Mazatlán, San Carlos and on to The Border

Mazatlán was our next stop, about a 450 km drive from PV.  We wanted to get to Maz before dinner because we had one of our favourite restaurants in mind for a great experience and meal. That restaurant was Pancho's which is located on the beach. Again, we are such creatures of habit, camping at San Fernando Trailer Park RV. During high season the campground is often full of expats escaping the inclement weather of the north. At this time of year we were the only campers, along with the caretaker. It was very obvious this trip that San Fernando's is quickly being encroached by apartment buildings and condos.  Sad but true.  We might soon have to find another place to stay.  

Below is a truck full of Jack Fruit ready to go to market.

On a happier note, Pancho's was still open and running like a well oiled machine. We somehow had two waiters who gladly brought us the usual complimentary jalapeño peppers filled with smoked marlin, nacho chips with three sauces and our entres (obviously not complimentary). This restaurant is open air with only three walls, allowing excellent views to the beach and the sunset. Once finished your meal the waiters bring complimentary coffee liquor (like the complimentary appetizers were not enough). Plus, for some wonderful reason, we were brought a complimentary aperitif during the meal. You can now see why we keep returning to Pancho's every visit to Mazatlán. 

Next day we were up and running early, off to our destination of San Carlos, Mexico. We have a fav RV park, Totonaka, in San Carlos. That was a long day of driving for Ken - about 790 km. Larry, Ken's brother, was driving up from Ajijic and met us at Totonaka RV park. 

Yes, we have a favourite restaurants there, too. When you have traveled some of these areas many times you "star" your favourite places and get to return to experience them again. We arrived in San Carlos just in time to be able to have a late supper at JJ's Tacos. It is housed in an enclosed, giant palapa. 

The atmosphere is very laid back and casual. You can tell by the displayed t-shirts saying things like, "Your pants say yoga but your butt says tacos".  Several catchy little phrases are displayed. This place has "the best" taco bar full of any accoutrement you could wish for to accompany your tacos. 

From San Carlos you can make it to Tucson, Arizona in one easy driving day. We were concerned the border backup from the trucks might spill over to include cars. We took the Nogales truck crossing called Mariposa. We always try to take truck crossings as they are usually faster. That day was no exception. The trucks were very backed up but for cars (or in our van, in Pepe's case) the crossing was as usual, maybe half an hour wait. 

We were anxious to move along to Tucson, our desert campground there and finally some shopping.