Riding south out of Puerto Vallarta and Hurricane Linda

Monday September 7, 2015, 94 miles (151 km) – Total so far: 11,097 miles (17,859 km)

After two nights in Puerto Vallarta we walked our bikes through many rocky roads until we were on the outskirts of town and a paved road. We immediately started climbing along the coast and had great views of Puerto Vallarta. A few days ago we came in from the northern inland route that did not give us the bay views. The climbing was a lot better this day as the traffic was much lighter on this Saturday. The thunderstorms started early but by now we are used to getting rained on every day. We do enjoy the cooling effect but not the lightening so we occasionally pulled over to wait out the closer strikes. The climbing grew more difficult and after 8 hours and only 30 miles we reached a hotel at the peak in a downpour where we quickly settled in and collapsed in bed. There was no air conditioning but the temperature was a pleasant 60 degrees! If it wasn’t raining so hard we would have camped.

It rained all night but by the time we got on the road the sun was shining. Our favorite breakfast is to buy a small box of cereal and milk and along with fresh fruit have a nice bowl of cereal. The descent was fast then the ups and downs continued with continuous hill work. We spent another full day riding and put another 64 miles under our belt. We continued on a dirt road to the west and after a few kilometers we were rewarded with the small beach town of Perula and a beautiful Playa (beach) Dorada. We also found out we gained another hour somewhere and are now 2 hours ahead of California. We also crossed into our fifth Mexican state of Jalisco. We settled on the Hotel Playa Dorada right on the beach. It stormed all night and into the morning. We were exhausted and didn’t get up until after 9 – very unusual for us. That is when my sister Tish notified Andee at home in Florida that Hurricane Linda was off the coast of Mexico. Jocelyn researched this storm and we decided to stay in Perula at least one more night. Hotel Dorada was a bit expensive for our tastes ($54) so we walked around in the rain and found a family run hotel for $30. It is smaller and not as nice but there are many very friendly locals around. We feel we fit right in and will stay here until Linda turns more westerly. In the meantime we are feeling the occasional strong bands as they come ashore.

Rack breaking roads.
Rack breaking roads.
We finally got to a paved road after this.
We finally got to a paved road after this.

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Climbing into the jungle.
Climbing into the jungle.
The south part of the bay.
The south part of the bay.
Puerto Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta.
We would have enjoyed diving here.
We would have enjoyed diving here.
The beautiful southern bay of Puerto Vallarta.
The beautiful southern bay of Puerto Vallarta.
A lot of these guys around.
A lot of these guys around.
While riding through this mountain jungle we heard lots of different birds and what appeared to be monkeys. Jocelyn spotted a group of 20 orange monkeys crossing the road. I saw the last two. Too quick for a picture.
While riding through this mountain jungle we heard lots of different birds and what appeared to be monkeys. Jocelyn spotted a group of 20 orange monkeys crossing the road. I saw the last two. Too quick for a picture.
You won't see this from a bus or car.
You won’t see this from a bus or car.
Lots of rain and water headed to the bay.
Lots of rain and water headed to the bay.
Our welcoming committee in a small town at the top of a mountain.
Our welcoming committee in a small town at the top of a mountain.
Mexican grocery store (mostly beer) Jocelyn.
Mexican grocery store (mostly beer) Jocelyn.

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We hung out with these locals for a beer on Sunday afternoon. Very friendly.
We hung out with these locals for a beer on Sunday afternoon. Very friendly.
Playa (beach) Dorada.
Playa (beach) Dorada.
I spotted this still alive puffer fish on the beach and threw him back.
I spotted this still alive puffer fish on the beach and threw him back.

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A strong wind and rain band of Hurricane Linda approaching.
A strong wind and rain band of Hurricane Linda approaching.
We moved to this family run hotel.
We moved to this family run hotel.
Nice room and people at $30 per night.
Nice room and people at $30 per night.
Hurricane Linda close to Mexico.
Hurricane Linda close to Mexico.
We are on the mainland coast south of Baja.
We are on the mainland coast south of Baja.

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