We spend most the day wondering what we might have forgotten to be prepared for MX. We where hoping that the couple ( Reg and Bev ) for Med Hat would arrive in Yuma on time to get there Travel documents before we headed for MX. As it turns out they arrived Sunday evening about 6 PM but we did not know it until Monday.
Our other travel companions from Kelowna had contacted us by email so we knew they were in town. So we just while away another day in Yuma knowing full well the action would start to heat up tomorrow.
Friday, 19 December 2014
Winter of 2014 to Mexico ( 6 Dec )
This was a slow day, and even at that we still had to visit "Fry's " the grocery store because some thing need would pop into heads and if you delay you seems to forget things. I'm sure it is a senior thing. I'm always amazed at the number of Snowbirds shopping at Fry's because you would think that eventually they would have all the groceries, wine and beer that they need. Many of the Snowbirds eat out often, so why would they all those groceries.
We met a couple ( Byran and Angel )from Camrose last year in Yuma and I knew that they bought a " Newer" MH and that they left Camrose in Sept/Oct to travel across Canada and down the east coast. It dawn on me that we had not heard from them for a couple of month so I drop them a note to say Hi. Within an hour I rec a reply " We are in Yuma.... same place as last year.... drop in for drink; so we did. They had many travel stories about what they seen and where they had been. However, one particular incident is noteworthy to us MH RVers.
First I must tell those who do not have a MH, that it is the law in most Provinces and States that you have a simultaneous breaking system ( called a Break Buddy ) activated from the MH to the Tow vehicle. In some states, that are mountainous, we ( present company included ) do not bother to connect the system. However, they were traveling thru Tennessee and they enforce the law in that state so he had his connected. He was travelling at 65 MPH on a 4 lane street, during Rush hour in the right lane, just crossing a bridge and you guessed it, his Break Buddy malfunctioned and locked of all 4 wheels on the tow car. The smoke was so thick he could not see the vehicle behind him but he had no choice but to stop as quickly as possible. He when back and disconnected the Break Buddy , simply by pulling the power supply cable out of the power point ( ie cigarette lighter ) . By this time he had a mile of rush hour traffic backed up , some with activated horns.
Of course he had to replace all 4 tires on the tow car but he has sent the Break Buddy back to the Mfg to have it checked and he has ask them to refund the price of the tires. As of this date he has not had a reply.
Ok , another day shot
We met a couple ( Byran and Angel )from Camrose last year in Yuma and I knew that they bought a " Newer" MH and that they left Camrose in Sept/Oct to travel across Canada and down the east coast. It dawn on me that we had not heard from them for a couple of month so I drop them a note to say Hi. Within an hour I rec a reply " We are in Yuma.... same place as last year.... drop in for drink; so we did. They had many travel stories about what they seen and where they had been. However, one particular incident is noteworthy to us MH RVers.
First I must tell those who do not have a MH, that it is the law in most Provinces and States that you have a simultaneous breaking system ( called a Break Buddy ) activated from the MH to the Tow vehicle. In some states, that are mountainous, we ( present company included ) do not bother to connect the system. However, they were traveling thru Tennessee and they enforce the law in that state so he had his connected. He was travelling at 65 MPH on a 4 lane street, during Rush hour in the right lane, just crossing a bridge and you guessed it, his Break Buddy malfunctioned and locked of all 4 wheels on the tow car. The smoke was so thick he could not see the vehicle behind him but he had no choice but to stop as quickly as possible. He when back and disconnected the Break Buddy , simply by pulling the power supply cable out of the power point ( ie cigarette lighter ) . By this time he had a mile of rush hour traffic backed up , some with activated horns.
Of course he had to replace all 4 tires on the tow car but he has sent the Break Buddy back to the Mfg to have it checked and he has ask them to refund the price of the tires. As of this date he has not had a reply.
Ok , another day shot
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Winter of 2014 to Mexico ( 5 Dec )
Our first item of the day was to go to St. Luis , MX a border city 20 miles south of Yuma. There are 2 cities called St. Luis, one on each side of the border but we have to cross into St. Luis MX to get our travel, documents. This saves time when you cross into MX for the winter but let me backup for a minute.
We were pre warned by our friends already in MX, that there was a lot of construction at the St. Luis border and there may be a walking "detour" so we would be prepared.
So we left the RV park at 9 AM thinking we would be at MX immigration before the crowd. However, when we got to St. Luis border we had to make sure we were NOT in the " Mexico ... non return line". So I notice a parking lot for 4.00 per day so Turned in . I also see a cop blocking traffic so we parked ask him for directions. Even though he was a Mexican / American or vice versa ha did not understand my request. So we started walking toward the border because there was many Mexicans heading that way and I figure that if you are in the USA heading towards MX there must be an Immigration ahead. One gentleman notice our confused look and said follow me. When we reached the entrance it was less hassle then Wal-Mart because nobody talks to you or even gets of their ass. We had to ask for the office to get our Tourist Visa and a security guard ushered us to the office.
The guy in the Tourist Visa sent us to the Immigration. But the same security guard seen us in the Immigration line up and took us back to the Visa office and explained to them that we had to have our Tourist Visa first. Then we got in the Immigration line up, there was only one person ahead of us so getting to the front of the line was the only thing that was fast. Lucky for us we got a "Trainee " or at it seemed that way. Anyhow, she did process us with the help of a supervisor and I believe it took about 1/2 an hour. It did seem that the computer was slow. We helped to speed up the process because we knew they would need 3 copies of our Passport, and vehicle registration. If you don't have these, they send you to " Mrs Copier Lady " down the street and of course you lose you place in line. One new analogy is that you have to pay a 400.00 deposit on your tow vehicle or truck if you have a 5 th wheel, which is refundable if and only if you stop at the Mexican Immigration BEFORE you leave MX. Now the last step is to return to the Visa office and have your Visa validated. In MX the Banks handle all payment for Immigration procedures.
Now for the route march to the US custom and to our surprise there was 2 lines, 3/4 of an hour long. Actually there was a third line for handicaps, however their line was allowed to go to the head of " you guessed it " our line. Also, each handicapped person had a family with them so that slowed our line down. Oh yes, we are in MX.
After passing thru customs we passed thru the Maze of construction , found our car and returned to Yuma. We were 2 1/2 hours from the time we left the park so it wasn't all that bad.
Now we wanted to change some USD into Pecos and a friend suggested a Western Union Kiosk in a grocery store as they had the best rate. However, when I ask if they sold Pecos the said no so I assumed I had the wrong store. Then I went to a Bank and they said they do not sell Pecos. I'm thinking if a bank doesn't sell Pecos, who the hell does.
So we returned to the MH and I will try to buy some Pecso tomorrow.
We were pre warned by our friends already in MX, that there was a lot of construction at the St. Luis border and there may be a walking "detour" so we would be prepared.
So we left the RV park at 9 AM thinking we would be at MX immigration before the crowd. However, when we got to St. Luis border we had to make sure we were NOT in the " Mexico ... non return line". So I notice a parking lot for 4.00 per day so Turned in . I also see a cop blocking traffic so we parked ask him for directions. Even though he was a Mexican / American or vice versa ha did not understand my request. So we started walking toward the border because there was many Mexicans heading that way and I figure that if you are in the USA heading towards MX there must be an Immigration ahead. One gentleman notice our confused look and said follow me. When we reached the entrance it was less hassle then Wal-Mart because nobody talks to you or even gets of their ass. We had to ask for the office to get our Tourist Visa and a security guard ushered us to the office.
The guy in the Tourist Visa sent us to the Immigration. But the same security guard seen us in the Immigration line up and took us back to the Visa office and explained to them that we had to have our Tourist Visa first. Then we got in the Immigration line up, there was only one person ahead of us so getting to the front of the line was the only thing that was fast. Lucky for us we got a "Trainee " or at it seemed that way. Anyhow, she did process us with the help of a supervisor and I believe it took about 1/2 an hour. It did seem that the computer was slow. We helped to speed up the process because we knew they would need 3 copies of our Passport, and vehicle registration. If you don't have these, they send you to " Mrs Copier Lady " down the street and of course you lose you place in line. One new analogy is that you have to pay a 400.00 deposit on your tow vehicle or truck if you have a 5 th wheel, which is refundable if and only if you stop at the Mexican Immigration BEFORE you leave MX. Now the last step is to return to the Visa office and have your Visa validated. In MX the Banks handle all payment for Immigration procedures.
Now for the route march to the US custom and to our surprise there was 2 lines, 3/4 of an hour long. Actually there was a third line for handicaps, however their line was allowed to go to the head of " you guessed it " our line. Also, each handicapped person had a family with them so that slowed our line down. Oh yes, we are in MX.
After passing thru customs we passed thru the Maze of construction , found our car and returned to Yuma. We were 2 1/2 hours from the time we left the park so it wasn't all that bad.
Now we wanted to change some USD into Pecos and a friend suggested a Western Union Kiosk in a grocery store as they had the best rate. However, when I ask if they sold Pecos the said no so I assumed I had the wrong store. Then I went to a Bank and they said they do not sell Pecos. I'm thinking if a bank doesn't sell Pecos, who the hell does.
So we returned to the MH and I will try to buy some Pecso tomorrow.
Winter of2014 going to MX (4 Dec)
Today was a busy day as we had many task ahead of us. We have a week to get ready to leave for MX but the time will fly by so there is no time to "leave it tomorrow". First I have to wash the car so I took it to the "no Touch " wash which was a waste of 10.00. We came thru a lot of slush especially in Idaho and I guess the nice weather in AZ welds the dirt to the vehicle.
The first thing I did this morrow was to visit the neighbor to phone the Mobile Wash people but they are booked until Monday at 3 PM. I emphasis that we are speaking US time not Mexican time since all the Wash businesses are of Hispanic background. Who else would wash a 40 ft MH and the tow car for 40.00.
Since we never bring much food with us , mainly because we don't need a hassle at the border , so we headed for Fry's which is the main Grocery store in this area. We thought we would go early and beat the rush, but as we forgot that those dam Seniors get up early.
Our next task was to run some error for 3 friends already in MX. I had to pickup 2 tarps and some Tiki oil for guy, the a water pump for another. The third parcel was being delivered to me by a third party who I did not know but we RVers are only glad to help each other when we can.
By early afternoon we decided to return to the Park and do more of the setup, like the TV dish, get out chairs and table etc and of course Happy Hour was bearing down us and don't want to miss that. Busy day
The first thing I did this morrow was to visit the neighbor to phone the Mobile Wash people but they are booked until Monday at 3 PM. I emphasis that we are speaking US time not Mexican time since all the Wash businesses are of Hispanic background. Who else would wash a 40 ft MH and the tow car for 40.00.
Since we never bring much food with us , mainly because we don't need a hassle at the border , so we headed for Fry's which is the main Grocery store in this area. We thought we would go early and beat the rush, but as we forgot that those dam Seniors get up early.
Our next task was to run some error for 3 friends already in MX. I had to pickup 2 tarps and some Tiki oil for guy, the a water pump for another. The third parcel was being delivered to me by a third party who I did not know but we RVers are only glad to help each other when we can.
By early afternoon we decided to return to the Park and do more of the setup, like the TV dish, get out chairs and table etc and of course Happy Hour was bearing down us and don't want to miss that. Busy day
Monday, 15 December 2014
Winter of 2014 going to Mexico ( 3 Dec Wed )
We got an early start after we fueled up in Mesquite. Now, in 1 1/2 hours we will be in the middle of the dreaded Las Vegas ( better known as Loss Wages ) traffic. Everyone must be late for work in Vegas as they are in a hurry and will not give an inch to us RVers or maybe it seems that way. If I need to change lanes I always hope for a trucker to come along as they will always help you. Anyway, it is a little tricky trying to remember the proper lane to exit I-15 on to 515. I-15 goes to CA ; We are heading for AZ so you don't want to pick the wrong lane. Anyway, I need the 3 rd lane from right ... or is the 2 nd lane, I can never remember. Anyway, I'm the driver so I leave it up to Carroll to get me in the proper lane and if she messes up , it is not her fault but I'll blame her anyway. ha ha. As it turns out I had to shift one lane to the right and a trucker was coming up in that lane so I put on the signal light and he flashed his lights for me to move over. I have a lot of respect for those truckers.
Now for the next half hour we will negotiate the 5 lanes of rush hour traffic. This time I got behind a truck and he was doing my speed so I stayed there. However, the view is not the best. As the saying goes: "If you aint the lead dog the view is all the same".
After exiting Las Vegas it now becomes a causal lazy drive to Yuma, which is nice for a change. About 2 hours down the road ( we are now on Hwy 93) we stopped for breakfast at a little town called Search Light. The town police are notorious for grabbing speeders. As you enter the town the speed drops to 45 MPH and by the time you hit the brakes it drops to 35 and then quickly drops to 25.
This is not my first Rodeo in this town so I make sure I slow down before I get there. After breakfast we headed down 93 and decided to stay on this hwy going thru a piece of CA because I did not want to climb the mountain going to Laughlin. After a couple of hours we decide to cut over the AZ at the town of Parker because they have a truck stop that has " cheap... er " fuel and it is on the way to Yuma. As I open the fuel cover it was about this time that remembered that I left the fuel cap in Mesquite. Then I had to listen to Carroll tell me that she reminded ( told ) me not to forget the gas cap.
We arrived in Yuma around 3 PM and I ask for a specific site. Not because it was special but because I knew the guy across the street would sell me some cheap WiFi. Besides the RV park was 1/2 empty so my request was not a problem.
We have two close friends from Sask that are already at the park. One of then invited us to Happy Hour after we got set up and other invited us for supper so that work out great. End of day 3.
Now for the next half hour we will negotiate the 5 lanes of rush hour traffic. This time I got behind a truck and he was doing my speed so I stayed there. However, the view is not the best. As the saying goes: "If you aint the lead dog the view is all the same".
After exiting Las Vegas it now becomes a causal lazy drive to Yuma, which is nice for a change. About 2 hours down the road ( we are now on Hwy 93) we stopped for breakfast at a little town called Search Light. The town police are notorious for grabbing speeders. As you enter the town the speed drops to 45 MPH and by the time you hit the brakes it drops to 35 and then quickly drops to 25.
This is not my first Rodeo in this town so I make sure I slow down before I get there. After breakfast we headed down 93 and decided to stay on this hwy going thru a piece of CA because I did not want to climb the mountain going to Laughlin. After a couple of hours we decide to cut over the AZ at the town of Parker because they have a truck stop that has " cheap... er " fuel and it is on the way to Yuma. As I open the fuel cover it was about this time that remembered that I left the fuel cap in Mesquite. Then I had to listen to Carroll tell me that she reminded ( told ) me not to forget the gas cap.
We arrived in Yuma around 3 PM and I ask for a specific site. Not because it was special but because I knew the guy across the street would sell me some cheap WiFi. Besides the RV park was 1/2 empty so my request was not a problem.
We have two close friends from Sask that are already at the park. One of then invited us to Happy Hour after we got set up and other invited us for supper so that work out great. End of day 3.
Winter of 2014 going to Mexico
We got an early start on day two as our plan was to reach Mesquite , NV which is about a 10 hour drive. Carroll has not yet agreed to get her Air Ticket which is a requirement to drive the MH, so I don't get to have my afternoon snooze as was the norm when we had the 5 th wheel. This drive is usually uneventful trip as we are on I-15 which is a nice highway until we reach Salt Lake City ( SLC ) . This part of the I-15 is 5 and/or 6 lanes wide and is always very busy. I try to grab the 2 lane from the right and stay in it where possible. It takes a good hour to get thru SLC and it is not a casual drive.
Our next short stop was in St. Geo as we wanted to drop in to Camping World and say hello those who treated us so good when we bought the MH. We had a 1/2 visit and then headed for Mesquite which is only 1 hour down the road. It is also where we will " Boondock " in the Casino parking lot along with 25 other " Free Loaders " heading south. Actually, it is not really free because we always have supper at the casino and Carroll usually donates 10 or 20 bucks. While she was doing that; I visited MacDonalds to use there WiFi.
Incidentally, you never fuel up in Utah as it is the most expensive. So I filled up Idaho Falls and we made it to Mesquite. I will top up tomorrow morning. I always top up in Mesquite no matter how little fuel I need because it is less expensive then other places. We hit the sack fairly early as we wanted to get an early start so we could arrive in Yuma before 3 PM. It is approximately an 8 hour drive. Good Night
Our next short stop was in St. Geo as we wanted to drop in to Camping World and say hello those who treated us so good when we bought the MH. We had a 1/2 visit and then headed for Mesquite which is only 1 hour down the road. It is also where we will " Boondock " in the Casino parking lot along with 25 other " Free Loaders " heading south. Actually, it is not really free because we always have supper at the casino and Carroll usually donates 10 or 20 bucks. While she was doing that; I visited MacDonalds to use there WiFi.
Incidentally, you never fuel up in Utah as it is the most expensive. So I filled up Idaho Falls and we made it to Mesquite. I will top up tomorrow morning. I always top up in Mesquite no matter how little fuel I need because it is less expensive then other places. We hit the sack fairly early as we wanted to get an early start so we could arrive in Yuma before 3 PM. It is approximately an 8 hour drive. Good Night
Winter OF 2014 Trip to Mexico
We left our home in Med Hat at 6:30 AM on 1 Dec and the temperature was a - 13 C so we were not sad to leave the cold weather behind. I said to Carroll that we were not stopping until I could wear short knowing full well that was a lie as our first planned overnight stop was Idaho Falls and we new the temp would be around 0 C.
All went well as we did a quick pit stop in Taber at Tim's of course for a coffee and donut. Then we reached the border and we did a pit stop at the Duty Free to pick up 2 bottles of " Medicine " and to visit the " restroom ". As you know our MH is winterized and we don't want to use the bathroom any more the is nec until we de-winterize.
The customs officer was a young lady and she limited her question which suited us.
Our MH hold a lot of fuel so there was no need to fuel up until about 2 PM in Boulder, MT south of Helena, MT. We ran into a 20 mile patch of snow cover roads south of Boulder but after that it was clear sailing until we got about 1 hour out of Idaho Falls. There a 1 inch skiff of snow covering the road and everyone was slowing down so I first thought it was Black Ice and I too slowed right down . I soon realized there was no Black Ice so I geared up and arrived in Idaho Falls at 6 PM. That was a 12 hour day and I might think twice about doing that again.
We took a Motel for the night and as always we met other folks going south or home for Christmas. Two couples were going home to Sask for Christmas, I reminded them that it was still winter. Another couple was from Lethbridge going south and another couple from Montana was going to Lake Havasu and I could believe how excited they were but it was there first time going south. I didn't want to " Break there Bubble " but I suggested they might want to think about going a little farther south. Lake Havasu is not warm. So far all is well.
All went well as we did a quick pit stop in Taber at Tim's of course for a coffee and donut. Then we reached the border and we did a pit stop at the Duty Free to pick up 2 bottles of " Medicine " and to visit the " restroom ". As you know our MH is winterized and we don't want to use the bathroom any more the is nec until we de-winterize.
The customs officer was a young lady and she limited her question which suited us.
Our MH hold a lot of fuel so there was no need to fuel up until about 2 PM in Boulder, MT south of Helena, MT. We ran into a 20 mile patch of snow cover roads south of Boulder but after that it was clear sailing until we got about 1 hour out of Idaho Falls. There a 1 inch skiff of snow covering the road and everyone was slowing down so I first thought it was Black Ice and I too slowed right down . I soon realized there was no Black Ice so I geared up and arrived in Idaho Falls at 6 PM. That was a 12 hour day and I might think twice about doing that again.
We took a Motel for the night and as always we met other folks going south or home for Christmas. Two couples were going home to Sask for Christmas, I reminded them that it was still winter. Another couple was from Lethbridge going south and another couple from Montana was going to Lake Havasu and I could believe how excited they were but it was there first time going south. I didn't want to " Break there Bubble " but I suggested they might want to think about going a little farther south. Lake Havasu is not warm. So far all is well.
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