Made it to San Carlos, Mexico

            As we look to the horizon towards our future !

Last year, while we were hiding out the winter in Key West, Florida, many fellow cold weather dodgers decided to take an adventure into Mexico this year.  We decided to try San Carlos, Mexico. San Carlos is about 240 miles south of the border on the Sea of Cortez.

We decided we would meet up on January 3, 2016 at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson Arizona. The cross over into Mexico was scheduled for January 5, 2016.  We had our meetings...our discussions and we were set to go!

We even had an advance party, A scout was in place. My long time friends Ann and Casey have been traveling around Mexico for many years on their sailboat. Now, they were down there in their RV. We asked them a lot of questions and of our concerns.  They have been extremely helpful !

January 5, 2016 we departed Tucson, Arizona at 0630.  We departed with 2 Class A's and 2 5vers. Everyone wanted to top off their fuel tanks before we crossed the border so we stopped at the Pilot Travel Center on I-19 ,exit 12.

We crossed the border at Mariposa  exit 4. It was so easy a cave man can do it !  Don't expect a border guard or booth because there isn't any. Just drive !  The first stop, well almost a stop since they waved all of us through, is Customs.  Customs is about 5-7 miles into Mexico. Just try and stay in the Bus lane on the far right. We failed to do this and had to face all the speed bumps. Not a real problem though.

Once through customs your next stop is immigration at KM 21.  KM 21 is about 12 miles or 21 KM into Mexico. That is why they call it KM 21.

We parked our RV's, lots of room, and went into the office to fill out a small form, "Tourist Card". Once the form is filled out you go to the bank, which is next door, and pay 390 pesos.

Once the fee is paid, go back to the first office and they will stamp your passport and give you your "Tourist Card". We read they would ask for copies of our drivers license, vehicle registration and copy of the first page of our passport. We were ready! We had copies of everything!  Nope ! We weren't asked for anything really. Just the fee of $390 pesos and to see our passports.  However, there were places to get copies for a "small price of course". I bet if we hadn't had copies they would have asked for them !

 Now you are set ! Your free to roam the Sonora State of Mexico.


As we headed south we had to stop at an unannounced Federal Police and Military checkpoint. Just like before they just smiled and waved us all through.

We had 4 Walkie Talkies with us so we could talk to each other. Dennis and Chris would keep us all informed when the rear of the convoy would pass through each light and intersection.  Man, we had this down to a science....NOT ! We were even using military radio procedures !

The route was easy and well marked and the road was in pretty good shape. We arrived at the RV Park at 14:30 hrs or as you might say 2:30 pm.  Casey and Ann greeted our arrival. Parking in our RV spots was really easy except for Barney Bender Man.  He took for hours!  We were greatly entertained. Thanks Mr. Bender !  lol


Here we are at our final destination, Totonaka RV park.  Our first couple of days took a bit of getting used to.  You do not realize how much you take things like internet and running water for granted. Some days you have it, some days you don't.  Once you realize...hey we are in Mexico, it's sunny and warm, who cares!

Entrance to the Park

The Palapa and pool

A quick run across the highway and....

This is what you see

Our group of five rigs....9 people

Casey and Anne...my best friend and his wife from my Army Days

Barney and Melody....anyone who has followed us at all over the last 2 years know all about Barney and Mel

Jim and our car, lol.  We met him at the end of our time in Key West last year and we had to have him along

Chris and Dennis....also Key West friends

And of course Epi

Andy has turned Epi into a Mexican laundry location

Last Saturday, 7 of the 9 of us decided to do a canyon hike. We hiked through the canyon then about half way up the mountain.  Was a little rough going for us non hikers but we took it low and slow and had a great time.  It was a beautiful hike and day. Thanks Dennis and Chris for the adventure.

Nacapule Canyon

Where is Ron and Louise..my new best friends

Andy, Dennis and Chris

Barney and Melody...Mels first hike "EVER". She did great !

Jim

Jim being silly. I have no idea what he is doing... but he is funny

All was going well when we came upon this part of the trail...not really sure I've seen this in the states.

Indiana Jones Temple of Doom in Mexico !    Had to use the rope also to climb

Mel and Chris decided that was not for them.

Look who made it to the top!

San Carlos is part of the very large city of Guaymas, at least that is what Andy said,  ummm ! don't know about that.  Guess I will have to research this later.  lol

San Carlos is the Gringo part of the city.  Most everyone you see here is either Canadian or American, except for the people working in San Carlos.  We are finding a lot of Americans or Canadians living here either full time or 6 to 9 months of the year.

We decided to head into the "real" part of the city of Guaymas.  We wanted to check out the open market they have every Wednesday.  To really get a feel for the culture and experience we took the local city bus.  It's about a half hour or so ride into the city center.  It costs 12 pesos per person to ride each way...about .75 cents.The exchange rate is about 17 pesos to the dollar.

We walked across the street from RV park and caught the bus. Not real bus stop, just look like you need a bus. They will stop 

Not bad for 12 pesos

Jim was naughty and we put him in the back of the bus

The market was quite large and consisted mostly of produce, food vendors and fleas...flea market that is.

Andy knows a very small amount of Spanish but is determined to figure it out.  She was able to download a Spanish to English App on the phone which has been helpful.

Checking her phone app to make sure she knows what she's getting.

Conveying her message.

Making sure he knows exactly what she wants....again!

Counting out the Pesos.

Checking the change.

Eggs  doity doi!  No that is not a Spanish saying but her mom, bro and sis will know exactly what that means.

We have been eating out quite a bit as everything here is so inexpensive!   We went out the other night and had a bottle of wine...well Andy and Jim did, two seared tuna dinners, a large salad, enough for two and the entire bill was $36 USD.

Lots and lots of fresh fish and seafood everywhere.  There is even a gal that comes to the RV park twice a week with kilos of fresh shrimp for sale.  Andy's goal is to have fish or seafood everyday while she is here.  So far she has met her goal 100% .

Below is a Greek Restaurant we went with the group last night. It is right on the beach. They have an American singing and playing a guitar there weekly. He is like a Mexican Jimmy Buffett but American.   lol

We are really enjoying ourselves so far.  As, with anywhere you go, you can do as little or as much as you like.  Hiking, the beach, swimming, boating, fishing, Texas Hold Em, Pickleball, shopping....it's all here waiting to be done!!