Enjoying life after early retirement, while living in Mexico, traveling by RV in Mexico, getting involved in our Mexican community, and learning new, fun ways to get our daily exercise. Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico!
I’m always looking for new ways to reduce everyday plastic use. Recycling and reusing help—but I’ve come to believe that reducing is what really makes a difference.
I had two more discoveries recently. Almond butter packaged in glass was a challenge, but I found it on Amazon. Buying the Almendrina two-pack of the largest jar size is the most economical. Even better, this is made by a Mexican company, so there are no import costs.
Stur Lemon-Lime Electrolyte Packets
Finding ways to avoid purchasing electrolyte solutions and
sports drinks in plastic bottles has been one of my biggest goals. It’s
discouraging to see how many bottles of Electrolit rehydration drinks are
consumed in Mexico, each one creating another piece of plastic waste.
Discovering Stur electrolyte packets was a real win. I ordered it online from
iHerb.
One packet mixed into a 16-ounce reusable water bottle
provides effective hydration with a good balance of potassium and sodium. As
I’ve mentioned before, Clamato is one of my favorite post-walk drinks after
time in the heat—which is why I couldn’t resist sneaking it into the photo
above.
I Switched to Nellie's Dishwasher Detergent in a Metal Tin
I cringe every time I reach for my dishwasher
detergent and pick up that familiar plastic jug of Cascade Dishwasher
Detergent. I try to make it last longer by only filling the dispenser about
two-thirds full, but even then, I know I’ll eventually need to replace yet
another plastic container.
So I was genuinely excited to discover Nellie’s
Dishwasher Powder Tin—a dishwasher detergent that comes packaged in a reusable
metal tin. Even better? It works just as well as what I was using before.
Nellie’s is made in Canada, so importation fees make it a bit more expensive
here in Mexico. I purchased mine through iHerb.
Another plastic-free option is Cascade Complete Powder Dishwasher Detergent,
which comes in a cardboard box instead of plastic. However, it’s also imported
into Mexico and tends to cost more than the standard Cascade Dishwasher
Detergent in plastic packaging.
Thank you so much for reading my blogs and books. If you find them helpful or enjoyable, I’d truly appreciate you sharing them with others. And if you have a moment to leave a review, it makes a big difference and helps other readers discover my work.
You can find all eight of my books on my Amazon Author Page—always free with a Kindle Unlimited membership.
Panoramic View of Banderas
Bay and Puerto Vallarta
From Mirador Cerro de la Cruz
While there are
several routes to the best viewpoint in Puerto Vallarta, I chose to start
walking from my home in the Romantic Zone. I’m training to walk the
119-kilometer Camino de Santiago Inglรฉs in Spain, so the route through Isla Cualeoffered the perfect warm-up with a few gentle hills.
Here are a few
of the views along my route to the hilltop cross. Below, I’ve included a
walking map.
The First
Mural after the Pedestrian Bridge to Isla Cuale
Starting from Tintoque, Aquiles Serdรกn 445
Up the Stairs and Over La Iguana Bridge to Gringo Gulch
Video: Crossing the Rรญo Cuale on the Iguana Bridge
The River View and Steps Toward Gringo Gulch
Gringo Gulch is Beginning
to Look Like Old Spain
At Cuauhtรฉmoc
21, Puerto Vallarta Centro
Puente del Amor (Bridge of Love) on C. Zaragoza
Connecting the
two buildings of Famous Casa Kimberly
Following Google Maps
on my watch, it indicated that I should turn right at C. Zaragoza 399. There I
found another long set of rustic steps climbing steeply uphill, though there
were no signs indicating the way to the viewpoint. To be sure I was headed in the
right direction, I asked a local man while pointing up the stairway, “La
Cruz?”—meaning, “Is this the way to the cross?” He nodded with a smile and
gestured upward. “Sรญ, el mirador,” he said.
Another
long stairway at C. Zaragoza 399.
No sign, but these steps lead up toward
the viewpoint.
I Stopped to Rest
and Appreciate the Views
I Love this Old Wooden Door on C. Emilio Carranza
Pink
Trumpet Tree blooming on Emilio Carranza
I dug my water
bottle out of my backpack while admiring the views along Emilio Carranza and
took a long drink. The temperature was already over 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and
I’m no spring chicken. I didn’t want to become a casualty of dehydration or
heat stroke, and realized I should have added a packet of electrolytes to my
water before leaving home.
Then I realized
I was hungry and hadn’t packed any food. That was the second rule I had broken
for hiking. In training for the Camino de Santiago, I’ve learned that finding
food for sale along the way can sometimes be a challenge. Fortunately, I
spotted a tienda, a small store, up ahead and decided to stop in and look for a somewhat
healthy snack.
I was grateful for this tienda on Emilio Carranza
and Alicia
Platanitos, a Salty Crisp Plantain Snack
Finally, a sign that I was on the right path to the Hill of the Cross.
A roadside shrine to the Virgin of the Hill along Calle Aldama
while climbing toward the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint.
The Last Steep Climb to the Viewpoint—Or So I Thought
This stairway climbs beside abandoned funicular
tracks.
My
First Glimpse of Banderas Bay and the Long Climb Below
A Bench
By the Viewpoint Mural, One Flight of Stairs Below the Cross
I set my
backpack down and leaned my walking poles against the bench—a small sign that I
had reached my destination. From there, I still had two pinnacles to choose
from to finish the climb: the cross or the mirador platform. I chose the cross,
and the final steps were worth it.
It was my first
time making the climb to the cross at Mirador Cerro de la Cruz, even
though I’ve lived in Puerto Vallarta for almost five years. Reaching the
top felt like a small personal victory—and I was proud of myself.
The Cross at the Cerro de la Cruz Viewpoint
Overlooking Banderas Bay and Puerto Vallarta
How Do
You Walk to the Cerro de la Cruz Viewpoint?
My Google
Maps walking map below shows a distance of about 1 kilometer and an
estimated 19-minute walk from Tintoque Restaurant, across Isla Rรญo Cuale,
and up through the hillside neighborhoods to the Mirador Cerro de la Cruz.
Of course, that estimate doesn’t account for the steep climb—or stopping along
the way to rest and enjoy the views. It took me almost an hour to reach the
summit and about 30 minutes to walk back down. If you decide to take this
route, I recommend allowing about two hours so you can enjoy the walk at a
relaxed pace.
A Story Inspired by Life in Mexico
Living
in Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita has inspired many of my stories about
life in Mexico, including my novels. If you enjoy
stories about life in Mexico, you might like my novel, Mexico For Better or
For Worse. The story follows Jake and Lindsay, an expat couple living in
Sayulita, as they navigate serious health challenges and the uncertainty of the
COVID-19 pandemic while trying to hold on to the life they built together in
Mexico.
.jpg "Terry L Turrell, Author Amazon Author Page")
