South Of The Border And More: 2/9/15 Sonoran Friends; Sinaloan Nights

We slipped out of San Carlos early, whispering past sleepy sailboats nodding on deep blue lagoons. Then Rascal got her wings as we roared up over the mountains and south into the desert. Never too far from the ocean, the temperature did not offend us.

We passed through several small towns, once again avoiding pitfalls such as fallen trees and the ubiquitous dogs. Blindly following our lead bike, we turned into the small town of Cocorit and down a unassuming side street. Old wooden gates in a brick wall opened to us and we ramped up into the past. The courtyard of a charming hacienda, hundreds of years old embraced us. Flowers and vines provided cooling shade as we were introduced to the owners of La Komunila Restaurant- none other than Chicon, our guide, and his wife. We sat by the trickling well, drank cinnamon flavored coffee and ate citrusy corn shaped pastries. Conversation with Chicon's family and our fellow travelers lulled us into a Mexican state of mind.

Too soon it was time to mount up and ride out through the gates. But the dream continued as we made a short jump to Esperañza where plated oysters, shrimp, squid and other seafood cooked dozens of ways delighted us at a small open air eatery. Sated and soothed we muscled our bikes off the sidewalk and back onto the road.

Sucked back into the heat of the desert, Rascal and her compadres headed out of Sonora and into the state of Sinaloa. An easterly turn guided us into a new terrain. Jules was excited to see farmland cropping up spottily. A curvy road rocked us into La Fuerte, a charming ancient town, built around a Spanish fort.

Past the Hotel Hidalgo, our home for the night, a tricky cobbled and angled entrance into our locked bike park proved challenging. The bikes will remain here for several nights as we take the train to the Copper Canyon tomorrow.

The Hidalgo is an antique gem, with its maze-like and canopied walkways. Landscaped beautifully, bougainvillea perfumed the entire property. In and out for a local dinner was accomplished through a locked gate that could only be opened by security. To truly feel native, we rode to the restaurant in the back of the pickup! Modelo and Mexicano for dinner - I'm becoming fluent in Menu Spanish!

I have been asked whether I felt safe in Mexico. So far, our guides have lead an itinerary that has shielded our group from any danger while at the same time immersed us in authentic experience. Each day this amazing country charms me anew with its people and natural beauty.