March 27-31, 2016; Last days in San Carlos

MAR 27, SUNDAY; Day off

Our last Sunday here and it promises to be a hot one.  I remembered to refill our phone so we’re good for another month or at least until we get back to BC.

We took a drive to Soggy Pesos but when we got there, there was a line up to get through the gate so we passed and drove back to La Greiga but it was also closed.  We ended at Charly’s Rock for a beer.

HH was at Joyce and Bill.  At the end of the HH, Murray got up and stepped down from the patio, slipped and fell to the ground twisting his knee.  We ended up calling Rescate (Ambulance) to attend his knee as he couldn’t move.  I left as he was now in good hands.

MAR 28, MONDAY; Change in plans, 4 days left

We discussed our departure date and decided to leave Friday rather than Saturday as we figured Sunday will be a very busy day to cross the border due to traffic coming up from Puerto Penasco. 

I went cycling to Pillar and saw that all the Mexican families are gone already but the garbage left behind is mind-boggling.  Hopefully the city will have it picked up sooner than later before the birds don’t rip the plastic bags and spread everything all over.

I stopped at the office and had Jose call the carpet cleaner for an appointment tomorrow morning to have our carpets cleaned. 

I called Mex insurance to change the dates of travel to Apr 1-2 from 2-3

Had our mail forwarded to Casa Grande

Made reservation at Ajo park for Apr 2-3. 

I also called Casa Grande RV Resort only to find out they NO LONGER accept WHR membership so that’s another Park we won’t be going to anymore; very disappointing! 

I made a reservation with RPI at Foothills RV Resort in Casa Grande. 

Al came over earlier to let us know that there will be a fire tonight at Larry’s!

Val went for a last walk on the beach with Linda Holder and I had a nice visit with her husband Steve, at their home.  We had dinner then walked over to Al & Brenda for cake and fire, there were over 20 people present. That was the end of our last Monday here.

MAR 29, TUESDAY; Chores

The Quebec caravan was gone by 6:30 am and woke me up of course as some SOB had their engine running while putting their stuff away.  I went for a bike ride, got some pesos from the bank, and rode back home.  A little bit cooler today and cloudy; almost feels like rain.

I washed all the windows inside then took the jeep to have it washed inside and out but the place was closed due to no electricity.  Val came with me and we had lunch at “BREW MASTER” and once again, no draft beer!!!?  But we did have a burger.

We had HH at Shirley and Randy’s place then Val made a new dish, Mexican Enchilada, which turned out to be very delicious.

MAR 30, WEDNESDAY; Beaver wash

Up early again this morning, I got the awnings all up and taken all the stuff off the patio ready to have the MH to be washed.  |went cycling to the marina and back then had a shower.  I got the Jeep washed in& out in town for $12cdn.  Victor showed up at 10:30 am and worked until 4 pm washing the Beaver; he doesn’t work all that fast but he does a decent job.  We gave him a half case of lemon/lime pop cans, left-over hot dogs and buns and that made him happy.  We went to town to SORIANA to get some groceries then came home and had HH at Joyce and Bill’s place.  Oh, and I washed the big carpet and folded it ready to be put away tomorrow.  I also cleaned and put the containers in the jeep for the bike and kayak gears.  The rest will be completed mayana (tomorrow).

MAR 31, THURSDAY; Last day in San Carlos

Last day of March and our last day in San Carlos.  I was up at 6:30 am, can’t figure out why!?  A few more rigs left this morning.  I went for my last bike ride.

After showering, I went out and washed all the toys and put them away.  I was finished by noon; just a couple little things to do like the awnings, the water and sewer.  Val did laundry and that was all dried by 2 pm and put the cloths line away.  We went to El Cheque for one (two) last hot dog, stopped at Santa Rosa for some items then came home and relaxed for the rest of the day.

We had our last HH at Bill and Joyce.

March 22 to 26, 2016: Dinner with friends and Semana Santa

MAR 22, TUESDAY;

The Quebec caravan left at 7 am.  The Park looks empty once again.  Another hot day in the making.  We both went cycling this morning, to the Marina and back.  Afterwards Val did the laundry.  It was hot again today but not as bad as yesterday; we had a wind from the south which was cool coming over the water.

We had HH with the Coffey’s

MAR 23, WEDNESDAY; Dinner with Garry and Virginia

It was a hot day but we had a very nice wind which kept things comfortable.  Cycling for me and Yoga for Val.  Read and snooze were the thing to do then at 4:30 pm, we picked up Joyce and Bill and drove over to Garry and Virginia at the Lomar del Mar.  They have a quaint little house with a Margarita Deck.  We met these folks many years ago in Totonaka and we bounded very nicely.  They are also friends with Dennis and Marilyn.  Anyway, we had a great visit, a few margaritas for HH then we had a spare ribs dinner with beans that Garry made and became my favorite.  It was all delicious.  We sat up on the Margarita Deck and watched the moon rise on the horizon and the millions of stars.  We finally said our goodbyes by 9 pm and came home.  Another great day!

MAR 24, THURSDAY;

Another hot day; Val played pickle-ball this morning and I went for my bike ride through the desert ending at PILLAR Condos.  The beach, from one end to the other, is full of tents and make shift covers and hundreds of cars.  Everyone is enjoying the “Holy Week”. 

Not much happened today; we had HH at the Coffey’s with Al & Brenda, Leo & Lynn, Larry & Elise, big Al & his wife and Dave and Catherine.  Good time then off home for dinner; meat loaf, potatoes and a veggie.  It is a cold evening tonight and the music from the beach and the “General” is very loud and went on until the early morning hours.

MAR 25, FRIDAY; Good Friday

The Semana Santa is in full swing now.  I went cycling through town and lots of cars and people walking.  Also lots of taco stands and wares for sale.  Val went to TECALI to exchange some books.

8 days to our departure!

We had HH at Joyce and Bill then after dinner, we walked into town with Larry and Elise.  The street was packed with cars and the Laterals were full of people, taco & hot dogs stands and can beer was readily available.  Everyone was in a festive mood and we met a few people we knew from the Park.  Dave and Catherine ended walking back with us.  Near our Park, there was an American couple sitting outside their home and Val knew them from previous walks with Audrey so we stopped and they offered us a beer and a tour of their new home; Beautiful!!!  Nice to have money!  We finally got home at 11 pm.

MAR 26, SATURDAY;

It is interesting how so call friends totally ignore us at our end and won’t include us to any festive, celebrations or dinner out!!?  Just saying!

I went cycling to PILLAR & back and took a few pictures of the campers on the beach or near it. 

In the afternoon, we drove to Empalme Beach to take a look and found the place full of people and campers and to think that a week ago this place was empty.  Everybody is enjoying the Holiday!  Another caravan of Quebeckers arrived today; the park is full again.

March 17 to 21 2016; Explore and Semana Sante begins

MAR 16, Wednesday;

Cycling and Yoga for us again this morning.  We went to check-out a new restaurant/Pub in town that claims to make their own brew but when we got there, the draft/brew was not available as they had run out on opening day yesterday.  We had a hamburger that tasted good.  Came home and had a snooze before going hunting/searching for a HH event.  We found one with about 18 people, some that we knew, and joined them.  They played charade but I abstained.  There were many laughs, for sure.  We got home at 9 pm.  We ate at the HH as they had food galore.

MAR 17, THURSDAY; Happy ST-PATRICK Day

Cycling for me and pickle ball for Val and I even tried it for one game.  Another hot day and a few more RV’s leaving this morning.  This was a good day to read and siesta.  HH was at Dennis and Marilyn with Joyce and Bill.

MAR 18, FRIDAY:

Val went to Tai-Chi and cycling for me.  Another hot day but muggy too.  For dinner, we went to LA GREIGA restaurant and had a marvelous dinner with live music behind us.  My Ribeye steak was delicious and cooked to perfection.  We sat there for quite a while watching the sunset with a glass of wine.  We came home and sat out before calling a night!

MAR 19, Saturday; Exploring

I am ready to leave this place!  More and more people are getting out of Dodge before Semana Santa (Holy week/Easter).  We lost another neighbour and another one is leaving Monday.  I am looking forward of hitting the road on April 2.

We left at 11am to explore an area we were told about.  We went through Guaymas and stopped at a pharmacy to buy some baby aspiring then continued to through Empalme to Hwy 15 south.  We soon reached the turn-off to ORTIS and headed North.  We passed a town then continued but never saw any sign for Ortis, just some villages and Hermosillo so we decided that maybe we were supposed to turn at a road we saw back there.  We turned around and took the turn and found ourselves in farm land.  We eventually got a small village then decided that we didn’t know where we were going to went back to Empalme.  That will teach me to bring the blooming map with me.   The GPS was no use to us.  We stopped at a roadside restaurant and had lunch then to Empalme where we bought two kilos of big shrimps then came home.

HH at Bill and Joyce then home.  On our way home from Empalme we passed a Caravan with Quebec license plates and soon after we got home, they arrived here; 28 of them total from Puerto Vallarta.  The park is now full as another small caravan also arrived just before them.

MAR 20, PALM SUNDAY and SEMANA SANTE begins

Sunny and hot already at 10 am.  Val decided to thaw and clean the freezer and the fridge then we were allowed to relax.  We walked around the park and to the beach, lots of traffic on the road and the beach, we read and I had a snooze.  At 6:15 pm we went over to Dennis and Marilyn then walked to Arboritos for dinner with them as this is their last night here.  They are headed north, eventually home in Whitecourt, Alberta.  The meal was excellent, the place was full and noisy and we had a nice time.  We came home, said our goodbyes and called it a night

MAR 21, MONDAY; First day of Spring

Back to the routine, Val to Yoga and cycling for me.  The forecast is for 31*C today.  WOW!  Our neighbour Eli and Marianne left this morning, going home to Vancouver Island.  The power kept going off because of all the A/C running, very frustrating.  At one point I had the generator on just so we could have constant power. Temperature reached 39* C in the sun; HOT, HOT, HOT!

March 7 to 15, 2016; Life in San Carlos, Painting finally finish!

MAR 7, MONDAY; Bike trouble and Insurance meeting

Cloudy and windy and cooler this morning!  Feels like rain in the air.  I took off on my bike this morning but I only got outside the Park and my main gear for the pedal ceased up so I took the bike to the shop and found out that the gears inside had come loose.  Got that fix and brought the bike home.  Val went for a walk on the beach but soon came back as the tide was way up which made it difficult at places.

A quiet afternoon and as it progressed, the temperature began falling some and the clouds moved in.  Very few people out for HH so we stayed home.  As we were watching TV after dinner, it began raining so we rushed out to bring our shoes under the canopy and close the windows in the Jeep.

MAR 8, TUESDAY;

It is quite cold this morning, only 12*C at 8 am and the sky is covered with black clouds but there are blue holes in them.  We had quite a rain fall overnight and a gusting strong wind.  This morning, the papers covering the paint areas are shattered and half is gone.  There is one section left at the back and I don’t think it will be done today although the guys showed up and spent their time removing all the paper coverage then went home.  We went to town to get some groceries as we were driving to Guaymas it began raining.  We shopped at Walmart then I stopped at a garage to buy a new windshield wiper for the jeep on the driver side.  When we got back to San Carlos, we decided to go to JJ’s for a beer and tacos as it was still raining.  Then it began pouring really hard.  The roads are half flooded and it is colder too, probably around 15*C.  Once home, the rain abated and we quickly got our groceries inside. 

Quiet evening at home, the sun finally came out as it went down on the horizon

MAR 9, WEDNESDAY; Haircut, final day for painting

I was up at 8 am, breakfast then out for my bike ride.  The painters arrived as I was leaving and he tells me it will be completed today.  Val went for Yoga with the ladies across from us; she enjoyed it and will go back again.  Once I got back, I showered then went for a haircut ($10.Cdn with tip).  The warmth came back too, 24*C at 12:30 pm.  The painters were all done by 1pm and after inspecting the work, I paid him out the balance owing.  It looks great!

Val wanted to go to SOGGY PESOS on the far side of town so we went.  It was somewhat windy there but where we sat, it was ok!  We met Al and Brenda there along with the crew camped across from us so we sat with them and had a nice visit.  We came back at 3:30 pm.

For dinner, we went to the Yatch Club at 5:30 pm where they have a special every Wednesday for 150 pesos which includes a hamburger, a beer, free popcorn and a movie.  “Spotlight” was on tonight.  A movie about the sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church and how it was uncovered in Boston.  When we arrived, we met a few people we knew including John and Karen so we sat with them for dinner.  The movie was interesting and we liked it.  We were home by 9 pm.  We had quite a wind storm until about midnight when it finally abated

MAR 10, THURSDAY; Surprised visit

The park is getting emptier and emptier.  We had two rigs from our row leaving this morning.  One jerk had his diesel Dodge running the whole time he was hooking up and saying his goodbyes at 6 am this morning.  I could have killed him!!!  Sunny and warm with little wind.  Val went to play piccoball with Elise and I went for my bike ride.

I was having a snooze outside when these guys came over and woke me up; here was Dennis, a good friend that we hadn’t seen in over 5 years.  What a surprise!!!  So I went for HH at Al & Brenda with Joyce, Bill, Leo & Lynn and Marilyn, Dennis’s wife, came over so big hugs were in order.  Of course, HH was spent catching up and the nice thing, everyone knew Dennis and his wife.  They spent the winter in Mazatlán and are now on their way north, back to Canada.

MAR 11, FRIDAY;

Hot and quiet day!  Very little wind.  Cycling and yoga for us this morning.  We had HH at our place tonight to accommodate neighbours of ours who wanted info on a trip north and things to see.  Our neighbours across the way and beside us joined us until dinner time.

MAR 12, SATURDAY;

Went cycling this morning and Val decided to oil the wood inside the Beaver.  We went to EL Cheque for a hot dog then came home after I picked up carne asada at TONY’s and ordered 5 packages of Chili Renello.  We also bought shrimps from a road side vendor and it turned out to be a mistake, they were much smaller than it looked and we didn’t get a full kilo…lesson learned!

I copied all the necessary papers for our auto insurance refund and as I was doing this, I discovered that our Mexican Insurance for the Jeep expires Apr 2 so that means we have to leave earlier so I bought two days for the Motorhome for noon 2^nd to noon the 4th so now our departure date is the second instead of the third which is fine by me, I am due for a change.

We went out to BOYES, a hamburger joint in town that we heard a lot of good reviews.  We each had the special (which I didn’t particularly liked) and when we asked for beer, we found out he wasn’t licensed but he ran across the road and got us two beers; amazing!!!

MAR 13, SUNDAY; Rest Day

No biking, no Yoga this morning.  We went to visit the Holder’s at their condos and the girls decided to walk the beach to the end.  After a cold beer, Steve and I drove to the Pillar condos, parked and walked the beach to meet the girls then walked back.  A few people on the beach but not many in the water.  We saw Lorna (our neighbour) as we walked out and said hi!  We all drove back to the condo and visited for a while then we came home and joined the gang for HH.  Chicken for dinner then watched more of our recording; we’re watching “BANSHEE” right now, interesting gangster series.

MAR 14, MONDAY;

Biking and Yoga this morning!  Our neighbours across the way, Darryl and Lorna, left this morning for Arizona then home to BC.  We are now down to 4 on our row.  More people are coming up from the South and more people are leaving every day!  The exodus has begun. 

We had a quiet HH by ourselves

MAR 15, TUESDAY

Val came biking with me this morning.  We went to the first “turn-about” then came back.  We stopped for breakfast at Mr IGUANA then came home.  Val did laundry and we hung outside to dry which it was within 2 hrs.  HH was at Al and Brenda

March 1 to 6, 2016; Birthdays, Departures, Painting Beaver

MARCH 1, 2016, TUESDAY; Painting the Beaver

The guys were back at it again today putting the finishing touch before priming.  A quiet day hiding from the heat. It is over 30*C today!  Val did laundry, I went for my bike ride.

MARCH 2, Wednesday,

Val went for a walk and I, for a bike ride.  Another hot day chasing the shady spots.  At four pm, we went to Tecali, next door and visited with Ben and Loraine from Saskatchewan whom we met here during our Friday afternoon music gatherings.  They had invited us all to come to Tacos and snacks.  Marcel brought his guitar and jammed with two other guest who had their guitar.  The food was great and so was the company.  We came home around 9 pm.

MARCH 3, THURSDAY

Painters were at it again this morning.  They had me bring the slides in for the bedroom and the dining room and they taped all around in prep for painting.

Went for a bike ride and Val, for a walk with Audrie.  Louise has been walking the beach this week as she wants as much of it before they leave Saturday.

Went to EL CHEQUE for hot dogs and coke while Dave had his car washed then came home after stopping at Santa Rosa.  We had HH at Dave’s place and it was a short one, sort of.  BBQ’ed chicken for dinner with vegetables and bread.  Watched more of our recordings

MARCH 4, FRIDAY; Happy Birthday to VAL!

Got up to a beautiful sunshine day and a happy lady, now 69!  I get the call her the “crib robber” or “the old lady” all day then tomorrow I will have caught up and be the “old man” too! J

Went for a bike ride and Val for a walk (her last one with her sister Aud).  At 5:15pm, we drove to DELFINE restaurant for dinner.  Al & Brenda joined us.  We all (8) sat around this table surrounding a flat grill then after some refreshment (read Margarita), the chef came out and cooked us a marvelous dinner consisting of Shrimp cocktail to start with, then grilled vegetables, fried rice, chicken for Marcel and filet mignon steaks for the rest of us.  It was absolutely delicious and the steak actually melted in your mouth it was so tender!  For desert we had ice cream then we moved to the patio and listen and danced to song from Lorena Robles.  Marcel even got a couple songs in there.  It was a MARVELLOUS evening with family and friends and we ended it at our place with more beer and tequila. 

MAR 5, SATURDAY; My birthday and departure

Aud & Marcel and Louise & Dave left this morning at 8 am for the States Side.  We said our goodbyes, a few tears were shed from the girls then they were on their way.  We had a shower, got dressed and went for breakfast at ROSA CANTINA restaurant.  The painters were back again and put the final touch on the front and side of the roof.  The only thing left is the back end.  We sat around and read.  I got a call from my son Jeffrey which was a great birthday surprise.  Val called her sister at the end of the afternoon; they are at the Casino south of Tucson.  They had no problems going north or crossing into the USA.  Val made a beef roast cooked in the slow-cooker and it was delicious.  Another good birthday present and we ate at 5:30 pm, early for a change! J

The temperature was more tolerable today and we had a nice breeze.

MAR 6, SUNDAY; Cleaning

We had a late morning sleeping in.  The sky is overcast a bit but the sun is still shining through at times.  The wind has also picked up which feels nice as the heat has returned.  Called daughter Rochelle & Kevin and had a very nice conversation with them.  They were in southern Arizona and Palm Springs a couple weeks ago.  Val decided to clean house today so I was chased out.  I did sweep outside and shake the carpets for her.  Had my chili renello for lunch.

We went for a drive in the afternoon to La Manga again but this time, we found the road that goes to the second and third campo and we took a look then continued for a couple miles more and ended up on this overview where we could see all the way back to Esmeralda Point.  What a view!  Unfortunately, we forgot our camera!  We headed back and stopped at Hammerhead Pub for a beer and a snack then came home in time for HH at Bill and Joyce

March 1 to 6, 2016; Departures, Painting

MARCH 1, 2016, TUESDAY; Painting the Beaver

The guys were back at it again today putting the finishing touch before priming.  A quiet day hiding from the heat. It is over 30*C today!  Val did laundry, I went for my bike ride.

MARCH 2, Wednesday,

Val went for a walk and I, for a bike ride.  Another hot day chasing the shady spots.  At four pm, we went to Tecali, next door and visited with Ben and Loraine from Saskatchewan whom we met here during our Friday afternoon music gatherings.  They had invited us all to come to Tacos and snacks.  Marcel brought his guitar and jammed with two other guest who had their guitar.  The food was great and so was the company.  We came home around 9 pm.

MARCH 3, THURSDAY

Painters were at it again this morning.  They had me bring the slides in for the bedroom and the dining room and they taped all around in prep for painting.

Went for a bike ride and Val, for a walk with Audrie.  Louise has been walking the beach this week as she wants as much of it before they leave Saturday.

Went to EL CHEQUE for hot dogs and coke while Dave had his car washed then came home after stopping at Santa Rosa.  We had HH at Dave’s place and it was a short one, sort of.  BBQ’ed chicken for dinner with vegetables and bread.  Watched more of our recordings

MARCH 4, FRIDAY; Happy Birthday to VAL!

Got up to a beautiful sunshine day and a happy lady, now 69!  I get the call her the “crib robber” or “the old lady” all day then tomorrow I will have caught up and be the “old man” too! J

Went for a bike ride and Val for a walk (her last one with her sister Aud).  At 5:15pm, we drove to DELFINE restaurant for dinner.  Al & Brenda joined us.  We all (8) sat around this table surrounding a flat grill then after some refreshment (read Margarita), the chef came out and cooked us a marvelous dinner consisting of Shrimp cocktail to start with, then grilled vegetables, fried rice, chicken for Marcel and filet mignon steaks for the rest of us.  It was absolutely delicious and the steak actually melted in your mouth it was so tender!  For desert we had ice cream then we moved to the patio and listen and danced to song from Lorena Robles.  Marcel even got a couple songs in there.  It was a MARVELLOUS evening with family and friends and we ended it at our place with more beer and tequila. 

MAR 5, SATURDAY; My birthday and departure

Aud & Marcel and Louise & Dave left this morning at 8 am for the States Side.  We said our goodbyes, a few tears were shed from the girls then they were on their way.  We had a shower, got dressed and went for breakfast at ROSA CANTINA restaurant.  The painters were back again and put the final touch on the front and side of the roof.  The only thing left is the back end.  We sat around and read.  I got a call from my son Jeffrey which was a great birthday surprise.  Val called her sister at the end of the afternoon; they are at the Casino south of Tucson.  They had no problems going north or crossing into the USA.  Val made a beef roast cooked in the slow-cooker and it was delicious.  Another good birthday present and we ate at 5:30 pm, early for a change! J

The temperature was more tolerable today and we had a nice breeze.

MAR 6, SUNDAY; Cleaning

We had a late morning sleeping in.  The sky is overcast a bit but the sun is still shining through at times.  The wind has also picked up which feels nice as the heat has returned.  Called daughter Rochelle & Kevin and had a very nice conversation with them.  They were in southern Arizona and Palm Springs a couple weeks ago.  Val decided to clean house today so I was chased out.  I did sweep outside and shake the carpets for her.  Had my chili renello for lunch.

We went for a drive in the afternoon to La Manga again but this time, we found the road that goes to the second and third campo and we took a look then continued for a couple miles more and ended up on this overview where we could see all the way back to Esmeralda Point.  What a view!  Unfortunately, we forgot our camera!  We headed back and stopped at Hammerhead Pub for a beer and a snack then came home in time for HH at Bill and Joyce