A bike ride to San Ignacio with friends.

Last week Eric and I went out on a bike ride by ourselves but today we were ready for some company.  We don’t like to travel with a large group of people when we’re out on the bike and in the past we have done many trips with Frank/Sandi & Dennis/Marilyn.  Frank and Sandi’s jeep is the perfect size for travelling around to small Mexican towns where parking is usually tight. 

So today we were all off to San Ignacio for lunch.  It’s been two years since we’ve been out with them as we were stuck at home last  winter due to health problems.

>

Today’s journey of about 60 miles each way.

Sandi and Marilyn in the back and Frank and Dennis in the front and we lead.

This is one of my over the head upside down pictures and you can see the Jeep and the Riu in the distance.  The wrinkly face is of course mine!

Turn left on the free road towards Culiacan.

As we travel along we see a Mexican cutting dried grass at the edge of the road and loading it into his pick-up.  If you have a horse that turns up it’s nose at it’s hay show him this stuff and tell him how lucky he is!

The cacti are getting more and more flowers on them.  I can’t get a close up whizzing along at 50mph!

Last week when we stopped at the Pemex before the turn-off to San Ignacio they had large avocados piled on top of the pumps and I didn’t buy any.  Today I did and so did Sandi and Marilyn.  25pesos for four huge avocados.  What a bargain. 

Eric remarked to the gas station attendant about the increase in fuel prices and he said in February it would go up again.  I said “No bueno for Mexicans” and he patted his chest and said “ No, me es pobre!”  He is poor. Devasting for them. 

Turn east toward San Ignacio.

First we travel through Coyotitan. 

This restaurant is always busy and the chicken is always cooking.

A really lovely little town.

Heading east to San Ignacio.

Straight ahead here for San Ignacio even though it doesn’t say so on the sign.  We have also enjoyed going into San Javier but the last time we were there the large restaurant was closed.  The same people were running a small restaurant on a street corner but they also had loud video games playing so the ambiance wasn’t very good. 

This is the road crew.  They were clearing the grass and brush at the edge of the road with machetes.  We got a big wave and a thumbs up!  The bike is always a hit.

Right to La Labor or straight ahead to San Ignacio.

For the most part the road was fairly good but in some areas the potholes had been filled with concrete.  If there is shade on the road it is impossible to see if there is an unfilled pothole and it wouldn’t be pleasant to drop a front wheel into one.  We really have to slow down in these areas.

Rough here. 

Not sure what the name of this little village is but we call it “ Radishtown” and you can see why.  They grow the most beautiful radishes here and a bunch is only 10 pesos.  That’s Dennis picking some out.

This young woman was selling as well and Eric said we should spread the business around so I bought some from her.  Her little boy was really sweet.  If you wait to buy them on your way back from San Ignacio you won’t get any as they are always sold out. 

Here’s our radishes.

Sandi always has some sweets in her purse for the children. 

This fertile little field at the end of town was full of …..you guessed it…radishes and also green onions. 

Coming into town.

This little girl was marching along with her mother.  All the Mexican children that we see are usually well dressed and squeaky clean and I don’t know how they manage that with so much dust and dirt.  

The beautiful arch at the west end of the bridge that passes over the Rio Piaxtla.

Water in the river here. 

Coming into town.

We have turned right at the norty end of town and are heading past the first square.

San Ignacio was founded in 1633 and there are many beautiful old buildings. 

We park at the second square and Marilyn and Sandi go to see if the nice restaurant is open.

Yes…and the same Senora is running it.

It’s hot outside but it’s nice and cool inside.  We start with a nice cold beer.  They always serve the pequeno or tiny beers here.

I had a look to see if the dance hall with all the beautiful wall paintings was open but the door was padlocked.  This is a look out to the street. 

There is a lovely mural beside our table.   While we waited we were served a large bowl of fresh salsa and a mixture of avocado blended with queso fresco or fresh white cheese.  All delicious. 

School is out for the day and these children are taking a rest in the shade. 

Here, as in many restaurants the choice for lunch is shrimp or chicken.  This is Eric’s shrimp rancheros which he said could have been a little spicier.

My tacos gobernador which has shrimp and cheese inside a toasted taco.  Good but I couldn’t manage to eat the rice.  Very filling.

Frank, Sandi and Marilyn had shrimp empanizado or breaded shrimp. 

Looks good!  Dennis had shrimp ajo or garlic shrimp and there was a lot of garlic left on his plate when he was finished.

It’s hot and these guys are relaxing in the shade.

We decide to take an after lunch walk up the street before heading home. 

Frank and Eric chat and you can see the very large statue of Cristo de la Mesa or Christ of the Table which stands over 65 feet tall and weighs over 80 tons.   It’s construction was started in 2000 and it was completed in 2005 and is now in need of repair.

A face lift!

The museum which we have walked through on previous visits.

Beautiful wood door.  I wonder who lives behind it.

I wonder if Eric is trying decide which umbrella to buy me!

This group of young guys were all smiling and saying “Hello” and when they saw my camera they also saw a photo op!

The buildings are brightly painted and there is lots to buy as you stroll along.

This is a very large dulceria or candy store and it is very clean and well stocked.  I had just loaded up so I didn’t need to buy anything.

It’s getting late and it’s time to load up and head home.  There was some really nice Spanish music playing in the square and we wondered who was singing.  Frank said “ Just a minute I’ll check.”  I thought he was going to ask but he just took his phone out in front of the music and let it listen…an app called Shazam which immediately identifies the music and lets you know who the artist is.  Wow…we hadn’t ever heard of that. 

Back over the bridge and….

Goodbye San Ignacio….see you next time.

We were home by a little after 4pm.  Great to get out of the park and see some other scenery.