We burned some gas yesterday, for the first time since New Year’s Eve. Mazatlan has really begun to feel like a home base to us over the past couple of years—becoming one of the few places we can spend more than a week at a time in without becoming anxious. I think we’ll miss it every now and then if we don’t get back.
Working together to “fix” the bike.
The toll road south of Mazatlan is a killer on the pocketbook (about $40 for those of us with dual rear tires), but it does make quick work of a very boring hundred and some mile stretch.
San Blas. A town we’ve been to enough times to know our way around—even the clogged up side streets.
We stayed in this campground a few years back, and not a thing has changed. San Blas is known for its bugs, and it can not be overstated just how terrible they are. Despite burning through a bottle of Off in two days our kids still look like they’ve got a mix of chicken pox and bed bugs.
A few local boys came over to say hello, obviously eager for a diversion from their normal day, so we got a game of two on three baseball going. Nice boys too—they tossed Ouest some soft pitches and she beat them to first base. She was so proud of herself, the rest of the day she kept asking me, “Papa, those boys couldn’t catch me. I was too fast?”
The bugs are so bad that this is what your meal is served with at the beach restaurants. Shrimp with a side of smoke.
There are quite a few restaurants on the beach, each of which puts out dozens upon dozens of tables. There must be seating for at least a couple of thousand people. On this day we couldn’t spot any others, though. Maybe they all came later.
Geography lesson:
Ouest was writing a postcard to a pen pal when she asked, “Mama, where is Canada?”
“It’s up above Grandma and Grandpa.”
“Oh, so it’s very cold there.” This was more of a statement than a question.
We ate lunch at our favorite little taco restaurant across the street from the plaza. It’s a place that we’ve eaten at every time we’ve been here. We think this was our fourth visit. The lady who owns the place amazes us every time simply by remembering us. We walked in this time and she began getting a table ready when suddenly the recognition lit across her face. She still remembers holding Lowe when he was a baby so the rest of us could eat. So nice.
Tonight Ali and I were exhausted. I was converting the couch when Ali said, “Can’t we ever have a bed that we can just get into? The VW, the boat, this…”
Seems like everyone else, after traveling for a while, they are most excited for unlimited hot water, or a dishwasher—not us, we just want a bed that is already put together so we can flop into it at night.
hahaha
Looking on the bright side I replied, “At least with this one I don’t have to go stand outside while you make it.” The VW was obviously so small that I had to step outside, rain or shine, while Ali made the bed. Good times.
36 Comments on “San Blas Bugs”
“Percussive maintenance.”
Yeah, I can’t imagine where they ever got the idea that a hammer could be used to repair things.
We were in San Blas in December. The bugs are so terrible that we will never return. Ever again!
The town grew on us, though. And there are no bugs in town.
Excellent pictures! Love your blog and that old timer rig.
Luv it when you guys are on the move. Great pics!
Mark and Cindy
love the photos and DO WE EVER HEAR YOU ON THE BED PIECE!!! you know, it’s so uncool, so unsexy, but we both yearn for a McTrailer now. Just something we open the door to and that’s IT. #amen
Don’t do it! You’ll be one of THEM. Plus, you know, once you obtain comfort there is never any going back. 🙂
ali, don’t feel so bad. i make my bed every night before riley and i crawl into it.
You can’t teach Riley to make it? Come on, Baron.
Just yesterday, in the Connecticut State Capitol, I saw Lafayette’s bed from the Revolutionary War. It was a single bed that folded out of a little chest, with canvas stretched across the rails and tightened by lacing, giving rise to the expression, “Sleep Tight.”
Thanks for sharing so much of your lives with us. Reading about your adventures, seeing a different way of living, it’s just wonderful! Happiness & Joy to you and yours!
Thanks, Joe.
What type of bugs are these? Do they affect the locals?
No-see-ums. And yes, even the local kids we were playing baseball with were swatting at their legs the whole time. There are no bugs in town, though. Really, it’s only on the grass and on the beach. So, whoopee.
Yep, I remember those bugs as well in that same campground. I think we were the only ones there when we pulled in, quickly found out why and we ended up moving down the coast a ways the next day.
The sign says 120 spaces! Both times we’ve stayed there have been just one other camper. I can’t really imagine under what circumstances they could ever need 120 spaces.
We just left San Blas…worth every once of deet. I’m a sucker for their taco stands but learned the hard way..only one large horchata…not two. Ouch.
Yes, two liters of horchata in one sitting is not recommended, but I’ve been known to do it. In Mazatlan the agua fresco stand I’d visit had both regular horchata and horchata con coco. Painful decisions.
Mangos on a stick?!
Ali,
What is the name of the alphabet app you recommended? Ty is showing more interest in phonics now so we’re gonna get right on that. Btw, we really enjoyed Chacala out of all the Nayarit beaches after Mazatlan. Great campground although no hookups. Awesome swimming beach.
Karie
Hi guys, the app is Reading Eggs – https://www.facebook.com/readingeggsUSCA?brand_redir=1 – truly a great one to get for Ty. Yes Chacala is great. And so happy you saw the butterflies!
I’m actually sad to hear that you’re back on the move! I’m hoping to head to Mazaltan in April and was hoping to meet you in person. Safe travels and I love reading about the family travels. You are an inspiration to many.
Hey Candy, I’m sure we’ll cross paths eventually. Travcos that are actually out on the road traveling can’t avoid each other for long. Have a great trip south.
Came here via CruisersForum which I frequent because they have a thread on the kind of boat I own
Lyn, of lyn and larry, was asking for input about sailing blogs. She’s giving a talk at a boat show about blogging and can you support yourself from it.
I don’t know about paying to receive your blog but I’ve bought both your books.
Your photos of San Blas are really great. I went there on my first surf trip in 1968! We caught it going all the way through and I’ve been a sucker for the place ever since. We took turns driving each other back up the point after a knee wobbling ride from third point all the way. The fotos were special. So yes I’d really think about paying for it.
Bummers you had your motor misfortunes in the 2000’s. Back in the day, I’m the same vintage as your motor home, Mexican mechanics could fix motors with the force of their wills. Now all we got is their kids who are questionable at best.
As to boats, I guess now that you CAN drive everywhere to surf there’s no real reason except for the few places you can’t drive to.
I passed your in the Marina Seca a few times. I was fixing decks and your were on a motor mission. We didn’t speak. We both had stuff to do.
Rumor over there, Cruisers Forum, is you bought another boat.
I love to drive and have driven from Oaxaca to San Francisco almost a dozen times. Hope it ain’t so Pat.
Welcome Dale. Not sure what the conversation was about paying to receive our blog, but I can assure you that would never happen. And frankly, I think if any cruiser is seriously considering that as a way to make money they are fooling themselves. Do the Pardys even have a blog? I just can’t imagine her giving a talk on the subject.
The rumor at Cruisers Forum is that we bought another boat, huh? We just sold the last one a year ago. My boat to bus cycle hasn’t shortened to that point yet. After I get rid of a boat I need at least three years to decompress on the road before buying another one.
Pat
Its time to update your ride to a long schoolie, it could even be a great old one from the 70’s but they sure have a ton of room in them by the looks.
About the last thing in the world I would want is a longer rig. Twenty-seven feet is about perfect as far as I’m concerned. We can deal with a little adversity like making a bed every night—we just need to be able to complain about it now and then.
How about going double-deck once you are done with the (preferably twin-engine) trawler adventure?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0viMEKcOCZk (checkout the fraternal twins :-))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Z2GNaqmx7XM#t=732 (3 bedrooms)
Driving that, to me, is the definition of hell.
Fair enough but the bed that Ali can just get into may have to wait until Ouest and Lowe are old enough to follow you in one of these: http://jalopnik.com/hondas-n-truck-n-camp-concept-returns-joy-to-the-people-1684019014 🙂
Come on, Roland, that thing would be way too new. 🙂
Geography lesson. Just spectacular 🙂
Deborah
I love your daughter west so much, she is such an adorable
Little princess, I wish that she was my daughter to tell you the
Truth, but she isn’t of course, she is yours, and she idolizes you,
Which is good, because you idolize her, her emotional development
Depends on your love and devotion towards her. Thanks for sharing
Photos of her man, your son is a beautiful little boy, wife too, lucky man!
Trent.
So, you can tell Ouest that here in Canada we just had another 80cm of snow and now our snow banks are 10 feet high! Seriously. Hazel and Violet love it but not mom and dad! A few years from now and we’ll be taking summers to travel across the US.
Once when I was helping a friend fix something. I was having trouble screwing in one of his ancient screws. When he impatiently said: Just screw it the English way! Use a hammer!