Mexico ! Maybe we shouldn't go !

Last year, while in Key West, Florida a few rigs got together for a meeting. We wanted to go to Mexico this winter.  None of us have ever taken our RV's there. I had read many blogs about RV's traveling into Mexico. Seems like people are doing it all the time. We decided to go !

But wait one minute! The US State Department advises not to travel into Mexico...just not safe! Maybe the Cartels would take us out ?  Maybe the local gangs will get us ? Maybe we will be bribed by the policia ? Maybe this...maybe that !  We have all heard about how unsafe it is to eat the food...drink the water ! Again, maybe we shouldn't go! Maybe we should just go back to Key West, Florida for the winter. Maybe just stay in Arizona.  We will be safe !  Be responsible !

I asked fellow RV'ers what they thought about going to Mexico. Most said they wouldn't go.  They said the crime rate was too high and was worried about their personal safety and the safety of their rig.  Most, if not all, advise me not to go ! We even had people that were going to go with us back out. They sighted safety reasons. Maybe we really shouldn't go !

I continued the research. I read everything I could get my eyes on.  The many blogs and posts from people that have traveled there and the ones that haven't traveled there but still gave their advice. I asked my friends Casey and Ann what they thought. They have been living on their sailboat in Mexico for years, but now have a motorhome down there.

I did learn about the Mexican vehicle insurance, phone, Internet and what paperwork we would need. I also learned about the tolls, the roads, where do we get Pesos, and how many do we need?  Can we use credits cards...or debit cards?  Maybe we should just use cash. However, do we really want to be caring lots of cash around with us? What about medical and dental care? Wow, that's a lot of stuff to deal with.  Things could go bad. Things could go wrong!  Maybe it's crazy to go!  Lets just stay safely in the States. Maybe people are right!

We picked January 5, 2016 for the crossing into Mexico. We would cross just south of Tucson, Arizona in Nogales.  We were going to head south to San Carlos, Senora, Mexico.  The drive would be about 6 hours. If anything goes wrong at least we could get back to the states quickly enough. I can do this !  The closer we got to that day the more stressed out I became. Maybe this is crazy !  Maybe it is just easier not to go!

In the wee hours, 0600, of January 5, 2016, my birthday,we departed Davis Mothan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona.  We had four rigs in tow.  We had our hand held radios and our route planned. We knew where to get fuel for the rigs before we crossed into Mexico.  We have never used a Mexican gas station before so we might as well get fuel here in the States. We have had our meetings. We checked our checklists. Everyone knew what to do in an emergency.  Now it's time to roll !  Maybe we shouldn't be doing this. Too late now !  We're going no matter what! Too late to back out now ! Hope I don't live to regret this decision!

We crossed the border into Mexico about 8:30 am. Crossing into Mexico was easy. Just stay on the road and dodge the people trying to wash your windshield or sell you stuff.

Our first stop was customs. Well, not really a stop, more like a slow roll. They waved us all through! However, if you are stopped, this is the place you would declare "stuff". We had no "stuff" to declare anyway.  This is also where you show proof of shot records for your pets. We have no pets but others did in our group. We were all waved through without having to stop. However, slow down because of the Topas. Topas are big nasty speed bumps that will tear up your car or rig. They were everywhere throughout our travels. They pop up anywhere and everywhere for no reason. Sometimes with a warning and sometimes without.

The next stop is KM 21. This is where you get your tourist card. If you are going south of Sonora State you will need to pay an import fee of your vehicle also.

Okay, now we are on the road. We are heading south towards San Carlos.  The drive takes longer than we thought. No problem...we are all doing good. The stress is melding away until we hit the town of Hermosillo.  Cars, trucks, buses, are everywhere. They are pulling in front of me...tailgating me like crazy. They are so close to the side of my rig I could brush their teeth. We need to make tight left turns...tight right turns. I am leading the group just like I did in the Army.  I am telling myself "you can't make a wrong turn...just follow the signs towards Guaymas. Stay calm Preston...stay calm.  You can do this! You drove tanks in the Army while in Germany damn you"! "Maybe this is too much" ! "Maybe I made a mistake". "Maybe we shouldn't have came here" !

After getting through the city of Hermosillo everything calmed back down. I felt more at ease. We made it! I still had all the rigs behind me.  I knew it was only a hour and half until we get safely to the RV Park in San Carlos. All was good again ! We were greeted at the RV Park by my friends Ann and Casey. We arrived around 3:30 PM. Our day started earlier that day when we woke at 0430. We were tired and whipped after our long trip. "Is it happy hour yet"?

All was not a bed of roses as we hoped.  No water, barely any internet, electricity goes on and off. What the heck?  How are we going to do this for 2 1/2 months?   We are supposed to have these amenities!! We were thinking "maybe we shouldn't have came here to Mexico"!

After calming down, the realization kicked in!  We are in Mexico for the winter!  Who gets to do this! So what, we don't have some of the creature comforts of home. Oh wait a minute...I do carry 100 gallons of water, I have a big generator. Chill out and just enjoy!  We did get water and electricity after a couple of days. We had to walk 50 feet, in the peak use hours, to the clubhouse to get the internet.  Not such a big deal! We are in sunny warm Mexico, how lucky are we.    I am glad we are here!

We spent 71 days in Mexico. Most of the time was in San Carlos, Mexico. We did take a small trip to Mazatlan for a week to experience Carnival.

Most of the fears and concerns about Mexico were unfounded in my opinion. Yes, bad things happen to good people, However, I don't feel it happens more in Mexico than anywhere else. I never felt threatened or worried about my personal safety or property.  All the people and rigs returned to the States safe and in good condition.  I believe we would all say again,

                                                 "LETS GO TO MEXICO !

Our last days in Mexico !

We, the group, decided to take our new "Grand kids" and our newest visitor, I mean fresh meat, Tammy, to the "Street Market" in Guaymas.  We thought it would be kidda fun to take the local bus from San Carlos to Guaymas.

What the heck !  All the Gringos are in the back of the bus while all the Mexicans are in the front. I don't deserve this...I am an American !  lol

We had to hang on for dear life.  It was like going to Disneyland. The bus ride takes about 20 minutes and costs 12 pesos, which is about 85 cents.

At the market you can get fresh meat, fish, veggies and even used underwear.  How great it that! I opt out on the underwear thing but I think Carson got some for his dad. lol

Is there anyone who could not love this face. Hang on, this is going to be a wild ride.

Wyatt and Carson are not so sure about this crazy bus ride! I wonder what Carson is thinking! Look at that smile Ummm!

Here we are having pork tacos from one of the street vendors.  They were so good, about the best thing I've had to eat since we've been here, other than Andy's cooking of course! I had 4 tacos with all the trimmings for less than $2.00 USD total ! Before we came to Mexico everyone said, the people that have never been here, "don't eat from the street vendors you will get sick" !  Yea right !  Andy and I didn't get sick !

Yummy ! Look at all those smiles.  Jim what are you looking at ?

Silly sisters. Big sister ..big hat.  Little sister...little hat.   Andy is also playing "Peek a Boo".

Smile Jim, your face won't break !

Wyatt who is your friend?  

Andy and Jim rented some kayaks for the week and went out on most calm days.  Today, Andy didn't go, Jim and Tammy did. I was told they saw lots of dolphins right by their kayaks.

Tammy and Jim on their morning paddle.

Andy was worried Jim wouldn't bring Tammy back.  Come back Tammy...come back !  She said "NO"

We decided to wait until Tammy came to Mexico to take another horseback riding trip. Andy decided one trip was enough. However, she did meet us afterwards for lunch at the "Soggy Peso".

Casey and Anne. Casey looks so gay with his pants rolled up! What the heck Casey ! lol  Something Larry would do !  

Don't fall off the horse Kaila

Tamera the Mexican Princess.

I can ride all by myself and I will next time !  I like this one !

On our second to the last night in San Carlos we rented a boat and did a Sunset Cruise.  This included all of our original group plus our new family minus Tim...the dad.  We were able to rent the entire boat for only our group for about $35 a person....that is for a 2+ hour adventure. The ladies provided food and beverages.

Wyatt was our sound man. What a great mix of songs and music! He spent days putting together 2 hours of the finest sunset music you could ever want to hear.  Lots of the music was classic rock with the right mix of reggae.  I didn't think a kid of his age would have ever known that type of music..  As the sun was setting he even selected the theme music from the "2001 Space Odyssey" movie.  We were all very impressed !  Good job Sir Wyatt !

While on the cruise the captain took us around the bay to look for dolphins. It didn't take long.  We were in them quickly and spent a lot of time among them, The dolphins were playing around the boat and were surfing the bow wave. At times they were so close to the bow the kids could have touched them. I wish I had the pictures to show but those dang things are to fast and wouldn't pose. The kids loved it. Well, so did the big kids too !

Champagne and sisters...like peas and carrots.

Leaving the Marina

Does she have a license to do this? Oh this is Mexico...don't need one ! 

I am the Captain now !  I can do it all by myself, See !

We had dolphins swimming right next to us for at least a half hour

Enjoying the company.

So cute.  Both of them !

Talk to the hand Andy...Talk to the hand !

This is one of the rare times I actually saw Malia.

Look at those shifty beady eyes. I can't trust this kid !  What is he up to.  Is he thinking of throwing his sister overboard !  Maybe !!!

Yes, there was even a "Sunset" on the "Sunset Cruise".

The sun is setting on our Mexico visit.

The "KIDS"

We met the wonderful "Foley Family" about a week ago. They are also staying here at the RV park. They are slowly heading south towards South America. The 5 of them and their 2 dogs are traveling in a unstoppable camper set up.

We have adopted the kids and they spend a lot of their time with us, which we enjoy very much. They are so delightful, so behaved, with a great since of humor. Knowing them makes us miss our grandchildren even more.

Andy was able to arrange a private showing at the local aquarium for the "Sea Lion Show".  Here is the entire audience. Well, minus me, I am taking the photo of course!  The show lasts about 30 minutes and is well worth it.

Left to right starting with the top row:  Wyatt, Andy, Casey, Carson, Kaila, Malia , Annie and Melody.

We love these kids!!

                The show was so great and we all had a blast. They were very talented sea lions.

Let the show begin !  They even sang for us !

Who wants to come down here and get a "seal kiss" !  She was not so sure about this !

She is so dang cute !  Not the seal !

Melody just couldn't help herself. Hats and T shirts for all !  Just look at that face !  How could you NOT want to !

Andy here:  Since I went kayaking a month or so ago, I've been wanting to do it again.  Light bulb moment...I bet I can rent one!  My best buddy, Jim Bob, said "let's do it", so now we have them until we head home next week.  We've been out a few times. The mornings, the water is like glass.

See that island in the background? On our first day we went all the way around it.  The water is very clear and we saw some pretty fish swimming about

Off we go!

Hasta la vista

Jim Bob

This is an actual photo Jim took...no photo cropping.

We heard there had been dolphin sightings in the area so on our next excursion we were on a quest!

OH MY !  There they are!!!   We had about 8 of them around us.  We followed them for about 45 minutes.  At times, they were within 5 feet of the kayaks. It was absolutely amazing!  Something I will never forget.  We will be back out this week looking to do it again.

After the first day Jim, Preston and I were done carrying kayaks back and forth across the highway and down to the beach.  How are we going to keep doing this?  We are too old and broken to keep this up.

So we found a couple of entrepreneurs willing to carry our kayaks for a small fee, 50 pesos each.  All parties were very happy with the arrangements.

Wyatt and Carson.....kayak haulers.

We spent the afternoon on the beach. Casey brought his Bocce ball game.  The object of the game is to throw you big heavy ball closest to the small white ball.  I think Casey cheated. It was his game and he won ! He said it was the first time he's ever played the game sober. LOL

Peek a boo !  I see you Jim !


We were just hanging out just minding our own business when all of a sudden something came out of the ocean. What was it? Where did it come from?

Oh no !  a Sea Weed Monster !

Don't move...maybe it doesn't  see us !

It is getting closer !

Run ! Run !

That was close!  She made it !

We are winding down on our time here in Mexico. Only a week left.  Our new family will only be here for a few more days. We are going to miss them terribly.  Our life on the road is so amazing but there are downsides too!  Saying goodbye is the hardest !  It will be extremely hard this time knowing there is a good chance we will never see them again.   Andy's been crying for days.