For the past ten years my husband Grant and I have travelled to the town of La Penita de Jaltemba in Mexico, which is six hours south of Mazatlan. La Penita is an easy three-day drive from Nogales, the border town south of Tucson Arizona.

Because we believe it is safest and the most economical, we stick to the toll roads. These roads give you a good four-lane highway to south of Mazatlan, and last part of the journey is on a good two-lane highway, with some four-lane stretches.

In all the years Grant and I have travelled in Mexico, we have never had a problem. We even had a front tire blow out on Christmas Eve on a lonely highway coming from San Luis to Sonoyta. All kinds of people stopped to offer help and we were soon on our way. We do not travel at night and we keep our doors locked. We once stopped on the side of the road to talk to our travelling companion and the Green Angels were there, seeing if we needed help, before we got out of our vehicle.

The Green Angels travel all highways in Mexico and are equipped to help in case of a breakdown. I am told most speak English. They are like our BCAA trucks; except they are paid by the government and you don't have to be a member.

We have never had trouble at the border, although you have to be patient as there are sometime line-ups and the rules change, slightly, from time to time. Make sure you have your passport, vehicle registration, visa and credit card. We travel with two dogs, Toby and Peso, and have never had a problem crossing with them. It is a good idea to put Canadian flags or stickers on your rig. Be courteous and SMILE, even at the police checks. We are usually waved right through and the couple of times we have been stopped, but we felt it was to look in our bus to see what it was like, not to search it.

There are some lovely stopping places along the way. We always stop in Santa Anna, which is just an hour from Nogales, and spend the night at the Puenta Vista RV Park with Edgar and Anna Osuna. They are friendly and helpful people and speak English, as Anna is from the US.

There are trailer parks in Guaymas and San Carlos where you can enjoy beautiful scenery and a first view of the ocean. Los Mochis is a halfway point, and if you were planning to visit the Copper Canyon you would go from here. We have stayed at the two parks in the area. Both are adequate, but nothing special. There is also a park in Navojoa, or you can go up to Alamos, where there are some parks.

Some other stopping places on the way south are in Teacapan and San Blas. There are also many rest stops at Pemex stations. They have stores, cash machines and even showers. We have found these stations good rest stops and overnight stops. Talk to the security guards at these places and they are usually friendly and helpful and willing to watch out for you.

From Los Mochis to Mazatlan is an easy drive. We go in on the north end of Mazatlan on the first road that says Playas (beaches). There are several parks along the road into town.

La Penita is approximately 60 kms north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on Highway 200. There are several restaurants and taco stands. A tiangus is held every week for extra-fresh vegetables. There are even two bank machines and a bank. Canadian money is accepted. There are also doctors and dentists in town that offer excellent and inexpensive service. Rincon de Guayabitos is another 2 kms down the highway. This is a friendly tourist town. There are many hotels and bungalows as well as restaurants and clubs.

The reason we come here is the Las Penitas Trailer park, situated on the Pacific Ocean. The Park offers full facilities, with water, power and sewer. There is cable TV or satellite TV available. There is a pool and beach, clubhouse and party area. There are 110 spacious pads and several lovely tenting sites, and three washroom/shower buildings.

Fishing in the area is usually excellent and there are boat-launching facilities for your own boat, right up to full service charters. The park is very friendly and welcoming. There are many on-going activities that welcome new people. We play Wally ball in the pool every day. There are bridge clubs and craft clubs, water exercises, yoga, walking and tennis. Many people have their own gardens and we all enjoy their efforts. Tostada parties, pool parties, theme parties and group happy hours can give you a busy or you may choose just to relax on the beach or around the pool. The park is an easy walk to town.

In the ten years we have spent at La Penita (three to four months each winter), we have encountered only three days of rain! The weather is usually around 80 F with a gentle ocean breeze. It cools down at night for comfortable sleeping. You may want a light sweater if you are outside late. We don't have air conditioning and have never missed it. The ocean temperature is around 80 F and is lovely for swimming.

The owners of the park decided to close it for their own reasons, so we have leased it! We had been going there for ten years and others up to 25 years. We felt it was like home and we wanted the park to continue. I contacted the owners and asked if they would lease it to me and guess what?

If this sounds like a place you would want to be, come down, drop in, have a margarita on us and look around. We're sure you'll want to spend time with us. Anyone wanting further information or reservations can contact me at cthacker@oberon.ark.com or phone or fax the park at 01152 327 40996.

Hasta luego! (Hope to see you soon!)