Mexico
Cerro El Crestón

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    • Day 5

      10 mile walk … it was a challenge!!

      March 26, 2022 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

      What an exhausting day! When I left the US, I figured I’d either gain 50 lbs from eating all over the world - or I’d lose 50 from walking halfway there. So far, walking is winning out..

      We hiked up El Faro - highest lighthouse in the America’s, 2nd highest in the world. Not a huge distance - only 1.5 miles, but VERY steep and ended with 386 steps. It was a challenge, at least for me. Lots of stray cats live on the mountain - all very thirsty. 😢 A cloud bank rolled in while we were up there - it was beautiful. And there was a glass floor overlook that definitely brought some anxiety out in me, but still a cool experience.

      The seafood here is incredible! We sat on the beach, feet in the sand, and had another great lunch with another great pina colada. (Served in a hollowed out pineapple!) May be my drink of choice for awhile.

      Then Jordan got a wild hair to walk all the way back to our Airbnb. 5 miles, on the beach. Gorgeous weather, walking in the surf. Paid for it tho with some very sore legs/feet and some sunburn, but so relaxing and pretty. And hopefully getting stronger for the more strenuous adventures to come.

      Since Rod died, I haven’t really taken any extended time for myself. I had to get working full time right away when he died to provide me and the kids our much needed health insurance, help with college expenses, figure out how I was going to make payments on a house I couldn’t afford, how I was going to survive without my partner in life, and main bread winner. (The price of being a stay at home mom for 20 years.) I put my head down and got what was needed done. It’s been a long 4+ years to get financially stable (changing my life drastically by moving to SC to find affordable housing) and it’s a relief to finally feel like I CAN just breathe, and know life is going to be okay if I take this time for myself.

      I’ve definitely chilled out some. No anxiety today and no tears. 😃 Just trying to enjoy whatever experience comes my way. It’s such a different way to live life - no real responsibilities, no consistency or normalcy - everyday is a different experience or adventure, but getting used to it. Won’t go on forever, so need to soak it in and learn to enjoy every bit of it. Before I know it, I’ll be back at work with all the normalcy I can handle.
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    • Day 27

      El Faro

      January 8, 2020 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

      This morning, rather than go for my usual jog along the Malecon, I decided to visit one of Mazatlan's top tourist attractions, El Faro.

      This lighthouse is located at the peak of Cerro del Creston on the southernmost tip of Mazatlan's peninsula and is located three kilometers from our Airbnb. Piece of cake, right? Only six kms there and back. WRONG!

      Once you reach the entrance to the park, there is a steep 900 meter climb along a partially paved path, with several switchbacks, before you arrive at the 325 step staircase that takes you to the top.

      With a height of 157 meters, it is the highest natural lighthouse in the Americas, and one of the highest operating lighthouses in the world.

      The first use of the Isla de Creston as a lighted marine signal was in 1828. The installation was very modest, consisting of only a small stone structure on which fires, fueled by whale oil and wood, or coconut chips, were lit. This provided little visibility to ships at night, particularly in bad weather.

      El Faro became the answer to the problem. First lit over the Pacific Ocean in 1879, the lighthouse's original lamp was constructed in Paris. It was made of an oil lamp surrounded by mirrors, and a Fresnel lens to focus the light.

      In 1905, the lamp was converted to hydrogen gas, and was made to be able to revolve in a full circle. The final update of the light source came in 1933, when it was converted to electricity, which is what is still there today. In order to emit its powerful light, El Faro uses a 1,000 watt bulb, which is focused by a Fresnel lens.

      But the real attraction here is the 360 degree view of the city below. One can see the cruise ship port, the Malecon from the southern tip to the northern tip, the cathedral, all set on a backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains.

      Needless to say, the hike down was much easier than going up, but I still had one more obstacle before I could have my shower: forty two more steps leading up to our apartment.
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Cerro El Crestón, Cerro El Creston

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