trying to get an address, as we can not get electric, water or building permit without it.

Our realtor, ROSALINDA and now friend has been doing ALL the running around and paperwork to get things approved.  Without her there is no way we could have done what was necessary.  She knows all the steps and who to contact within the county. 

More travel

 More nice scenery.












Selling produce by the side of the road.












Not sure what they are harvesting in the water.                        An awful looking hotel in Mazatlan

Wish I had this nice looking soil in my garden instead
of heavy clay.                                                                       

   

 We have reached the tropics, lush and green.

This river is just south of Puerto Vallarta.  The summer rains have made the river muddy.  You can see the difference between the river and the ocean.





A common sight on the road.  The transportation of animals in the back of pickups.

Crossing into Mexico

 This is the wall at the US Mexican Border.  From here we went an additional 2 to 3 miles to reach the Mexican crossing.  We didn't see the sign for motor homes and started through a lane and was told to back up we were in the wrong one.  We can not back up with the Jeep attached.  So had to get out and unhook the Jeep.  We backed up and Tom took the motor home through the correct lane.  I tried to follow and was flagged to go back around and enter through a different lane.  This was because, now I was a single car and couldn't follow Tom.

At kilometer 21 we stopped for our visitor visas and vehicle permits.  But there was construction going on and the normal lanes were closed!  We drove very slowly to figure out where we were to park and enter so we didn't miss the parking lot and registration booths.  Once all the paperwork and payments were made we went to inspection.  They looked at our paperwork and waved us through without entering the motor home.  What luck that was.  In Hermasillo we were stopped at a red light and the man in front of us got out and waved at our motor home.  We thought, oh no a flat tire, but that can't be because we have sensors on all the tires that would tell us.  He ran to our rig and said the compartment door was open.  We asked him to slam it shut and we were both on our way again when the light changed to green.  What a nice person to help us!  We stopped for gas later in the day and Tom figured out that he got scammed.  The gas station attendant got an additional $500.00 pesos.  So what a fun day.

Now have crossed into the state of Sinaloa and we have gone from brown landscape to nice green landscape.  Also the temperature has increased dramatically to 90+ degrees.

Another day of interest

We couldn't be sure, but think this is a salt lake bed.








These power poles were just being strung and were a fascination for us.  They are in the shape of a V, which we had never seen before.  We were wondering if they stood up better in the wind or what other reason for the change from a normal power pole.

                   

Scenery

 As we drive down the road I take pictures out the window.  So, they get blurry or I shoot thru the screen and you will see mesh lines.  But, we can't stop every few miles or we'd never get to Punta Perula!

We see dirt roads that seems to go off to nowhere, like this one.  I wonder why it is there and where is it going.  I'd love to follow the road to see where it ends.

We were driving through an area that was brown and drab, we rounded a corner and were surprised with this bright yellow field between it all. 

On the road again

 Today we started our journey back to Punta Perula, Mexico.  We finalized the purchase of a small parcel of land and hope to build a small home.  After my disastrous tries at getting out to kayak last year, I now have a 14' sit on top.  I have yet to try it, as it arrived when the water in Usk was tooo cold.  You will get wet using this kayak, which is good for Perula warm air and warm water.

This was the weather as we were leaving, and only 29 degrees.





 









                                                                               Last year we had Sadie with us.  During our trip she was unable to wait for potty stops and when we arrived home we had to have her put down.  She was in poor shape and could barely stand.  We are missing one of our travel companions. 

Because the rug was a mess Tom decided to pull out the couch and eating area as well as the rug.  This is what the motor home looked like and below is what we have now.



New flooring, a dinette table and chairs and a love seat with reclining chairs.  It feels like we have more room, but I lost all the storage under the couch and the two large drawers in the dinette set.  Trying to figure our where to store things has been difficult. 

This year's adventure begins.