Our Journey

beaches & borders

beaches & borders

Turtle Beach, Jan 1 Just an hour down the road, the coastline changes again, picturesque bays give way to long coastal beaches. Our next camp wasn’t easy to reach—Google Maps led us astray, though not entirely its fault, we had missed a small, hand-painted, tree...

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Don Taco’s – San Augustin Bay

Don Taco’s – San Augustin Bay

December 27 - 31 We climbed out of Zipolite, making a stop in the next town for provisions and diesel. With no air conditioning, the stifling 38°C heat had us melting in the cab, so the kids’ new fans were put to good use. Our next stop is a favourite amongst the...

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Oaxaca City, the Coast & Christmas Day

Oaxaca City, the Coast & Christmas Day

El Tule, December 17-21 Like the tide, we seem to be going with the flow, adjusting our plans day by day. So much for shipping out of Veracruz on December 9th. It’s now December 27th, and we’re sitting on the Oaxaca coast. We spent four nights at a lovely RV park just...

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U-turns, Pyramids and Lions

U-turns, Pyramids and Lions

December 12th - 17th If there’s one thing we hate, it’s backtracking—up and down that same stretch of highway, burning diesel, time, and money. But for the last time, we’ve decided to turn back and keep heading south. After getting Frank’s email yesterday, we learned...

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dialemas & decisions in san miguel de allende

dialemas & decisions in san miguel de allende

December 8-11th san miguel de allende It's nice to be back, we spent three months here during the pandemic, and are very familiar with the town. Our first two nights were spent was at San Ramon RV Park. A big property, beautifully maintained and manicured green lawns....

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San Antonio & Six Flags

San Antonio & Six Flags

San Antonio is a sprawling city that is growing rapidly, but for us, it had three purposes: riding rollercoasters at Six Flags, picking up the truck parts Jim shipped from Oregon and shopping to pick up the last few items needed, before we cross the border. Blink, and...

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Carlsbad Caverns & West Texas

Carlsbad Caverns & West Texas

November 22nd- 24th Tucked away in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico lies the Carlsbad Caverns National Park. A geological masterpiece—home to over 119 caves formed in a fossil reef laid down by an inland sea about 265 million years ago. Above ground,...

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The NRAO & White Sands National Park, New Mexico

The NRAO & White Sands National Park, New Mexico

November 18th - 20th Heat at last in New Mexico! Home to 14 National Parks and Monuments, this state offers a blend of otherworldly landscapes and fascinating science. From Roswell, where rumours of alien landings persist, to Area 51, shrouded in secrecy, New Mexico...

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las vegas & hoover dam

las vegas & hoover dam

Back to Vegas, 28 Years LaterThe last time we visited Las Vegas was in 1996. Back then, we were on a camping road trip down through Baja, Mexico. Swinging by Vegas on the way home, camping in a tent at a KOA campground. Fast forward 28 years, and here we are...

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Death Valley National park

Death Valley National park

November 12th - 13th Death Valley National Park Located primarily in California, Death Valley is a place of extremes. Holding the title of the hottest and driest and lowest place in North America.  Averaging a mere 2 inches of rainfall per year.  Spanning a staggering...

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Chilly nights & Yosemite National park

Chilly nights & Yosemite National park

November 9th - 11th The nights are growing colder, with the outside temperatures hovering around 5°C. Too cold to have the windows open more than an inch, condensation still forms around the glass. It’s too cold to sleep in the rooftop tent, so we’re all snug together...

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Hood River, oregon

Hood River, oregon

It’s already been a week since we left yet, we are only a few hundred miles from home.  Our first stop was Hood River, Oregon, a beautiful little town nestled along the Columbia River.  Famous for its world-class wind and water sports,  when the summer thermal winds...

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Upgrades for Growing Kids & Expanding Adventures

Upgrades for Growing Kids & Expanding Adventures

As our family adventures continue to evolve, so do our needs. With the kids growing rapidly and needing more space, it was time for a few adjustments. Out with the old roof-top cargo basket and in with an iKamper roof-top tent! From tackling ladder issues and rust...

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Life on the Road

Life on the Road

CAMPING Overlanding is all about experiencing life in the great outdoors, finding that perfect camp spot in quiet isolation while watching the sun go down with you’re favourite drink is what it’s all about.   But it’s not always like this, depending on which country...

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Idaho, more than just potatoes

Idaho, more than just potatoes

Leaving Yellowstone we retraced our route South before turning off towards Idaho Falls. We spent one night at the Snake River RV park for hot showers, laundry & fill up on fresh water. An interesting place, more like a permanent neighbourhood of RV's than people...

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Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park

10 May It's going to be a beautiful day, cold, but no point complaining, we're bundled up in the cab with blankets wearing everything warm that we own. Tim started Bruce early to warm the engine which takes a good 25 mins before the heater starts working. After...

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Wondering through Wyoming

Wondering through Wyoming

May 8th, 2021 Adios Utah! This morning we crossed into Wyoming. Excited for the change in scenery, but not the cold. As we make our way towards the valley of Jackson Hole, a tidbit if roadside information tells us we are following along the migration route of the...

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Dinosaur National Monument

Dinosaur National Monument

6 May Like most kids, Charley & Jaxon have a fascination with dinosaurs. They know many of their names and must have at least a dozen small plastic Dino toys with them in the truck. Which is why we didn't tell them about this place until just 10 days ago. We...

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Arches National Park

Arches National Park

4 May Located in Eastern Utah just South of the Colorado River.  Another corner of sunbaked earth, that typically receives only 10 inches of rain fall annually.   In 1971 was declared a National Park.  Approximately 1.5 million people flow through the gates annually....

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Moab, Utah

Moab, Utah

May 2nd Sandwiched between Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, lies the town of Moab. Much has changed since I was here 15 years ago. Once a quiet town with a few bike stores, souvenir shops & hippie cafes. Moab's main...

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Learning to Kiteboard – by Charley

Learning to Kiteboard – by Charley

When Mum & Dad asked if I wanted to learn how to kiteboard this winter, I was a little surprised. I thought I was too young, I hadn't really even thought about it. So I said sure!  My Mum & Dad go out kiting every day down here, and love it.  My...

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Mesa Verde & Newspaper Rock

Mesa Verde & Newspaper Rock

Valley of the Gods April 28 From Valley of the Gods we could clearly see Monument Valley.  All part of the same red-sand desert, maybe, as the crow flies, 20km apart.  Just tribal lines dividing them. Those iconic buttes, fins and cliffs have featured in more than 60...

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Capitol Reef, Escalante & Valley of the Gods

Capitol Reef, Escalante & Valley of the Gods

Escalante National Monument 28th April The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument spans across nearly one million acres of public lands and contains three distinct units: Grand Staircase, Kaiparowits, and Escalante Canyon. From its spectacular Grand...

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Hurricane, Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks

Hurricane, Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks

Hurricane April 23 Our friends Pat & Brenda Montani told us about Hurricane, pronounced ‘Hurkin’, Pat loved the mountain biking here, said it was more scenic than Moab, and recommended we check it out.  Sadly, as I write, Pat is in the Squamish Hospice.  How...

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Loreto. The last frontier & MX5 North

Loreto. The last frontier & MX5 North

April 1 Pulling into Loreto is kinda like coming home.  We’ve been here many times, the last was on our way down the Baja just 16 months ago.  Jeff & Tracy made us feel welcome, opening their home to us.  The kids quickly dumped their bag &...

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Adios La Ventana!

Adios La Ventana!

March 30 Looking back on our time spent in La Ventana, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and happiness.   This little corner of Baja has been our home for the past 5 months and we have enjoyed every moment.   Am grateful for the freedom we have...

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The Mighty Pacific Grey Whales

The Mighty Pacific Grey Whales

March 5th From January through to the end of March the mighty Grey Whale annual migration passes along Mexico’s Baja Peninsular.  Dotted along the coastline lie protective inlets, where expectant mothers seek the warmer & safer waters to give birth.  These inlets...

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La Ventana continued…

La Ventana continued…

It’s cold, Baja in January is cold.  Chilly North winds that are so much fun to kite in, aren’t as much fun to ‘live’ in.  We’ve pulled on the puffy jackets, wool hat and Ugg boots.   Instead of a cold beer after kiting, it’s a hot cuppa tea.  I’m more grateful...

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Fishing Trip to the Island – by Jaxon

Fishing Trip to the Island – by Jaxon

From our camp at the beach we can see a big brown island.  It’s too far away to swim to, but in Dean’s boat we were there in about a half an hour.  We left the boat launch at 8am, to go fishing out in the bay and be back in time to go to school at 12...

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The day I caught my first fish – by Jaxon

The day I caught my first fish – by Jaxon

January 12, 2021 I love fishing and I go as much as I can. I would rather go fishing than do boring school work. I like fishing in the mornings and casting from the beach, sometimes I take the paddle board out and try to catch fish, but I haven't caught one yet. Our...

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A kids day in La Ventana – by Charley

A kids day in La Ventana – by Charley

November 2020 I always wake early, i'm usually the first one awake, usually because I have to pee. Once I'm awake I can't go back to sleep, at first, in November it was light early so I would sneak out and go and see if the other kids were up, I think it's close to or...

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Our La Ventana Bubble

Our La Ventana Bubble

November While the global pandemic rages on we sit in our beautiful beach bubble feeling only slightly affected by it all. While USA is spinning compass, our biggest decision of the day is which size kite to pump. While Canada's Covid curve is flattened vertically, we...

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Back to Baja & Day 365

Back to Baja & Day 365

October 17 Mainland to Baja Crossing Baja Ferries operations are complicated, nothing is simple or straight forward, but we’re loaded and happy to make the last crossing of the next 3 days.  Happy to pass an uncomfortable night in the brightly lit, cold...

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My year on the road – by Charley

My year on the road – by Charley

I remember when we left home, the days were starting to get cooler which meant Winter was on its way, it was October 29th 2019.  We had been waiting for this day for a very long time, actually for as long as I can remember Mum & Dad talked about us driving to...

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Chihuahua

Chihuahua

October 9 - 16 The long, straight, flat road from Durango to Hidalgo del Parral, made for an easy drive, but once we turned West on to smaller roads the terrain changed again revealing more of Mexico's diverse countryside.   Out the window we see bony horses and...

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Guanajuato has Iguanas and a snake! – by Jaxon

Guanajuato has Iguanas and a snake! – by Jaxon

I really like visiting Guanajuato because we went for a walk for most of the days and one day we cam across a man carrying 2 Iguanas on his shoulders walking down the street. And we asked the man if we could hold them, he said yes if we gave him 20 pesos. Charley's...

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Leon & Zacatecas

Leon & Zacatecas

September 21 - 23 Stopping in Leon for just a couple of hours, we found a large parking spot for the truck 5 mins walk from Zone Piel or Leather District.  Here the labyrinth of markets is enough to make you head spin.  Every store and stall owner beaconing...

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Independence Day & Guanajuato City

Independence Day & Guanajuato City

Sept 13 - 17 Back on September 16th, 1810, México gained their independence from 300 yrs of Spanish rule.  On the eve of every anniversary, México is alight with fireworks.  We decided to return to San Miguel de Allende to join our friends Mark & Todd in...

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Tolantongo River & Pools – by Charley

Tolantongo River & Pools – by Charley

September 8 - 11 I would describe Tolantongo as a very beautiful place. It's definitely a must visit because the water in the river is very warm and it's a turquoise blue in colour. You can only go so far down river before you come across a red tape line going across...

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Tolantongo

Tolantongo

Sept 9 These roads make me feel like we're back in Guatemala, steep climbs mountain ridges with 360' views.   Tight, twisty, steep and narrow lanes, one lapse in concentration and were done for. Rains have caused a few minor mud & rock slides onto the road, one...

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Rio Verde to Tolantongo

Rio Verde to Tolantongo

Sept 4 - 12th From the dry desert highland heat to the low land jungle humidity, descending we could feel the moisture in the air.   Javier the owner of the orange grove/campground said we were his first guests in 4 months. Understandably a little hungry for camping...

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San Miguel de Allende – Real de Catorce

San Miguel de Allende – Real de Catorce

September 1 - 4 With the windows down and wind in our hair, we pointed Bruce North and into new territory.  Excited to be moving on we enjoy the drive taking the ‘Libre’ or Free roads towards the state and city of San Luis Potosi.  The long straight flat...

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Six weeks in San Miguel de Allende

Six weeks in San Miguel de Allende

July 14 - August 31st We had planned was to head back into the USA, but have since decided to return to San Miguel de Allende, aka SMA and rent a house. Casa Cordelli is perched above town with panoramic views, swimming pool and trampoline. So, no it didn't take long...

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My 7th Birthday

My 7th Birthday

August 23rd is my real birthday, but we had my party on the day before which was the 22nd, it was a surprise party and I was surprised!  We had it at the bull ring by Jayla’s holiday house in San Miguel.  We had a bouncy castle, a horse to ride, a superman...

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My time in San Miguel de Allende

My time in San Miguel de Allende

For half of July and all of August we rented this really nice house that has a curvy shaped swimming pool and a tv that we never get to use. I sleep in my Mum & Dad's room, on a small bed that is very comfy. We have a big wide pool and a trampoline that we get to...

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I like Guatemala because…

I like Guatemala because…

I got to drive Bruce on the big bumpy roads. I had to sit on dad's lap because I couldn't reach the pedals, so I did the steering and Dad did the speed and brakes. I like driving her, when I'm older and bigger I'll drive her again. Guatemala has lots of those falling...

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Sierra Gorda – San Miguel

Sierra Gorda – San Miguel

July 5 - 11 On Ioverlander, Palma Sola Club is marked as an orange farm / campground and was highly recommended by our friend Phil who also stayed there. From the street delicious aromas are wafting out of the small roadside Comedor (restaurant). Climbing down from...

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LESSONS LEARNED

LESSONS LEARNED

12 LESSONS LEARNED FROM LIFE ON THE ROAD 1. Get up early, drive early so you can set up camp early.  It’s usually cooler and leave time for the unexpected.  2. Learn the language, if even a little, locals are happy to help when you make an effort, every day you’ll...

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Travelling during Covid,  San Miguel.

Travelling during Covid, San Miguel.

June 28 - 4 July. I'd read that San Miguel de Allende was an old colonial town surrounding a Cathedral, and was a must see. Had we not turned around when we did we would have missed out on one of Mexico's gems. We are parked at the workshop of Euro-Latino Racing on...

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Charley’s B’day, Oaxaca & Earthquakes

Charley’s B’day, Oaxaca & Earthquakes

June 20 - 28th  For the past 40+ days, Charley has been counting down to her birthday, I can't believe she's about to turn 9!  Oh what to do to make this day extra special?  Being away from friends and Covid causing all the lockdowns we are unable to go...

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Villa del Sol – Oaxaca

Villa del Sol – Oaxaca

June 3 - 19 The same Tropical storm that threatened us in Guatemala has grown in size and is now reaching from El Salvador to Mexico. All around us the skies are heavy dark and grey, but directly above a patch of blue sky remains, kinda makes me think we are in the...

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Mission Surf – Villa del Sol, Chiapas, Mx.

Mission Surf – Villa del Sol, Chiapas, Mx.

30th - 2nd June Mission Surf is a not-for-profit home for children that has opened it's gates to the Overlanding community of travellers in an effort to assist in funding this incredible organization. Founded by a lovely Australian couple who moved her 20 years ago....

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4th time lucky…

4th time lucky…

May 26 - 29 Last Sunday evening the President announced to the country that if Covid numbers continue to climb as they are of 300+ new cases each day, he will lock down the country for a solid 2 weeks!  Hearing this filled me with dread, the thought of spending...

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Information

IOVERLAND Has been hailed as the Overlanders bible!  We use it daily and is our ‘go to’ for finding camp spots, location reviews & information.   This app has an extensive database information, including camping, hotels, restaurants, border...

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Homeschool, Roadschool or Worldschool.

Homeschool, Roadschool or Worldschool.

One of the considerations of taking our family on the road for an extended period of time is the children's education, the obvious conclusion is to homeschool. Having no experience with teaching, we consulted with our school Principal for guidance. He highly...

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PAN AMERICAN HIGHWAY

PAN AMERICAN HIGHWAY

The Pan-American Highway  Stretching from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina, the famed scenic Pan-American highway connects the North, Central and South American continents.   Winding over 30,000 km’s, through diverse geography and climates.   From arctic...

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Stuck in Guatemala, April 20 – 28th

Yesterday we received an email from friends back home in BC. Barb & Mike drove the Pan American highway 15+ years ago. Her reply to our hold up was "if nothing goes wrong, it's just a holiday!" During their journey, they were without their truck for a month...

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Guatemala – by Charley

Well, when left Belize, they took my temperature at the border place when we crossed into Guatemala. They were looking to see if I had the Corona Virus, but I didn't, my temperature was normal and I got another stamp in my passport. Our first stop in Guatemala was in...

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Lockdown in Guatemala, April 1 – 19th

The past 2 weeks have passed by surprisingly fast, though the hours seem to sometimes drag. Judging by reports online it appears that the virus hasn't yet reached its peak in Central America, numbers are slowly but steadily climbing & how accurate they are is...

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San Marcos & Quarantine March 16 – 31

San Marcos is a pretty lake side town with dual identities. The Mayan community of fisherman & farmers, who have been here since the beginning of their time and the travellers who come here seeking a 'higher sense of being'. Believed to be a place of special...

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Belize

Belize

"I went hiking in the jungle. It was very colourful, the roots of the trees were very thick, if we tried to chop the roots in half it wouldn't work. The roots are too thick. " "My family and I went on a hike to find some birds, on the way we got close to the top of...

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Mexico – by Jaxon 6.5 yrs

Mexico – by Jaxon 6.5 yrs

"The first picture is of Charley & I that time when Bruce got stuck in all that mud and we were supposed to stay in the truck, but we got bored and put our feet in the mud, it was cold and wet and we got it all over the inside of the truck. The next three photos...

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Chichi – San Marcos, March 15.

Bruce behaved himself for the rest of the day. Passing along the mountain side towns, they all started to blurr one into another, as thoughts of how Covid-19 is causing the world to shut down. We've just had word that Whistler & Blackcomb mountains are closed for...

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Lanquin – Chichicastenango, March 13 – 14

Feeling a little antsy about the virus and hearing of the border closing, we are keen to get to San Marcos asap. We left Lanquin gas station at 8am, just in time to sneak through the first part of the road works, but were stopped for a half hour at the next. Climbing...

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Semuc Champey, March 12

At 10pm last night the music & lights went off and the gas station fell into darkness. The next morning when chatting to the gas station manager about getting over to see Semuc Champey, he recommended we take a private vehicle and that we could leave the truck...

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Laguna las Pozas to Lanquin. March 10 – 11th.

For some reason I’m in the habit of waking at 3am, it could have something to do with that gin & tonic and going to bed early. Opening the computer I spent an hour editing photos before falling back to sleep till half six when I woke to the sound of a tuk-tuk...

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Mexico – by Charley

Mexico – by Charley

I would say it’s a pretty cool experience to actually be in Mexico. I really like all the bright colours, especially at Christmas time. It’s very peaceful here with beautiful sunsets, sometimes we are up early enough to see the sun rise too, it’s usually a lot cooler...

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Belize, March 2

Mexico to Belize Border Crossing Leaving Mexico was straightforward, we arrived at the border offices at 9am, no line ups or tour bus loads to deal with. First we surrendered our visitors visas & paid the exit taxes, (adults only) and got the exit stamp in the...

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Driving in Mexico

Border crossing, at San Ysidro. - A new multi lane entry point for passport control coming from the US into Mexico. We were directed to the large x-ray machine for the truck first, from there we were directed to park at what appeared to be the bus depot, to go inside...

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Izamal, El Cuyo & Isla Blanca, Feb 21 – 26

 The entire town of Izamal is painted yellow, including the old, simple stone, occupied convent is. Steeped in history, this pre-columbian Mayan city was significant politically and religiously. Today it's more of a tourist attraction. Decorated horse drawn buggies...

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Puebla & Cholula, Jan 26 – 28

Puebla has been on my must see list of places for Mexico and I was excited to be visiting. I stupidly thought it was a smaller town, which it is compared to CDMX, but as we came in from the upper highway, i was blown away by just how big it was here. Upon arrival we...

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Teotihuacan Pyramids & CDMX Jan 21 – 25

Ioverlander recommended we stay at El Rancho RV park, located a short distance from the Pyramids just North East of the city. Taking the toll road, we managed to navigate our way, but not with out error as coming through the toll road with multiple on ramps and fast...

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Monarch Butterfly Reserve 19 – 20 January

I can’t say for certain where we are heading, other than on the map it’s marked as the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, no major towns near by, is probably 100km West of Mexico City.   From Morelia we take the smaller roads East, driving is slow as we keep...

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Urupan, 17- 18 January.

Volcanoes & buried villages at 2,500 meters. Hoping for a break from the heat we headed inland to the volcanic and avocado growing region of Urupan in search of the buried church we'd read about.  Following advice, we took the toll roads for safety, and a...

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Zihuatanejo January 16th

Zihuatanejo is our next stop just a couple of hours down the road.  Smaller hotels line the waterfront at one end of the beach A smaller bay with a newer boardwalk winding around the rocks for walkers, runners & people taking a stroll. There are several sailboats...

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Birds of Baja – By Charley & Jaxon

Birds of Baja – By Charley & Jaxon

Dec 14th 2019 I have seen so many different types of birds since we left home.   Baja is quite different from Canada, so naturally they will have different birds here,   We travel with my bird book, you know, the one with the owl on the front. It’s got lots...

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Costa Aquilla Jan 13 – 15

Costa Aquilla Jan 13 – 15

 The further South we go the hotter and more humid it’s getting.  Strategy is now to be turning wheels as early as possible.  Winter time, so it’s dark till 7:30am, which does feel kinda odd in this heat, we are managing an 8:30am start.  The cool...

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Topolombpo to Tokkiero, January 2nd – 14th.

Mainland Mexico, our first time here, we had heard it was very different from Baja and it is in every way, except for the same crazy drivers and never ending Tope's.  Arriving off the boat at 11pm, we spent the night parked up inside the port of Topolobampo,...

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La Ventana Dec 13 – Jan 1, 2020

La Ventana Dec 13 – Jan 1, 2020

La Ventana is just 40 mins drive South of La Paz.  On the coast of another massive sandy bay, originally a fishing village, has transformed slowly over the past 20 years into a kiteboarding/windsurfing paradise for many Canadians & Americans.  As the...

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Lovely Loreto & San Juanico

Lovely Loreto & San Juanico

December 3 - 8  Loreto is a quaint coastal town, and home to another Mission.  Pulling in around mid day, we parked up on an empty shaded lot and went for a walk through the old part of town.  Stopping in at the Mission, we learn it was built in 1697,...

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Charley’s Sailing trip,  BVI

Charley’s Sailing trip, BVI

November 7 - 21, 2019 Our sailboat was a monohull, which is a boat that has just one normal shaped body.  It was 44 feet long & had 3 cabins below deck. The kitchen was small but not as small as the bathroom!  When I sat on the loo my knees nearly touched the...

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Disneyland – by Charley

I knew I was going to have so much fun, I just loved everything about it, except Space Mountain, because it was my first rollercoaster and it was in the DARK, mum and dad didn’t know what they were taking me on.  The other one I didn’t like AT ALL was Guardians...

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