Puerto Vallarta Here We ComeFeb 24, 2009
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We had heard that the campgrounds in the Puerto Vallarta area had decreased in numbers, folks buying the property and building houses on the water, so we were a bit concerned as we left Mazatlan for our next stop. The trip south was interesting. We did a short stint on Mexico 15D which was a pleasant no-toll road. Orchards and fields of tomatoes were plentiful in this state. Perpetual cattle can always be seen whether one is in the city or in the country.
Another federales check point loomed ahead. This one, however, was for vehicles going north, not for us southbound folks. We learned that the checkpoint was to ferret out drugs moving from the south towards the border. All the military men we passed were young – very young. As usual, the spiked rope was in evidence, as it lay dormant across the road.
The town called Aqua Caliente, spoke to us of hot springs and beckoned although we chugged onward. Agribusiness and agriscience were both visible, the first in a chicken farm with thousands of chickens; the second, in a Bayer Agriscience facility – perhaps developing aspirin’s friends. In between, we made a list of where to call for space. After many calls, and thanks to the updates to Mike and Terri’s Church’s Mexico book, with great relief we found there would be space in Los De Marcos at Ron’s RV Park.
With a bit more peace of mind we were able to enjoy the scenery, which included hawks galore flying above us – tan ones with black wing tips. The ocean lay to the west and the Occidental Mountains climbed to the east. We entered Nayarit, another new state for us in Mexico. We really need one of those color-in maps to track the Mexican states we’ve visited. After a mountainous climb and farms galore, we came into Tepic – the well-developed capitol city of Nayarit. From there to Los De Marcos, it felt like we were going through a rain forest as we descended to the coast and our destination north of Puerto Vallarta.
Upon our arrival, we were welcomed into the family of campers in this small but lovely campground. Ron, an American expatriate who truly enjoys campground ownership, was quite helpful and a delightful host. He even has a house with rooms to rent for visiting family and friends, if one stays for a longer visit. What a relief to be in such a lovely spot after the anxiety due to the possibility of not finding a place to camp. We wandered over to talk with folks and enjoy a friendly glass of wine and felt fortunate to be there.
