March 20, 2012; Crossing at San Luis de Colorado into the USA

MAR  20, Tuesday, Back to USA and Yuma

FINALLY, we are in Winterhaven, California near Yuma at Pilot Knob Park! We are staying under R.O.D, which is no cost to us for 9 days. 
WHAT A DAY!  It began with a nice sunrise and blue sky.  We were up by 7 am, had breakfast, showered, put the rest of the stuff away and were on the road by 9 am.  To start things right, we took the wrong turn and ended up by Cholla Beach but found our way from here and were soon on Hwy 3 west and north.  The scenery was very flat, boring yet beautiful: the desert has a way to fascinate you.  We were following the sea of Cortes and at times, we could see across to the Baja.  Lots of sand dunes and small brush along the way. This is a very well maintained and beautiful highway and I recommend it to anyone interested in taking it.  At Golfo de Santa Clara, we turned right and the highway became #40.  At Estacion El Doctor, we went through a police check but didn’t stop then a few miles later, a military check point.  Trucks were parked on the right lane so we had to swing into the left lane and drive to the front of the line.  A soldier asked us something but we couldn’t understand him so he waves us on but a few feet later, another soldier waved us into a lane where we were searched again.  The funny thing is that they search inside but not the lockers, go figure. 

Anyway we were soon on our way and a few miles more, we turned onto toll hwy 197 which cost 210 pesos (approx $19.Cdn)’ we could have driven on the free hwy 40 by we wanted to get to the US quickly.  15 miles after the toll, we entered San Luis de Colorado and after fuelling up (700 pesos), we proceeded to get lost, sort of.  I knew where we were in relation to the border but couldn’t find the turn off (no signs).  When I finally figured it out, a taxi driver signal us to follow him and took us to the right turn.  We gave him $2.00 US and got in line for the crossing.  It was 1:50 pm.

We finally got to the gate and that’s when I discovered that I should have been on the left lane instead of the right.  There was a sign saying “RV LANE #6” but the lanes were NOT marked (stupid or what!).  Val went to inquire at the crossing and she was told that it was the last lane on my left which meant I had to block and cross 5 lanes; thank God everyone cooperated.  After the usual declarations, we were told to move to the bus lane, this meant to go out then make a sharp right and go around obstacles.  That’s when all hell broke loose and as I turned I heard this CRUNCH and stopped.  Walking back, I found the side light gone, the power outlet damaged, the sewer pipe holder torn off and the ladder bent a bit.  I jiggled the rig and finally made the turn...my mistake: turned too soon.  I was busy watching the right side and forgot about the left side.  I WAS MAD!!!  After parking at the bus lane, I went out to check the damage more closely and heard this guy yelling to get back to the cab and I told him off saying that I just damaged my rig in their tight check points and was just checking the damage.  He ordered me back to the cab of the truck which I did.  He came to the window and explained that it was the rule and he was so nice that I calmed down.  Two women came to the rig and they had me open all the lockers, the hood of the truck but didn’t want the slides out.  They got one apple out of all this.

By the way: BOILED EGGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ACROSS!

We were finally in the USA and got on Hwy 95 and stopped at Brewster Restaurant and brewery and had a late lunch...delicious hamburger!  Val told the waitress about the “Dirty Banana” we had back at “Capone’s” in Penasco and she went to mention it to the bartender who made a drink, everyone tried it including the owner and they were ALL impressed.  We had a good laugh on it about making it a new bar drink. 

From 95, we turned west on I-8 and arrived at Pilot Knob RV Park at 4:30 pm.  A very looooong day!  I set up the basic and left the rest for tomorrow.  We are here for 9 days, leaving the 28^th.  Our mail has also arrived.

N  32* 44.751

W 114* 45.882
Alt:  250’
We travelled 194 miles (315 Km) in 4:30 hrs @ an average 43 mph.