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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: The Chepe - Copper Canyon Voyage (Video & Pics)
Great video and great pictures - thanks for sharing!
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kca87
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06/17/13 09:27pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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Nice article about Baja Caravan Adventure
I enjoyed reading this article about someone's first experience down the Baja - via RV caravan.
A 42-day RV caravan experience through Baja California
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kca87
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06/14/13 06:02pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Heading north from La Paz, BCS to Tecate Border Crossing
Thanks Mexicowanderer and Bilmo for the info. We missed Rancho Sordo Mudo on this trip but have stopped there in the past - unfortunately it was closed so we never had the wonderful opportunity to interact with the people there.
As my Spanish improves a bit, the trip is more fun and we make many more new friends along the way. I even enjoyed the conversations with the inspectors at the military checkpoints - learning about where they are from and sharing our Mexico experiences.
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kca87
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06/13/13 10:58am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Baja Trip Report - La Paz, BCS to Tecate
It would be good to see you!
I forgot to mention in our trip report that the border crossing took about 45 minutes (from getting in line to finishing up in secondary). We were given a printout of what we are allowed to bring into the US from Mexico. It is dated 2009 and I guess the confiscation of dog food and certain other things is a thing of the past. We were even able to bring our limes across and I was sure that citrus would have to go.
The border guards seem more polite and professional than in the past. In fact, they were more helpful than ever. They acknowledged our long drive and said they would do their best to be quick so we could be on our way and they were.
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kca87
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06/13/13 10:51am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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Baja Trip Report - La Paz, BCS to Tecate
Roads are better than ever and not a single detour. There are still some places near Puerto Escondido where the road washed out and has been temporarily fixed with gravel. But these are well marked in advance.
The most surprising part of the trip was the military inspection just north of Loreto. we were immediately directed to back into a spot and exit the vehicle and accompany the inspectors. My husband accompanied several to empty out our garage while I accompanied several to go through the inside of the 5th wheel.
In all cases, the officials were polite and professional - but they were very thorough. The most memorable part of the inspection was dissuading them from opening up our holding tanks to verify there were no drugs on guns in them. They finally understood when I came out, pointed to the black water tank and said "caca de el bano". They all laughed and decided to skip that.
Again - all were friendly, polite, and professional - it was no big deal, but it did take about 45 minutes.
In two places we were asked for documentation and they took down our names - something they seem to be doing with everyone who passed. we used our FM2s for identification.
At the ag station just outside of La Paz, was a federal police officer checking that we had proper documentation - and our FM2 did the trick. So, I guess, no more illegal US citizens in the Baja.
As always it was a beautiful drive, the winter in La Paz amazing, the people were friendly and we made many new friends that we look forward to seeing when we return in the fall.
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kca87
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06/12/13 06:28pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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Heading north from La Paz, BCS to Tecate Border Crossing
We will be heading north tomorrow up the Baja. If there are any road reports we should be aware of - please post. Otherwise, we'll post anything noteworthy after we arrive in San Diego.
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kca87
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06/08/13 05:32pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: language barrier
My husband speaks almost no Spanish and I speak a little. Knowing words like "por favor", "gracias", "buenos dias/tardes/noches" is always nice. If you show an attempt, most Mexicans will work very hard to understand you. Just learn a few basic polite words like these and it will be so much more appreciated and it's not very hard at all.
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kca87
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06/04/13 11:26am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: ULSD in Baja
ULSD stands for Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel. This would only apply to vehicles manufactured after a certain year.
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kca87
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05/17/13 10:08am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Border Agents rude and difficult at Nogales
CBP (Customs and Border Protection) has on their website a place to enter compliments and complaints. I have done both and have received responses from them. This is also a good avenue to submit questions or comments about their policy or rules that one may not agree with.
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kca87
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04/30/13 02:35pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Mexico online
When I use the URL, I get to the page and then immediately redirected to my local weather (La Paz, BCS, Mexico). Given the URL, maybe it has to do with what MSN considers to be your "locale" and does a redirect based on your ISP or something. Who knows. They sound like great articles so maybe someone could post their contents here for the rest of us to read.
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kca87
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04/11/13 08:55am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Are we the first...
For the clicky, when you are posting or replying to a message, there are a bunch of icons. There is one that looks like a globe with a chain (for internet links). Click on it and a dialog box will appear. You plug in the link at the top of the dialog box and the word that will be displayed at the bottom. Click "Finished" and the dialog box will close. You can experiment first by previewing your message to make sure it is appearing the way you would like.
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kca87
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01/27/13 09:33am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Are we the first...
Your link as a clicky.
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kca87
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01/27/13 08:43am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Coast to Coast and R.O.D.
We use ROD and Thousand Trails. Our winters are spent in Mexico so we only use those services 6 months or less a year in the summer. Our membership in TT requires us to be "out of the system" for 7 nights every 14 days so ROD fills that gap. Some parks are really nice and some not so much . . . but it works well for us in our situation.
Charlene
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kca87
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01/22/13 06:31pm |
Full-time RVing
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RE: winter full timing in oregon
We bought a used Alpenlite and did spent one winter
in the Seattle area. What we liked was that the pipes were wrapped and in with the heating ducts so they didn't freeze. Maybe that's the way they all are - this was our first RV.
We bought something a little heavier and sturdier and that meant used for us. Although I really like some of the newer ones, my husband was very picky about construction, leakage avoidance, etc.
One other thing we did was to get a dehumidifier so that there was less condensation inside. We got this from a marine store and that really helped. Otherwise, you'll get mold growing, etc.
Good luck!
Charlene
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kca87
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01/13/13 07:47am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Mexico "Next Hot Market"
Returning to the OP topic, regardless of what we might see in a handful of specific situations, it is true that Mexico's economy is on the rise and can be measured as such by economists. This improvement is good for Mexico and good for the US and it seems that we should be applauding their efforts to better themselves.
Here is another recent article that supports the CNBC broadcast.
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kca87
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01/06/13 07:06am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Mexico "Next Hot Market"
Now the real problem, Baja or Mainland? I can play with my toys more in Baja. Mainland is a little more restrictive for off-roading & dirt biking.
If you choose Baja, rocmoc, or even La Paz we'll show you all the best places to play with your toys.
Good luck on your decision - great discussion!
Charlene
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kca87
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12/31/12 06:22pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: eyeglasses in Baja Sur?
Susie -
We're in La Paz and there is a Walmart here with an optical department. You can also go to the La Paz Gringos Yahoo group (you need to join first) and ask - a lot of the members live in and around La Paz including Los Barriles, La Ventana, etc.
The LPG group has quite a few members and will be able to give you very specific information based upon recommendations from those who bought also.
I know there are also optometrists and opticians - but I would just be tell you about them from seeing their offices, I couldn't make a recommendation like someone from LPG could.
Good luck!
Charlene
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kca87
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12/29/12 11:44am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Want a Spanish-speaking American ride-along for Baja trip?
Thanks Rocmoc - what actually happened to my friend is that she used a service to renew her FM3 and it got fouled up. Her FM3 expired and now immigration has told her she must return to the border. I'll check to see if she can do something at the airport - you're right that would make a lot more sense!
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kca87
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12/16/12 03:50pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: where to cross in California?
So, now, WHICH border crossing?
We want the fastest one with less wait.
We also do not yet have our tourist cards. Can we get those at any border crossing?
Our favorite border crossing is Tecate because we have never been stopped and never yet had to wait. You drive through the Ruta del Vino on the route to Ensenada - so it takes a little longer driving, but it is our preference.
There really isn't any parking at this crossing, though, for a big RV if you want to get your tourist card at the time you cross.
Our preference is to stay at one of the campgrounds near the border (Thousand Trails Pio Pico) and a day or so ahead of time we cross over with just our truck for diesel and propane. At this time you can also get your tourist card.
The advantage of doing this is that when you cross, you don't spend any time having to take care of those things and can get quite a ways south on your first day.
At San Ysidro, we get pulled into secondary even when we get a green light.
Some here prefer Otay Mesa, so I'm sure they'll chime in on that.
Good luck and enjoy the trip!
Charlene
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kca87
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12/16/12 12:29pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Retirement and RVing
We also retired early - so no Medicare or SS. It was interesting, because our costs were lower than one might expect. Mostly because we had "time" to really think about purchases before we made them, and didn't have to rush through the supermarket or other places and be back to work.
Also - when we went full time and changed our state of residence, health care insurance costs dropped like a rock.
Lastly, we spend 6 months or more in La Paz, Mexico in the Baja (and yes, I read the US State Department's warnings and just met with the Consulate General for the area and we are very safe here).
Costs for dental work and health services are so low that we just pay out of pocket and that further reduced health insurance costs since we claim to be out of the country 6 months of the year or more. Fuel, propane, and other costs are equally low so we have enjoyed a good quality of life on a very small budget.
Well - you will find ways to save as you embark on retirement that you never thought about as well. Good luck and enjoy!
Charlene
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kca87
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12/15/12 08:11am |
Full-time RVing
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