Here it is November 8, 2010 and we haven't done a Post, well actually me, as Dar said it was my turn and she wasn't going to do one.
All is really great here, we are having a ball. We have been extremly busy with visiting so many of our "new" friends and reaquanting ourselves with the "old" ones. I have been here 2 weeks and tomorrow will be 3 weeks. I have already been to five soccer games, drank 10 gallons of cervaza, 3 feista parties 2 birthday parties and one lunch of "special" Chicken Soup. (Wow,is that good) We have gotten all the good gossip caught up and also Dar has started her Spanish lessons. She is also teaching a local family some English. (every Thursday). I am also getting quite abit out of it and being able to use more and more Spanish Words. Oh yea, did I mention , I have had my share of cervaza, it goes down just like water. We all know that we shouldn't drink the water here, so, drink cervza instead, its good for you.
I got here (Guayobotis Mexico) mid afternoon, October 23. After a somewhat eventful ride. Left Birch Bay on Wednesday October 13, after a late start in the Day. Had more things to do in winterizing the R.V. than I thought. But I did leave under clear sky's and made it to Woodburn OR, just north of Salam. My luck, leaving so late, I made to Seattle just in time for the heavest of "rush hour" traffic. Not bad, just under 500 kms. for the day.
Left early next morn, but too cold, so after 45 minutes on road had too stop, have coffee and wait to 10:30 for fog to lift and get some warmth. By mid day I was through Roseburg and had to "greas up", as was very warm and didn't want to get sun burnt. All was going well until just south of Shasta Lake City, CA a bird hit the bike windshield. Can'nt say for sure what kind of bird, but a Eagle or Red Tailed Hawk, whatever it was, it was big. Smashed the windshield, creaked and scrached the right hand side of bike fairing and knocked my DOT helmet, right sideways on my head. I was probably doing close to 100/105 kms at the time I also got a mouth full of bird guts and feathers. The thing damm near "knocked" me out. Luck was with me at that moment, that I did not lose control of bike. Didn't feel like mush after that, so got to Redding CA, got hotel room and phoned my Insurance. Such do like my Insurance Co." Meagson Fitzpatrick (Victoria BC), they say " make sure bike is roadworthy, get new windshield and new helmet. All on my statement of event, without the use of a insurance ajustor.
October 15, 2010. New windshield, new helmet in Redding CA. and back on the road. As I only made 665 kms. yesterday, will have to made some up today. Had lunch in Stockston and back on the road, made over 800 kms today, so was good day. Stayed night in little town of Santa Nella,CA. Home of the "Best Pea Soup in America" Soup was good, bed was lousy, but slept not bad as I was quite tired.
Left around 7:30 am. and the ride was great, weather was just right for riding. All was good until I got to the top of the Grapevine, north of Los Angles. The closer I rode to LA, the colder it got. By the time I got into LA I had my leather jacked on and zipped up. Thank heavens for GPS, made it through the nighmare and out the other side. Made it to Blythe CA for the night, Just under 800 kms today.
Left motel 6:30 am and off to find good cup of coffee at Starbucks. Checked out Facebook, added a few comments. Riding by 7:00 am, sunrise was gorgas and very little trafic on I-10, so made good milage. Made 180 kms in hou rand fifty minutes, stoped for pee break at rest stop and then it all happened. I had lost my bike keys somewhere between Blythe and here. So when I had turned the bike off, it wouldn't start again without security fob. Didn't know how to break security code, so caled "Good Sam" snd has hook come and take me and bike to Arrowhead Harly Davidson in Phoenix AZ. They showed me how to break code, but would have to wait in Phoenix for 21/2 days,until Dar passed through on her way to Mexico. I had extra set of keys at homeand would have had to wait 10-14 days to get new set of keys from HD, Milwaukiee,WI. While waiting I had Bike serviced, new tires and replace intake seals, which resolved my stalling problem. That took a day, but couldn't go see much of Phoenix as I had very little gas in gas tank and needed keys to open gas tank lid. Oh well, Ineeded the rest. While in Phoenix I got to meet up with a long time ex work associate, Jan C. and have dinner with her. We caught on old times and what has happened in to last 2 years, when she and her husband moved to Phoenix. Good dinner and good laughs, really enjoyed.
Dar got to Phoenix on October 20, a day late (thats another story). Got keys from Dar as she changed planes, and on the road again. Made it to Nogales AZ, for the night. I wanted to cross the Mexican boarder first thing in the morning.
October 21, crossed into Nogales Mexico, got visitors visa and found out that you get moto-
cycle temporary import permit at Inspection Office 50 kms into Mexico. Had a few problems with communication at inspection office, but after 11/2 hours finally got approval (they didn't like my copy of registration papers, wanted orginal papers) Paid my "import" fees,440 peso ((approx $37.00 CAN), got stamp of approval to have Motocycle in Mexico for up to 180 days and on my way. Ah, they say, MEXICO, what a beautiful country. The roads are great, I stayed on D-15 all the way to Tepic, Nayarit. Its a "toll highway" and the toll fees from Nogales to Tepic were 870 peso(approx $74.00 CAN) All fees are the same for automoble as for a motocycle. Stayed fist night in Oberegon, Sinaloa, MX,545 kms for the day and second night in Villa Obion, Sinaloa, MX (just ouside Mazatlan) and 570 kms. for the day. I left AT 6:30 am in the morning, on my way to Tepic and Guayabitos, Nayarit, 1480 kms, from the USA boader. Throughout my time in Mexico, I found the people extremly helpful and courtious at all of the gas stations, hotels and places to eat, from taco stand to resturant. They were more helpful in their service and making sure I understood the cost of the service and in counting out the change for the product. I would reccomend travel to anyone, just watch your self and know where you are at.
