We planned for a long day on Monday as we left the Campestre Marantha at 9:00 and headed out the narrow road through the hills west of La Paz to the port at Pichelingue.
 Road to Pichelingue |
Our first concern was getting the motorhomes, cars, and ourselves tickets for the ferry that day. Our previous inquiry had suggested that the See Yas would need to be weighed. We arrived about fifteen minutes before the “balanza” office was open and were first in line. The next step was customs (entering the mainland of Mexico from the Baja requires a customs check). We caught a red light (1 chance in 10) and the customs officer came aboard for a cursory look around.
When we drove to the office we had to negotiate the language barrier, but after having the length of the See Ya measured, the proper paper work turned in, and paying our nearly $1000 fare, we found ourselves first in line to load onto the Ferry.
 Ferry |
Both Hal and I had to negotiate the uphill entry – and downhill at the other end of the trip – by shushing side to side up the ramp. Next we had to turn around on board and back into our parking spots. But all went well and the four of us were comfortably on board two hours before departure.
The ship itself is new and well appointed. But the service is marginal and the free meal included needed to be eaten prior to departure and reminded me of free school lunches. However the ship was reasonably comfortable and the six hour passage was smooth to Topolobampo.
 Topolobampo |
We exited the ferry (very carefully) and parked with Hal and Charlene, and a couple of Canadian guys with a trailer, in the parking lot overnight. We awoke in the morning and said goodbye to our traveling companions
 Bye |
We headed the See Ya toward the nearby city of Los Mochis and then northwest from there into the foothills of the Sierra Madres and the smaller town of El Fuerte. We settled into the comfortable campground on the edge of town for a five night stay. Because we arrived in the morning, we had time to explore El Fuerte and enjoy a late lunch at the Hotel de Choza.
 Hotel de Choza |
 El Fuerte Square |
Tomorrow morning we will entrust Arnie to a campground employee, named Trini, and catch the early train for the Posada Barrancas station near the Copper Canyon.
