Oro Valley to Mazatlan

June 9 -12:
Today, June 9, we crossed. We went from a comfortable, knowing place (the US) to a strange world called Mexico. Today we crossed over to the uncertain. Mexico can be easy when relaxing in the sun along the beach or a pool; and it can be exasperating for instance when waiting endlessly in some government office, after having been there several times already. The crossing was very easy. We were not asked for ID, questioned, or searched. It was a slight maze of roads getting through but soon enough we were on Mexico highway 15 headed south through the Mexican state of Sonora. Sonora is applied named because it lies within the Sonoran Desert, the biologically most diversity desert in North America. I believe it has something to do with the greater amount of rainfall it receives . The area is dominated by numerous cactus species, saguaro, jumping cholla, prickly pear, and an abundance of shrub species.

It was a hot drive through the desert with temperatures reaching 107 (F). If you read my recent blogs you know that we have no AC in the truck. Yet the drive was not unbearable because we bought a small fan that plugs into the cigarette lighter and two water spray bottles. We constantly sprayed ourselves down and stayed really cool. We planned on our first night in Guymas, but a gas station attendant said our truck would be safer in San Carlos, a short drive west of Guymas. He said that many gangs are in Guymas, and our truck, or at the least our truck tires would be stolen. We arrived in San Carlos around five, hot and tired after the long drive. We got a comfortable, but cheap room in the Creston Hotel and immediately we jumped into the pool and had a great time cooling off.

San Carlos is a colorful, quiet village located at the end of the road on the Gulf of California. San Carlos caters to Americans and Canadians that winter down here, so it was very quiet this time of year. It seems to be a great place for fishing charters to catch marlin, dorado, tuna and other sport fishes. It was so relaxing at the Creston that we decided to spend an extra day, and make the long drive to Mazatlan in one day. It was a day well spent staying cool by the pool, because the next days drive was a long 11 hours.

Mazatlan is a large colorful resort city. We stayed at the Costa de Oro located on the beach with a beautiful view of the Gulf of California. When I say on the beach, I mean right on the beach with maybe 30’ between the waves and the walls of the resort pool and restaurant. It looked like many of the resorts in Mazatlan are built this way. Today we lounged by the pool and in our room reading and playing games. Although we spent two nights here, it is really only one day, and a much need day to recuperate from the long, hot drive here. Sharon is feeling sick today - probably to much salsa to fast - and my energy level is low. We should be better tomorrow for the drive to Puerto Vallarta.