Today we head for the Organ Pipe State Park where we will stay overnight and get an early start to cross into MX at Lukeville. By 10 AM we were hooked up and ready to fly. We did a radio check with Reg and Bev and ask them to delay there start for 20 minutes as I wanted to fill my propane tank as you do not want to "try " to find a propane station in MX if you can help. It is not that MX does not have Propane; it's that not all there stations are "easy in; easy out". Better safe than sorry.
Once we hit the road our next stop was Gila Bend, 3 hours down the I-8 where we would fill up with fuel as we definitely wanted full tanks so we would not have to stop until we reached our overnight stop once we crossed into MX.
Now we headed for the State Park which we found mostly empty when we arrived. Once all three members of the travel group got parked we had a Happy Hour and confirmed our start time for tomorrow which was 0700 hrs sharp. It got dark around 6 PM and State parks do not have street light or lights of any kind so when it is dark it's dark . "Lights out" was about 9 PM as tomorrow will be a long day with a 10 hours to San Carlos. Cheers
Sunday, 21 December 2014
Winter of 2014 going to Mexico ( Dec 9 )
Travel Documents: As mentioned earlier we already have our Travel Docs, better known as Temporary Immigration Permits ( TIP ). You can obtain the TIP after you enter MX, about 20 KM inside the border. However, to save time when we cross into MX on the 11 Dec I suggested that our travel partners get their TIP in St. Luis, so today I will escort them to St. Luis and hopefully speed up the process.
We agreed to meet at 9:30 AM in St. Luis, on the USA side at a predetermined parking lot about 1 block from the border. Because of a lot of construction at the entrance to the MX Border, it may, to some folks appear as if it is the wrong way but since I did it earlier I assure the two couples that it was the right way.
When you walk into MX, nobody seems to care, if fact the barely lift their heads from their cell phones. I believe Reg and Bev ( who have never walked into MX ) where somewhat surprised that it was so Passive.
I ushered both couples into the office to get their Tourist Visa as this is the first step. While they were doing that I skipped into the Immigration office (about 100 ft away ) to check the line up and luckily there was 3 windows open and only 1 person in the line. Incidentally, you can not pay for your Tourist Visa in that office; it must be paid at a bank facility. The Immigration office is a Bank facility.
Now we moved to the Immigration office and this is not a Speedy operation mainly because the computers are extremely slow. Also Reg got a "Trainee ". We advised Reg and Bev to take 3 copies of every document; ie passports, drivers licenses, Insurance and Vehicle registration. If you do not have 3 copies of these doc you will be sent to a business that does copying but you will lose you spot in line. We did this "Dance" on our first trip to MX so we are always prepared. Ken and Miriam did not have their 3 copies so they got stopped out and had to get copies. It is not a big deal but it adds to the wait time.
After you get the TIP docs "Stickers" for the vehicles and pay for the Tourist Visa you have to return to the Visa office to the Visa Stamped. You are now officially authorized to enter MX with your vehicles.
Now you have to re-enter the US and it is a bit of a route march and you do not get into the US without clearing customs. There was only about a dozen people ahead of us so it appeared to be simple. Except when Bev got to the customs office something jumped up on the screen which was new to the officer so he ask the lady that was about to replace him, what it mean. She did not know either so Bev was escorted into another office to sort it out. Reg was allowed to accompany her but when I walked into the office to see what was going on , I was promptly told to get outside and wait " Discussion Over ". As it turns out it was a computer glitch and it was solve quickly.
Now that we had all our TIPs we returned to the RV site to prepare for a launch date tomorrow. This means we had to pack up since we had to leave at 10 AM on the 10 th at which time we move to State Park near the border for an early crossing on the 11 Dec. This would be our last Happy Hour in Yuma for 2014. cheers
We agreed to meet at 9:30 AM in St. Luis, on the USA side at a predetermined parking lot about 1 block from the border. Because of a lot of construction at the entrance to the MX Border, it may, to some folks appear as if it is the wrong way but since I did it earlier I assure the two couples that it was the right way.
When you walk into MX, nobody seems to care, if fact the barely lift their heads from their cell phones. I believe Reg and Bev ( who have never walked into MX ) where somewhat surprised that it was so Passive.
I ushered both couples into the office to get their Tourist Visa as this is the first step. While they were doing that I skipped into the Immigration office (about 100 ft away ) to check the line up and luckily there was 3 windows open and only 1 person in the line. Incidentally, you can not pay for your Tourist Visa in that office; it must be paid at a bank facility. The Immigration office is a Bank facility.
Now we moved to the Immigration office and this is not a Speedy operation mainly because the computers are extremely slow. Also Reg got a "Trainee ". We advised Reg and Bev to take 3 copies of every document; ie passports, drivers licenses, Insurance and Vehicle registration. If you do not have 3 copies of these doc you will be sent to a business that does copying but you will lose you spot in line. We did this "Dance" on our first trip to MX so we are always prepared. Ken and Miriam did not have their 3 copies so they got stopped out and had to get copies. It is not a big deal but it adds to the wait time.
After you get the TIP docs "Stickers" for the vehicles and pay for the Tourist Visa you have to return to the Visa office to the Visa Stamped. You are now officially authorized to enter MX with your vehicles.
Now you have to re-enter the US and it is a bit of a route march and you do not get into the US without clearing customs. There was only about a dozen people ahead of us so it appeared to be simple. Except when Bev got to the customs office something jumped up on the screen which was new to the officer so he ask the lady that was about to replace him, what it mean. She did not know either so Bev was escorted into another office to sort it out. Reg was allowed to accompany her but when I walked into the office to see what was going on , I was promptly told to get outside and wait " Discussion Over ". As it turns out it was a computer glitch and it was solve quickly.
Now that we had all our TIPs we returned to the RV site to prepare for a launch date tomorrow. This means we had to pack up since we had to leave at 10 AM on the 10 th at which time we move to State Park near the border for an early crossing on the 11 Dec. This would be our last Happy Hour in Yuma for 2014. cheers
Saturday, 20 December 2014
Winter of 2014 going to Mexico ( Dec 8)
Today is wash the MH day; not me but the Mexican contractor called "Sugeio". It was schedule for 3 PM but I've been down this road before so I told him it was Canada time not Mexican time.
We had some time to kill so we dropped into to see the friends from Med Hat who are traveling with us and to invite them over for Happy Hour after the MH got washed.
In the mean time Sergio dropped by to revise his schedule to two PM from 3 PM. Since we were not home he told the neighbours . The neighbour ( Stan ) knew that our windows were open so he told Sergio that he would try to find us but if not he would not let him wash the MH until we got there to close the windows. Well, Stan raced around the Park on his bike and found us so we returned home to prepare the MH for a wash. I also wanted the car washed.
At the same time FedEx dropped of a parcel for a friend in MX, which I expected but I did not know the delivery date. Fifteen minutes later the third member of our travel party ( Ken and Mirim ) from Kelowna dropped in to meet us ( we had not met them yet ) and to set an appointment for me to take them to St. Luis to get their travel documents on Tuesday.
I thinking ; give me a break, this is way to much activity to handle. Would somebody get me a Beer.
At two PM Sergio and his crew of 3 showed and they fly into action. They use Reverse Osmosis water so it does not streak. They wash, scrubbed and wipe dry the entire coach including windows and that included the car also; all for 40.00 USD. I had to tell the guy doing my car to stop wiping it as I though he might remove the paint. My tow car is GM Blazer so I doubt that they put much paint on that piece of crap.
It took them about 45 minutes and they did such a good job I tipped the 3 workers 10 bucks.
We sat down for a Happy Hour and Carroll decide that Reg and Bev ( from Med Hat ) and our 2 friends from Sask should go out for Chinese food. It doesn't take much coaching to convince the women to " eat out " so we did. .The day is done. cheers
We had some time to kill so we dropped into to see the friends from Med Hat who are traveling with us and to invite them over for Happy Hour after the MH got washed.
In the mean time Sergio dropped by to revise his schedule to two PM from 3 PM. Since we were not home he told the neighbours . The neighbour ( Stan ) knew that our windows were open so he told Sergio that he would try to find us but if not he would not let him wash the MH until we got there to close the windows. Well, Stan raced around the Park on his bike and found us so we returned home to prepare the MH for a wash. I also wanted the car washed.
At the same time FedEx dropped of a parcel for a friend in MX, which I expected but I did not know the delivery date. Fifteen minutes later the third member of our travel party ( Ken and Mirim ) from Kelowna dropped in to meet us ( we had not met them yet ) and to set an appointment for me to take them to St. Luis to get their travel documents on Tuesday.
I thinking ; give me a break, this is way to much activity to handle. Would somebody get me a Beer.
At two PM Sergio and his crew of 3 showed and they fly into action. They use Reverse Osmosis water so it does not streak. They wash, scrubbed and wipe dry the entire coach including windows and that included the car also; all for 40.00 USD. I had to tell the guy doing my car to stop wiping it as I though he might remove the paint. My tow car is GM Blazer so I doubt that they put much paint on that piece of crap.
It took them about 45 minutes and they did such a good job I tipped the 3 workers 10 bucks.
We sat down for a Happy Hour and Carroll decide that Reg and Bev ( from Med Hat ) and our 2 friends from Sask should go out for Chinese food. It doesn't take much coaching to convince the women to " eat out " so we did. .The day is done. cheers
Friday, 19 December 2014
Winter of 2014 going to Mexico ( Dec 7 )
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.
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.
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)