Border Hopping Laredo to Nuevo Laredo, MX and back to Laredo

 

BORDER HOPPING

Well, the day started off slowly and we managed to sleep in for quite awhile.  When we got up we started to reorganize the back of the Jeep so things were better situated.  Then we repacked somethings in Lories suitcases as she only used one side.  Some of the Halloween goodies we bought we put in her bags.  We made our plan on how we were going to reload things and just waited.

I finally received a call about the importation but there was a problem.  For some reason the US didn’t want to allow their driver to bring the trailer and bike back to the US for me after all the paperwork was done on the Mexican side.  She was trying to figure out the best way for me to go with the original registration to get them.  First, she thought I could walk across and come back with the driver but that was a no go.  I would have to drive over and collect it myself.

Back to the motel to drop off Lorie and empty the Jeep as I didn’t want anything with me to declare.  Then back to the brokers office to get directions and information.  They refunded me $80 for having to go and get it myself but then she was saying that their bank had not cleared my transfer yet and I would need to give a cash deposit to release it.  So now, I’m off looking for a bank machine or 2 as it ended up so that I can get the cash.  Back to the brokers office and get the directions and then head for the border.  Then I get stopped to wait for a super long freight train.  It passed and I carried on again.  Crossing at Laredo bridge 1 is a breeze, they don’t even stop you.  You pay the toll for the bridge, then go thru another gate and you’re out.  No officials to speak to or nothing.  So off I go following the map to the Mexican office and I think I did half a dozen U-turns to get to where I thought the building was but I was slightly off.  A worker there walked me down the street to show me where I needed to go but also found out that the worker was not there and supposedly would not be back until 4pm.  I called the US office and she got the worker on his way to meet me.  Finally got hooked up to the trailer and received my paperwork and was ready to head back.

I pulled out and started my way back but my old friend Google maps sent me on a weird route again.  I had to turn onto a narrow one lane road and then again onto another to follow across to bridge 2 for the return trip.  Of course, cars are coming from every direction to get on this road so, it’s a bit of a fight to cross an intersection.  I finally clear the main town area and the road opens up into a bit of a highway.  Well now I have to pull a U-turn to get to the bridge.  Well, this was a complete clusterfuck!  The return route is 2 lanes heading west and then a barricade, another lane heading west within barricades, then 2 lanes going east and another going west.  Extremely strange.  So, I pull the U-turn and end up in the barricaded lane.  I slowly creep along as it is very tight and some of the plastic barricades are pushed into the lane so I kind of push them back into place as I hit them.  As I get closer to where the booths are there is a young fellow out there and he is waving at me that I’m in the wrong lane and my response is where the hell am I supposed to go!!!  He was willing to move the plastic barricades out of my way and I handed him a few pesos that I had in my cup holder as a thanks for getting me in the right lanes.  I pulled up at the Mexican booths and a couple guards flagged me to another lane.  I told them what I was doing and showed them the paperwork I was given and they flagged me through.  I paid the told for the bridge again and then lined up on the US side.  Well damn it wouldn’t you know I picked the wrong lane.  This officer was sending everyone to secondary.  I pulled up, gave him my Nexus card and the paperwork.   He checked my plates and ran them and was asking how long the trailer had been in Mexico.  My response was not sure Monday, I think.  He filled out his little form and put it and my Nexus card under my wiper and sent me to secondary.  I was shown which bay to go to and they started off asking all the same questions to which my answer was no, nothing to declare, nothing with me, just bringing my trailer and bike back to the US to pick up my dog and friend and that we would be crossing at the other bridge in the morning.  They got me to take my purse and stand outside to wait while they checked everything out.  Eventually they were done digging around to no avail and I had to show the officer where to find the VIN on the bike.  He finished up and let me lock everything up again and sent me on my way.

Good lord that was a complete run around to get this finished and I still have to stop by the brokers office in the morning to get my deposit back and the paperwork explained to me before we leave town to head to the other crossing.  I got back and had to have a drink before we started loading.  I had pulled up parallel to the motel room door so we could reload but Lorie had to argue that she had already talked to the truck driver that was staying next door and that he would back the trailer into the door so we didn’t have to go 2 feet to the back of the trailer the way I had parked.  I wasn’t in the mood to argue so she could do what she wanted.  I just wanted it all done so that I could relax before starting the next 4-day driving marathon. Lorie changed into her moving outfit or should I say try to entice the truck drivers to do the work for us, well it didn’t work, we did all the physical labour.  So away we went and packed everything back into the trailer and back of the jeep.  We got the front loaded with smaller things around the bike and then got all the bins loaded.  We took a break as we were both getting hot and tired.  Then we finished off the rest of the smaller things and the back of the Jeep.  We did a better job with it this time so hopefully all is good on the shitty Mexican roads. 

We made a quick bolt to grab a few drinks and then back to hook up the trailer so we are ready to roll in the morning.  It was getting dark and I was having a hard time seeing the hitch so the neighbour came out and got us hooked up again.

We will have to load our personal bags into the Jeep and Kahlua’s jump box for the bed into the back of the trailer and we can roll.  Stop at the broker and head for Columbia bridge crossing outside of Laredo.  Hopefully by 10AM (wishful thinking) we will be in Mexico and on our way.  This girl is done for the day!

Hasta luego

Lazy in Laredo

 

LAZY IN LAREDO

We have had a very quiet day today as we have to wait in Laredo for a couple days before moving on.  But I have to do a little backtrack as I did forget a few things yesterday from the long days and lack of sleep.

As we left Roswell yesterday and were laughing about aliens, we came across the Mystery Machine parked in a field but it was empty.  Scooby Doo where are you?  The aliens must have left Lorie alone and instead beamed up Scooby and the gang.  Ruh Ro, this is not good, who is going to solve the mysteries now.  Lorie couldn’t get her camera out fast enough to take a picture.

We were then cruising along towards Eagle Pass and she spotted Bobbitt Ranch.  We were going to stop but decided that we didn’t want to join a cult that day or cause any harm.  If you are not a Canadian or a true crime junkie then just google Lorena Bobbitt.  When your on the road for long lengths of time, you find humour in the dumbest things.

As I said we have a couple down days while waiting for the broker to do the importation process.  I was awake early as usual and got ready to go over and drop off the trailer and bike and left Kahlua and Lorie sleeping.  It took awhile to get things done but finally after a couple hours the trailer was parked to wait its turn to go to the border.  It should be back by 2pm tomorrow.  I returned and they were both still in bed but awake.

It was too late to head straight to the vets, so we sat around for a bit and went for 130 when they opened up again.  Of course, Kahlua did her thing and was trying to escape every time the door opened.  She wanted nothing to do with the Vets office.  Then she ended up looking like an angel compared to this poor husky that came in.  He got through the door and hit the ground and dug his nails in, he was not moving.  They couldn’t even drag him in and had to pick him up and carry him.  Then a lady came in with a cat in a carrier and the kitty was crying.  Kahlua’s little tail started spinning and she went over and stuck her nose to the carrier to tell the kitty it was okay.  When we were done, she ran to the car and jumped in, she was out of there!

We took Kahlua back to the room and decided to go for a late lunch/early dinner at Red Lobster.  After lunch we decided to stop at the Spirit of Halloween store to look at decorations and get AJ, my General Manager a costume for our Halloween party/ his birthday party.  Somehow, I knew the first pic I sent him would be the one he would want and I was correct.  But lord did we have a laugh looking at the different costumes, decorations and animatronics.  Speaking of Scooby, I almost got Kahlua a costume and we would have had our very own Scooby in the Mystery Machine.  There were some pretty funny costumes there and I managed to make Lorie jump while triggering a bog monster.

We wandered around the Dollarstore and the Five or below as Lorie believed they had way better stuff then we do in Canada but I didn’t see the difference.

We came back to the room and just relaxed for the rest of the evening.  Tomorrow we will reorganize the back of the Jeep before hitching up again as the doors don’t open when hooked up.  Then we will be ready for when they call to pick up the trailer.  When we get it back, we get to reload all the bins and boxes and get ready to head for the border on Wednesday morning.  I’m getting closer and it doesn’t seem like by the weekend I will be there.

Hasta luego

Racing for the border, Roswell, NM to Laredo, TX

 

RACING FOR THE BORDER

 

Woke up at 530 to find Lorie was still in the bed beside me.  I guess her people, the aliens didn’t come for her during the night and I would have to continue to bring her along for entertainment.  We rushed around and got ready and packed up and were on the road just after 6AM.  I wanted the early start so that we would get to Laredo as early as possible to unload the trailer into our room.

We made good time to our first stop in Pecos, Texas.  The roads were quiet and boringly straight so it was easy to do.  We joked about the lack of alien abduction but were otherwise quiet as it was so boring for scenery.  The cashier at the gas stop was very nice and she may have been flirting with Lorie.  While we were getting the dog loaded back into the car she came outside and gave us both a bottle of Icelandic water for the road and wished us a safe journey.  I think she wanted to come along.

We carried on the straight route through Texas and into Carlsbad when finally, we got a little change in scenery and road conditions.  Finally, we got into the hills and curves leading us to Sanderson, Texas.  Its not much of a town besides one store I have noticed each time I have gone through that makes all kinds of metal art.  We stopped at the gas station there and they had a taco shop attached to it.  We decided to grab a bite to eat to give us some energy for when we arrived.  Well, we both asked for a burrito and received more of a soft taco.  They put the meat on it, folded it and started wrapping it.  I asked about the topping and they said there were none.  Well, that is not a burrito.  So, they added some cheese, sour cream and pico then folded and wrapped it.  Still not impressed and I’m sure it will come back to haunt me soon. 

We carried on through this area that actually runs along the Rio Grande and Lorie was taking pics like crazy.  She got pics of the border guards sitting parked up on cliffs watching the river.  Pics of a trail that they rake with tires to watch for footprints and that also leave a trail of white dust footprints when someone walks through it.  Rock formation, the endless views and a squad of helicopters that were heading over the border.  Not sure if they were just watching or if they were up to something.

We made it into Eagle Pass with the gas light on and filled up for the last time today to get into Laredo.  It was still some long straight stretches of road but at least it was mixed in with a bunch of small towns and a different landscape with lots of trees.  We were stopped at an inspection centre along the way and asked where we were heading and they told us to be safe.

We made it to Laredo around 6 and got our room.  I had called last night to make sure I could get a room that I could get the trailer close to so that we could unload it.  Well we took in our bags to find the room was a complete disaster.  The window was broken and just had a screen and a piece of plexi glass leaning on it.  There were no lightbulbs in the lights, no towels, need I say more.  I went back to the desk and asked about the other rooms at the back of the hotel.  They were more expensive as they were newly renovated but I didn’t car as the one they gave us was not habitable.  So, we took the other room and went to get the trailer unloaded.  We managed to knock that out within a half hour.  I had to do this so that the customs broker can take the trailer and the bike to nationalize them.  Then they will return them and we can reload and take ourselves to the border.

Tomorrow morning, I will take them over and drop them off, then take Kahlua to the vet to get a screwworm certificate, then we will come back and relax until it is go time again.  We will cross the border on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Laredo is hotter than hell, at 38 degrees Celsius and a breeze has started but it is a hot breeze so does not help much.  Can’t wait to get to the beach and have the breeze to cool off.  Today we travelled another 1000 or so kilometers and in total from Parksville to here, we have done 3900kms in the 4 days on the road.

That’s about all for today, I’ve showered and am going to rest now as it has been a long haul.

Hasta luego

Hunting Aliens - Springville, UT to Roswell, NM

 

Hunting Aliens

Well, I got up at 530am and Lorie at 6.  We were able to pack up and be on the road by 630AM so we could get a jump on the day.  According to the map we had about 22 hours to drive in 2 days and we want to arrive in Laredo as early as possible as we have to unload the trailer so that it can go to the customs broker for import with my bike.

We made good time and got to Moab just after 9 and found someone to help with the trailer hitch.  I wanted to turn it upside down, so that it was more of a raised hitch instead of a drop hitch as it was lowering the backend of the jeep and the front of the trailer.  I attempted to deal with it myself last night, but I could not get the trailer jacked up high enough and then thought, if I did, would I be able to loosen the nut from the ball to replace it.  So, I gave up on it and decided to find someone at the first stop.  My idea worked perfectly, now everything is sitting straight and is towing way better, especially over bad bumps.  Those bad bumps are not scaring the hell out of the dog now.

As I so fell in love with Moab when I first drove through it last October, Lorie also fell in love with the town and the scenery.  It was the first time that she was snapping pictures every 2 minutes.  She admired all of the rock formations as well as the colours in the rocks.  She thought it was a little bit of BS that I wouldn’t stop or drive up a “mountain” (I use that word loosely) to get some for her to bring home.

We had a strange detour through the Navajo reservation.  I don’t recall it last year but maybe I did take it, as the road to the turn I recalled and then when I turned off of it the gas station I stopped at was there, so maybe I did.  It was pretty rough but all was well.  We did laugh that this might not be a good place for 2 white girls to be travelling on their own.  I said it was all good cause Pops is the last of the Mohicans and he would go to war for me!!

We had a pretty quiet day, just logging the miles.  There was a lot of long straight boring roads for most of the day but we did stop in Cuba, New Mexico that is and we did have a laugh at that due to the fact we didn’t have to fly or take a boat to get there.

After passing Cuba, finally the music selection changed and we kicked into a major singsong to Shania Twain and had it cranked right up.  Of course, I ended up singing to a bunch of songs after that and scaring the dog in the process.

As we got past Albuquerque and started heading to the small town that I thought I had seen alien lights, she insisted it was the aliens and not the windmills that I discovered on the return trip home. Lorie the forest witch, started noticing the change in the plants at this point.  She saw a few cacti and the size of others changed.

Well, we were on route, she checked out motel opportunities in Roswell and picked the winner. We are staying at the Roswell Inn.  It’s a little cliché but clean and comfortable.  We got our stuff in the room and then she decided to walk down the street to get a sub and try to meet her people.  She got back and was upset that they didn’t kidnap her.  All she wants is to see an alien and get taken with them back to her home planet.

My dog is a damn miserable diva; she is lucky Lorie is here to suck up to or I would make her sleep in the car as I don’t have a doghouse for her.  Kahlua is mad at me for uprooting her and making her do this drive again.  She has not eaten her dinner since we left but she has had a bit of our leftovers and some of her cookies. 

We drove another 1200kms today.  A very close friend of mine nicknamed me "Mileage Whore" as I logged so much mileage on my bike, but I guess I can do it in the Jeep also.  We plan on leaving early again tomorrow and get to Laredo as early as possible to empty the trailer.  Monday morning we will drop it off, find a vet to get the screwworm certificate for Kahlua and then try and relax until the import process is done.  It could be the same day or early Tuesday.  Then we have to reload everything and leave the next morning.  So at the latest we will leave on Wednesday morning and it should take 4 days to get to Progreso.

It’s time to relax and get some sleep so until the next edition, I will see you at the beach.

Hasta luego.

Tubleweeds and Duststorms Yakima, WA to Spanish Fork, Utah

 

TUMBLEWEEDS AND DUST STORMS

So, after I finished the blog, we walked across the street to have dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  My lord it was amazing.  We both had a sirloin steak with potato and veggies and shared a blooming onion.  We were so full, I’m surprised we could waddle home.  I stayed up a little longer and did some work for the bar before I passed out for the night.

I did do just that and slept for a good 7 hours before waking up just before 6.  I checked my phone for messages and then Lorie said she was awake, so I said lets get a move on so we can get as far as possible today.  We gathered up our stuff and the dog and loaded into the Jeep and were off by 7am.  Its nice to have company this trip, as my dog is not much of a conversationalist.

Today was basically just a comedy drive.  We drove through 4 states today, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and into Utah.  The whole day was basically endless miles of fields until we hit Salt Lake City.  There was a fair bit of wind coming out of Oregon and into Idaho.  We hit several major dust storms that were so bad you could barely see the lines on the road.  This was the first time I had encountered any and I have been through the area many times by car and bike so, it was a new experience for me.  With the wind there were also tons of tumbleweeds rolling across the highway.  Not just single ones but whole herds of them.  I tried desperately to avoid them but I’m sorry to say, I did end many of their poor little tumblelives.  They just wanted to live tumblely ever after.  Although I think I did catch one that rode along with us for a while.  Lorie is completely pissed off as we went all the way through Idaho and there was not one potato or plant seen anywhere!  There was a mountain on Deadman’s Pass that could only grow one little tree.  I made a mistake and called a small herd of cows, horses.

Then we ended up parked beside another Jeep pulling a trailer but the owner was a masculine guy and he had it decorated pink.  Hinges, lettering, door handles, etc.  Little feminine for his appearance but then who knows.  Both my Rubicon and trailer were bigger then his, so I was putting him to shame.  We pulled out of the gas stop first and next thing here he comes racing up the highway trying to race me all the way through Boise.  I won, completely lost him somewhere.  All of this transpired while we enjoyed our charcuterie cups that we built at the gas stop and ate as I was racing.  We had mini croissants, hard boiled eggs, pepperoni and cheese.  It was a perfect little lunch on the road.

We generally made good time getting through Salt Lake City until the south end.  Then we hit major back up.  How in the hell do you get 7 lanes of traffic at a dead stop with no accidents or otherwise.  Maybe there was a squirrel that needed CPR or something but it baffles my mind.  Also, the freeway through SLC was not in the best of shape.  We hit some major bumps that scared the heck out of the dog and I think may have shifted some of the load.  They have been working on parts of it for a year but it still needs a lot of love.

We got to Spanish Forks, just past Provo and went on the search for a hotel.  The first one we went to had no vacancy, so we had to back track 5 minutes to another and got the last room there.  I guess there is both a tournament and an air show in town this weekend.  As we were circling around to find a room, we entered a couple driveways that were on a slight angle and the foot of the jack dragged on the ground.  I went out after we checked in to see if I could adjust the hitch, but there is too much weight to get the tongue up high enough to take the hitch off.  I was going to take my drop hitch off and undo the ball and fix it upside down so it would be a raised hitch but alas after the days drive, I just didn’t have the strength to do it.  I think I will stop in Moab and get some help with it.

So, we will be up and at it again tomorrow as I want to get as many miles on as possible.  Today was 1200kms.  According to Google maps we still have 21 hours to drive to Laredo, but we want to arrive as early as possible, as we need to unload all the bins and just leave the bike in the trailer to take to the customs broker on Monday morning.

See you at the beach!

Hasta luego!

ITS GO TIME - Parksville, BC to Yakima, WA

 

ITS GO TIME!

 

So, after trying to get to bed early to bed some rest, I forgot I hadn’t printed my manifest for the Mexican border and had to run back in the house to do so.  Of course, it did not print out on one page so I would have to piece it together later.  And of course, Lorie finally returned and wanted to talk, but I said no, Bedtime, 3AM is friggin early.  So off to bed we went and got what sleep we could.  In woke up before my alarm.  It always happens when you know you need to get up and spend half the night worrying about it.

I am up and out the door putting the last things into place and trying to find 1 specific box to get tape and scissors for the manifest to no avail.  I come back in and Lorie is surfacing wondering who is breaking into the trailer.  Needless to say, she had not had enough sleep to get rid of the drinks she had the night before and with lack of sleep, she was slightly confused at that hour.

We got everything in, added the dog into her nest in the back seat and we were off.  I had booked reservations for the 5AM ferry and you have to be there minimum of 30 minutes before to keep your reservation.  No problem, I took my time and got the feel of the fully loaded trailer and arrived before they even opened the booths.  We had a grumpy employee, measure the length of the vehicles and when I asked how well I guessed, she just grumped at me that she doesn’t know what I guessed, so I clearly had to rephrase it and ask what the actual length was and she finally told me.

We boarded and went up to have some breakfast, as Lorie gets hangry, often and I have a tendency not to stop besides for gas and dog breaks.  It was far to early for me to eat but I struggled down half and brought the rest down to Kahlua.  I then worked on my manifest, creating an arts and crafts project out of it and putting two sheets together to make one page.  We then went down and fed Kahlua her snacks and took her for a walk to the dog area onboard as there was a ferry employee watching to make sure we didn’t stay below deck.  He even came and turned the heat on for us in there.

Before we knew it, we were docking and it was time to hit the road.  How literal that saying would become was not known until later in the day.  We made record time to the boarder and were a little unsure which lane we should take, so I followed the one for RV’s or campers.  I pulled up and handed him my NEXUS card first, then my passport and Lories passport.  He came out to write down and check the license plates and I told him the bike was inside and gave him the plate number as well.  I told him where we were heading and offered my resident card.  I told him that everything was all of my belongings that I was taking with me.  He had a quick peak in the back window, asked about fruits etc, that you can’t take across.  I thanked him for reminding me and told him a few of the snacks that I did have and he okayed all of it.  He gave me an orange card that released me to hand to the guard on the way out and that was it.  No probing questions, no search of the vehicles.  Badda bing, badda bang, we waltzed through customs.  I so love my NEXUS card!

And away we went.  I pulled over just outside the crossing and quickly sent a couple messages, and then of course Mother called to check on me.  We got back on the road while she babbled away and said to message tonight when we stop.  Little did she know she would hear from me sooner than anticipated.

There was major construction and slow down heading into Issaquah but we got there and stopped for gas and a dog break before climbing the pass.  I was a little concern as temps were low and it was quite grey overhead but luck prevailed and there was no snow this trip.  We were still undecided if we would stop in Yakima or carry on a bit further, until.

About 5 kms from Ellensburg, I was passing a slow truck and felt a wobble.  And now I really hit the road!  I looked in my mirror to see something flying, then at the tire which was ground up but still hanging on.  I hit the hazards and checked mirrors, but everyone had backed off and left it clear for me to get to the shoulder.  Thankfully there was a shoulder there and I managed to slow down and get over without a problem.  I was a little shaky but found a number for a tow company that could come out and change the tire for me.  I sent a couple quick messages while I was waiting.  Thankfully I also had cell service.  The fellow arrived quickly to help me out and gave a suggestion to get new tires locally, that could get me in and on my way.  He was super great and when I took the wrong exit, he was following and called me to tell me how to get to the tire shop.  We stopped there and no wait, they were able to fix up the trailer and put the spare back on the roof of the Jeep and we were good to go.  All in from blowout to on the road again, was about 2 hours.

So, we carried on but had decided that this was enough excitement for the day and that we would stop in Yakima.  Give me time to blog and post, get some dinner and get a good night’s rest.  Then we can go for it again tomorrow.  We are in the same hotel that I stayed in last year.  Lorie is curled up on her bed reading, Kahlua is having a nap on the bed with me and Im getting this done, before she gets hangry.

So, if I replay last years route, we may end up outside of Salt Lake City tomorrow night or who knows maybe we will pass thru and go to Provo.  We will see what the road brings us tomorrow.  I will continue to post and share locations so you can follow me travels.  See you at the beach!!

Hasta luego

LOST IN MEXICO RESUMES

 

Well, here we go again, the countdown is officially almost over and its time to pull up roots again.  This time for good.  Most of you knew about my vision to runaway to Mexico well its coming true with an added extra bonus.  But more on that later.

So, it has been a very insane, chaotic summer for me.  The idea has been in the back of my brain ever since I returned home in May but I would say it kicked into high gear in July.  I pretty much hid inside during May and June as I found it so damn cold here and I wasn’t acclimatized to the temperature.  Thankfully late June it started to warm up and I was able to putter around my yard somewhat.  Due to falling in my hallway and just about breaking my ankle, I wasn’t moving to fast or far so the weather was a bit of a blessing being locked inside.  While recovering from the fall, I also ended up with a vicious head and sinus cold that took me out for a couple weeks.  Then at the beginning of July, I ended up in hospital for emergency gallbladder removal surgery.  I swear Canada is trying to kill me!!

I made a quick trip back to Mexico for my birthday and that is when everything changed and the plan kicked into high gear.  To say I really haven’t had a day of rest since then would be an understatement.

I was working on a partnership deal at a bar/restaurant there but I started having second thoughts on the partner.  Between rumours coming back to me about him being a bit of a snake oil salesman and my own questions with his lack of transparency.  Then just before my surgery, he asked if I knew anyone that would want to invest and partner with me and buy him out.  Needless to say, my mind started spinning on who might be interested and how I could get him out totally.  But before I could do anything, I ended up in the hospital.  A week after I was discharged, I was on a plane heading down there to surprise everyone, including him.  So, when I arrived and found out that someone had called him to tell him they had seen me on my way into town, I knew he was not being forthright with information, so I decided at that moment, that I was going to buy him out and take the bar over on my own.  If someone wants to buy in and partner with me later, great, but I was not going to worry about it now. Hint Hint, the option is on the table if you are interested.  LOL.

So, I had papers drawn up and bought him out and sent him running for the Sierra Madres, well at least as far as Merida.  I worked on getting a team together to renovate the bar while I was back in the frozen north.  My team has been doing an amazing job at recreating my vision.  It is quite a large building with interior and exterior spaces.  There is a large palapa, that I had built on the terrace.  It has a stage for live entertainment outside, a games room for darts and pool, a huge kitchen area and then additional office, bedroom and storage space.

I tend to spend half my day on video and phone calls with my GM, (maybe future boyfriend) and ordering things that we need for the renos.  Then I have to get to work on things here for myself to organise, pack, create a manifest for customs, contact and hire a customs broker, buy a cargo trailer, load my bike and build shelves around it, have the Jeep in for maintenance, oh and still find time to breathe and sleep.  My head is spinning from all the things I need to complete.

So, as I pack things, I have to create a complete list of every item in the bin in both Spanish and English with garage sale prices attached.  If it is an electronic item, I need to list the serial number as well.  This process is driving me stir crazy and I already have 200 itemized lines of things and more to add.  But the process will make it much easier to get thru both borders.  Almost everything is packed up and I just need to reorganise the trailer with the bins around the bike and decide what is going in the back of the jeep.  Of course, the last of the kitchen stuff still needs to be packed but that will be on Wednesday.  So, a bit of organising and clearing out the last of the stuff stacked at the front of the Moho and then I can just sit and deal with the last things I need to do for the importation.

Lorie came up to help with the last of the loading before it was time to leave and we got everything loaded and ready to roll down to Parksville for the night.  Of course, in my chaotic state, I forgot a few steps on the motorhome and was getting frustrated that the slide wouldn’t go in.  I took a breath and realized I can’t have the engine running.  I turned it off and all was fine and we were on the move.  I finished the last of things at Lens and tried to have an early night, as we were leaving at 330AM to head for the boat.

So, starting right after this will be the daily blog posts while on route.  Keep your eyes out for my nightly posts.  We are planning on being in Laredo by Sunday.  Spend a day or 2 while the broker nationalizes things and then we will be on our way again with arrival by October 4^th.

Hasta luego Canada,  I’m out.