A side trip to Troncones

Tue May 27th 5:38 pm This AM we were up early to catch a bus downtown so we could bus up to Troncones. I had first heard of Troncones from my friend Starr who I used to work with at Chattanooga. Starr comes down here to surf several times a year. He suggested we check out this place he stays while surfing.
We took the .50 cent bus downtown arriving just in time to get the Troncones bus. Seems each bus comes with a "barker". He stands at the open door yelling out the buses destination as we drive down the crowded streets. The fare to go to Troncones was $6 bucks for the 1 1/2 hr ride through the Mexican countryside. Lots of poverty...but I must say these are a happy people. We were dropped off at a "country road" intersection.
Waiting there was another bus...well it has seats in the back. We boarded with 1 other Mexican lady and off we went. I commented to Joyce that I smelled brake fluid and hoped we were not going down any steep hills where the brakes might fail. She said no, it was a flat road, just as I sighted a steep hill sign. It's been a long time since i smelled brake fluid. Back in the 60's i rebuilt the brakes on my 1953 MD TD. Brakes in the US don't fail much any more. But we were in Mexico...no DOT to check the buses safety rating. The driver was able to stop the bus at the intersection by the beach. I suggested to Joyce to tip him so he could buy more brake fluid for the trip back. Starr said the Inn was at the north end of town so we started walking....and walking.....and walking....Joyce asked a local how much further...he says another 10 min....well not the way I walk. We finally arrive...must have been at least 2+ miles...dusty road and hot. We were met by Randall...kind of the manager...we ask if he knows Starr...yep....so we walk down to the beach to watch the sufers and replenish my fluids with a few cold beers. Troncones and the surrounding area has been on the US national news due to several shark attacks. The count was up to 4 and the Mexican navy was out patrolling trying to keep the tourstis happy. There were no surfers out...finally a young guy paddles out and catches a few waves. We chatted with this guy from Washington, he was a surfer and had not been out for 2 days...not sure he wanted to be shark bait. After about 45 min he paddles back in...he had a few great rides. Around the bend here come 3 old farts...50+ crowd. They paddle out to the point..fail to catch a wave..then a guy and girl ..I'd say late 40's paddle out and for the next 30 min they all try and fail to catch a wave...they paddle back and up the beach they go. So now I have the real story about Starr's mexican surfing place. It's for a bunch of burnt out hippies that come down here several times a year...drink a bunch of beer and then tell everyone they are big time surfers....Yea right Starr. We had a delightful lunch and since none of these old farts coul,d surf we headed back. The sun was now hotter and the road dustier. This old fart was dragging after about a mile. A young Mexican stops and askes if we want a ride....damn right I did. He and Joyce babble in Spanish...he ends up taking us all the way back to Ixtapa...too cool...you don't see that happen in the Caribbean. We catch a bus to Z..stop at the Walmart...yep they have them down here and a cab back to the condo...1 long day for this old fart...and this was supposed to be vacation....I will leave the pics to Joyce..