Yuma and Mexico

Day 3

I had a good nights sleep. The only noise I heard was the air conditioner. Which you can get 

used to quickly. It's only day 3, but it almost seems like I've never been away. Memories of 

work have faded quickly. I get up way to early, Catch up on yesterdays blog. Watch some 

YouTube. I have some breakfast, which actually is some of the still frozen dinner from last

night. You can eat Chinese at any time. With sunup at 7 am, I can take my time showering,

shaving and all that stuff.

                            My small and rather warn room. Basic, but it's doing the job.

It's always nice to have the bike where I can keep an eye on it. The alarm didn't go off, so all

is good. So just before 8 am I head to the border town of Los Algodones, Mexico. It's a 20 

minute ride from the hotel. Being out in the real desert, it's a rather chilly 48 degrees. I could

have dressed warmer, but it's a 20 minute ride. Chilled but refreshed, I hit the parking area at the

border and pay my $6. It's run by the local Indian tribe which owns the land on the American 

side. It might be a little harder to keep away from the Casino up the road, though. 

The parking is that close, one side America, the other Mexico.

As they say on the internet, you just walk through the gates, and your in Mexico, no 

checks. If you drive through, they do check you out. While leaving, they were doing random

bag checks on people entering Mexico. This border is only open from 6 am to 10 pm. I was

wondering

if hotel prices go up after 10 pm? This town is mainly known for dentists, eyeglasses, and for

Pharmacies. Unlike back home, you don't need a prescription,  you just tell the clerk what you 

want, and they get it for you. The prices are also way cheaper than what you pay for back home

(in either Canada or the US). Thinking of buying 2000 Oxys? If it's on the controlled

substance list you can get hit with some jail time bringing that stuff back. So again, do your

research before heading and loading up on cheap Mexican drugs. Also you don't have to

exchange your US $ into Pesos. Everyone accepts US $, and everyone speaks English. 

                                                         The not so long walk over to Mexico.

Through the gates just behind the Bienvenidos sign and your in. I got there early enough that it

was still quite.

                          Just on the other side of the gate is the welcome to Mexico happy cat.

It's like $20 to have your teeth cleaned. Though you should to your research on who's good

and bad. Everyone here is on the hustle. There's no welfare in Mexico, so you can have fun with

it. Like the barber who asked if I needed a haircut, but I reply "I have no hair", and his reply is"I

can put some on" I like that guy.

I actually wanted to pick up a set of Ray-Ban prescription sunglasses. But honestly,

I could get them cheaper at home. So no go, but no loss.  Since my teeth are covered at home,

and so are my prescriptions. I start to look around for souvenirs.

Who can say no to a $8 Mexican wrestling mask? Not this guy! Actually I'm surprised by the

 quality, its really good. Shop around and you'll see the difference between the quality and not so

much.

After a couple of hours and seeing everything this small border town has to offer, I head

back. If you wait too long the line can be hours long (though I can't see that happening today).

No line up, and the customs guy only asked what I bought, and let me through. Remember

to make sure you have your passport before going over. Because I don't think the Americans

will let you back in, without your passport, and that could be a problem for a Canadian!

Well now I know where the border is, thanks to this helpful sign. It's also warmed up to a reasonable

68 degrees, and the ride back will be warmer. I took a different route this time and found a In-N

Out burger. Though there was also the sign saying the McRib was back. Oh decisions, 

decisions. I hit up the pawn shop again, as it's right across for McD's. I find a really good battery

pack for $15. I needed a extra usb cable, and the charger comes with one, so win, win.

I get a McRib, which down here seems to be a yearly event. It's kind of like KFC, you wouldn't 

eat it every day, but once in a while, it hits the spot. I posted a pic on facebook, and I can

feel the hate for the McRib. I can't wait till I find the one that sells the McPizza. There's a 

In-N-Out in Tucson, AZ, so no worries about not getting my In-N-Out fix yet. I checked.

Just as messy as I remember. That hit the spot. Though the free internet was really dodgy. Once 

in a while I get a McD's that does this. Oh well. There really isn't much to do in Yuma. Even the 

movie selection isn't great. I ride around Yuma a bit, but there really isn't much to see. So I 

head back to the motel and work on the blog. 

Today's mileage 30 miles or 50 km

Total for this part of the trip

341 miles or 549 km

Palm Springs and Yuma.

Day 2


So having gone to sleep early, I wake up early, it's 2 am here. I had a good sleep, so, while awake

 I work on the blog. Watch some Youtube videos and then go back to sleep for a couple

of hours. It will take me a few days to get used to the time zone changes.  The important part is

I got a good nights sleep, which I did. I wake up about 5 am. Make some coffee and finish

yesterdays blog.

Today's/last nights accommodation is at Extended Stay America. Which has it's + and -, but I know

it comes with a fridge and microwave, and that is all I really want.

It's always nice to be able to see your bike, and with that 2000's alarm. No worries. Now I'm just

waiting for the sun to come up so I can do some maintenance on the bike. I change the front tire

TPMS battery, as it seems to be cutting in and out. I also want to remove some of the overfilled oil.

Easy, peasy, the battery is changed, but I need to add some air to both tires. But being that it's 7 am,

I'll wait and let the sleepers sleep in. I'm leaving around 9 am, so, that should be a good time to do

it. I go to check the overfilled oil level, and with it being rather cool last night, it's where it is

supposed to be at, go figure. I grab a coffee from the front of the motel, which the front desk lady

said was good, and had a cup. Well, she was right, I get the motel with the 1 out of 50 that has a

good cup of coffee, who knew.  Time for a shower and shave and to start packing and organize

everything again. I'm surprised on how much I've forgotten where everything is. With that done,

I fill the front tire with air, the back actually being ok. I'm all packed and finally I know where

everything is. I check out and head to the Main st of Palm Springs. It also happens to have lots

of great shops.

This is the view from the motel. Nice. It's just before 9 am and it's 65 degrees. But it's that warm

sunny desert 65 degrees. I put on a light sweater for the ride. First I head over to 99 cent. I do have

a thing for $1 stores.

                                           Still funny, so if anyone wants some, let me know.

Everything you need, and only for a $. I grab some vitamin C gummies, though not a dollar. Some

snacks for later and I head over to the SHAG store.

                I could have some fun with these at work. It does say "Super" on the package.

I have a few SHAG prints, so I always wanted to actually go to the store. It did not disappoint. You

can go online and see the prints, but it's a whole different level when you actually see them in

person. WOW, they are impressive. The prices, not so much. But that is life. If I win the lottery,

Palm Springs will be first on my shopping list for shopping. More on that later. Though very

temping, I walk out without buying anything. The great thing about the SHAG store, you can order

everything online.  From here it's off to go Pawn shop watch shopping, that and anything that catches

my eye.

                                    Tempting, though overpriced for a quartz movement

I actually almost bought this. It was at a great price. The problem, too small, and no extra links. If

I wasn't on the trip I could work around it. But not today, I'd want to wear it.

                                                    A nice watch at a average price. Pass

This Omega Speedmaster is actually close to one of my "Grail" watches that I desire. $3500 and

it's mine. Almost, but not quite there. The rest of the Pawn stores were a bust, but that's the way

it goes.

This place was next to one of the Pawn shops.  Prices were reasonable. Now I understand why

people say they would retire to Palm Springs. Lots of great 50's and 60's architecture, you could

buy a really great 60's bungalow, and with all the great second hand stores, I wouldn't even bring

furniture, I'd just fill my place up with all the finds in town. I'm sure glad I came, and I will be back.


I hit up Jack in the box for lunch, it's good and cheap, which is all you can ask in a fast food place.

Time to hit the road, and today's destination. Yuma, AZ. I don't know much about Yuma except

that Nick Papagiorgio lives there

Maybe I'll run into him there. It's around a 3 hour drive, nothing too strenuous. It's mostly a divided

highway, with some stop lights thrown in. Actually it was better than I thought it would be. Traffic

was light and easy. Lots of Cops speed trapping, so I have to behave. I pass by the Salton Sea, which

is bigger than I thought, though at least you can't smell it from the highway.


Salton Sea history


Think of it as if Death Valley was accidentally flooded by mistake. You get the idea. After that I

make my way down to Interstate 8. Before I forget, the weather is great, it's sunny and the temps

are in the low 70's. Perfect weather for riding, warm enough to enjoy with out any layers, cool

enough to still wear all my motorcycle gear. That $20 I put in for gas in Palm Springs, is getting

low, it's going to be close. So should I stop and fill up at $4.50 a gallon on the California side, or wait

until I get to Yuma and fill up at $2.50 a gallon. So I pull over at a rest stop and use my spare 1 lt

container of gas to ensure I can make it to Yuma. For our American friends that's a 1 qt bottle. It's

enough to get the bike 10 extra miles.

             It's some state park which I can't find on the map. The dunes are impressive.

I like this sign. All I can think is that we needed it at Niagara that year. Because all I  think of

is "Silverwing" when I read this. Also, how many signs do you actually see the word "Common

sense" on?

I'm glad I stopped here. Some re-hydration, and a pee stop. They are outhouses, but for a worlds

first to me, it didn't smell at all. Will wonders never cease. Anyway, back on the bike and into Yuma.

It's like 10 miles down the road. I hit the gas station and fill up. $20 gets me a full tank and the

spare can filled up. Since it's around 3:30 pm, I do a bit more pawn shop shopping. I didn't find

anything, but that's the way it goes sometimes. I did find a watch on my list, but it was too scratched

up for what they were asking for it. But I end up driving by my motel, so I check in. Unfortunately,

not the best place, but not the worst.

 I do the mom test, which is, would I let my mom stay here. Most of the time, I'd say

yes. Today is a no. It's just a worn out room. Sometimes cheap can mean too cheap, and this is one

of these times. I had to do a bed bug check, so at least there is none of those in the room, thank god.

After heading down to the local Anderson's for grocery's, I setting in, get started on the blog and have

some dinner. The beds no to bad and I get some sleep. The room is actually really quite.



Today's mileage 191 miles or 307 km

Total for this part of trip. 311 miles or 500 km

Part 2 or, will my bike still be there?

Day 1 or 21, depending on how you look at it.

I actually went to bed early, which means I'll get up early, but it is what it is. I get up early,

but surprisingly,  not to early. No coffee this morning,  as I've got some milk to drink, because

there's no milk I know that's going to last 4 weeks in the fridge. The plan is to take a Lyft to

Danforth Go station, and catch the first Go train to Union, and catch the UP express. This is 

when I find out that they are upgrading the Go east Lakeshore line all weekend. Since I've

got up early, I'll be taking the night bus to Union Station and then the Up express. It's raining rather 

heavy, so I'll have to take an umbrella.  I guess about to find out if you can bring one on a

plane as a carry on? No worries though, it's a nice umbrella, but nothing I cannot afford to

throw away.  I also got the bad news on those Jimmy Kimmel tickets, which I was on the wait list

for, still full, but it was worth a try. Thanks for the email though. It's better knowing that its

not going to happen and make plans, then to string you along. There is a standby line the 

day of taping, so get there early and you might get in.

Actually the Eglinton night bus at 5 am on a Sunday morning was quite. 

I only had to wait 5 minutes for the Yonge night bus connection. Though I would miss the Bloor

night bus to the airport,  and with the next one coming 54 minutes later,

 It's the UP express for me.                 

The Yonge night bus drops you right off at Union Station,  which I didn't know, so no more umbrella

for me.

Just follow the signs.

Union Station is so peaceful at 6 am. One of these days I'll take the transcontinental to Vancouver out

of this beautiful station.

                                                         Thanks for reminding me!

     I tried, but my bank is down, so I guess I have to wait till I get to Pearson for a withdraw.

                              Next train leaves in 6 minutes, this is how it's supposed work.

                                                         Not too busy, but it is 6 am.

That's what I love about the UP express, it gets you there fast. From there I'm on the inter terminal

train to terminal 3. Since I've got my boarding pass and I've only got a carry on, (yes, the umbrella

made it through). I head to US Customs. No problems there, and then you get the free trip

through Duty free.  From there I hit up the cafe for some breakfast pizza, which actually was

really good, and I finally update last trips last day blog.

So after finishing that great breakfast pizza and finally finishing last trips blog (yeah), I head down

to my gate to wait. I get my passport checked. It's a Westjet thing, where you can check in online and

bypass the check in counters. I like it, as it works for me. About 15 minutes later we start to board.

                                                                        Still raining

           Westjet has at least 3 planes that leave at 10 am, which makes for a busy gate area. Also some

ladies behind me said US Customs became hell, with a hour and half wait. So now I'm glad that I

came early. But it's also the reason I hate flying from Pearson. You just don't know how long the

the Customs line will be, hence you really have to come 3 hours early, just in case. Most of the time,

it's Buffalo airport for me!

It's a rather full flight today, with just some odd empty seats, so no moving to a empty seat for some

more room this time.

 What I didn't figure is my poor squashed seat mate would move up a row to a aisle seat. So win, 

win. I get a empty middle seat, and he gets a aisle seat. We leave the gate late, and with the long ride

to the furthest away runway, we end up leaving 1 hour late. My day is light so no problems for me,

but for those waiting on the return?

                  The desert, my favorite place to ride my bike, well, as long as the wind keeps down.

One of the fun parts of this flight is that I'm flying over places that I've been to. Thanks to the phone

GPS, while on the flight, I can know where I am. Above is Kingman, AZ. Which is on Route 66

which I did 5 years ago.

                                Oatman, AZ, home to the donkeys, if your ever in the area, visit.

                             
                Lake Havasu, AZ, and London Bridge. If you look real closely you can see the bridge.

                                                  Palm Springs, if I remember right

    Zoom on the airport at Kingman, AZ, it's one of those places where they store surplus planes.

We land a hour late and the mad rush begins to get off. I just stay in my seat and wait. Since I'm at

the back of the plane, 10 minutes later and I'm off. Now to go see if the bike is still there.

Just as I left it. Though I have to run back to the terminal, as all those morning drinks have caught

up with me. The funny thing is as I left the plane and walked by the washrooms, thinking that I could

hold out till I got to the motel. Well, that didn't happen. It's a perfect 70 degrees outside, a bit

cloudy, but since we came in on the way I have to ride, I know 20 miles down the road it's sunny.

Plus traffic actually looked ok, we shall see.

This really is the iconic part of LAX that everyone knows. To bad my terminal is as old as this

iconic structure. The only saving grace is they are actually renovating the terminals, so some day

soon it might be a great airport, again.

                  Actually, not my bike, but it's nice to see someone with the same at the airport.


I hook up the battery, check the voltage (11.5V).  Which should start the bike, which it does, and

let it warm up. I get the bike ready and off to Palm Springs I go. The nice lady at the gate where you

pay just waved me through, nice, and thanks LAX for the free parking.  LA traffic wasn't too bad, at

least no stop and go, but you have to bring your A game here. 2 hours later I make it to Palm

Springs and my first stop. Summer is back!!!

Me enjoying the ride.

I do the usual, check in to the motel. head over to the grocery store and stock up on supplies. Gas

prices here have gone up. $20 only gets me 3/4 of a tank of gas. Though it's more then enough for

tomorrows ride. I have some dinner, update the blog a bit, watch a bit of YouTube and fall asleep.

It's been a long day, even though you don't actually do much, traveling still takes a lot out of you.

Goodnight!


Today's Mileage   120 miles or 193 km, though 100 miles of LA driving should be worth 200 every

where else!



Just in case you are wondering on what I am doing on this part of the trip. Part 2 is where (hopefully)

I ride from LA to Key West, along the Gulf Coast. For this part of the trip I have 4 weeks off and will

be flying back from Tampa.