Remember the good, old days when you went to the beach to party and get a tan? Well sad to say, at my age the most important thing I plan to accomplish at the beach in Puerto Penasco is hiring folks to inexpensively fix up my RV. I spend a busy two weeks lining up painters, interior and exterior detailers. A little exhausted after the drive back, I am pleased that my rig sure looks great!
Before and After
Leyman and Jane had their RV completely re-painted down here a couple of years ago and it is still very shiny. I am anxious to get the clear coat repaired around my roof and the popped off paint edges on my slide smoothed down. Lucky for me there are so few visitors in the park, the painters start on my work right away. They sand, tape and prep quickly but windy conditions make it tricky to schedule the paint part of the job. A sort of calm day arrives and workers scurry to get all the paint applied before the winds rip off the paper again. That part of the work is complete with plenty of time left for a complete wash, wax and polish before I leave.
The interior detailing includes washing the inside from the ceiling to the floors, shampooing carpets, cleaning all fans and lights, oiling the woodwork, washing windows and more! These hard workers also clean and treat the leather seating inside with something that makes it as soft as butter and so much cleaner that it was. In case you are wondering, all of the work I have done totals less than $1700. That and about $100 worth of Mexican souvenirs make for a perfect trip in my opinion!
Mexican Lessons
I can’t say enough good things about the people I dealt with in Puerto Penasco. Service was great, food delectable and everyone was extremely courteous and respectful. Their economy has been hit hard by the fact that the Canadians who usually swarm here in the winter could not come this year. I do not realize that American yard sales just north of the border are a major source of affordable goods for the folks in this town. I strike up a conversation with a talkative vendor lady who explains to me the economic problems the locals face. Because travel north of the border is not currently permitted from Mexico unless you are a US citizen returning to the US, the suppliers no longer can bring these items back. As a result, she struggles to find household items like house fans that she needs.
The only negative experience we have on this trip occurs as we travel through the town of Sonoyta just before we reach the border headed home. Leyman gets stopped for running a hidden traffic sign. One that has a policeman standing conveniently beside it to walk up and give tickets out as each vehicle drives through. Jim receives a bogus speeding ticket. To avoid a detour to the local police station to pay the correct fine, both cough up double the published fine to pass through. I slip through the corrupt gauntlet unscathed and am thrilled to successfully maneuver the tight, twisty concrete maze entering the US. From the black marks all over the barriers at each turn, I am alarmed to think that my new paint job may be damaged.
Picture Perfect Visit
Lastly, I promised the video guide below for RV travelers headed to Puerto Penasco. While not very entertaining, it may contain helpful info if you plan to make this trip in an RV.
WOW! What a trip, thought it would be a lot harder than that to get in. How hard was it to get OUT???? What does 4X mean on the speed? Reminds me of the midwest with no trees, but FLAT as a pancake. Glad the trip went well and the touch up and repairs look great. Take care and keep em coming. GOD BLESS
JD/SD
Jim & Sandy
Getting out was not hard at all. Mexican guards waved us through, I didnot even have to speak to them. US Customs asked a couple of questions, then sent me on to the maze exit. Friends say it is not normally like that. Usually at least at one place, an agent comes inside and checks out the RV. 4x means I speeded us the video by a factor of 4 – so in real life things were going much slower, but I did not want a video that lasted forever.
Hugs, Sunny
Love keeping up with you!!! Great photos, video and info…. Yes, do tell how it was coming back to USA!!! ?
This time is was super easy. No Mexican stop and just a few questions on the US side. Normally my friends told me that an agent on at least one border usually comes in the rig for a quick scan. Not this time – hurray. I was glad to return to the US!!
Hey Sunny, what on earth do you have for security? I’m under the impression, you cannot carry while you are crossing the US/Mexican Border. Not being blessed with the opportunity to travel, it doesn’t concern me that much, but I never know when the bug to go that way will hit.
Love the updates of your travels, please keep us posted.
Larry
Hi Larry, you are correct. No weapons allowed in Mexico (not even a single bullet). For safety we traveled in a group of 3 RVs and traveled in groups in town. Puerto Penasco itself seemed very safe and is home to many expats. It has been nicknamed “Arizona Beach” because some many people from AZ travel there for a cheap vacation. Thanks for following me. Hope you do get to travel down there one day!