After a slight delay to fix Lynda and Sharron’s slide out problem, we got on the road at about eleven o’clock. A stop in Mecca to fuel up, grab a quick lunch, and potty the dogs and we were headed for the Mexican border. We crossed the Mexican border at about 1:30: Lazy III in the lead and Allie I in the “tail gunner” position. Both rigs got a green light so we thought we were home free. But, when we looked back, we saw that Mexican customs officials had decided to board their rig, anyway, to have a look around. Later, Lynda and Sharron reported that they wanted to see the receipts on their television sets, informing them that they would have to pay a 17% importation tax. Lynda and Sharron were so dumbfounded by this request (like, there are no receipts on built in TVs in motor homes…) that the only thing they could think to say was that they were from Canada and didn’t need receipts. Every time the customs agent would ask for receipts, they would respond with the same answer, “We’re from Canada and don’t have receipts.” I guess the customs guy got so frustrated that he just told them to go ahead and pass.
Meanwhile, we were doing our best to go slow so that would could keep each other in sight. Not an easy task in Mexican traffic. But, we didn’t know if they remembered the route to by-pass Mexicali. And, we always feel more comfortable traveling in pairs. After about 4 miles of driving 20 to 30 mph, we got sight of them in our rear view mirror. All was good.
Mexico Highway 5
We had an uneventful drive down to SF. In the motor home it takes about 3 to 3 1/2 hours depending on road construction detours, the general condition of the road, and the military check points. Luckily, this time, we knew we would be facing one major detour of approximately 2 miles about 40 or 50 miles south of Mexicali. So, we were ready for it. It actually wasn’t as bad as it possibly could have been. The Mexican government is doing a great job of maintaining the roads and trying to make improvements. So, we don’t ever complain. We can remember the days when driving MX Highway 5 meant inching along to avoid pot holes and praying your passenger side wheels would remain on the road as you balanced between side-swiping an on-coming car and rolling off the right side of the road. These days, in a car, the highway is a breeze. And, in a motor home, it can actually be quite pleasant.
The Rockodile Billboard: Major landmark of the "North Camps"
Our other worry when traveling down to SF, especially in a motor home, is what we call, “the night factor.” If we have one cardinal rule about driving to San Felipe, it’s that we never want to drive it after dark. So, we were pushing it to get in before dusk. We barely made it this time. The detour went just fine.
Saltito Road looking towards the mountains. The major road into El Dorado Ranch
But, at the military check point, they wanted to board Lazy III. That meant another 15 minute delay. We all finally pulled into our respective driveways just as the sun had set.
Sign depicting the beginning of the neighborhoods that the 4 of us live in
We set up just enough to feed ourselves and the dogs and then piled into bed. Tomorrow will be a big day of unpacking, arranging, checking-in with friends, and getting the dogs out to play.
Sunset over Diablo Peak
© 2011, wandercrones. All rights reserved.
Landed at Our Winter Home
After a slight delay to fix Lynda and Sharron’s slide out problem, we got on the road at about eleven o’clock. A stop in Mecca to fuel up, grab a quick lunch, and potty the dogs and we were headed for the Mexican border. We crossed the Mexican border at about 1:30: Lazy III in the lead and Allie I in the “tail gunner” position. Both rigs got a green light so we thought we were home free. But, when we looked back, we saw that Mexican customs officials had decided to board their rig, anyway, to have a look around. Later, Lynda and Sharron reported that they wanted to see the receipts on their television sets, informing them that they would have to pay a 17% importation tax. Lynda and Sharron were so dumbfounded by this request (like, there are no receipts on built in TVs in motor homes…) that the only thing they could think to say was that they were from Canada and didn’t need receipts. Every time the customs agent would ask for receipts, they would respond with the same answer, “We’re from Canada and don’t have receipts.” I guess the customs guy got so frustrated that he just told them to go ahead and pass.
Meanwhile, we were doing our best to go slow so that would could keep each other in sight. Not an easy task in Mexican traffic. But, we didn’t know if they remembered the route to by-pass Mexicali. And, we always feel more comfortable traveling in pairs. After about 4 miles of driving 20 to 30 mph, we got sight of them in our rear view mirror. All was good.
Mexico Highway 5
We had an uneventful drive down to SF. In the motor home it takes about 3 to 3 1/2 hours depending on road construction detours, the general condition of the road, and the military check points. Luckily, this time, we knew we would be facing one major detour of approximately 2 miles about 40 or 50 miles south of Mexicali. So, we were ready for it. It actually wasn’t as bad as it possibly could have been. The Mexican government is doing a great job of maintaining the roads and trying to make improvements. So, we don’t ever complain. We can remember the days when driving MX Highway 5 meant inching along to avoid pot holes and praying your passenger side wheels would remain on the road as you balanced between side-swiping an on-coming car and rolling off the right side of the road. These days, in a car, the highway is a breeze. And, in a motor home, it can actually be quite pleasant.
The Rockodile Billboard: Major landmark of the "North Camps"
Our other worry when traveling down to SF, especially in a motor home, is what we call, “the night factor.” If we have one cardinal rule about driving to San Felipe, it’s that we never want to drive it after dark. So, we were pushing it to get in before dusk. We barely made it this time. The detour went just fine.
Saltito Road looking towards the mountains. The major road into El Dorado Ranch
But, at the military check point, they wanted to board Lazy III. That meant another 15 minute delay. We all finally pulled into our respective driveways just as the sun had set.
Sign depicting the beginning of the neighborhoods that the 4 of us live in
We set up just enough to feed ourselves and the dogs and then piled into bed. Tomorrow will be a big day of unpacking, arranging, checking-in with friends, and getting the dogs out to play.
Sunset over Diablo Peak
© 2011, wandercrones. All rights reserved.