No Blisters

I don’t really know what we were thinking when we decided to go for a 25 km hike from our RV Park to San Pancho area.  We went with a hiking group from the next park and obviously they were the leaders as we didn’t have a clue where we were going.  As a matter of fact, I’m not sure they did either because we got lost in the jungle twice - nothing serious, just confusion as to which trail to follow.

The first 6 kms were on a wider trail that took us away from our target area, but toward the river.  For the next 4 kms we climbed and climbed and climbed some more.  There were only three hills but they were very steep.  That part of the hike took a lot out of everyone.

For the next 10 kms we followed the river as it flowed to our destination.  This was difficult as well because we had to walk over rocks and through the water.  We must have crossed the river at least twenty times and for the first five or six times I tried to stay on boulders in the water to keep my runners dry.  Yeah well, that didn’t last long!  On one crossing I slipped on a rock and both feet went into the water in hopes of keeping the rest of my body dry.  After that I didn’t give a darn and walked right through the river.

We even found a swimming hole to cool off in, although not everyone was willing to strip to their scivvies in order to get wet!

The canopy of the jungle kept us cool up to this point in the hike, but the last 5 kms were brutally hot and I was very glad to see the end.  Fred and I thought we would end the hike near the town of San Pancho and were surprised when we realized the final destination was underneath a bridge on the main highway, about an hour away from the nearest taxi.

How do we get home?  I sure as heck wasn’t walking back!  All fourteen hikers were debating this problem when we spotted a big Greyhound type bus cruising down the highway.  This bus was from Puerto Vallarta on the way to Tepic and they do not stop for passengers on the highway!  No way!

But...to our surprise the drivers pulled over and gave us a ride to Lo de Marco for the hefty price of 10 pesos [about $.80].  I couldn’t believe what happened and neither could the sleeping passengers who were shocked to see us board the bus.  

It was an awesome day full of new adventures and the chance to make new friends. The group picture shows the six hikers from La Parota RV Park.   Our next  group hike is a three hour excursion which will have us climbing over steep hills to get to a secluded beach.  Our hiking “leaders” promise there will be taxis to take us home.

It felt so good to put my feet up and have a cold cerveza!!