Day 14 – 16: Preparing for Border Crossing

Day 14: We left San Diego Monday morning after the kids had one last swim in the nice pools at the RV resort.  In the initial 2 hours of our drive eastward from San Diego we climbed 4000 ft and then descended 4000 ft back to sea level.  On this stretch of the highway we passed through mountains of rust coloured crushed rock.  Once through the mountains it was mostly desert terrain with some farming, and of course military land.  This highway runs parallel to the border.  We arrived in Yuma just before sun down and tried to find an RV park.  Unfortunately this town is very popular with seniors and the 1st park we stopped at basically told us that children weren’t welcome at any RV parks in town.  They suggested we continue onto a small town, 30min. east.  When we got to that town we were overcome with the smell of cow shit & urine!  We passed the largest, most disgusting cattle prison we ever saw.  It was so disgusting. There were thousands of cattle packed into large pens with barely any room to move.  As far as the eye could see, it was rows of cows huddle together.  Animal rights activists would be surely be appalled.  Needless to say we continued driving and cursed the woman who sent us there.  (Those Yuma folk really don’t like kids).  There didn’t appear to be much of anything for several km’s and we thought we might have to break our #1 rule, never drive after dark.  But we finally found an RV park in nowhere-land, actually called Dateland.   Apparently they are famous for date milk shakes but we didn’t get to try one.  The RV park was small and had about 20 longterm  “snowbirds”staying there.  The owner said his guests come for the desert and the 4-wheeling.  One guy staying there showed us the wind chimes he makes out of the military shell casings he finds while riding his quad through the area where US military aircraft fly.  Strange but true!

DAY 16: we continued driving to Tucson, picked up supplies and got the truck serviced (Oil Change).  That night we spent the evening in the Wal-Mart parking lot (free camping!).   It was in a good neighbourhood and there was another RV’er.  It was a noisy night with the sound of cars and rigs and shopping carts, but who can complain when it’s free.  The following morning we bought our Mexican Vehicle Insurance ($358 for truck & trailer), did a little shopping and Trevor went for a ride on a desert trail outside Tucson.    We spent that night at a basic RV park about 25km north of the border.  It was totally packed there but the friendly owners squeezed us in for $15.    We were able to do laundry and get the truck & trailer organized as we plan to cross the border tomorrow morning.    We were also able to fill up our propane tanks and buy some bottle water…this was all available at the RV park.  The place was owned by a retired couple who were very friendly and accommodating.  Tomorrow, we plan to get up early and travel to Los Carlos, Mexico.  Should be about 7-8hrs driving…depending on the amount of time it will take at the border.   Wish us good luck…and it would be great to hear back from you.