Feb 8th - Fri - San Carlos
Rick had another dentist appointment at 1:00 so Rick, Pat, Terry & Craig planned to play golf. Unfortunately, Rick had to wait 1 ½ hours to see the dentist and didn’t get back until 3:10. So Terry & Craig played golf and for the first time continued on and played 18 holes. Terry was pretty tired as they played a fast round and were walking.
I cooked my half of the shrimp that Pat had ordered and she provided the side dishes for another good meal. Pat & Terry then proceeded to be extremely lucky with (wild) card draws and beat Rick & I at Canasta.
Feb 9th - Sat - San Carlos
We went with Rick & Pat to the lot to set up a dinner date with everyone. There were engagement conflicts so we ended up deciding on Valentine’s Day.
All the “lot people” were going to an open house offering a barbeque lunch so we decided to check it out as well. There were actually 5 model homes that were open in a new development. They are built so close together that the view from some windows is only the side of your neighbor’s house. One house had 2 small bedrooms with windows opening to the garage. It is fun to see what is offered for sale here and we had a hamburger for lunch as well!
At 5:00, Pat, Terry & I went to a casino night fund raiser for Rescate which is the ambulance company in a lot of Mexican towns. Rick stayed home as he is not a gambler. It was very well organized. You bought chips and could play 21, roulette, craps and poker. There was a silent auction and a live auction at the end of the evening so you could spend your winnings. Pat & Terry put their winnings together (I did not end up with any winnings!) and we got a glass bottom boat margarita cruise for 4 in the live auction. We also had a roast pig dinner that was very good. We got back at 10:20 and woke up the park slamming the truck doors. We figure it is payback for the people talking outside the window at 6 AM.
Feb 10th - Sun - San Carlos
To use Terry’s words, this was a lazy-ass day! Even though I had some stomach pains this morning, we loaded up to go kayaking with Rick & Pat. But by the time we got to the water, I figured it was not a good idea for me to be in a kayak and maybe having to make a quick exit on a gimpy foot. So Rick & Pat took off and Terry & I went for a little drive and then came back to the park.
My stomach continued to bother me the rest of the day so I spent most of the day in the recliner with my foot up reading a book. Terry has rediscovered Sudoku (number puzzles) so he spent time with that and trying to set up the satellite dish after some neighbors said they could get Dish network. Not so! Then Pat beat Terry at Canasta but Terry is getting very good lessons from their 2-handed games.
Pat & I both had steaks for dinner so got together once again and then watched a couple of movies that a new neighbor lent us. We saw “The Long, Long Trailer” with Lucille Ball (not Terry’s choice but he didn’t fall asleep) and “Wild Hogs”.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Friday, February 08, 2008
Feb 6th & 7th - San Carlos
Feb 6th - Wed - San Carlos
A departing “caravan” of RVs provided entertainment this morning. Bill & Geri were traveling with 4 other rigs as far as Hermisillo where the the 4 others were continuing on to Kino Bay and Bill & Geri were heading north. Everyone had to gather for farewell hugs and good wishes and then all the rigs maneuvered out of their spots and lined up on the main road in the park. Pat did a quick count of 20 people standing around when Bill was backing out! 2 rigs pulled out and when a 5th wheel pulled off the edge of the sidewalk to follow them, they blew a tire on the 5th wheel - Terry figures a loose chunk of concrete got pinched between the dual tires and popped the rear one. Of course all the watching men had to migrate to the road to oversee the tire changing operation which they did quickly. It took less than an hour for the 5 spots to be filled with people who had to camp on the road to wait for a spot.
Rick & Pat and we went to the tourist info center to try to get reservations on the Copper Canyon train. While Pat & I were doing that, the guys went out to the lot to let the dogs out as the “lot people” all went to Hermasillo for the day. Then we went to the Soggy Peso Bar for lunch but it was very windy there so we went down the road to a nice hotel. It was also too windy and cool there so we ended up at a restaurant closer to town that we had not tried before. Had a nice lunch (by this time, a late lunch) and came back to rest & read. Pat & Terry played Canasta. Just after 5 I went to the lot as no one had stopped by for the keys and I thought the dogs might need to go out again. Turns out they had just got back so I visited for a few minutes and brought back some items they had picked up for us and another lady in the park. Pat just barely beat Terry at Canasta.
Feb 7th - Thurs - San Carlos
I did too much walking yesterday - my ankle is sore today. Rick had a dentist appointment today so Terry & I went for a late breakfast at Rosa’s Cantina and then did a bit of grocery shopping. Took it easy the rest of the day so I could get my foot up. Pat had ordered some shrimp that were supposed to be cut in half with the shells left on for barbequing but there was a miscommunication and we got butterflied & shelled. So Pat cooked some on the barbeque with a couple of different seasonings and I made quesadillas and salad for another shared dinner. We do eat well!!
We had Happy Hour with our neighbors until the sun set and it cooled off so we were not done with dinner until nearly 7, just in time for the first episode of Survivor.
A departing “caravan” of RVs provided entertainment this morning. Bill & Geri were traveling with 4 other rigs as far as Hermisillo where the the 4 others were continuing on to Kino Bay and Bill & Geri were heading north. Everyone had to gather for farewell hugs and good wishes and then all the rigs maneuvered out of their spots and lined up on the main road in the park. Pat did a quick count of 20 people standing around when Bill was backing out! 2 rigs pulled out and when a 5th wheel pulled off the edge of the sidewalk to follow them, they blew a tire on the 5th wheel - Terry figures a loose chunk of concrete got pinched between the dual tires and popped the rear one. Of course all the watching men had to migrate to the road to oversee the tire changing operation which they did quickly. It took less than an hour for the 5 spots to be filled with people who had to camp on the road to wait for a spot.
Rick & Pat and we went to the tourist info center to try to get reservations on the Copper Canyon train. While Pat & I were doing that, the guys went out to the lot to let the dogs out as the “lot people” all went to Hermasillo for the day. Then we went to the Soggy Peso Bar for lunch but it was very windy there so we went down the road to a nice hotel. It was also too windy and cool there so we ended up at a restaurant closer to town that we had not tried before. Had a nice lunch (by this time, a late lunch) and came back to rest & read. Pat & Terry played Canasta. Just after 5 I went to the lot as no one had stopped by for the keys and I thought the dogs might need to go out again. Turns out they had just got back so I visited for a few minutes and brought back some items they had picked up for us and another lady in the park. Pat just barely beat Terry at Canasta.
Feb 7th - Thurs - San Carlos
I did too much walking yesterday - my ankle is sore today. Rick had a dentist appointment today so Terry & I went for a late breakfast at Rosa’s Cantina and then did a bit of grocery shopping. Took it easy the rest of the day so I could get my foot up. Pat had ordered some shrimp that were supposed to be cut in half with the shells left on for barbequing but there was a miscommunication and we got butterflied & shelled. So Pat cooked some on the barbeque with a couple of different seasonings and I made quesadillas and salad for another shared dinner. We do eat well!!
We had Happy Hour with our neighbors until the sun set and it cooled off so we were not done with dinner until nearly 7, just in time for the first episode of Survivor.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Feb 3rd to 5th - San Carlos
Feb 3rd - Sun - San Carlos
We are planning on a Copper Canyon trip later this month. Have reservations for the 21st & 22nd in Creel so will leave here on the 20th. Better watch my step until then!!
Pretty much hung around the park today. Rick, Pat & Terry deserted me and played golf this afternoon. I baked brownies, visited with a neighbor (Diane) and kept my foot up. It is really improving.
Rick & I lost at Canasta tonight. Missed seeing the victory dance!
Feb 4th - Mon - San Carlos
We did a bit of grocery shopping and had a late breakfast at Barracuda Bob’s while Rick & Pat went kayaking and beachcombing. It was pretty breezy so I was happy that I was not in a kayak.
Bill & Geri are leaving on Wednesday so we had a farewell dinner for them. The lot residents (except Craig who was sick) and another couple next to Bill & Geri joined us so there were 13 for hamburgers and assorted other good food. It had been sunny all day but ugly clouds started moving in about 5:30 and everyone took cover from the cool breeze by 7.
Took a break from Canasta and watched TV.
Feb 5th - Tues - San Carlos
We went exploring around San Carlos in the truck with Rick & Pat this morning. There are some really big houses, often right next to not so nice dwellings. We drove though a development where all places had to have an RV as a “starter”. It was interesting to see how the RVs were covered & disguised. We stopped at Jax Snax in town for chimichangas for lunch.
Rick, Pat & Terry went golfing while I took Dolly to visit at “the lot”. All the lot residents are going to look after Dolly when we go to the Copper Canyon so I figured I would try to get her accustomed to the people and the 2 resident dogs - Andie the boxer and Ruby the black lab. I spent a bit of time working on an impossible jigsaw puzzle that is set up in a screen tent at the lot. I like to be able to put in a few puzzle pieces once in a while to keep interested.
Had a drink with Rick & Pat and then went our separate ways for dinner and the rest of the evening.
I was a bit discouraged with my foot today. Each day I have noticed an improvement but not today. Might have to sit around more tomorrow with my foot up.
We are planning on a Copper Canyon trip later this month. Have reservations for the 21st & 22nd in Creel so will leave here on the 20th. Better watch my step until then!!
Pretty much hung around the park today. Rick, Pat & Terry deserted me and played golf this afternoon. I baked brownies, visited with a neighbor (Diane) and kept my foot up. It is really improving.
Rick & I lost at Canasta tonight. Missed seeing the victory dance!
Feb 4th - Mon - San Carlos
We did a bit of grocery shopping and had a late breakfast at Barracuda Bob’s while Rick & Pat went kayaking and beachcombing. It was pretty breezy so I was happy that I was not in a kayak.
Bill & Geri are leaving on Wednesday so we had a farewell dinner for them. The lot residents (except Craig who was sick) and another couple next to Bill & Geri joined us so there were 13 for hamburgers and assorted other good food. It had been sunny all day but ugly clouds started moving in about 5:30 and everyone took cover from the cool breeze by 7.
Took a break from Canasta and watched TV.
Feb 5th - Tues - San Carlos
We went exploring around San Carlos in the truck with Rick & Pat this morning. There are some really big houses, often right next to not so nice dwellings. We drove though a development where all places had to have an RV as a “starter”. It was interesting to see how the RVs were covered & disguised. We stopped at Jax Snax in town for chimichangas for lunch.
Rick, Pat & Terry went golfing while I took Dolly to visit at “the lot”. All the lot residents are going to look after Dolly when we go to the Copper Canyon so I figured I would try to get her accustomed to the people and the 2 resident dogs - Andie the boxer and Ruby the black lab. I spent a bit of time working on an impossible jigsaw puzzle that is set up in a screen tent at the lot. I like to be able to put in a few puzzle pieces once in a while to keep interested.
Had a drink with Rick & Pat and then went our separate ways for dinner and the rest of the evening.
I was a bit discouraged with my foot today. Each day I have noticed an improvement but not today. Might have to sit around more tomorrow with my foot up.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Jan 30th to Feb 2nd - San Carlos
Jan 30th - Wed - San Carlos
Terry “sweated out” some of his “not feeling well’ last night so I got to start the day by washing sheets again. Lovely sunny day with a slight breeze so they dry quickly on the line. It was Rick’s turn at the dentist today so Pat, Terry & I went for a short bicycle ride to a grocery store.
Geri did not forget about dinner yesterday. She went to tell Rick and he was napping so she left a note stuck on the door and it must have blown away!
A shoe-shine guy came around the park today - an old man with a very built up shoe to compensate for a shorter leg. He sat on part of the box holding his supplies to shine shoes - not while they were on your feet. Pat, I and our neighbor all had a pair done so he did one step on a pair and then worked on another pair while the first one dried. Did a great job for 15 pesos plus a 5 peso tip, roughly $2.
We played golf in the afternoon, got together for a drink and a shared dinner and then a game of Canasta. The internet was still up when Rick & Pat left after cards so I enjoyed a nice talk with Georgia in Spokane and a shorter call to sister Marg before being interrupted by the internet going down.
The town water was shut off sometime this afternoon. Was supposed to be out from noon to 6 pm for maintenance but was still on when we left for golf just before 3. It is still off now (9:50) so have no idea how long it will be off tomorrow. This happens often enough that houses have water reservoirs on roofs and RVers are encouraged to have water in their freshwater tanks to tide them over.
Jan 31st - Thurs - San Carlos
To use a favorite word of my Dad’s - I did a bonehead thing today. I slipped on our outside steps and sprained my ankle. I was so upset because we have reservations to go to the Copper Canyon on Saturday. I am pretty sure that will not work out. We picked this time to go so Geri could look after Dolly for us and they are leaving on Feb 7th.
We went to the bank for pesos so we could pay for our February rent in case we get to go on our trip. Hit Barracuda Bob’s for a late breakfast croissant as I did not feel much like cooking. Pat & I both had steaks for dinner so she got fresh shrimp to go along with them. Then she deep fried so much shrimp that we decided to leave the steak for tomorrow night.
I can walk on my sprained ankle but it is pretty painful to watch. As long as I don’t twist or bend my ankle it is OK so I have to take little steps with a straight leg. Rick just calls me Festus.
Feb 1st - Fri - San Carlos
Rick had another dentist appointment at 10 this morning so Pat went in on the bus to get a haircut and then meet Rick at the dentist’s office. They were going to do some things in Guaymas but Rick was in the dentist chair for 4 hours so they just ran a couple of errands on the way home.
We cancelled our hotel reservation for the Copper Canyon trip and I spent all day inside with my foot up. We had steak dinner with Pat & Rick and headed back to our place for cards and dessert. We changed Canasta partners so it was Rick & I against Terry & Pat. Rick & I won but Terry & Pat made a great comeback and nearly caught us.
Feb 2nd - Sat - San Carlos
Cloudy and cooler again today. I tried to keep my foot up with ice on my ankle. Terry visited with our neighbors and played a beanbag toss game for a bit. We went out looking for playing cards to make up a new Canasta deck - you use 6 decks. We finally found some and broke them in after dinner.
We had Rick & Pat over for dinner tonight. I bought shrimp from the fish guy - it is wonderful. I will miss being able to buy it - and right in front of the door.
Rick & I played Terry & Pat at Canasta and Rick & I won again. Too bad I can’t put the little victory “dance” in here that Rick performs.
Terry “sweated out” some of his “not feeling well’ last night so I got to start the day by washing sheets again. Lovely sunny day with a slight breeze so they dry quickly on the line. It was Rick’s turn at the dentist today so Pat, Terry & I went for a short bicycle ride to a grocery store.
Geri did not forget about dinner yesterday. She went to tell Rick and he was napping so she left a note stuck on the door and it must have blown away!
A shoe-shine guy came around the park today - an old man with a very built up shoe to compensate for a shorter leg. He sat on part of the box holding his supplies to shine shoes - not while they were on your feet. Pat, I and our neighbor all had a pair done so he did one step on a pair and then worked on another pair while the first one dried. Did a great job for 15 pesos plus a 5 peso tip, roughly $2.
We played golf in the afternoon, got together for a drink and a shared dinner and then a game of Canasta. The internet was still up when Rick & Pat left after cards so I enjoyed a nice talk with Georgia in Spokane and a shorter call to sister Marg before being interrupted by the internet going down.
The town water was shut off sometime this afternoon. Was supposed to be out from noon to 6 pm for maintenance but was still on when we left for golf just before 3. It is still off now (9:50) so have no idea how long it will be off tomorrow. This happens often enough that houses have water reservoirs on roofs and RVers are encouraged to have water in their freshwater tanks to tide them over.
Jan 31st - Thurs - San Carlos
To use a favorite word of my Dad’s - I did a bonehead thing today. I slipped on our outside steps and sprained my ankle. I was so upset because we have reservations to go to the Copper Canyon on Saturday. I am pretty sure that will not work out. We picked this time to go so Geri could look after Dolly for us and they are leaving on Feb 7th.
We went to the bank for pesos so we could pay for our February rent in case we get to go on our trip. Hit Barracuda Bob’s for a late breakfast croissant as I did not feel much like cooking. Pat & I both had steaks for dinner so she got fresh shrimp to go along with them. Then she deep fried so much shrimp that we decided to leave the steak for tomorrow night.
I can walk on my sprained ankle but it is pretty painful to watch. As long as I don’t twist or bend my ankle it is OK so I have to take little steps with a straight leg. Rick just calls me Festus.
Feb 1st - Fri - San Carlos
Rick had another dentist appointment at 10 this morning so Pat went in on the bus to get a haircut and then meet Rick at the dentist’s office. They were going to do some things in Guaymas but Rick was in the dentist chair for 4 hours so they just ran a couple of errands on the way home.
We cancelled our hotel reservation for the Copper Canyon trip and I spent all day inside with my foot up. We had steak dinner with Pat & Rick and headed back to our place for cards and dessert. We changed Canasta partners so it was Rick & I against Terry & Pat. Rick & I won but Terry & Pat made a great comeback and nearly caught us.
Feb 2nd - Sat - San Carlos
Cloudy and cooler again today. I tried to keep my foot up with ice on my ankle. Terry visited with our neighbors and played a beanbag toss game for a bit. We went out looking for playing cards to make up a new Canasta deck - you use 6 decks. We finally found some and broke them in after dinner.
We had Rick & Pat over for dinner tonight. I bought shrimp from the fish guy - it is wonderful. I will miss being able to buy it - and right in front of the door.
Rick & I played Terry & Pat at Canasta and Rick & I won again. Too bad I can’t put the little victory “dance” in here that Rick performs.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Jan 26th to 29th - San Carlos
Jan 26th - Sat - San Carlos
Went with Rick & Pat to do some shopping this morning. Pat had purchased a couple of home décor items (mirror, metal 3-D “picture”) and had her eye on another metal wall sculpture which she bought. Very nice things. We made a trip out to ‘the lot” and then stopped by Tony’s for some veggies.
We bought some fresh crab meat from the fish man so invited Rick & Pat and Bill & Geri for crab tostadas for lunch. I used some of the remaining crab to make a dip to take to the lot for happy hour tonight.
After happy hour(s) at the lot, Pat & I decided we would go very fancy and make beans & wieners for dinner. I had baked brownies earlier so had them for dessert.
Jan 27th - Sun - San Carlos
A group of 10 people in the park wanted to go clamming so Rick said he would show them where we went. Rick & Pat and we led 2 other trucks to the beach and we dug more clams. It is kind of addictive! On the way back, we all stopped at the beach in Empalme where we had found lots of shells on a prior trip. The tide was not out far enough to get shells but a couple told us that further down the beach there were lots of shells so we all took a walk and did find shells.
We joined the clamming group for happy hour. One of the guys (Al Funk) is Rick’s first boss and he and his wife Dolly were here 3 years ago when Rick & Pat were here. It turns out that they know my aunt Barb in Chilliwack (Sardis) B.C. We continue to be amazed at how small the world is!
I made crab cakes for dinner and decided that I would not do that again. We were not crazy about them and the fishy smell took forever to go away.
Jan 28th - Mon - San Carlos
Today was Pat’s birthday and she wanted to spend part of it in Hermasillo (casino included!). So we left about 8:30 and got back about 5. We went to the Mercado (market) there. It had meat & produce for sale and lots of eating spots - mostly counters. It was very clean, unlike the market in Guaymas. The floors were tiled and clean and we would not hesitate to eat at most of the places that we saw. Then we strolled and shopped the small stores in the surrounding area. The sidewalks are narrow and uneven and are much higher (12 inches or so) than the street. But they are not nearly as uneven as the Guaymas sidewalks.
We found a different casino but it ended up being closed. So we went to WalMart right beside it, then ended up at Costco in time for lunch. Hit the casino next for a couple of hours. It was my turn to cover Terry’s losses so was a good day.
The “lot people” joined us (Rick & Pat, Geri & Bill & us) for dinner at a restaurant right outside the RV park - it is owned by Joseph who owns the park. It was OK but different than we expected, probably will not go back. We had purchased a carrot cake at Costco and took it to the restaurant for dessert so were home by 8:00. Terry was feeling a little puny so we went right to bed to watch TV.
Jan 29th - Tues - San Carlos
Not much sleep last night. It was warm but windy so just about the time I finally got to sleep, some fellow campers went out and put in their awnings which is impossible to do quietly. Then Terry was up several times with what he calls “the Mexican quick step”.
I did laundry and got it fluffed in the dryer and on the line to dry before Pat & I had to leave for dentist appointments. We also changed the water on the clams before leaving on the bus. The dentist was still working on a patient so Pat’s appointment was late. Then she took longer than scheduled so my appointment was an hour late. Luckily, we are now smart enough to take books to read while we wait for each other.
Terry did not feel well all day. Good day for him to just sleep on the couch. We asked Steve & Linda and Bill & Geri to join us for a clam dinner. Geri must have forgotten as they did not show up . We have a couple of containers of clams to freeze and use for chowder or linguine - yum!
Went with Rick & Pat to do some shopping this morning. Pat had purchased a couple of home décor items (mirror, metal 3-D “picture”) and had her eye on another metal wall sculpture which she bought. Very nice things. We made a trip out to ‘the lot” and then stopped by Tony’s for some veggies.
We bought some fresh crab meat from the fish man so invited Rick & Pat and Bill & Geri for crab tostadas for lunch. I used some of the remaining crab to make a dip to take to the lot for happy hour tonight.
After happy hour(s) at the lot, Pat & I decided we would go very fancy and make beans & wieners for dinner. I had baked brownies earlier so had them for dessert.
Jan 27th - Sun - San Carlos
A group of 10 people in the park wanted to go clamming so Rick said he would show them where we went. Rick & Pat and we led 2 other trucks to the beach and we dug more clams. It is kind of addictive! On the way back, we all stopped at the beach in Empalme where we had found lots of shells on a prior trip. The tide was not out far enough to get shells but a couple told us that further down the beach there were lots of shells so we all took a walk and did find shells.
We joined the clamming group for happy hour. One of the guys (Al Funk) is Rick’s first boss and he and his wife Dolly were here 3 years ago when Rick & Pat were here. It turns out that they know my aunt Barb in Chilliwack (Sardis) B.C. We continue to be amazed at how small the world is!
I made crab cakes for dinner and decided that I would not do that again. We were not crazy about them and the fishy smell took forever to go away.
Jan 28th - Mon - San Carlos
Today was Pat’s birthday and she wanted to spend part of it in Hermasillo (casino included!). So we left about 8:30 and got back about 5. We went to the Mercado (market) there. It had meat & produce for sale and lots of eating spots - mostly counters. It was very clean, unlike the market in Guaymas. The floors were tiled and clean and we would not hesitate to eat at most of the places that we saw. Then we strolled and shopped the small stores in the surrounding area. The sidewalks are narrow and uneven and are much higher (12 inches or so) than the street. But they are not nearly as uneven as the Guaymas sidewalks.
We found a different casino but it ended up being closed. So we went to WalMart right beside it, then ended up at Costco in time for lunch. Hit the casino next for a couple of hours. It was my turn to cover Terry’s losses so was a good day.
The “lot people” joined us (Rick & Pat, Geri & Bill & us) for dinner at a restaurant right outside the RV park - it is owned by Joseph who owns the park. It was OK but different than we expected, probably will not go back. We had purchased a carrot cake at Costco and took it to the restaurant for dessert so were home by 8:00. Terry was feeling a little puny so we went right to bed to watch TV.
Jan 29th - Tues - San Carlos
Not much sleep last night. It was warm but windy so just about the time I finally got to sleep, some fellow campers went out and put in their awnings which is impossible to do quietly. Then Terry was up several times with what he calls “the Mexican quick step”.
I did laundry and got it fluffed in the dryer and on the line to dry before Pat & I had to leave for dentist appointments. We also changed the water on the clams before leaving on the bus. The dentist was still working on a patient so Pat’s appointment was late. Then she took longer than scheduled so my appointment was an hour late. Luckily, we are now smart enough to take books to read while we wait for each other.
Terry did not feel well all day. Good day for him to just sleep on the couch. We asked Steve & Linda and Bill & Geri to join us for a clam dinner. Geri must have forgotten as they did not show up . We have a couple of containers of clams to freeze and use for chowder or linguine - yum!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Jan 21st to 25th - San Carlos
Jan 21st - Mon - San Carlos
We spent some time going up to the office for wifi as we could not get it at the site and we needed to call our banker. Then we realized that it was Martin Luther King Day and banks in the US were closed. I called Marg instead (no wifi on Sunday evening) and had a nice chat with her.
I figured that with busy days planned for the week, I better do a couple loads of laundry while I could. We met some new neighbors across the road (from near Puyallup, WA) and chatted with them for a while.
We went golfing with Rick & Pat. Pat put in a roast to cook while we golfed so she made a lovely dinner for us and then we played Canasta.
Jan 22nd - Tues - San Carlos
We went clamming today south of Empalme. Rick & Pat, Geri and Linda went in one vehicle and Terry & I and Cathy were in another. There was a negative tide so we figured clamming would be good. We decided later that we did not need a negative tide as we did very well before the tide was all the way out.
The beach is sandy but shallow so stays kind of muddy when the tide goes out. We rolled up our pants and started raking. You only have to rack a few inches down to find the clams. It probably didn’t take us much more than an hour to get more clams than we thought we could eat in one meal - 3 half buckets and 1/3 bucket for Geri who was working alone. Terry walked way out to get clean water to rinse the clams and to change the water later. We had taken lunches so ate and sat around for a bit. On the way back, we stopped at the estuary to do more rinsing and get more clean water. It was a really fun day.
Jan 23rd - Wed -San Carlos
Dentist appointments again this morning. I went in with Rick & Pat for a 9 o’clock appt. The dentist was late and then Pat took longer than her ½ hour so I didn’t get in until 10. Pat told Terry that I would be about 2 ½ hours so he could come pick me up. There was road paving on the main street in Guaymas so Terry was a bit late and thought I might have given up. So he parked in a no-parking zone and came in to make sure I was still there. By this time, Terry is really fed up with traffic and trying to find a parking spot. After 3 hours in the chair, I went out and found him and we started back. I wanted a few groceries and Terry needed a restroom so we stopped at the Ley. When we came out, the traffic was all rerouted to one narrow exit and we ended up in a minor fender-bender - unfortunately our fault. Luckily, there was a young man next to us who spoke Spanish & English and agreed to interpret. But we (and a truck who pulled out and caused Terry to back up) were causing a bottleneck which attracted the attention of a policemen who was directing traffic around the construction. To make a long story short, it took 2 hours to get things settled with the insurance that we purchased paying for the damage. Steve & Linda were driving past and I motioned them in. They were a great help in communicating with the police (all 3 from the construction zone followed us to another location!) and getting in touch with the insurance company.
For some reason, we did not feel like cooking the clams tonight and instead I ended up making an easy dinner to share with Rick & Pat.
Jan 24th - Thurs - San Carlos
It rained this morning so we thought we would have a day where we could catch up on email & such. But Pat & Rick asked us to join them for a late breakfast. There were going to do laundry and eat at Barracuda Bob’s but too many other people had the same idea and the laundry and café were packed. So we went to Rosa’s Cantina for breakfast and then Pat & Rick did laundry at the park.
I made some salsa and did some prep work for dinner which was the clams that we dug. Pat & I steamed clams and Terry cooked some on the barbeque so we could compare methods. We all preferred the steamed clams so won’t do any on the barbeque again. Bill & Geri joined us and we ate a lot of clams which were excellent. Unfortunately, Rick was not feeling too well so he did not join us for dinner. People stopped by to chat after dinner and the evening flew by.
Jan 25th - Fri - San Carlos
Pat & I took the bus this morning to Guaymas for a dentist appointment for Pat. Then we walked a long ways looking for an interior decorating store which we did not find. However, we saw a lot of interesting places that you just pass right by when driving. We had Chinese food for lunch followed by fresh cooked churros for dessert. Had a wild bus ride home - I think the driver must have been making up time.
Terry & Rick had gone out for lunch while we were gone. Terry had done some chores and Rick enjoyed a book and the internet.
Terry, Pat, Craig & I went golfing shortly after we got back. Neither Pat nor I had a good game but the weather was lovely so can’t complain.
After dinner, Rick & Pat and we played Canasta and the guys finally won a game.
We spent some time going up to the office for wifi as we could not get it at the site and we needed to call our banker. Then we realized that it was Martin Luther King Day and banks in the US were closed. I called Marg instead (no wifi on Sunday evening) and had a nice chat with her.
I figured that with busy days planned for the week, I better do a couple loads of laundry while I could. We met some new neighbors across the road (from near Puyallup, WA) and chatted with them for a while.
We went golfing with Rick & Pat. Pat put in a roast to cook while we golfed so she made a lovely dinner for us and then we played Canasta.
Jan 22nd - Tues - San Carlos
We went clamming today south of Empalme. Rick & Pat, Geri and Linda went in one vehicle and Terry & I and Cathy were in another. There was a negative tide so we figured clamming would be good. We decided later that we did not need a negative tide as we did very well before the tide was all the way out.
The beach is sandy but shallow so stays kind of muddy when the tide goes out. We rolled up our pants and started raking. You only have to rack a few inches down to find the clams. It probably didn’t take us much more than an hour to get more clams than we thought we could eat in one meal - 3 half buckets and 1/3 bucket for Geri who was working alone. Terry walked way out to get clean water to rinse the clams and to change the water later. We had taken lunches so ate and sat around for a bit. On the way back, we stopped at the estuary to do more rinsing and get more clean water. It was a really fun day.
Jan 23rd - Wed -San Carlos
Dentist appointments again this morning. I went in with Rick & Pat for a 9 o’clock appt. The dentist was late and then Pat took longer than her ½ hour so I didn’t get in until 10. Pat told Terry that I would be about 2 ½ hours so he could come pick me up. There was road paving on the main street in Guaymas so Terry was a bit late and thought I might have given up. So he parked in a no-parking zone and came in to make sure I was still there. By this time, Terry is really fed up with traffic and trying to find a parking spot. After 3 hours in the chair, I went out and found him and we started back. I wanted a few groceries and Terry needed a restroom so we stopped at the Ley. When we came out, the traffic was all rerouted to one narrow exit and we ended up in a minor fender-bender - unfortunately our fault. Luckily, there was a young man next to us who spoke Spanish & English and agreed to interpret. But we (and a truck who pulled out and caused Terry to back up) were causing a bottleneck which attracted the attention of a policemen who was directing traffic around the construction. To make a long story short, it took 2 hours to get things settled with the insurance that we purchased paying for the damage. Steve & Linda were driving past and I motioned them in. They were a great help in communicating with the police (all 3 from the construction zone followed us to another location!) and getting in touch with the insurance company.
For some reason, we did not feel like cooking the clams tonight and instead I ended up making an easy dinner to share with Rick & Pat.
Jan 24th - Thurs - San Carlos
It rained this morning so we thought we would have a day where we could catch up on email & such. But Pat & Rick asked us to join them for a late breakfast. There were going to do laundry and eat at Barracuda Bob’s but too many other people had the same idea and the laundry and café were packed. So we went to Rosa’s Cantina for breakfast and then Pat & Rick did laundry at the park.
I made some salsa and did some prep work for dinner which was the clams that we dug. Pat & I steamed clams and Terry cooked some on the barbeque so we could compare methods. We all preferred the steamed clams so won’t do any on the barbeque again. Bill & Geri joined us and we ate a lot of clams which were excellent. Unfortunately, Rick was not feeling too well so he did not join us for dinner. People stopped by to chat after dinner and the evening flew by.
Jan 25th - Fri - San Carlos
Pat & I took the bus this morning to Guaymas for a dentist appointment for Pat. Then we walked a long ways looking for an interior decorating store which we did not find. However, we saw a lot of interesting places that you just pass right by when driving. We had Chinese food for lunch followed by fresh cooked churros for dessert. Had a wild bus ride home - I think the driver must have been making up time.
Terry & Rick had gone out for lunch while we were gone. Terry had done some chores and Rick enjoyed a book and the internet.
Terry, Pat, Craig & I went golfing shortly after we got back. Neither Pat nor I had a good game but the weather was lovely so can’t complain.
After dinner, Rick & Pat and we played Canasta and the guys finally won a game.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Jan 16th to 20th - San Carlos
Jan 16th - Wed - San Carlos
Caught up on my blog & did some cleaning this morning - fun stuff!
I went to a doctor here in San Carlos to have him look at a mole-type thing on my arm and a dry patch on my ear. The “mole” is totally benign and I will be using Duofilm (a mild acid like that used in Dr Scholl’s corn plasters) which should make it dry up and fall off. For my ears and another spot on my face, I have Efudix which will cause the areas to get very red and nasty looking before the fast-growing cells choke themselves with the medication and die. This is probably too much information but……
More laundry this afternoon. Pat had asked Steve to come for steak dinner as Linda is in Phoenix and I had steaks for dinner also so we did a joint dinner again. It is nice to prepare only part of the dinner each time.
Jan 17th - Thurs - San Carlos
Did some more computer stuff this morning and then wasted most of the afternoon at the dentist getting a root canal. We left early for Guaymas and stopped for a few groceries and then tried to get a parking spot - what a zoo! The dentist is across the street from a school and everyone is picking up their kids from about 1 to 3 as the different age groups get out. A dentist who just does root canals (I think) takes over the other dentist’s office on Thursdays. I had to get a prescription for an antibiotic as there was some inflammation and I guess that is nothing to mess with.
Got back just before happy hour where we enjoyed a dip/spread that I made with some more of the fresh crab meat and Pat made deep fried chicken fingers - yum! I was kind of tired from my dentist phobia so we just watched TV after dinner.
Jan 18th - Fri - San Carlos
Another day interrupted by the dentist. Pat had an appointment at 10:00 so took the bus to Guaymas. Rick had an appointment at 11:30 and I had one at 12:30. Terry & I had a lazy morning, went for breakfast at Barracuda Bob’s and then drove to Guaymas. When I walked into the dentist’s office at 12:25, Rick was still waiting! The dentist had a terrible time getting Pat’s old bridge off. Rick just needed a consultation so only took a short time and then it was my turn about 1:30. Terry was waiting in the truck so Pat told him what was happening. The dentist prepped me for a post and took an impression for a temporary crown so it took just over ½ hour, I think (don’t wear a watch any more!). Terry was across the street having a banana split so I joined him for a chocolate sundae. We stopped to look at a roadside sale and when we got back we had a note from Pat saying they had gone golfing and if we got home early enough we should join them. But it was 3:09 and too late so we went for a walk on the beach instead.
We went with Rick & Pat for dinner at a very nice place called Blackie’s. Good dinner, piano player in the bar, great company - what more can you ask for? Pat came over after to watch TV a bit and then she and Terry played Canasta while I read.
Jan 19th - San Carlos
After breakfast, Terry & I rode our bikes out to “the lot” and met Tim & Kim who are the other couple setting up an RV spot. They are here only for 4 days and then will be back at the beginning of March. Back to the rig for lunch and misc chores. Then Terry & I went golfing with Craig. Pat had another dentist appointment.
Terry & I stayed for a drink at the lot when we dropped Craig off, visited with Rick & Pat while I cooked dinner and then watched TV.
Jan 20th - San Carlos
Today was Terry’s birthday so we spent the day relaxing and eating. Started with a couple of warm, homemade blueberry muffins from Geri to enjoy with our coffee outside in the sunshine.
A bit later, Rick & Pat took us to breakfast at a place at the harbor. Very nice. We sat outside right beside the water and the weather was wonderful. Then we drove to a lookout to see if there were more vendors there. Nothing interesting.
Read, watched TV and ironed some clothes before meeting for one drink before going to dinner. Four couples from “the lots” joined us at the Fiesta. We started outside until the sun set and then moved indoors. Everyone had chateaubriand which was great. I had made a big pan of brownies so everyone returned to our place for dessert. Yes, we fit all 14 people inside as it was too cool outside. Not everyone got to sit but everyone got to eat - again!
Caught up on my blog & did some cleaning this morning - fun stuff!
I went to a doctor here in San Carlos to have him look at a mole-type thing on my arm and a dry patch on my ear. The “mole” is totally benign and I will be using Duofilm (a mild acid like that used in Dr Scholl’s corn plasters) which should make it dry up and fall off. For my ears and another spot on my face, I have Efudix which will cause the areas to get very red and nasty looking before the fast-growing cells choke themselves with the medication and die. This is probably too much information but……
More laundry this afternoon. Pat had asked Steve to come for steak dinner as Linda is in Phoenix and I had steaks for dinner also so we did a joint dinner again. It is nice to prepare only part of the dinner each time.
Jan 17th - Thurs - San Carlos
Did some more computer stuff this morning and then wasted most of the afternoon at the dentist getting a root canal. We left early for Guaymas and stopped for a few groceries and then tried to get a parking spot - what a zoo! The dentist is across the street from a school and everyone is picking up their kids from about 1 to 3 as the different age groups get out. A dentist who just does root canals (I think) takes over the other dentist’s office on Thursdays. I had to get a prescription for an antibiotic as there was some inflammation and I guess that is nothing to mess with.
Got back just before happy hour where we enjoyed a dip/spread that I made with some more of the fresh crab meat and Pat made deep fried chicken fingers - yum! I was kind of tired from my dentist phobia so we just watched TV after dinner.
Jan 18th - Fri - San Carlos
Another day interrupted by the dentist. Pat had an appointment at 10:00 so took the bus to Guaymas. Rick had an appointment at 11:30 and I had one at 12:30. Terry & I had a lazy morning, went for breakfast at Barracuda Bob’s and then drove to Guaymas. When I walked into the dentist’s office at 12:25, Rick was still waiting! The dentist had a terrible time getting Pat’s old bridge off. Rick just needed a consultation so only took a short time and then it was my turn about 1:30. Terry was waiting in the truck so Pat told him what was happening. The dentist prepped me for a post and took an impression for a temporary crown so it took just over ½ hour, I think (don’t wear a watch any more!). Terry was across the street having a banana split so I joined him for a chocolate sundae. We stopped to look at a roadside sale and when we got back we had a note from Pat saying they had gone golfing and if we got home early enough we should join them. But it was 3:09 and too late so we went for a walk on the beach instead.
We went with Rick & Pat for dinner at a very nice place called Blackie’s. Good dinner, piano player in the bar, great company - what more can you ask for? Pat came over after to watch TV a bit and then she and Terry played Canasta while I read.
Jan 19th - San Carlos
After breakfast, Terry & I rode our bikes out to “the lot” and met Tim & Kim who are the other couple setting up an RV spot. They are here only for 4 days and then will be back at the beginning of March. Back to the rig for lunch and misc chores. Then Terry & I went golfing with Craig. Pat had another dentist appointment.
Terry & I stayed for a drink at the lot when we dropped Craig off, visited with Rick & Pat while I cooked dinner and then watched TV.
Jan 20th - San Carlos
Today was Terry’s birthday so we spent the day relaxing and eating. Started with a couple of warm, homemade blueberry muffins from Geri to enjoy with our coffee outside in the sunshine.
A bit later, Rick & Pat took us to breakfast at a place at the harbor. Very nice. We sat outside right beside the water and the weather was wonderful. Then we drove to a lookout to see if there were more vendors there. Nothing interesting.
Read, watched TV and ironed some clothes before meeting for one drink before going to dinner. Four couples from “the lots” joined us at the Fiesta. We started outside until the sun set and then moved indoors. Everyone had chateaubriand which was great. I had made a big pan of brownies so everyone returned to our place for dessert. Yes, we fit all 14 people inside as it was too cool outside. Not everyone got to sit but everyone got to eat - again!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Jan 12th to 15th - San Carlos
Jan 12th - Sat - San Carlos
Rick & Pat and we went for a great kayak excursion today. We drove just partway through San Carlos to launch. The water was smooth and the temperature was perfectly warm. We went through a couple of “holes” in rocks that was initially a bit scary for me but ended up being a lot of fun. We took out the kayaks, drove to Catch-22 beach, had lunch at the Soggy Peso Bar and then the guys watched some kite surfers while Pat & I looked for shells.
We all (“group of 8” and “lot people”) went to dinner tonight to say farewell to Dave & Margo who are leaving tomorrow. We went to a Greek restaurant where they roast a whole lamb on Saturdays and have live music several nights a week. Terry & I danced a bit.
We made a special wind chime for Dave & Margo and gave it to them when we got back from dinner. I can’t believe I did not get a picture of the wind chime - we used a huge seed pod from a tree in the park for the “hanger” portion, decorated with a couple of shells and used beer cans for the “chimes”. It turned out much better than this description sounds!
Jan 13th - Sun - San Carlos
We got up early this morning to say goodbye to Dave & Margo. Terry & I went for a bike ride downtown before going to JJ’s for lunch. JJ’s has a central eating area with a grill area, a food prep “building”, a deep fry “building”, an old trailer selling tobacco & cigars and a drink/smoothie “building” around the edges. I put “building” in quotes as they are partially open sided structures. We split their carne asada Donkey which is a large burrito with spiced, grilled meat to which you add your own condiments. Another interesting experience.
Another lovely day for golfing this afternoon.
Jan 14th - Mon - San Carlos
Another trip to Hermasillo today. We started with the casino this time and it beat us all up. Then Costco for hot dogs and shopping, Home Depot and Wal Mart. Pat had shopping lists for Geri and Craig so shopping took a while. We wanted to find an outdoor market but decided to get better instructions from Pat’s masseuse instead of driving around the city looking for it.
We got back about 4:30, unloaded everything and then had a drink while we waited for a macaroni casserole (made ahead by Pat) to cook for dinner. Guess we hadn’t crammed enough into the day as we played Canasta again.
Jan 15th - Tues - San Carlos
Laundry this morning and then Pat & I took the bus to Guaymas for dentist appointments. Steve & Linda recommended another dentist. I had my teeth cleaned and had a sensitive tooth looked at. Pat had one filling and a price quote for removing a 3 tooth bridge, doing a filling underneath and replacing the bridge. She had this work priced in Canada for about $1000 more than it will cost her here. I have to get 2 fillings and am going to get a root canal, post and crown on the sensitive tooth that is nearly all metal filling right now. We both liked the dentist and felt very comfortable with his work. He used an ultrasound cleaning system that I have not experienced before and it was wonderful - very gentle and painless. My teeth were not the least bit “sore” after the cleaning as they usually are.
When we returned on the bus, we found that Terry & Rick had gone golfing so we walked to a small store for some groceries so we could make crab tostadas with the fresh crab that I bought from the fish vendor in the park this morning. We walked a little further to a clinic and I made an appointment for tomorrow to have a couple of skin issues looked at. I decided that I didn’t want to go to the dermatologist in Guaymas.
The guys had a great golf game, we had super crab tostadas together and then played Canasta to end a busy day.
Rick & Pat and we went for a great kayak excursion today. We drove just partway through San Carlos to launch. The water was smooth and the temperature was perfectly warm. We went through a couple of “holes” in rocks that was initially a bit scary for me but ended up being a lot of fun. We took out the kayaks, drove to Catch-22 beach, had lunch at the Soggy Peso Bar and then the guys watched some kite surfers while Pat & I looked for shells.
We all (“group of 8” and “lot people”) went to dinner tonight to say farewell to Dave & Margo who are leaving tomorrow. We went to a Greek restaurant where they roast a whole lamb on Saturdays and have live music several nights a week. Terry & I danced a bit.
We made a special wind chime for Dave & Margo and gave it to them when we got back from dinner. I can’t believe I did not get a picture of the wind chime - we used a huge seed pod from a tree in the park for the “hanger” portion, decorated with a couple of shells and used beer cans for the “chimes”. It turned out much better than this description sounds!
Jan 13th - Sun - San Carlos
We got up early this morning to say goodbye to Dave & Margo. Terry & I went for a bike ride downtown before going to JJ’s for lunch. JJ’s has a central eating area with a grill area, a food prep “building”, a deep fry “building”, an old trailer selling tobacco & cigars and a drink/smoothie “building” around the edges. I put “building” in quotes as they are partially open sided structures. We split their carne asada Donkey which is a large burrito with spiced, grilled meat to which you add your own condiments. Another interesting experience.
Another lovely day for golfing this afternoon.
Jan 14th - Mon - San Carlos
Another trip to Hermasillo today. We started with the casino this time and it beat us all up. Then Costco for hot dogs and shopping, Home Depot and Wal Mart. Pat had shopping lists for Geri and Craig so shopping took a while. We wanted to find an outdoor market but decided to get better instructions from Pat’s masseuse instead of driving around the city looking for it.
We got back about 4:30, unloaded everything and then had a drink while we waited for a macaroni casserole (made ahead by Pat) to cook for dinner. Guess we hadn’t crammed enough into the day as we played Canasta again.
Jan 15th - Tues - San Carlos
Laundry this morning and then Pat & I took the bus to Guaymas for dentist appointments. Steve & Linda recommended another dentist. I had my teeth cleaned and had a sensitive tooth looked at. Pat had one filling and a price quote for removing a 3 tooth bridge, doing a filling underneath and replacing the bridge. She had this work priced in Canada for about $1000 more than it will cost her here. I have to get 2 fillings and am going to get a root canal, post and crown on the sensitive tooth that is nearly all metal filling right now. We both liked the dentist and felt very comfortable with his work. He used an ultrasound cleaning system that I have not experienced before and it was wonderful - very gentle and painless. My teeth were not the least bit “sore” after the cleaning as they usually are.
When we returned on the bus, we found that Terry & Rick had gone golfing so we walked to a small store for some groceries so we could make crab tostadas with the fresh crab that I bought from the fish vendor in the park this morning. We walked a little further to a clinic and I made an appointment for tomorrow to have a couple of skin issues looked at. I decided that I didn’t want to go to the dermatologist in Guaymas.
The guys had a great golf game, we had super crab tostadas together and then played Canasta to end a busy day.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Jan 6th to 10th - San Carlos
Jan 6th - Sun - San Carlos
Golf again this afternoon. Then had Rick & Pat and Dave & Margo over for steak & prawn dinner. We watched what Rick said was the last episode of Desperate Housewives. We haven’t watched it for a long time - I think it is time for it to go as they are really reaching for story lines and some characters have become jokes.
Jan 7th - Mon - San Carlos
Laundry this morning. Most of the washers fill up very slowly so we take buckets, fill them with water at a nearby faucet and dump them in the washers for both the wash and rinse cycle. There were some other people doing laundry who didn’t know this trick so Terry ended up carrying water for them too.
We went to Baracuda Bob’s for a late breakfast with Dave & Margo and then went sightseeing on “Snob Hill”. Very narrow streets, some one-way, lovely views.
Pat made dinner for us tonight and then Pat & I showed the guys how to play Canasta.
Jan 8th - Tues - San Carlos
I have a cold now so rather than going kayaking I finally took the time to put comments on a lot of pictures and got them posted on the internet.
I was lucky enough to get to talk to Aunt Jessie this afternoon for over half an hour without getting dropped by Skype/internet. It was so nice!
Terry & I, Dave & Margo and Pat went for a long walk on the beach in the late afternoon. We had to return past the bar at the Fiesta Hotel and Dave was really thirsty so we stopped for our first happy hour drink. Had to hurry up a bit as it got cool & breezy and everyone was in shorts & Tshirts. Pat & Rick joined us for another drink in our rig before dinner.
Jan 9th - Wed - San Carlos
Went with Rick & Pat to Guaymas today. We found a new dentist and made appointments for Pat & I. We also found the office of a dermatologist but he was not there and the receptionist did not speak English so we didn’t make an appointment.
We went to lunch by the harbor and then walked around a bit and shopped before going to the Ley to pick up some groceries. Pat & I had both taken ribs out for dinner so we got together and ate.
Jan 10th - Thurs - San Carlos
I am still feeling a little puny so we had a lazy day and then played golf at 3. I actually did very well on the first 7 holes and then fell to pieces. It was another beautiful day. With the days getting longer, the sun was still up when we finished and we didn’t have to put on light jackets on the final holes.
Rick & Pat and we were going to go out for dinner but by the time we sat and had a drink and some munchies, Pat & I weren’t very hungry. So I made hamburger & noodles for dinner (sorry Rick!). Cable TV was not working again so we watched a movie. Pat & Rick had seen it and it definitely was not good enough to watch again so they left us to finish watching it.
Golf again this afternoon. Then had Rick & Pat and Dave & Margo over for steak & prawn dinner. We watched what Rick said was the last episode of Desperate Housewives. We haven’t watched it for a long time - I think it is time for it to go as they are really reaching for story lines and some characters have become jokes.
Jan 7th - Mon - San Carlos
Laundry this morning. Most of the washers fill up very slowly so we take buckets, fill them with water at a nearby faucet and dump them in the washers for both the wash and rinse cycle. There were some other people doing laundry who didn’t know this trick so Terry ended up carrying water for them too.
We went to Baracuda Bob’s for a late breakfast with Dave & Margo and then went sightseeing on “Snob Hill”. Very narrow streets, some one-way, lovely views.
Pat made dinner for us tonight and then Pat & I showed the guys how to play Canasta.
Jan 8th - Tues - San Carlos
I have a cold now so rather than going kayaking I finally took the time to put comments on a lot of pictures and got them posted on the internet.
I was lucky enough to get to talk to Aunt Jessie this afternoon for over half an hour without getting dropped by Skype/internet. It was so nice!
Terry & I, Dave & Margo and Pat went for a long walk on the beach in the late afternoon. We had to return past the bar at the Fiesta Hotel and Dave was really thirsty so we stopped for our first happy hour drink. Had to hurry up a bit as it got cool & breezy and everyone was in shorts & Tshirts. Pat & Rick joined us for another drink in our rig before dinner.
Jan 9th - Wed - San Carlos
Went with Rick & Pat to Guaymas today. We found a new dentist and made appointments for Pat & I. We also found the office of a dermatologist but he was not there and the receptionist did not speak English so we didn’t make an appointment.
We went to lunch by the harbor and then walked around a bit and shopped before going to the Ley to pick up some groceries. Pat & I had both taken ribs out for dinner so we got together and ate.
Jan 10th - Thurs - San Carlos
I am still feeling a little puny so we had a lazy day and then played golf at 3. I actually did very well on the first 7 holes and then fell to pieces. It was another beautiful day. With the days getting longer, the sun was still up when we finished and we didn’t have to put on light jackets on the final holes.
Rick & Pat and we were going to go out for dinner but by the time we sat and had a drink and some munchies, Pat & I weren’t very hungry. So I made hamburger & noodles for dinner (sorry Rick!). Cable TV was not working again so we watched a movie. Pat & Rick had seen it and it definitely was not good enough to watch again so they left us to finish watching it.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Jan 4th & 5th - San Carlos
Jan 4th - Fri - San Carlos
The cooking class went by bus to the Ley (grocery store) in Guaymas today to buy cheeses. Maria (cooking teacher) also helped us decipher the many types of tequila found in the Ley. Before we went shopping, I had Maria talk to the hairdresser who cut my hair when we first arrived as I needed another haircut but did not know how to instruct the stylist. After shopping, when other women were enjoying coffee, Pat & I both got haircuts. Then Margo, Pat & I walked and shopped further downtown until we arrived at our lunch destination near the harbor. We had a very nice lunch, walked & shopped part way back and then caught the bus back to the RV park. We arrived back just in time for the 3:30 cheese tasting. We tasted 8 cheeses and I think I would only buy 2 of them.
Terry & Dave went clamming while we were gone and got half a bucket of clams. They were not smart enough to stop somewhere for lunch so they went for a hamburger while we were tasting cheese. Rick has a cold so he is taking it easy.
We taught Margo to play Canasta as Margo & Terry played against Pat and me. We each won one game before calling it a night at 10:30.
Jan 5th - Sat - San Carlos
Rick & Pat and we went shopping for some “lot warming” gifts for our friends (Steve & Linda, Craig & Cathy and Bill & Tammy) who are setting up their RV sites on 2 lots and then we delivered the gifts. It was half past lunch time according to Rick’s stomach so Steve & Craig joined us for hot dogs at El Cheque which is a little place on the main street of San Carlos. The guy wraps bacon around the hot dogs before grilling them and the buns are baked in a bakery right next door. We had a large, late breakfast so I just ate a goodie from the bakery but the hot dogs looked good. Pat & I walked to Tony’s (produce stand) for a few items.
Pat made tempura (deep fried) prawns and zucchini for happy hour and I made guacamole. Unfortunately for Dave & Margo, they were having too much fun drinking beer on the beach and didn’t get back until all the prawns & zucchini were gone. “The girls” played Canasta after happy hour and made the guys fend for themselves. Pat & I won but I made the game a lot closer by making a stupid mistake! Oh well!
The weather is warming up during the day but still cool in the evenings.
The cooking class went by bus to the Ley (grocery store) in Guaymas today to buy cheeses. Maria (cooking teacher) also helped us decipher the many types of tequila found in the Ley. Before we went shopping, I had Maria talk to the hairdresser who cut my hair when we first arrived as I needed another haircut but did not know how to instruct the stylist. After shopping, when other women were enjoying coffee, Pat & I both got haircuts. Then Margo, Pat & I walked and shopped further downtown until we arrived at our lunch destination near the harbor. We had a very nice lunch, walked & shopped part way back and then caught the bus back to the RV park. We arrived back just in time for the 3:30 cheese tasting. We tasted 8 cheeses and I think I would only buy 2 of them.
Terry & Dave went clamming while we were gone and got half a bucket of clams. They were not smart enough to stop somewhere for lunch so they went for a hamburger while we were tasting cheese. Rick has a cold so he is taking it easy.
We taught Margo to play Canasta as Margo & Terry played against Pat and me. We each won one game before calling it a night at 10:30.
Jan 5th - Sat - San Carlos
Rick & Pat and we went shopping for some “lot warming” gifts for our friends (Steve & Linda, Craig & Cathy and Bill & Tammy) who are setting up their RV sites on 2 lots and then we delivered the gifts. It was half past lunch time according to Rick’s stomach so Steve & Craig joined us for hot dogs at El Cheque which is a little place on the main street of San Carlos. The guy wraps bacon around the hot dogs before grilling them and the buns are baked in a bakery right next door. We had a large, late breakfast so I just ate a goodie from the bakery but the hot dogs looked good. Pat & I walked to Tony’s (produce stand) for a few items.
Pat made tempura (deep fried) prawns and zucchini for happy hour and I made guacamole. Unfortunately for Dave & Margo, they were having too much fun drinking beer on the beach and didn’t get back until all the prawns & zucchini were gone. “The girls” played Canasta after happy hour and made the guys fend for themselves. Pat & I won but I made the game a lot closer by making a stupid mistake! Oh well!
The weather is warming up during the day but still cool in the evenings.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Jan 2nd & 3rd - San Carlos
Jan 2nd - Wed - San Carlos
Lazy morning with some cleaning and a drive to take some pictures and check out a couple of small grocery stores for “future reference”.
We played golf in the afternoon - Rick, Terry & Craig and Pat, Cathy & I. Cathy has not played much golf lately - at least partly due to tendonitis in both elbows. She was rusty but had some great shots so hope it encourages her to play more with us.
Golf was slow due to groups ahead of us so we got back late and it was quite cool. I had asked Rick & Pat to join us for dinner and then we played Canasta again. Pat & I started out great but then the cards failed us and the guys won again. Maybe they forget who cooks the meals!!
Jan 3rd - Thurs - San Carlos/Empalme
Our “group of 8” went sightseeing today. We went through Guaymas & Empalme to Ortiz to see an old fort that a friend in the park had mentioned. It was an interesting drive with a lot of large cultivated fields and a large dairy past Empalme. The fort was quite large but not maintained - lots of garbage & graffiti. A man and several children came over and the man tried to explain the history but his English was not too good. We gathered that the fort was used for protection of farmers but we don’t know from whom.
From there we went to a large beach near Empalme. We were all walking along the beach when a guy in a rickety bar started putting out tables & chairs on the sand and motioning us to come over. We were looking for a place to have lunch so we went over and ordered beer. I needed to use the restroom so asked if there was one available. He said yes and rushed in ahead of me to take a bucket and rag and wipe down the broken toilet. He provided some TP (common in Mexico) and had placed a container of water on the bar for me to wash my hands when I came out. While we were drinking our beer, he came back out first with a plate of chips & cheetos and then with sliced, salted cucumbers with lemon to squeeze over them - good. He also asked if we would buy him a beer - of course we said yes so he came out with his beer and we asked him a couple of questions which he answered with a bit of English and very good pantomime.
We were not encouraged to have lunch (and were not sure he did more than snacks) so stopped for lunch at the Flamingo Hotel in Guaymas. It was quite good but a couple of orders got confused and Terry & Rick ended up with lamb. They did not figure it out until they had both eaten part of their meal. Geri ended up with enough lamb for a meal.
Lazy morning with some cleaning and a drive to take some pictures and check out a couple of small grocery stores for “future reference”.
We played golf in the afternoon - Rick, Terry & Craig and Pat, Cathy & I. Cathy has not played much golf lately - at least partly due to tendonitis in both elbows. She was rusty but had some great shots so hope it encourages her to play more with us.
Golf was slow due to groups ahead of us so we got back late and it was quite cool. I had asked Rick & Pat to join us for dinner and then we played Canasta again. Pat & I started out great but then the cards failed us and the guys won again. Maybe they forget who cooks the meals!!
Jan 3rd - Thurs - San Carlos/Empalme
Our “group of 8” went sightseeing today. We went through Guaymas & Empalme to Ortiz to see an old fort that a friend in the park had mentioned. It was an interesting drive with a lot of large cultivated fields and a large dairy past Empalme. The fort was quite large but not maintained - lots of garbage & graffiti. A man and several children came over and the man tried to explain the history but his English was not too good. We gathered that the fort was used for protection of farmers but we don’t know from whom.
From there we went to a large beach near Empalme. We were all walking along the beach when a guy in a rickety bar started putting out tables & chairs on the sand and motioning us to come over. We were looking for a place to have lunch so we went over and ordered beer. I needed to use the restroom so asked if there was one available. He said yes and rushed in ahead of me to take a bucket and rag and wipe down the broken toilet. He provided some TP (common in Mexico) and had placed a container of water on the bar for me to wash my hands when I came out. While we were drinking our beer, he came back out first with a plate of chips & cheetos and then with sliced, salted cucumbers with lemon to squeeze over them - good. He also asked if we would buy him a beer - of course we said yes so he came out with his beer and we asked him a couple of questions which he answered with a bit of English and very good pantomime.
We were not encouraged to have lunch (and were not sure he did more than snacks) so stopped for lunch at the Flamingo Hotel in Guaymas. It was quite good but a couple of orders got confused and Terry & Rick ended up with lamb. They did not figure it out until they had both eaten part of their meal. Geri ended up with enough lamb for a meal.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Dec 30th to Jan 1st 2008 - San Carlos
Dec 30th - Sun - San Carlos
Thought I would be the only one doing laundry on Sunday morning but I was wrong - full house. The washers don’t fill with water very quickly so I had Terry pack buckets of water from a nearby tap to speed up the process. I was finished with drying when a lady who started her wash ahead of me was still on the final spin of one washing machine.
We played golf at 3:00. Bill played with Pat & I and the guys had a foursome. It was a warmer day so was very pleasant, even when the sun went down. The rest of our group joined us for happy hour when we got back and then we went our separate ways for dinner.
Dec 31st - Mon - San Carlos
Rick & Pat, Margo and we went grocery shopping at the Ley in Guaymas this morning. It was quite busy.
We had no group consensus on “appetizer dinner” or dinner out tonight so Pat asked us to share dinner with them. Of course we started with snacks at Happy Hour and then moved to their place. After dinner we came back to our rig so we could set up a table in the middle of the living room area to facilitate card playing. Rick & Pat taught us how to play Hand & Foot Canasta. Pat & I let the guys win! Had a good time.
After dessert, Pat & I walked to the road to check out any New Year’s Eve action. The park, the street and nearby businesses where all very quiet. This was at 10:20 so we thought the nightclub was not going to be open - wrong!! The music did not start until nearly midnight and went until after 6:00 am. I woke a couple of times but luckily went back to sleep fairly quickly. Someone said they expected the nightclub to slow down after the holidays - sure hope they are correct.
Jan 1st - Tues - HAPPY NEW YEAR from San Carlos
I puttered around making salsa and banana coffee cake this morning. We cannot find mild/medium salsa here so I am experimenting with making my own. I shared the coffee cake with our group and Margo asked me for tea as Dave was fishing with a neighbor. Terry was at loose ends so he rode his bicycle to town to find a Mexico map.
Bill & Geri made seafood linguine for our group of 8 and Craig & Cathy and Bill & Tammy. The rest of us provided salad, rolls and dessert. Great food but the flies sure find it quickly. We ate shortly after 3 and then sat around chatting. I started getting cool at 6:45 so headed for home.
Wifi has been sporadic at best for a few days. I managed to call Terry’s mom for a few minutes but gave up after getting dropped the second time.
Thought I would be the only one doing laundry on Sunday morning but I was wrong - full house. The washers don’t fill with water very quickly so I had Terry pack buckets of water from a nearby tap to speed up the process. I was finished with drying when a lady who started her wash ahead of me was still on the final spin of one washing machine.
We played golf at 3:00. Bill played with Pat & I and the guys had a foursome. It was a warmer day so was very pleasant, even when the sun went down. The rest of our group joined us for happy hour when we got back and then we went our separate ways for dinner.
Dec 31st - Mon - San Carlos
Rick & Pat, Margo and we went grocery shopping at the Ley in Guaymas this morning. It was quite busy.
We had no group consensus on “appetizer dinner” or dinner out tonight so Pat asked us to share dinner with them. Of course we started with snacks at Happy Hour and then moved to their place. After dinner we came back to our rig so we could set up a table in the middle of the living room area to facilitate card playing. Rick & Pat taught us how to play Hand & Foot Canasta. Pat & I let the guys win! Had a good time.
After dessert, Pat & I walked to the road to check out any New Year’s Eve action. The park, the street and nearby businesses where all very quiet. This was at 10:20 so we thought the nightclub was not going to be open - wrong!! The music did not start until nearly midnight and went until after 6:00 am. I woke a couple of times but luckily went back to sleep fairly quickly. Someone said they expected the nightclub to slow down after the holidays - sure hope they are correct.
Jan 1st - Tues - HAPPY NEW YEAR from San Carlos
I puttered around making salsa and banana coffee cake this morning. We cannot find mild/medium salsa here so I am experimenting with making my own. I shared the coffee cake with our group and Margo asked me for tea as Dave was fishing with a neighbor. Terry was at loose ends so he rode his bicycle to town to find a Mexico map.
Bill & Geri made seafood linguine for our group of 8 and Craig & Cathy and Bill & Tammy. The rest of us provided salad, rolls and dessert. Great food but the flies sure find it quickly. We ate shortly after 3 and then sat around chatting. I started getting cool at 6:45 so headed for home.
Wifi has been sporadic at best for a few days. I managed to call Terry’s mom for a few minutes but gave up after getting dropped the second time.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Dec 25th to 29th - San Carlos
Dec 25th - Tues - MERRY CHRISTMAS from San Carlos
Another lovely day. One of the Rvers in the park arranged a pot luck dinner here so I made (leftover) turkey enchiladas for the event. It started at 2:00 and the wind was cool so everyone ate and broke up early.
Pat, Geri & I went walking on the beach and picked up interesting shells and rocks for Cathy to use in landscaping their lot. Short happy hour until the cool air sent everyone inside.
Dec 26th - Wed - San Carlos
Our group of 8 and one extra (Diane) went kayaking this morning. There is very little tide fluctuation right now so the water was not supposed to be too low in the estuary. It was beautiful - calm & birds everywhere. On the way back we found out that the tide was going out and Terry & I “ran aground”. Terry hit first and got out of his boat and towed it. So when I then got stuck, he was sweet enough to come tow me to deeper water!
After lunch, Rick & Pat and we went golfing. We played the back 9 this time and the guys struggled quite a bit. I got the best score - 52! I think we should not kayak and golf on the same day. It really cooled off just before the sun disappeared which is when we were on the 17th green.
Dec 27th - Thurs - Hermasillo
Rick & Pat and we went on an adventure to Hermasillo today. It is 133 km (about 90 miles) away. It is a large city that we drove though on the way here. We found Home Depot, WalMart, Costco and a casino. Costco has hot dogs like U.S. stores so of course we had lunch there. The casino has slot machines that accept a card with money (pesos) on it. When you hit a bonus, the instructions on the screen are in Spanish. Luckily, we have played enough slot machines to guess where on the screen that you have to touch. Pat & I lost our 250 pesos (about $25) but Terry ended up covering my losses so it only cost us 10 ($1) pesos to play for a couple of hours.
We will go back to Hermasillo sometime. It is clean and fairly easy to get around. They have an outdoor market that we want to check out and apparently have a couple of more casinos!
Dec 28th - Fri - San Carlos
Washed sheets this morning and they were dry on the line just in time for Pat to hang up her laundry. After a late, big breakfast, Terry & I went for a long walk downtown. We started out just on a short jaunt to the visitor info center to look for a Hermasillo map. The info center wasn’t open so we just kept going and checked out a few gift shops.
While we were walking, we saw a truck go by with Oregon plates and a sign that said “mobile RV repair”. Dave & Margo’s hot water tank is not working so when we got back, Dave & Terry hoped in the truck and went to see if they could find the repair guy. He was in the RV park at the other end of town and was just finishing fixing something for someone else. He agreed to look at Dave’s tank and was able to fix it. While he was here, other people in the park came over to see if he could look at their problems but he said he was on vacation and was only doing this work for a friend. Now, hopefully Dave & Margo will stick around a while!
Pat organized a hamburger dinner for our group with everyone contributing something. Again, it was an early evening out due to cool weather. Dave & Margo came over to our rig for coffee afterwards.
Dec 29th - Sat - San Carlos
Busy day today. Dave & Margo, Rick & Pat and we went exploring on bicycles with an eventual destination of Craig & Cathy’s lot. We admired all the work they have done and then stopped on the way back at Charly’s Rock for a beer and some tacos for lunch.
Super-organizer Pat (thank you, thank you, thank you!) made reservations for 18 of us to go bowling and then to dinner. The bowling was a kick - unfortunately the “Happy Hour Bowling” from a few years ago was no longer happening as the alley does not have a liquor license any more. The rental shoes are pretty grungy with no insoles but everyone was smart enough to wear socks.
Dinner was outside on the patio at El Gallo. They have tall propane heaters so it was comfortable. Food was pretty good, service a bit slow as apparently a waiter did not show up so the owner was moving very fast serving and trying to keep an eye on things in the kitchen.
I thought I would be tired enough to sleep through the nightclub noise but I went to sleep too early so was wide awake at 12:40 and a long time after listening to the racket.
Another lovely day. One of the Rvers in the park arranged a pot luck dinner here so I made (leftover) turkey enchiladas for the event. It started at 2:00 and the wind was cool so everyone ate and broke up early.
Pat, Geri & I went walking on the beach and picked up interesting shells and rocks for Cathy to use in landscaping their lot. Short happy hour until the cool air sent everyone inside.
Dec 26th - Wed - San Carlos
Our group of 8 and one extra (Diane) went kayaking this morning. There is very little tide fluctuation right now so the water was not supposed to be too low in the estuary. It was beautiful - calm & birds everywhere. On the way back we found out that the tide was going out and Terry & I “ran aground”. Terry hit first and got out of his boat and towed it. So when I then got stuck, he was sweet enough to come tow me to deeper water!
After lunch, Rick & Pat and we went golfing. We played the back 9 this time and the guys struggled quite a bit. I got the best score - 52! I think we should not kayak and golf on the same day. It really cooled off just before the sun disappeared which is when we were on the 17th green.
Dec 27th - Thurs - Hermasillo
Rick & Pat and we went on an adventure to Hermasillo today. It is 133 km (about 90 miles) away. It is a large city that we drove though on the way here. We found Home Depot, WalMart, Costco and a casino. Costco has hot dogs like U.S. stores so of course we had lunch there. The casino has slot machines that accept a card with money (pesos) on it. When you hit a bonus, the instructions on the screen are in Spanish. Luckily, we have played enough slot machines to guess where on the screen that you have to touch. Pat & I lost our 250 pesos (about $25) but Terry ended up covering my losses so it only cost us 10 ($1) pesos to play for a couple of hours.
We will go back to Hermasillo sometime. It is clean and fairly easy to get around. They have an outdoor market that we want to check out and apparently have a couple of more casinos!
Dec 28th - Fri - San Carlos
Washed sheets this morning and they were dry on the line just in time for Pat to hang up her laundry. After a late, big breakfast, Terry & I went for a long walk downtown. We started out just on a short jaunt to the visitor info center to look for a Hermasillo map. The info center wasn’t open so we just kept going and checked out a few gift shops.
While we were walking, we saw a truck go by with Oregon plates and a sign that said “mobile RV repair”. Dave & Margo’s hot water tank is not working so when we got back, Dave & Terry hoped in the truck and went to see if they could find the repair guy. He was in the RV park at the other end of town and was just finishing fixing something for someone else. He agreed to look at Dave’s tank and was able to fix it. While he was here, other people in the park came over to see if he could look at their problems but he said he was on vacation and was only doing this work for a friend. Now, hopefully Dave & Margo will stick around a while!
Pat organized a hamburger dinner for our group with everyone contributing something. Again, it was an early evening out due to cool weather. Dave & Margo came over to our rig for coffee afterwards.
Dec 29th - Sat - San Carlos
Busy day today. Dave & Margo, Rick & Pat and we went exploring on bicycles with an eventual destination of Craig & Cathy’s lot. We admired all the work they have done and then stopped on the way back at Charly’s Rock for a beer and some tacos for lunch.
Super-organizer Pat (thank you, thank you, thank you!) made reservations for 18 of us to go bowling and then to dinner. The bowling was a kick - unfortunately the “Happy Hour Bowling” from a few years ago was no longer happening as the alley does not have a liquor license any more. The rental shoes are pretty grungy with no insoles but everyone was smart enough to wear socks.
Dinner was outside on the patio at El Gallo. They have tall propane heaters so it was comfortable. Food was pretty good, service a bit slow as apparently a waiter did not show up so the owner was moving very fast serving and trying to keep an eye on things in the kitchen.
I thought I would be tired enough to sleep through the nightclub noise but I went to sleep too early so was wide awake at 12:40 and a long time after listening to the racket.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Dec 21st to 24th - San Carlos
Dec 21st - Fri - San Carlos
The owner of the RV park provided beer and margaritas for a Christmas get together at 2:00 today. Everyone brought food and we gathered by the pool to drink & eat. My contribution was devilled eggs and I really messed up and put too much salt in the yolks. So I separated more eggs, cooked the yolks in the microwave and mixed them with part of the too salty yolks. They were still too salty but there were quite a few people at the gathering so I figured no one would be eating more than one anyhow!
Dec 22nd - Sat - San Carlos
Terry & I went shopping in San Carlos this morning for our gift exchange. Then Terry went kayaking with Pat & Rick while I gave Dolly a haircut and a bath. It was quite windy for the kayakers so I am glad that I didn’t go.
Pat & Rick, Bill & Geri and we walked to a nice restaurant (Fiesta) for dinner. We sat out on the deck with a drink to watch the sunset and then moved inside for dinner. We all had chateaubriand (for 2) and it was wonderful! The meat was incredibly tender and well seasoned. It was served with a choice of mixed greens salad - dressing on the side - or tortilla soup which Terry enjoyed. Also included a small baked potato, julienne peppers, Harvard beets and garlic toast. The drink waiter “upsold” us on the margaritas and no one thought to ask the price. They ended up costing $12.95 each!! Good thing we only had one round!
Dec 23rd - Sun - San Carlos
Did laundry this morning before going grocery shopping at the Ley in Guaymas with Pat & Rick. It was very busy but all check stands were open so didn’t take long to get out. It takes a while to figure out what might be the item that you want with everything labeled in Spanish!
We golfed at 3:00. Pat & I teed off first as Craig did not show up on time. There ended up being a foursome of guys so Pat & I had time to continue on hole 10 and then cut through some home construction and play back to the clubhouse on hole 18. The wives of the other guys playing with Terry showed up along with another couple (Bill & Tammy) to have hamburgers at the clubhouse restaurant. Pat borrowed a truck to go get Rick and brought back Bill & Geri as well so we had a large group for dinner.
Dec 24th - Mon - San Carlos
Our “group of 8” got together for a turkey dinner today. I cooked a 14 lb turkey (just fit in the oven!) with stuffing made by Pat and gravy made by me, Margo did a broccoli casserole & rolls, Geri provided mashed potatoes & pickles and Pat did a layered pumpkin dessert. Had to set up our tables in the shade as it was too warm in the sun at 2:00.
After dinner & dishes were cleaned up, 5 of us had a good time playing Tripoly. Rick made the mistake of trying to have a nap while we were right outside his rig!
We did a little gift exchange where you can take an unopened gift or steal a gift from someone else. Lots of fun. Then we all put on long pants and jackets to go over to the main road along the beach to watch the decorated boat parade. The boats were nicely done but there were only 13. Apparently there was supposed to be a fireworks show at 10:30 or 11 but we did not stick around. We heard occasional fireworks but it didn’t sound like a large display.
The owner of the RV park provided beer and margaritas for a Christmas get together at 2:00 today. Everyone brought food and we gathered by the pool to drink & eat. My contribution was devilled eggs and I really messed up and put too much salt in the yolks. So I separated more eggs, cooked the yolks in the microwave and mixed them with part of the too salty yolks. They were still too salty but there were quite a few people at the gathering so I figured no one would be eating more than one anyhow!
Dec 22nd - Sat - San Carlos
Terry & I went shopping in San Carlos this morning for our gift exchange. Then Terry went kayaking with Pat & Rick while I gave Dolly a haircut and a bath. It was quite windy for the kayakers so I am glad that I didn’t go.
Pat & Rick, Bill & Geri and we walked to a nice restaurant (Fiesta) for dinner. We sat out on the deck with a drink to watch the sunset and then moved inside for dinner. We all had chateaubriand (for 2) and it was wonderful! The meat was incredibly tender and well seasoned. It was served with a choice of mixed greens salad - dressing on the side - or tortilla soup which Terry enjoyed. Also included a small baked potato, julienne peppers, Harvard beets and garlic toast. The drink waiter “upsold” us on the margaritas and no one thought to ask the price. They ended up costing $12.95 each!! Good thing we only had one round!
Dec 23rd - Sun - San Carlos
Did laundry this morning before going grocery shopping at the Ley in Guaymas with Pat & Rick. It was very busy but all check stands were open so didn’t take long to get out. It takes a while to figure out what might be the item that you want with everything labeled in Spanish!
We golfed at 3:00. Pat & I teed off first as Craig did not show up on time. There ended up being a foursome of guys so Pat & I had time to continue on hole 10 and then cut through some home construction and play back to the clubhouse on hole 18. The wives of the other guys playing with Terry showed up along with another couple (Bill & Tammy) to have hamburgers at the clubhouse restaurant. Pat borrowed a truck to go get Rick and brought back Bill & Geri as well so we had a large group for dinner.
Dec 24th - Mon - San Carlos
Our “group of 8” got together for a turkey dinner today. I cooked a 14 lb turkey (just fit in the oven!) with stuffing made by Pat and gravy made by me, Margo did a broccoli casserole & rolls, Geri provided mashed potatoes & pickles and Pat did a layered pumpkin dessert. Had to set up our tables in the shade as it was too warm in the sun at 2:00.
After dinner & dishes were cleaned up, 5 of us had a good time playing Tripoly. Rick made the mistake of trying to have a nap while we were right outside his rig!
We did a little gift exchange where you can take an unopened gift or steal a gift from someone else. Lots of fun. Then we all put on long pants and jackets to go over to the main road along the beach to watch the decorated boat parade. The boats were nicely done but there were only 13. Apparently there was supposed to be a fireworks show at 10:30 or 11 but we did not stick around. We heard occasional fireworks but it didn’t sound like a large display.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Dec 14th to 20th - San Carlos
Dec 14th - Fri - San Carlos
Yes, I am several days behind in the blog!!!
Terry & I rode our bicycles to a nearby bakery for cinnamon rolls this morning which we shared with Rick & Pat.
We aired up our kayaks and the whole group headed out from some paddling. It was lovely. The water is so clear and there was only a slight breeze. We paddled across a small bay, through a narrow passage and then back around into the bay. There are lots of pelicans here and there were a couple of rock outcroppings with many birds. They usually just watched us go by.
We rode with Rick & Pat and Rick wanted to look for other places to launch kayaks. We ended up on a very narrow, bumpy road along another bay with steep drops into the water - won’t be going there to launch kayaks.
Dec 15th - Sat - San Carlos
Terry took me to the dentist for a 9:30 appointment to re-prep my tooth for the crown. The dentist gave me the Novocain very slowly this time so it did not hurt like the first time. And then I toughed out some discomfort (pain!!) so he wouldn’t have to give me more!
Terry took a card for Dean to a restaurant where US mail is taken to be mailed in the states while I started some laundry. On his way back, Terry saw Dave & Margo heading into Charlie’s Rock for a beer so we went and joined them. Charlie’s Rock has tables & bar stools facing the ocean on the outside wall. There is no glass in the openings and the restaurant is on a small bluff above the ocean so the view is wonderful.
Dec 16th - Sun - San Carlos
We took 2 rigs and all 8 of our group to the Sunday “market” in Empalme this morning. Empalme is about ½ hour from here. Some streets are closed and packed with vendors and people. A lot of “garage sale” stuff, lots of prepared food and quite a bit of fruit/vegetable/meat stands. Total purchases - Geri bought one small wine glass and Pat bought cotton candy - and ate it all by herself!
We stopped at an eatery in Guaymas for a beer and crab tostadas for lunch. Rick led us on a sightseeing tour of Guaymas and ended up at a statue with viewing platforms on a hill above the city.
Dec 17th - Mon - San Carlos
I went to Spanish lessons this morning while Terry did some chores.
When Terry woke up this morning he mentioned that he must have slept wrong as his neck was stiff. Well, it got really bad and he started getting muscle spasms that would almost bring him to his knees. Pat massaged his neck & shoulder with a heating rub and it felt better - but just long enough to go for a walk with Rick & Pat. Geri then contributed some pain pills and Rick added an ice pack. Terry got through a wonderful shared dinner with Pat’s seafood lasagna being the star dish and then I put him to bed.
Dec 18th - Tues - San Carlos
Slept late this morning and Terry’s neck is all better! But now my stomach is upset. Intermittent pains but no other typical symptoms - that we all hope not to get - until late tonight.
Dave & Margo, Bill & Geri and we took our kayaks to the estuary this morning. But we didn’t get too far out and Terry & I were hitting bottom. Terry pushed his kayak further than I did and ended up getting out and pulling his kayak back to deeper water. Dave & Margo and we went searching for another place to launch but didn’t find anywhere.
After lunch I helped Margo set up a blog. At 3:00 we went golfing - Rick, Terry & Craig and Pat, Bill & I. It was a beautiful day.
Dave, Margo & Geri went to a place called Froggy’s at 4:30 to save tables for all of us so we could take advantage of the 2 for 1 pizza night. Won’t do that again - the pizza left a lot to be desired.
Dec 19th - Wed - San Carlos
I helped Rick install some fixes for his virus protection program on his computer before they joined us for another trip to Guaymas and the dentist. Before my appointment we found a bicycle shop for some new brake pads and checked out the Woolworth’s store.
Would you believe that my crown was not delivered to the dentist?! The lab had some problems and the dentist tried to figure out how to get hold of me but as we don’t have a phone that is hard. I had forgotten to tell them where we are staying as the office will get messages to residents if necessary. Made another appointment for tomorrow.
We sort of got lost in Guaymas and saw a lot of the town that we had previously not seen on our way to Sorriana’s grocery store.
My stomach was still bothering me so I read until it was time to go to the cooking class. She gave us a recipe for Picadillo which is a ground meat dish. Pat & I both had baby back ribs to cook for dinner so we got together at their place for dinner. I ate part of my dinner and headed back to our rig as I was not feeling well. I just finished reading a book when I sent my dinner to the sewer. Terry came back when he saw I was no longer in the recliner and we crawled into bed just after 7 and watched TV and I dozed.
Dec 20th - Thurs - San Carlos
To the dentist at 9:00 and the crown finally fit! I am going to get some more dental work done but not until next year.
We stopped at the grocery store (Ley) in Guaymas on the way back and bought a small turkey for a group Christmas dinner. Then we stopped at Barracuda Bob’s, a café beside the laundromat, for a breakfast burrito.
I am still recovering from my intestinal disorder so I did some light cleaning while Terry & Pat took the metal detectors to a beach. They found lots of pull-tabs and pop cans but nothing of value or interest.
Steve & Linda from Boise arrived this afternoon with another couple that we have not met yet.
No Happy Hour tonight which is just as well as I might be tempted to have a drink which would probably not make my stomach feel any better.
Yes, I am several days behind in the blog!!!
Terry & I rode our bicycles to a nearby bakery for cinnamon rolls this morning which we shared with Rick & Pat.
We aired up our kayaks and the whole group headed out from some paddling. It was lovely. The water is so clear and there was only a slight breeze. We paddled across a small bay, through a narrow passage and then back around into the bay. There are lots of pelicans here and there were a couple of rock outcroppings with many birds. They usually just watched us go by.
We rode with Rick & Pat and Rick wanted to look for other places to launch kayaks. We ended up on a very narrow, bumpy road along another bay with steep drops into the water - won’t be going there to launch kayaks.
Dec 15th - Sat - San Carlos
Terry took me to the dentist for a 9:30 appointment to re-prep my tooth for the crown. The dentist gave me the Novocain very slowly this time so it did not hurt like the first time. And then I toughed out some discomfort (pain!!) so he wouldn’t have to give me more!
Terry took a card for Dean to a restaurant where US mail is taken to be mailed in the states while I started some laundry. On his way back, Terry saw Dave & Margo heading into Charlie’s Rock for a beer so we went and joined them. Charlie’s Rock has tables & bar stools facing the ocean on the outside wall. There is no glass in the openings and the restaurant is on a small bluff above the ocean so the view is wonderful.
Dec 16th - Sun - San Carlos
We took 2 rigs and all 8 of our group to the Sunday “market” in Empalme this morning. Empalme is about ½ hour from here. Some streets are closed and packed with vendors and people. A lot of “garage sale” stuff, lots of prepared food and quite a bit of fruit/vegetable/meat stands. Total purchases - Geri bought one small wine glass and Pat bought cotton candy - and ate it all by herself!
We stopped at an eatery in Guaymas for a beer and crab tostadas for lunch. Rick led us on a sightseeing tour of Guaymas and ended up at a statue with viewing platforms on a hill above the city.
Dec 17th - Mon - San Carlos
I went to Spanish lessons this morning while Terry did some chores.
When Terry woke up this morning he mentioned that he must have slept wrong as his neck was stiff. Well, it got really bad and he started getting muscle spasms that would almost bring him to his knees. Pat massaged his neck & shoulder with a heating rub and it felt better - but just long enough to go for a walk with Rick & Pat. Geri then contributed some pain pills and Rick added an ice pack. Terry got through a wonderful shared dinner with Pat’s seafood lasagna being the star dish and then I put him to bed.
Dec 18th - Tues - San Carlos
Slept late this morning and Terry’s neck is all better! But now my stomach is upset. Intermittent pains but no other typical symptoms - that we all hope not to get - until late tonight.
Dave & Margo, Bill & Geri and we took our kayaks to the estuary this morning. But we didn’t get too far out and Terry & I were hitting bottom. Terry pushed his kayak further than I did and ended up getting out and pulling his kayak back to deeper water. Dave & Margo and we went searching for another place to launch but didn’t find anywhere.
After lunch I helped Margo set up a blog. At 3:00 we went golfing - Rick, Terry & Craig and Pat, Bill & I. It was a beautiful day.
Dave, Margo & Geri went to a place called Froggy’s at 4:30 to save tables for all of us so we could take advantage of the 2 for 1 pizza night. Won’t do that again - the pizza left a lot to be desired.
Dec 19th - Wed - San Carlos
I helped Rick install some fixes for his virus protection program on his computer before they joined us for another trip to Guaymas and the dentist. Before my appointment we found a bicycle shop for some new brake pads and checked out the Woolworth’s store.
Would you believe that my crown was not delivered to the dentist?! The lab had some problems and the dentist tried to figure out how to get hold of me but as we don’t have a phone that is hard. I had forgotten to tell them where we are staying as the office will get messages to residents if necessary. Made another appointment for tomorrow.
We sort of got lost in Guaymas and saw a lot of the town that we had previously not seen on our way to Sorriana’s grocery store.
My stomach was still bothering me so I read until it was time to go to the cooking class. She gave us a recipe for Picadillo which is a ground meat dish. Pat & I both had baby back ribs to cook for dinner so we got together at their place for dinner. I ate part of my dinner and headed back to our rig as I was not feeling well. I just finished reading a book when I sent my dinner to the sewer. Terry came back when he saw I was no longer in the recliner and we crawled into bed just after 7 and watched TV and I dozed.
Dec 20th - Thurs - San Carlos
To the dentist at 9:00 and the crown finally fit! I am going to get some more dental work done but not until next year.
We stopped at the grocery store (Ley) in Guaymas on the way back and bought a small turkey for a group Christmas dinner. Then we stopped at Barracuda Bob’s, a café beside the laundromat, for a breakfast burrito.
I am still recovering from my intestinal disorder so I did some light cleaning while Terry & Pat took the metal detectors to a beach. They found lots of pull-tabs and pop cans but nothing of value or interest.
Steve & Linda from Boise arrived this afternoon with another couple that we have not met yet.
No Happy Hour tonight which is just as well as I might be tempted to have a drink which would probably not make my stomach feel any better.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Dec 11th to 13th - San Carlos
Dec 11th - Tues - San Carlos
Pat & Rick, Geri & Bill and Terry & I walked down the street for breakfast at Rosie’s Cantina. Very nice, typical American food available. Stopped at a small grocery store on the way back.
All 8 of us then went for a hike in Nacarule Canyon. It was beautiful. I will try to get the pictures posted soon. I think it was 1.6 kilometers. Just wonderful, not too strenuous but we knew we had been for a walk.
Then we all continued out to a beach and the Soggy Peso Bar for a margarita and a snack. All in all a great day!
Dec 12th - Wed - San Carlos
Back to the dentist today with the same results - the crown did not fit. It turns out the lab did some adjusting on the old crown instead of using the new impression to make a new crown. So I will be coming back again tomorrow. Rick very kindly drove to Guaymas again and on the way back we stopped at a nice hotel/resort and walked around the grounds & dock. Didn’t look like many people were staying there but Rick said it caters more to Mexicans and they do not go to the beach in the winter.
All of the women in our group went to a cooking class this afternoon which is taught by the same lady (Maria) who offers the Spanish class. We learned about different types of chilies and chose which type of salsa we wanted to make tomorrow.
We signed up for Skype which is a way of making phone calls using the computer. We use a headset/microphone and can call any phone number or other Skype users. There is a slight delay when speaking but not too bad.
Craig & Cathy joined us for Happy Hour today so we had a larger group.
We wanted to try Skype and call someone tonight but the wifi was down so couldn’t do it.
We found out today via an email from Terry’s brother Harry that Terry’s Mom is in the hospital after an operation on her back. She chipped a vertebra which exposed a nerve - very painful. They used a bonding agent to cover the nerve and removed the bone chip. She should be home in a couple of days. We couldn’t figure out why she had not sent us an email!!
Dec 13th - Thurs - San Carlos
The “cooking class” met Maria at 9:30 this morning to take the bus to the market at Guaymas. Maria led us though the market (the Mercado), showed the different types of chilies and helped us buy ingredients for our salsas. Pat, Geri, Margo and I split from the rest of the group and walked to my dentist appointment, stopping at some stores along the way.
Would you believe the new crown still did not fit. So we will be starting over with the nasty Novocain and re-prepping the tooth to take it down a bit. There is just not enough room for the crown.
When we got back, the ladies made their salsas. Maria had bought a huge bag of fresh tortilla chips and the class met again at 3:30 to taste everyone’s salsa. It was very interesting to see how they all turned out. Most were too hot for me to eat more than one taste but I am a spicy food wimp.
Rick, Terry & Craig went golfing. They got back just after 5 and by then everyone else was cuddled up inside as it was fairly cool so we actually missed getting together for Happy Hour!
We used Skype tonight to make several phone calls. We got dropped at least once on every phone call - apparently the wifi signal was low. But at 2 cents a minute, I can call back a few times. The sound quality was fine - at least on this end - and no one was bothered too much by the slight sound delay.
Pat & Rick, Geri & Bill and Terry & I walked down the street for breakfast at Rosie’s Cantina. Very nice, typical American food available. Stopped at a small grocery store on the way back.
All 8 of us then went for a hike in Nacarule Canyon. It was beautiful. I will try to get the pictures posted soon. I think it was 1.6 kilometers. Just wonderful, not too strenuous but we knew we had been for a walk.
Then we all continued out to a beach and the Soggy Peso Bar for a margarita and a snack. All in all a great day!
Dec 12th - Wed - San Carlos
Back to the dentist today with the same results - the crown did not fit. It turns out the lab did some adjusting on the old crown instead of using the new impression to make a new crown. So I will be coming back again tomorrow. Rick very kindly drove to Guaymas again and on the way back we stopped at a nice hotel/resort and walked around the grounds & dock. Didn’t look like many people were staying there but Rick said it caters more to Mexicans and they do not go to the beach in the winter.
All of the women in our group went to a cooking class this afternoon which is taught by the same lady (Maria) who offers the Spanish class. We learned about different types of chilies and chose which type of salsa we wanted to make tomorrow.
We signed up for Skype which is a way of making phone calls using the computer. We use a headset/microphone and can call any phone number or other Skype users. There is a slight delay when speaking but not too bad.
Craig & Cathy joined us for Happy Hour today so we had a larger group.
We wanted to try Skype and call someone tonight but the wifi was down so couldn’t do it.
We found out today via an email from Terry’s brother Harry that Terry’s Mom is in the hospital after an operation on her back. She chipped a vertebra which exposed a nerve - very painful. They used a bonding agent to cover the nerve and removed the bone chip. She should be home in a couple of days. We couldn’t figure out why she had not sent us an email!!
Dec 13th - Thurs - San Carlos
The “cooking class” met Maria at 9:30 this morning to take the bus to the market at Guaymas. Maria led us though the market (the Mercado), showed the different types of chilies and helped us buy ingredients for our salsas. Pat, Geri, Margo and I split from the rest of the group and walked to my dentist appointment, stopping at some stores along the way.
Would you believe the new crown still did not fit. So we will be starting over with the nasty Novocain and re-prepping the tooth to take it down a bit. There is just not enough room for the crown.
When we got back, the ladies made their salsas. Maria had bought a huge bag of fresh tortilla chips and the class met again at 3:30 to taste everyone’s salsa. It was very interesting to see how they all turned out. Most were too hot for me to eat more than one taste but I am a spicy food wimp.
Rick, Terry & Craig went golfing. They got back just after 5 and by then everyone else was cuddled up inside as it was fairly cool so we actually missed getting together for Happy Hour!
We used Skype tonight to make several phone calls. We got dropped at least once on every phone call - apparently the wifi signal was low. But at 2 cents a minute, I can call back a few times. The sound quality was fine - at least on this end - and no one was bothered too much by the slight sound delay.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Dec 7th to 10th - San Carlos
Dec 7th - Fri - San Carlos
Pat & Rick and we did laundry this morning. We went to a laundromat in town as it is beside a little café so we could have coffee and breakfast while the clothes were washing.
We enjoyed the sunshine while we cleaned the outside of the 5th wheel and the truck. Then we spent quite a bit of time trying to set up the satellite dish with no success.
Pat & I went for a walk along the beach before joining everyone else for Happy Hour.
There is a new nightclub across the street from the RV park with really loud music on Thurs, Fri and Sat. I was awake a long time last night and tonight. At one point the band must have taken a break and Pretty Woman came blasting out. Kind of out of place after the Mexican music.
Dec 8th - Sat - San Carlos/Guaymas
We went to an art & craft show in town before going to Guaymas to get my crown. Dave & Margo were following us so Rick could show them where the large grocery store is and where to park. I got a haircut at the same place where Pat got one on Thursday. I will have to learn how to say “not too short” in Spanish!!
My crown did not fit so the dentist took another impression and sent it back to the lab. I have a very crooked bite so it is hard for the dentist and the lab to get the top & bottom impressions together correctly. Have to come back on Wed for the new crown. At least the dentist is concerned with getting it right.
We went to another large grocery store just so we would know where it is in the future and of course there is always something that you need to buy.
Terry spent more time trying to set up our satellite dish. Then the owner (Joe) came by and said that we needed a larger dish. So he called someone who is going to come out and possibly rent us a larger dish for 4 months.
Today is Rick’s birthday so we all (12 of us) went out to a restaurant across the street for drinks and dinner to celebrate. Most bars in Mexico do not have scotch so Terry was drinking margaritas and keeping up to Dave. Mistake!! Actually, the house margaritas were plenty potent so all of us were happy that we were walking home instead of driving. Pat had baked a cake so we had cake & ice cream when we got back.
Dec 9th - Sun - San Carlos
Inhabitants of this section of the campground were moving pretty slowly this morning. Terry & I went for a bicycle ride into town and then drove to find Craig & Cathy’s lot. They and 3 other couples bought 2 adjoining lots a couple of years ago and are putting in hookups for 4 RVs. Bill & Tammy, who joined us for dinner last night, just moved their motor home out there a couple of days ago as they have water and electricity now. Cathy won’t move until they have a septic tank put in which is happening this week.
The satellite dish guy came out and said we could not get the 2 satellites needed for Dish network here. The satellites are too low and too far apart from this location. So we will get by with the 5 channels on cable here. The reception was pretty bad but a maintenance guy came by and hooked all 4 of us to one feed with better reception so it will be fine.
Did some cleaning, caught up on emails, did some mending and then relaxed and recovered. Short gathering this evening as it was too cold.
Dec 10th - Mon - San Carlos
It rained very hard last night. So the rain kept us awake instead of the loud music.
Margo & I went to Spanish lessons this morning. They are given by the mother of the guy who owns the RV park. I admit to stereotypical thinking and was surprised to see a youthful blonde teaching the class instead of the dark haired, older woman I was expecting. It was fun as she includes tidbits of Mexican culture as well as the language.
We did not plan ahead for Christmas gifts for Dean & family so now we are trying to figure out how to get something to them on time. We went to a couple of places where we had seen S mail coming and/or going but it is all private groups. So we had lunch and stopped at a produce market before coming back.
It rained again a couple of times today and continued cool so we had Happy Hour inside our rig this evening. Everyone was comfortable and the stories were flowing so we didn’t end up having dinner until after 8. Terry is snoozing on the couch so I will get this posted and get to bed.
Pat & Rick and we did laundry this morning. We went to a laundromat in town as it is beside a little café so we could have coffee and breakfast while the clothes were washing.
We enjoyed the sunshine while we cleaned the outside of the 5th wheel and the truck. Then we spent quite a bit of time trying to set up the satellite dish with no success.
Pat & I went for a walk along the beach before joining everyone else for Happy Hour.
There is a new nightclub across the street from the RV park with really loud music on Thurs, Fri and Sat. I was awake a long time last night and tonight. At one point the band must have taken a break and Pretty Woman came blasting out. Kind of out of place after the Mexican music.
Dec 8th - Sat - San Carlos/Guaymas
We went to an art & craft show in town before going to Guaymas to get my crown. Dave & Margo were following us so Rick could show them where the large grocery store is and where to park. I got a haircut at the same place where Pat got one on Thursday. I will have to learn how to say “not too short” in Spanish!!
My crown did not fit so the dentist took another impression and sent it back to the lab. I have a very crooked bite so it is hard for the dentist and the lab to get the top & bottom impressions together correctly. Have to come back on Wed for the new crown. At least the dentist is concerned with getting it right.
We went to another large grocery store just so we would know where it is in the future and of course there is always something that you need to buy.
Terry spent more time trying to set up our satellite dish. Then the owner (Joe) came by and said that we needed a larger dish. So he called someone who is going to come out and possibly rent us a larger dish for 4 months.
Today is Rick’s birthday so we all (12 of us) went out to a restaurant across the street for drinks and dinner to celebrate. Most bars in Mexico do not have scotch so Terry was drinking margaritas and keeping up to Dave. Mistake!! Actually, the house margaritas were plenty potent so all of us were happy that we were walking home instead of driving. Pat had baked a cake so we had cake & ice cream when we got back.
Dec 9th - Sun - San Carlos
Inhabitants of this section of the campground were moving pretty slowly this morning. Terry & I went for a bicycle ride into town and then drove to find Craig & Cathy’s lot. They and 3 other couples bought 2 adjoining lots a couple of years ago and are putting in hookups for 4 RVs. Bill & Tammy, who joined us for dinner last night, just moved their motor home out there a couple of days ago as they have water and electricity now. Cathy won’t move until they have a septic tank put in which is happening this week.
The satellite dish guy came out and said we could not get the 2 satellites needed for Dish network here. The satellites are too low and too far apart from this location. So we will get by with the 5 channels on cable here. The reception was pretty bad but a maintenance guy came by and hooked all 4 of us to one feed with better reception so it will be fine.
Did some cleaning, caught up on emails, did some mending and then relaxed and recovered. Short gathering this evening as it was too cold.
Dec 10th - Mon - San Carlos
It rained very hard last night. So the rain kept us awake instead of the loud music.
Margo & I went to Spanish lessons this morning. They are given by the mother of the guy who owns the RV park. I admit to stereotypical thinking and was surprised to see a youthful blonde teaching the class instead of the dark haired, older woman I was expecting. It was fun as she includes tidbits of Mexican culture as well as the language.
We did not plan ahead for Christmas gifts for Dean & family so now we are trying to figure out how to get something to them on time. We went to a couple of places where we had seen S mail coming and/or going but it is all private groups. So we had lunch and stopped at a produce market before coming back.
It rained again a couple of times today and continued cool so we had Happy Hour inside our rig this evening. Everyone was comfortable and the stories were flowing so we didn’t end up having dinner until after 8. Terry is snoozing on the couch so I will get this posted and get to bed.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Dec 5th & 6th - San Carlos
Dec 5th - Wed - San Carlos
The 4 ladies of our group went for a morning walk through a housing area right next door to the RV park. We chatted with a couple of people and were told that the dentist here in San Carlos where I made an appointment is good but relatively expensive. So we got a name & number of a dentist in nearby Guaymas. Since our phone does not work, Pat & I walked to a Best Western hotel and had the desk clerk call to cancel one appointment and make another for tomorrow.
The housing area next door is interesting as many places started with a travel trailer or 5th wheel and now they are built in permanently to the home. Others have garages for motor homes with casitas, outdoor kitchens and storage sheds. Only 10 houses are occupied year round - I guess the temperature is not super hot in summer but it is very humid being right on the ocean.
Pat, Rick, Craig, Terry & I played golf this afternoon. The price has gone up since last year. It is now $20 for as many holes as you can play after 3:00. We just played 9 holes as we would have a long walk back if we played a few more. And of course we had to get back to join the others for Happy Hour!
Dec 6th - Thurs - Guaymas
Pat & I were going to take the bus to my dentist appointment but Rick & Terry said they would come too so Rick drove. It is quite an experience as most of the streets do not have lines so lanes appear and disappear depending on cars parked on the side and the size of vehicles.
The dentist was another interesting experience. From the front, the building is small and has a barred front window with the dentist’s name painted on it. Inside was a large waiting room and everything looked clean. The dentist works without an assistant and uses older equipment such as “spit basins” and suction that hangs in the corner of your mouth. But it is hard to beat the price. He prepped my broken tooth for a crown that I will get on Saturday - and the total cost is 1500 pesos, slightly less than $150. And the dentist speaks fluent English!
We went to a large indoor market with individual stores that is frequented mostly by locals. We will not be buying any meat from the meat market. Sides of beef, pork & whatever else hang in the open behind a long, stainless counter which is covered with large hunks of meat. You order what you want and the butchers hack off the piece of meat.
Next we went to the mall which has a large grocery store where I imagine we will go for larger shopping trips.
Later in the afternoon, Pat & Rick and we went to Catch-22 beach on the far end of San Carlos to beachcomb and just enjoy the sun. We ended up at a bar at a large hotel and enjoyed a drink on the patio before heading back to the park.
The 4 ladies of our group went for a morning walk through a housing area right next door to the RV park. We chatted with a couple of people and were told that the dentist here in San Carlos where I made an appointment is good but relatively expensive. So we got a name & number of a dentist in nearby Guaymas. Since our phone does not work, Pat & I walked to a Best Western hotel and had the desk clerk call to cancel one appointment and make another for tomorrow.
The housing area next door is interesting as many places started with a travel trailer or 5th wheel and now they are built in permanently to the home. Others have garages for motor homes with casitas, outdoor kitchens and storage sheds. Only 10 houses are occupied year round - I guess the temperature is not super hot in summer but it is very humid being right on the ocean.
Pat, Rick, Craig, Terry & I played golf this afternoon. The price has gone up since last year. It is now $20 for as many holes as you can play after 3:00. We just played 9 holes as we would have a long walk back if we played a few more. And of course we had to get back to join the others for Happy Hour!
Dec 6th - Thurs - Guaymas
Pat & I were going to take the bus to my dentist appointment but Rick & Terry said they would come too so Rick drove. It is quite an experience as most of the streets do not have lines so lanes appear and disappear depending on cars parked on the side and the size of vehicles.
The dentist was another interesting experience. From the front, the building is small and has a barred front window with the dentist’s name painted on it. Inside was a large waiting room and everything looked clean. The dentist works without an assistant and uses older equipment such as “spit basins” and suction that hangs in the corner of your mouth. But it is hard to beat the price. He prepped my broken tooth for a crown that I will get on Saturday - and the total cost is 1500 pesos, slightly less than $150. And the dentist speaks fluent English!
We went to a large indoor market with individual stores that is frequented mostly by locals. We will not be buying any meat from the meat market. Sides of beef, pork & whatever else hang in the open behind a long, stainless counter which is covered with large hunks of meat. You order what you want and the butchers hack off the piece of meat.
Next we went to the mall which has a large grocery store where I imagine we will go for larger shopping trips.
Later in the afternoon, Pat & Rick and we went to Catch-22 beach on the far end of San Carlos to beachcomb and just enjoy the sun. We ended up at a bar at a large hotel and enjoyed a drink on the patio before heading back to the park.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Dec 1st to 4th - AZ to Mexico
Dec 1st - Sat - Amado
Did laundry this morning and met Margo of “Dave and Margo” who will be traveling to Mexico with us. Rick was walking through the park, started talking to them and found out they were going to San Carlos as well and asked if they wanted to join us. They are from Walla Walla, WA. So now our caravan will be 5 rigs.
Went to Green Valley to fuel up and get a couple of items that we thought we might not be able to get easily in Mexico. Had everyone over for “appy” (appetizer) dinner and drinks in our rig. It was pretty cold to sit outside so we made it cozy with 8 of us in our place. We all got to know each other a bit and gave Dave & Margo a chance to bail now if they thought we were all too crazy. Luckily, they fit right in and we are all looking forward to heading south.
Dec 2nd - Sun - to Nogales
We went to Nogales to meet up with the last couple in our group (Craig & Cathy) and to stay in the WalMart parking lot overnight before going into Mexico. We all had some last minute shopping to do - WalMart was jammed with the majority of the cars in the parking lot from Mexico.
Terry & I finished our shopping and set up lawn chairs in the parking lot to have a drink. Pretty soon everyone else joined us. 2 guys in a motor home who pulled into the parking lot for the night also brought over their chairs and joined the group. We lit a buddy burner and had a great time. Had to pull out the heavier jackets as it got pretty cool.
Dec 3rd - Mon - to San Carlos, Mexico
Our caravan left WalMart at 8 and immediately found out that we would have a heck of a time keeping the group together as long as there were traffic lights. Paid for the first toll and were on the highway. Narrow, 2 lane in each direction, with NO shoulders. Rough in some sections. The speed though towns is controlled by “topes” which are large speed bumps. Luckily there are warning signs before the topes.
At kilometer 21 you stop to get tourist cards and also permits for vehicles if you will be driving outside the free zone which is roughly the state of Sonora. Pat & Rick and Terry & I decided to get permits. Terry & I got a trainee with almost no English and it took us 1 ½ hours to get back on the road!
Bill started having truck problems again so we ended up splitting into 2 groups and then waiting for each other and joining back up again. There were 2 more toll booths. It cost us about $23 total for tolls. We arrived at San Carlos just before 4:00 pm. It is only about 270 miles but with the stops and waiting it took us a long time.
We got 4 spots in the RV park (Totonaka) that are all together with Craig & Cathy a little bit away with some other friends. We all got set up and then gathered at Pat & Rick’s space for our first Happy Hour(s) in Mexico. I had not made lunch for us on the road so I made dinner while we were setting up and we were rude and ate in front of everyone else. It was 80 degrees when we got here but cooled down a lot. We were very tired after a bad night’s sleep at the WalMart and the drive so we were in bed watching TV just after 8.
We were VERY disappointed and upset to find out that our cell phones do not work here. Terry had spoke with a Verizon rep in the Tucson Costco and he said we probably wouldn’t get reception as Verizon had lost the use of some towers. We had hoped that he did not know what he was talking about! So we will be depending mostly on the blog and emails for communication.
Dec 4th - Tues - San Carlos
I am sure I will be changing how I post to the blog as we get settled into a routine here but in the meantime I will continue with each day as I have been doing.
We sat out in the sunshine with our morning coffee today, had a late breakfast and then the whole group (4 couples) went in 2 vehicles to explore the town of San Carlos. Rick played tour director in one truck and Pat in the other. It is a very pretty area. The RV park is nicely kept with about 120 spots. It is right across the road from the beach but we didn’t get there yet.
Pat & I took our bicycles back into town after lunch to find a dentist and make an appointment for my broken tooth. A fisherman came through the park this morning with fresh shrimp/prawns so we bought some. $13.00 for 1 kilogram (about 2 pounds). Picked up a couple of small New York steaks at a small fresh produce stand and shared a great dinner with Pat & Rick after meeting with the group for a short Happy Hour. Tough life but someone has to do it!!
Did laundry this morning and met Margo of “Dave and Margo” who will be traveling to Mexico with us. Rick was walking through the park, started talking to them and found out they were going to San Carlos as well and asked if they wanted to join us. They are from Walla Walla, WA. So now our caravan will be 5 rigs.
Went to Green Valley to fuel up and get a couple of items that we thought we might not be able to get easily in Mexico. Had everyone over for “appy” (appetizer) dinner and drinks in our rig. It was pretty cold to sit outside so we made it cozy with 8 of us in our place. We all got to know each other a bit and gave Dave & Margo a chance to bail now if they thought we were all too crazy. Luckily, they fit right in and we are all looking forward to heading south.
Dec 2nd - Sun - to Nogales
We went to Nogales to meet up with the last couple in our group (Craig & Cathy) and to stay in the WalMart parking lot overnight before going into Mexico. We all had some last minute shopping to do - WalMart was jammed with the majority of the cars in the parking lot from Mexico.
Terry & I finished our shopping and set up lawn chairs in the parking lot to have a drink. Pretty soon everyone else joined us. 2 guys in a motor home who pulled into the parking lot for the night also brought over their chairs and joined the group. We lit a buddy burner and had a great time. Had to pull out the heavier jackets as it got pretty cool.
Dec 3rd - Mon - to San Carlos, Mexico
Our caravan left WalMart at 8 and immediately found out that we would have a heck of a time keeping the group together as long as there were traffic lights. Paid for the first toll and were on the highway. Narrow, 2 lane in each direction, with NO shoulders. Rough in some sections. The speed though towns is controlled by “topes” which are large speed bumps. Luckily there are warning signs before the topes.
At kilometer 21 you stop to get tourist cards and also permits for vehicles if you will be driving outside the free zone which is roughly the state of Sonora. Pat & Rick and Terry & I decided to get permits. Terry & I got a trainee with almost no English and it took us 1 ½ hours to get back on the road!
Bill started having truck problems again so we ended up splitting into 2 groups and then waiting for each other and joining back up again. There were 2 more toll booths. It cost us about $23 total for tolls. We arrived at San Carlos just before 4:00 pm. It is only about 270 miles but with the stops and waiting it took us a long time.
We got 4 spots in the RV park (Totonaka) that are all together with Craig & Cathy a little bit away with some other friends. We all got set up and then gathered at Pat & Rick’s space for our first Happy Hour(s) in Mexico. I had not made lunch for us on the road so I made dinner while we were setting up and we were rude and ate in front of everyone else. It was 80 degrees when we got here but cooled down a lot. We were very tired after a bad night’s sleep at the WalMart and the drive so we were in bed watching TV just after 8.
We were VERY disappointed and upset to find out that our cell phones do not work here. Terry had spoke with a Verizon rep in the Tucson Costco and he said we probably wouldn’t get reception as Verizon had lost the use of some towers. We had hoped that he did not know what he was talking about! So we will be depending mostly on the blog and emails for communication.
Dec 4th - Tues - San Carlos
I am sure I will be changing how I post to the blog as we get settled into a routine here but in the meantime I will continue with each day as I have been doing.
We sat out in the sunshine with our morning coffee today, had a late breakfast and then the whole group (4 couples) went in 2 vehicles to explore the town of San Carlos. Rick played tour director in one truck and Pat in the other. It is a very pretty area. The RV park is nicely kept with about 120 spots. It is right across the road from the beach but we didn’t get there yet.
Pat & I took our bicycles back into town after lunch to find a dentist and make an appointment for my broken tooth. A fisherman came through the park this morning with fresh shrimp/prawns so we bought some. $13.00 for 1 kilogram (about 2 pounds). Picked up a couple of small New York steaks at a small fresh produce stand and shared a great dinner with Pat & Rick after meeting with the group for a short Happy Hour. Tough life but someone has to do it!!
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Nov 28th to 30th - Amado
Nov 28th - Wed - Amado
Took Pat & Rick to Tubac for shopping today. Not much buying, just shopping. Checked out a different restaurant for lunch. As we were leaving, we drove past some new houses on a golf course/resort and there were some models open for viewing. So Pat went and talked to a salesman, got all the info and then we all viewed 4 houses. There were all furnished in heavy furniture. Some were painted in very bold or dark colors and all had busy, patterned tile in the kitchen and/or bath. All had casitas which are bedroom/bathroom “suites” with a separate entrance and are designed to be rented out by the resort when the owners are not there or not using it.
We each fixed our own dinner and then Pat & Rick came over for some TV viewing. They forgot the remote control for their TV so they cannot program it to pick up available cable channels. Rick’s mom has mailed the remote to Mexico so hopefully it will be there when we arrive or shortly after.
Nov 29th - Thurs - Amado
Can you believe we have stayed so long in one spot!!!
We went to Nogales today so we could get our auto insurance for Mexico and to buy some pesos. Of course, we also had to stop at Wal Mart (plug-in cooler to extend “fridge” space) and Big Lots.
Next we went to Patagonia Lake State Park as we were thinking of moving there tomorrow. It was nice but the weather forecast is for rain and we decided we might as well stay where we are until we leave for Mexico on the 3rd. We looked at a map and figured we could take a different route back to the RV park. Wanda confirmed this so off we went. Part of the road was shown as “other” which turned out to be gravel, narrow, windy and very washboardy for about 6 miles. It was through mountains and was very interesting - at least for the passengers. By the time we got home and boiled some ribs, Terry was barbequing in the dark again.
Nov 30th - Fri - Amado
Paid for 2 more nights and then set off to Nogales. One of the couples that will be traveling and staying with us in Mexico - Bill & Geri Smith from Sequim, WA - had finally contacted Rick and we found out that their truck was having problems and they were at Beaudry Motors waiting for repairs. We thought we would go give them some moral support and go to Costco & PetsMart for some Dolly food. By the time we got there, Bill & Geri were repaired and heading for Amado. We did our shopping, including the mandatory hot dog at Costco, and headed back. Rick was driving today and still figuring out his new GPS navigation system. He was messing with it at a stop light and we ended up taking a long, scenic route back. But again, it was fun.
Pat made dinner for us and Bill & Geri. It had rained a bit during the day and started raining hard this evening. Then the wind picked up and it was really nasty all night.
Took Pat & Rick to Tubac for shopping today. Not much buying, just shopping. Checked out a different restaurant for lunch. As we were leaving, we drove past some new houses on a golf course/resort and there were some models open for viewing. So Pat went and talked to a salesman, got all the info and then we all viewed 4 houses. There were all furnished in heavy furniture. Some were painted in very bold or dark colors and all had busy, patterned tile in the kitchen and/or bath. All had casitas which are bedroom/bathroom “suites” with a separate entrance and are designed to be rented out by the resort when the owners are not there or not using it.
We each fixed our own dinner and then Pat & Rick came over for some TV viewing. They forgot the remote control for their TV so they cannot program it to pick up available cable channels. Rick’s mom has mailed the remote to Mexico so hopefully it will be there when we arrive or shortly after.
Nov 29th - Thurs - Amado
Can you believe we have stayed so long in one spot!!!
We went to Nogales today so we could get our auto insurance for Mexico and to buy some pesos. Of course, we also had to stop at Wal Mart (plug-in cooler to extend “fridge” space) and Big Lots.
Next we went to Patagonia Lake State Park as we were thinking of moving there tomorrow. It was nice but the weather forecast is for rain and we decided we might as well stay where we are until we leave for Mexico on the 3rd. We looked at a map and figured we could take a different route back to the RV park. Wanda confirmed this so off we went. Part of the road was shown as “other” which turned out to be gravel, narrow, windy and very washboardy for about 6 miles. It was through mountains and was very interesting - at least for the passengers. By the time we got home and boiled some ribs, Terry was barbequing in the dark again.
Nov 30th - Fri - Amado
Paid for 2 more nights and then set off to Nogales. One of the couples that will be traveling and staying with us in Mexico - Bill & Geri Smith from Sequim, WA - had finally contacted Rick and we found out that their truck was having problems and they were at Beaudry Motors waiting for repairs. We thought we would go give them some moral support and go to Costco & PetsMart for some Dolly food. By the time we got there, Bill & Geri were repaired and heading for Amado. We did our shopping, including the mandatory hot dog at Costco, and headed back. Rick was driving today and still figuring out his new GPS navigation system. He was messing with it at a stop light and we ended up taking a long, scenic route back. But again, it was fun.
Pat made dinner for us and Bill & Geri. It had rained a bit during the day and started raining hard this evening. Then the wind picked up and it was really nasty all night.
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