12/1/10 Crossing the border/Estero Beach

December 1,2010 - Big day! We left Potero Regional Park at 8 a.m. and fueled up in Tecate (what a wild case that was!) and crossed the border. We took the 'road less traveled" because last year's Hiway 3 is a mess under repair and construction. We took the toll road Hiway 2D which was great; then we got onto Hiway 1 south, the major road in Baja. We sort of got ourselves lost a little in Ensenada - and "lady gaga gps' was confused too. However, we valiantly carried on and arrived at Estero Beach Rv and hotel just about noon time. We were freezing in AZ and Potero park. In Estero there is less wind and warm sunshine. We had lunch on the patio of the hotel. Some minor problems have come and been addressed. Mike had CB problems, Danny had awning, and our right side mirror wanted to flip itself off into the dust. Didn't quite make it, thank goodness, but we did need to call a repairman to come out to the casino and give it a look. I thought he was going to charge us double because the guys were there trying to help..... however, it WAS Mike who solved the problem ultimately. So it is good to go now. You can see from the photos that we arrived in sunshine and Baja breezes in Estero beach. We managed to have a 'semi' 4'oclock with Mike working on his CB and Danny giving good advice. Roger got his Kindle out and I was taking some photos. Elaine managed to set some sun and relax. We returned to the hotel for dinner tonight and now at 9p.m. I am ready to call it a day. When you wake at 5 a.m., get up at 6 a.m., and have excitement all day long, it takes a toll. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Hope all of you are in sunshine and warm breezes. If not, then enjoy our photos and know that we are thinking of you! happy trails....

Nov29 Quechan Casino stay

We stayed at the Quechan casino just outside Algodones on Nov. 29 We picked up our tourist cards there along with pesos. Our plan is to cross the border at Tecate' on Dec. 1 The Baja Buddies group consists of us, the Roger Koehns, Roger's brother Mike and his wife Elaine Koehn, and friends from last year's Baja trip, Danny and Linda Peterson. We all celebrated Thanksgiving in Casa Grande, (see previous blog) made our plans and are careening along together. We are taking the 'road less traveled" from Tecate', based on advice from various folks who have done the trip and report on the internet. Yes, we know they could be banditos luring us to our fall, however, what they get out of it would surprise them no end! The bead work is from the Quechan cultural center in the casino. Very impressive work. We had a great dinner at the casino. Our plan is to travel to Portero Regional Park, just 5 miles from the border tomorrow. happy trails..

Packing to go...

Getting ready for a long trip is not a pretty sight! Everything had to come out of the park model where we've been living since about Oct. 1. The challenge is to stuff it all back into the coach, plus things we've picked up, and sorting out what we don't want, didn't know we had, and don't need now. The trick is to remember where you used to put stuff, where you put it this time, and where it is when you want it later. All of this is prep for our trip to Baja Sur, MX. 3 couples are going down together; the Petersons and Mike and Elaine Koehn (Roger's brother and sister-in-law) were all ready to go. Roger and I are the ones with the repacking to do! But we've got it done. Mike fixed dinner tonight for the six of us; we went over again our exit plans for tomorrow - Yuma here we come. We were able to talk to some of our kids tonight which was great. Our cell phones will be on vacation as of Dec. 1 as there is almost no coverage in Baja, and certainly not in the area we will spend most of our time. Thank goodness for internet... we may hook up to Skype for phone service... all new info for us. Well, just thought I'd let you see it's not all a life of Reilly for us full-timers... adios! happy trails....

Thanksgiving in Casa Grande 2010

We had a great Thanksgiving at the park model in Casa Grande. These folks were all Baja buddies; Ronda and Bruce McComb, Danny and Linda Peterson were on last years tour, Mike and Elaine Koehn are first timers this year. Ronda and Bruce are heading to Texas this winter. We were able to eat out on the deck but the day cooled off and we ended the evening inside. Tonight (Saturday) Mike fixed dinner for Petersons and us, yummy! We leave tomorrow for Yuma and will go to Algodones to pick up our tourist cards and pesos. We will cross the border at Tecate' on December 1. We all think we've covered everything, maps, lists, strategy, gps, itinerary etc. We are all excited about the trip and getting back on the road. I will be posting photos and stories of our adventures on the trip... so hasta luego... happy trails....

Off road Jeep Trip 11/20/10

Roger got in one Jeep trip before we leave Casa Grande. He went with a group of "Rock Hounds" from our park. They went to the Ajax Mine and through Box Canyon. These photos will also give you a good idea of what some of the back country looks like in AZ in our area. The building on the hillside was part of the processing facility for the Ajax mine.In some places, there are just holes in the ground that leads into a mine. Last spring Roger had 'rockers' (don't ask, I can't tell) installed on the lil Jeep. This was his first chance to give them a work out and he had a grand time crawling up and down some very steep rock face.

The Rock Hounds brought back bags of rocks and everyone had a good time. Each trip is a new experience from year to year, even to the same places due to the effects of wind and rain. There are always new challenges each trip. And these guys and gals love it!

happy trails...

Algodones, MEX 10/25/10

We've made 2 of the 3 trips to Algodones in the last week, as part of our adventure with the dentist. It is a 3 hour drive to the border (Yuma). There is a $5 parking lot right at the border and we walked across. One of our destinations was the "purple pharmacy", where we loaded up at very good prices. They carry everything there,as well as cosmetics, vitamins..etc etc. List goes on and on. And there is a pharmacy on almost every corner! There are also dentists and opticians every block too. This was a first for Roger and I and I was impressed with our savings. Our friends have made this trip many times and had the itinerary all laid out for us. Our dentists are in a new building (see photo) about 2-1/2 blocks from the crossing. All of the surrounding street sidewalks are filled with vendors. My friend Max found a darling little leather shoulder strap purse and I found some pretty "glitters".
happy trails......

ball games and rain

As we headed south from Washington at the end of September, we visited two of our granddaughters on the way. We were pressed for time but got very lucky with the girls' schedules. Hannah had a double header the day we got in and Lacey did not have school or work the day we got to Chico. Hannah pitches for the Lady Eagles and they won both games on the Sunday we visited. We somehow did not get photos of Lacey this trip.. too busy seeing her new house, meeting her housemates, and getting in a good dinner. Both girls are thriving at school, busy as ever, but managed to have some time for us too. We didn't get to stop and see Vienna and her family this trip, but hope to catch up them on our return from places south next year. I've included a little video of Hannah throwing a pitch. I would not want to play catcher for her! Wow, what an arm!

After several hot days in Casa Grande the first of October, we have had a couple of days of "monsoon" weather! I've included a short video, which actually missed the thunder and lightning, and photos of our "lake" at our front door. It was a pretty impressive display of mother nature at work. Today, 10/6/10 sunny weather has returned and it is not quite so hot. After all my complaining of rain in Washington, the 105deg. heat of our first days in Oct were WAY to HOT! We are adjusting to the low 90s, and love the sunshine every day. Well, I hope the videos work... my blogs are always a work in process....

Happy trails....