A trip to Celestino

Today we made the journey north 50 miles to check out the RV parks at Celestino Gasca.  Today we took the truck because of the dirt roads we would encounter in Celestino.  Turned out to be a good idea because the temperature was 33C inland. 

We travelled the free road Mex 15 north until we came to the turnoff to Estacion Dimas (Highway 2) just north of the turnoff to San Ignacio and then left (west) to the toll road 15D. Highway 2 crosses the toll road just before Dimas and at this point we got on the toll road and went north to km 78, exited and then west to Celestino Gasca and the RV parks.  There is a very expensive toll on 15D between Estacion Dimas and Mazatlan and we wanted to avoid it.  Also, there is not much to see on the toll road and the free road is much more scenic.  

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zdpJ32V3eP6w.kHxX6ghj8vhE

Turn left (west) to 15D

Highway 2 between Mex 15 and Mex 15D heading to Estacion Dimas is being repaved…..sort of!

As we travelled toward Dimas and the toll road Eric was flagged down by some Mexican ladies.  Their vehicle was at the edge of the road and they explained that they were looking for a ride to La Cruz which is north of the turn off to Celestino Gasca.  I explained we were only going to Celestino but they hopped in to get a ride to the toll road.   I got out to put the back seat up so they could get in.  Silly me!  How North American of me…they had already loaded themselves in the back of the truck by the time I got out.  A quick giggle and we were on the way.

No tethers on these horses.

At the freeway entrance the ladies unloaded, said thanks and we were on our way.  There is a two way on/off ramp on the south side of the overpass at Dimas and we were able to get onto the toll road and head north. 

Km 78 and the off ramp to Celestino.  Many of these small off/on ramps are dirt/gravel/pavement and potholed. 

When we get to the overpass we will turn left to Celestino.

Heading into the town of Celestino Gasca which is just a tiny village or ejido.

Turn right to the Playas and the RV parks. 

We’ll cross the railroad tracks and turn left.

Turn left.

The lonely beach.

The first park is Villa Celeste.  In the Mexican Camping book it notes that it accommodates rigs to 35 feet and is narrow to turn around in. There were some RV’s parked inside. 

You can see what a mess this road would be on a rainy day.  Huge ruts from the previous rainstorms and on the hills it would have been impassable to a large RV.

The second and newest park along the road was Punta San Miguel and it’s gates were locked.  No way to look there. 

The third and oldest park Celestino RV Park had open gates and we went in to have a look.  We drove to the beach end of the park and passed one 5th wheel and a derelict looking trailer.  There was no one around but the 5th wheel was occupied and had a Star Choice dish out front.

Looking south.

Looking north.  Beautiful and very quiet.

We walked a short way north on the beach to see if we could have a look at the Punta San Miguel RV park.  We hopped over the short wall and walked into the park.

Again, no one around but some of the lawns were mowed, a couple of sites mowed and it did look like someone was living in the small houses by the beach.

A lot of money was spent on this park and the palapas were lovely.

The swimming pools water was green and they look like they were never finished.  I sat in a chair under the palapa and decided I could easily spend a couple of weeks in the quietness of Celestino.  Not for everyone!

Back south on the black sand beach to the Celestino RV resort.

When we arrived back the owner of the 5th wheel was there to greet us.  Rick has been coming to Celestino for ten years from Bowen Island, B.C. and stays in the park for 5 months in the winter. 

He and Eric had a quick chat and Rick said there was no hot water in the park, no laundry facilities or WiFi.  Not many people coming to Celestino these days and the parks reflect that.  He said the Punta San Miguel RV park was closed although he had seen a rig in there this winter.  Not sure what the deal is with that.  It would seem that the downturn of the US economy in 2008 may have affected them.  In Las Jaibas where we stay the last two years have seen more RVers travelling and maybe the same thing will happen in Celestino.  Who knows.

So….back on the toll road south and a stop in Dimas for lunch.  We stopped in this restaurant just off the toll road last year and the food was good.  There were a few Mexican vaquero’s having an afternoon party.  Lots of laughter and it sounded a bit like the Cisco Kid and his sidekick Poncho on the old TV show the Cisco Kid. They were cracking themselves up!

We ordered Gobernador shrimp tacos which had cheese and onion along with the shrimp.  Delicious.  We each ordered three but …..Eric had to eat one of mine.  Mexican music was playing while we ate.

Need any hot sauce?

The party was still on when we left.  It seemed that the waitress and book keeper recognized us so we explained that we had been there el año pasado or, last year on the moto.  Then they smiled and laughed because they remembered us and the moto. 

Back on highway 2 to the free road and home. 

This fellow was ahead of us on the road and was packing a load of plastic water pipe on his bicycle.

New pavement on our side.

A quick stop while the paving crew works.

Time to go.  We’ll follow the tractor pulling a trailer loaded with water jugs.

Fresh oil on the right…..no gracias!

Up ahead the free road, Mex 15 and back to Mazatlan. 

This fellow had a full load of cows/bulls etc. and the trailer wasn’t tracking very well.  Always something interesting on a Mexican road.

It was steamy hot when we arrived home and it was time for a cold beer. 

A good day.