2nd day home.

 It is 4:30 p.m. - I've got in 6700 steps and never left the house.  Got up about 6 a.m. Been busy since then. Seems like it should be about 9:00. 

We just now took all the canned and dry food and paper goods out of the RV. Left most the the bags sitting in the garage until tomorrow. Don't feel like dealing with them today.  I know there is still stuff in there that needs to come out, but too tired to remember what.

Have had the washer, dryer and dish washer going all day. Also the vacuum and brooms. Have used a couple rolls of paper towels and a whole large can of Lysol spray disinfectant. And still am finding turds. wonder if I'll ever get them all cleaned up. They got in every room in the house. We have traps out now, but so far the only thing they caught was my finger. Suckers hurt! Pest control says they were/are rats, not mice. Lovely. 

I did manage to make appointments for our first and second Covid shots.  Tuesday morning early.  Even that didn't turn out how I thought it would. There are two streets in Vegas named Lake Mead - one is Blvd the other is Parkway. Parkway is about a half mile from us. Blvd is clear in the north of town. I was thinking the Lake Mead near us when I made the appointment at the Walgreens. Oh well, it will be an early morning drive for us. 

And that is all for today. Going to bed early. 

We are home and our home coming wasn't happy

 So any way...we stayed an extra day in Amado because Thursday was going to be very windy. And it was so glad we stayed. Yesterday we made it to 
Quartzsite and there was no wind at all. A very nice drive. This morning we left Quartzsite at 7:30. Nice day, no wind. Until we got to Havasu City. Then the wind really picked up. Thank goodness the road from the I-40 to Las Vegas is a good and once in Nevada a wide road as the wind was pushing us around. We got to Vegas about 11:30 AZ time 10:30 Nevada time. Stopped at market to get some food to eat today.  I just put in a huge order for Walmart to deliver tomorrow morning. 

So why am I - are we - so unhappy. Well while we were gone a family took up residence in our home. From the amount and distribution of TURDS it was/is a big family. YES - I think mice from the size of the poops, or maybe rats. My first clue was the stuffing on the floor under Bill's recliner. The more we looked the more we found. Just about every room has some sign of them. Every cupboard in the kitchen has to be cleaned and every thing either thrown away or washed. They were IN OUR BED ON MY NICE CLEAN SHEETS!!!! So right now the dishwasher and the washing machine are going full force. I have several of the drawers and lower cupboards in the kitchen empty and cleaned and Lysoled - good thing we brought a bunch back with us. Trying to get most of the poop cleaned up before we track it around. 

Before noticing our visitors we had emptied the refrig and freezer in the RV. And brought in the important stuff, electronics, paper work etc. Now it - the RV - is just sitting there - too busy in here to go out there. Some day this will be funny but it sure as hell isn't now.  So I'd best quit writing and get to cleaning. 

Staying in Amado one more day.

We were getting to get ready to go when I checked the weather report. Glad I did.

We had winds like that on our way here from Quartzsite in November. Not fun at all. By later this afternoon the winds should stop. 

A Wind Advisory means that sustained wind speeds of between 30 and 40 mph are expected, or wind gusts of between 40 and 58 mph. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. In addition, strong winds over desert areas could result in briefly lowered visibilities to well under a mile at times in blowing dust or blowing sand. Use extra caution. Action Recommended

Execute a pre-planned activity identified in the instructions

Issued By

Phoenix - AZ, US, National Weather Service

Affected Area

In Arizona, Kofa, Parker Valley and Central La Paz County. In California, Palo Verde Valley, Chuckwalla Valley, Southeastern Imperial County and Chuckwalla Mountains

Description

...WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MST /1 PM PST/ THIS AFTERNOON... WHAT...North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. WHERE...In Arizona, Kofa, Parker Valley and Central La Paz County. In California, Palo Verde Valley, Chuckwalla Valley, Southeastern Imperial County and Chuckwalla Mountains. WHEN...Until 2 PM MST /1 PM PST/ this afternoon. IMPACTS...Difficult driving conditions, especially for larger vehicles traveling along roads with crosswinds. Light, unsecured objects may become airborne.

Wind Advisory until THU 2:00 PM MSTAction Recommended

So just going to enjoy the day off. I spent the day reading a good book. We took a walk around this campground, it is a lot bigger than I thought it was. The back of it has a lot of "park models" in it. Some are really nice. Bill watched some TV and read himself to sleep. Very relaxing. I've been watching the flags the wind is strong enough to be bending the poles. 

Tomorrow if weather is good we will head towards home again. Maybe as far as Quartzsite. Maybe not that far. No time line for when we need to be home. 

We are in Arizona for a few days.

We had a long day yesterday, mostly after arriving at the campground!   The drive was 271 miles. Left  at 8:20 and got to Amado at 2:45. Stopped for gas twice. Only took 10 minutes at the border. Easiest crossing ever.

Monday evening in San Carlos, was hoping it would be better than this. But this is as good as it got. 

Got cold again during the night. Had the quilt on the bed and Bill turned the furnace on in the morning. Makes sense we are heading further north. 

We left the RV park at 8:20 but stopped for fuel at first gas station out of San Carlos. Left there at 8:40. The road from San Carlos to the Hermosillo Bypass was very good. 

For all the time we could see him, he never moved a bit. Not his feet, arms or head. Maybe it was a stuffed person???

The signs for the bypass are at about Km marker 236. Hopefully if there is a truck in front of you he will be nice and let you know when you can pass while driving on the bypass. They will turn on their left blinker to let you know it is okay to pass. 

Yes the toll booth on the bypass is open and collecting tolls. 265 pesos for the motorhome and Jeep. 

Toll both on 15D right after bypass is not collecting tolls. Only other toll booth open is the one between Km 21 and the border. It was 113 pesos.  Just waved through Military checkpoint around KM112 - where all the trucks have to stop! They have their own lanes. Line about 4 kilometers long!

Except for the vibradores by all the Pemex stations Not too bad of a drive. A few of the small towns have big topes, but they are marked. Construction is done around Magdalena. Toll booth not open. 

KM21 to return car paper work. Little white building on right side of highway surrounded by orange cones. Rough transition from highway to dirt lane. No problem. Had to wait for two cars in front of us. One who did not have his paper work or couldn't find it...

Just drove right through Mexican customs. A tope and then these barricades. 

The one stretch of road not finished is the really curvy part that goes up and down a couple of hills. The south bound lanes are done. Take the transitions slowly. Rough. Road itself gets worse every year. 

Be nice when they finish it. Looks like it took a few people over the years. 

USA border was very easy this time. Not even hard to get into bus lane, no one coming from right lane. Guard came out to move cone in bus lane and guided us in. No one else in lane. Border guard quickly came out to get our passports and open gate. One guard came in to check food. No mention of Covid. Took 10 minutes from stop to driving away. He also told us there was construction on the 19 and to take the TUBAC exit 34 and use the frontage road to bypass it. Glad he let us know, we missed most of the back up. Came back onto the highway at the Border Patrol Checkpoint. Then turned off at next exit to stay in Amado for two days. 

We stopped at exit 12 to fuel up at the Pilot. And had to wait to get out of there because of tow truck loading car blocking only way out for us. 

Then we got to the RV park. This time Mountain View where we usually stay was full so we are at DeAnza RV RESORT.  $56 a DAY.  (Not surprised there are so many open spaces here.)

Nice size spaces though. 

We got a nice level pull through. They have a restaurant you can order from. Yesterday was Mexican Day - no thanks. For some reason their water connection is below ground in a round hole. Not easy to get to or to get your hands (especially if they are older hands) in it to connect the hose. 

My hand in the hole and not touching the connection. Very awkward to do. Especially if your hands are bigger. Besides having to be down on you knees to reach it. 

Took for ever, then the water runs for a while real strong then fizzles almost out. Okay that seemed to take care of itself after a couple of uses. Their Internet is fast. But don't stream any thing, always disconnect when not using it etc. etc. The lady spent 15 minutes explaining all the rules and amenities. One amenity should be some young person to come connect the water hose. 

Found whatever we had left in refrigerator and had that for dinner. Bill was in bed early. Partly cause he was tired and partly cause it was getting cold, even with furnace on.  In mid 30s when we got up this morning. 

When we got here the jacks wouldn't work...didn't really need them for leveling. Now for some reason, thank goodness, they are working. And of course our TV didn't want to work. Ignored it for a while then gave in and called Dish Tech support. Got a very good tech, he worked with me until it was working. Turns out our cables - you know the red, white and yellow ones - wouldn't work for some reason. His solution - hook up a HDMI cable to both receiver box and TV.  Luckily we had one, use it with Dish Anywhere. Worked fine after that. He was very patient with me and explaining things and how to check and do them. Just wish our receiver box was easier to get to. Bill has to stand on drivers seat and can still barely reach it and use flashlight to see what we are doing. At one time had two remotes, phone and flashlight to fool with. Tried talking into the flashlight and pointing the phone...Glad tech couldn't see me. [And another thing my mouse for laptop quit working - just needed new battery - but almost the last straw.]

So now everything is working. We got a good nights sleep and are going no where today. Probably order dinner from the restaurant here for take out - Italian Day. Won't get groceries until we can order them from home. But already making out the order for home delivery. 

Tomorrow probably Quartzsite, Friday home early afternoon if everything goes as planned.

San Carlos

 One of the first things we did after arriving in San Carlos was go to La Palapa for lunch. Three orders of fish and chips. Although the waiter heard three orders of fish tacos. Nope don't think so. No problem got our Fish and Chips - Bill always eats two orders. Sitting where we could see the beautiful ocean. 

Then we went home and set up the RV for living. And/or napping.  Kind of nice sunset last night. But not as spectacular as some of them here have been. Cloud formation kind of looks like a big bird. 

Because it was Sunday there were a whole lot of people in town, today it is empty. More sunset.

It got freaking cold last night. I woke up with my feet and legs cramping. We had the little heater running but it didn't help much. Bill got up about four thirty and turned on the furnace, by then we were both awake. So got up too and stayed up. Tonight the quilt is staying on the bed! And I might turn on the electric blanket!

Started to get out the paper work for crossing the border tomorrow and OMG OMG where are our passports. Not where they should of been. Or where they could have been! Blood pressure rising as we looked in every drawer and cupboard. Not any where. Finally  I got a niggle in my head. We had to show them to someone in Mazatlan and because we had to go somewhere I stuck them in a safe place. They were safe all right I couldn't find them. All is well, remembered where the safe place was and there they were. Phew! Enough excitement for the day. 

So Bill suggested we get out and go for a ride and lunch. We did. My heart rate and blood pressure have returned to normal. 

Different groups and businesses have claimed parts of the center divider and decorated and maintain them. Just a couple quick pictures. 

This group really got into it. There is a bench for sitting and a wishing well along with the plants and planters.

The pretty scenery on the way to the look out point. 

Ocean and hills. 

The other side of the mountain that is in all most all of the sunset pictures I take here.

Strict rules for going out to look around. Including time limit. 

They did a really nice job building this after the old one was destroyed by a storm. 

Must be siesta time. At first I thought he was a new sculpture. Until he moved.

There are several dolphins here. A city wide project. On the way down I took pictures of all of these. But they are pretty enough to take more pictures. I like the bicycle rim stand on this one. 

The rest of these I haven't taken pictures of. They are on the main street, so can't stop and take good pictures. Just slow down some.

Then we went to lunch on the beach. Really on the beach this time. Out in the sand. It was about 75 out.

Bill had his fish and chips - only one order this time. But for dessert he had a crepe with butterscotch and walnuts and ice cream. I helped him eat it. 

I had a fish taco. They looked good the day before so ordered one. Pretty good, except I don't really like the taste of tortillas. 

And back at the RV park. Will leave tomorrow morning for  USA. 

Next post will be from Arizona.

We are in Arizona, no problems at border. will post tomorrow. 

Los Mochis to San Carlos, with a tour of the city dump.

We were up bright and early Sunday morning. All the trucks were in a hurry to start and get on the road. We each had our wake up coffee and something to eat. Then buttoned up the RV and got on the road about seven thirty. It was an interesting drive. I like this part of the country, just after leaving Los Mochis. I think it is peaceful looking. 

The last toll booth in Sinaloa. Yes it collected full toll. 

Just the clouds in the sky. Thought they looked interesting. 

A truck load with fruits and vegetables. Don't know what was in the crates, but watermelons in front of the crates and pepper in the back. 

Still in Sinaloa just before crossing the state line. Slow down. 

The Military Checkpoint before crossing out of Sinaloa. Have always been waved through. This year we got stopped by a young soldier.  He didn't speak and English and was upset Bill did not speak Spanish. He kept telling Bill, in Spanish that he needed a souvenir or and he pointed at the area where vehicles were pulled over being checked. Bill kept telling him in English, he didn't know what he wanted. Soldier became more insistent and pointed to check point again. Finally we gave him 20 pesos and he walked away and we drove on. So just be aware - like I said it never happened before in 12 years.

Speaks for itself. Check out the road. 

And the road? continues...

Going into the Agriculture Inspection in Sonora.  GO SLOW!  We have always had someone come in here and look in the refrigerator. This time we were just waved through after saying we had no fruit.
Looks like he is carrying gasoline in plastic containers.
Toll booths in Sonora are not open for tolls, just donations. Except the on on the Obregon Bypass it is open toll was 334 pesos for motorhome and Jeep.

Watch for horses and cattle and goats beside the highway.

Waiting for a bus or just resting in his walk along the highway. 

Out for a Sunday drive. 

The price of fuel in Navojoa. We actually got though TWO green lights in a row. A record for us. 

Stopped at a red light - guy washing windows. Low overhead for him, a bottle of water and a rag. One or two cars per light and he does okay for the day. 

Between Navojoa and Obregon. They were sand blasting the dotted white line???

The bypass is well marked and was not busy. As I mentioned toll was collecting full toll. Just off the bypass north of city there is a road block by rest area.

When I say roadblock, it is not completely blocked and they will let you through. We gave 20 pesos, guess they weren't happy with that as one of the guys banged with his fist on the motorhome as we passed him. 

Going into the lovey town of Vicam. Again with the donation.

And then through the town. They should pay the motorists for having to drive through it. The video has sound - added music to try to block our voices. Forgot my camera recorded sound. 

Finally out of Vicam and back onto the nice concrete highway.

Another group with their hands out. Just drove by. 

Entering Estacion Oroz - there are FOUR big topes there. But they are marked - just as you get to them. 

If I was that truck I'd quit running too. Poor thing. 

No idea about this, just before Guaymas bypass. Just drove on through. 

So now the fun part. Toll booth just before end of bypass was open for donations. We wanted to go to San Carlos so were watching for a turn off. Saw a rather directional sign and obviosity misread it.

Here is the road heading north just before the big gas station. See the little strip of concrete road to the right. The sign is just above the G in Guaymas.

This is the way we should have gone up past the station and then right through the station area and then another right heading towards San Carlos. 
This is the way we went! We took the little concrete road, then the dirt road - too steep to get back up on to the correct road so turned right and went sight seeing at the city dump. Un hooked got turned around and went up over the toll road through the gas station and on our way. I haven't driven in quite a while, so was fun for me. 

Looking back now I can't believe we were that _____  fill in the blank. 

So here we are visiting the dump. Another story to add to an ever growing list. 

Got to San Carlos without further problems. Parked and went to the beach restaurant for fish and chips. Another story for later. 

So we left Los Mochis at 7:30 - even with our detour we got to San Carlos one o'clock. Did 239 miles. Total for tolls and "donations" US dollars 15.

Will post again this evening or early tomorrow morning as we will be heading to the US tomorrow.