Captured!
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| EBook or print for only $19.95! |
| EBook or print for only $19.95! |
| Almost as good as going in person, without the hassle or expense! |
Here's a sample chapter from Mexico...
Chapter 3 - Mexico West Coast Surprise
Just one of the many beautiful beaches we saw on this trip.
Note...This photo shows a beach somewhere on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Between the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Mexico has somewhere on the order of 5,000 miles on an ocean
and hence, thousands of beautiful beaches. One interesting and unexpected thing I
discovered during our trip down the Pacific coast, was the thousands of RV's stretching all
the way from the United States border to Salina Cruz, a distance of 2,500 miles! I had
envisioned miles of beaches with not a soul and indeed I did see many on this trip, but not
in this 2,500 mile stretch. We found the majority to be Canadians who have been coming to
these beaches for years. For the most part they had taken all the good parking spaces.
From POB..."We took a right and went to Playa (Beach) Tenacatita, to an absolutely
beautiful beach much like I used to go to on in the Baja. The only difference here is that the
place is over-run with people, mostly Canadians who have taken all the good spots. We
parked on a side road which is all we could find. I'm parked under a couple of coconut trees
about 75 feet tall, which are loaded with coconuts about the same size and weight of a
bowling ball. I'm hoping a strong wind does not come up during the night!"
Note...As I said above, we saw thousands of RV's in Mexico. But in the seven countries of
Central America with over 5,000 miles of driving, WE SAW NOT ONE OTHER RV! I
concluded these people feared to cross into Central America because of all the negative
stories from the past. I openly admit that I also owned the same fear for years before I finally
worked up the courage to go. That became the primary reason I wrote my books. I wanted
people to know that with some planning, common sense and caution, they can go into
Central America, enjoy countless cultural experiences and return alive!
Chapter 3 - Mexico West Coast Surprise
Just one of the many beautiful beaches we saw on this trip.
Note...This photo shows a beach somewhere on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Between the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Mexico has somewhere on the order of 5,000 miles on an ocean
and hence, thousands of beautiful beaches. One interesting and unexpected thing I
discovered during our trip down the Pacific coast, was the thousands of RV's stretching all
the way from the United States border to Salina Cruz, a distance of 2,500 miles! I had
envisioned miles of beaches with not a soul and indeed I did see many on this trip, but not
in this 2,500 mile stretch. We found the majority to be Canadians who have been coming to
these beaches for years. For the most part they had taken all the good parking spaces.
From POB..."We took a right and went to Playa (Beach) Tenacatita, to an absolutely
beautiful beach much like I used to go to on in the Baja. The only difference here is that the
place is over-run with people, mostly Canadians who have taken all the good spots. We
parked on a side road which is all we could find. I'm parked under a couple of coconut trees
about 75 feet tall, which are loaded with coconuts about the same size and weight of a
bowling ball. I'm hoping a strong wind does not come up during the night!"
Note...As I said above, we saw thousands of RV's in Mexico. But in the seven countries of
Central America with over 5,000 miles of driving, WE SAW NOT ONE OTHER RV! I
concluded these people feared to cross into Central America because of all the negative
stories from the past. I openly admit that I also owned the same fear for years before I finally
worked up the courage to go. That became the primary reason I wrote my books. I wanted
people to know that with some planning, common sense and caution, they can go into
Central America, enjoy countless cultural experiences and return alive!
Here's a sample chapter from Nicaragua...
Chapter 84 - La Paz Centro, Nicaragua
A street marker dedicated to a teen-ager kill in the Nicaragua Revolution.
From POB...'Once again on our way, we passed through the northwest corner of Managua,
the capital city of Nicaragua, and along the southern shore of the huge Lake Managua. We
saw hundreds of buses decked out with the red and black Sandinista FLSN flag. They were
apparently heading into downtown Managua for the 25-year celebration of the revolution.
The parade was a good five miles long! For about a 25 mile stretch, we passed the
Cordillera De Los Maribos, a mountain range containing ten volcanoes in a row, five
inactive and five still active! Two were steaming! We drove to the village of La Paz Centro
(The Peace Center) and are parked along the central plaza. Directly across the street,
surrounded by a metal fence, are a line of 84 gravestones marking the graves of those from
La Paz Centro who died during the revolution. They were mostly 17, 18, and 19 years olds,
several of whom were females. La Paz Centro was one of the most active areas in the
revolution. We had happy hour at a friendly local bar, where they gave each of us a red and
black headband like the ones they were all wearing to signify support of the revolution. A
neat souvenir! After a pleasant evening meal, we returned to the central plaza and it seemed
the whole village was there, perhaps several thousand people, and everyone was so
friendly. I was constantly surrounded by 10-20 people who wanted to "speak little English."
Because our motorhomes appeared so large to them, one guy asked if we were movie
stars. They had trouble believing only one person lived in such a large place. A night full of
music and fireworks topped off one of the best village stops of the entire trip!'
Chapter 84 - La Paz Centro, Nicaragua
A street marker dedicated to a teen-ager kill in the Nicaragua Revolution.
From POB...'Once again on our way, we passed through the northwest corner of Managua,
the capital city of Nicaragua, and along the southern shore of the huge Lake Managua. We
saw hundreds of buses decked out with the red and black Sandinista FLSN flag. They were
apparently heading into downtown Managua for the 25-year celebration of the revolution.
The parade was a good five miles long! For about a 25 mile stretch, we passed the
Cordillera De Los Maribos, a mountain range containing ten volcanoes in a row, five
inactive and five still active! Two were steaming! We drove to the village of La Paz Centro
(The Peace Center) and are parked along the central plaza. Directly across the street,
surrounded by a metal fence, are a line of 84 gravestones marking the graves of those from
La Paz Centro who died during the revolution. They were mostly 17, 18, and 19 years olds,
several of whom were females. La Paz Centro was one of the most active areas in the
revolution. We had happy hour at a friendly local bar, where they gave each of us a red and
black headband like the ones they were all wearing to signify support of the revolution. A
neat souvenir! After a pleasant evening meal, we returned to the central plaza and it seemed
the whole village was there, perhaps several thousand people, and everyone was so
friendly. I was constantly surrounded by 10-20 people who wanted to "speak little English."
Because our motorhomes appeared so large to them, one guy asked if we were movie
stars. They had trouble believing only one person lived in such a large place. A night full of
music and fireworks topped off one of the best village stops of the entire trip!'
Now you can travel visually in Mexico and Central America! CLICK HERE TO CLAIM YOUR COPY! (IT WILL TAKE A FEW SECONDS TO LOAD THE PAGE) |
| Capured in Mexico and Central America! A photo diary of a 343 day, 16,000+ mile RV trip. |
HERE'S WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT
CAPTURED IN MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA!
'We found this very interesting - The saying, "a picture is worth 1000 words", is so true.
Pictures and explanations captivate interest and made one look forward to the next page.'
Donna and Bob Parker, N. Dartmouth, Massachusetts
"Once again you have taken us on a fascinating journey. Your story and pictures make an
addictive read, and we plan to purchase copies of Captured in Mexico & Central America
for our RVing friends and family. Some day we may all meet on one of those beautiful
beaches or small village zocolos. We can only dream!! Thanks for the Trip."
Lori & Larry Waddell, Junction City, Oregon
"When I read your book, I felt like I'm the one, who did the traveling. Con todas las
explicaciones, fotos, y detalles, Yo senti, como si you fui el que hizo ese precioso viaje."
Maria C. Gonzales, E. Freetown, Massachusetts
'I am honored to be one of Jim's "apple-polishers" and as I read through it, this book once
again took me on the same exciting, wonderful trip that I made virtually with Jim and his
friends in the first and second books. Since I have actually been in many of the same
places he portrays in all three books, polishing this book brought back many of my own
memories, and left me wanting to go back! Soon! And I might do it. Soon! Ah! The power
of armchair-trips!'
Barbara De La Fuente, Deming, New Mexico
"This book is a very interesting and captivating read. The author takes the reader on a
journey to places that few will ever have the opportunity to visit. Each page brings you to a
new and interesting place. Truly a remarkable journey and a remarkable book. An
excellent resource for anyone interested in taking this trip."
Virginia & James Palumbo, Wayne, NJ
"Great selection of images, from scenery through to social gatherings, overall Captured in
Mexico and Central America creates a breadth of honesty and reality rarely seen on the
printed page."
Peter Hutchison, London, UK
Editor of Central America and Mexico Handbook (Footprint Handbooks)
CAPTURED IN MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA!
'We found this very interesting - The saying, "a picture is worth 1000 words", is so true.
Pictures and explanations captivate interest and made one look forward to the next page.'
Donna and Bob Parker, N. Dartmouth, Massachusetts
"Once again you have taken us on a fascinating journey. Your story and pictures make an
addictive read, and we plan to purchase copies of Captured in Mexico & Central America
for our RVing friends and family. Some day we may all meet on one of those beautiful
beaches or small village zocolos. We can only dream!! Thanks for the Trip."
Lori & Larry Waddell, Junction City, Oregon
"When I read your book, I felt like I'm the one, who did the traveling. Con todas las
explicaciones, fotos, y detalles, Yo senti, como si you fui el que hizo ese precioso viaje."
Maria C. Gonzales, E. Freetown, Massachusetts
'I am honored to be one of Jim's "apple-polishers" and as I read through it, this book once
again took me on the same exciting, wonderful trip that I made virtually with Jim and his
friends in the first and second books. Since I have actually been in many of the same
places he portrays in all three books, polishing this book brought back many of my own
memories, and left me wanting to go back! Soon! And I might do it. Soon! Ah! The power
of armchair-trips!'
Barbara De La Fuente, Deming, New Mexico
"This book is a very interesting and captivating read. The author takes the reader on a
journey to places that few will ever have the opportunity to visit. Each page brings you to a
new and interesting place. Truly a remarkable journey and a remarkable book. An
excellent resource for anyone interested in taking this trip."
Virginia & James Palumbo, Wayne, NJ
"Great selection of images, from scenery through to social gatherings, overall Captured in
Mexico and Central America creates a breadth of honesty and reality rarely seen on the
printed page."
Peter Hutchison, London, UK
Editor of Central America and Mexico Handbook (Footprint Handbooks)
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Here's a sample chapter from Belize...
Chapter 19 - Belize City, Belize
From POB..."We drove to Belize City which is the largest city in Belize with a population of
about 80,000. Upon arrival we took a couple hour walk to scope out the neighborhood. The
little we saw was really interesting. A lot of old wooden buildings, some gaily painted, and
only a few more than one story high. In the center of the city is the Swing Bridge which
swings from one end, said to be the only manually operated bridge in the Americas and of
only a few remaining in the world. In 1961, Hurricane Hattie destroyed much of the city. It
was then that the nation's administrative capital was moved from Belize City to the center of
the country and Belmopan was founded.
03/09- (Day 68) At Belize City. We wandered around the city for a couple of hours taking in
the sights. I spent about one-half hour in the Maritime Museum. A cruise ship came in this
morning and departed this afternoon. Lots of tourists walking around. Other than the white
tourists, everyone else is some shade of black. If it wasn't for the cruise ships and dollars
which stop here about four times a week, this city would really be hurting economically.
There is lots of unemployment here. In Mexico everyone is trying to sell you something, here
almost everyone asks for a handout of money or food, a few ask for work. I hired a nice
black guy (Dewey Gladstone Lanza, age 48) and for $25 U.S. he washed, compounded, and
put a coat of Protect-All on my motorhome. For the moment it's all nice and clean. The
people here talk in a nice sing-song way and cannot pronounce the "th" sound, so that
becomes dat, mother becomes mudder and father becomes fadder, etc…"
Chapter 19 - Belize City, Belize
From POB..."We drove to Belize City which is the largest city in Belize with a population of
about 80,000. Upon arrival we took a couple hour walk to scope out the neighborhood. The
little we saw was really interesting. A lot of old wooden buildings, some gaily painted, and
only a few more than one story high. In the center of the city is the Swing Bridge which
swings from one end, said to be the only manually operated bridge in the Americas and of
only a few remaining in the world. In 1961, Hurricane Hattie destroyed much of the city. It
was then that the nation's administrative capital was moved from Belize City to the center of
the country and Belmopan was founded.
03/09- (Day 68) At Belize City. We wandered around the city for a couple of hours taking in
the sights. I spent about one-half hour in the Maritime Museum. A cruise ship came in this
morning and departed this afternoon. Lots of tourists walking around. Other than the white
tourists, everyone else is some shade of black. If it wasn't for the cruise ships and dollars
which stop here about four times a week, this city would really be hurting economically.
There is lots of unemployment here. In Mexico everyone is trying to sell you something, here
almost everyone asks for a handout of money or food, a few ask for work. I hired a nice
black guy (Dewey Gladstone Lanza, age 48) and for $25 U.S. he washed, compounded, and
put a coat of Protect-All on my motorhome. For the moment it's all nice and clean. The
people here talk in a nice sing-song way and cannot pronounce the "th" sound, so that
becomes dat, mother becomes mudder and father becomes fadder, etc…"
Here's a sample chapter from Guatemala...
Chapter 26 - Tikal Maya Ruins, Guatemala
From POB..."04/01- (Day 91) At El Remate. We departed for Tikal at 9 AM. It took an hour to
drive the 25 miles. Tikal can only be described by one word, AWESOME! During a five hour
tour in which we walked about five miles, our guide Francisco told us Tikal covers an area of
30 square miles and it contains about 10,000 structures of which only about 1,000 have
been uncovered. We climbed the two tallest, 212 and 190 feet high. The size and designs of
the structures were intriguing. Tikal was occupied by about 50,000 to 100,000 people from
about 600 B.C. to 1500 A.D. and has a mystical aura about it. A most exhilarating day!
Chapter 26 - Tikal Maya Ruins, Guatemala
From POB..."04/01- (Day 91) At El Remate. We departed for Tikal at 9 AM. It took an hour to
drive the 25 miles. Tikal can only be described by one word, AWESOME! During a five hour
tour in which we walked about five miles, our guide Francisco told us Tikal covers an area of
30 square miles and it contains about 10,000 structures of which only about 1,000 have
been uncovered. We climbed the two tallest, 212 and 190 feet high. The size and designs of
the structures were intriguing. Tikal was occupied by about 50,000 to 100,000 people from
about 600 B.C. to 1500 A.D. and has a mystical aura about it. A most exhilarating day!
Here's a sample chapter from El Salvador...
Chapter 93 - Yup, in El Salvador!
A lovely 21 year old El Salvador senorita and me.
Note... El Salvador proved uncomfortable for me. The shooting only stopped in 1999 and I
felt most uncomfortable for the week we were there. I wouldn't bother going there again.
Chapter 93 - Yup, in El Salvador!
A lovely 21 year old El Salvador senorita and me.
Note... El Salvador proved uncomfortable for me. The shooting only stopped in 1999 and I
felt most uncomfortable for the week we were there. I wouldn't bother going there again.
Here's a sample chapter from Honduras...
Chapter 31 - Entering Honduras
The border crossing between Guatemala and Honduras.
From POB..."04/11-(Day101) At Puerto Barrios. On the road at 9 AM, heading for the
Honduran border. We had no problems checking out of Guatemala. The road turned to dirt
as we crossed the border and drove several miles to reach the small village of Corinto. Just
a couple of years ago, the maps showed this road as a jungle path and we were not at all
sure the road would be passable. We decided to give it a try because the alternate route
would have been about 200 miles longer. We started filling out our visa and vehicle permits,
only to discover that we had a major problem! The only copy machine in the village was not
working, and down here you can do nothing or go nowhere, without making lots of copies
of all the required paperwork! It being Sunday, we will have to wait until Monday and
hopefully the copy machine will get repaired. We are parked on a side street where the locals
most certainly have never seen motorhomes. We are attracting quite a crowd! Happy hour
alongside our rigs. It is very hot and humid, so hopefully we will only have to spend one
night here."
Chapter 31 - Entering Honduras
The border crossing between Guatemala and Honduras.
From POB..."04/11-(Day101) At Puerto Barrios. On the road at 9 AM, heading for the
Honduran border. We had no problems checking out of Guatemala. The road turned to dirt
as we crossed the border and drove several miles to reach the small village of Corinto. Just
a couple of years ago, the maps showed this road as a jungle path and we were not at all
sure the road would be passable. We decided to give it a try because the alternate route
would have been about 200 miles longer. We started filling out our visa and vehicle permits,
only to discover that we had a major problem! The only copy machine in the village was not
working, and down here you can do nothing or go nowhere, without making lots of copies
of all the required paperwork! It being Sunday, we will have to wait until Monday and
hopefully the copy machine will get repaired. We are parked on a side street where the locals
most certainly have never seen motorhomes. We are attracting quite a crowd! Happy hour
alongside our rigs. It is very hot and humid, so hopefully we will only have to spend one
night here."
Here's a sample chapter from Costa Rica...
Chapter 56 - Costa Rica's terrible roads!
42 miles of this kind of road today. Some of these potholes are as much as one foot deep!
Bob, ahead of me, has pulled way over to the left-side of the road to avoid huge potholes!
From POB..."On the road at 9 AM, and on the worst, narrow, twisting-up-and-down road I
have ever driven on, with MANY deep and wide potholes! It wasn't a matter of avoiding the
potholes, but more of deciding which ones you choose to drive through. We are running
along the north shore of Lake Arenal, which is about 15 miles long and two miles wide,
heading east toward the Costa Rican Caribbean coast."
Note... Costa Rica roads proved most terrible and yet interesting. Interesting because most
Americans perceive Costa Rica as the most advanced and prosperous of all the countries
comprising Central America. Yet in comparison, countries perceived as poor such as
Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala have much better roads! Go figure!
Chapter 56 - Costa Rica's terrible roads!
42 miles of this kind of road today. Some of these potholes are as much as one foot deep!
Bob, ahead of me, has pulled way over to the left-side of the road to avoid huge potholes!
From POB..."On the road at 9 AM, and on the worst, narrow, twisting-up-and-down road I
have ever driven on, with MANY deep and wide potholes! It wasn't a matter of avoiding the
potholes, but more of deciding which ones you choose to drive through. We are running
along the north shore of Lake Arenal, which is about 15 miles long and two miles wide,
heading east toward the Costa Rican Caribbean coast."
Note... Costa Rica roads proved most terrible and yet interesting. Interesting because most
Americans perceive Costa Rica as the most advanced and prosperous of all the countries
comprising Central America. Yet in comparison, countries perceived as poor such as
Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala have much better roads! Go figure!
Here's a sample chapter from Panama...
Chapter 75 - We reach our turn-around point!
A beautiful beach at Miramar, Panama.
From POB..."06/26- (Day 177) At Portobello. 6 AM temperature was 80 degrees. If we return
to the states as late as December 18th (354 days), today would mark the 50% point,
time-wise. Bruce and Maria went fishing. At 10 AM, Bud and I took the Bronco to further
explore the remaining eastern coastline. We went 27 miles beyond Portobello and rather
than try to describe the road conditions, I'll simply say it took three hours to cover the
distance in the Bronco! That's averaging nine miles per hour in the four-wheel drive Bronco!
We stopped at the village of Nombre de Dios (Name of God), founded in 1520. It was the
primary shipping point for the gold to Spain until 1590, when the Spanish changed the
trans-shipment point to Portobello. Then we drove through the small villages of Viente Frio,
Palenque and Miramar (Look at the Ocean), with their beautiful sand beaches lined with
palm trees. This was as far as we went. According to the locals, all that remained up the
road were a couple of small, dusty villages and then the road just ends! Nowhere else to go!
We had reached our final, extreme turn-around point! We are at an eastern point of longitude
equivalent to being at Washington, D.C. We have driven the motorhomes 6,644 miles since
our departure from Gila Bend, AZ on January 2nd. A nice happy two hours adjacent to our
rigs. I used the occasion to break out a bottle of champagne to toast our successful
achievement! Tomorrow we begin our trip back home. We still expect to cross back into the
U.S. at Douglas, AZ, somewhere between November 1st and December 18th."
Chapter 75 - We reach our turn-around point!
A beautiful beach at Miramar, Panama.
From POB..."06/26- (Day 177) At Portobello. 6 AM temperature was 80 degrees. If we return
to the states as late as December 18th (354 days), today would mark the 50% point,
time-wise. Bruce and Maria went fishing. At 10 AM, Bud and I took the Bronco to further
explore the remaining eastern coastline. We went 27 miles beyond Portobello and rather
than try to describe the road conditions, I'll simply say it took three hours to cover the
distance in the Bronco! That's averaging nine miles per hour in the four-wheel drive Bronco!
We stopped at the village of Nombre de Dios (Name of God), founded in 1520. It was the
primary shipping point for the gold to Spain until 1590, when the Spanish changed the
trans-shipment point to Portobello. Then we drove through the small villages of Viente Frio,
Palenque and Miramar (Look at the Ocean), with their beautiful sand beaches lined with
palm trees. This was as far as we went. According to the locals, all that remained up the
road were a couple of small, dusty villages and then the road just ends! Nowhere else to go!
We had reached our final, extreme turn-around point! We are at an eastern point of longitude
equivalent to being at Washington, D.C. We have driven the motorhomes 6,644 miles since
our departure from Gila Bend, AZ on January 2nd. A nice happy two hours adjacent to our
rigs. I used the occasion to break out a bottle of champagne to toast our successful
achievement! Tomorrow we begin our trip back home. We still expect to cross back into the
U.S. at Douglas, AZ, somewhere between November 1st and December 18th."
| Remember that you have only seen 8 of the 151 Chapters and only 8 of the 177 photographs in this book! |
