After 4 days in Boca de Iguanas we busted out at breakneck speeds (about 45 mph in Oliver) and went to Tenacatita for some snorkeling.  We saw lots of coral life including sea-snakes, herds of blowfish (or is that a gaggle?) which were purple in some cases, rays, and lots of colorful fishes.  Some invisible creatures started stinging us so we exited post-haste. 

Heading north for the border we passed through Puerto Vallarta.  Beautiful country aside from the tourists rushing to malls where you can buy American items at American prices.  We stopped further north in Mazatlan, a generally depressing town with little city planning and marginal beaches.  We pulled into a parking lot where there appeared to be a wedding - hoping to stay the night there undetected.  We were immediately greeted by a hotel employee.  After explaining our situation he decided it was ok if we stay the night if we pay him $10.  I gave him $5 - everything is cool.  We eat dinner on the windy, coarse-sand beach with a jetti made with what appeared to be the broken remains of a construction project, including jersey barriers.  At the end of the jetti was a useless, partially-built lighthouse.  The result was a disgusting eye-sore that was originally intended to please the Americans buying overpriced condos.

We had a long day of driving ahead of us so we headed out at 4 a.m.  To our surprise we found that the only exit had a locked gate.  So much for our $5.  I was mad for about 5 seconds until I realized this wasn't much of a problem at all.  I simply went into the van, pulled out a hacksaw and pliars breaking out of the place in a mear 2 minutes.  Mariah was laughing hysterically.  I'm not sure if it was at me or the situation but I was pretty proud of myself.  On the road again.

After 13 on the road we reached Tucson where Oliver got new shocks, new kicks, and a desparately needed bath.  We then headed to Vegas for climbing in Red Rocks.

We've climbed 9 of 11 days in Red Rocks and it's all been spectacular.  Who knew a 5.9 could be so much fun?  We've done some longer trad routes and harder sport climbs on finger-forgiving sandstone.  Mariah and I had fun sending projects then giggled silently at the people who would subsequently flail on them.  10 more days - life is good.  Then I head back to ABQ April 1st and start my job April 13th!

From Colima we headed to the beach searching for a place to stay.  The first spot was El Pariso.  A spot to grab some great seafood (what is Camorrones molcajete anyway?) but a bad spot to stay.  No problem.  Head further north.  There are billboards for Manzanillo - looks like a big tourist spot but we'll stop anyway.  For a town of 250,000 people the beach scene was definitely dead.  All hotels were nearly empty, most dilapidated in some way, all with a clear 1980 decor.  The price is right for a balcony room overlooking the ocean ($30).  The rock outcropping we swam to had the broken remains of a pool once built in typical Mexican fashion.  Ruins, if you will, cerca 1994. 

We then headed further north wondering what we will run into.  After a twisty mountainous road we decided that Boca De Iguanas was worth a try.  Hmmm.  Old people and an RV camping area.  Ok.  We set up and find that the place next door is a very high end hotel/restaraunt/bar with spectacular pina coladas.  We also realize there's a short rock wall to climb.  And... there's only about 8 people on the beach at any given time.  Paradise:  check.  Drink: check.  Climbing:  check.  Iguanas, crocodiles and blowfish: check

check out www.bocadeiguanas.com or http://www.coconutsbythesea.com/
if you're are looking for a Mexican retreat you absolutely can't beat this. 

So in my last post we were headed to Guadalajara for more climbing that we expected to be safer and more established.  Turns out that one bolt anchors, loose bolts that I had to tighten as I climbed, and rusty hangers is not exactly safe.  At least the camping was sketchy and dusty with no water and destructive cows.  I had my grass mat out and we left dishes to go explore the rock a little.  When we came back the dishes were strewn about, breaking the water jug and the mat... nowhere to be found.  The culprit was nonchalantly picking his teeth nearby the van.  F'ing cow. 

Just getting to this hellhole was an ordeal in itself, especially getting through Leon.  Driving in Mexico is always an adventure.  If you consider no signage, terrible traffic and useless maps 'adventurous'.  So we were lost, hadn't eaten and it was blazing hot.  We had some very calm conversation about where to go and hardly used any swear words.  Leon blows.

We decided that climbing mediocre routes in sketchy desert wasn't exactly a great way to spend our vacation.  So we bailed to Colima after one day even though we expected to climb there for a couple weeks.  Se la vie.  We're now in Colima, in a beautiful park (with trees and get this... water) on park-provided wireless.  Not bad.  I'm not sure cooking in mall parking lots and poaching high end hotel parking lots to sleep in is a kosher thing in Mexico but it seems to be working.  We got our first taste of civilization last night and watched 'Siete Almas' (7 Pounds) with Will Smill.  While waiting for the show to start we discovered that eating 'natural food' in a country that hasn't developed their health food market is a bad idea.  You get terrible frozen yogurt that makes you want to vomit a little in your mouth.

We're off to the beach for Mai Tais