Totonaka R.V. Park, San Carlos, Mexico

Having spent the past couple of days around here, chatting with both the locals and fellow R.V.ers, most of them by the way heading home either to the U.S. or Canada, we are altering our itinerary to taking a more direct route to Mazatlan. Although, we have been cautioned about Mazatlan also. We have been told to avoid the town center of Navajoa and instead take the circuitous truck route, staying on Mex 15 and not to go to the city of Cuilican at all. We knew the day prior to entering Mexico through Nogales, that the Nogales Chief of Police and his guard and been murdered. In addition to that, about two weeks ago, there was an assault and shooting of a couple in an R. V. park in Mazatlan. Apparently, 2 men dressed as federales knocked on the door to their R. V. They drew weapons, a fight ensued and the man was shot. His wife went to the front of their motorhome and turned on lights, blared the horn and scared them off. Her husband took a shot to the leg. According to the man telling us this, most of the other campers packed up and left town, presumably for greener and more peaceful pastures! As if that weren't enough, a couple of days ago 2 other R. V. homes were stopped on the highway at what appeared to be one of the numerous police checkpoints seen on the roads here, but this wasn't a valid stop. These R. V. ers had their motorhomes stolen but at least they were not bodily hurt. The stories abound around the park with people lamenting as to how much Mexico has changed (and not for the better) and how cautious the seasoned R.V.er has become. A few of these people have been travelling through this area every year for the last 20 or more years. So, back to Tom and I. Instead of trying to find some remote beaches, accessed only by us and a couple of locals, we will head to Mazatlan on a 2 day, twelve hour driving spree. Tomorrow we will stay in Los Mochis and drive to Mazatlan on Friday. We have parks selected in both places so hopefully, by Friday afternoon we will be settled and safe. On a more cheerful note, we are having a great time. I walked Winston to the local stores this morning. Rosies Market allowed Winston and I to browse, we only needed milk and beer. At Tony's Market, which is really just an open air stand that sells a variety of fresh seafood and meat, vegies, juices, miscellaneous food items, clothes, decorative pots... etc,. We bought gulf shrimp (they were fresh and big) for dinner and fruit. Tom and I did some basic r. v. cleaning this afternoon, a lot of reading and cooked dinner. Those gulf shrimp with rice and green beans - quite delicious. Well, one quick walk for Winston and off to bed. Tomorrow travel. Next blog, hopefully on Friday.