Yesterday we were off on a trek to San Ignacio. It's about 100 km northeast of Mazatlan and one of our favorite rides. Eric is staying current on hot spots that we shouldn't visit due to cartel activity and this looked okay. We met Frank and Sandi at the gas station at 10:30 and we were off.
On our way to the free road Mex 15 and north. On our left are some of the new subdivisions popping up everywhere. Now that bridge over the toll roadside to the free road has been finished our ride north is much easier. Last year it was a roundabout route.
North on the free road and it was pretty quiet. Not all the usual truck traffic.
One thing that's very noticeable this year is how dry it is. Everything is crispy.
The El Quelite river and there is no water running. A couple of small ponds here and there.
Up through some small mountains heading north.
Just before the turn off to Coyotitan and San Ignacio we stopped at a derelict gas station to peel off some clothes and give our bums a break! The farther inland we go the warmer it gets. At this point Eric was complaining about his sore bum which is especially bad on this bike. Frank and Sandi have gel seat cushions for the Jeep as it's got hard seats and Frank generously loaned Eric his cushion to try out. Hugely better and Eric is looking online to order one.
First up Coyotitan and it's a really pretty clean little town.
Nice wide streets and lots of trees. There seemed to be a fair amount of people out and about.
Eric was up here by himself and he ate at this little restaurant and he said it's very good. No matter where you go there is always a little place to eat in Mexico.
There's Frank and Sandi right behind us!
Hmm....as we were passing through a very large helicopter was landing. Something not so good must be going on. There is huge police/ army presence everywhere right now.
A little greener as we headed inland.
Just around noon and the kids are getting out of school in one of the small villages we passed through. They are always so clean and scrubbed and very cute.😊
On our left along the way a brick making operation. You can see the bricks and the fire for drying them.
The drink of Mexico....CocaCola !!
This is our route but it took us about 30 minutes longer.
Up ahead San Ignacio.
Welcome....Bien Venidos!
The Piaxtla River has some water in it.
To the right center of the picture you can see the huge statue of Jesus in the distance.
The ever lovely Anjoli Hotel as we drive in.
The streets of San Ignacio are always clean.
Lovely old light standards.
We are in the second square where we parked and had lunch. Frank seems to be giving me the evil eye!
Eric parked by the motorcycle guys. He noticed the small bike next to us had an expensive high performance muffle on it. I wonder how loud it is!!
Just as we parked there was a young man waiting for the bus and he asked me in English....Why San Ignacio? I said it's a lovely ride from Mazatlan and we come every year once or twice and that....it's very beautiful. He was pleased with my reply. I asked if there were any problems with cartel here and he said no....all good. I'm sure that's not entirely true but it did look normal with all the people about.
In the background of the square is the very old beautiful church. It was hugely busy with lots of traffic when we arrived. Middle of the week but it was lunch time.
Over to the restaurant and Frank and Eric went to the store for beer. The restaurant doesn't care if you bring your own drinks. I had a Penefiel with me which is sparkling water, lime and salt. Funnily this restaurant has no sign with its name and you wouldn't even know it was there!
The menu. I wanted a plate of lightly boiled shrimp with vegetables and after some discussion about it's usually in what she called a coupa. The waitress appeared with a picture on her cell phone and I said " Si" that's it. I should have asked if the dish had name. You notice...no prices...a secret I guess😁
People in the square.
The restaurant isn't huge and the main part was full of workers having lunch so we sat out to the side.
Sorta selfie!
Looking into the restaurant. There are lovely paintings on the walls.
Sandi ordered breaded shrimp. They were a bit dark and our friend Manny would say they need to change the oil. She enjoyed her lunch.
Frank had shrimp tacos and they look really good. Next time that's what I'll order. This is the first time they have handed us a menu. In the past she just rattled off a few things...this is much better.
My shrimp and it was very good.. I just picked off the very hot chilies and ate the rest. I asked the waitress if there were any problems in San Ignacio and she also said no. I said there was in Mazatlan and she knew that but motioned in a circle that it was all around.
The younger waitress saw me taking pictures of the food and offered to take our pictures.
Eric had shrimp " El diabla" and the sauce was not very good. He said it was like mayo with ketchup and hot sauce. He did however, eat all of it!
Our happy little group! We had a really nice lunch in a relaxing setting and had time to sit and chat. It was around 80F so a lot warmer than the Cerritos beach area of Mazatlan where we are.
Time to pack up and head home. There are so many beautiful old buildings in San Ignacio and they are always painting and restoring all the old ones.
One way into town and one way out.
The bridge out of town. Bien Viaje ...have a good trip!
I didn't take any photos on the way back as you can just reverse the journey.
We're almost home and up ahead the Riu Hotel in the distance.
A good day with friends!
