WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AND FRIDAY

Wednesday and Thursday we spent hours on the beach in the very mild sun. We walked some but if you are so inclined you could walk for miles. Because the beach is private there were only two independent sellers and on Tuesday we had no efectivo (Spanish for cash) so we asked them to come back manana. We spent some time on the computers booking hotels for the week ahead. Managed to get rooms at Xilitla el Castillo and after two nights there we have accommodations in Xalapa for two nights. We read the Seattle Times, our books also the Washington Post.

Thursday was the best beach day yet. The Gulf and beach are extremely relaxing because of the gentleness of the waves and sun. We ventured a walk down the carretera to find a cajero automatico (ATM)in order to get pesos. The peso is about 15 to a dollar. I did buy some jewelry from the independent sellers as I promised. Pete walked a long way and began to turn rojo. We are eating lunch at about 4 and forgoing dinner for now. We hope we won't gain too much weight.

This morning it RAINED!!!! It came downing a deluge for a while but now the sun is trying to come out. We took the credit and the blame.

Pete spoke to a Policia Federal this morning and was assured that we did not need any more documents for now and that when we get to Veracruz there will be a place to obtain all documents needed. That eased his mind.
Later.....

Tampico Tour Tuesday

TUESDAY
Our tour guide picked us up at noon. We toured Madero first, which is a town where oil refineries rule. This is the place of the first refineries in Mexico and remains so today. Politically the town is run by the "oilers and oil unions". There is evidence of some poverty and maybe mismanagement, such as the almost total lack of garbage and trash removal, but all of the people seem healthy and happy.
There is a lively fishing industry and many excellent seafood restaurants. The ports are deep water and there are three within 15 miles of one another indicating the busy export and importiom of oil and oil products and other things such as manganese. Madero has grown and expanded blurring the division between it and the older city of Tampico. There is also an adjoining town on the south side of Tampico. There are large buildings, some centers etc built by the oilers. Of course the oil refineries have many jobs for the population. This is a tourist zone so there are many activities besides the endless beautiful beach and blue sky. There are, for instance, large fishing tournaments for Tarpin and other large fish. Many people, including our guide, Juan, belong to clubs. Juan very kindly took us to two such clubs. They are very family oriented and have many athletic facilities.

Tampico is an old city which has lost some of it's glory in recent years. The "Mafia" is not so prevalent now but then the Police are everywhere so you do feel secure. By the rime we got to Tampico we were getting tired indicating that we were not entirely recuperated however, Juan had a very interesting tour for us of a free day care and preschool. It is paid by the government and free to working mothers for children from 6 weeks to 4 years. The government has very strict rules and regulations regarding security,education and even nutrition. Simulated emergency drills are required EVERY week! Egress and exits are monitored by fingerprint computer and video cameras. Okay, this may not be as interesting to you as it was to me since I was once a preschool teacher. There were about 250 children in this and I think he said 75 workers - not sure about that number.

Tampico is proud of their antiquity and claim to be the first place of the ancient civilization I am unable to recall the stories so will attempt to put in a link to the information. Also, Tampico had the first Coca Cola bottling facility.

Juan returned two very tired but very satisfied clients to the Club Maeva at about 5pm. We had such a delicious snack with Juan that dinner was superfluous. We ate a late snack and went to the sack.
Wow, that is enough.

CLUB MAEVA MIRAMAR, TAMPICO

We arrived, checked into this all inclusive resort, found our room s.  We have a living room with 2 couches, an eating space, a "kitchen" which will never be used, very large king size bedroom with TV (all Spanish but we may get to see the Super Bowl) and, of course, a bathroom.  All meals are provided, snacks, drinks, anything, all tips are paid and there seems to be maid service everyday.  Just ask and we can have.  This is like owning a palace with many rooms and many staff.

Now I will confess that it is low season and this huge hotel and resort with 4 or 5 swimming pools and private access to the beach, has VERY FEW guests so of course we get attention.  There are many Federal Police staying here.  We were told that they gather here for some reason (strategy) and they go to that town in Guerrero where those students were kidnapped and murdered.  The people here don't know if it is to make a statement because local elections are soon to be held or if by chance they might do some good.  In any event, if they are there regularly, then the cartels might pick up and leave.  The problem is where will they land this time.  Anyway, the Mexican people go about their business but even they are cautious in the night time.  They are praying that this will pass........

So yesterday we had travelled a long time and I was tired.  We ate our lunch at about 3 and went for a walk around the property, then I was done in.  Had a great rest and woke up this morning refreshed.

The food here so far has been very good indeed.  After desayuno this morning (we were the only guests in a huge room), we went for a long walk on the beautiful beach.  It was warm but not hot - just right.  Then we sat by the pool (all alone) after we had discovered the "adult only pool area".  I took many photos which I still cannot insert.  Can't figure out what went wrong from one blog to another.

Oh yes, we have 2 balconies.  We can sit and watch the beach and all of the people who are working and playing in the square across the street.  Pete is happy with the security of the car since it is parked smack dab in the middle of about 20 police vehicals.

We are surprised that there aren't many guests here but we really don't care.  We are happy to get lots of smiles and attention. 

Tomorrow we will take a tour of the city of Tampico so I may have more to tell you about this area.

CATCHING UP TO TODAY

SATURDAY
I am not sure where I left off but I will start off on Saturday, January 24th, the drive from Kerrville to Brownsville. 
No Snow!!!!  but 37 degrees so we were very careful diviing and drove thru SanAntonio at about 930 am.  Along the way the scenery didn't change much except there was no snow on the mountains.  From Corpus Christi to Brownsville, Texas the scenery did change.  Long stretches of low, flat land with those scrubby pines, a few palm trees of different kinds, some very tall yucca and endless blue skies.  By noon the temp was 64 and it was a beautiful day driving along on a divided highway.  Since it was Saturday, there was very little traffic and we noticed a carnival with a rodeo and stands full of people enjoying it in the sun. We went thru lots of farming and a long causeway near South Padre Island. 
Bought gas for $1.79 a gallon and stopped early at Comfort Suites in Brownville, Texas.  A very nice accommodation.
SUNDAYOn Sunday, we set out for our first trip along the Gulf Coast of Mexico.  We crossed the border at Matamores and no one asked to see our passport or license.  We asked about the document needed for the automobile and were told we didn't need to get that to go to Tampico.  Well, now we will just continue until someone says it is required.  So, the very first thing we see is a number of men and women with their brooms sweeping the street.  I know that Joan will be interested in this.  But, beyond that you just know you are no longer in the US, it just feels different.  Outside of Matamores, we travel through long stretches of very large farms.  I am not sure of all that is growing but some is sugar cane and other large plots have just been planted.  There are small (very small) towns along the way and most of even the most modest home with pigs and dogs in the yard, have some sort of wall around the house and yard.  Men with small carts pulled by burrows AND men herding goats along the highway are common sights as are horses grazing along the highway.
In one town we came upon a line of traffic and ahead we could see a group of people walking in the road.  We sat in the line long enough to realize that we might be in a funeral procession.  We pulled out and crept slowly alongside the other cars and then the mourners walking behind the hearse which was behind a pickup truck loaded with flowers.  It was very touching and we were very respectful. 
Of course I am relearning my "street spanish" such as "permita ser rebasado", "reparacion", "peatones", "poblado"and other instructons like "conserva limpia" and "entronque proximente" not to mention "doble semi-remoulque". 
On this part of the trip, the scenery changed often. We were traveling close to the Gulf so the land was flat on both sides of us sometimes farmed and sometimes endless expanses of various kinds of cacti, scrub pines, palo verde and large yucca. Then there we heavily forested hills rolling to the sea with large low land expanses to the west. Next more farming land and what seemed like suddenly tall mountains on both sides extremely green and verdent.
We travel for miles on pretty good highways but run into patches of a half mile or so where the newer road has been washed out and is extremely rough. There were crews repaving sections even on Sunday. This was the Ruta 2010!!! Kind of direct route from near Cuidad Victoria to Tampico.
Our last few miles were traveled through marshy lowlands and very close to the Gulf. We see sand dunes in the distance but at close range we see many cattle that look like brahmas. Interesting looking animals.
So our GPS girl did good work and brought us right to our destination where we were checked in by a lovely young lady who was freezing because the weather is not as warm as it should be. My friend, JoAnn will remember two years ago when we were at Puerto Penasco and the staff was wearing several jackets. Well, it was a little chilly for them but not for us. Especially in the sun.
Having our usual adventures!!!More later.......

SNOW AND COLD IN DESERT AND MOUNTAINS

Well,the unusual did happen.  It turned cold and it snowed!!! We were not expecting that but we managed anyway.  Not liking it, of course.  We woke up to a kind of cold drizzle fog that turned into a cold, windy, snow that didn't stick at first.  About a half hour out it still didn't seem to be sticking and there were lot of trucks on the road - mostly trucks at that time in the morning.  Then, suddenly, we all had to stop and we stayed there for about an hour waiting for we knew not what.  When we finally were able to move again we still didn't find out definitely what had occurred but supposed it was an accident on one of the bridges that got icy in the snow and cold.  Soon the traffic found its pace and we trudged on in the wind with no indication that the weather was going to get better.  We didn't have many miles to cover thank goodness and so stopped relatively early - about 3, I think.  It was very cold with the wind blowing so hard. 

This morning it was again very cold, 29 degrees but seemed dry when we started out so no problem.  We did run into some dense fog that dropped in and dropped out. But as it turned out we sailed along on clear roads and checked in here early today.  We are in Kerrville, Texas and tomorrow we will drive to Brownsville.  Then next day we will be in Mexico so I will have more interesting things to see I am sure.

Both of us have beaten this cold bug back and are well on the way to our usual good health.  I am determined to find a way to make this thing work to insert photos but maybe not today.   

WHAT A TIME TO CATCH A COLD

On Friday just outside our window the balloons were just doing some trials.  We drove around and saw where they would take off from on Saturday morning.  There were lots, many, oodles of RV's and trailers all set up and waiting for the show.  Lots of people walking into the area to look around.
On Saturday I was wiped out!  Coughed all night (I am sure it was most of the night).  But just outside our sliding glass door in the "early" morning they were up and so very beautiful.  And on Sunday, there seemed to be even more all colors and shapes.  A very interesting festival that is enjoyed by thousands in this area.

We have been laying low because of the colds but have seen "Big Eyes" and "Unbroken".  Both somewhat true stories.  One about a woman artist and one directed by a woman.  I was never taken by the "big eyes" paintings but it was interesting how her husband promoted them and sold then as his own work and maybe it was true that if it were known a woman painted them they would not have sold.  "Unbroken" was really terrific and directed by a woman.

I do belive we both are going to be good to go on Wednesday when we take off for our 4 day trip to Brownsville, Texas.  Texas is humongous as you know but we have seen most of what we will be driving thru so unless something unusual happens, I'll probably be quiet for another week.  I know you will miss me.  I am going to try to add some photos. 
ef

TRIP TO OATMAN ON ROUTE 66

Today was a trip on Route 66. Not so good two lane old highway through the desert and into the  mountains. It brings back memories of how the highways were when we first drove across country in 1959.We visited a tourist town by the name of Oatman that was a mining town in 1906 - mining gold. After WWII it was pretty much mined out and the miners left the area leaving the burros that had carried the ore from the mine and hauled supplies. The burros decendants are walking around demanding hay which is sold in the very well preserved old buildings. Lots of smelly burro dung in the streets but those animals are endearing. Following children who have the hay - opening the bags themselves and being a bit of a nuisance with their friendliness. Of course, they are wild and so you have to be careful because they will bite and kick. Another beautiful day about 65 degrees and going to be a bit cooler tonight. We ate expensive bad food. And drove back to see the Oregon vs. Ohio State game.
I am really impressed by all of the landscaping along the streets, highways and all of the homes. They use all of the desert plants, rocks of all sizes and just make a great eco friendly area. There really is not a lot of grass so that means that the golf courses can use some. I’ll check that out tomorrow when we play.

Now we will root for the Ducks.

 

OLD MINER

Havasu City

DAY 5 - We arrived at our condo home a little early for check-in but they checked us in anyway because it is still low season for another couple of weeks. Our condo is small but well appointed 1 bedroom, 1 bath, kitchen, dining space and living room. There is an outside area and also a pool and spa, laundry and sauna on site. We drove around noticing that in the


LONDON BRIDGE

 10 years since we have been here Havasu City has grown by leaps and bounds. Bought our groceries and enjoyed the mild warm weather. (It does get up to 128 in summer months.)

DAY 6 - SATURDAY - Early morning rain in the desert! Came down hard for only a half hour or so and then lasted only another hour. Huge bolts of lightening and loud thunder.
Can’t wait for the game - GO HAWKS!!!!
Went to an orientation where they didn’t try to sell us anything. Found out that many of the units are rentals and people come and stay for the winter. Wyoming and Minnesota were the states represented. So we hung around all day, reading and watching TV. GREAT GAME. Pete ended the day with what seems to be his usual allergy to cigarette smoke which we forgot about when we played the slots for two nights. Well, we shall remember not to gamble even when the smell is just mild. Went for a short walk before the game. It really is great weather.

DAY 7 - SUNDAY - Pete had a really good night sleep which seemed to “cure” his cold, we hope. The bathroom is the worst. There are three mirrors that give you a good look of all of your body. I mistakenly glanced at myself and I haven’t eaten since. OMG,
Drove the couple of miles to the London Bridge, walked over and then along the lake to the 9 hole golf course where we got a tee time for Tuesday. There are walking and cycling trails everywhere - miles of trails and they are well used by young and old. There is a Main Street with small shops that looks like it would be a good walk and interesting adventure. Also there are more than enough shopping malls everywhere. Lots of old people and lots of trucks. Lots of gun and ammunition shops too. Motorcyclists are not required to wear helmets and neither are bicyclists or skateboarders.

2015 AWAY TO THE SOUTH



Mount Shasta



DAY 1 -After leaving a little late on Monday, January 5th, we drove through pretty heavy rain from Seattle thru Olympia.  Then grey and drizzle.  Noticed lots of litter on highway in Washington and in Oregon.  Too bad to see in such beautiful surroundings.    Okay, not a very exciting or adventurous start but most of the travel in the US is old stuff.Stayed in Roseburg, Oregon.


DAY 2 -Leave Roseburg - in thick fog for many miles. In the mountains it lifted a bit and drifted in and out of the valleys making a wonderous sight. The fog was a bit exciting on the mountain curves with the trucks but still not a lot of traffic. We were able to see a whole herd of elk through the light fog. Trees very naked of leaves but covered with bright green moss and grey green lichen making them look very mysterious and scary in the fog. Some hadhuge bunches of mistletoe hanging in them like giant ornaments but unlit. Saw my first shoe beside the road but single abandoned shoes on the side of highways are another story which I won't tell you now but I will say that they fascinate me.
South of Redding, CA at a rest stop we saw trees full of a kind of black bird. Red wing or yelloweye, anyway they were busy squaking and making a riot of sound - noise. Rice paddies along the way bring many birds, ducks, coots egrets and even swans. We stopped at Colfax, CA for the night in the last and only motel available. Not the worst we have ever stayed at but certainly not recommended unless like us you have passed up the Comfort Inn in the town before.DAY 3 - Off to Reno. Getting used to being on the road. Studied Spanish from a CD lesson. Listened to some Spanish radio. Somewhere along the way, we got off the Interstate and got on California 95 which is a two lane highway and very nice highway. The scenery on the back roads is so much more interesting. Here there are very small towns in the most desolate locations. We were high enough to see Joshua trees marching in unison across the desert.
Just to do something, I worked with the GPS and with an English to Spanish device giving Pete some entertainment.
We stopped in Beatty, Nevada, stayed at the Stage Coach, played some slots, Pete won, I lost, but not much. Beatty is like a oasis in that there is NOTHING else around for miles.

DAY 4 -Left Beatty in the beautiful sunshine and pleasant 72 degrees. It was lovely but desolate. There were more miles and miles of desert and mountains. Saw an establishment way off the road with a sign advertising Naked Girls - Bikini and there was another one which was a huge sign BROTHEL.

LLots of road work on state 95 but a smooth highway with very few trucks. Into Las Vegas I was impressed by the freeway into the city. The landscaping (hardscape with desert plants) was so well done and attractive. The roadsides were practically clear of any plastic which is a change from the last time I came through. Beautiful day again. We booked a room in Laughlin at the Colorado Belle. Took a little river walk, ate lunch/dinner and played the slots again. Pete doubled his money ($20) and again I lost mine - but I tried to win.

DAY 5 -From Laughlin to Lake Havasu City, Nevada.

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