Mexico?

[prairieschooner]

Tricia and I have been going into Mexico for years while doing Yacht Races. We love Mexico and the Mexican People so I made reservations yesterday for the Sea of Cortez during Thanksgiving. We have a membership in Colorado River Adventures so we are going to their Resort in Gulfo de Santa Clara or El Golfo (Beach Front Sites for Members).
We are planning on getting Mexican Insurance but I thought that since this will be our first voyage by Coach that I should ask for advice on going into Mexico.
We know about the water!

[chockwald]

Elaine is not so hot on Mexico, but I think part of it may be the uncertainty, and lack of familiarity. If we went with someone who "knows the ropes" she might be more inclined. I've been reading a blog for a few years by a gentleman who calls himself Tioga George. He owns a 1989 Fleetwood Tioga, hence the name. His blog is called Tioga and George. He has been fulltiming since 2003, and has been fulltiming in Mexico for the past 2 years now. He loves it there, and loves the people. Reading his stories about living in Mexico has given me an interest in going there in the future. Of course, the cost of living is significantly less....maybe 1/3 of what it is here, which is interesting.

[prairieschooner]

The Mexican People that we have met so far really are gracious and wonderful individuals. The Government is much different than ours and so we need to make "adjustments". When by car I always keep a $20.00 inside of the registration, just in case I make a mistake while driving.
CRA has a weekly Escort to and from this Resort (so we have been told). This way we will be with other "Gringos" while making our way to and from. Here is a Link to the El Golfo Resort; http://www.coloradoriveradventures.com/travel/sea_of_cortez.html
Since we haven't been there before I am not sure what to expect but we are adventurous. I am looking forward to some Margs on the Beach with the 2 stroke blender!!
have Coach will Travel

[express1]

Steve, I'm sure you will find Juan there!

[Wally Arntzen]

We owned a home right on the beach in Playa del Carmen which about 45 miles south of Cancun for about 12 years. Beautiful place and great people and a lot of friends both natives and business folks.
We drove a Winnebago to Tasco Mexico many years ago and did a Newell ralley in Quaymas which is on the Sea of Cortez.
Mexico is a beautiful country but is wise to travel with another coach or more for saftey reasons. Many people are fearful of going there but I can tell you that I feel much safer in Playa del Carman on a friday or saturday night that I so in Minneapolis, Phoenix or many other cities in the states. Its is strange that I lived in Minnesota all my life and have to Canada twice and I have been to Mexico in excess of 100 times.
On most of the main highways they have green trucks that are called green angels and they are primarily to assist american travelers that have mechanical problems with their coaches or cars. The carry fuel, tires and a lot of parts with them and if they don't have what is needed they will contact a safe company to help you. You just have watch for them but they patrol the highways regularly.
Its like traveling anyplace if you are carefull of where you go and what you do you probably will not into any trouble.
It sounds like you have a pretty good setup on how you will get where you are going. My wife speaks fluent spanish which very helpfull, because I do not and don't really try but I have never had a problem getting anythiny done.

Good luck and have a safe trip.

[prairieschooner]

Thanks Wally That is pretty much how we feel about Mexico
Matt, I should have seen that one coming!! I'll look there. I went down to Hemet today and saw Larry & Jerry at their Shop. It was down right pleasurable today mid 70's with crystal blue skies. Then I came up the hill to 30's with clouds and a chance of rain, amazing! just about 20 miles away but such a radical difference in temps. Our time is limited up here and soon we will be in Yuma, AZ or Sea of Cortez, MX or the Parker strip in the Arizona desert or Hemet, CA. Here is a link to our favorite place in Hemet;
http://www.goldenvillagepalms.com/

[prairieschooner]

Wally,
You brought up something that I was curious about...Roadside Assistance/Towing. Did you purchase any Towing Plan for Mexico?

[Wally Arntzen]

I did not purchase it when we went with our coach with the Newell ralley but I did purchase regular insurance because if get in an accident without insurance it is automatic jail.
I'm quit sure that the good sam plan now covers Mexico for both road assistance and towing. One thing about Mexico is that they have excelent mechanics especially for deisels. Mexico has many more buses running around than the US and they really know how to keep them running.

[prairieschooner]

thanks, I'll look into Good Sam

[PirateJohn]

I encourage y'all to see Mexico. We haven't taken our motorhome (classic Bluebird PT-40) into Mexico yet but I've been motorcycling around for over a decade. Great folks, and an adventure is around just about every corner.

--PirateJohn--
www.PirateJohn.com

[prairieschooner]

John,
Thank you for your advice.
Sorry but since you don't own a Newell I must refer to you as Swabby, I would be willing to use SwabbyJohn if you prefer.
Pirate Steve, swallowed the Anchor so our vessel is a Prairie Schooner.

[prairieschooner]

Escorts to El Golfo started today! There were three Coaches going down today and all got down safely. Temps here are in the low 90's with crystal blue skies. Tricia just got back from the pool and I am getting ready to BBQ some Chicken Breasts.
Yuma is good!

[chockwald]

Way to "rub it in" Steve.........LOL!

[folivier]

Temps in the 90's?
We were in the 90's all summer, finally in the 70's.
Something's wrong with this picture, can't see myself driving for warmer weather!
Enjoy your trip you old seadog!

[prairieschooner]

When we left Idyllwild last week it was starting to get cold. I decided to wash off Tricia's CRV and then went into the Cabin to warm my hands and get another cup of coffee. When I got back out (after only a couple of minutes) the Water from washing the CRV had Frozen!!
I am glad to see the Yuma temps over the 20's. It is cooler today and in the low 80's.
We went out for a drive over the weekend and found a few great places to Dry Camp that are part of BLM. One place is $80/year-in for 2 weeks and out for 3 days, the other is $180 for a year with no time out.

[prairieschooner]

We just got back from Yuma, all went well.
For anyone wanting to learn more about the BLM Permits and staying for a season Dry-Camping, you should most likely contact Brad & Karen Townsend.
We had gone gallivanting and stumbled onto the BLM Land at Senator's Wash. Later we met up with Brad and Karen and they came over to see our Coach then we went to see their's at Senator's Wash (who'd a figured?). They have great Classic and are "Living the Dream".
We enjoyed meeting them.

[Brad Townsend]

Steve and Tricia, it was nice to have met you both. Karen and I and Mena enjoyed our time together even though short. Hope to do it again sometime, maybe you can try the boondocking thing. You have done a great job with your coach.

Brad

[prairieschooner]

I found a great guy for the Mexican Insurance, Mexican Insurance Store; mexicaninsurancestore.com

His rates were reasonable and he was very helpful not just a drone on the other end of the line.
Looks like we just need to load our Clothes and Food, not Turkey here we will get Shrimp there.

[folivier]

Hey Steve, we got shrimp and turkey here! And knowing our weather we'll probably be about 70!
Cindy and I are going to Trace State Park near Tupelo, MS for a few days. We'll be back for Thanksgiving, and I'll be cooking gumbo Saturday!

[prairieschooner]

If only I was retarded, uh I mean retired, Cindy's Gumbo would be great!!!

[Brad Townsend]

Steve, thanks for the Faucet seats they work great.
Brad

[prairieschooner]

Mexico was wonderful!!! Temps were in the 70's or 80's the entire time that we were there although rained one night.
We had the Coach washed before we left and they did a great job 3 guys for $30.00 and even did the roof. Shrimp is their local catch at $10.00 a Kilo, we ate more than we should have.
Coming home we did have to go through one Military Checkpoint. It was a little daunting seeing the young men with Automatic Rifles coming in the Coach and looking through everything. They were a little nicer than the US Customs Border though, Tricia was able to be in the Coach when the Mexican Military went through it while we had to be outside and couldn't watch as the US Customs went through the Coach. Prior to going inside the US Customs had me open all of the Bays while the Drug Sniffing Dog walked by. We did need Mexican Visas while in Mexico so I would advise anyone traveling to get them.
We already made our Reservations for our return to Golfo de Santa Clara in February. Our Visas are for 6 Months and this time we will just get a years worth of Insurance.

[chockwald]

Oregon has been wonderful.....40's and 50's, and NO rain, no visas, and no U.S. Border Patrol.....LOL!!! Seriously, we would love to be in 70's and 80's....but the weather in the northern latitudes is what it is....took a 15 mile bicycle ride through the beautiful Oregon countryside....all bundled up, of course! Life is good....

[prairieschooner]

Clarke,
When we got home there was 6" of snow on the ground by the Garage. Forecast is for Rain this weekend and early next week with the Snow Level below 6,000 Foot, this means us. Sounds like I'll be outside tomorrow splitting wood and getting ready for chilly temps myself.
Winter time for us is now for going south like the ducks or "Snow Birds"!