We got to the awards ceremony in time to say hello to a few people and then it was time to present the certificates. Large turn out from other clubs and individual riders. Good Band. Felipe did a great job on getting the event put together.

Marco gave out the certificates and then he wanted me to do another short speech. One again, he translated for me. Once again I am not sure about what he was really saying. He was smiling a lot and would look at me and laugh. I think that everyone was really glad when I quit talking.

Another really late night before the event came to a close.

A few pictures of the night:

Felipe (president of Pata Salada) and Marco

Hey, its not my fault. They just keep following me around. Wife still will not let me take one home with me.

Marco, Anna, and John

Roxie and Marco

Missed the SaddleSore certification but did receive another International certificate.

It had been a long two days and it was well into early Monday morning before before the event came to a close. I think that I fell asleep a few times while sitting in a chair and talking to people. Finally I get back to the hotel, a bed that is not made out of rocks, and sleep.

Then he finally figured it out.

Somehow, unfortunately, so did my wife. Still not sure who told her. The wife told me in no uncertain terms that there would be no more night riding for me.

Now I an wondering what the ST1300 would transform into.

Felt good to sleep in this morning.

Different methods being considered for getting the bikes back down to Mazatlan. County of El Salto has said that they would take the bikes down but it will be a couple of days before they will have a truck free.

In the mean time, we are just having to hang around and relax. Watch the activity on the beach as we sit in the restaurant of the hotel. Few people are dropping by the hotel each day. More late nights.

The hotel (white tall building in center)

Views from the beach front

The Pata Salada patch has three skulls on it. The three skulls came from these three islands.

November 21, 2012

Transportation for the bikes is not working out. Now it is suppose to be Friday before they are brought down from the Backbone. Seems like the Devil is refusing to let us have our bikes back.

Time for another trip back up to the back bone and have a face to face discussion with the Devil.

Jorge, one of the Pat Salado members sourced a truck for us and around 2:30 in the afternoon he drove us back up into the mountains.

The Devil's Demons were out in full force and were still patrolling the mountains.

I had a very interesting conversation with Jorge (translated via Marco) during the ride. Jorge is ex-army the same as I am. Very interesting comparing the differences in experiences and similarities in training that the two of us had gone through. Bunch of tough guys down there.

A few pictures on the way back up into the mountains.

Reached the military check point after dark. Army picked up our bikes again and loaded them onto the truck for us. Army Strong! Gave the Lieutenant a Pata Salada T-shirt and a few Asphalt Rats patches and pins.

Back down the mountains to Mazatlan in the dark again. This time no problems and we were able to sleep at the Best Western in Mazatlan instead of the road side inn in the mountains.

November 22, 2012

With help from the Pata Salada, Jorge drove the bikes down to the bike shop. We returned the truck to its owner and Jorge dropped us off back at the shop. My bike was ready and I went back to the hotel. Couple hours later and Marco returned to the hotel riding his bike.

Bikes were ready to go. Spent most of the rest of the day getting the gear ready for the trip back home.

No turkey for Thanksgiving. Our Thanksgiving dinner was every day Mexican food. Still good though.

Pata Salada wanted to get together one last time that night. I know how that goes so I pleaded old, incompetent, and tired. Actual got to bed early for a change. Marco got in sometime around 1:00 am.