In fact, I don't think we would do it with more. I think it would reduce the enjoyment of leading a caravan. And from talking to some of our group, they also enjoy it much more with a smaller group.
When this caravan left Nogales, there were 18 rigs. But eight of them were doing a shortened route and they parted ways with the main group at Mazatlan. I can't imagine the headaches of leading a group that large. Also, I think it would be difficult to spend time with each customer making sure they are happy. As much as it's easy to become friends and part of the group, we always remind ourselves that these are paying customers and we want them to be happy with the trip.
Anyway, we don't think we would be interested in leading a group any larger than this.
We all pulled into the 2 km (1.3 mile) long bumpy cobblestone road leading into Roca Azul. It had only been a 37 km (23 mile) drive.
Roca Azul actually hadn't been on the original route, and there was a longer stay at Villa Corona. But we were going to be driving right by it anyhow, so I had the schedule adjusted to include a three night stop here.
There are three separate RV parking areas here. One section is more long term seasonal RV residents, then there is a row of about ten sites, then there is another section set into the trees. All sites have full hook ups with good 30 amp electrical power, and strong water pressure.
Parked up at Roca Azul for three nights.
Sherman looks pretty happy with his spot.
The Lake Chapala area is well known for having "perfect" weather. So it was kind of funny that the day we arrived here it started to rain. It rained fairly hard at times, and then spit on and off for an hour or so. The rain is refreshing though, after several weeks with no rain at all.
Ruth and I had gone into the town of Jocotepec with our bikes. It's about 2 kms each way, but going over the bumpy cobblestones on the bikes was not that much fun! We're going to lead a walk into town with whoever in the group wants to join us this morning at 10:00am. Walking will be better than bike riding!
We were happy to bump into a couple of people we know here. Cathie and Doug had been campers at Hacienda Contreras the first time we were there back in 2009 and they now stay here at Roca Azul all season.
And our friend John has been living here in his fifth wheel. John and his sister Dianna have been reading this blog for many years and we first met John in Acapulco and then again a few years later. Sad news though that John had a debilitating stroke in January and is in a care home here. His sister Dianna is going to take us to visit him tomorrow. It won't be an especially fun visit under the circumstances, but apparently he is looking forward to seeing us.
Looking out at Lake Chapala as the rain clouds move through.
Lake Chapala is the largest freshwater lake in Mexico. It is 80 kms (50 miles) long!
Yesterday's drive, 37 kms (23 miles).
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And in Canada...
The RV sites look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI am sure John will cherish the time you two spend with him.
Yes, the sites here are not bad, a lot better than some places that we have been too!
DeleteI am sure that he will be happy to see some fresh faces and hope we can lift his spirits up.
I spent December and January in Ajijic so for once know where you are! Beautiful spot!
ReplyDeleteToo bad you weren't here a little longer so that we could have met up!
DeleteThanks to your continued commitment to this blog, I can get carried away for a few minutes each time & be with Mexico.
ReplyDeleteWe are home for the first winter in 8 years so you are our reprieve.
Maybe our paths will cross one day.
Taylore & Bill
I am so glad that we are able to transport you back to Mexico each day, if only for a few minutes. I hope that you both will be able to return here again for future winters.
DeleteI hope our paths can cross someday as well.
Soon there won't be an RV park in Mexico that you don't know people :)
ReplyDeleteThere are still lots of places we can hide! ;-)
DeletePlease say hello to Cathie and Doug for us. They came to visit once many years ago when they had a Roadtrek.
ReplyDeleteSherman looks like a happy camper in his spot. Nice place to hang out for a few days.
We will do that this afternoon Chris!
DeleteYes, it is a nice place but we are really looking forward to tomorrow and getting up to Hacienda Contreras and Valle de Juarez!
I was the crazy gringo asking if you were all lost as you walked by the birria taco stand in front of La Bodega. (One of our favorite taco spots!!) I bet you were all wondering. We have not had the chance to say hello yet. Hope to see you before you take off to Valle de Juarez.
ReplyDeleteHa, so now I can put a face to the name! We had just come from the malecon and having birria at Arturo's down the road when you saw us and we were headed to the main plaza.
DeleteHopefully we will be able to meet up this afternoon at the park here.
I am imaging you guys riding your bikes over the cobblestones. It's "fun" riding on Mexican rock streets. ;)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a smaller caravan is the way to go. I was wondering about this as I was looking at the various options for caravan tours. Thanks for sharing your perspective.
"Fun" would not quite be the word we would choose! ;-)
DeleteNext time we went into town we walked, definitely more enjoyable.
To us, smaller is the way to go even ten seems a lot but it is quite manageable.
We travelled once in Mexico with another couple and still prefer to travel with just our rig to worry about.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are enjoying it though.
We prefer to travel by ourselves as well George but leading a caravan has been lots of fun too! Don't think we would want to do it all the time but it is something that we would consider doing again.
DeleteI understand how you would feel that way about the size of the group. We had 17 rigs on the Canadian trip and I said several times it was like trying to herd mice:)
ReplyDeleteWe think 17 is too many, not only to try and lead but also for the enjoyment on the people in the group. Having said that, a lot of how well things go really comes down to the people in the group.
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