January 30

We’ve left San Felipe around noon, the 10 mile construction on Hwy Mex 5 was much better, it was dry now. When we got to the border I couldn’t believe my eyes: a 2 hrs line up and it was exactly 2 hrs bumper to bumper along the wall. Local vendors selling just about everything for the travelers from religious paintings and statues of Jesus to refreshment. The most unbelievable thing: about 200 yards from the border crossing full of guards young kids are throwing big plastic bags over the fence and then run. Just guess what could be in those bags. Finally got out at 5 pm; did some grocery shopping and parked it in Calexico.
10 miles of dirt road


2 hrs bumper to bumper at the border-the tall fence on the right is the wall

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A cross saying "unidentified" remembers those who died here while trying to climb the wall.

January 29

We had to do laundry today and were surprised how this part of Mexico is Americanized. Washers and dryers are taking US quarters only; the water wending machine takes quarters only and in the bakery the prices are listed in US. We have seen lots of locals driving around on quads and buggies, looks like it’s the favorite vehicle here in the desert. In the evening we said Good Bye to our neighbors and the very friendly staff at the restaurant, including the DJ. We are planning to leave tomorrow morning, cross the border at Mexicali and spend a few more days in the desert.


Loundry in Mexico that takes US quarters only

Favorite vehicle of the locals


Said Good Bye to our DJ

January 28

We had to fill up propane today, it’s a bit different here. No propane at gas stations, you have to go to the local distributor to fill up. Quick service; nice and friendly people. After that we drove south of town, wanted to see it because real estate is booming there, lots of new houses, condos, time shares. Talked to a local realtor, he said he has offerings from 5-6000 for a lot in the desert to an oceanfront house up to 700 K. Out of my budget. The best place in town: the beach in downtown: fishermen just coming back from the sea and selling their catch right off the boat. Guaranteed fresh and the price is right. Bought 2 lbs of shrimp and put it on the BBQ for dinner. (life is good here)


The south side of San Felipe


Real Estate is booming (new oceanfront condos here)


Local fishermen selling fresh seafood right off the boat



1 lbs of shrimp for dinner

January 27

Today was very quiet; just a few locals came down to the beach to relax. Local vendors are coming now every day selling “souvenirs.” Planning to have tacos for dinner; it is today’s special in the campsite’s restaurant (0.50C/piece) nobody can beat that price. Weather could not be better, nice and sunny but not too hot.

the turn off to our campsite

A few locals came to relax to the beach

Those are locals too.

January 26

Today we had to go and get some fuel and water. Surprise: Mexican fuel is only 0.71 cent (US) a liter. At the gas station we talked to another VW owner; his van was a "bit older" than ours. He and his girlfriend came from Belgium and were on the road to Argentina. They have been north of the Polar Circle in Canada and now in Mexico headed south. He shipped his van over from Europe and will take it back to Europe he said. (VW owners just love their rig) The van was very good equipped for the trip; lots of spare tires; lots of extra fuel.



Improved my Spanish skills today: Palapa=Palm shade; Tecate=Local beer. The 2 of them mix very well.

So much white sand left at high tide.

January 25

Gabriel & Charlotte from England to Mexico City on a bike

Treasures from beachcombing

Room with a view

Another wonderful day at the beach. We went for beachcombing and found lots of beautiful corals at low tide. Had a chat with the young English couple; they are headed to Mexico City then they will decide what to do next. Interesting people; interesting story. And just to prove how small the world is: 2 couples drove by today right here on the beach, both from Cobble Hill BC; about 10 minutes from our home. They are staying here ‘till April. Steak on the barbeque for dinner with a few local beers. (Life is good here)

January 24

Today was the first day we did not have to drive at all. Campsite is almost empty but still has a bunch of nice people, one couple is from Edmonton and the guy is flying a motorized paraglider every day; it’s really cool! Tonight a young couple came in from England on a motorcycle; they have been on the road for 10 months, rode the bike trough Russia, Mongolia, Canada, US and Mexico.
Entrance of the capmground.

The beach in San Felipe

Guy from Alberta with his cool paraglider

January 23

Crossing the border at 10 am was a breeze.

Hwy Mex 5 in the desert

Hwy Mex 5 turns into this for 16 km of construction

Made it to the campsite in San Felipe at 1:30pm

Just one week behind schedule but we are parked right on the beach of the Sea of Cortez. Campsite has WiFi in the restaurant and the bar. Your ticket to the internet is called Margarita (life is good here). Temperature today was 23 nice and sunny; got here a bit late because of the construction on the hwy. Traffic was diverted onto a dirt road; not a really good idea after a week of rain.

January 22

From here it can get better only.

We didn’t see any tornado, it was in the Blythe area about 100 miles from us. We had some sunshine in the morning but the weather turned ugly for the afternoon again. We wasted a week now; have to move on. Drove back to Calexico, got our Mexican Insurance and we are good to go tomorrow. Forecast is good for the weekend, we should be in San Felipe tomorrow afternoon; don’t know when we can make the next post; have to find WiFi first

January 21

Enjoying "sunny" Arizona

Just killing time, have to wait out some improvement in the weather. Did a risky short drive today to buy groceries; the wind was just playing with our small motor home. After we came back I could not believe what I’ve heard: a TORNADO WARNING is in effect for the Yuma and southern California area. An announcement on the radio in the afternoon: the government is asking everyone to stay off the roads and giving advice what to do if you see a tornado coming. Definitely an exiting vacation!

January 20

Today we drove to El Centro, wanted to see some friends from home but we missed them. (my fault; didn’t call ahead) Then we had the first decent day with temperatures over 20 but in the evening it started raining again and now it’s been raining for 20 hrs. The only WIFI we could find is in the Yuma Library; have to go back today to make the post and check our mail. Just listening to the radio, we have a severe storm warning again with flooding. If it’s so bad on US roads how is it going to be in Mexico, that’s the big question now. We want to get Mexican Insurance today; stock up on groceries and pray for better weather.

January 19

Left Indio around noon, first we could not find WIFI; had to by access at a Truck Stop for an hour than for another hour to take care of all the e-mails and the blog. Still raining like there is no tomorrow; drove down south on flooded hwy S22 to see friends whom we haven’t seen for about 7 years. They spend January in Borrego Springs then move on to Arizona for the rest of the winter. After a coffee and a few hrs we headed to Brawley but at a couple of spots the road was completely flooded and covered with mud. Had to wait almost an hour ‘till the hwy maintenance truck showed up and cleared the road. We made it to Brawley late evening and called it the day.

Visited Gerry and Donna Walker in Borrego Springs

January 18

It feels like wherever we go a national disaster strikes. With us together El Nino is visiting California as well, rainfall of the century; storm warning and such goodies. Had a little sunshine in the morning, just enough to take some pictures. The forecast predicts the worst rainfall for Thursday. What is keeping us happy: from here it can get only better!

Spent the night in Indio at the Spotlight 29 Casino

January 17

Left earlier around 9, drove pretty much all day and still no sign of any change in weather. We told each other how nice it was last year, OK lets go to LA tonight, lets see some sun. After 5 pm it is complete darkness, a big piece of metal is in the middle of my lane, could not get around it; got stuck under the rear axle; it made a sound I tought it is the end of the trip but could drag it out. (no damage thanks God) Made it to Castaic around 8 pm; the 2 of us had almost a dozen tacos for dinner; it was the best part of the day.

This picture is for my friends at work.

January 16

Nothing but rain; rain; and RAIN all day. Started the day around 11, after 500 miles from home we finally have seen some sun but only for a ½ hour that was it for the day and back to the rain. Crossed the California border and called it the day in Corning. (2 hrs north of Sacramento)

January 15

Left Victoria as planned on the Coho ferry. I was told we have to pay more for the ferry, it has been raining so much, ocean got bigger, more work for the ferry.
(Just kidding) Made it to the middle of Oregon (Rice Hill). Weather could not be uglier, it's raining since we left. Makes me even faster to see some sunshine soon. Pictures later.

Preparing the wheels.

With only 6 more days left before we leave a full service was done on the motor home. Because we try to do most of our trips on a low budget boondocking is big in our travel. Major modification: replaced all the interior lights with new LED lights. They need only 10% of the power “usual” bulbs require. Having 23 bulbs inside I hope it’s going to make a big difference in power consumption. We use a laptop as a GPS; TV; DVD player, computer and did not have a remote for it yet. Friday the new remote has arrived for the Win Tv application and it also works with the Windows Media Center. Great bonus.


The new lights are a simple plug and play.

Needs only 10% of the power of a regular bulb.

The first days of 2010

It's going to be a record of our trips, our travel. I have been blessed with a job that includes lots of travel and photography. Visited 37 countries so far and counting. Just planning a trip in a motor home to the south west corner of the US and maybe crossing the border to Mexico; will see. That was the reason to start this blog.