We knew ahead of time that road conditions were bad for today's drive. We had spoken to a couple who had arrived at the RV park in Catemaco and they had just come from the way we were heading. We asked how the toll road was, and he said one section was new, but the rest was "horrible".
And he was pretty much correct.
So not only did we have to deal with horrible roads, but the forecast was for 100% chance of rain. And that was pretty much correct as well!
The first 80 kms (50 miles) was slow going, but with pretty scenery.
Mmmm. Chicken!
Loaded with sugar cane.
Pretty church.
Brand new concrete toll road!
Huge road building machine.
Off to market.
Bridge coming up.
View from the bridge.
Waterlogged fields.
Really tough finding a suitable place for 12 rigs to pull over for lunch. Lots of truck traffic on the toll roads, so they tend to take up whatever parking space is available. We pulled over at about 12:15pm, but it was just by the side of the road and some people didn't think that it was a suitable spot, so we moved on. It was after 1:20pm when we found a large enough space further on that was off the road.
While we were sitting there I received a text message from Gabriel, the owner of Caravans de Mexico. Apparently due to the abnormally high amount of rain over the past few days, the place we were supposed to overnight in Villahermosa was flooded and/or too muddy so they were searching for an alternative.
There is a Sam's Club and Walmart in Villahermosa, and we eventually got the word that we were approved to overnight there. A Green Angel would meet us at the entrance to the city and guide us to the parking area.
We met up with the Green Angel alright and he guided us into the busy city and to the Sam's Club. We got there okay, but the parking lot was not very big, and it was quite busy. But by this time it was after 4:00pm, and it would have to do!
But, we were quickly warned by the manager of the store and other passerby that this was not a very safe area. The manager said that we were welcome to stay and that his security staff would look after us until the store closed at 10:00pm.
Gabriel arranged for two uniformed and armed off duty police officers to spend the night watching over us.
They knocked on the door right at 7am this morning to say their shift was over and we were on our own. The uniformed store security came over also to make sure that everything was okay, and we gave them a 200 peso tip for looking after us.
Woke up this morning, and there was a food stand being set up right beside us!
Our Green Angel, Pepe, has arrived and is ready for our 9:00am departure.
Our group at the Villahermosa Sam's Club.
We were supposed to be visiting the Olmec head museum this morning. We would have to leave the RVs here, which is not a good idea. And Ruth and I thought it would make for too rushed of a day. We wouldn't get back here until noon, and then we would would have a four hour drive with no room for error. We don't travel that way, so we cancelled the Olmec Museum. Now, we will leave here at 9:00am, and arrive at Isla Aguada by 2:00pm or so.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel regarding the rain. Once again, we are supposed to have showers today, but tomorrow on the beach it is supposed to be sunny. And sun is forecast for the next three days after that! We are cautiously optimistic!
Yesterday's drive, 308 kms (191 miles).
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Great deal on a heavy duty extension cord...
And in Canada...
Guessing you are a little chilly with this norte this morning. Port closed here, gray, cool and windy! Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteThe temperature is actually fine... just wet!
DeleteI keep saying "hope your weather improves".
ReplyDeleteIt should improve from here on in at least for then next little while and hopefully well past then. At least it has been warm. :-)
DeleteIt's awesome that you guys and Gabriel make all these last-minute adjustments to keep the adventure going smoothly!
ReplyDeleteGabriel is great at keeping us updated and working through any issues as quickly as possible and we just keep up with it and adapt appropriately to each new situation. It is a good group of people so it makes things like this run like a well oiled machine. :-)
DeleteHow about a 12/3 50' cable (20A capacity) for $19.99 instead of the Coleman 14/3 (15A capacity) cable for $49.66.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B075QLBTLW/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B075QLBTLW&pd_rd_wg=9VMW9&pd_rd_r=99F29GT4R5GPWSDERQ44&pd_rd_w=aLAHO
(The package says 15A, but 12AWG should be good for 20A)
DeleteThe Coleman cord was only $26.99 when I started advertising it. But, your deal is better, thanks!
DeleteAre any members of your group doing a Blog of the trip?
ReplyDeleteNo, a couple of people have done blogs in the past but instead have referred their friends and family to ours!
DeleteHeck Kevin, I thought we were waterlogged in Fall, but the park in Villahermosa was not flooded, so I suspect you are experiencing worse. I hope Isla Aguada is better, it is a nice beach spot to relax. If it's any consolation, it is cloudy/dampish here in melaque for a few days as well. Sounds like Gabriel came through for you, he always does.
ReplyDeleteIt has been raining a lot over the past week. I think we managed to get lucky and be able to do our two outings in Catemaco without much rain but other than that everything is wet, very wet!
DeleteNo problems getting into Isla Aguada and things should start to dry up today. They are forecasting sunshine and it is supposed to be even nicer tomorrow.
Hey, bad roads, rain, muddy areas and bit of intrigue make for great adventure!
ReplyDeleteWe are definitely having an adventure. Exactly what these people signed up for!
DeleteThe ups and downs make for many memories down the road. You’re doing a good job!
ReplyDeleteYes, life is full of ups and downs even when you are traveling, thankfully there are way more ups than downs. :-)
DeleteReally enjoying your blog. I am living vicariously through your journey!
ReplyDeleteWe are so glad that you are enjoying this journey with us through the internet. Isn't technology amazing?! :-)
DeleteWhat a journey so far! I’m really impressed with how Gabriel looks after you guys so well especially during unexpected “bumps on the road”....seeing the country side in the rain adds a balancing contrast to the sunny picturesque days. That sugar cane truck looked a bit too scary to drive by! hahaha. Safe travels and hope sunny days are there to stay for a few days!
ReplyDeletePeople pay good money to do this trip so Gabriel wants to make sure everyone has a fantastic time!
DeleteSomeone further back in the pack saw the truck drive go over a tope and not a single piece of sugar cane fell off. It's not that way with all the trucks though because we see lots of sugar cane that has fallen off of other trucks, scattered all along the roadway.
Looks like water is getting to be a trip theme:)
ReplyDeleteYep, there sure has been bucket loads of rain, a little unusual for this time of year but it looks like it is all over with now, at least for the moment anyways. :-)
DeleteOh WOW! Just found your blog and LOVING IT! So adventurous of you all to take the RV's down to Mexico. I noticed someone has a Rexhall RV around the same year as our, 1997. LOVE IT! Although I see it's a DP and ours is a gas rig. Anyway, I love the blog and will go back and start reading from the beginning! Thanks and prayers for a safe fun trip!
ReplyDeleteHapp to hear that you are loving our blog, I hope that we can continue to entertain you while we travel through Mexico.
DeleteNo one in the group has a Rexhall RV, I think the one you are talking about is a National and yes, it is a diesel pusher and I think it is a 1997 or perhaps a 98.