Ajo, AZ to Santa Ana, Sonora.

So how have the past two days gone….well not too bad!

We left Ajo, AZ at about 10am on Saturday.

Tailings from the Copper Mine as you leave town. 

Heading for the border south of Why.  The Saguaro cacti are now everywhere.   Quite a sight.  

When we arrived at the border we got the usual inspection on the Mexican side.   Please pull over.  We were given a dopey little pamphlet that was in Spanish about importing vegetables, meat etc.  They then boarded and had a look inside the fridge and freezer.  My cold bag in the garage contained all my meat so there wasn’t much to see.  I had prepared food and a couple of pieces of frozen chicken in the freezer as well as vegetables in the fridge.  They didn’t want any of that.  Still not sure what we can’t bring into Mexico. 

We are now in Sonoyta, Mexico.  They have really cleaned up this town over the past few years.

We then headed south and when  we neared San Emeterio where we used to ( and possibly still can) get tourist visa’s there was an enormous line of trucks to the right and I mean enormous….much longer than we’ve ever seen.  If you don’t know about this line up and what you should do it would be scary.  Pull into the middle of the road and keep going and the traffic on the northbound side will pull over onto the shoulder.   

These guys must have waited all day to go through the truck check.

When we arrived at San Emerterio we pulled through the gates and the Federalies were there. 

We head down through the gate on the left. The trucks go to the right.

We have to skinny past that truck on the right and head through the gate that is the farthest right.  Don’t make it easy and have a middle gate open!!!   The Federalies are waiting!

First the female officer checked our Canadian registration for the truck and trailer and then said…Pull over please.  She also said Canada was very beautiful.     Eric said there was a “Moto” in the garage and the female officer smiled and said” I love Motos!”   They then boarded the rig and had look through and said it was a beautiful and also a beautiful Moto….thanks….and bye bye!

As we left this bus was pulled over.  Flat tire?  Always a bus pulled over, usually with it’s hood up.

We travelled on and when  we got close to  Caborca there was another Federalie check point set up in the middle of the road.  Obviously something is going on as we have never been boarded at San Emeterio and never seen a Federalie stop at this point.  Where are you from he asked….Canada….where are you going….Mazatlan….okay…..have a good trip. 

Caborca is up ahead somewhere.

We got fuel and I made lunch at the first Pemex just north of Caborca.

 

The fuel is now 13.8 pesos per liter and that is about $1.12 per liter Canadian.  More than the USA.  Add into that the fact that you get cheated on the amount you actually get and it is not cheap.  Tough….it is what it is!  I feel sorry for the Mexicans who can’t afford to pay for fuel. 

Pitaquita below us on the right.

First through the big gates and around the corner are the big arches that are low on each side and can take off the top of your rig.

Next stop Pitaquita just south of Caborca where you would import your vehicles if you hadn’t already done it.  We pulled in but did not have to go through the big arch which can take off the top of your rig if you aren’t in the centre but were directed left through the cones to avoid it.  We were asked if we had our paperwork done.  Yes.  Okay head to the highway and carry on.  A good idea to ask gringos if they have what they need so they don’t end up down the road with no paperwork.   This story has a twist when we reach Edgar and Anna’s in Santa Ana. 

We arrived in Santa Ana early and parked in our usual spot next to the bank overlooking the town. 

Coming into Santa Ana….pretty quiet for a Sunday.

There was one B.C. rig from Vernon (heading to Rincon de Guayabitos) and one small one from Switzerland. 

We had a nice chat with Anna, signed her book and then parked the rig.  She did tell us that Edgar has been having a lot of trouble with balance and has fallen many times recently.  If you don’t know he had a motorcycle accident about 48 years ago when he was 23.  He is crippled on one side.   He needs to use a cane but is stubborn about it!  After parking Edgar came over to chat and we also had a look at the candy/nut cart that is parked in his driveway.  He and Anna allow Carlos to come in and sell to their customers.  It became obvious right away that Edgar is his best customer! 

Edgar likes the pumpkin seeds. 

Edgar asked Eric where we had stayed the night before and he said Ajo.  Edgar said that he loved Ajo.  He said that he was in a rock and roll band as a teenager and that the Copper mine in Ajo asked them to come up and play for the miners.  When they got to the USA border they asked them to play because they didn’t believe that they were actually a band.  They got out their instruments and played and the border guard was so impressed that he gave them a permit for an extended stay in the USA.  They played their gig and they were having so much fun they stayed in Ajo for three weeks before returning to Santa Ana.  We’re guessing the boys had a really good time!   A long time ago.

Edgar also had a big chat with me about the Chile Cook Off that I was lucky enough to win last winter in Mazatlan at the Las Jaibas RV park where we stay over the winter.  He wanted to tell me that I should use black beans….well I did use them.  He also likes pork in his chili and thought that would be a good idea.  After our chat I gave him a frozen bag of chili….I wonder what he’ll think of it!  

So time to relax and have a beer. 

At about 6:30 pm (it was now dark) we heard a rig pulling in.  It was a motor home pulling a car.  Much confusion but they were soon parked.  Never drive in the dark in Mexico!

Supper was frozen lasagna and then early to bed.  Ear plugs in ….lots of traffic noise….dogs barking….and musica as it was Saturday night.