It felt so good climbing up into the mountains near Mazamitla. We've spent a lot of time in this area over the last eight years and it almost felt like coming home.
We pulled in to Hacienda Contreras RV Park and Barb and Sal were there to greet us. Just like old times, except that Barb and Sal no longer own the park.
The park is now owned by the same guy who built the Pemex gas station next door. And he doesn't even treat it as a business...we're not actually sure why he bought it. The park gets very little maintenance, although he did send some employees over from the gas station to tidy things up a bit.
First thing Ruth and I did after making sure that everyone was set up was to walk down and say hello to our dog Whiskey. Whiskey was our faithful traveling companion up until she passed away at the end of September, 2011. She died while we were in Mexico that year, and she is buried here at Hacienda Contreras.
When she was buried, we planted a bottle brush tree to mark the spot.
Whiskey's tree in May of 2012.
Ruth with Whiskey's tree yesterday!
Still some flowers on it, but I we missed the full bloom by a few weeks.
I went into town with a couple of the guys and showed them where stuff is. Stopped in at the largest grocery store in town and bought a two pack of tequila for 140 pesos ($10.92 CAD). Yep, $5.46 per bottle!
We had the rest of the afternoon on our own, and then at 5:00pm we all headed down the road to Chema's restaurant. We've eaten there many times before, and although they are normally closed on Mondays, we arraganged in advance for them to open just for our large group.
Part of our group, ready for dinner.
Friends from previous years happen to be visiting the area just now, and so it was good to see Barb and Sal, Paula and Jerry, Doug and Nancy, and Hienz and Ulli and they all came for dinner as well.
Paula and Jerry helping with the bartending!
That's right Jim...long live Mexico!
Kittens....4 weeks old.
Nice clouds at dusk.
We had a great meal, including drinks and tip for 350 pesos ($27.30 CAD) for the two of us. We're out for lunch again today and tomorrow! Boy, we've done a lot of restaurant meals this winter season.
I was going to include another profile of our RV caravan group, but this blog post is long enough. Maybe I'll do a separate post later this afternoon!
Gym quality NordicTrack elliptical trailer...43% off, today only!
And in Canada...
Nice to see how Whiskey's tree is thriving. Hopefully visiting isn't too sad for you. That feeling of being "back home" is comforting. Enjoy your stay.
ReplyDeleteDoes the proximity of the Pemex station diminish the liveability of the RV park?
Her tree is doing amazingly well, especially because the park doesn't get the tender loving care that Barb and Sal used to give it. It was a little sad but she is in a nice spot here and we know that she was always happy when she used to visit the park with us.
DeleteI don't think the Pemex has diminished the livability of the park but not having Barb and Sal looking after the park sure has. The people that visited the park visited mostly because of them. I think the park is rarely used now and even Chema's place down the road doesn't get used as much as Hacienda did.
I've wondered what happened to Hacienda Contreras RV Park? I believe that was where I first met you both in March, 2013.
ReplyDeleteThere were rumors back then that the Pemex guy next door wanted to buy Hacienda Contreras RV Park to stop all noise complaints.
George
.
Yes, this was definitely where we first met you George! Unfortunately the park is rarely used anymore but they did open it for the caravan because the smaller RV Park down the road would not have fit us all, or if it had it would have been very tight.
DeleteBarb and Sal did sell it a few years ago to the guy who built the Pemex beside the park and surprisingly enough no one in the caravan group has complained about the noise or the night lighting but then again they never knew what the park was like before the Pemex was there.
I love Whiskeys tree. A beautiful tribute to a special companion.
ReplyDeleteWe love her tree too and are so happy that it is doing so well!
DeleteReading about Whiskey again made me teary eyed - I remember that day well. That's nice you got back to visit with old friends at HC. The group you are traveling with looks like lots of fun. Enjoy your day!!!
ReplyDeleteWe were both a bit teary eyed too, especially because it has been a couple of years since we last got to visit her and her tree.
DeleteIt has been wonderful to see some of our old friends again as well and they got along well with all our "new" friends. The caravan group have been lots of fun and things are sure going to seem quiet once they move on tomorrow and leave us behind.
It's wonderful that you can visit your beloved Whiskey now and again. Wish we could do the same for our ginger cat who believed he was a dog! Hugs to you both...
ReplyDeleteYes, we have to agree, it is nice to be able to do that and we do it very chance that we can.
DeleteSo nice to see that Whiskey's tree is doing so well.
ReplyDeleteWe couldn't believe how much it has grown over the last two years!
DeleteWhiskey's tree looks great. Looks like there were a few Margaritas served during dinner...lol
ReplyDeleteHer tree is doing amazingly well, especially since it doesn't get watered on a weekly basis anymore during the dry season, like when Barb and Sal used to own the park.
DeleteYep, there were just a "few" margaritas at dinner!
Nice to be with old friends and new ones!
ReplyDeleteYes, we totally agree, and we have really been enjoying our time here.
DeleteWe´re missing out on all the fun! What a crowd! SLDS a todos!
ReplyDeleteYou and Juan should have planned on being here! We missed you both.
DeleteSuch fond memories of Hacienda Contreras! Our best to Uli and Heinz, Barbara and Sal! So glad that Whisky's tree is still there.....a very nice memorial.
ReplyDeleteWe will pass along your greetings to Uli, Heinz, Barb and Sal. Glad we could bring back a few fond memories for you!
DeleteWe were so happy to see that her tree is doing so well, she must be happy here!