Geo: 19.3098, -104.821Sometimes it's just enough to be out with the camera just shooting whatever comes. Bob and I took a walk on the beach at sunset, enjoying the soft breezes and brilliant colors.... read more

Geo: 90, -169.789The Sunday market we found in Cruz de Huanacaxtle could just as easily fit in Scottsdale, AZ or any other upscale marketplace. The artistry of the individual vendors was elegant and the classy marina provided the perfect setting. We enjoyed the market immensely--it was beautiful and I was glad these talented artists have a venue for their creations, it just was not a place where we were going to buy anything. It was a morning for browsing and appreciating the creative genius of others. The location of this sleepy fishing village between Puerto Vallarta and Punta de Mita (rich condo-clave) has doomed it -- there's nothing along that whole bay untouched by greedy development and Cruz is no exception. It's humble Mexican village turning I'm afraid, into another millionaire playground.But right now outside the ... read more

Geo: 20.9537, -105.354Charming, quaint pueblos north of Puerto Vallarta perch between thick jungle and ocean waves with sandy beaches stretching for miles. Hidden coves, dramatic headlands, rolling hills heavy with vegetation--this is a beautiful area of the Mexican coast. There's still lots of gringos, but it's maintained some individuality too. ... read more

Geo: 20.755, -105.334It's called the Blessing of the Fleet and it culminates a week long celebration in Bucerias, a formerly small fishing village north of PV.We take the bus to Mega, a huge warehouse style store in Bucerias where we meet tall Bob and Donna, who have driven in from their RV park further north to spend the day enjoying the festivities with us.The schedule said 11:00. At 11 the pangas would start their ramming of the beach. Why? It's somehow gotten lost in the translation, but they're here for a blessing from the priest and they come decorated and dancing.At 12:30 we think we see tiny specs way out on the horizon. By 1:00 we're pretty sure it's the pangas, showing up for their 11:00 storming of the beach. 11 Mexican time. The tricky part ... read more

Geo: 20.6509, -105.215Mexico has 32 states, 19 of which have travel advisories from our state department. Of the 4 states we've traveled through from Nogales to Puerto Vallarta, all have serious advisories--every one. Ones where they say defer non-essential travel and secondary roads can be especially dangerous. What?We've driven through without mishap. Mostly. They're talking about rural roads though in remote areas, where we were along the coast. I think.Actually, I don't know what I think. The stories are enough to keep you up at night but really? With 150,000 people a day crossing the border, they don't amount to much. The scary stories, I mean. What's real and pretty scary on it's own is just the navigating. It's a country with horrible road maps for their horrible roads; they're inaccurate and incomplete, and that's when ... read more