Running Away with Doug and Nancy

Wednesday, 2 March 2016

Valle de Juarez (Days 3, 4, 5)

Sun., Feb 28:

We had opportunity to go to a really nice restaurant up in the pine forests just outside the neighbouring town of Mazamitla (about 20 kms from Valle de Juarez). Just spectacular in it's setting, service and food.....Gigi's Restaurant, very Bavarian in style.

First though, some cows being brought down the highway in front

of the campground......

Chema's daughter, Sandra, brought one of her horses

for a little work-out and some grazing.

Then Christian (Chema's son) took some of the kids for a little ride.

Off to the restaurant.....

After that "lunch" we certainly did not need any dinner but Mother Nature surprized us with a beautiful show of colours with a lovely rainbow. "Somewhere over the rainbow...."

Quite a sight, with Paula & Jerry's truck and camper, don't you think?

Euri got the latter part of the rainbow

Mon., Feb 29:

One of the caravan's that travels around Mexico arrived today at the old Hacienda Contreras location. Kevin & Ruth have been leading this particular leg of the caravan for about 3 weeks now. It was nice to see them. Again, because we are hanging out here in Valle de Juarez, we got invited to some of the festivities. Especially nice since this one was at the restaurant at the campground.....

Jerry & Paula whipping up some of their famous Margaritas...

Doug even got into the act and was helping out.....

Kevin & Ruth taking attendance (just kidding....)

Quite a big crowd....

Party table (also known as the "problem table")

Tues., March 1:

First of all, it's time to wish a Happy Birthday to our terrific son-in-law, Shawn O'Connor. Shawn and Teagan live in Nelson BC. They have an amazing shop, Timber Tattoo, that keeps them very busy but on these special days, Shawn likes to head up the mountain for a little snowboarding action.

Hope you had a great and HAPPY BLIZZARD BIRTHDAY!!!

...oh, and he is handy with the axe too!!

Happy Birthday to you, Shawn!!

It was a low-key today. Just stayed around the camp and got laundry done. Funny, how that follows you everywhere you go, huh?! Later in the afternoon, we got a lift over to the old campground where the caravan folks were and had a little happy hour with them there. It was neat to see Barb & Sal's old stomping grounds full of activity, even for a few days.

Peace.....and peaceful looking, isn't it?

Thought for the Day: Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?.....Frida Kahlo

Melaque to Valle de Juarez (288 Kms) - Days 1 & 2

Hi....we're back!!!!

Fri., Feb 26:

We absolutely loved our time at Villa Xochipilli. Irma could not have been more accommodating and, as you also saw, the facilities are amazing. Thank you for a great time, Irma, and we will see you next year!!

Our drive from the beach to the highlands went really well. It doesn't look long on paper but it takes roughly 4.5 hours to get there.

We left Melaque at 9:30 am after breakfast and a quick gas up. The road heading down to Manzanillo is pretty good with a just one toll along the way.

....and then there were none.

See you next year!!!

One last breakfast at Rosita's Loncheria. Doug's

favourite, chilliquiles and eggs.

See you next year amiga!!!

Banana plantations everywhere.

About 2 hours into the drive we met Paula and Jerry at Tecoman. We actually drove right by them as they were at a Pemex. They were heading back from a different beach location further south than Melaque and were also heading to Valle de Juarez. It is always nice to have company on the road so we travelled together. Our own little convoy!!

Volcano in Colima......yes, it DID disappoint!!

Going through what I call "Valley of the topes", also known

as Tamazula. Cane trucks everywhere and terrible roads.

Paula counted the topes....54 of them!! Not much room for Jerry!!

I am trying to show you just a little bit of the cane on the road....everywhere!

Maybe it has something to do with trucks that are loaded like this??

After Colima you really start to climb into the pine forest.

See how the landscape has changed....oh yeah, notice

the bag that looks like it is ABOUT to fall of this truck???

We arrived at Hacienda El Retiro in Valle de Juarez at about 3 pm so the drive was really quite easy, except for the aforementioned issue!! All set up and, as you all know by now, no internet but good bathrooms and there is a washing machine for us to use. Also, this is a little restaurant and Chema’s son, Christian, was here so we were able to order some snacks and have a few drinks. Sal & Barb joined us so it was like “old home week”!

Inside Hacienda El Retiro.....

Sat., Feb 27:

The days just seem to go by effortlessly here in Valle de Juarez. There is just something relaxing about the area and it really seems that we both felt that we “came home”. Nice feeling. Saturday was the town’s tianguis and we always enjoy that. Doug has waited this whole trip for carnita’s at Chema’s El Retiro Restaurant in town. They did not disappoint! First though it was a stop at a favourite haunt, La Cocinita for breakfast.....