Mazatlan, Part II

Mazatlan, Nayarit, 15-17 May, 2009

The next stop on our journey took us back to Mazatlan. We passed through the area of Guasave, where the specialty is dried shrimp. You can buy this delicacy(!) at many points along the highway. As much as possible, we wanted to avoid returning to places we had already been, but were left with no choice. The reason for this desire was realized when we scouted out RV parks. The first time we had visited had been at the height of snowbird season, when parking spaces were scarce and at a premium. We met lots of great, helpful people. This time, the parks are deserted and ours is the only rig that would be there. We ended up back where we had stayed the first time, California Trailer Park, located right at the heart of town (more about that later).

We set up in the post-apocalyptic setting of the trailer park after a big shop at the Mega store and set out to accomplish two of the major objectives of this trip- spend time at the beach and return to Tacos Alejandro! The beach was fun, and we found that the chorreadas are still as tasty as we remember. They definitely rate as one of the best things we have eaten in all of Mexico- cheapest too.

When we returned to the van to get ready for bed, we also recalled one of the disadvantages to the location- the mega huge bar on the corner with what sounds like about 10,000 watts of power! That and the rush-hour traffic on the street beside us led to a restless night. And when the traffic finally dies off, the grackles take over, testing out every tone they can produce at top volume, while pooping on the roof of the van and all over the awning. But, we awoke to yet another perfect morning and Remy did the beautiful ride along the 8 kilometer malecon to do a workout at the beachfront park with all the other physical culturists. Life in the tropics is still pretty good.

We rode our bikes along the malecon to the Viejo Mazatlan and took care of some last minute shopping at the market. Liz loaded up on "jamaica" (dried hibiscus flowers) from which she makes vitamin C and anti-oxidant loaded iced tea. A wedding photographer had brought his clients to the plaza where we relaxed with our afternoon coffee. We rode back to the van and headed off to the beach again for one last kick at the boogie-boarding cat. Bowen did some last purchasing from the beach vendors, which included getting the Superman symbol "tattooed" on his chest. 

This turned out to be a mistake for him as the new tattoo also meant he couldn't go back in the water until it dried completely. He cried his eyes out all the while watching Hollis and Remy frolic in the rushing waves.

The boys even got a chance to do some skateboarding before bed. Tonight is that last night that the park is open for the season and we have "done" Mazatlan completely now, so our heads are spaced to leave and continue our homeward journey. That, and it is very hot here!

-Remy