Spending time in RV Parks in San Carlos and Huatabampito on the Beach
Moving On 1
Spending another Winter in wonderful Mexico
Spending another Winter in wonderful Mexico
Follow along with our adventures in Jennie the RV and Willie the Jeep
Road to Huatabampo and El Mirador RV Park in Huatabampito
San Carlos and Totonaka RV Park
Arrived in San Carlos at Totonaka RV Park around noon. We've stayed here twice before. It costs $24US per night but includes WiFi and cable TV. There is only one men's and women's restroom for the entire park. All but a few sites are back-in. The sites are gravel with a cement patio. Our Internet is working fine but guess we are out of the Direct TV range. It will come in but cuts right back out so you get about one out of every 20 words. The restaurant next door, Los Arbolitos, has added a second floor for outdoor dining. Went there for lunch had very good quesadillas and guacamole.
The storm in September, Jimena, caused some damage here too. The road between the RV Park and the beach is missing its two beach side lanes. Also saw some road damage further into town. But the rusty rickety old stairs leading from the sidewalk to the beach are still there! They should have come down years ago.
On the beach right next to the sea wall was a small boat. Don't know if it was washed up in the storm or just abandoned there. On the top of it someone had written "Charleys Rock Garbage." Can't repeat what was written on the other side.
Rode up to see if the property we looked at last year with the beautiful view of the Gulf has been built up. Nope - only one house has been started there. Guess half a million dollars US for a tiny patch of land hasn't brought in many buyers. Can't beat the view though. The Gulf on one side, desert and mountains on the other. Stopped by the marina and looked around. Lots of nice boats there. If you want you can charter one for fishing or go out on a sunset cruise.
About 10 p.m. we remembered why we said we wouldn't come back here. There is a nightclub right next to the park and they have live music Friday and Saturday nights till 1 a.m. We were actually rocking with the beat.
Sunday in San Carlos was a quiet day. We drove down along the coast where we stopped at the Delfinario but it was only noon and the show didn't start until 3:00. It is really a beautiful place, would like to visit it someday. From there we continued down the coast driving through Miramar into Guyamas.
We left San Carlos early Monday morning on our way to Huatabampito.
We didn't drive through Guaymas but backtracked a little and caught MX15D at the Pemex. Again the detour was well marked.
The storm in September, Jimena, caused some damage here too. The road between the RV Park and the beach is missing its two beach side lanes. Also saw some road damage further into town. But the rusty rickety old stairs leading from the sidewalk to the beach are still there! They should have come down years ago.
On the beach right next to the sea wall was a small boat. Don't know if it was washed up in the storm or just abandoned there. On the top of it someone had written "Charleys Rock Garbage." Can't repeat what was written on the other side.
Rode up to see if the property we looked at last year with the beautiful view of the Gulf has been built up. Nope - only one house has been started there. Guess half a million dollars US for a tiny patch of land hasn't brought in many buyers. Can't beat the view though. The Gulf on one side, desert and mountains on the other. Stopped by the marina and looked around. Lots of nice boats there. If you want you can charter one for fishing or go out on a sunset cruise.
About 10 p.m. we remembered why we said we wouldn't come back here. There is a nightclub right next to the park and they have live music Friday and Saturday nights till 1 a.m. We were actually rocking with the beat.
Sunday in San Carlos was a quiet day. We drove down along the coast where we stopped at the Delfinario but it was only noon and the show didn't start until 3:00. It is really a beautiful place, would like to visit it someday. From there we continued down the coast driving through Miramar into Guyamas.
We left San Carlos early Monday morning on our way to Huatabampito.
We didn't drive through Guaymas but backtracked a little and caught MX15D at the Pemex. Again the detour was well marked.
Leaving Kino we stayed on the Kino-Hermosillo road clear back into Hermosillo. There is more agriculture on it now. Lots of new nut orchards and even a couple of vineyards
I really don't like going through Hermosillo. There is no way to go around it except the road through the desert that would shake us apart. Even in Jennie the drive through town is harrowing. The lanes on Solidaridad are very narrow, the pavement is very rough and there is lots of traffic. We passed by an Office Depot, Wal*Mart and Sam's Club. All in all not a pleasant drive. The Driver takes it in stride - Just part of the trip.
Once back on MX15 the road was good, four-lane divided, and free all the way to the San Carlos turn off.
For some reason there were Policia Federal at the intersection of MX15D and the other road to Kino. They just waved us through but stopped a SUV from California and talked to them for awhile before waving them on. There is major construction going on in the area where the turn off to Guyamas is. If you are going on to Ciudad Obregon you will be directed to cut through the Pemex station. The desviación (detour) is well marked and there is a flagman there.
I really don't like going through Hermosillo. There is no way to go around it except the road through the desert that would shake us apart. Even in Jennie the drive through town is harrowing. The lanes on Solidaridad are very narrow, the pavement is very rough and there is lots of traffic. We passed by an Office Depot, Wal*Mart and Sam's Club. All in all not a pleasant drive. The Driver takes it in stride - Just part of the trip.
Once back on MX15 the road was good, four-lane divided, and free all the way to the San Carlos turn off.
For some reason there were Policia Federal at the intersection of MX15D and the other road to Kino. They just waved us through but stopped a SUV from California and talked to them for awhile before waving them on. There is major construction going on in the area where the turn off to Guyamas is. If you are going on to Ciudad Obregon you will be directed to cut through the Pemex station. The desviación (detour) is well marked and there is a flagman there.
Hermosillo Street
Totonaka RV Park
Delfinario
Within 300 feet of the connection to MX15D there was a toll booth. Jennie is only 1 Peso less then the Alfa was. I thought there would be a bigger difference. Had two more tolls before we pulled of the main highway in Navajoa. And one Military Check Point - but they just waved us through. The drive was very windy though. Lots of weather moving through this area lately.
As usual there were lots of vendors at the toll booth and at every tope through the little towns. Saw some really nice looking Cane furniture. Lots of bread in plastic bags, juice drinks, Cds???, and a big collection of hats.
And of course there were the vendors. Nice selection of hats. Also some unusual sights driving down the road. At one toll booth we pulled up to a battered blue pickup that had a very big goat tied in the bed. The goat did not look too happy. And about eight out of every ten vehicles (cars, suvs, pickups) that passed us were from California and all were loaded with gosh knows what. Were they going camping? Home for Christmas? Or escaping California? I vote for escaping.
As usual there were lots of vendors at the toll booth and at every tope through the little towns. Saw some really nice looking Cane furniture. Lots of bread in plastic bags, juice drinks, Cds???, and a big collection of hats.
And of course there were the vendors. Nice selection of hats. Also some unusual sights driving down the road. At one toll booth we pulled up to a battered blue pickup that had a very big goat tied in the bed. The goat did not look too happy. And about eight out of every ten vehicles (cars, suvs, pickups) that passed us were from California and all were loaded with gosh knows what. Were they going camping? Home for Christmas? Or escaping California? I vote for escaping.
The construction on the road into the campground will probably be finished by the end of December.
We are parked on hard packed sand nose up to the small rock sea wall looking out over the Sea of Cortez. The campground has water, sewer and 30amp electric. There is a good restaurant that plays lively music every afternoon and restrooms with showers. Laundry facilities are available or they will do your laundry. The park has WiFi. Doesn't seem to be as weak as last year when you had to be almost sitting in the restaurant to get it. Right now there are about ten rigs here and all but us are from Canada.
Our satellite is picking up the Internet with no problems, but again no Direct TV - won't be any for the rest of the trip.
The sunrises and sunsets make the trip worthwhile. Also might be an interesting place for bird watching. So far we've seen a Roseata Spoonbill and a Blue Footed Booby along with the seagulls, herons, ibis and various assorted smaller birds. Some days a herd of cows meanders through the RV park. Other days, especially Sundays it's fun to watch the people driving up and down the beach. They use everything from horse drawn carts to tricked out pickups. There are several homes and another restaurant on the beach south of the campground. Several were damaged two years ago in a hurricane but it looks like a lot of repair work has been going on.
It is not a good place for swimming though, especially during the winter as there are many, many manta rays in the water and their sting is quite painful.
In Huatabampo there is a real nice Ley SuperMercado. Several Farmacias, a central market, lots of places to eat and today we found a coin operated car wash - really need that after the drive on the beach.
While staying here we took a couple of excurisions to other town. One day we drove up to Alamos, about a 120 mile round trip. Good roads all the way. Another day we went just down the road a little to revisit the fishing village of Yavaros. Two completely different town. One is a Pueblo Magico with a large Norte Americano settlement and lots of tourists. The other a small commercial fishing village. But both are worth visiting if in the area.
We are parked on hard packed sand nose up to the small rock sea wall looking out over the Sea of Cortez. The campground has water, sewer and 30amp electric. There is a good restaurant that plays lively music every afternoon and restrooms with showers. Laundry facilities are available or they will do your laundry. The park has WiFi. Doesn't seem to be as weak as last year when you had to be almost sitting in the restaurant to get it. Right now there are about ten rigs here and all but us are from Canada.
Our satellite is picking up the Internet with no problems, but again no Direct TV - won't be any for the rest of the trip.
The sunrises and sunsets make the trip worthwhile. Also might be an interesting place for bird watching. So far we've seen a Roseata Spoonbill and a Blue Footed Booby along with the seagulls, herons, ibis and various assorted smaller birds. Some days a herd of cows meanders through the RV park. Other days, especially Sundays it's fun to watch the people driving up and down the beach. They use everything from horse drawn carts to tricked out pickups. There are several homes and another restaurant on the beach south of the campground. Several were damaged two years ago in a hurricane but it looks like a lot of repair work has been going on.
It is not a good place for swimming though, especially during the winter as there are many, many manta rays in the water and their sting is quite painful.
In Huatabampo there is a real nice Ley SuperMercado. Several Farmacias, a central market, lots of places to eat and today we found a coin operated car wash - really need that after the drive on the beach.
While staying here we took a couple of excurisions to other town. One day we drove up to Alamos, about a 120 mile round trip. Good roads all the way. Another day we went just down the road a little to revisit the fishing village of Yavaros. Two completely different town. One is a Pueblo Magico with a large Norte Americano settlement and lots of tourists. The other a small commercial fishing village. But both are worth visiting if in the area.
We stopped for gas just before Navajoa and noticed a highway sign that said Periferico. Well usually a periferico is a way to get around a city without going through it. Sounded good as Navajoa is a very busy town with lots of stop lights and traffic. And we've heard cops that like to give tickets. So we took the periferico route. Hummmm wasn't a good idea. It was also the truck route around the town. Started out fine, went downhill quickly. I think it was supposed to be two lane but with the bushes growing over it and the chunks missing from the shoulder it appeared narrower. And from all the truck traffic it was pretty rough and pot holey. Then we came to a place were there was no pavement at all, just dirt. Guess it got washed out in the storm. So all in all we learned that next time we'll drive through town, it's easier. It did connect up with the road to Huatabampito though. Don't think we saved any miles or time.
The road out of Huatabampo to the beach has also changed. Just out of town at the school are two new BIG topes and a traffic light. A little further on where the road goes through a populated area there are EIGHT new BIG topes. After the first one everyone slows way down. And of course there are the ever present cows, horses, goats and people along the road. The the last stretch of road to the campground after Montclair is also under construction. Last year part of it was washed out and dirt but now they are building a bridge over that area and the dirt bypass barely has enough room for one car at a time to go through. Kind of made us stop and wonder if the campground was still there. But we continued on and arrived at El Mirador RV Park with no problems.
The road out of Huatabampo to the beach has also changed. Just out of town at the school are two new BIG topes and a traffic light. A little further on where the road goes through a populated area there are EIGHT new BIG topes. After the first one everyone slows way down. And of course there are the ever present cows, horses, goats and people along the road. The the last stretch of road to the campground after Montclair is also under construction. Last year part of it was washed out and dirt but now they are building a bridge over that area and the dirt bypass barely has enough room for one car at a time to go through. Kind of made us stop and wonder if the campground was still there. But we continued on and arrived at El Mirador RV Park with no problems.
Huatabampito Sunset
Periferico Navajoa
Things we've done and places we've been on this trip - Mexico 2009