It’s probably more traveled by now. But the couple times we we’re heading to some out of the way pyramids, Chicanna I think, there were guys on the hwy trying to flag us down. We knew better than to fall for that one, especially as dusk approached. Beautiful but northern part of peninsula’s backlands, where you were, are more beautiful to me.
A fascinating and travel story, Jeanine! You were wise to be wary of situations along the way. When I drove to Guadalajara from San Diego in May of 2012 in my SUV packed with all my belongings, I had lunch in Tucson with a Secret Service officer who warned me not to drive at night and try to avoid staying overnight in Hermosilla because of drug smugglers. But it was almost dark when I arrived at Hermosilla so I had no option but to stop for the night. Fortunately, I found a decent motel with a locked gate for the parking area. Nobody bothered my SUV and I was up and on the road at sunrise. Best regards, amiga.
Yes, the first drive down there's always a tinge of apprehension for sure! I love those hotels with the enclosed and lockable parking lots. They really made us feel secure. And it's great to happen on a seasoned traveler or local who is kind enough to give you a heads up about possible trouble spots. I forgot to mention how crazy the maps were--we did more round abouts several times in places like Veracruz, where we ALWAYS managed to get messed up!
I drove across the border at Reynosa about three months ago with my reservation made a week before the trip to bring my Texas-registered Honda into Mexico. I am thankful I got my paperwork right because when I was finally stopped by at a military checkpoint near Ixtapa, the officer was so pleased I had it right so he could show the guy in front of us what he was supposed to have gotten. Also, I stopped at the modern Hotel de Parque in Mantehuala for a night, and it had an underground garage! It was a nice hotel where the local government was meeting for breakfast when I was there, too.
Great re your paperwork—you were the model of perfect paperwork for your car. That's wild! I've never been to Ixtapa but I hear it and Zijuatanjejo are really neat. In MX I love underground garages or the ones w/ the lock in gates. I always feel my car is secure in them.
Thank you. The paperwork is super important, and it needs to be neat and crisp and not folded in the glove compartment. The military and police are much happier when they can read it, and then they also know that the driver knows what is going on, thus respecting their system, however randomly enforced it may be. As for crime, besides the fake checkpoint I visited outside of Lazaro, locking gates are not just for decoration in the places I travel. It's a deterence too.
If you get to Zihuatanejo in the future, Ixtapa is just over the hill from the city proper to the north. It's a tourist town built by the Mexican government, which attracts European visitors looking for neatly pressed lawns, nice hotels on the beach, and a very safe environment. The residential side is also an attractive
review of upscale Mexican/Spanish/New World architecture. There's a worldly hotel there known as Las Brisas, which has its own private beach and compound, all facing the Pacific Ocean. For the "gringos" missing the USA, there's a touch there with Club Med.
I love the adventures you and Paul go through in Mexico. That’s scary to run into potential looters. It’s sad there are people who want to steal history for profit. I’d imagine the roads are better paved now? Great read as always!
Mil gracias, Daniel! Haven't used the road between Chetumal and Escarcega for ages.
After we stopped driving to MX no need to travel there, except a while back when we traveled to the pyramids at Calakmul (incredible) and another time Chicanna, near Xpujil. It's a long drive even to Chetumal itself, 4-1/2 hours. Then that 200 mile stretch to Escarcega--and as mentioned re that city, meh.
Very exciting end of the chapter... looking forward to more! I can't wait to be in Mexico in January. We are "celebrating" Jan 20th by leaving the USA for a week.
What a lovely, beautifully written chapter of your Mexico adventure, Jeanine! I can only imagine what it must have been like for you and Paul to load up your car and head out of San Francisco for the last time on your journey to a completely new life. After all of the dreaming and planning and house building. Not to mention the really long drive and all of the characters you met along the way. I'm so happy that it all worked out for you.
Thanks so much, Clarice. The drive was fun, exciting and a little scary as the roads in MX are often not clearly marked, so going through cities could truly be an adventure, looking for the proper road to Point X. Appreciate your comment!
Road trips always seem to provide unexpected occurrences, and this road trip certainly provided that and way more! What an adventure you and Paul had on the road. Gratefully, nothing bad happened at some of those stops you wrote about, especially at Xpuyil - yikes! Certainly was a long drive, which is nice for the opportunity to really see the country.
I liked reading this. It felt like I was right there with you - your storytelling is so vivid and engaging that I couldn’t help but feel part of the journey. Thanks, Jeanine.
Hi Jeanine, my wife and I are on en route to the states and just so happen to be in Puerto Morales! I saw your post this morning and made the connection. We are going to stop by your bookstore this afternoon and say hello. Hopefully you're around. :) I'm enjoying your stories
Nathaniel! We sold it several years ago to re-retire!! You’ll love the store though. New location due to impending building downtown. FelizNavidad amigo!!!!
Nathaniel— also check out the painted bottom step of Alma Libre stairs heading up to reading deck — my memoir- Where the Sky is Born is painted there!!!!
Hi Jeanine, my wife and I are on en route to the states and just so happen to be in Puerto Morales! I saw your post this morning and made the connection. We are going to stop by your bookstore this afternoon and say hello. Hopefully you're around. :) I'm enjoying your stories
That was quite a drive, Jeanine! Wow! Especially in the old days. We have never considered it - until now... although we did drive part of it, between Puerto Morelos and Escarcega, on the way to Palenque... a very small stretch of your trip, much easier in the past few years than it was when you did it. Jeff and I both admire you! What an adventure! We love reading about it. :)
Oh thank you, Emese, we really had no choice. We had to get there w/ our car -- at a later date there was a car ferry from Pro Morelos into Port Everglades, FL. But at that time, just the open road.
I don't know if I'm more shocked by the lack of traffic or the 115 peso tank fill!
This is years ago--and that road out of Escarcega to Chetumal--have you been on it? If there are no stops for nearly 200 miles, that means no cars.
I haven't, it sounds like a magical place... Must get out there!
It’s probably more traveled by now. But the couple times we we’re heading to some out of the way pyramids, Chicanna I think, there were guys on the hwy trying to flag us down. We knew better than to fall for that one, especially as dusk approached. Beautiful but northern part of peninsula’s backlands, where you were, are more beautiful to me.
A fascinating and travel story, Jeanine! You were wise to be wary of situations along the way. When I drove to Guadalajara from San Diego in May of 2012 in my SUV packed with all my belongings, I had lunch in Tucson with a Secret Service officer who warned me not to drive at night and try to avoid staying overnight in Hermosilla because of drug smugglers. But it was almost dark when I arrived at Hermosilla so I had no option but to stop for the night. Fortunately, I found a decent motel with a locked gate for the parking area. Nobody bothered my SUV and I was up and on the road at sunrise. Best regards, amiga.
Yes, the first drive down there's always a tinge of apprehension for sure! I love those hotels with the enclosed and lockable parking lots. They really made us feel secure. And it's great to happen on a seasoned traveler or local who is kind enough to give you a heads up about possible trouble spots. I forgot to mention how crazy the maps were--we did more round abouts several times in places like Veracruz, where we ALWAYS managed to get messed up!
I drove across the border at Reynosa about three months ago with my reservation made a week before the trip to bring my Texas-registered Honda into Mexico. I am thankful I got my paperwork right because when I was finally stopped by at a military checkpoint near Ixtapa, the officer was so pleased I had it right so he could show the guy in front of us what he was supposed to have gotten. Also, I stopped at the modern Hotel de Parque in Mantehuala for a night, and it had an underground garage! It was a nice hotel where the local government was meeting for breakfast when I was there, too.
Great re your paperwork—you were the model of perfect paperwork for your car. That's wild! I've never been to Ixtapa but I hear it and Zijuatanjejo are really neat. In MX I love underground garages or the ones w/ the lock in gates. I always feel my car is secure in them.
Thank you. The paperwork is super important, and it needs to be neat and crisp and not folded in the glove compartment. The military and police are much happier when they can read it, and then they also know that the driver knows what is going on, thus respecting their system, however randomly enforced it may be. As for crime, besides the fake checkpoint I visited outside of Lazaro, locking gates are not just for decoration in the places I travel. It's a deterence too.
If you get to Zihuatanejo in the future, Ixtapa is just over the hill from the city proper to the north. It's a tourist town built by the Mexican government, which attracts European visitors looking for neatly pressed lawns, nice hotels on the beach, and a very safe environment. The residential side is also an attractive
review of upscale Mexican/Spanish/New World architecture. There's a worldly hotel there known as Las Brisas, which has its own private beach and compound, all facing the Pacific Ocean. For the "gringos" missing the USA, there's a touch there with Club Med.
I've heard Ixtapa was a Mex Tourist Assoc idea, with Z being the real deal. And yes, important to respect the rules.
I love the adventures you and Paul go through in Mexico. That’s scary to run into potential looters. It’s sad there are people who want to steal history for profit. I’d imagine the roads are better paved now? Great read as always!
Mil gracias, Daniel! Haven't used the road between Chetumal and Escarcega for ages.
After we stopped driving to MX no need to travel there, except a while back when we traveled to the pyramids at Calakmul (incredible) and another time Chicanna, near Xpujil. It's a long drive even to Chetumal itself, 4-1/2 hours. Then that 200 mile stretch to Escarcega--and as mentioned re that city, meh.
Grave diggers and chiclets and brujas! Oh my. ♥️♥️♥️
That’s about it, Holly. All we were missing were the flying monkeys, and if we’d gone down a side road, may have seen some.
Very exciting end of the chapter... looking forward to more! I can't wait to be in Mexico in January. We are "celebrating" Jan 20th by leaving the USA for a week.
Oh great news Jennifer!! You're gonna have a blast!!
It's been way too long since we visited LA Paz. We can use the peace!
La Paz -peace baby!
Si si si!. Feliz Navidad amiga!
What a lovely, beautifully written chapter of your Mexico adventure, Jeanine! I can only imagine what it must have been like for you and Paul to load up your car and head out of San Francisco for the last time on your journey to a completely new life. After all of the dreaming and planning and house building. Not to mention the really long drive and all of the characters you met along the way. I'm so happy that it all worked out for you.
Thanks so much, Clarice. The drive was fun, exciting and a little scary as the roads in MX are often not clearly marked, so going through cities could truly be an adventure, looking for the proper road to Point X. Appreciate your comment!
Road trips always seem to provide unexpected occurrences, and this road trip certainly provided that and way more! What an adventure you and Paul had on the road. Gratefully, nothing bad happened at some of those stops you wrote about, especially at Xpuyil - yikes! Certainly was a long drive, which is nice for the opportunity to really see the country.
It was for sure Barbra! An exciting time!! Loved it!
I liked reading this. It felt like I was right there with you - your storytelling is so vivid and engaging that I couldn’t help but feel part of the journey. Thanks, Jeanine.
Thank You, Tinashe! I'm glad you liked it. It was quite a trip. And always an adventure when driving long distances in MX.
The comments to your posts are as fun and interesting as your stories!
Oh, I better check what’s being said ):
Ah, the joys and annoyances of driving cross country in Mexico. It keeps you awake at least 😂
Ha! that it does indeed. You would know!
Hi Jeanine, my wife and I are on en route to the states and just so happen to be in Puerto Morales! I saw your post this morning and made the connection. We are going to stop by your bookstore this afternoon and say hello. Hopefully you're around. :) I'm enjoying your stories
Nathaniel! We sold it several years ago to re-retire!! You’ll love the store though. New location due to impending building downtown. FelizNavidad amigo!!!!
Nathaniel— also check out the painted bottom step of Alma Libre stairs heading up to reading deck — my memoir- Where the Sky is Born is painted there!!!!
Hi Jeanine, my wife and I are on en route to the states and just so happen to be in Puerto Morales! I saw your post this morning and made the connection. We are going to stop by your bookstore this afternoon and say hello. Hopefully you're around. :) I'm enjoying your stories
Thanks for restack, Rich!
Thanks for the restack Gabi!
Thanks for restack Nathaniel!
That was quite a drive, Jeanine! Wow! Especially in the old days. We have never considered it - until now... although we did drive part of it, between Puerto Morelos and Escarcega, on the way to Palenque... a very small stretch of your trip, much easier in the past few years than it was when you did it. Jeff and I both admire you! What an adventure! We love reading about it. :)
Oh thank you, Emese, we really had no choice. We had to get there w/ our car -- at a later date there was a car ferry from Pro Morelos into Port Everglades, FL. But at that time, just the open road.