Day 1 - Andale!

July 25, 2013

We said good-bye to our home and San Carlos this morning at 5:50 a.m. – not quite as early as Bob wanted, but still early enough to watch the gorgeous sunrise as we drove away.  We leave good friends, a great church and years of memories behind as we head for a new adventure. 

It seemed as if the road looked the same almost all the way to Mazatlan, though in one area, it sure looked like Kansas farm land.  Large combines, central pivot irrigation and lots of fields!  The trip was pretty uneventful.  Because we have the animals – Brisa, Bahia and Bandido, it makes it difficult for us to stop, so…..we found a McDonald’s for breakfast, and we found another for lunch. 

Bandido made it real clear that he wanted nothing to do with getting out of the car - he stayed on the floor at my feet the entire day.

Tolls have been crazy - We paid 665 pesos ($52.50)for the first day - just from San Carlos to Mazatlan.  Have to say though, that the roads are gorgeous, many of them concrete.  We did see a tanker truck that had rolled into the median - but it looked like it was carrying something non-flammable, like milk, and everyone appeared to be fine.

Just before we got to Mazatlan, which was our planned destination for today, we crossed into the tropics.  The scenery changed dramatically!  Much.more.green. 

Now here’s the good part – not.  In Mexico, they have an abundance of these hotels meant for romantic trysts (SMH - Shaking My Head)– I mean everywhere!  They are usually very nice and clean (However, you don’t want to watch TV!!), and they charge by the 12 hour stay – but (!!) the neat thing about them is that they have private garages for each room – connected to the room.  This works really well for us right now because the car is loaded to the max and this is more secure.  Kinda creepy, but it works.  Have to say, I looked around for hidden cameras! Everything was done in marble and granite - shower, floors, walls - they had piped in music you could play, all in English - like "Take me Home, Country Roads"...but there was not an electrial outlet to be found!  Bandido found a spot under the sink counter, but finally got comfortable and explored a bit.

Because we don't want to leave the dogs, I took a trip out in the car and found a Pollo Feliz, purchased a good dinner with salad and all and brought it back to the room for a picnic.  It was great to have a more balanced meal.  Barbecued chicken, baked potato, green salad, guacamole, salsa and corn tortillas.  It was great!

It’s not exactly how to spend a lovely evening in Mazatlan, but with the animals, we really don’t have another choice.  Been here before, anyway.   Let’s see what tomorrow brings!