Hola!!!!

Sat, 9 Dec. Go South!!!

Got an early start (0655) in 15 degree weather. Proceeded back to I-40 and then East until I-15 in Flagstaff where we then headed south. Very nice road through the desert with fantastic views. Warmed up as we came down from Grand Canyon’s 7,000 feet to around 1,000 in Phoenix. As we approached Phoenix, started seeing the Suargo cactus (the one’s that look like a person…probably spelling it wrong.) On past Tucson and to Nogales on the border.

Here’s where it gets exciting (for us anyway). We pulled into a campground that was mentioned in one of our books at 1430. We planned to do a little shopping and then study all the info we had on the border crossing, etc. Well, we were parked for about 10 minutes in this “trailer park” and Daniéle says: why don’t we just cross the border? Well, that is not the plan I thought….for about 30 seconds and then the Mexican attitude struck and we started the engine! We proceeded to the Mariposa crossing (designed for trucks and big rigs) and before we knew it, we were in Mexico!!!

The procedure is you proceed for about 21 KMs to the place where you get your visa and car import papers. As we neared what we thought was the place, we were waved off the highway into an area with huge tents and a zillion cars. The sign said this was the place for foreign cars. Well when we pulled to the entrance, the boss was in shock! We should not have been directed here…this was a temporary place for cars only. Our first encounter with the wonderful people of Mexico: the boss was apologetic and turned out several helpers to clear a path through the area so that we could get out. All the while he was apologizing. We got back on the highway and proceeded a few more km to the real place. Again, very nice people guided us to a parking place. Inside we went through a bureaucracy that was typical of all governments yet less onerous than our own. Without exception, all of the people were very nice, professional and anxious to help. Mexican nationals were going through the same maze as we. All told, it took an hour and forty-five minutes and we were back on the road. Not bad at all (the traffic at the north bound side going into the US was miles!!!

It is now dark. You’re not supposed to drive at night because the trucks are speeding and sometimes animals are on the road. Well, we were not going far and since there was so much traffic, it would not be bad. And that was true. We had a nice drive and saw some neat things. Several times we saw warning signs for Topes, which are speed bumps…and this was on a major highway. Well, you’d better pay attention and slow down. We found that these were in an area where there were lots of food stands and shops on both sides of the highway. Whereas we would have chain fast food places, they had these mom & pop stands. We wanted to stop but the day had been long so we pressed on.

Near Magdelena we saw a big Pemex station with lots of parking. Pemex is THE gas station all over Mexico…the only one. We pulled in and asked of we could stay overnight and the lady was shocked that we even asked. Big smile and “sure, sure… Buenos Noches” So we pulled to the side, cranked the generator and settled in. There was a neat little mom & pop food concession so we had a fantastic stew for dinner.



We’re excited! We’re about 4 hours ahead of where we would be if we had stayed in Nogales and have already had a great day of Mexico. Today: about 12 hours; 405 miles.

Sunday, 10 Dec Bye Pemex

Awoke after one of the bests sleeps ever. Lo and behold in front of us was another motor home that came in during the night and we chatted with the owner. They had just bought it because they were in an accident (in Mexico) and had turned over and totaled their 5th wheeler and car (they were not hurt). He said they decided they could go back to the US and mope or just proceed on. So they rented a car, drove to Tucson, bought a motor home, and were proceeding on. What a great spirit! Steve wandered around the Pemex and chatted with the staff…well, not really chatted; he smiled a lot and communicated in sign language, hand gestures, and Spanglish. Again, everyone was friendly and interesting…one of the staff chided his buddy for not being able to speak English after having been in DC for a little while.

About 0930 we left the Pemex for Bahia Keno via Hermosillo. To Hermosillo the road was all a divided highway with some parts toll and the other open. This road was pretty good. Smoother than many interstates, but what is missing is a paved shoulder and in may cases, a severe drop off from the paved part to the dirt….you have to stay alert. Tolls are not cheap…one stretch was about $14 and the other $5…this for a total distance of a little over 200 miles. Now, we do pay more for Destino’s 2 axles and the 2 on the Jeep.

Hermosillo seemed like a nice small town…saw a lot of our familiar chains: Walmart, Radio Shack, McD’s, and others we forget now. We then headed west for Bahia Kino on a free 2 lane road. We should say 2.75 lane road because in both directions there was a huge shoulder that almost made it 4 lanes. Very good road through the Sonora desert. The town on Kino is not much but the beach is fantastic. We left Destino at a Pemex station and the reconnoitered Kino for an RV park. We loved the very first one we saw but looked anyway. We came back and chatted with the manager, a very friendly and personable Mexican lady. She told us to take what whatever site we wanted. We asked about paying and she said just do it before we left! Have no clue how much it is but it won’t be much. Our site has a beautiful view of the Bay, nice paved patio and palm trees. The beach is 40 yards away. The dogs had a ball plaing in the water and running on the beach after over a month of being restricted to a leash. No one cares about leashes here of the dogs are behaved and picked up after. Even the kitties roamed. Our neighbors are fantastic. Canadians and Americans from all walks of life. One couple came here planning to stay for 4 days….that was 2 years ago. Those that want to participate gather under a palapa to chat and view the gorgeous sunset. Very interesting people. We finished the day as the only clients in a nice little mom and pop restaurant. Everything was cooked from scratch and delicious. Little pricy though ($30). The owners were very personable even though their English was almost non-existent…hand gestures and smiles come through again.





Already we have a problem: our plans are to work our way down the coast and be near Guadalajara for Christmas. We don’t want to leave here!

Oh and a new challenge: Ernesto just stopped by and wants to wash and wax the motorhome for $50. I think we'll say yes :-)