draft Crossing to USA: Stress Day, Bisbee Arizona

Crossing to the USA—Frustration day of the trip.

March 17^th, the birthday of Art's Great Grandfather Patrick Gillam, born on this day in Dublin, Ireland.

This morning we woke up around 7:30, another beautiful sunny day, no wind today so it feels much warmer. Or maybe less cold! The the first hour or so progressed according to plan then with much shuffling about we got the motorhome lined up in front of the gate and the tracker hooked up behind by 9:20. The night before we had told the lady manager that we planned to leave about nine o'clock. She said that she would get the keys to the gate. Gillian went to find her, she arrived quite apologetic but the young man had failed to drop off the keys and he wasn't answering his phone. She suggested that we cut the lock off! Unfortunately it was a high quality lock and we didn't have the tools for this.

After a long wait we gave up and began filling up the ditches with adobe bricks that were stacked on the property. After disconnecting the car and some more shuffling of the rig we had just lined up the tires with the makeshift bridge when with a screech of brakes and a shower of dust a van pulled up outside the gate. The young man from the day before stomped up to the gates, unlocked the locks, flung the gates open and stomped back to his van and screamed off again with out a word. Surprisingly and very inappropriately the van was lettered with the name of a Christian organization! >

Art drove the rig out to the street and parked alongside the curb while Gillian pulled up behind in the tracker. We were quickly reconnected and rolling north. The road surface was pretty poor for a while but we cheered up as it soon improved. Unfortunately, also just for a while! Actually for the most part the road wasn't too bad and we made reasonable time.

There was one section of spectacular hills and switch backs as we approached the US/Mexico border which we would parallel for an hour or so before arriving at the crossing. At the summit we parked for lunch. The steep angle we parked on put new meaning to a balanced diet! Then down hill for 300 metres (1000 ft) of elevation change—sharp deep drop offs, no shoulders, no guard rails, much like the uphill climb. The attached videos will give you some idea of what it was like. (coming soon)

Approaching the border point we looked for the “banjercito” or the Aduana (customs) where we were to hand in the permit for the car and our tourist visas. The motorhome is on year 2 of a ten year permit so that wasn't a problem, but the car permit and our tourist visas had to be canceled. There were no direction signs and we soon found ourselves in the long line up for US crossing. A Mexican approached, one of several who try to assist for tips and explained that we should have canceled the car permit before getting in line—but there had been no signs or directions as to where we could have done that. Jose suggested that we carry on, he would show us where to park and we could walk over to the Aduana. This was finally done, only to find that the agent would not come to the car—we had to bring the car the extra half block (direct line) to their parking lot! Not so simple! The route was not direct! She suggested that we make the crossing into the US then return to Mexico, cancel the permits and then cross once again into the USA!

Jose had a better idea: again unhook the car, Art holding up traffic and guiding Gillian as she reversed far enough to back out far enough to turn and drive to the proper place. Art walked over and we got the paper work done then we had to beg permission to cut into line with the car to get back to the motorhome. We reconnected pulled forward to the last lane as we had been told to do and waited. And waited. And waited. Finally a mini bus pulled up behind us so after a while Gillian went to talk to the driver. He advised us that lane 5 and 6 were for commercial vehicles only! There were no signs here either!

Yup, you guessed it—unhook the car, back up, reconnect, then try to squeeze into lane 4. Our friend Jose arrived just in time to ask the Mexican driver of the van along side if he would let us in line. We didn't catch his reply, but he immediately pulled his van forward so we couldn't get in front of him. The driver of the car behind him was more accommodating and let us in. Both drivers got their just rewards:

As the van's turn came up the customs agent closed the gate and walked over to gate 6 to deal with the mini bus. Then a couple of ambulances arrived lights flashing and sirens blaring. The van driver in front of us sat stewing in frustration for at least 15 minutes while the car behind him that had let us in was able to slip into lane three and was long gone!

When our turn came we were selected for inspection and along with the dogs had to leave the rig while several agents entered and searched the rig and the car. About 10 minutes later we were cleared and on our way—probably 2 hours to cross though we hadn't checked the times precisely.

We planned to stop in Bisbee Arizona to check out this historic mining town. There is a RV Park in Bisbee which we eventually found; The GPS took us past our turn, through the old town and delivered us to the swimming pool! Here we go again! Unhook, turn around, Gillian leading in the Tracker we retraced our path through town. Until Gillian rounded a corner and disappeared from Arts' view! At about this point Art spotted a lot of RVs up on the hillside so up he went and found the park we were looking for. Full up. No spaces for 2 days! Gillian soon arrived, having stopped for directions, and yes once again, turn around, hook up, and set off for the alternate destination, Turquoise Valley Golf Course and RV Park.

Here thankfully there was room. We parked and while Art leveled the rig and put out the slides Gillian took the dogs for a much needed walk. We then joined a couple a few doors down for happy hour before returning to the rig for dinner and a well earned rest. Tomorrow Bisbee.

Bisbee is an old historic mining town that almost died several times in its past. Some 40 years ago outsiders began to see possibilities in the collection of deteriorating buildings and began buying up properties and renovating the town. Today it is a thriving tourist town. We walked the old twisty streets,browsed the shops, had lunch and returned to the RV Park. On the way back we stopped at a view point overlooking one if the old open pit mines.

For lunch we found a likely looking restaurant which was very busy--we had a 15 minute wait for a table. They served a good selection of beers and ales both local and from further afield. All were from smaller breweries. We both chose a local IPA which proved to be very good. Art almost laughed out loud when the waitress described it as an Industrial Pale Ale. Then the bottles arrived. Click the pic for a close look at the label.

Art settled for a burger (excellent) and Gillian was tempted by the red pepper hummus and pita platter which was complimented with feta cheese and olives. The servings were as usual in the US very large so Gillian asked for the remains of her lunch "to go".

Later that evening neither of us were ready for dinner, Gillian thought she would finish her hummus and pita for a light supper. Art was happy with a bit of cheese and biscuits. When Gillian opened the box--the pita, olives and cheese were there but no hummus! She was a little surprised and disappointed to say the least.