Puerto Penasco–Sonora-Mexico

Well, except for the wind that comes and goes, due to the weather from the pacific and northwest, it has been sunny and warm.

Of course today (Oct. 23rd), it is expected to reach 100 degrees F. But with the breeze, the beer, marguerites and coconut shrimp, life is good. The nights are always cool, so life is really good.

We arrived a little after 12, on Friday, easy border crossing except now, they are stressing the paperwork for pets, so be prepared with all of your paperwork in hand as you arrive and wait your turn. At the same time, look closely at the US border crossing, look how you will need to get back across and which lane you need to be in with your Rv.

Once across, proceed slowly drive safely while you are in Mexico, remember you are guilty until you prove your innocents. So, please remember this.

Puerto Penasco, is about 60 minutes from the US-Mx Border, so take your time and let everyone else pass you. As there is no need to rush, especially if you have already made your reservation. This time we came in the back way? or at least that is how I describe it. Look for the sign that says El Golfo, just as you take the right exit of the overpass.

Once home, setup and relax we spent time together, sipping a few bottles of wine. Well some sipped while others guzzled. In all we went thru 3 regular bottles and 1 large one. Someone or ones were thirsting. Dinner, was spent at “The Wreck”, good but not exceptionable, this time.

We really have not spent all that much on the beach at night, so, we really need to get back into the beach bumming. We have been trying to locate Don Julio Tequila, in the stores, but not much success, that is until today. While Susan was shopping at the Super Ley, she came across a pleather of DJ. So, asking the nice lady, she said Total, meaning all of them. Next thing she knew was, she had more friends then she realized inside the Store. So, we are now stocked  up with DJ Tequila for a while. Things have changed around town. The prices for tequila has gone up in some places but down in others. Seems like Sam’s is trying to make a killing selling tequila, while the Bodega has not raised there price, and the Super Ley’s is selling Don Julio, at the same price Sam’s sold it in the Spring time.

Shrimp price’s seem to be stable and with a good shrimp opening (Sept. 17), they are expecting a good harvest. We see many boats each day as they come and go in the harbor. We will keep you informed as to the quality of the shrimp, especially the coconut shrimp. Well it is time to leave you, I will see about getting this posted soon, but due to the internet, it may take a little longer, especially with uploading the photos.

So, back to this blogging thing. It has been 6 days since I started this post, and I better get it released soon, before I forget what I am doing. What have we been doing ? CoCo-Shrimp, eating at local street carts, finding fried ice-cream cart. Birthday Girl Lind to dinner, fixing small things floating around. Jeff and Linda getting a new cabinet for less then$500, where Dave’s Custom Cabinet wanted $3000.

Many walks on the beach and the area, seeking new sites. Just plain having fun, taking photos and posting the photos, which I will get to soon in this post. Soon is now, links below to photos

Link to Sunday in Puerto Penasco

Link to Linda’s Birthday

Link to Jeff & Linda’s Cabinet

Link to Storm Day

Triple Chocolates on the Beach

Dale

08 Gold #4695, DaGirls Rv Travels

Aka Dakota & Tilly

Safe Travels and Journeys

http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/

Home - Base

Yes we have a home base now. We reported on this last year on the SKP Co-Op lot we picked up.

We returned here to do minor repair and of course laundry. I believe Susan did 9 loads of wash. We were invited over (including Dakota & Tilly), to Mike, Lorraine place, along with Jim and Dorothy for dinner and drinks. Mike did an excellent job on the steaks, along with the salad Susan made.

With good friends, puppies by our side, life is good.

While here I made a repair to our roadmaster guardian rock shield. The driver's side mounting bracket is made from a casting, once it breaks, you cannot weld it, however, me being me, I made a new bracket, drilled, bolted it back in place. Life is good again.

Today, Thursday, we will be heading out to Gila Bend for a overnight stay and then on to Puerto Penasco, Mx., for a 2 week downtime on the beach.

Dale

08 Gold #4695, DaGirls Rv Travels

Aka Dakota & Tilly

Safe Travels and Journeys

http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/

Wrapping up - AIBF 2017

It has been a great adventure at the AIBF. Sorry for not posting during this time, as mainly we get up, crew with a balloon team, visit friends, take photos of the various balloons. Then come evening head to our work station and then come home. Then in between we visit see some wonderful friends and sit back and then get ready to start it all over again.

This year Susan arranged and setup for 17 Rv's to come in and be Volunteer Navigators. Out of the 17 Rv's only 1 person choose not to work, and 1 person experience an accident that made it impossible for him to work.

In the end everyone enjoy themselves and had a wonderful time.

This year I was able to get a balloon ride, along with Lorraine and Dave. Susan opted out the first day and said let Dave go, she was scheduled for the next day, but our balloonist got sick. She will have to wait another year.

Our work at the Gondola Club was easy. We were scheduled as drivers. We were both scheduled as parking lot attendant for 1 day each. It really turned out to be easier than courtesy shuttle. Our time spent with the customers were little and usually only when they needed a ride.

Dave, was an excellent team leader and has been during this for well over 10 years. Dave loves the long hours and working at the Gondola Club.

Susan and I both enjoyed our time here, the more we do it, we each learn the ends and out of chase team and meeting the balloonist on and off the field.

Plus some special photo ops;

But, alas, it was time to wrap up and head out. We opted to head to Casa Grande instead of Enchanted Trails Rv Resort. We had not planned on driving the whole way, but that is what we did. 450 miles, straight to our lot at Rover's Roost. SO this is where we sit, until Thursday, when we head to Puerto Penasco - beach front.

In the meantime, this 3 minute video wraps up our fun at AIBF:

Dale
DaGirls Rv Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

The first day of AIBF is done and over with, and a busy day it was.

Our day started out, around, 4 pm, getting up and prepping to leave, that is I was leaving, Susan wanted to stay at the Rv, and see the balloons from here.

I went to the field and went to find Don and Robin. Susan and I crewed for them last year and they were returning once again to AIBF. It is so fun to be on a crew, as the excitement from the balloons and crew. I stayed and helped for awhile and  then went off to shoot some-photos.

I went to the Navigators tent, checked in on Jane, and a few others of our group who were driving shuttle carts this year. Once done and coffee, I took off for the Rv, and got home just in time to help out with a Balloon that landed right behind us. Susan was already working with them and she had been  on the Rv roof taking photos, many of them of.

But as soon as he was wrapped up, pack up and gone, Lilly, dropped by and decided to stay awhile.

We received pins, Bob, received coffee, sweet rolls and beer (not to drink yet).

Press Here - AIBF Balloon Photo Link


Dale
DaGirls Rv Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

Big Day Tomorrow - AIBF Grand Ascension

Final day, before AIBF kicks.
We have a grand tour of the area, discussion with Team leaders or rules.
Had a beautiful but cloudy morning for the first day of balloon lift-off.

And took a few shots of the area.

All of these were good shots, however this one might win a prize:

Balloon floating across the sky, as the moon was settling.

Dale
DaGirls Rv Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

Final Countdown

Dale
DaGirls Rv Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

2 days and counting

Sorry for the big delay, as we arrived and setup, at the Enchanted Trails and Rv Resort. Our Slide motor went ratcheting. Up Oh, we looked at each other.

Slide went out 8 inches and only came back 4. That's all she wrote. So, since Sunday we have been living in a 100 sq. ft. house. Having to crawl over the bed, to get into the shower and sink. No way to get into our draws and put away the laundry, you name it and all of a sudden you realize what you are missing.

So, I went in search of locating a new slide motor, good thing, LCW is an hour later, so after calling at 7:30 their time on Monday, ordering one and requesting over-night shipping it arrived by 11 am, Tuesday.

Once I looked the motor over, I notice that the shear bolt in the parallel gear shaft was a ¼ inch dia. So a call was placed to LCW, after a good 15 minute phone call, I was still confused as to what size the shear pin should be and where. In the gear shaft of the rail support arm.

Well as it turns out, the original factory drilled out the 1/4 inch to a 3/8 inch. Now I know why the gearbox is destroyed and not the shear pin. Instead of engineering the correct motor/gearbox to the weight of the slide and gears on the rail. The MFG, just drilled out and put in a bigger shear Pin.

So, I spent the day, drilling and working on our slide, finally getting it done by 7:30 – 8pm, and during the day, installing a Winegard Traveler (Automatic) and a WiFi antenna on his Rv roof for Tom. Needless to say, it was a busy one for me and a little stressful.

But I kept my wits about me, Susan keeping me fueled and hydrated, and we were done in time to have company over. 

Sometime in the future i will do a complete write-up on the slide. In the meantime onto AIBF and friends. 

In the meantime be watching for our AIBF photos

Link Press Here 


Dale
DaGirls Rv Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song