Driving from Nogalas, AZ. to Puerto Vallarta MX

Yippie, we made it here safely. A great drive and we had sunshine the entire way down. It was 1700 miles from Palm Springs to PV, it will be a few days before we want to get back in the car again. Our butts need a rest!!
We spent our first night on the border in Nogalas, Herm wanted to get a running start at the border, we have been watching to much news. We were concerened about the banditos close to the border. We felt totally safe the entire way down, we did not see anything to make us feel unsafe.
Our second night we spent in San Carlos, this is a little ways off the main highway but worth the extra miles. It is on the coast, the hotel had a great restraunt with really good margaritas.
Pictures from San Carlos





The third night we were in Mazatlan, that was a long day of driving. For some reason we always stay at the Azteca Inn, this was our 7th time staying there. The first time we stayed there we drove right to it with no problem. For some reason we have never been able to find it again, so once we get into Mazatalan we now just hire a taxi to lead us to the Motel. I don't know why we can not find this place. We continue to stay at the Azteca because it has secure parking and is close to some good restraunts.

We were getting 32 miles to a gallon with gas from the US, but with the Mexician gas we are only able to get 28 miles per gallon. I am thinking that they must be adding a little bit of water to their fuel. The gas cost 7.6 peso per liter, so this year the gas is more than at home. The tolls came to 1037 peso's with the exchange rate is about $77.00. We had 17 toll boths which means 17 times you have people wanting to squirt dirty water on your window (they always want a few pesos for washing it) and 17 times of people trying to sell you somekind of food. We did buy some tangerine oranges a bag of 12 was $1.00.

Here is a picture of our friends Terry & Donna, it was their first drive down, and they were a little concerned. But quickly realized that driving down here is not a big deal just a lot of miles.