As the Gumbos read about snowfall and record cold temperatures in the Northwest, they are thankful to be enjoying the comforts of the San Carlos/Guaymas area of Mexico. Life is pretty good in the RV park – what with the “shrimp lady” stopping by each morning, the “water guy” delivering 5-gallon jugs of purified water to the Gumbo’s doorstep, the “propane guy” filling containers onsite and the CHEAP grocery store only a short bike ride away.
Duwayne and Darla Jean have been spending their “busy” days driving around the area and checking out some of the activities. Ray and Maria invited them to attend the Carnival parade in Guaymas (“Carnival” is the Mexican equivalent of Mardis Gras and happens at a few select cities – Mazatlan, Mexico City, Oaxaca, and Guaymas among them). Carnival lasts for a week in Guaymas and there’s a parade every day. And these parades are LONG and LOUD!! It seems that each float is accompanied by a truck with a sound system that competes to be the loudest.
Darla Jean and Ray in front of Maria and Ray’s house in Guaymas.
The streets in Guaymas during Carnival.
On another day, Duwayne and Darla Jean took a trip into Guaymas to check out the municipal mercado (public market). Downtown Guaymas is NOT a big pickup truck friendly environment so they parked down by the industrial harbor and walked to the mercado.
Stray dogs are always a feature in Mexico.
And Duwayne always enjoys looking at the meat in the mercado!
On another day, the Gumbos traveled to the neighboring city of Empalme for their weekly Sunday flea market. Quite a scene! Hundreds of booths line the closed-off streets and EVERYTHING is for sale – clothes, produce, meat, appliances, tools and lotsa used junk.
You can even get a haircut!
When not spending time going on field trips, the Gumbos spend most of their afternoons at the beach. The weather in San Carlos has been perfect – mid 70’s, light winds and plenty of sunshine.
And, in the evenings, Duwayne and Darla Jean find time to sample some of San Carlos’s restaurants (where dinner for two with beer and wine typically costs about $25).
Dinner with Roger and Karen (s/v Meridian) and Ned and Carla Jean (s/v Moonshadow) at The Soggy Peso.
The Soggy Peso offers great sunset views.
The Gumbos have about 10 more days of Mexican living before heading back North to meet grandson Calder for Mariners Spring Training in Phoenix. But they’re gonna miss this relaxing (and inexpensive) lifestyle!
The Gumbos Go! 