Why, AZ to Santa Ana, Mexico

We were hooked up and on our way to the Lukeville border crossing at 9:30 am this morning.

On the highway heading to the border.

Beautiful cactus everywhere.

We were pulled over by the Mexican Agricultural inspection officer as we crossed into Mexico.  He came into the rig and had a look inside the fridge.  I was informed that I couldn’t have any beef, fresh fruit or vegetables.  The pork and chicken was unclear although last year I was told I could bring it in original packaging.  Processed meat like sausage seemed to be okay.  My freezer contained what I was prepared to loose and the rest of it….well you figure it out!  He was very nice and polite and in the end didn’t take anything away.  I have heard that no one has had anything taken at the Nogales crossing.

So on to San Emeterio where you have to go through another check point.  This is where you can still get your tourist visas and in the past could also get your vehicle importation papers.  Vehicle importation is now done at Pitiquita just past Caborca. 

Eric manage to skinny by the long line of trucks into the area that you have to pass through.  He then had to wiggle his way past vehicles that were in the way to actually get through.  We were then boarded by a “Aduana official?” who had a quick look through the rig.  It was not clear what he was looking for. 

Looking back at San Emeterio.

We stopped for lunch at the Pemex just before Caborca and this group pulled in at the Llantera (tire shop) next to the Pemex.

That’s a cannon of some kind in the middle.

This is a Mexican “Circus?” caravan that we had been passing along the highway.  One of the old motor homes had a set of dual tires on the back that were wobbling so bad Eric thought they were going to fall off!  He didn’t get a repair! 

Quite the menagerie of vehicles.  Some really, really old and well past their useful life span.

Coming down the hill toward Pitiquita. 

Passing through Altar.

Really, really narrow bridge leaving Altar…wouldn’t you know we’d pass a truck on the bridge.  No room for error.

Brand new pavement past Altar and it is so bumpy it could shake the teeth right out of your head.  How do they do that!!!

Coming down the hill towards Santa Ana.

Over the bridge and into Santa Ana.

Luckily we heard the train blowing it’s whistle because ….. lights did not flash to alert us.  Road train signal were not working. Scary. 

Over the train tracks without getting run over and right behind us is the ambulance with it’s siren blowing.  We pulled over to let him by and just about got run over by the raging vehicles right behind him.  Ah Mexico!

So into Edgar and Anna’s Punta Vista RV park by 3pm (we drive slow on Mexican roads) and set up in our favorite spot along the ridge.  So far only one small rig from Washington going to San Carlos.  Warm and pleasant. 

Good to see Edgar and Anna are still on their feet although Edgar isn’t in great shape after his fall on his good shoulder last year.  Tough life for him.  They know us well now as we always stop here on our way in and out of Mexico.  We are known as the “motorcycle people” and Edgar always has a good look at the bike in the back.  As you may know it was a motorcycle accident that crippled him over 40 years ago.  He says likes Big Red just as much as Blue.  He told us he wants a picture of Big Red and us as well.  We gave him a picture of Blue a few years ago and he has it on his wall. 

Happy to be back in Mexico.