A final segment of our trip….
The last time you heard from the Dos Amigos we were luxuriating on the beaches of Ixtapa, Mexico residing in a bat invested hotel, watching the New England Patriots make an amazing comeback to win the Super Bowl. Early Monday morning the Amigos took flight in their trusty Ford 150 truck heading north toward Tepic. We arrived in Tepic around 4:30 in the afternoon, but got lost and never found the hotel we were looking for in which we stayed on the way south. At one time George had heard of of a surfers village just north of Tepic and thought we should try to find accommodations there.

Driving directly into the setting sun, on a rutted two lane road, with traffic heading at you was not fun, however, thanks to Capt. George’s superb driving skills the amigos arrived in one piece in the poorest town in Mexico. With the light rapidly descending George found a spectacular hotel that offered food as well as clean rooms with comfortable beds. The hotel is named Garza Resort and is by far the best place in San Blas Unfortunately time would not allow us to spend another day and so we were off the next morning to the bustling town of Navajoa, where we again found wonderful accommodations.  The next day we arrived at the Nogales border with Arizona, passed into the country without a problem and in time to help celebrate the 77th birthday of Mike Karem in Tumacacaori, AZ.

Although our journey was cut short both George and I enjoyed a wonderful, educational experience. The people we met in Mexico could not have been nicer, more receptive and helpful. Needless to say we observed a great deal of poverty in the rural areas, however, the people appeared happy and hard working. We were blown away by the size and quantity of farms, which compared favorably with those found in the agricultural areas of the US.The roads in Mexico are improving, however, they are still rutted and decayed with no shoulders.

People drive faster than the speed limits without fear of being stopped by police. The truck drivers are exceptionally courteous especially on two lane roads. Every Mexican town has what is known as “topes” or “reductors”. These are placed in the road to slow traffic and in some towns they are large enough to bring your vehicle to a halt before passing over them. This might be great for those who live in these towns, however, they are murder for drivers and their vehicles.  Just to give you an idea how many of these tope/reductors exist we counted over 384 from Puerto Escondido to Tepic one way.

You might think we are a little anal counting topes, but when your in a car traveling what else do you have to keep you awake? Another observation regarding Mexico is that they do not care for their animals. Dogs looked emaciated and were unattended, same with cattle and horses. I did not see a cat until we arrived in Puerto Escondido. The beaches are lovely and empty and the weather delightful. Mexico is a rich beautiful country, unfortunately corruption runs rampant.  On our journey we observed multiple military and federal police armed check points. Many people live in fear of the cartels, who control large areas of the country.

As we mentioned yesterday, the traffic in Acapulco is far worse than the traffic in Tokyo, Bangkok and New York City but work through it especially when the weather is 86 degrees. We’re headed to the airport to pick up a friend of ours, Phil. We’re planning on staying the night in Puerto Escondido and relaxing. Our backs are killing us so we may just stay awhile and figure out when we’ll get back on the road.

Adios from the Dos Amigos – George & Ken

With miles and miles behind us, we finally made it to Acapulco Guerrero, Mexico. All we can say is that the traffic is terrible but at least we’re enjoying the 89 degree warm weather.  It only took us an hour and fifteen minutes to drive through and of course no clear signage for where we’re headed. All we know is to make sure we keep the ocean to our right as we continue southward bound.

Did I mention how crazy the drivers are here in Acapulco? We just watched a guy ram into another driver for no reason other than he was in the way…. shoot’em, kill’em and cut them up into small pieces… and then get the hell out.

Well we’re off to our next destination and should arrive manana! Until the next call…

— Ken & George

The deplorable Dos Amigos left Reno, Nevada on Monday January 23, 2017 making their way across the states and landed in Kingman, Arizona with a gallon and a half in the tank. They spent time with friends the next day and headed south again a few days later…

Having fun! – George and Ken

The Dos Amigos are departing Monday, the 23^rd of January. Why are we late…? Mother Nature supplied the Sierra’s and Incline Village with about (10) TEN feet of snow. Ken’s not sure if he lives in a house or an igloo.

Not to mention that the Mexican’s have shut the border down at Nogales, Mexico. Police are shooting rubber bullets at the protestors who don’t seem to like the 30% rise in automobile gas.  Who would, right? So we simply pushed our GO date by ten days. But now we’re ready to depart…

Adios to all.

The Amigos, George & Ken

Pan-American Highway extends from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to the tip of Chile (14 countries) and started back in 1950. US, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama where we hit the Darien Gap which is our southern target which brinks the Pan-American Highway. Sixty miles of impassible jungle, just past Panama City.  (You have to take a ferry to Columbia).

Banditos, the cartel, vehicle breakdowns, poor navigation, lousy margaritas … we will try and keep the blue pacific on the right and coming back on the left (we hope that’s right)! Twelve thousand miles or 19312 kilometers round trip from Reno to Panama and back to Reno. From the Mexican border to the first border crossing (Guatemala) is 2,108 miles or 3393 kilometers.

Crossing the US border at Nogales, Arizona our first overnighter will be in Guaymas, Sonora Mexico.

From there on you will have to stay tuned…