The cuota traffic is quite sparse, but but some of it was BIG. This was the third of these rigs in a row. The first 2 were followed by "Wide Load" pilot cars. This one just had its own sign. The speed limit is about 110 Km/H if memory serves, so we make fairly good time. Normally on this part of the trip we leave Maz early, say about 7:00 AM, lunch in Los Mochis and stop for a couple of nights in San Carlos, usually arriving there by about 6:00 PM--a long day, but there is nothing really on the way for a convenient stop. This year we decided to take a detour to check out El Fuerte. The tolls on this section, Mazatlan to El Fuerte, were 891 pesos, about $80.00 Canadian.We stopped for fuel, lunch and a rest in Los Mochis in a "super Pemex" truck stop called La Pilarica. We frequently stop here for fuel and lunch as the food in the cafe is excellent, and it's just under 5 hours from Mazatlan.
As Art turned on the propane so we could run the fridge while we were stopped, he heard a great rush of gas and felt the propane blowing past his face. He immediately turned the gas off again and investigated. It appeared to be coming from the "add-on" T that allows an external propane appliance to be attached. We use it for the BBQ. Art took it out and reconnected the propane line. He sloooowly opened the valve, checked for leaks and turned on the fridge. Close inspection showed a large crack in the T fitting. You can see it quite clearly in the picture, (click to enlarge) it is in the narrow part on the right hand side, just to the left of nut. We were very happy that we seldom (now NEVER) run with the propane on. Could have been exciting.
From Los Mochis we turned inland to the old town of El Fuerte. This is a nice very old town, slowing being refurbished. We enjoyed walking around the square, There had a been a procession, with very little girls, 3 or 4 years of age dressed in elegant dresses and headgear. We took a few pictures, but of course these were taken with the "car camera" which sometimes had down load problems and Art again managed to loose everything! The only surviving pic is one Gillian took through the windshield as we were leaving El Fuerte campground.
We left El Fuerte at 8:45 by the northern road, to reconnect with the 15 quite a bit north of Los Mochis. Traffic here was a little heavy at times. At least by visiting the town we saved a bit on tolls!! Even so, this days tolls amounted to 530 pesos, about $47.00 Canadian.
On our way north we phoned our friends Joe and Christine, who live all winter in San Carlos and they immediately invited us for dinner!
San Carlos
We arrived in San Carlos mid afternoon, driving though town to El Mirador RV Park, our favourite San Carlos RV park (though it has been slowly going down hill) to find that the municipality had a water main problem in this area and there was no water and probably wouldn't be for several more days.
So all the way back through town to the Totonaka RV Park and checked in. It was a very nice park, free wireless, laundry and quite well located. After setting up, dog walking, shower and change off we went to see our friends. We forgot the camera! They have a beautiful home, may ask them to send a photo or two. We always have a wonderful time with these two. The company and conversation is always entertaining when Joe and Christine are around, they come from very different back grounds, are well educated, and Joe loves nothing better than a good discussion. This time we were joined by another couple to add yet another couple of viewpoints.
We finally left, full, tired out and ready for bed, with an invitation to return the following night for another session. What a great way to spend our last days in Mexico!
Next day we tended to the laundry, calculated how many pesos we might need, and went off to Joe and Christine's again that evening.
Up and away in the morning . . . . WAIT ! We forgot to put more time on our cell phones! If we cross the border with the pay and talk just topped up, the time will expire in two months, but on our return to Mexico we will be able to reactivate our sim cards and keep the same phone numbers. The sim card will not be able to be reactivated if the time has expired for 6 months. We needed that 2 extra months. Art dashed up the street to an OXXO (similar to a 7-11) and bought the cheapest cards at ten pesos each.
As we drove off we put the time into the cards and found that they would expire in only two weeks! Shortly after noon we stopped at Benjamin Hill (fondly know to us as "Benny Hill") for fuel and lunch. There is a nice restaurant here where we almost always find a police officer or two at lunch! Art approached one of the officers and asked what they knew about the pay and talk cards. The consensus was that a 200 peso card would be good for 2 months. Into the ever present OXXO and 400 pesos later, our phone time would expire May 22nd. Seeing as we will be back in Mexico in late October, we should be able to get our cards re-activated within the 6 month limit.
Fuel, lunch dog walking and phone cards ate up an hour twenty, but we were only 40 minutes from Santa Ana and junction with Highway 2, on our way to our border crossing. We expected a lot of construction, this long section of highway is being completely up-graded after storm damage several years ago.
We detoured through the town of Caborca, the route was not well marked (surprise), but managed to get through OK. We almost missed the turn back onto Highway 2, but a semi trailer, also confused, stopped at an interesection which allowed us enough time to look around for a sign, at the last minute spotting the small sign for Sonoyta pointing right.
We were rolling again up newly paved road until we hit the construction areas again.
There are three sections of this, about 13 kilometers in all. It's been going on for 2 years, probably another year or two to finish. The completed sections are great. Be nice when it's done.
Aftermath of the detours.
We pulled in at the "Migracion" and the "Banjercito" on highway 2 to turn in our tourist cards and car permit. The motorhome permit didn't need to be turned in as rv's qualify for a 10 year permit.
As we went back to the car for the paperwork we discovered that the stone guard had come loose on one end and was dragging behind. The free end was worn down quite a bit from dragging on the pavement, but when we first noticed it was disconnected it was resting on top of the tow bar!
After completing the paper work Art got the tool box out and removed the right end and the guard traveled for a while in the back of the tracker. We later replaced it in Kingman, Arizona.
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