Wednesday Jan. 6, 2010
Yesterday the trip to Rosario to pick up the damaged Harley started around 11am. Eric and Maurice headed out with the trailor while Marla, John's wife and Ann, Maurice's wife waited at the hospital for the lawyer to show up. While they waited in Rosario Eric and Maurice tried to explain to El Commandante what they were doing there but since no one spoke English they had to wait for everyone else to show up. However, El Commandante did want to know where Sam was and Eric had to tell him Sam had gone to Guadalahara. I guess he missed Sam's good natured Spanglish! Eric and Maurice cruised the impound yard and could not help but notice a couple of pick-up trucks that were riddled by bullet holes, one on the passenger side and one on the driver's side. The lawyer a young, pretty, high heeled Mexican was about and hour late and when she and the wives finally arrived in Rosario the problems continued as the lawyer couldn't speak English either. So now the police had to send for the only guy in town who spoke English, the local shoe shine guy who used to live in Phoenix! At this point all legal problems evaporated as there was now a lawyer present and no registration or insurance papers were needed and the bike was released, fines paid, loaded up and they all arrived back in the park about 4pm. Success!
Unfortunately for Marla, John's wife she was harrassed by cell phone while she was there by their insurance company from home while she was trying to get the motorcyle released. She tried to explain that she was not at the hospital but they kept insisting she get John released and shipped back to Edmonton. How much stress does one woman need.
Today Maurice informed us that John was sent out on a medivac plane back to Edmonton at 3:30 am this morning. His wife Marla went with him. Their medical plan had insisted that he be transported home or they would have to pay the continuing costs themselves. Tough stuff as John wanted to stay until he felt better but had no choice. We hope it will all go well for him.
Maurice dropped by this afternoon and asked if we would like to go for a boat ride tomorrow before he takes his boat out of the water. A short morning run out about 15 miles and then a little fishing. I think he was trying to say thanks to Eric for his help with hauling the bike trailor. I'll go too as Ann doesn't like the boat and will stay home and go shopping. I'll probably get seasick, but oh well, I'll give it a try.
Maurice says he'll have to go down and give the boat a scrub as a couple of pelicans have been using it for a roost and it is full of pelican crap. Nice!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
A good day in Mazatlan.
The day started pretty slow with me doing my walk and Eric downloading some mapping software from Pat & Jim from Carson City, Nevada. Jim has all the maps from the Mexican government on a disc. Eric downloaded them and they look very detailed and as you know we all need as much information as we can get.
Rita and I ready to go.
After lunch Sam showed up to see if Eric and I wanted to go out on the Harley's. Rita was up for a ride if I went and she thought that after the accident it might be good to get back on the horse so to speak. Sam and Rita (from Winnipeg Manitoba) are good for us as they have been staying in Mazatlan for five years and are familiar with the area. Unlike Eric, Sam is a very social guy, much like Eric's brother Brian and is really good at mingling with the Mexican people so he and Rita are a good fit for us. Really nice people. We left just after 2:30 and headed out to El Quelite which is northeast of here on the Libra road. Sam and Rita had been there before so they led the way.
When we rode into this little colonial town through the large arch we were greeted by cobblestone streets and charming painted houses. Everything was spotless (no garbage anywhere) and since this is popular tourist destination the people are used to the gringos that arrive on a daily basis.
Kathy enjoys a cerveza.
In front of the fountain inside the restaurant.
Sam and Rita
Sam and Rita chose a restaurant and we stopped for cervezas and a bowl of tortilla soup. This was proceeded by tortilla chips and an assortment of guacamole, soft cheeses and salsa all included in the meal. Shortly a small mexican tortilla pizza arrived followed by the soup which was excellant. The end of the meal brought a small sweet bowl of a rice/tapioca pudding, again part of the meal. With 5 cervezas, four soup and the starters etc. the bill for four was 269 pesos which with a tip was about $27.00 Canadian for four, pretty good for a really nice restaurant. We took a few pictures and the owner saw that Eric was interested in the many woods such as ebony and many other woods used in the restaurant and he was happy to point them out. Eric and I would like to go back another time and walk around through the village. 
The Tycho's aboard Blue in front of the bronze hip ball statue.
Sam and Rita in front of the statue.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The end of an era.
Sunday, January 3, 2009
Yesterday we received an email from our friend Don McRobb informing us of the passing of his father Gordon. Throughout our years in Terrace we became good friends with Gordon a.k.a. "The Godfather" and shared many a Thursday night beer with him. He shared many stories of the old days and also tales of the antics of the twins, Don and Ron. After he and wife Evelyn moved back to Whitehorse we saw him whenever he returned to Terrace for a visit. He told Eric on his trip to Terrace in the summer of 2008 that he'd had a good ride and his life held no regrets. A good legacy. A self made man who worked hard, made sound business decisions and raised a family of four boys he left good memories for anyone who knew him. The McRobb family was saddened by the untimely death of the youngest McRobb son, Bruce this fall and we hope that 2010 is better year for the family.
We'll miss you Gordon.
Yesterday we received an email from our friend Don McRobb informing us of the passing of his father Gordon. Throughout our years in Terrace we became good friends with Gordon a.k.a. "The Godfather" and shared many a Thursday night beer with him. He shared many stories of the old days and also tales of the antics of the twins, Don and Ron. After he and wife Evelyn moved back to Whitehorse we saw him whenever he returned to Terrace for a visit. He told Eric on his trip to Terrace in the summer of 2008 that he'd had a good ride and his life held no regrets. A good legacy. A self made man who worked hard, made sound business decisions and raised a family of four boys he left good memories for anyone who knew him. The McRobb family was saddened by the untimely death of the youngest McRobb son, Bruce this fall and we hope that 2010 is better year for the family.
We'll miss you Gordon.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Not a good New Year's Day in Mazatlan
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Friday night went late for the Harley's to return to the park. I expected everyone back by 5:00 at the latest as that's when it starts to get dark and Eric never rides in the dark. By 6pm I was getting worried and thought that someone must have broken down and although that would have been a good thing, it was not the case. The trip didn't end very well for one of the Albertan Harley riders, John. He was third in line and missed a curve, left the road with his wife aboard, rode the bike down a ten foot embankment and then they both flew off. Eric was last in line and they were right ahead of him and he watched the whole thing happen. He quickly stopped to flag traffic and the other riders returned as they could see what was happening behind them. John's wife was up and okay but John was unconscious. The Mexicans true to form stopped and helped out doing whatever they could, calling on cell phones for a doctor and the police, helping to load the damaged bike into a police truck and just being as helpful as possible. Maurice's wife checked John over and they didn't move him but when he finally regained consciousness he was in great pain. The doctor had him loaded on a back board and he was transported to the Sharp hospital here in Mazatlan. At this point there was nothing Eric and Sam could do so they just headed home in the dark with Maurice and his wife not far behind. Unfortunately for John he was the only rider in the group not wearing a helmet. The law here states one person on the bike must wear a helmet and I bet he wishes now he was one of those people. They all returned shortly after 6pm and I was very relieved.
The word this morning is that John has 11 broken ribs, a broken shoulder, a collapsed lung and internal bleeding apparently from a ruptured spleen that may have to be removed. His holiday is over and he'll take a long time to recover.
I went out with some of the people we've met in the park to a pig barbecue restaurant for lunch and Eric stayed home to take John's motorcycle trailer to pick up the damaged Harley in Rosaraio which is 70km away. Since the Albertans were pulling the heavy car trailer with their motor home they had no way to get out to pick up the motorcycle so Eric offered our truck. When I got back at 3pm they were gone and it is now 6pm and they have just returned without the motorcycle. Apparently they did not have the correct paperwork and the police would not release it so that was a wasted trip through really heavy holiday traffic. Some legwork will have to be done first and they will try again. As the police have no English Maurice had them write down what he needed and will have to get someone to help with that. Since John's wife's name is not on the motorcycle registration she would need her marriage certificate to prove she was his wife to retrieve the bike. We will carry a copy of our marriage certificate on our next trip to Mexico as that could be an issue if both names are not on every vehicle registration.
Statistics show that most motorcycle accidents are single vehicle ones related to speed and usually happen in a curve that has been entered too fast. Moral, slow down going into a curve especially if you have never ridden the road before. A hard lesson learned for Jean. An easy thing to happen.
Other than that all is well here, weather is good and we could use a little less excitement.
Friday night went late for the Harley's to return to the park. I expected everyone back by 5:00 at the latest as that's when it starts to get dark and Eric never rides in the dark. By 6pm I was getting worried and thought that someone must have broken down and although that would have been a good thing, it was not the case. The trip didn't end very well for one of the Albertan Harley riders, John. He was third in line and missed a curve, left the road with his wife aboard, rode the bike down a ten foot embankment and then they both flew off. Eric was last in line and they were right ahead of him and he watched the whole thing happen. He quickly stopped to flag traffic and the other riders returned as they could see what was happening behind them. John's wife was up and okay but John was unconscious. The Mexicans true to form stopped and helped out doing whatever they could, calling on cell phones for a doctor and the police, helping to load the damaged bike into a police truck and just being as helpful as possible. Maurice's wife checked John over and they didn't move him but when he finally regained consciousness he was in great pain. The doctor had him loaded on a back board and he was transported to the Sharp hospital here in Mazatlan. At this point there was nothing Eric and Sam could do so they just headed home in the dark with Maurice and his wife not far behind. Unfortunately for John he was the only rider in the group not wearing a helmet. The law here states one person on the bike must wear a helmet and I bet he wishes now he was one of those people. They all returned shortly after 6pm and I was very relieved.
The word this morning is that John has 11 broken ribs, a broken shoulder, a collapsed lung and internal bleeding apparently from a ruptured spleen that may have to be removed. His holiday is over and he'll take a long time to recover.
I went out with some of the people we've met in the park to a pig barbecue restaurant for lunch and Eric stayed home to take John's motorcycle trailer to pick up the damaged Harley in Rosaraio which is 70km away. Since the Albertans were pulling the heavy car trailer with their motor home they had no way to get out to pick up the motorcycle so Eric offered our truck. When I got back at 3pm they were gone and it is now 6pm and they have just returned without the motorcycle. Apparently they did not have the correct paperwork and the police would not release it so that was a wasted trip through really heavy holiday traffic. Some legwork will have to be done first and they will try again. As the police have no English Maurice had them write down what he needed and will have to get someone to help with that. Since John's wife's name is not on the motorcycle registration she would need her marriage certificate to prove she was his wife to retrieve the bike. We will carry a copy of our marriage certificate on our next trip to Mexico as that could be an issue if both names are not on every vehicle registration.
Statistics show that most motorcycle accidents are single vehicle ones related to speed and usually happen in a curve that has been entered too fast. Moral, slow down going into a curve especially if you have never ridden the road before. A hard lesson learned for Jean. An easy thing to happen.
Other than that all is well here, weather is good and we could use a little less excitement.
Friday, January 1, 2010
New Years Day in Mazatlan
Friday, January 1, 2010
Well it's quiet here in the park today. I think there might be a few thick heads around. Yesterday was beautiful and sunny and I finally got the laundry done. Connie followed me up to the office and suggested she could take me to the laundry. Since I had already loaded it I said maybe next time. I've never had anyone do our laundry but maybe I'll try next time.
We had some new neighbors pull in at about 6:30 on Wednesday night and Eric got to chatting with the man (Gord) yesterday morning. They are heading down to Melaque south of Puerto Vallarta and he was a wealth of information so I asked if he and his wife Donna did a blog. He said no, but his friend Croft did. Croft Randle I said, you're kidding he said as they were parked next to Croft and Norma last winter for a while in Melaque. Small world. Nice people and they left this morning to go half way some where around Rincon. They had driven 12 hours on Wednesday and then went out to eat and shop yesterday and then he came home and washed the rig. Pretty perky, puts us to shame.
We had a nice lunch at Arnoldo's (restaurant on the property) yesterday but Arnoldo wasn't there. Under the weather (who knows what kind!) I tried ordering in Spanish and didn't do too bad (only one correction) from the waitress and we did get fed. Down to the beach with our full tummy's and Eric had a swim while I just watched. Again, quite a tow down the beach and too much wind wave to make it fun. Home for some cervezas and a light supper after that big lunch and then bed.
Midnight brought fireworks which we could see through the bedroom window and the usual Happy New Years cries around us. Things were quiet until about 3:30 and then the drum machine down the street at the bar started up. No music just pounding beat until 7 in the morning. So, no walk and I admit to being cranky today. Two nights of broken sleep in one week and now we still have Friday and Saturday night. We definitely won't be here for the fiesta in February. I know it's their country and they like to party but it does get tiresome. I guess I'll have to break out the earplugs.
Eric is out on the Harley for a ride with Sam and a couple of Albertans from the back of the park. Their wives went but Rita (Sam's wife) and I stayed home. Too long of a ride for me and without air shocks Eric is worried about the topes in the small towns.
Well it's quiet here in the park today. I think there might be a few thick heads around. Yesterday was beautiful and sunny and I finally got the laundry done. Connie followed me up to the office and suggested she could take me to the laundry. Since I had already loaded it I said maybe next time. I've never had anyone do our laundry but maybe I'll try next time.
We had some new neighbors pull in at about 6:30 on Wednesday night and Eric got to chatting with the man (Gord) yesterday morning. They are heading down to Melaque south of Puerto Vallarta and he was a wealth of information so I asked if he and his wife Donna did a blog. He said no, but his friend Croft did. Croft Randle I said, you're kidding he said as they were parked next to Croft and Norma last winter for a while in Melaque. Small world. Nice people and they left this morning to go half way some where around Rincon. They had driven 12 hours on Wednesday and then went out to eat and shop yesterday and then he came home and washed the rig. Pretty perky, puts us to shame.
We had a nice lunch at Arnoldo's (restaurant on the property) yesterday but Arnoldo wasn't there. Under the weather (who knows what kind!) I tried ordering in Spanish and didn't do too bad (only one correction) from the waitress and we did get fed. Down to the beach with our full tummy's and Eric had a swim while I just watched. Again, quite a tow down the beach and too much wind wave to make it fun. Home for some cervezas and a light supper after that big lunch and then bed.
Midnight brought fireworks which we could see through the bedroom window and the usual Happy New Years cries around us. Things were quiet until about 3:30 and then the drum machine down the street at the bar started up. No music just pounding beat until 7 in the morning. So, no walk and I admit to being cranky today. Two nights of broken sleep in one week and now we still have Friday and Saturday night. We definitely won't be here for the fiesta in February. I know it's their country and they like to party but it does get tiresome. I guess I'll have to break out the earplugs.
Eric is out on the Harley for a ride with Sam and a couple of Albertans from the back of the park. Their wives went but Rita (Sam's wife) and I stayed home. Too long of a ride for me and without air shocks Eric is worried about the topes in the small towns.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Warm & sunny weather in Mazatlan
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009
Yesterday was a quiet day cloudy, muggy and still quite warm. I didn't walk yesterday as it was raining in the morning but today is again sunny and warm and I had a good trudge up the beach.
We got down to the beach yesterday afternoon and there were some pretty good swells. The young guys from the back of the park (on Christmas break) had a ball. They boogied until they could hardly walk. Ah, to be that young again! Eric got in the water but I declined as it isn't much fun dodging the waves. The weather was cloudy but warm and we sat on the beach watching people swim and the pelicans do their ballet. The form a line and soar along the crest of the wave only inches above the water. They are really poetry in motion.
Last night quite a few people from the park went to one of the new condo outfits for free drinks and food and some sort of a sales pitch. We declined as we have no interest in buying a condo here and don't need the hassle of extra emails from a salesman. Late in the night we were treated to really loud Karaoke in Spanish by a woman who really couldn't sing at all. Bad enough in English but horrible in Spanish. It went on for a few hours at "you guessed it, maximum volume" and meant closing all the windows and vents to sleep. I'll bet it was coming from the condos that were giving out free food and booze as they are just up the street. Ah Mexico!
Daughters Krista and Erika don't read this next part!
Eric and I got out on the Harley for a short ride today and it was okay. Sam had asked us to go for a ride with he and wife Rita but since I haven't ridden much in the last couple of years we thought we'd better practise first. Eric has to really watch because - you guessed, it the Mexicans really like to pass on blind curves and the crest of hills! Anyway it's nice to get out on the Harley because you can really smell the countryside and you know cow shit, fresh dirt and okay, some garbage smells and a few dead animals too. It was nice and we'll do it again.
So tomorrow is New Years Eve and we have no plans to go out. We may take a ride on the Harley on New Years Day because if it's like Christmas day it will be really quiet. We'll see. We're getting better at navigating through traffic and are feeling more comfortable with the driving.
Yesterday was a quiet day cloudy, muggy and still quite warm. I didn't walk yesterday as it was raining in the morning but today is again sunny and warm and I had a good trudge up the beach.
We got down to the beach yesterday afternoon and there were some pretty good swells. The young guys from the back of the park (on Christmas break) had a ball. They boogied until they could hardly walk. Ah, to be that young again! Eric got in the water but I declined as it isn't much fun dodging the waves. The weather was cloudy but warm and we sat on the beach watching people swim and the pelicans do their ballet. The form a line and soar along the crest of the wave only inches above the water. They are really poetry in motion.
Last night quite a few people from the park went to one of the new condo outfits for free drinks and food and some sort of a sales pitch. We declined as we have no interest in buying a condo here and don't need the hassle of extra emails from a salesman. Late in the night we were treated to really loud Karaoke in Spanish by a woman who really couldn't sing at all. Bad enough in English but horrible in Spanish. It went on for a few hours at "you guessed it, maximum volume" and meant closing all the windows and vents to sleep. I'll bet it was coming from the condos that were giving out free food and booze as they are just up the street. Ah Mexico!
Daughters Krista and Erika don't read this next part!
Eric and I got out on the Harley for a short ride today and it was okay. Sam had asked us to go for a ride with he and wife Rita but since I haven't ridden much in the last couple of years we thought we'd better practise first. Eric has to really watch because - you guessed, it the Mexicans really like to pass on blind curves and the crest of hills! Anyway it's nice to get out on the Harley because you can really smell the countryside and you know cow shit, fresh dirt and okay, some garbage smells and a few dead animals too. It was nice and we'll do it again.
So tomorrow is New Years Eve and we have no plans to go out. We may take a ride on the Harley on New Years Day because if it's like Christmas day it will be really quiet. We'll see. We're getting better at navigating through traffic and are feeling more comfortable with the driving.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday was a good day
Monday Dec. 28, 2009
Yesterday we finally got out in the truck and did a tour of Mazatlan as we needed to do a bit of shopping. We went down the beach road toward the Gold Zone and since it was Sunday the traffic was relatively light. This was my first journey around the town although Eric had been out and around on the Harley. We made it to the Mega mall where we picked up a good supply of groceries and then continued on to find Walmart. We then headed back down to the beach road and the Gold Zone and made a circle back up to try and get back to the water guy to fill our jugs. Bad luck he's closed on Sundays. Oh well it was a good trip anyway.
Some food items are really cheap here. A loaf of fresh bread and nine hoagie type buns - about $1.70 total - 4 fresh grapefruit .84cents total and as long as you stick to non North American name brands groceries are a good price. Currently our grocery bill is running about $100.00 per week including beer which is not too shabby.
Eric was out on the bicycle yesterday and was exploring the property right behind us and he was tracked down by a Mexican guard on an ATV who escorted him off the property. With a little sign language the guard informed Eric that insurance was a problem and he was not allowed on the property.
Today Eric went out on another little Harley journey and I stayed home to clean out the cupboards in the RV. Sounds a little boring for me but it's something I really don't want to do in the summer while we are at home. Late this afternoon it has clouded over and light rain is falling. Not a bad thing as it is still warm and is not like last year in Mesa when it was close to freezing when it rained. It's a restful sound to us, much like being at home only warmer!
We had a little walk on the beach this afternoon and again saw a Mexican fishing. He caught a nice small tuna like fish but then unhooked it and threw it back. We must find out why they don't keep these nice looking fish. I suppose they must not be good to eat.
So things are quiet here right now although a few rigs have come in from Alberta today and so who knows how many people will still arrive. This included two more Harleys and Sam is really excited. He says this is the first time he's seen so many Harleys here in the park. He and Eric will check that out tomorrow.
Yesterday we finally got out in the truck and did a tour of Mazatlan as we needed to do a bit of shopping. We went down the beach road toward the Gold Zone and since it was Sunday the traffic was relatively light. This was my first journey around the town although Eric had been out and around on the Harley. We made it to the Mega mall where we picked up a good supply of groceries and then continued on to find Walmart. We then headed back down to the beach road and the Gold Zone and made a circle back up to try and get back to the water guy to fill our jugs. Bad luck he's closed on Sundays. Oh well it was a good trip anyway.
Some food items are really cheap here. A loaf of fresh bread and nine hoagie type buns - about $1.70 total - 4 fresh grapefruit .84cents total and as long as you stick to non North American name brands groceries are a good price. Currently our grocery bill is running about $100.00 per week including beer which is not too shabby.
Eric was out on the bicycle yesterday and was exploring the property right behind us and he was tracked down by a Mexican guard on an ATV who escorted him off the property. With a little sign language the guard informed Eric that insurance was a problem and he was not allowed on the property.
Today Eric went out on another little Harley journey and I stayed home to clean out the cupboards in the RV. Sounds a little boring for me but it's something I really don't want to do in the summer while we are at home. Late this afternoon it has clouded over and light rain is falling. Not a bad thing as it is still warm and is not like last year in Mesa when it was close to freezing when it rained. It's a restful sound to us, much like being at home only warmer!
We had a little walk on the beach this afternoon and again saw a Mexican fishing. He caught a nice small tuna like fish but then unhooked it and threw it back. We must find out why they don't keep these nice looking fish. I suppose they must not be good to eat.
So things are quiet here right now although a few rigs have come in from Alberta today and so who knows how many people will still arrive. This included two more Harleys and Sam is really excited. He says this is the first time he's seen so many Harleys here in the park. He and Eric will check that out tomorrow.
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