A lazy Day Wandering Around With My Camera

The days have been very warm and muggy lately,with the past 2 days in an overcast with no wind but still in the 80’s.These are like the “Lazy Hazy Days Of Summer”except it’s late November.So other than my usual 40 minute fast walk/slow jog up the beach and back every morning at 6:15,I do nothing.I guess its called being all “Beached”out….I love it.

As you can see the area around here is quite bushy,so I thought i would see what birding I could do the other morning.

Some weird types of trees,this one appears sort of spiny.

  Plenty of Northern Mockingbirds.

And this Crested Cara Cara looking for some breakfast.These guys usually hob knob with the Turkey Vultures and can quite often be seen along the roadways,doing what birds of prey do.

  We are not in jungle country yet,but this shot taken in the campground,sure looks like it.

yesterday morning I walked down to our patio area hoping to maybe see some dolphins,as they are usually seen every day frolicking just off shore.But no luck,but noticed this fishing boat quite far out,so I zoomed the camera and found it to be just covered with birds.I couldn't see them with the naked eye.

    A little closer reveals quite a few  Frigate Birds soaring around.Probably quite a few Brown Pelicans also.

As it swings away,a different view.The Frigate Birds are continually soaring and I’ve only seen them land during nesting season,when several years ago I had a chance to look into a nest full of young,up at Bird Island.

One other time I had one fly down and brush my shoulder as I stood on the beach in front of a net full of fish.They will come down and try to pick up food on the fly.

Here’s one flying over.Yesterday many were soaring together in a big circle picking up the draughts on a still day.Its interesting to watch how they use their forked tails to turn.

Today I’ll go into the nearby small city of La Cruz again for some shopping as I prepare to leave Sunday for the Teacapan area,which is further south about 3 hours drive.This hopefully will be the area that I will settle into for the month of December.Then in early January I’ll be doing a lot of travelling,almost every day as I venture further south in this beautiful country.

A Little Tour Of Celestino RV,Just North Of Mazatlan.

Here is the entrance to our park.Its laid out in a long thin line from this roadway,all the way down to the ocean front,which is the better part of a kilometer.At least it seems that way.

All sites are on one side of the road,and are back-ins set on an angle.Chris the owner has done a nice job of laying out plenty of nice shrubbery for privacy between the sites.To exit this park because of the narrowness,there is an exit road further down that puts you into the next property behind the sites,and a road takes you back out.

This shot was taken from that property,as you can see my back yard.

Further down the road toward the beach,is the combination laundry room,showers,and toilets.

Then the last section,which used to be the dry camping area,but is now fully serviced also.The property next door still has dry camping by the beach.Beyond the trees on the right.

And finally the beach end with a grassy area and patio.This is where I enjoyed Xmas dinner 2 years ago with a great bunch of people.And of course last but not least…The beach.

Not as nice as the last stop at Hautabampito.Its a bit rocky just in this area.If you go 100 yards in either direction,you get nice sand.

So that's my little tour of the place I called home for 2 and a half months,in the winter of 07/08,and have again returned to, and this time for just a short visit.  I will try to get my location to work this time.

MY GOOGLE LOCATION

Celestino RV Park…On the Beach again.

Yesterday was a long hot 300 miles of Autopista (Toll Road) driving.Thank goodness for air conditioning as the temperature peeked at 86 degrees.

The start out of Hautabampito was a bit frustrating as I wanted to get an early 7am start, and the entry way to the park was blocked by the company vehicle parked sideways, I guess to keep out the Saturday night drunken kids that roar up and down the beach all night.And that they did……..All night.A little thing about ole Mex. that I had forgotten.

Blowing my horn in frustration didn’t do any good as no one seemed to be around on this fine sunny Sunday morning,so I knocked down a post and moved a garbage container and squeezed through a small opening against the hotel building with a little guidance from a lady camper friend parked nearby.  This is a pull off spot just north of Los Mochis,where you climb a small mountain range before dropping down into the Farmland that runs all the way to Culiacan.We have probably all eaten vegetables from this area.

A couple more shots from the same area.The other half of the 4 lane Autopista,is behind me and above.

I had originally planned on only going to Mr.Moro’s Hotel and RV Park,near Los Mochis,the home of the cartoon figure on my trailer,but decided at the last minute to bypass it this time as its an hour each way off the main route.

Just north of Culiacan.It was difficult to take (out the window) shots,because I was always looking into the sun with my southward direction.

My 2 Pemex stops were like they always were, as I kept a close watch at the pumps.And for the first time that I can remember,the same attendant even cleaned my windshield on the last stop,for which he got a pretty good tip.More than I usually give.

I arrived here at Celestino,just 48 miles north of Mazatlan,about mid afternoon.Its quiet here with just a handful of people so far,so I had a chance to select the site I wanted.

The cost is 150 pesos (or $12.14 cdn per day)full hookup with metered electric at 4 pesos a KWH.Chris the owner,an American from Alaska,has the lowest rates on Mexico’s west coast.The weekly is 900 pesos or($72.86 cdn) This is based on today's exchange rate.

The overnight is warm with all the windows open and sleeping on top of the covers is more comfortable.Soon a bit of a cool down will start in this area.At least the roar of the ocean is a little further away.Instead I get to hear trains all night.And roosters,and dogs,…sigh!… Its Mexico.

I will spend at least a week here.This is where I spent 2 and a half months,two years ago,starting at about this time,so its sort of old home week,just with different neighbors.

MY LOCATION

Just a Lazy Day At The Beach

The overnight temps are staying close to 70 which is exactly what it is outside right now as I write this at 5:10 on Saturday morning.You can feel the humidity,but its not overwhelming at these temperatures.All windows are open.This morning will be like yesterday morning,when at 7am and sunrise,I’ll take my usual fast walk/slow jog for exactly 40 minutes,on the beach.   That’s west,I went that way yesterday,and in my bare feet.The water was warm,the sand was cold in the morning air.

This morning I will go this way wearing my shoes as my feet are not acclimatized to the abrasive sand yet.

Those 2 directions culminate into 8 uninterrupted miles of beautiful beach.    Here’s one of the nice beachfront homes,near by.

So my day was spent just relaxing and taking a few snaps along the waters edge,like my little buddies,the brown pelicans,taking a mid day rest. The one on the left has its head straight up in the air with the bill open.Looks like a scissor head.Here’s a little Picasa fix below.

When I'm walking the beach in the morning these poor little guys below, are trying to get breakfast,but I keep interrupting them and they keep running ahead of me.Then after awhile they smarten up and go behind me.

Then I turn around to come back and the whole cycle starts again.

The rest of the day was taken up by creating a vegetative state of mind,and getting a few rays.The reddening begins.

this is a photo of the back of a motorhome from France.I took the photo to get a copy of their website,written on the back, and have a look at their site.They left just after I took this,and I never got a chance to meet them,but they are a young family with 2 boys, and their final destination is in South America.Check out the website.www.mattonlesvoiles.net and use the translation in your browser.The motor home is based on a Fiat diesel.

That's it,2nd on the left next to my little dwarf of a trailer.So,along with an enjoyable happy hour over at the restaurant with my  next door neighbors from Williams Lake.(the 2 rigs to my right), that was my day. We lost one rig and gained 4 more,so we will see what today brings.Life is a beach…isn't it? It doesn’t take long to forget Pemex rip-offs.

El Mirador RV Park…Huatabampito Sonora

I arrived here yesterday about 2 pm at this little off the beaten track,jewel of an RV Park and Restaurant, on a warm, humid,82 degree day.

 

I want to go back to yesterdays drive a bit and cover the trip from the City of Hermosillo.I got an early start and travelled through the morning rush hour of the city with the rising sun shinning in my eyes most of the way.As many know,just driving through that city under the best of conditions is trying.I always have scary memories of the very first time when we were swept down into the city centre after missing a turn,and having a heck of a time finding our way back.And 2 years ago I drove through under cover of real early morning darkness and found out just how inadequate the signage lighting is.I had miscalculated how soon it would get light that day and got too early a start.

   Here are 2 shots from my first day on highway 2 just a few hours after crossing the border.The one on the left is a small rest area.I can remember on my first Mexican visit back around 2000,that these were non existent, and even a place to pull off was difficult because of the large drop off from the pavement.And you never ever saw a trash container back then.Garbage would be all over the ground.Now you see roadside trash barrels everywhere.Still lots of trash on the ground but the peoples aim is improving.

I wanted to see just how good my $60.00 Garmin 2009 Mexico SD card would do.So knowing my way through Hermosillo pretty well now,put it to the test, and she wanted me to turn when I knew I shouldn't,so didn't.I could have been wrong but wasn’t going to chance it.Later in the day in the city of Hautabamo,I ignored her again and paid the price dearly as I found myself on crowded,narrow back streets,even narrow dirt lanes,blocked by a garbage truck as I patiently waited for each of its stops.Finally she guided me back to where I should have turned,if I had listened to her in the first place.Good old Miss Garmin.

Re Wednesdays little Pemex ripoff,Yesterday I waited until my gauge read exactly the same as the day before and made my next Pemex stop.I watched the pump,never taking my eyes off,and to my expectations,found a big difference.The cost was 530 pesos compared with 650 and the liter amount was 68 compared to 84.And this time I got a full tank instead of a 3/4 full tank.So that's 16 liters difference plus a quarter tank of 25 liters for a total of a 41 liter ripoff at 7.72 pesos a liter=316 pesos,which is by today's rate of exchange $25.72 CDN.Thank goodness gas down here is only .62 cents a liter CDN.Although the difference is made up in highway tolls….So my rant is over and I’m getting on with enjoying this beautiful country. Look at that beautiful beach!It goes for miles in both directions without anyone in sight.And the water is still warm enough for swimming, as My neighbors,a family from France in their motor home,were doing.

Here’s the very nice restaurant. The sites,on sand,are all 30 ft wide,giving a person some space.Both parks so far where $20.US per night with full hookups.There were only 5 of us here last night with room for many more.Other than the French family,all from BC. WE ROOL!

I just have to show my UN-PICASO-ED shots of last nights sunset into the Sea of Cortez.Just point and shoot.

Some zoom,some not.

As soon as that sun hits the horizon this morning,I’m barefoot on the beach for a long brisk walk before breaky.

MY GOOGLE LOCATION

Hermosillo Sonora and an upset Willy.

Sorry no photos today,(I took some) and my pride is hurt a little,as yesterday I got caught in a Pemex Gas Station scam that I was fully aware of,but let my guard down for a couple of seconds and got caught.

Going back,the trip over the border was smooth as now I see that you get an interview with the US Border Agents first before crossing.A nice fellow with a heavy southern accent(or maybe I’m the guy with the accent?)Anyway,he chatted with me about which way I go when I leave Canada to come down into the States,and do I always use this crossing for Mexico,etc etc.A pleasant chat for a couple of minutes then I cross and get a green light.Picked up my first Mexican transit cop about 100 yards in,as he followed me at the ridiculous posted speed of 20 KPH through rural outskirts.Then he dropped off only to appear a little later.I always use extreme caution for the first few hours until I get used to the differences,then go back to my old reckless self.

Mile 21 for the paperwork was fairly quiet,with 4 Canadians already there,blocking all the parking spots.By the time I got my Tourist Card and photo copies done at Immigration,they were done and gone,so I was the only one getting the import papers for the truck. I was out of there and on the road in about 40 minutes total.The highway was all really nice new pavement and an enjoyable, quiet 3 hour drive over to the junction of Mex 15 at Santa Ana.

It was just past noon so I thought I would fuel up at the big Pemex a few miles south,then pull over to the side for lunch.This is the spot that I always stop at,but no more…I was the only customer as I pulled in,and I passed pleasantries with the young attendant as he was refueling the truck.Trying to get my Spanish tongue working again.

Now I always stand and watch the pumps to see how much its registering,so  that there’s no mistake on the cost…..but this time I turned and reached into the truck to get something for just 5 seconds….and that was enough time for him to stop refueling and reset the pump.Still unaware of what was going on,he says to come into the office for the cost.It was then that I looked back and saw the blank screen on the pumps,so I followed him in where he punched in something on a register and a receipt came rolling out.

As soon as I looked at it I knew that it wasn't correct.83 liters and a cost of 650 pesos is a correct tally,but I know very well that it should not have taken anymore than 55 liters to fill it.My gauge is accurate and because I deal with liters at home,can estimate very closely.I was just below half.I argued and he didn't back down,I had no proof of the amount,so paid it.He then took the receipt and crumpled it up to throw it away,so I quickly grabbed it from him and left in a huff,only to get in the truck and see my gauge reading 3/4 full.And to add insult to injury,when I checked that receipt later at the RV park,noticed that it was dated for the day before and a much later time,in fact I was still in Arizona when that receipt was originally programmed for printout.A lesson learned,cant wait until today when my gauge gets back down to the same spot and I’ll make another Pemex stop and compare the difference.My eyes will be glued to that pump this time.

It wont be long because I’ve only gone a hundred miles,and its almost back to where it was.HMMMMMMMM! 100 miles on 83 liters,not very good mileage huh?…With all the Mexican travel that I’ve done the past 9 years,this was the first time I got scammed.That I know of anyway.I quickly put this out on the RV.Net Mexico Travel discussion forum to warn others to stay away from Pemex #8311.

This is a nice little park that I'm in right now,in the northern outskirts of Hermosillo.There are about 5 others here with me.Today I hope to hit the beachside campground at Hautapampito.

The “Why” Arizona BLM For An Overnight

I’m back at my favorite “Bureau Of Land Management”boondocking spot,a 14 day free parking area,and I must say this one is my favorite boondocking spot.It is also where this old guy was last January 1st,when I put out my first blog entry as an experiment to see if I would enjoy doing blogging.

Trying to get some shade from the old Palo Verde tree.

The trip over from Yuma was a peaceful 3 and a half hour run.And as always, old Interstate 8 was pretty quiet on this stretch.One Border patrol stop about 3/4 the way to Gila Bend.As I pulled up and rolled down the window the agent says to me….Good Morning,we are arresting all Canadians today…I did a bit of a double take until I saw the smile on his face.Maybe I better get rid of that flag under my front license plate.LOL.

I didn't make my customary stop at the Love’s travel Centre in Gila bend,for a Chalupa at the Taco Bell.Just a little too early.

I stopped at the town of Ajo,12 miles back from here,to buy my Mexican auto Insurance.I didn't stop at my usual place this time, opting for a try at using Sandborn’s.It was a bit of a shocker,when she tallied the cost,because in other years I wasn’t claiming as high a value.But by joining the Sandborn’s club,I was able to get the price down by 40 bucks, plus I received some excellent travel books and maps for Mexico.So we will see how all this plays out in time. I’ve entered my new Mexico map SD card into my Garmin,and set a couple of GPS co ordinances for campgrounds over the next 2 days,thanks to “Churches”latest edition of their Mexico travel book.

This time instead of overnighting behind Pemex stations,I may try a few of the RV parks that I used to pass by on other trips. So this morning early,I will drive the last 26 miles to the border and let the fun begin.I hear that Highway 2 from Sonoyta to Santa Anna,my first leg of the trip,has finished all the miserable construction detours,and is a real nice piece of highway now.I just want to get the paperwork game over with at mile 21.Then the fun begins.

Sunset through my Palo Verde last night.

And a note to Gypsy, re your comment about a lady alone handling satellite internet.Yes no problem,but it takes some learning.I have only less than 2 years of experience,and am still learning. It certainly is a one person setup though.

Welcome aboard Larry and Betty,maybe you can get your friends Barb and Jake to join my readers list too…LOL…….See you all in Hermosillo Sonora.