Spanish Learning Tools – How To Learn To Speak Spanish!

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Roads Less Traveled

Mark checks his homework before class.

April 30, 2013 – One of the most fulfilling aspects of cruising Mexico, for us, has been the crazy roller coaster ride of learning to communicate in Spanish. We’re not super competent at it, but it is so much fun trying.

Our mistakes are always great for a few laughs, too. One time, while the Mexican Navy was doing a routine inspection of our boat at sea, I happily rattled off the answers to the Navy officer’s many questions in Spanish.

When he asked how big the engine was, I chirped “54 caballeros,” quite proud that I knew the correct word for 54. Seeing him smirk at me over his glasses, I wondered what I’d said wrong. Then I suddenly remembered that “horsepower” is “caballos” (horses), not “caballeros” (gentlemen). Oops!

Before we started our RV travels in 2007, I had a hunch we might someday buy a boat and go cruising in Mexico, so I took a year and a half of conversational Spanish at the local community college. For anyone planning to cruise, travel by RV or live in Mexico (or any other Spanish speaking country), I can’t recommend highly enough that you enroll in a community college Spanish class right away, even if your departure date is years away! The more semesters of Spanish you have under your belt before you take off on your voyage, the better off you will be once you get here. I had three semesters. I sure wish I’d had six.

What I loved about my class was that everyone in it had a deeply vested interest in learning Spanish. Our class was full of nurses, hospital administrators, cops, lawyers, construction foremen, and people married to native Spanish speakers who wanted to get along with their in-laws. We all progressed through the semesters together, and we had a blast!

It was quite a challenge, however, to take all that good class knowledge and apply it in the streets of Mexico once we started cruising, especially living in a community of English-speaking cruisers. When we first got to Mexico, I was very surprised at how much Spanish I didn’t know. However, by constantly asking directions, asking vendors for mechanical parts for the boat, and generally bumbling along, I slowly improved.

Spanish Learning Tools

There are several tools that have been helping me bridge the gap between in-class Spanish and on-the-street lingo. One of my favorites is Breaking Out of Beginner’s Spanish by Joseph Keenan. It is hilarious and is chock full of phrases, concepts and goodies that are glossed over by traditional text books.

Besides being very amusing and easy to read, it gives lots of colloquial phrases. So when “Really?” or “No way!” or “Imagine that!” is on the tip of your tongue, you can come up with the equivalent Spanish phrase. It also discusses the most common verbs and adjectives in great detail, explaining the nuances implied by using the words in certain contexts.

Another excellent book to help cement all that grammar and vocabulary in memory is Madrigal’s Magic Key to Spanish by Margarita Madrigal. This book works extensively with the most common verbs and adjectives as well, but breaks it all down in bite size pieces and focuses on the forms you are most likely to use on a daily basis.

Whereas Breaking Out of Beginner’s Spanish is a book you can sit back and read page after page, laughing the whole time while picking up little jewels along the way, Madrigal’s Magic Key to Spanish is a book I like to grab for five minutes at a time, flipping to a random page and diving in. Both are awesome, and I’m glad to have each one on my bookshelf.

Spanish Reference Tools

http://translate.google.com (Google Translate) is terrific for translating phrases and words. This is really helpful if you get a message from TelCel about the status of your USB modem account and have no idea what it says. Cut and paste the message into Google Translate, and you can get the gist of what the message is all about.

Once I started making friends here in Mexico, I suddenly started connecting with them the modern way – via email and Facebook (they call it “Face”). Yikes! What a shock to start reading emails and FB comments filled with slang and colloquialisms, all written in the modern “texting” form of Spanish where “que” is shortened to “k” and punctuation is skipped all together! I guess English isn’t the only language undergoing major changes with “u” “ur” and other bizarre abbreviations taking over the written word and making the literary greats of yesteryear turn over in their graves.

Google Translate doesn’t work for translating friends’ email messages and FB comments. For those I find I turn to the following websites and my own imagination.

http://www.spanishdict.com is a Spanish-English dictionary and an excellent word translation tool. Type in your word in either English or Spanish and hit enter, and you’ll get pages of information. That’s what I love about it. Rather than giving you a one word translation, it goes on and on, showing how the word works in different phrases, and analyzing it from every angle.

http://conjugation.org will conjugate any Spanish verb into every person in all the tenses. I use this all the time when writing emails.

When we first got to Mexico, I always carried an electronic Spanish English Dictionary with me whenever we went out on the town. It was especially helpful in the super market where the packaged food ingredients lists were unintelligible because the words for most basic ingredients are not at all similar between Spanish and English. More than one cruiser has lamented buying a container of plain yoghurt only to find out later it was sour cream!

Back on the boat we also have a traditional Spanish-English Dictionary (book). For those of us who grew up in the era of one telephone per family, sometimes it’s just easier to grab a book and rifle through it…

We have also used our Spanish for Cruisers book quite a bit, as it gives the words for all the parts on the boat, from “proa” to “popa” (bow to stern).

Immersion Spanish Classes

Almost every city has immersion Spanish classes available. Just ask around or hop online. We both took a week of Spanish classes at Instituto Jovel in the historic Spanish Colonial town of San Cristóbal de las Casas in the state of Chiapas. For $100 USD per person for the week, we each had three hours of tutorial instruction a day (we each had two different teachers for an hour and a half apiece with a break in between). We also had an hour or two of homework every night. We both learned a tremendous amount, and it bumped our Spanish skills up a notch.

For me, just conversing one-on-one in Spanish for three hours a day made a huge difference in my ability to think on my feet and spit the words out. For Mark, learning the basic grammatical constructs helped give his sizable vocabulary some glue. However, even he — who took one look at the desk-chairs in my community college Spanish 101 class and said “no way” and walked out — now wishes he had braved some conversational classes before we started cruising Mexico.

Adding a home-stay to our week of classes in San Cristóbal would have made it true “immersion,” but we enjoyed doing our homework in the comfort of a hotel. The experience was intense enough as it was. Some folks do two, three, four weeks or more, but we found our brains were mush by the end of Day 5!

Another excellent immersion Spanish school is in the gorgeous city of Guanajuato — a city that no cruiser should miss. Escuela Mexicana is set up much like the school we attended in San Cristobal, and all the students we talked to there said they loved their experience. The only caveat we would have is that if you choose to attend this school, don’t stay in the hotel they recommend, because all your classmates will be there too, and you will end up speaking English together. We heard this from every student we conversed with there.

Lots of folks like Rosetta Stone and other audio courses on tape and online. These are probably great for supplemental learning, but I think the most effective (and realistic) method is to talk to and listen to a live instructor whose mission is to teach you.

Getting out and Practicing!

I was shy to try to speak in Spanish at first, but Mark was so bold with the few words he knew that I quickly jumped in too. I knew I was making progress when the folks I talked to stopped switching into English as soon as I opened my mouth. Wow! They understood what I said. Once in a while I even understood their reply! After a year of cruising, when I carried on a conversation with a hair stylist throughout my haircut, I felt totally triumphant.

Now, I take advantage of long cab rides to engage the cabbie in conversation. A 20-minute cab ride can turn into a great Spanish lesson that makes the cab fare a bargain. Street vendors enjoy shooting the breeze with passersby, so we try to do it in Spanish. The silver tongued timeshare tour salesmen love to talk, and are happy to chat up a storm. Get them to do it in Spanish!!!

What do we talk about? We compare notes on where we’re from, where we’re going, where we grew up, our families, what the best things are to see around town, what we’ve all done for work, and on and on. Many folks we meet have lived north of the border for a while, and we enjoy sharing our thoughts about places we know in common. These aren’t earth shattering conversations, but they tune our ears and help us get the words flowing out of our mouths. And it’s fun!

Keep a Notebook

We ask people all the time, “¿Como se dice…?” to find out how to say something in Spanish. But by the time we get back to the boat we’ve forgotten all those golden nuggets we learned. Jotting down these words and phrases we hear in a notebook is really helpful. (Remembering to BRING that notebook is another story…!!)

I hope you find these ideas and tools as useful as we have… buena suerte (good luck) !!

For a recap, here are what all these goodies look like:

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We receive a 4-6% commission — at no charge to you — for any purchases made through the Amazon links on this site. This helps us cover our out-of-pocket costs for the site. It does not pay for our time spent editing photos or writing posts. If you make a purchase, let us know so we can say thanks!

Wondering what else there is to help you learn Spanish? Maybe it’s here:

More Tips for Cruising Mexico

Blue Water Sailing’s April, 2013 issue has one of our photos on the cover!!

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Roads Less Traveled

Zihuatanejo Sail Fest 2013
Ketch “Liebling” & Catamaran “Rapscullion”

Posted March 21, 2013

What a total thrill — Blue Water Sailing Magazine has put my photo on the cover of their April, 2013 issue. On newstands now! Get a copy!!

I took the photo during Zihuatanejo Sail Fest this year. Part of this festival, which benefits the underprivileged school children of the area, is a boat parade where all the boats cruise around the bay under sail.

The fun part about this pic is that we know the good folks on both boats. The boat under sail is an Amel 54 ketch called Liebling, with seasoned Mexico cruisers Linda and Jim aboard. I was delighted when they sailed near the pretty turrets and roof-lines of some of the villas in the heart of the bay. Their boat is also in the banner photo at the top of this page along with the schooner Patricia Belle.

At anchor just to the right of the ketch is the Fontaine-Pajot catamaran Rapscullion. Henry, her single-handing owner, has brought her back north this season after cruising the Pacific coast of Central America for a while.

Sail Fest was a great success this year, due largely to the tireless efforts of Pamela Bendall, reportedly raising $67,000 USD to help educate the children of Zihuatanejo.

See all our announcements and Our most recent posts!

Published Work by Emily & Mark Fagan

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Roads Less Traveled

We have published nearly 250 articles and 53 cover photos in the major RVing and cruising magazines, including:

RV Magazine ・ Escapees ・ Coast to Coast ・ Family RVing ・ Trailer Life ・ Highways ・ RV Journal ・ RV Life
Cruising World ・ Sail Magazine ・ Sailing ・ Blue Water Sailing ・ Latitude 38 ・ Motorhome

Below are some of the magazine cover photos we have published, listing the issue, location and the title of the accompanying feature article:

Family RVing Magazine Cover by Emily Fagan RV with puppy Nov/Dec 2025

November/December 2025
Photo: Our rig with Buddy
“RVing with Pets!”

Escapees Magazine cover by Emily Fagan July/Aug 202525 RV with a Polaris RZR side-by-side

July/August 2025
Photo: Arizona
“Waterfall Hunting”

Family RVing Magazine Cover by Emily Fagan Colorado Western Slope Sep-Oct 2025

Sep/Oct 2025
Photo: Colorado Rockiese
“Boondocking Tips!”

Escapees Magazine Cover by Emily Fagan Big Bend Texas Mar-Apr 2025

March/April 2025
Photo: Big Bend TX
“Big Bend National Park”

Escapees - Cover - Mar-Apr 25 - Buffalo WY

January/February 2025
Photo: Buffalo, Wyoming
“Counting Sheep”

Escapees - Cover Nov-Dec 2024 5th wheel with Christmas Tree

November/December 2024
Photo: Monte Vista RV Resort
“Arizona Copper Art Museum”

FMCA - Cover Nov-Dec 24 - Grand Teton NP

November/December 2024
Photo: Grand Teton NP
“Photography Tips”

Fall 2024
North Rim Grand Canyon
“Grand Canyon North Rim”

May/June 2024
Photo: Cochiti Rec Area NM
“If Walls Could Talk”

January 2024
Photo: Catalina State Park AZ
“A Visit to the Old Pueblo”

Escapees Nov-Dec 2023 COVER Canadian Rockies

Nov/Dec 2023
Photo: Moraine Lake Alberta
“Rocky Mountain High”

Summer 2023
Photo: Watkins Glen NY
“NY Finger Lakes”

Mar/Apr 2023
Photo: Big Horn Mountains, WY
“Buddy – A Journey in Spirit”

Jan/Feb 2023
Sun Valley, ID
“Cargo Buckle Ratchet Straps”

Fall 2022
Tucson, Arizona
“Tucson Delights”

Jul/Aug 2022
Quartzsite, Arizona
“Torklift Camper Tie-downs”

May/June 2022
Custer State Park, SD
“Where the Wild Things Are”

Nov/Dec 2021
Photo: Green River Overlook
“Flaming Gorge, UT”

Coast to Coast Magazine Cover - Fall 2021

Fall 2021
Photo: Banff National Park
“Canada’s National Parks”

Sep-Oct 2021
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

July/August 2021
Photo: Big Wood River
“Sun Valley Idaho”

Spring 2021
Photo: Rockhound State Park
“New Mexico Road Trip”

Mar-Apr 2021
Photo: Star Trails in UT

November 2020
Photo: Waterton-Glacier NP
“Crown of the Continent”

May/June 2020
Photo: Phoenix, Arizona

Spring 2020
Photo: Sedona Arizona
“Red Rockin’ Sedona”

Jan/Feb 2020
Photo: Big Horn Mtns WY

Fall 2019
Photo: Upper Peninsula, MI
“Autumn Trip to the UP”

Nov/Dec 2019
Photo: Phoenix, AZ

Jan/Feb 2019
Photo: Superstition Mtns AZ
“Tucson AZ Highlights”

Coast to Coast Magazine Cover Idaho Summer 2018

Summer 2018
Photo: Mackay Idaho
“Idaho Road Trip”

Escapees RV Club Magazine Cover Mar-Apr 2018 Photo by Emily Fagan

Mar/Apr 2018
Photo: Asheville, NC
“Reflections on RV Life”

Coast to Coast Magazine Cover Maine Spring 2018

Spring 2018
Photo: Acadia National Park
“Downeast Maine”

Escapees RV Club Magazine Nov-Dec 2017 Cover Image

Nov/Dec 2017
Photo: Ridgway Colorado
“Winter RVing Tips”

Coast to Coast RV Magazine Summer 2017 Cover Image

Summer 2017
Photo: The Smokies NC
“Appalachian Mountains”

Coast to Coast Magazine Summer 2016 Eastern Oregon RV Travel

Fall 2016
Photo: Big Bend TX
“Exploring Oregon’s Quiet Side”

Escapees RV Magazine July 2016 Cover Photo

July/August 2016
Photo: Kanab, Utah
“Interview: Kay Peterson”

Coast to Coast Magazine Fall 2016 Cover Photo by Mark Fagan

Summer 2016
Photo: Eastern Oregon
“Splendid Isolation: Big Bend”

Escapees RV Club Travel Guide 2016 Cover

January 2016
Photo: Phoenix, Arizona

Fall 2015
Photo: Ouray, Colorado
“Colorful Colorado”

September / October 2015
Photo: Ridgway CO
“RV Travel Photography”

Coast to Coast Magazine Cover Summer 2015

Summer 2015
Photo: Capital Reef Utah
“Driving Amid the Red Rocks”

January 2015
Photo: Apache Junction, AZ

Escapees Magazine Cover Jan-Feb 2015-210

Jan/Feb 2015
Photo: Apache Junction, AZ
“Stay the Course”

Phoenix Arizona Cover Story Coast to Coast Magazine Fall 2014

Fall, 2014
Photo: Phoenix Arizona
“A Walk on the Wild Side”

January 2014
Photo: La Manzanilla, Mexico

Sep/Oct 2013
Photo: Flaming Gorge, Utah

Fall 2013
Photo: Telluride, Colorado
“Legends of the Fall”

Coast to Coast Magazine Cover Summer 2013

Summer 2013
Photo: Red Canyon, Utah
“Beyond Bryce Canyon”

April, 2013
Photo: Zihuatanejo, Mexico

RV Life Magazine Cover July 2013 Emily Fagan

July 2013
Photo: Flaming Gorge UT
“Chasing Rainbows”

coast-to-coast-magazine-cover-spring-2012

Spring 2012
Photo: Roosevelt Lake AZ
“Everything Under the Sun”

September 2010
Photo: Parowan Utah
“Once Upon a Time in the West”

coast-to-coast-magazine-cover-summer-2010

Summer 2010
Photo: Valley of Fire, NV
“Embers of History”

August 2010
Photo: Sun Valley, ID
“America’s Alps”

Jan/Feb 2009
Photo: Bryce Canyon, Utah

These are all great magazines, and we have been avid subscribers as well as contributors.

In case you don’t subscribe or didn’t catch a particular article of ours that interests you, you can read some of them from this page (below).

The articles are grouped by general category and are listed in reverse chronological order. The stories are written by me (Emily) and the photos are both mine and Mark’s.

You can navigate to the different groups of articles on this page by using the following links:

You can also read some of our articles online at the publishers’ websites:

RV Magazine – Includes archives of articles we originally published in Trailer Life and Motorhome Magazines
Escapees Magazine
Good Sam Club
Cruising World Magazine

WALL CALENDARS

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We have published photos in the following wall calendars. These are sold in boutique gift shops and online at Amazon:

Sedona Arizona after a snowstorm by Emily Fagan

2025 Sedona Arizona Wall Calendar
Sedona after a snowstorm
Emily Fagan

2025 Idaho Wall Calendar
The Bow Bridge
Emily Fagan

The Granite Dells Prescott Arizona by Mark Fagan

2025 Arizona Calendar
The Granite Dells
Mark Fagan

Arizona Wall Calendar
Petrified Forest National Park
Mark Fagan

2025 Idaho Wall Calendar
Mormon Temple in Idaho Falls
Mark Fagan

2025 Idaho Wall Calendar
Selway River
Emily Fagan

2024 Sedona Wall Calendar
Month of August
West Fork Trail – Emily Fagan

2024 Northern Arizona Wall Calendar
Calendar Cover and Month of July
Canyon de Chelly National Park – Mark Fagan
.

2024 Sedona Wall Calendar
Month of December
Bell Rock Pathway – Mark Fagan

2024 Utah “Mighty 5” Wall Calendar
Month of February
Bryce Canyon National Park – Emily Fagan
.

2021 Lake Powell Wall Calendar
Month of November
Glen Canyon Dam – Mark Fagan

2021 Puppies Wall Calendar
Month of April
Buddy – Emily Fagan

2021 Yellowstone Wall Calendar
Month of February
Grand Teton National Park – Emily Fagan

2021 Sedona Wall Calendar
Month of March
Chapel of the Holy Cross – Emily Fagan

2021 Sedona Wall Calendar
Month of July
West Fork Trail – Emily Fagan

2020 Sedona Wall Calendar
Month of May
Courthouse Vista – Mark Fagan

2020 Colorado Wall Calendar
Month of November
Million Dollar Highway – Emily Fagan

2019 Arizona Wall Calendar
Calendar cover and month of January
Canyon de Chelly National Park – Mark Fagan

RV DESTINATION ARTICLES

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Counting Sheep! – Escapees Magazine, Jan/Feb 2025
What a delightful surprise it was to encounter shepherds tending huge flocks of sheep while boondocking in the Rockies

Arizona Copper Art Museum – Escapees Magazine, Nov/Dec 2024
The Arizona Copper Art Museum is a unique and classy museum that showcases the beauty utility and history of copper.

7 Fabulous Bike Rides – Family RVing, Nov/Dec 2024
These are some of our favorite bicycles rides we’ve done in our RV travels around North America.

Halloween Camping in the Midwest – Escapees Magazine, Sep/Oct 2024
Hardy midwesterners extend the summer camping season with exuberant Halloween celebrations in almost all the campgrounds.

Grand Canyon North Rim – An Intimate View of Grand Canyon – Coast to Coast Magazine, Fall 2024
Grand Canyon’s North Rim is much less visited than the South Rim and boasts a special air of intimacy

Maysville, Kentucky – Camaraderie and history on the Ohio River – Coast to Coast Magazine, Summer 2024
Of all the charming small towns we’ve visited in North America, Maysville Kentucky tops them all for its hospitality and history!

If Walls Could Talk – Cliff Dwellings and Pueblos of the Southwest – Escapess Magazine, May/Jun 2024
A visit to four wonderful ancient cliff dwellings and pueblos in Arizona and New Mexico that are a bit off the beaten path

Sarasota, Florida – An Artsy Beach Town with Flair – Coast to Coast Magazine, Spring 2024
Sarasota, Florida is not only a winter vacation paradise but was once the home base for the Ringling Brothers Circus.

Burro Days – Burro Racing? Llama Racing? See it all in Fairplay, Colorado! – Escapees Magazine, Mar/Apr 2024
We bumped into three days of burro races, llama races, outhouse races and all kinds of whimsy in FairPlay, Colorado

Sedona Arizona – Where the Red Rocks Rock! – Escapees Magazine, Jan/Feb 2024
Sedona is a charming, artsy and slightly funky town nestled in some of the most impressive red rock scenery in America!

A Visit to the Old Pueblo – Family RVing, January 2024
Tucson is a fun-filled destination for a winter escape, offering beautiful scenery, an active nightlife and a colorful historic district.

Rocky Mountain High in Canada’s National Parks – Escapees Magazine, Nov/Dec 2023
The towering Rocky Mountains are utterly breathtaking and an ideal destination for outdoors enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Washington Highlights – Coast to Coast Magazine, Fall 2023
From a Bach music festival to a boat-in village in the North Cascades to 4th of July in a Mexican farming town, Washington is a blast.

Downeast Maine – Escapees Magazine, Jul/Aug 2023
Downeast Maine is full of stately lighthouses, bucolic small harbors, quaint New England towns and Acadia National Park!

New York Fingerlakes – Coast to Coast Magazine, Summer 2023
Elegant wineries, quaint Amish communities and stunning Watkins Glen waterfalls make the Finger Lakes a great RV destination.

Stehekin Ferry in Washington – Escapees, Nov/Dec 2022
The Stehekin Ferry takes visitors back in time to a unique boat-in only destination in the North Cascades.

Tucson Delights – Affenctionately known at the “Old Pueblo” – Coast to Coast, Fall 2022
Tucson’s old neighborhoods and old mission church were highlights along with petroglyphs and wild animals in Saguaro National Park.

High Mountain Adventures – Hidden Gems in Colorado – RV Magazine, October 2022
Visiting wineries in Fuita, scaling red rock wonders in Colorado National Monument and touching dinosaur bones too!

Precious Jewels in Montana and Wyoming – Coast to Coast Magazine, Summer 2022
From Cody, Wyoming, to Red Lodge, Montana, there are spectacular sights just outside Yellowstone National Park.

Custer State Park, SD – Where the Wild Things Are! – Escapees Magazine, May/June 2022
Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota is teeming with wild and feral animals – great for kids and kids at heart!

Waterfalls – Splash into Summer! – RV Magazine, May 2022
A look at several different stunning waterfalls that we found across the US.

Pioche Nevada – A living ghost town – Escapees Magazine, March/April 2022
Pioche was a mining town until the early 1900s. Today descendents of the miners live in town and the museum is filled with history.

Quartzsite Arizona – Winter Home of the Fun and Funky – RV Magazine, May 2022
Quartzsite is the winter gathering place for RVers from all over. Rigs fill the desert and eager shoppers fill the Big Tent at the RV show.

Flaming Gorge Utah – Escapees Magazine, Novemeber/December 2021
The Green River has carved a stunning canyon through the red rocks in Utah, and big horn sheep roam through the campground!

Leaf Peeping in Michigan – RV Magazine, October 2021
The brilliant hues of autumn pop out everywhere in Michigan. Here are some spots where we found the best color.

Majestic Canadian Rockies – Coast to Coast Magazine, Summer 2021
Four adjacent National Parks show off the jaw-droppingly gorgeous towering mountains of the Canadian Rockies.

Sun Valley Idaho – America’s Alps – Escapees Magazine, July/August 2021
Nestled in the majestic Sawtooth Mountains, Sun Valley is a fabulous playground for the rich and famous and for regular folk too!

Dinosaur National Monument – Escapees Magazine, May/June 2021
If you want to touch real dinosaur bones still lodged in the earth, this is the place to go. And the campground is lovely!

A New Mexico Road Trip – Coast to Coast Magazine, Spring 2021
From the martians and aliens in Roswell to the cliff dwellings of Bandelier to a caldera near Los Alamos, New Mexico has lots to offer.

Spring Mountain Ranch in Nevada – Escapees Magazine, March/April 2021
Near the Las Vegas Strip, you find yourself a world apart at this historic ranch set on the edge of Nevada’s red rock beauty

Sedona is for Lovers – RV Magazine, February 2021
What better place to take your Valentine to celebrate your love than scenic and trendy Sedona Arizona?!

Historic Yuma Arizona – Escapees Magazine, January 2021
From the “Hell Hole of the West” territorial prison to the charming old town adobe houses, Yuma is a colorful destination for an RV trip

Utah Red Rocks – RV Magazine, January 2021
Southern Utah is a vast playground of dazzling red rocks that make it one of America’s best places to take an RV and visit for a while.

Wintertime at Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Parks – Escapees Magazine, November/December 2020
Both Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon take on a mystical aura during and after a winter blizzard.

Halloween Camping in Michigan’s State Parks – Trailer Life Magazine, November 2020
Michigan’s State Parks host wonderful Halloween events for campers. What a hoo hoo hoot!

Fall Foliage in Colorado – Escapees Magazine, September/October 2020
Southwestern Colorado explodes in shades of gold each fall. This is a spectacle not to be missed!

A Road Trip along Lake Superior’s South Shore – Trailer Life Magazine, September 2020
From warm sand beaches to cold and stormy seas to pretty lighthouses, Lake Superior shoreline is rugged yet beautiful

Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks in Montana and Alberta – Trailer Life, May 2020
Glaciers carved spectacular valleys between the craggy mountain peaks in this unique International Peace Park

South Dakota’s Black Hills – Coast to Coast, Summer, 2020
Waterfalls, bike trails, funny feral burros and a world famous motorcycle rally make for great memories in the Black Hills

Small towns of Wyoming – Trailer Life Magazine, July 2020
A road trip along some of Wyoming less traveled byways takes us from one charming western town to another

Stunning Sedona, Arizona – Coast to Coast Magazine, Spring, 2020
Sedona is an outdoor lovers paradise tucked into an exquisite red rock setting that’s worthy of many return visits!

Top Hikes in the National Parks – Trailer Life Magazine, January, 2020
The best way to see the National Parks is on foot. Here are some beautiful hikes.

Visiting the National Parks in Winter – Trailer Life Maggazine, December, 2019
Most folks visit the National Parks in summertime, but winter offers a fabulous, intimate and very different experience.

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon – Trailer Life Magazine, November, 2019
The eye popping royal blue water at Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park is stunning against the snowy landscape

Chasing Fall Color in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – Coast to Coast Magazine, Fall, 2019
Some of America’s best fall foliage can be found in Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan.

Goblin Valley State Park in Utah – Trailer Life Magazine, September, 2019
This wonderland state park is full of red rock hoodoos and brings out the kid in everyone

Wyoming’s Glorious Grand Teton National Park – Trailer Life Magazine, July, 2019
The Tetons are a stunning mountain range, and this National Park is among the best in the nation.

Wyoming’s Big Horn Mountains – Coast to Coast Magazine, Summer 2019
Wyoming is most famous for Yellowstone and the Tetons, but the equally majestic Big Horn Mountains are quieter!

Beartooth and Chief Joseph Highways – Trailer Life Magazine, July 2019
The Beartooth and Chief Joseph Highways in Montana and Wyoming are knock-your-socks-off spectacular!

Ancient Indian Ruins of New Mexico – Coast to Coast Magazine, Spring 2019
Aztec Ruins National Monument and Bandelier National Monument take us bad to the days of the Ancients.

Canadian Rockies – Stunning National Parks! – Trailer Life Magazine, May 2019
Four glorious national parks abut each other in Canada; Famous Banff and Jasper are just two of them!

Tucson Arizona Highlights – Escapees Magazine, Jan/Feb 2019
From a colorful historic district to an ancient mission church, Tucson is a fun place to visit.

Hawaii Escape – Escapees Magazine, Dec/Jan 2018
We leave our trailer behind to explore the island of Oahu!

Santa Fe New Mexico Highlights – Escapees Magazine, Oct/Nov 2018
From a slot canyon to some fabulous ancient Indian ruins there’s lots to see near Santa Fe.

Back Roads of Idaho – Coast to Coast Magazine, Summer 2018
Traveling the back roads of Idaho, there are charming small towns and beautiful mountains at every turn.

RVing Downeast Maine – Coast to Coast Magazine, Spring 2018
From Bangor to Acadia National Park to the furthest east town of Lubec, Maine has lots to offer RVers.

Maysville, Kentucky – Trailer Life Magazine, February 2018
Maysville, Kentucky, enchanted us with its gregarious and friendly spirit and charming historic downtown.

Animals Encounters in Arizona – Motorhome Magazine, December 2017
Arizona is crawling with wildlife. Here are some great places to see the special critters of the southwest.

Georgia On Their Minds – Trailer Life Magazine, September 2017
The South is known for hospitality, and a wonderful glimpse of the gentility of yesteryear is best seen on the Antebellum Trail

The Spirit of the Sea – Motorhome Magazine, August 2017
Following Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island we see stunning seascapes and cute harbors.

Quaint Side of Canada – Trailer Life Magazine, July 2017
Coastal travels from the pretty lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove to picturesque Lunenburg and Mahone Bay.

Virginia Mountain Majesty – Motorhome Magazine, July 2017
Following the Blue Ridge Highway through Virginia, we find blue grass music, wineries and majestic mountains.

Downeast Maine – Trailer Life RV Magazine, June 2017
Few people venture to the far northeast corner of America, but the seaside villages and local color are not to be missed!

New York’s Finger Lakes – Motorhome Magazine, May 2017
We explore a lesser known Amish community and enjoy some wine tasting between Amish farm outings.

Sweet Sarasota Florida – Trailer Life Magazine, March, 2017
Sarasota Florida is a beach lover’s paradise, with sugar sand beaches and turquoise water. But there’s lots of high culture too…

Maine Course – Motorhome Magazine, September, 2016
From craggy shores to sweet harbors to Rockefeller’s network of “Carriage Roads,” Acadia National Park rocks!

Splendid Isolation: The Big Bend – Coast to Coast Magazine, Fall, 2016
Big Bend National Park is ruggedly beautiful, from the Rio Grande to mountaintops and desert rocks. A daytrip to Mexico is a must!

New Hampshire’s Little Engine That Could – Trailer Life Magazine, August, 2016
We take a trip up Mt. Washington on the historic and unique Cog Railway to the Weather Station up top.

Exporing Oregon’s Quiet Side – Coast to Coast Magazine, Summer, 2016
From the rivers east of Bend to the snowcapped peaks of the Wallowa Mountains, eastern Oregon is a little known paradise.

Jewels of Florida’s Northern Gulf Coast – Motorhome Magazine, July, 2016
The Northern Gulf Coast of Florida is often overlooked in favor of more famous southern spots, but it has a lot to offer

High Country Holiday – Trailer Life Magazine, May, 2016
A visit to North Carolina’s Great Smoky National Park and the southern part of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Deep in the Heart of West Texas – Trailer Life Magazine, February, 2016
Big Bend National Park has mountains, deserts and rivers as well as ghost towns and a taste of Mexico!

Adventures in Central Arizona – Motorhome Magazine, November, 2015
The hub of central Arizona is Phoenix, but just outside the city lies a treasure trove of natural beauty.

Out Yonder in Oregon – Trailer Life Magazine, October, 2015
Tucked into a far corner of Oregon, the Wallowa Mountains are one of the best kept secrets in the West.

Finding the COLOR in Colorado – Coast to Coast Magazine, Fall, 2015
An autumn RV trip to the adorable mountain towns of Ouray and Silverton, Colorado, makes for a stunning immersion in fall colors.

Under the Idaho Sun – Trailer Life Magazine, August, 2015
Sun Valley Idaho is an RVers paradise with camping galore and free concerts, gallery walks and performances everyday.

Grand Teton National Park – Motorhome Magazine, August, 2015
Grand Teton National Park is flanked by a jaw-dropping mountain range, but there are dozens of hidden treasures too.

Driving between the Red Rocks: A Utah Roadtrip – Coast to Coast Magazine, Summer, 2015
Driving the spectacular Bicentennial Highway through Glen Canyon to Natural Bridges Nat’l Monument and Capitol Reef Nat’l Park.

The Sunny Side of Oregon – Trailer Life Magazine, May, 2015
From Crater Lake to the Deschutes, McKenzie and Crooked Rivers, we discover the beauty of Central Oregon.

Arizona’s Red Rock Country – Trailer Life Magazine, December, 2014
Hiking, biking and thrill seeking amid the red rocks of artsy Sedona Arizona.

A Walk on the Wild Side in Phoenix Arizona – Coast to Coast Magazine, Fall 2014
Beyond the urban sprawl of Phoenix, Arizona, is a world teeming with natural beauty on lovely waterways and hiking trails.

Montana’s Ghost Towns! – Trailer Life, August, 2014
Montana’s Gold Rush was not as famous as the one in California, but the ghost towns are just as fascinating.

Enchanting Ensenada – Escapees Magazine, Nov/Dec 2013
Ensenada is a fabulous destination by RV or boat, and makes a perfect introduction to travel in Mexico.

Legends of the Fall – Coast-to-Coast, Fall 2013
The red rocks of Colorado National Monument and the fall foliage on the San Juan Mountains are kaleidescopic.

Dinosaurs and Much Much More – RV Life, September 2013
From fossilized dinosaur bones to ancient petroglyphs, Dinosaur National Monument is magnificent!

Flaming Gorge – Red Rocks, Aquamarine Water & Rainbows! – Trailer Life, August 2013
A rainbow-filled visit to the stunning cliffs, river and dam at Utah’s Flaming Gorge.

Chasing Rainbows in Flaming Gorge – RV Life, July 2013
The sweeping views, brilliant red rocks and friendly animals make Flaming Gorge perfect for the whole family.

Beyond Bryce Canyon – Coast-to-Coast, Summer 2013
Some of the best of Utah lies between the more famous National Parks at Bryce and Zion.

Everything Under the Sun – Coast-to-Coast Magazine, Spring, 2012
We visit two desert lakes near Phoenix Arizona, deep in the heart of the cactus-studded Tonto National Forest.

Summer Fun in Sun Valley – RV Journal – Summer, 2011
From free outdoor concerts to scenic bike paths to towering mountains to history and luxury, this town has it all.

Roads Back in Time – Highways Magazine – October, 2010
A trip down memory lane at the unique RV/MH Hall of Fame museum in Elkhart, Indiana.

Once Upon a Time in the West – Highways Magazine – September, 2010
Two wonderful small town Labor Day celebrations: a rodeo in Helmville, Montana and a fair in Parowan, Utah.

America’s Alps – Highways Magazine – August, 2010
Sun Valley Idaho has something for everyone: soaring mountains, glitz & glam, cute bistros and an unusual history.

Embers of History – Coast-to-Coast Magazine – Summer, 2010
Valley of Fire State Park outside Las Vegas, Nevada, offers up red rock vistas and geological and human history.

Amish Heritage Trail – Escapees Magazine – May/June, 2010
Describes the intriguing self-guided CD-based tour you can take through Amish Country in the Elkhart, Indiana area.

Nevada Ranch’s Colorful History – RV Life – April, 2010
Spring Mountain Ranch, outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, is full of history, intrigue and fun surprises.

RV/MH Hall of Fame – Escapees Magazine – March/April, 2010
We visit the unusual RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana: library, museum, and home of kudos to the RV industry.

RV-Friendly Casinos – Escapees Magazine – November/December, 2009
Casinos offer RVers a lot besides gambling. From horse racing to a dip in a pool, our favorite casinos are here.

Yuma’s Hidden Treasures – RV Life – November, 2009
Take a visit to the Yuma Territorial State Prison, explore the Old Town, and see a colorful balloon festival.

Reliving the Wild West – RV Life – September, 2009
Tiny Pioche, Nevada, was the wildest of the west’s wild towns, with the most murders and one really tough jail.

Where Animals Find Friends – RV Life – August, 2009
We visit the unique Best Friends Animal Sanctuary near Kanab, Utah, a beautiful & extremely well-funded sanctuary.

Land of Goblins – Escapees Magazine – September/October, 2008
Goblin Valley is a fantastic Utah state park full of red rock hoodoos. Nearby is an easy & exciting slot canyon hike.

RV and CRUISING “HOW TO” ARTICLES

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Photography Tips – Family RVing Magazine, Nov/Dec 2024
Photography goes hand-in-hand with RV travel. Here are a few tips to help you take more engaging photos.

Reese Goose Box 5th Wheel Hitch – Escapees Magazine, July/August 2024
The Reese Goose Box is a game changer for towing a fifth wheel trailer: easy hitching, not hard to install and ultra smooth towing!

Demco Recon 21k 5th Wheel Hitch – RV Magazine, March 2023
This unusual hitch mounts on a gooseball in the truck bed, making it easy to install and remove, plus it’s truck brand independent.

Cargo Buckles – Escapees, Jan/Feb 2023
Cargo Buckle retractable ratchet straps are a game changer and time saver for tying down heavy items in a toy hauler or flat bed trailer.

Torklift Camper Tie-Downs and FastGuns – RV Magazine, January 2022
The Torklift Camper Tie-Downs are the best in the industry and the companion FastGuns make securing your truck camper a breeze

RV Awning Fabric Repair – RV Magazine, April 2021
RV awnings are ungainly and awkward and we found a few tricks for replacing the awning fabric.

Organizing and Defrosting a small RV Refrigerator – RV Magazine, March 2021
Here are some tips to make it easy to organize an RV fridge and defrost it quickly and painlessly

Portable Power – Honda EU2200i Generator – Escapees Magazine, Jul/Aug 2019
Honda’s new EU2200i portable generator packs a lot of punch into an easy-to-carry package.

How to Repair a manual RV Awning – Escapees Magazine, September/October 2019
Our manual awning suffered catastrophic UV damage from a life in the sun. Here’s an outline of what the repair entailed.

Shopping for a Toyhauler – Trailer Life Magazine, September 2019
There are a lot of things to consider when shopping for a toy hauler. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Amp’d Up Throttle Booster – Escapees Magazine, May/Jun 2019
The “Amp’d Up” throttle booster from Edge Products fixes the “deal pedal” syndrome when towing.

MORryde SRE4000 Trailer Suspension Upgrade – Escapees Magazine, Jul/Aug 2018
Installing the MORryde SRE4000 equalizer on your trailer smooths out the ride and saves your dishes!.

Portable Generator Maintenance – Trailer Life Magazine, April 2018
Avid boondockers and casual dry campers need to keep their generators in good shape. Here are some tips.

Step-by-step installation of the B&W OEM Companion Hitch – Trailer Life Magazine, April, 2017
Truck manufacturers now provide “puck” systems for easy DIY installation of fifth wheel hitches. Here’s the B&W “puck” Hitch.

Cruising on Solar Power – Cruising World Magazine, February, 2017
How to design and install a solar power system on a sailboat that is robust enough for anchoring out all the time.

Power Inverters – Escapees Magazine, Sep/Oct 2016
Power inverters make it possible to run AC appliances on DC batteries when dry camping. Here’s the low down.

One Ton Trucks – Buying a Truck for Heavy Duty Towing – Trailer Life Magazine, July, 2016
What to look for when buying a heavy duty pickup truck to tow a big fifth wheel trailer.

Diesel Engine Tuners – Escapees Magazine, Mar/Apr 2016
Diesel engine tuners truly put the driver in the driver’s seat of the truck! Here’s a look at how they work.

RV Batteries: The Heart of the RV Power Plant – Escapees Magazine, Jan/Feb 2016
Hints for what to look for in RV house batteries (wet cell vs. AGM) and how best to wire them.

RV Solar Power: The Installation Process – Escapees Magazine, Nov/Dec 2015
Tips and tricks for installing solar panels on an RV roof and a solar charge controller in teh basement.

Winterizing Your Screen Door – Trailer Life Magazine, November, 2015
If you are planning on winter camping in your trailer, here’s an easy way to let the sun in and keep the cold out!

Hydraulic Disc Brake Conversion – Escapees Magazine, Jul/Aug, 2015
Upgrading a trailer’s brake system to electric over hydraulic disc brakes makes a radical difference in driving comfort and safety!

RV Solar Power Basics – Escapees Magazine, May/Jun, 2015
RV Solar Power is demystified with an easy-to-understand review of the basic components in a solar power installation.

Making Weight – How Heavy is Your Rig? – Escapees Magazine – Mar/Apr, 2015
Weighing your rig is an important safety measure, and the Smart-Weigh program makes it easy to do.

Installation of a High-Capacity Watermaker – Cruising World Magazine, February, 2015
A step-by-step description of the installation of the lifeblood of our cruise: a 60-gallon-per-hour engine-driven watermaker.

Installation of a Vent-Free Propane Heater – Escapees Magazine, Nov/Dec 2014
A step-by-step guide to selecting and installing a vent-free propane heater in an RV.

Keep It Clean – Tips for RV Sanitation Systems – Motorhome Magazine, July, 2014
Good Sam Club loved our article in Trailer Life so much (next listing) that they published it in MotorHome too!!

Keep It Clean – Tips for RV Sanitation Systems – Trailer Life, May, 2014
Tips and tricks for maintaining an RV’s holding tanks and recommended procedures for doing the dirty deed at the RV dump station.

Keeping Your RV Roof in Tip-Top Shape! – Trailer Life, September 2013
RV rubber roofs and fiberglass roofs each require special care to stay in good condition and remain watertight.

Boondocking: The Essential Ingredients – Escapees Magazine – January/February, 2012
Describes the tools and attitude necessary for an independent life of boondocking, or living “off the grid,” in an RV.

Shrink-Wrap Your Screen Door – Escapees Magazine – September/October, 2010
A step-by-step guide to shrink-wrapping your RV’s screen door for wintertime use.

Install Your Own Vent-free Propane Heater – Escapees Magazine – September/October, 2009
Instructions for installing a vent-free propane heater. These heaters are superior to the furnaces installed in most RVs.

Punching Numbers – Escapees Magazine – May/June, 2009
A review of what it costs to go RVing full-time.

Shedding Light on Solar – Escapees Magazine – March/April, 2009
A presentation of the two solar power configurations we have had on our two trailers.

CRUISING DESTINATION ARTICLES

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Cruising Mexico’s Sweet Costalegre – Sailing Magazine, June 2016
In between the more popular anchorages on Mexico’s mainland coast we discovered some gorgeous hidden coves.

Huatulco Mexico – In our Hearts Forever! – Sailing Magazine, February, 2014
The Bays of Huatulco sparkle like jewels on the southern Pacific shores of Mexico and offer the best cruising in Mexico.

A Colorful Christmas in Zihuatanejo – Blue Water Sailing, December, 2012
What could be better than Christmas in colorful, vibrant “Z-town” where the sun is bright and the setting tropical.

Baja “Aha” – Cruising World Magazine, Sep 2012
Our maiden sail down the Pacific coast of Baja from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas was full of beginner’s luck.

Mexico’s Costa Alegre – Blue Water Sailing, Apr 2012
The “Gold Coast” of Mexico is a collection of 10 or so unique and special anchorages on the Pacific coast.

Bewitching Baja – Sailing Magazine, March, 2012
A literary cruise through the Sea of Cortez with flashbacks to John Steinbeck’s hilarious book, Log from the Sea of Cortez

Wild Winds of the West – Sail Magazine, March, 2012
Describes the thrills awaiting charterers in the Sea of Cortez. Editors refer to Groovy as a “charter boat.” What next?

RV LIFESTYLE ARTICLES

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Toy Hauler Living – Escapees Magazine, May/June 2023
What is it like to live in a toy hauler, especially an open box design? The flexibility is fantastic and the patio can’t be beat!

Buddy – A Journey in Spirit – Escapees Magazine, March/April 2023
When our sweet pup ate a lethal dose of rat poison, the emergency hospital vets told us he’d never survive. God gave him a miracle and he recovered 100%.

Living the RV Dream – RV Magazine, August 2021
What are your innermost dreams and what does it take to make your dreams come true?

Keeping Cool in Summer – RV Magazine, July 2021
Summertime RVing is blast but it can get hot too. Here are some tips for beating the heat in your RV.

Is Full-time RVing in your Future? – RV Magazine, June 2021
Full-time RVing is a thrilling life changing adventure. Here are some things to ponder before jumping to this exciting new phase of life.

Travel Photography – Trailer Life Magazine, June 2019
Here are a few tips for RVers to make their travel photos come alive.

Fifth Wheel Toyhaulers – Trailer Life Magazine, Mar 2019
A sampling of 5th wheel toy haulers on the market with pros/cons of each!

RVing and Bicycling – Match Made in Heaven! – Trailer Life Magazine, February 2019
Bicycling is a great activity for RVers. Here are some tips and favorite cycling destinations.

Full-time RVing – Trailer Life Magazine, July 2018
We offer readers our tips and insights into the full-time RV lifestyle.

Reflections: Lessons Learned in the Full-time RV Lifestyle – Escapees, May 2018
On our 11th anniversary of full-time travel we look back at what we’ve learned along the way.

First-Timer Fifth Wheels – Trailer Life Magazine, May 2018
Here’s a look at a dozen great “first-timer” fifth wheels that are under $50k and shorter than 32′.

Stay Cozy Warm While RVing in Cold Weather – Escapees Magazine, January/February 2018
Here are some survival tips to help you make it through a cold winter season in your RV!

Full-timer Fifth Wheel Trailers – Trailer Life Magazine, October 2017
A review of twelve new fifth wheel trailer models suitable for full-time living.

Visiting the Dentist in Mexico – Escapees Magazine, November/December 2016
Mexican dentists do top quality work at rock bottom prices. Here are our personal experiences that have kept us smiling for 8 years.

An Interview with Kay Peterson – Escapees Magazine, Jul/Aug 2016
Kay Peterson and her husband Joe founded the unique Escapees RV Club. Her story is a thrill and an inspiration.

Leasing Your House To Go Full-time RVing – Escapees Magazine, May/Jun 2016
Most folks sell their house before they go full-time, but we leased ours and have been oh-so-happy that we did!

What is it Like to RV Full-time? – At Home on the Road – Motorhome Magazine, January, 2016
RVing full-time sounds like a dream, but the transition can be overwhelming. Here are some tips for how to get from here to there!

Getting The Most From Your Travel Photography – Escapees Magazine, Sep/Oct, 2015
What makes a great photo? Here’s some hints and tips for putting some zing in your travel photography?

Stay the Course – Escapees Magazine, Jan/Feb 2015
Inspiration for future full-timers who are overwhelmed by the challenges of starting a new and exotic life on the road.

A Full-time RVer’s Metamorphosis – Escapees Magazine, Sep/Oct 2014
An interview with two special Escapees members who have lived and worked in their RV full-time for 26 years.

Taking Your RV into the Mountains– Escapees Magazine, July/August 2013
Some hints and tips for taking a big rig into the mountains.

Pacing Your RV Travels – Escapees Magazine, May/June 2013
Finding a theme to guide your travels, and moving along at the right pace, keeps full-time travel exciting.

First Timer’s Guide to Mexico – Latitude 38 (Baja Ha-Ha Cruiser’s Rally) – September, 2012
A cruising guide full of tips for cruisers making their first voyage to Mexico: weather, navigation, provisioning, internet access, etc.

Life Afloat and On the Road – Escapees Magazine – September/October, 2012
Part II – What’s similar and what’s different about boondocking in an RV in the US versus anchoring out in a sailboat in Mexico?

RVing by Land and by Sea – Escapees Magazine – July/August, 2012
Part I – Written at the request of Escapees Magazine, this is a comparison of the full-time RVing and cruising lifestyles.

Leasing Your House – Escapees Magazine – May/June, 2012
A summary of the things we’ve learned to help us be both happy and profitable landlords.

Heart of a Dream – Escapees Magazine – January/February, 2011
An exploration of what this business of “Living the Dream” is all about and what its origins were for us.

A Mexican Crown – Escapee Magazine – January/February, 2010
We go south of the border from Yuma, AZ so Mark can get a new crown from a terrific Mexican dentist.

TRAILER LIFE COLUMN – “ROADS TO ADVENTURE”

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Every other month between January 2017 and November 2020 we authored the back page column in Trailer Life Magazine called “Roads to Adventure.” This column focused on special RV destinations and featured a beautiful (and enticing!) photo.

Trailer Life Column: Sedona Red Rocks – Trailer Life Magazine, November 2020
Hiking among and between Sedona Arizona’s red rocks can’t be beat. When a storm darkens the sky it gets even better!

Trailer Life Column: Mackinac Bridge – Trailer Life Magazine, Sep 2020
The gateway to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, this historic bridge lights up at night

Trailer Life Column: The Giants of Montana – Trailer Life Magazine, July 2020
The mammoth and ancient Ross Creek cedar trees are awe-inspiring to walk among and climb into.

Trailer Life Column: Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway – Trailer Life, May, 2020
An old grist mill in Virginia offers a hands-on glimpse into America’s and Appalachia’s past

Trailer Life Column: Cedar Breaks National Monument – Trailer Life Magazine, March 2020
One of the lesser known National Parks in Utah, Cedar Breaks is a red rock wonderland!

Trailer Life Column: New Mexico’s White Sands National Monument – Trailer Life Magazine, January, 2020
How about sledding on a gypsum sand dune? White Sands is a playground for all ages!

Trailer Life Column: Glacier National Park in Montana – Trailer Life Magazine, May 2019
Towering snowcapped mountains and glassy alpine lakes make Glacier NP a treasured wonderland.

Trailer Life Column: Colorado’s Maroon Bells – Trailer Life Magazine, March 2019
We found beauty and romance at sunrise in gorgeous Maroon Bells.

Trailer Life Column: Florida Panhandle – Trailer Life Magazine, January 2019
Turquoise water and white sand beaches make the Florida Panhandle a stunning destination.

Trailer Life Column: Icefields Parkway in Canada – Trailer Life Magazine, November 2018
The Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper National Parks is out of this world!

Trailer Life Column: Autumn in Zion National Park – Trailer Life Magazine, September 2018
Zion National Park is known for its towering cliffs, but the fall foliage fills the canyon with vibrant color.

Trailer Life Column: 4th of July in Custer, South Dakota – Trailer Life Magazine, July 2018
Custer, South Dakota, is a small town with a big heart, and their 4th of July celebration is top notch.

Trailer Life Column: Rockport Massachusetts – Trailer Life Magazine, May 2018
Rockport, Massachusetts, is a cute seaside town whose history dates to the Revolution.

Trailer Life Column: Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico – Trailer Life Magazine, March 2018
At Bandelier National Monument we discovered quintessential cliff dwellings complete with ladders to the entrances.

Trailer Life Column: Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona – Trailer Life Magazine, January 2018
We found Petrified Forest National Park’s hidden jewels at Jasper Forest and Blue Mesa Trail.

Trailer Life Column: Moraine Lake, Alberta, Canada – Trailer Life Magazine, November, 2017
Deep in the Canadian Rockies, Moraine Lake is a vibrant turquoise lake tucked between snowcapped mountain peaks.

Trailer Life Column: San Juan Skyway, Colorado – Trailer Life Magazine, September, 2017
The San Juan Skyway loops through SW Colorado, and erupts in a fiery display of color during fall foliage season!

Trailer Life Column: McCall, Idaho – Trailer Life Magazine, July, 2017
McCall, Idaho, is a little known bona-fide beach town high up in the Rocky Mountains!

Trailer Life Column: Watkins Glen, New York – Trailer Life Magazine, May, 2017
Watkins Glen is a fabulous gorge, and a visit in the rain reveals a jaw-dropping waterfall.

Trailer Life Column: Bryce Canyon at Night – Trailer Life Magazine, March, 2017
Bryce Canyon is stunning by day, but at midnight the canyon is spanned by the Milky Way!

Trailer Life Column: Horseshoe Bend Arizona – Trailer Life Magazine, January, 2017
Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona, is a breathtaking overlook high above the Colorado River.

PHOTOGRAPHY ARTICLES

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Grand Canyon Wildflower Image — Landscape Magazine, August 2023
Mark describes a special encounter with a beautiful wildflower in Kaibab National Forest.

Travel Photography – Trailer Life Magazine, June 2019
Here are a few tips for making travel photos come alive.

Getting The Most From Your Travel Photography – Escapees Magazine, Sep/Oct, 2015
What makes a great photo? Hints and tips for putting some zing in your travel photography

PROFILES ABOUT US

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“Mark and Emily” YouTube Video (5+ minutes) — Camping World, March 2018
Camping World’s pro video crew spent 3 days with us creating this inspiring video (our blog post about the video shoot is here)

Mexico’s Natural Attractions — JetLine Cruise, APRIL 2018
JetLine Cruise interviewed us about visiting La Bufadora in Ensenada (our blog post about La Bufadora is here)

Podcast Interview (46 minutes) — Keep Your Daydream, June 2015
Keep Your Daydream adventure travel podcast interviewed us to learn how we launched our travel dream and how we keep it going.

Quitting Life to Hit the Road in an RV — Yahoo Travel, February 2015
Yahoo Travel feature story about us and other RVers who left convention behind to live in an RV full-time.

Blog Review of Roads Less Traveled – Belinda Hughes Writing and Travel Blog, July, 2014
Writer, blogger and future RVer gave this blog a glowing review in her debut post in a series of blog reviews.

Sailing Groovy on Kyocera Solar Power – Kyocera Solar Power Website, June, 2013
Solar panel manufacturer Kyocera Solar featured our sailboat Groovy‘s solar power installation on their website.

Solar Power Installation on Sailboat “Groovy” – Clean Technica, May, 2013
CleanTechnica featured a story about our marine solar power installation aboard our sailboat Groovy.

Solar Sailboat Shows How “Groovy” Off-Grid Life Can Be – EarthTechling, May, 2013
EarthTechling featured a story about our off-the-grid lifestyle, powered by solar, aboard our sailboat Groovy.

Fun with the Fagans – Highways Magazine – April/May, 2012
The good folks at Good Sam Club published a brief story about our unusual land and sea traveling lifestyle.

Changes in Latitude – Latitude 38 Magazine – March, 2012
The West Coast’s most popular sailing magazine checked in with us in Acapulco, Mexico

RVing Magazine Links

Coast-to-Coast Magazine
This is the membership magazine for the Coast Resorts RVing organization. Coast Resorts is a network of upscale RV parks that are available to members at a discounted price, and the magazine covers a full range of RVing topics for its members.

Escapees Magazine
This is the membership magazine for the Escapees RV Club, a club focused on the RV lifestyle, especially for long-term and full-time travelers. Articles cover topics that are unique to living in an RV for an extended period of time as well as destinations that are worthy of a stop.

Highways Magazine
This was the official magazine for the Good Sam Club and ceased publication in 2014. It was chock full of RV tech tips, previews of upcoming Good Sam events, RV equipment reviews and RV destination recommendations.

MotorHome Magazine
This magazine was first published in 1968 and was later purchased by Good Sam Club. It was dedicated to driveable RVs, that is, Class A’s, B’s and C’s, and was filled with motorhome tech tips and great RV destination stories. It was incorporated into RV Magazine in January 2021.

RV Journal
This excellent free magazine used to be found in Camping World, RV parks and other RV-related places of business in the western states. It focused on happenings in the West that could inspire an RVing voyage to a particular destination, from musical events to festivals to country fairs. Unfortunately, it is no longer in print.

RV Life Magazine
This wonderful, over-sized magazine was one of the oldest regional RV magazines. It included excellent destination articles and interesting news pieces about the RV industry. The name and brand were sold to new owners.

RV Magazine
Trailer Life Magazine and Motorhome Magazine merged to become RV Magazine in January 2021. This new magazine covered topics for all RVs rather than specializing in one type or another. RV Magazine ceased publication in December 2023.

Trailer Life Magazine
Part of the Good Sam family, this magazine was dedicated to towable RVs, and had tips for both tow vehicles (trucks) and trailers as well as the hitches that go in between. The destination stories also offered inspiring ideas for the bucket list. First published in 1941, it was incorporated into RV Magazine in January 2021.

Cruising Magazine Links

Blue Water Sailing Magazine
Started in 1997, this delightful cruising-specific magazine is written by cruisers for cruisers with an emphasis on taking your own boat to exotic destinations.

Cruising World Magazine
This classic American sailing magazine has been spawning cruising dreams for decades. Articles are split evenly between stories about all aspects of living aboard and cruising and stories about chartering both domestically and in foreign waters. Cruising World is available in a Kindle edition as well, including iPad, iPod, iPhone and Android platforms.

Latitude 38
The west coast’s most popular sailing magazine is known for its lively letters to the editor and for keeping tabs on west coast cruisers all over the world. The tone is fun, a bit sassy and sometimes irreverent, but the information is invaluable for cruisers, especially those heading to Mexico.

Sail Magazine
A widely read magazine that covers all aspects of sailing from tips and tricks for beginners to hot charter destinations to technical discussions of boat systems to world cruising explorations by sailboat. From old salt to beginning sailor, there is something in this magazine for everyone.

Sailing Magazine
This is an over-sized and beautiful glossy magazine that prides itself on fine writing and dramatic photography. Founded in 1966, I remember issues of this magazine lying on our coffee table when I was a child, fueling my father’s dreams of a circumnavigation (which, sadly, never came to pass).

Marina Chiapas – Waypoints, Cruising Guide & Inland Travel

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Roads Less Traveled

Marina Chiapas is a new and attractive marina located next to the tiny seaside town of Puerto Madero and the new cruise ship terminal at Puerto Chiapas. They are all situated around the same estuary about 18 miles (30 min.) from the city of Tapachula (pop 500,000).

This is a very handy marina for cruisers in many ways. It is an excellent beginning or end point for crossing the Gulf of Tehuantepec. It is also 10 minutes from Tapachula’s modern international airport. Supermarket provisioning is a short cab ride away, and the big city of Tapachula has luxury bus service that will take you anywhere in Mexico or Central America.

The concrete docks are in good condition, there is no surge whatsoever, it is below the hurricane belt, and the huge lightning rods on the nearby coffee factory likely protect the boats from lightning strikes during the rainy season (summer). However, there is little tidal exchange of water in and out of the marina, so when cruising boats discharge their toilets or holding tanks overboard, the water can get pretty scummy.

Because this port sits next to Mexico’s border with Guatemala, it is a very tightly controlled port. When arriving in the estuary you must hail the Port Captain to let him know you are coming in. If you are staying at the marina and wish to go out for a daysail, you must hail the Port Captain both on the way out and again on the way in. If you don’t hail him, he will likely hail you, calling, “Velero velero” (“sailboat sailboat”).

To see what the marina looks like, we have blog posts about our spring visit and our return fall visit, both in 2012.

Chartplotter image of the entrance to Marina Chiapa

WAYPOINTS

We have now been in and out of the marina a bunch of times, so I have noted some waypoints that may be of use to other cruisers. These are from our Raymarine E80 chartplotter and are just offered as a guideline — we are not legally liable for their accuracy or inaccuracy.

I originally posted a set of four waypoints on this website when we first arrived at Marina Chiapas, and those have circulated among cruisers and turned up in the marina’s brochure literature (minus one waypoint that must have been overlooked). However, there was a dredge blocking the marina channel at the time, so one waypoint was closer to shore than is necessary any more.

The five waypoints given here are more accurate and follow the contours of the channel better. I don’t recommend entering anywhere new at night, but if you arrive in the dark and feel you just can’t wait outside the marina until dawn, I believe these waypoints will get you into the marina just fine. As of June, 2013, there were still no buoys to mark the channel. Those are likely in place by now, but just in case they aren’t yet, I hope these waypoints will help you out.

The marina was built by digging an enormous ditch and then allowing it to fill with water. That is why the Marina waypoint is sitting on land in the image. The dredged channel to the marina is fairly narrow. There is plenty of depth, but stick to the middle of the channel. The bottom is soft mud if you do happen to touch.

CHS01
CHS02
CHS03
CHS04
CHS05

Entrance to Puerto Chiapas
First turn (RIGHT) towards Marina
Second turn (RIGHT) towards Marina
Third turn (RIGHT) towards Marina
Fourth turn (LEFT) into Marina Chiapas

Marina Slips

14° 41.819 N, 92° 24.685 W
14° 42.173 N, 92° 24.327 W
14° 42.240 N, 92° 24.170 W
14° 42.195 N, 92° 23.781 W
14° 41.990 N, 92° 23.665 W

14° 41.930 N, 92° 23.525 W

The initial entrance to the channel is straight forward and the red and green buoys are easily visible.
As you go down the channel you will see two large “Aztec” looking thatch roofed palapas. These palapas are used by the cruise ships at the cruise ship dock. You turn right before passing these palapas.
Next you will see lots of large shrimpers on your left. After passing most of the shrimpers you turn right into the marina channel.
You will not see the marina ahead of you when you take that right turn. Simply stay in the middle of the channel and keep moving towards the final waypoint where you make a slight left turn following the contour of the channel.
The slips are oriented east and west and are set up with two boats to a slip.

CHECKING IN

After tying up at the dock your boat will be visited by the Port Captain and the Navy and their drug sniffing dog. If you arrive in the middle of the night they will probably not visit your boat until morning, but it might be right at dawn. The visit takes only 10 minutes or so, and in some cases the pooch wears booties to avoid scuffing up your boat!

GETTING AROUND

The cheapest way to get around is by “combi” van or by a shared taxi (the shared taxis are orange). The cost to get to the city of Tapachula is 13 pesos per person (½ hour ride) in either the “combi” or orange taxi. The cost to get to the small nearby village of Puerto Madero is 10 pesos in a shared taxi. If you are in a hurry or have lots of bags, you can take an orange taxi to or from Puerto Madero by yourself (or with spouse/group) for 40 pesos.

To catch the “combis” and shared orange taxis, stand on the far side of the road right outside the marina’s entrance gate.

There is a Walmart and an air conditioned mall with a big cinema about halfway to Tapachula. The “combi” or shared taxi is 13 pesos to go there. The return trip is more complicated. You can take a taxi directly to the marina for 150 pesos. The taxis that go direct are the white and yellow radio-dispatched taxis.

Tell the driver you want to go to the “Marina Turistica” at the “Zona Naval.” We found that simply saying “Marina Chiapas” was not specific enough because the marina was new and the locals referred to it as the Marina Turistica.

Unlike the radio-dispatched white and yellow taxis, the orange taxis are on a route like a bus system, so if you take an orange taxi from Walmart back towards the marina you will likely need to change taxis at a triangular intersection where a line of taxis waits. Then the trip becomes 13 pesos per person per leg (52 pesos total for two legs for a couple).

You can also catch a “combi” van back to the marina from Walmart. Stand on the opposite side of the road from Walmart and look for one labeled “Playa Linda” or “Zona Naval.” They are not that frequent.

If you are going to the big “luxury” bus station in Tapachula to take a bus to Guatemala or San Cristóbal de las Casas, tell the driver you are going to “ADO” (the name of the bus line). When you return from your trip, take a local cab from the ADO bus station to the “combi” station (a large terminal for “combi” vans going all over the place). Find the van marked “Zona Naval.”

Marina managers Enrique and Guillermo also sometimes offer rides to cruisers when they return home for their lunch break (2:00 to 4:00 pm) or when they go into Tapachula for errands. They will drop you off at Walmart, just make sure you are ready to be picked up on time when they are headed back to the marina.

PROVISIONING

There is a small market in Puerto Madero that sells canned and boxed goods and a limited selection of fresh food. For a larger provisioning run, go to Walmart or continue another 2-3 miles towards Tapachula to Chedraui (which is also located in a large shopping mall area). We found Walmart had a slightly better selection.

If this is your last stop before leaving Mexico, stock up! From what we understand, it is much more complicated to provision in Bahía del Sol, El Salvador, than it is at Marina Chiapas. If you are reading this before arriving in Marina Chiapas, do your biggest provisioning run at Chedraui in Huatulco where the cab ride is cheap and short.

LAUNDRY

When we were at Marina Chiapas there were no laundry facilities. You can take your laundry to Puerto Madero (we saw a cruiser do this but did not find out exactly where the service was located) or to Tapachula. You can also have your laundry picked up by marina worker Ronnie to be washed by his wife. She has a washing machine but no dryer, so if the dust is flying when your clothes are on the line, they will come back dusty.

SHOWERS

The bathrooms and shower facilities are very nice. The three shower stalls in each bathroom are spacious and have wonderfully gushing hot water. There were no hooks on the walls for hanging clothes or shower bags when we were there, but there was a large bench.

WIFI

The wifi is improving. In the fall of 2012 it was possible to get wifi from the boat but it was not always working. You can take your laptop up to the air conditioned office and work there where the signal is often stronger. TelCel Banda Ancha USB modems work fine.

FUEL DOCK

The fuel dock is located in a corner of the estuary just east of waypoint CHS-04. There is deep water right up to the shoreline, so there is room to turn your boat in front of the dock. No need to wait for high tide. There are grubby black rubber tires lining the dock, so get your fenders out to avoid marking up your boat. We ended up helping other boats get fuel and then we received help when it was out turn. Marina manager Guillermo may also take you and your jerry jugs in the back of his pickup over to the fuel dock.

THINGS TO DO – PLACES TO GO

Puerto Madero Pedicab

Playa Linda – Leaving the marina entrance gate on foot, go right and then at the intersection about ½ mile away turn left. This takes you to a small tree-lined street of homes and a handful of small shop stands. There are several narrow paths between the homes on the right that take you down to the beach. The beach is blustery and blowy. We enjoyed running this route every morning from the marina.

Puerto Madero – Catch an orange shared taxi into Puerto Madero. This is a fun and funky little seaside tourist town that has always been enjoyed exclusively by Mexicans. We were the only gringos in town every time we went. We were such a curiosity that a little girl took Mark’s picture when she thought he wasn’t looking. The streets are filled with pedal cabs. Hop in one and ask for a ride around town. It is a hoot. Some are driven by pedals on half-bicycles and others by a small half-motorbike.

You can also walk to Puerto Madero by walking around the marina’s docks to the far side (north side) and following the dirt road. It will deliver you to a paved road not far from the fuel dock. Take a left on the paved road and keep walking until you come into town. This is a fairly long walk.

Guadelupe Cathedral in San Cristobal

Tapachula – Tapachula is a big city but we never took the time to explore it in depth. There is a large, colorful central market along the “combi” route into town that looks like it could be a fun place to spend a few hours.

Chiapas & San Cristóbal de las Casas – The state of Chiapas is considered by many to be Mexico’s most beautiful. San Cristóbal de las Casas is a wonderful colonial city full of pretty architecture. Catch the ADO luxury bus from Tapachula to Tuxtla Gutierrez (5-7 hours) and then from there to San Cristóbal (2-4 hours). This route uses big highways and the bus can drive at highway speeds. As an alternative, you can take a long and interesting bus trip through the mountains instead. If you wish to do this, catch the bus from Tapachula directly to San Cristóbal. This route is a grueling 10 hour ride that averages less than 30 mph because of the many speedbumps, but it is dramatic and scenic and goes through endless small towns. Once in San Cristóbal you’ll see oodles of vendors selling tours to Palenque from San Cristóbal. In our opinion they cram way too much into too short a time, and the distances are significant. If you have time, a better option is to go to Palenque on your own on an ADO bus and then see the sights of that area using Palenque as your base rather than San Cristóbal. Here are pics and stories from our experiences on our scenic bus adventure through Chiapas and in San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Mayan ruins at Palenque – breathtaking!

Palenque – Some of Mexico’s finest Mayan ruins are in the neighborhood of Palenque, which is a 5 hour bus ride via ADO bus lines from San Cristóbal. The town of Palenque is charming and vibrant. The ruins are a 10 minute “combi” ride from town. For more Mayan ruins, take an organized day tour from Palenque to Yaxchilán and Bonampak. Yaxchilán was an ancient city located on the river that separates Guatemala and Mexico, and getting there involves an hour-long boat ride upriver in an open launch. We felt like we had walked into the pages of National Geographic. Bonampak features some incredible, colorful frescoes on the inside walls of a few of the ruined buildings. These are astonishing sights to behold. If you have the time, do it. Another side trip you can do from Palenque is to visit the waterfalls of Misol-Ha and Agua Azul (most easily done with an organized tour van from Palenque — many vendors sell these tours on the streets of Palenque). Here are our pics and stories from our trip to Palenque, our tour of Misol-Ha and Agua Azul and our tour of Yaxhilán and Bonampak. This was among the most exotic and exciting travel we experienced in three years of cruising Mexico.

Agua Azul – the cascades of water go on forever

The ruins at Yaxhilán include a cool riverboat ride along the Guatemala border.

Vivid Mayan wall frescoes at Bonampak

Mayan glyph carvings at Yaxchilán

Lakes and Canyons – From San Cristóbal you can also visit Lagos Montebellos and Sumidero Canyon, two trips full of natural beauty that sound utterly delightful but that we did not have time to do. Sumidero Canyon can be viewed from an open launch boat on a 2-3 hour tour.

Guatemala – Guatemala City is a 9 hour bus ride (on TICA bus which leaves from the ADO terminal in Tapachula). From there catch a cab to Antigua (our cab fare was $45 for this 45 minute trip). Many people love the colonial city of Antigua and many also visit Lake Atitlán which is said to be very beautiful. For us Antigua was a disappointment, but everyone has different travel experiences.

Spanish Immersion School – We attended a one-week Spanish immersion school in San Cristóbal de las Casas: Instituto Jovel. It was very professionally run, and it cost $100 per person for five days of tutorial instruction 3 hours a day. A tiny bit of material may provided on xeroxed pages, but most is given on the white board while you take notes. Bring a notebook and pen and/or use a camera to capture everything before your instructor erases it!! Three hours a day was about all we could absorb — more than that and our brains would have been mush. We also asked for homework, which is optional. There is a Spanish school on every street corner in Antigua, Guatemala with similar prices. You can also arrange to live with a local family while attending school in either location. The living conditions will be spartan but you will be speaking Spanish all the time. Our pics and stories of our Spanish Immersion experience are part of our page on San Cristóbal.

Coffee Plantation Tours – Finca Hamburgo is a coffee plantation high in the mountains north of Tapachula where you can cool off after sweltering in the marina for a while. We did not do go there but got lots of info about it. They have pretty cabins, hiking trails and tours of the plantation and processing plant, tours of the exotic flower gardens and bird watching tours (extra fees of ~$100 pesos per person for each 2-3 hour tour). The restaurant is said to prepare awesome meals. We were offered a 3-day stay including shuttle pickup at the Tapachula bus station for $2800 pesos in spring of 2012. In the fall of 2012 we were offered a 3-day stay including shuttle pickup at Marina Chiapas for $3400 pesos. Finca Argovia is another very popular coffee plantation a little closer to Marina Chiapas and slightly lower in the mountains. They also have rooms but do not offer shuttle service to and from the marina.

Awesome personalized tours!!

Macaw Tours Tapachula – Arturo of Macaw Tours Tapachula arranges wonderful, informative and personalized tours of everything in the area. He will take you to Palenque, into Guatemala, or to the coffee plantations and you won’t have to arrange anything other than the pickup and delivery time at the marina. He is a charming man and everyone who takes his tours raves about what fun they are. If you want to simply enjoy the ride and don’t feel like dealing with the hassle of buses and hotel reservations and figuring out where and what to eat, go see the sights with Arturo. He’s the best. He gets the finest guides, arranges yummy and authentic food, and handles all the hard stuff for you. Cruisers often team up in groups of up to 8 or 10 to take a tour with him.

YACHT SERVICES

Marina Chiapas (Puerto Chiapas) is a new tourist port that until two years ago was strictly a shrimping port. The smelly fish processing discharge has been cleaned up, a fancy new cruise ship dock has been erected, and this marina will one day be a true delight to visit.

At the moment, however, the port is still in a growth phase. There are virtually no yacht services. This marina has close ties with Huatulco, and they have tried to persuade marine service experts to make the 260 mile 9 hour bus ride to Marina Chiapas to service the cruising boats there. However, some people have waited months and never seen the service experts come. If you have major problems with your boat, you will find better services in Huatulco.

SUMMER RATES

In many ways Marina Chiapas is an ideal place to leave your boat for the summer. We left Groovy for 7 months and found her in fine shape when we returned. We asked local sport fishing captain Andres Reyes Prudente to oversee the cleaning and airing out of our boat and he did a great job.

During the marina’s first few summers (2012-2014), the marina offered a phenomenal introductory rate of $200 per month for the hurricane season (May-Nov). I’m not sure if such a competitive rate will be offered again, but if it were, surely every boat within several hundred miles that needed a home for the hurricane season would stay there.

ANCHORING IN THE ESTUARY

You can anchor in the estuary off the beach on the west side (opposite the cruise ship terminal), rather than staying in the marina. The fee is 80 pesos per day, payable to API upon departure (this “port fee” is built into the slip rates at the marina).

LEAVING MARINA CHIAPAS

Leaving Marina Chiapas is a chore, whether going north to Huatulco or south to El Salvador or beyond. Boats headed north must get exit paperwork for leaving Puerto Chiapas, even though they are staying in Mexican waters. You must visit the Port Captain’s office on the other side of town to get your exit paperwork ($76 peso fee for the documentation in fall of 2012). Marina manager Guillermo may drive you there. He will also check your documents and work up some preliminary paperwork before taking you there. Allow 2-3 hours for this process. There are two dates on the exit paperwork: the date the document is signed and your planned date of departure. You have 48 hours to leave Puerto Chiapas from your planned date of departure listed on the document. Otherwise you need to repeat the process and get new exit paperwork.

Misol-Ha waterfall – you can creep in behind it!

For boats headed out of Mexico there is not just the visit to the Port Captain’s office but also a visit to Immigration. Again, Guillermo may drive you there. Allow 3-5 hours for the whole Port Captain / Immigration process, and more if there are several boats going through this process at once. You have 48 hours from the departure date listed on your exit Zarpe to leave Puerto Chiapas.

Two hours prior to actual departure, both the Navy and Port Captain must visit your boat in person to do the final drug sniff with the dog and to fill out some final papers. You can hail the Port Captain on VHF 16 to initiate this visit, or the marina managers may do it for you. You need a copy of your Coast Guard documentation and passports for this visit. Once the visit is completed you must leave within 2 hours. If you are making a midnight or 3 a.m. departure, they will come at night and the same rules still apply for timing your departure.

The officials have been known to be as much as 3 hours late in making their visit to departing boats. Most boats leaving Marina Chiapas are on a tight schedule due to either the blows in the Gulf of Tehuantepec or the timing of high tide at the entrance to Bahía del Sol in El Salvador (you can enter only during the daytime high tide each day). Puerto Chiapas has never had many cruising boats visiting in the past, so all the paperwork processing for cruisers is relatively new to everyone involved. Hopefully in the future the system will become easier, especially the timing of final inspections prior to departures.

Here’s our crazy story of our departure from Marina Chiapas…!!

The following is a summary of what we saw on our 3-week inland trip from Marina Chiapas:

Antigua, Guatemala – Trying Hard for Tourist DollarsFebruary, 2012 – Antigua, Guatemala, was disappointing after the vibrant warmth of Mexico, but the colonial architecture, Mayan textiles and cobbled streets were lovely…
Chiapas by Bus – A Day of AdventureMarch, 2012 – Bus travel in southern Mexico is an adventure, and our all-day bus ride through Chiapas from Tapachula to San Cristobal was thrilling…
San Cristobal – Colonial Delights & Spanish ImmersionMarch, 2012 – San Cristóbal is a bustling and pretty colonial town where we took a week of intensive Spanish classes in hopes of conversing better…
Palenque – Ancient Mayan Ruins and Terror in the Jungle!A beautiful all-day bus ride delivered us to the exotic ancient Mayan ruins of Palenque where we got spooked in the jungle!
Agua Azul & Misol-Ha – Waterfall Adventures in MexicoSpecial Biosphere Reserve Agua Azul Waterfall is a fabulous cascade of turquoise, while Misol-Ha is a tall thin spray!
Yaxchilan and Bonampak – Haunting Ruins & Ancient Art in the JungleMarch, 2012 – We visited the Mayan ruins of Yaxchilán & Bonampak, an all-day adventure highlighted by wandering through these awe-inspiring ruins…
Marina Chiapas in Puerto Madero (Puerto Chiapas) Mexico – Sailing near GuatemalaOctober, 2012 – We kept our sailboat in Marina Chiapas for the summer and returned to find it ready for daysailing, fishing and relaxing.
Gulf of Tehuantepec, Mexico – Squeezing in a crossing between blowsHalloween, 2012 – Tactical planning, some surprising “visitors,” and old fashioned good luck defined our westbound Tehuantepec crossing from Marina Chiapas to Huatulco.

To see more goodies about Mexico on this website, click here:

More Tips for Cruising Mexico

RV Tips – Cleaning Tips for Washing your RV

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Roads Less Traveled

The simplest method to wash the grime off your RV: take it to a car wash with a big bay!

The easiest way to clean your rig is to pull it into a car wash that has an RV bay and go for it. But sometimes car washes with RV bays are hard to find, and moving around on a ladder to get to the high spots is tricky. If you boondock all the time, like we do, and don’t stay in RV parks and don’t ever go home to a house with a driveway and hose, you also don’t have access to handy water spigots.

No water needed

So Mark has found some creative ways to keep our rig clean while boondocking.

For a quick job on the truck — if it’s just dusty and not dirty with caked-on mud — he likes to use Turtle Wax Foam Away, a dry wash that doesn’t require water.

Spray it on and wipe it off, and your truck is nice and clean. Sadly, this product isn’t available any more, but another great alternative is Dri Wash ‘n Guard Waterless Car Wash.

Add a spritz to 2-3 gallons of water

RV boondocking wash and wax meguiars quik detailer

Shine up the rig

For more stubborn dirt and stains, like the bugs that splatter on the front cap of the fifth wheel and the hood of the truck, or for a more thorough wash, Mark makes up a bucket of sudsy water using a couple of gallons of water and Turtle Wax Zip Wax Ultra Concentrate.

He washes down one area at a time and then wipes it dry. No rinsing necessary.

Mr Clean Magic Eraser Scrub Pads

The neat thing about boondocking is that you have tons of space around your rig, so he drives the truck around the fifth wheel, lining it up to reach the highest spots on the trailer.

A ladder works too, but the truck gives him a much wider lateral reach as he walks along the side of the truck bed. It’s a little acrobatic, but that’s makes the job more exciting!

One awesome product Mark discovered is Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Pads. These things do an amazing job of getting rid of the scuff marks on the fiberglass front cap on our fifth wheel.

Better than a ladder…

Sunscreen for the plastic parts

For quick waxing he prefers Meguiar’s Quik Detailer (others like Mr. Clean’s Spray Wax work too). This is a polish detailer that gives the truck and trailer a nice shine and leaves the fifth wheel front cap and truck hood so smooth the bugs don’t stick (at least not for a while).

To get a little UV protection on rubber seals and plastic (like the translucent plexiglass hatch covers, a/c unit and fridge vent) he uses Protect All, a UV protectant. He has also used 303 Aerospace Protectant, which seems to work equally well. And of course the truck windshield gets a dose of Rainex every so often. Rainex makes rain on the windshield bead up and slide off more easily so the wipers can be used a little less — although we’ve found it seems to be most effective at preventing rain from falling all together, that is, until the Rainex has worn off and the windshield needs another coat!

For a more thorough wax job

Once a year Mark uses Meguiar’s Gold Class Paste Wax on the both the truck and trailer to give them a deeper finish and prevent oxidizing. If there is oxidation or stuck on bug pieces that just won’t come off, he uses Meguiar’s Cleaner Wax, a cleaner/polisher that has a mild abrasive in it.

Over the years Mark has tried lots of different cleaning and polishing products, and they all get the job done. Far more important than using a particular product is just getting out there and applying some elbow grease with whatever you have on hand. Doing a little bit more frequently is easier than doing a big job all at once…!

California Duster

When the rig just needs a quick dusting (the truck especially), Mark turns to his trusty California Duster.

This thing is amazing because it picks up all the dust and can later be shaken out with a few quick twists of the wrist.

And that’s all there is to it. Easy peasy — especially for me, since on those rig washing days I always find I am suddenly very busy doing something else!!

And, ironically, after each of the photos of our buggy getting a bath on this page was taken — in a car wash in Montana and while boondocking in Colorado — it rained for 3 days in each place. So go ahead — do the RV rain dance and help end the drought!!

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New to this site? Check out the RVing Lifestyle and Tech Tips in the MENUS at the top of the page for detailed info about installing solar power, installing a vent-free propane heater, living the full-time RV lifestyle, how to go boondocking, how to find free campsites, the costs of full-time RVing and more. Please visit our Home page and Welcome page for RVers to learn more about us and discover all the other good stuff available to you on this blog.

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Escapees Magazine features our story “Life Afloat and on the Road” – Sep/Oct 2012

Posted on September 1, 2012 by Roads Less Traveled

Posted: September 1, 2012

The September/October 2012 edition of Escapees Magazine is featuring our story “Life Afloat and on the Road.” This is a continuation of the story that appeared in the July/August issue comparing the RVing and cruising lifestyles. On the surface they might seem to be similar lifestyles, but we’ve found that they are very different.

Cruising World Magazine features our story, “Baja Aha!” – September 2012

Posted on August 18, 2012 by Roads Less Traveled

Posted: August 18, 2012

The September, 2012 issue of Cruising World Magazine is featuring our story about voyaging down the Pacific coast of the Baja Peninsula from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas.

Baja Aha!
Groovy sails south

We had great adventures on that cruise in November, 2010. We were new to the cruising life and we were a little scared, but we were also very excited. When darkness fell on our first night offshore, we were surprised to find comforting company over the radio in the pitch black. Our beginner’s luck held for a few days, but of course cruising wouldn’t be cruising without mishaps…

The article is called “Baja Aha” and should be on newsstands until mid-September. I’m really proud to have made it into this prestigious magazine. Check it out and let us know how you liked it!!

If you don’t subscribe to CW, it’s a great magazine. I’ve subscribed off-and-on since the late 1980’s! Here are subscription links for both the print and Kindle editions. Did you know you can get a year of CW for $1.99 on Kindle?!! (It’s the link with no price listed…) Save those trees!

Escapees Magazine features our story “RVing by Land and Sea” – Jul/Aug 2012

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Roads Less Traveled

Posted: July 1, 2012

The July/August 2012 edition of Escapees Magazine is featuring our story “RVing by Land and Sea.” This is the first in a two part series comparing the RVing and cruising lifestyles. The two lifestyles are very similar in a few ways, but differ dramatically in several key areas.

Escapees Magazine features our story, “Leasing Your House” – May/Jun 2012

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Roads Less Traveled

cover-escapees-magazine-leasing-your-house

Posted: May 1, 2012

The May/June 2012 issue of Escapees Magazine features our story, “Leasing Your House.” We have leased our house ever since we left home in May, 2007, and it has been a very positive experience. This article covers some of the lessons we learned when we became long-distance landlords.

Mexico Maps

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Roads Less Traveled

Pacific Baja

Highway to Mexico's cruising grounds

Map of the most popular anchorages and ports on the North Pacific Coast of Mexico.

North Pacific mainland coast.

The bridge between the Sea of Cortez and the southern Pacific coast.

Banderas Bay

Map of the most popular Gold Coast anchorages in Mexico (also known as the Costa Alegre or Costalegre or Mexican Riviera).

"Costa Alegre" - the "Cheerful Coast" - Chamela to Manzanillo.

The northern part of a popular Mexico cruising ground.

Map of the most popular anchorages on Mexico's Southern Pacific Coast (the Costa Grande / Zihuatanejo / Ixtapa area).

Costa Grande - the "Big Coast" - Manzanillo to Zihuatanejo.

The southern part of the premier cruising grounds on Mexico's Pacific coast.

Sea of Cortez.

Called "the world's aquarium" by Jacques Cousteau.

Southern Sea of Cortez.

La Paz Anchorages, Sea of Cortez.

Map of the best anchorages to the south of Loreto (Sea of Cortez Mexico).

Loreto - South Anchorage, Sea of Cortez.

Map of the best anchorages to the north of Loreto (Sea of Cortez Mexico).

Loreto - North Anchorages, Sea of Cortez.

Map of the Conception Bay anchorages (Bahia Concepcion) in the Sea of Cortez.

Bahía Concepcion, Sea of Cortez.

Map of key tourist destinations in southern Mexico (states of Chiapas and Oaxaca) and in northern Central America.

S. Mexico / Guatemala / El Salvador / Belize

Maps of Mexico for Cruisers: Pacific Coast & Sea of Cortez Anchorages

This page contains detailed maps of the west coast (Pacific coast) of Mexico, including the most popular cruising anchorages

and destinationa. If you are planning a cruise to Mexico on your own boat, be sure to check out Mexico Cruising Tips (1) and

Mexico Cruising Tips (2) too.

Coastal Mexico can be thought of as having four different primary cruising regions. As we traveled along the coast we

encountered them in this order (links go to our pics and stories):

● The Pacific coast of the Baja peninsula that runs down the western side of Baja from Ensenada to Cabo San Lucas.

● The northern Pacific mainland coast between Mazatlan and Manzanillo, including the Costa Alegre (or "Gold Coast")

which extends along the Pacific mainland's southern coast below Puerto Vallarta

● The Southern Pacific mainland coast which runs from Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa to the Guatemala border.

● The Sea of Cortez where the majority of the beauty lies along the eastern shore of the Baja peninsula.

PACIFIC COAST OF BAJA

For cruisers, the 750 miles long Pacific side of the Baja coast is like a

highway to the prime Mexican cruising grounds. It is predominantly a

downwind passage, as the prevailing winds come out of the northwest.

However, these are not consistent winds, and we found ourselves on all

points of sail and frequently motoring because the wind was too light to

sail. The current and swell also move down the coast, so we were

swept along whether under power or sail. The trip back up this highway

is called the "Baja Bash" because it is against the winds and currents

and folks usually make the journey in the spring when the winds are

strongest, resulting in a very uncomfortable trip.

NORTH PACIFIC COAST

Mazatlan - Manzanillo

Mexico's best cruising grounds lie in the Sea of

Cortez to the north and along the Pacific mainland

south of Puerto Vallarta. Most of the northern

portion of Mexico's Pacific coast is like a bridge

between these two areas, bounded by a triangle

between the major cities of La Paz, Mazatlan and

Puerto Vallarta, each home to good marinas. The

scenery, layout and quality of the anchorages

relegate this region (in my mind) to being less of a

cruising destination and more of a cruising transit

zone to get between the Sea of Cortez and the

southern Pacific coast cruising grounds, or a "live-

aboard" zone where many cruisers spend months

at one marina or another rather than cruising

between anchorages. Unlike the Sea of Cortez

and the southern mainland Pacific coast, the

distances between the more charming anchorages

of this region are quite long, often requiring an overnight trip.

Most Sea of Cortez crossings take place in this region. The shortest distance is 165 miles between Los Frailes on the eastern

tip of Baja and Mazatlan. The longest passage is 330 miles between Cabo San Lucas and Chamela Bay on the mainland. The

seas in this region can be confused, steep and choppy, as it is the meeting place for the Pacific Ocean (sweeping around Cabo

and up from the southwest) and the Sea of Cortez (rushing down from the northwest). This is particularly true when you travel

the line between Cabo and Chamela, as we found out during 55 hours of being tossed about. In addition, there is a strong

"cape effect" of powerful winds and seas off the cape that juts out between Puerto Vallarta and Chamela, called "Cabo

Corrientes." Passage around this point is best done overnight or in the early morning and at least 5 miles offshore.

Banderas Bay / Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is at the eastern end of the 60 mile coastline

of Banderas Bay that cuts into the mainland here. Four major

marinas dot this bay and there are a few anchorages on the

bay's north and south coasts. Further north, Mazatlan also

hosts several marinas and some anchorages nearby.

Costalegre / Gold Coast

An attractive cruising ground on the mainland Pacific coast of

Mexico starts in Chamela and continues southeast to Manzanillo. This

area is known to cruisers (especially readers of Pat Rains' Mexico

Boating Guide) as the "Gold Coast." The Costa Alegre includes about

ten anchorages in the fifty mile stretch between Chamela Bay and

Manzanillo Bay. Some anchorages are along beaches that have

little development. Some are on or near busy little tourist towns

full of boutique shops and restaurants. Some front posh resorts,

a few of which welcome cruisers.

In the wintertime the water can hover as low as the low 70's and

the air in the low 80's. Water clarity varies from year to year, with

some years having enough visibility to snorkel and others being

so murky with red tide that you can't swim or make water in the

anchorages. Many anchorages are near fresh water estuaries

that empty into the ocean, further muddying the water. However,

the exuberance and warmth of the local people and the wide

variety of sights to see make for a wonderful stay in this area.

* * * HUATULCO IS THE BEST CRUISING GROUND * * *

* * * IN ALL OF MEXICO!!!!. * * *

SOUTH PACIFIC COAST - Costa Grande & Costa Sur

The Costa Grande runs south of Manzanillo with the major stops being at Zihuatanejo and its little vacation paradise island, Isla

Ixtapa (labeled "Isla Grande" on some nautical charts). The 200 mile distance between the wonderful anchorages in Manzanillo

Bay and Zihuatanejo Bay is broken up with three anchorages that most sailors skip because they are so rolly that sleep is nearly

impossible. Their logic: if you aren't going to sleep at anchor, you might as well be making miles on your way to your

destination. Although there are really only a few locations to drop the hook, the town of Zihuatanejo and its sophisticated big

sister city of Ixtapa offer enough to keep cruisers busy for weeks. Winter water temps hover in the mid- to high-70's and the air

in the mid-80's.

The Pacific Ocean crashes into the Pacific coast of Mexico (both Baja and the mainland) after traveling thousands of miles,

rendering all Pacific coast anchorages in Mexico (except Barra de Navidad) somewhere between "rather rolly" and "very rolly."

Ordinary walking and moving about the boat becomes a crazy duck wobble. The prevailing winds blow from the northwest,

parallel to the Pacific coast, and most anchorages are wide open bays with wonderful surf-filled beaches. In each one, a small

point juts out into the Pacific at the northwest end of the bay or beach. Tucking in behind this point gives some wind protection,

but the swell usually sneaks in, hitting the boat on the beam. Setting a stern anchor so the boat faces the swell can help, but the

easiest way to avoid the rolly anchorages is to stay in marinas. Many cruisers spend much of their winter cruising season

sampling the lovely Pacific coast marinas.

SEA OF CORTEZ

In this modern era of cruising, an easy way to find the finest

"vacation quality" cruising grounds worldwide is to see where

the Moorings has their charter boat bases. The Moorings

base in La Paz is at Costa Baja Resort Marina, officially

granting this cruising area the status of "excellent." The Sea

of Cortez offers clear turquoise water, abundant wildlife,

exotic desert scenery, and remote anchorages, but it is a

seasonal destination.

The Sea is most popular in

October/November and April-

June, when air temps are in the

80's to low 90's and water temps

are in the low-70's (spring) to

low-80's (fall). Winter is cold:

overnight low temps dip into the

high-40's and low-50's and water

temps fall to the mid-60's.

Summer is hot: air temps rise to

the low-100's and water temps

can reach the low-90's. It is

because of these extreme hots and colds of

summer and winter that most cruisers visit

the Sea of Cortez in the spring and fall. The

favored cruising area is from La Paz north to

Santa Rosalia.

Although the Sea of Cortez is very beautiful

in a rugged and wild kind of way, it is also

subject to severe weather. The saying goes

that for two days of paradise you pay with

one day of hell. The hellish conditions are

brought on by sudden winds and steep

waves that can overpower an anchorage,

either pushing the boat

towards a terrifying "lee

shore" or subjecting it to a

violent beam sea.

The La Paz area offers a lot

of beautiful anchorages within

a 1-4 hour sail of the city.

Most of these are open to the

west and southwest which makes them very vulnerable to the nighttime 25-knot

southwest Coromuel winds and steep waves that blow from dusk til noon in the spring

and summer. They are also subject to Westerlies that blow in during the night like

Coromuels. Light Westerlies combined with a north swell puts the swell on the beam,

creating a rolly night. Many anchorages are also subject to swell during Northers, as

the swell wraps into the anchorages from the west while the boat is held facing north,

making it hit the boat on the beam.

Northers are 3-day 25-35 knot winds that

occur between November and April. In La

Paz harbor a chop develops and boats do

the "La Paz Waltz" where they tend to

swing in different directions and

sometimes bump each other due to their

different responses to wind and current as the tide sweeps in and out of the long

channel. The best protection in a Norther is Bahia Falsa, as the swell tends not to

wrap into the anchorage.

The Loreto area is many cruisers' favorite part of the Sea of Cortez. The sailing

within the bay between Loreto and Isla Carmen can be truly delightful with good wind

and flat seas. The anchorages are scenic and they are close enough together and

varied enough in orientation that if the conditions are bad in one anchorage they are

bound to be better in another. In addition, it is easy to anchor off Loreto in light

conditions, walk into town, and do extensive provisioning for the boat.

Bahía Concepción is a very large enclosed bay that offers pretty and lightly

populated anchorages and flat seas. The ex-pat community is enormous. All of the

beach bungalows on El Burro Cove and Playa Coyote are owned by non-Mexicans.

It is still a remote area, however, where land dwellers get their electrciity from solar

power and wifi internet is hard to find. The bay can be very hot in the summer, as

there is much less breeze within the bay than in other anchorages elsewhere that

are open to the Sea of Cortez.

INLAND: S. MEXICO and N. CENTRAL AMERICA

For cruisers, southern Pacific Mexico is defined by the Gulf of Tehuantepec, a 200 mile wide bay between Huatulco (Marina

Chahué) and Puerto Chiapas (Marina Chiapas). Both marinas are ideal places to leave the boat to explore inland.

From Huatulco, the colonial city of Oaxaca and the Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban and Mitla are an 8 hour bus ride away.

From Puerto Chiapas, the colonial city of San Cristóbal de las Casas is a 9 hour bus ride away. From San Cristóbal, Mexico's

crown jewel of Mayan ruins, Palenque, is a 5 hour bus ride away (don't miss Yaxchilan and the Agua Azul waterfalls when you

are there!).

From Puerto Chiapas a tour of Guatemala

can also be undertaken, starting with an 8

hour bus ride to Guatemala City followed by

a 45 minute taxi ride to the colonial city of

Antigua, Guatemala.

All of these travels go through extremely

mountainous terrain which is why the bus

trips take so long. The distances are not

that far. For instance, it is just 200 miles

from Puerto Chiapas to San Cristóbal, but

the roads are tiny, full of hairpin turns and

speed bumps. Lots little towns crowd the

mountain roads at frequent intervals, most

buses make a lot of stops, and there are

many military checkpoints.

The colonial cities are in the mountains and

the temperature quickly drops from hot,

tropical coastal climes to cool days and

chilly nights in the mountains. The Mayan

region of Palenque and Yaxchilan is in the

jungle where it is very hot and humid.

If you enjoyed this page, you may also like the following pages:

More Tips for Cruising Mexico Outfitting for Cruising

To help you plan your cruise and get you inspired, we created the video series, "Cruising Mexico Off the Beaten Path - Volumes 1-3," shown below. This is a fun-to-watch and easy-to-digest introduction to Mexico from a cruiser's perspective, giving you lots of valuable information that isn't covered by the cruising guides. Each video is available individually at Amazon, either as a DVD or as a download. For discount package pricing on the whole series, visit our page Cruising Mexico Video Series.

Volume 1 reviews the geography, weather and seasons in Mexico and shows you what the best anchorages between Ensenada and Manzanillo are like.

Volume 2 gives detailed info that can't be found in any of the guidebooks about the glorious cruising ground between Manzanillo and the Guatemala border.

Volume 3provides all the info you need to get off the boat for an adventure-filled trip to Oaxaca.
Our Gear Store also has a boatload of ideas for your cruise!

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PACIFIC COAST OF BAJA

NORTH PACIFIC COAST

Mazatlan - Manzanillo

Banderas Bay / Puerto Vallarta

Costalegre / Gold Coast

SOUTH PACIFIC COAST - Costa Grande & Costa Sur

SEA OF CORTEZ

INLAND: S. MEXICO and N. CENTRAL AMERICA