Day 3 with the Birthday Boy!!!

WHERE ARE WE? Uvalde, Texas

My choice of spots to park last night was not the best.  I figured being in a hotel parking lot would not see lots of traffic but I was wrong.  And I was right beside the highway that has non stop truck traffic was on the other side of me.  All night long there were trucks roaring and beeping and phshing and sleep was not very good.  So I was up at 6 am and just got ready to leave.  As many of you know, I don't show many sunrise pictures so enjoy this one.  It is my birthday today so I may as well get at it!!!

Fueled up this morning with 2500 pesos worth to take me to my first stop in Texas where gas will be cheaper.  Funny thing is that I pulled up about ten minutes to 7 and the night shift was just washing up the area ready to go home and the morning shift guy was there already but he said he didn't start work till 7 so would I mind waiting.  Sure I said and he leaned on the back of RRV and we chatted as best we could with my minimal Spanish and his minimal English.  At 7 on the nose, the began fueling me.

And off down the road we went.  We passed some really beautiful mountainous country around Saltillo and Monterrey and the green grass showing was like a breath of fresh air.  There is nothing but manufacturing in the valleys with lots of new plants going up.  The economy can not be suffering down here at all. 

I arrived at the Mexican/USA border around noon and stopped to turn in my TIPs.  The nice lady was there was very efficient and withing 10 minutes I was headed up to US Customs. 

You now have to pay a toll to enter the border area

the Banjercito where you turn in the TIP

I was detained at the US border awaiting inspection.  I have been cautioned about various reasons I should be wary about the US border none of which I believe.   Well first thing was the big orange barrier that stopped me from entering.  They block off the entrance used for over 9 ft so that all the cars go through the detectors and they just make us tall boys wait until someone comes and moves the barricades.  (Big trucks have their own entrance).  2 minutes later I was at the window where the nice young lady wished me happy birthday and asked a couple questions and came on board and looked in the fridge. (which I had cleaned right out).  She then sat on the floor and spent a couple minutes petting and playing with Archie.  He loved her and licked her and I think made her day.  She handed back the passport and off we went.  

Had to pull up tight to barrier to allow trucks to pass behind me

They always keep things tight and windy at the border.

We headed north on #83 highway with the intentions of following it all the way home.  We are almost directly south of Brandon where we are right now and #83 takes us straight north to Manitoba.  Uvalde is my destination because there is a Walmart there to restock the fridge.  I can't get too carried away because I will have another border to cross in a few days.

Oh yes, I did go out for a Birthday supper at Jacks.  I didn't have steak as I had planned because they had a special on Chicken Fried Steak and a couple in the parking lot told me I should have it, so I did.  It was delicious!!!   By the way, thanks for all the Birthday wishes I received today.  I'm almost 72 years old!  Well I will be in another 365 days!!!

And back to familiar territory, (Walmart camping!!)  Early to bed after a bit longer, but great day.  Good Nite!!!