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jl1

Oct 26, 2009, 3:58 PM

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Drive from Nogales to Sayulita

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Well, we are already back home in Berkeley. The purpose of this trip was to deliver my jeep to Sayulita and haul a small trailer with household items. I just wanted to post a few random observations and to, hopefully, dispell a few current myths. While in Nogales at our customs broker warehouse, we ran into a chatty old guy who'd been bringing goods back and forth across the border for many years. When I asked him about staying in Los Mochis for the night, he responded with the universal finger-across-the-throat, with accompanying sound effects. Well, we wound up staying in Los Mochis, where everyone we met was warm, generous and helpful. I wound up getting stuck while trying to make a u-turn with the trailer on one of the narrow downtown streets, and rather than being derided by rush-hour drivers, we were met with patience and understanding. I know that the violence being reported is real, but I think that the whole thing is overblown in reference to the casual traveler. There were a number of minor, somewhat embarrassing mishaps with the trailer all along the way, but the response from observers was always helpfulness and understanding. I just wanted to state that for the record.

As for driving through this beautiful country, I was unprepared for the sheer vastness and abundance of Sinoloa. Picture the Salinas Valley times a hundred. I remember thinking how anyone in Mexico could be starving, but then remembered all the produce we see in California supermarkets that are brought in from Mexico. The driving highlight was the road between Mazatlan and Tepic. I rank it for beauty and ease of driving with some of my alltime favorites, including the Snake River Valley and the Smokey Mountains. The terrain is reminiscent of the Huashan Mountains in China, exotic and incredibly lush. The reason for the quick turnaround was to fly back here and batten down the hatches for the usual cold, stormy, Bay Area winter and to tie up some loose business ends. In a few weeks we will fly back to Sayulita with our little dog and stay for at least a few months. The house btw, is looking great. Hard to believe after three years of often frustrating construction. Finally, I want to once again thank the Forum for all the helpful ideas and advice I received, especially the private responders. Invaluable. Best to all......jl

HarryinNM

Oct 28, 2009, 9:00 AM

Post #2 of 4 (3562 views)

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Re: [jl1] Drive from Nogales to Sayulita

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What a refreshingly pleasant post!
We took a road trip from Nogales to Cuyutlan and back last fall. Our experiences in Los Mochis were most pleasant, as was the entire trip.
The many recent posts about how to evade MX laws and regulations are somewhat disturbing. While we had several encounters with police and other government officials, all were smooth and courteous. I suspect that these experienced government employees have learned sort out those who seek to evade from those of us who realize that the easy way is to comply. I do not doubt the stories of corruption but I wonder if most of the "victims" aren't those who are working overtime in their efforts to outwit these underpaid MX public servants?

(This post was edited by HarryinNM on Oct 28, 2009, 9:03 AM)

RickS

Oct 28, 2009, 12:11 PM

Post #3 of 4 (3537 views)

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Re: [jl1] Drive from Nogales to Sayulita

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"The driving highlight was the road between Mazatlan and Tepic. I rank it for beauty and ease of driving..."

In stark contrast to what that stretch was like, traffic wise anyway, prior to the new cuota!

Ditto on the nice post, jl1.

(This post was edited by RickS on Oct 28, 2009, 12:12 PM)

Oscar2

Nov 1, 2009, 10:06 AM

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Re: [jl1] Drive from Nogales to Sayulita

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Jl1,

As you’ve probably known, I do have an interest and follow your posts in the hopes all went and continues to go well for you in your venture into discovering so much more by building your home in Mexico. This last good post was indeed encouraging and well received by others and me in more than one way.

Your posted experience’s have been many but this last one tells and well dismisses so many of the ill received myths, media brain trouncing pushes people into corners fearing not to venture out and feel the world and the Mexican flavor, as you continue doing. Congrats!

Your post, as someone else mentioned, is indeed a breath of fresh air and received very timely. I say timely because I’ve finally unstrapped myself from so many commitments and ties that have prevented me from going to my second home…..Mexico!

Yes, finally, we’ll be off experiencing much wanted further southern experiences for at least a month. Morelia, Patzcuaro, Oaxaca, and its coasts, just to name a few. They point to adventures, which are well needed and need to come alive once again in our lives.

Hope all continues to go well for you.

Buena Suerte
Oscar