Category Archives: Sinaloa

From the deserts of Baja to the beginning of Mainland Mexico’s jungles

Sunday August 30, 2015, 100 miles (161 km) – Total so far: 10,793 miles (17,370 km)

We had a great night in Mazatlán and enjoyed a nice meal and Mexican band with our new friend Peter from England. The restaurant/hotel we stayed at was like living in the 70’s with the band playing Mexican and American music. Peter spent the night on our balcony. Saturday morning we parted ways with Peter and his backpack hiking off to explore more of Mazatlán and us riding south.

The change from Baja was astounding as we were completely soaked through with sweat before even getting on our bikes. Once outside of Mazatlán the green terrain was beautiful. What a change from Baja from the deserts to the jungle. We spent most of the day on Mexico 15 with no shoulder. The buses drove very close to us but most truckers and cars were respectful. After sweating buckets we called it a day in our 3rd El Rosario of Mexico. This town founded in the mid 1650’s was very cool and we found a decent hotel for $16. Today we continued on Mexico 15’s toll road. It is much safer with a very wide shoulder. Once again we found a nice hotel at a cost of $24. It was quite and upgrade from last night. Everything is getting cheaper!

A Mazatlan sunset. Below the sun is a large slide that empties to a pool that is now underwater.
A Mazatlan sunset. Below the sun is a large slide that empties to a pool that is now underwater.
This is us!
This is us!
Peter and us having a good time listening to a cool Mexican band.
Peter and us having a good time listening to a cool Mexican band.
Into the very green jungle.
Into the very green jungle.
Road work.
Road work.
I am completely soaked in sweat. The Tecate store was a very nice break as we took a nap in the shade. The proprietor brought out two chairs for us and said, "Mucho color (co lor as in boar)" which means very hot.
I am completely soaked in sweat. The Tecate store was a very nice break as we took a nap in the shade. The proprietor brought out two chairs for us and said, “Mucho color (co lor as in boar)” which means very hot.

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Another cooling break.
Another cooling break.

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Chicken farm.
Chicken farm.
We smelled it way before we saw it.
We smelled it way before we saw it.
Our third El Rosario in Mexico. This one was founded in the mid-1600's.
Our third El Rosario in Mexico. This one was founded in the mid-1600’s.
A mural in town.
A mural in town.

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Eco Evolution.
Eco Evolution.
Jocelyn added her rendition.
Jocelyn added her rendition.
Many iguanas hanging out. The locals call them tree chickens as they eat them.
Many iguanas hanging out. The locals call them tree chickens as they eat them.
I keep thinking we are in Hawaii.
I keep thinking we are in Hawaii.
This looks like three lizard heads. There are large lizards everywhere.
This looks like three lizard heads. There are large lizards everywhere.

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This looks like a very interesting card game! Seems like the old west.
This looks like a very interesting card game! Seems like the old west.
Mexico is divided into states like the U.S. Nayarit is our 4th state.
Mexico is divided into states like the U.S. Nayarit is our 4th state.
We exited the Mexico 15 toll road and were flagged through. The toll road is much better because of the large shoulder. The free road has none and quite tedious and crowded.
We exited the Mexico 15 toll road and were flagged through. The toll road is much better because of the large shoulder. The free road has none and quite tedious and crowded.
Dried shrimp is a popular snack here. We bought this bag and tried it. Very fishy and salty. Good with cerveza though.
Dried shrimp is a popular snack here. We bought this bag and tried it. Very fishy and salty. Good with cerveza though.

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