Day 4 With a Little Snow

WHERE ARE WE? Hamlin, TX

Woke up this morning with a pitter patter on the roof of RRV.  Because I had a long travel day yesterday, I had decided to get a late start this morning.  I needed to get some groceries and Walmart was right there so when there was a break in the shower I ran in to do some shopping.  

While I was in there I saw a sort of a memorial that said Uvalde Strong!!  So I got to looking closer and then I remembered what it was about. Here is what happened. On May 24, 2022, a mass shooting occurred at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, United States, where 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, a former student at the school, fatally shot 19 students and 2 teachers, while injuring 18 others. Ramos was killed 77 minutes after entering the classroom by law enforcement officers.  What a sad thing.  Anyway this guy jumps into the shot as I'm taking a picture.  We got to talking and he says the shooting about ripped the town apart, but after some time it brought it back together stronger than before.  He told me to call him Hippie because he rode a Harley most of his life and loved life like a hippie.  He had heard about our school tragedy in Canada and said it really hit home around here.  He shook my hand and we carried on.  Americans are wonderful people!!  

While I was shopping I was tempted to buy these and take them home, but I doubt they would make it in the heat.  

It was still fairly overcast and the wind had got up but I decided it was time to roll.  Might as well make a few miles today.

First thing was when I started RRV and looked down and this is what I saw!! My friend Patricia from Ontario will have something to say about it I'm sure!!! lol

So I headed over to the Murpheys to get some fuel.  Sounds like prices may start to come down today.

The scenery along the way was nice and green today along with some yellows of wheat crops almost ready for harvest.  It was a little windy today but I still made over 400 kms.

We went through a bit of high country and look what we ran into.  Yup that is snow beside the road.  What the heck!!!!

I found a little city park on I Overlander that has power and water sites at no charge for 1 night and because it will be a little bit chilly tonight that might be the answer so I can plug in my electric heater to take the edge off.  I know 9C is expected and for someone who has been in 30C for the last 6 months, it might be a little bit chilly for me.

I managed to catch a sunset tonight.  Good Nite!!!

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!!!

Day 2 Northward in Mexico

WHERE ARE WE? La Penita, Nayarit, Mexico

Up and on the road this morning about 8;30.  Planned on doing just over 400 kms today.  This was where Archie and I travelled today.  Ended up at Parador Turistico San Pedro.

The first part of the trip was easy peasy even on the two lane portion of the trip.  Here in Mexico if you are on two lane highway, you travel with one tire on the shoulder which frees up the center of the road for passing.  All you have to watch for is someone else trying to pass and you yield to them.  It works really well once you get the hang of it.  Here were a couple of my passes.

this guy was giving up too much road

This is how its done.

Once I got heading north on 57 the truck traffic really picks up.  This is a route that serves San Luis Petosi and on down to Mexico City.  From here to the border will be mainly truck traffic and you just pick one that is going your speed and hang with it.  Because the traffic is so thick, things tend to happen that bring everything to a slow crawl.  A truck pulling out from the side or maybe a traffic stop by the cops.

Notice the plates, Illinois and Maine!!  Lots of trade going on down here.

Today I went through the Monarch butterfly migration zone, but it is the wrong time of year so I never saw one.

Saw lots of cops and marines and National Guard on the road today along with some new chassis for something going down the road.  Its funny to see them with helmets and goggles sitting on a box herding these skeletons of vehicles down the road.

I got all set up for the night at Nuevo Leon, Parador Turistico San Pedro truck stop.  It is in the middle of nowhere between the lanes of the 4 lane highway so they get lots of traffic stopping for meals and a nap or gas or diesel.  It is a noisy place but noise doesn't matter much to me so I will be fine. Its only like 350kms to the US border from here so I will be there by noon I hope. 

Had a nice supper in the restaurant tonight.  My last Mexican meal for a few months.  I had pollo, frioles, arros along with tortilla's and Agua Fresco Pina.  All for 165 pesos.  

Some pretty palm trees here up against the mountain background

While I was having supper a tour bus got ready to leave and one of the drivers opened a side hatch where there was a single bed and crawled in and shut the door and off they went.  Kinda like the secret sleeping places on big airlines.  I guess he will be ready to drive the night shift.

I was parked beside the gas price sign and got to thinking.  I will need gas tomorrow so where will I buy it.  Mexican gas has been around 23.99 since we started coming here 7 years ago.  Although it is expensive here, there are no surprises at the pumps here, unlike at home.  

So I need to decide where the best deal is to get fuel either in Mexico or the USA. So here is what I figured out. My tank holds 300 liters so in Mexico it would cost $570 Cnd to fill it, or I can limp into the USA and fill up where it will cost me $345 Cnd. That's a $225 difference. Well that's a no brainer so I will fill in the US.  Just for giggles that same fill in Canada would cost about $465 Cnd. $120 difference from USA.  What the heck??  Someone is not doing a very good job up there.  Think maybe I will take my time travelling in the USA and enjoy some of the benefits a country that looks after the needs of its people, has to offer.

Tonight was Survivor night again.  There were a lot of weird angles on tonights show but I am really enjoying it.  A couple episodes of Sons of Anarchy and off to bed. Good Nite!!

Day 1 on the Road.

WHERE ARE WE? La Penita, Nayarit, Mexico

Well its time to move on.  I shared a coffee with Sergio and Joel before saying goodbye and heading out.  Archie made sure there were no chickens on chicken street.  He will be my navigator for the trip.

Some friends just hangin out

Had a good day on the road and made it to Largos de Mareno where I will spend the night.  I did get pulled over by the Guardia National just after a toll booth.  Not sure why, but brought out my TIP and they seemed happy and shook my hand and waved me on.  

I think I get a picture of this purple flower tree every year.

He sits up there most of the day and he can spot a cow miles away!!!

This was our route today.  We hope to maintain a 400 km a day average so we have 58 kms in the bank. lol

Near the end of todays trip I ran into a half hour delay.  Trucks were crawling along at a snails pace and there were more of them than I could see ahead of me.  Typical Mexico.

All parked up at a nice water park/RV park in Largo de Moreno for the night.  400 pesos for the night but what the heck.  We have stayed here a few times in the past.  It was still hot at supper time.  Speaking of supper, thanks to Fany for the premade meals that will keep me alive on the road.  They are Yummy.

Delicious

Just a parking lot style RV park but quiet