So, we were pretty familiar with the route and we opted for a 9:00am start. Even thought it was only 160 kms (100 miles) we prefer to start out early and arrive early. Besides, we knew that once we arrived past Cuitzeo, getting to the park itself is a bit time consuming!
Here is where we were parked at Bugamville RV Park...
It's really just an open field in an industrial area outside of the city of Guanajuato. It has full hookups with 15 amp electrical outlets, but the electricity doesn't work very well. If one person uses something that takes 10 or 12 amps the voltage for the rest of the rigs drops to 105 volts or lower. I actually measured it at 96 volts once. And there is no wifi internet. All in all, it's not a very good RV Park, but it's the only game in town for bigger rigs and RV caravans visiting Guanajuato. For 350 pesos ($24 CAD, $19.25 USD) it's a bit of a rip off for a parking spot since the services aren't very usable. Consider that you can rent a cheap hotel room in Mexico for that price.
Our Green Angels escort arrived right on time and away we went. The customers of Caravanas de Mexico sure seem to appreciate the escort, despite the fact that we haven't needed any of their services. Yet. Well, other than when they patched up my fuel line for me!
Exiting Bugamville RV Park.
Huge Mexican flag at the Guanajuato GM factory.
Scenery along the way.
Our group making the turn towards the Morelia toll road.
The blue agave plant. Used to make tequila.
Pulled over for a short break after a toll booth.
Scenery along the way.
Lots of farming in this area.
Corn, stacked and drying.
More scenery, with our Green Angel escort.
We had warned the group that there were some narrow parts of road to maneuver to get to the San Juan del Lago RV park. The first bit was making our way through the small city of Cuitzeo (pop 29,000).
It was a little tight in spots, but we went slowly and it was no problem.
Making our way through Cuitzeo. That is a local bus in front of us. By this time, the Green Angel escort was bringing up the rear, making sure everybody made it though.
We have a section of gravel marked out near San Juan where the group can pull over and wait for Arturo the RV Park owner to come and get us to guide us through the town.
Waiting for Arturo.
The local police stop traffic for us!
Ruth even took a video for you when we were going through the small town of San Juan Benito Juarez...
Looking in Ruth's mirror. You can see the guy with the pole lifting wires for us.
Looking in my mirror.
It's quite a sight for the townsfolk watching us pull through their little village!
Then, we had a had a half km of rough gravel road.
And then... the hill.
There is a very steep entrance hill leading up to the park. So steep, that some gas powered rigs don't make it. Diesels have that low end torque that gas powered rigs don't have so they don't have much of a problem.
We sent the diesel rigs up first, and sure enough none of them had a problem. Ruth had walked up the hill ahead of time to get some photos. Then, Sherman summoned all of his horses. I had the pedal to the floor in first gear, and I took a run at it. Sherman, struggled, but he made it!
Sherman, coming up the steep hill.
And all of the other gas powered rigs made it too! All on the first try!
It's a tough park to get to, but once you're here it's worth it. A beautiful view, excellent 50, 30, or 15 amp electrical at every site. Excellent deep well drinking water if you want to try it. Great wifi. A really nice park once you're here. And Arturo the owner is a great guy and will bend over backwards to make sure you're happy.
And, all for 350 pesos per night, the same price as the big open field in Guanajuato!
View from Sherman's site at San Juan de Lago RV Park.
What's on the agenda?
We were all parked up by 1:30pm, and I think we all enjoyed a much needed free afternoon. We had happy hour with Arturo and he explained a little about the RV park and what the area has to offer. We've said before, we could easily spend a couple of weeks here.
But, we don't have that much time. Butterflies today, but then a free day on Tuesday before heading to Mexico City... the big tamale!
Yesterday's drive 160 kms (100 miles).
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The original Swiss Army Knife Camper II edition is on sale... great deal!
And in Canada...
Nice that y'all made it there again , enjoy your time there.
ReplyDeleteWe did and once we all made it up the steep hill we could happily relax. It is a beautiful location and so nice and quiet.
DeleteWhat a journey! I've never been on such a rough road and we're used to northern Ontario back roads!
ReplyDeleteIt is only about 1km of rough road and it really wasn't that bad, just very dusty. The steep hill going up to the RV park was the hardest part of the drive today but luckily it isn't a dirt road for that section.
DeleteThe butterfly excursion sounds fun. Enjoying reading about your Mexican adventures.
ReplyDeleteThe butterfly excursion is fantastic, it is definitely one of those "bucket list" items and there are a least a couple of people that specifically joined up with this caravan because of the trip to see the butterflies. This was our 4th time seeing them at 3 different locations and this was definitely our best showing of them. :-)
DeleteLove your caravan travels with lots of photos. Did all the rigs get a Mexican Vehicle Permit? Curious because Tioga George decided not to enter Mexico yesterday....said it was a hassle to get the permit.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you are enjoying our posts Rita!
DeleteYes, everyone one of the rigs has a Mexican Vehicle Permit, you have to have one if you are leaving the free zone which I believe is the 21km mark unless you are crossing into Baja California and staying only in the Baja, any where else in Mexico your vehicle must have a permit.
We all got one at the border the first day we crossed and with 12 rigs total along with our tourist permits it took us a couple of hours, we don't think it is that much of a hassle.
Wonderful updates and pictures. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhen the voltage drops that low, I believe our hard-wired surge guard will turn off the power to our rig. We had that happen at one county park in the US, even, and had to boondock. It's a bit frustrating to pay for electric and not actually get to use it! Glad everyone made it up the hill okay. Sure is a pretty spot up there!
ReplyDeleteYes, that is what will happen with the surge guards. It is one of those things that you can't seem to win at, if you don't have one and plug in you could possibly ruin your equipment but then again if you have one and it shuts off you can't use the electricity. This is why we love our solar and will never plug in at any campground if the electricity is shady, like the place that we just left. We always try to work a deal with the campground if we don't use electricity and most places will give us a discount. Nice that this RV park that we are now at has great electricity.
DeleteAlways wanted to go that park. We could never find it. I thought it looked pretty good but I guess I was wrong. Great pics of the line up.
ReplyDeleteYou need to be on the free road between Cuitzeo and the Mexico City toll road near the little town of San Juan Benito Juarez, which you will eventually drive through and then you have to call Arturo to come and get you and lead you to the campground. He will do this even for one RV. His phone number is 443-228-3839. His campground entrance is even marked on google maps as "Camping para caravanas". You and Juan would love it here.
DeleteI was holding my breath while watching that video and seeing the guys lift the wires! Hahaha. Reminded me of our trip through the skinny streets of San Remo, Italy. What an awesome view though....wouldnt mind staying longer at that place. Looking forward to some butterfly pictures! Really enjoying your blog. Take care. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteYep, it is quite the adventure having to drive through that little town with the caravan, especially when everyone in town comes out to watch. It is one of those experiences the makes our trip in Mexico all that much richer. Everyone on the caravan will remember this drive for the rest of their lives and when they do they will smile. :-)
DeleteI bet that was a trip they will all remember:)
ReplyDeleteWe can pretty much guarantee it! :-)
DeleteThat narrow street made me nervous!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen you are a seasoned driver here in Mexico there is nothing to it but when you are still getting used to driving in Mexico it can be a little intimidating.
DeletePlease say hello to Arturo for us! We had a wonderful time there and what an amazing host! Shortly after our Caravan arrived he takes on the challenge to take 4 women to town shopping! Love watching your travels! <3
ReplyDeleteI passed along your greetings to Arturo. We have to be honest though that we didn't find the stay quite the same as last time. We still had a nice time and the view if fantastic but the park isn't quite as well kept as it has been in the past. He is still very enthusiastic about the park but he is looking more too wanting long term RV's there rather than just a few nights here and there.
DeleteYes, he was a brave man to take 4 women shopping! ;-)