Nov 04, 2014
We have a departure date!!
We do, we do, we do. I am so excited even though I have no idea how I will ever get ready in time. All I can do is take it one day at a time, hour by hour.
Before I give you the scoop, we have a new to Mexico blogger on the scene. I met Rae through my blog and her blog and she is on her way to the Isla where through me she has rented an apartment for the winter. She is an RVer but for now has driven down in her truck and is taking it one step at a time. This is Rae’s first time in Mexico and her blog posts are wonderful, so great to see her adventure in print. She has a great way of writing and seeing the world. Please check out her first first to post to Mexico here and follow her along post by post. Right now she is doing multiple posts per day. She is in limbo in San Carlos waiting out Hurricnae Vance which is supposed to hit Mazatlan sometime in the next 12 hours. I am seriously thinking of taking a vacation from my blog and let you experience the Isla through her eyes this winter.
Now back to me and Colin and the girls. We are planning to leave here on Thursday November 27th. The plan is to spend Nov. 27th at a Walmart in Moses Lake, Washington and Nov. 28th in a Walmart in Mountain Home, Idaho. We do have a reservation at an RV Park in Ely, Nevada on the 29th where we know it will be freezing. No we do not have dual pane windows which will be a real pain. From there we will be back in the heat of Las Vegas and further south. If all goes according to plan and you will have to keep checking in here to find out, we should arrive at mi casa on the Isla de la Piedra on December 8th at approximately 12 noon. Yes we even have a time. Well we have done it often enough that we have it down to a science 😆
I require your input, whether you are an RVer or not. Do you think we will be okay crossing the border on the US Thanksgiving and also staying at the Walmarts? Not sure how Black Friday pertains to Walmart. I really would appreciate your input. Are we crazy to travel during what you Americans call ‘the holidays’?
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*waves*
I’m so far enjoying life here in Mexico! So glad I took the plunge, but even gladder I made the decision to not come with the RV. That would have been too much at one time.
With Thanksgiving being on the Thursday, I believe the biggest travel days are the Wednesday, Thursday morning, and Sunday. I can’t imagine that it’d be worse than nearing Christmastime. Just plan that there might be congestion.
I’d avoid all big box stores on Black Friday. I’ve heard way too many stories of insane bargain hunters killing and getting killed at Walmarts on that day! Parking lots would probably be a zoo. It’s one of those cases where I’d have a backup plan.
I shopped at a US Walmart on a Thanksgiving Thursday once and it was DEAD. Staff told me that the next day would be a madhouse (http://travelswithmiranda.uskeba.ca/avoiding-the-crowds/).
Oh, and my first MX post is actually this one:
http://www.raecrothers.ca/blog/first-real-mexico-border-crossing-adventure/
Hey Contessa! Great news on your departure plans! FYI, though– I started my trip to Mexico last year on Thanksgiving day and, not thinking, had planned to stay at a Wal-Mart on T-giving night (Thurs night). Impossible! The parking lot was absolutely jammed packed by 6pm with Black Friday shoppers getting an early start. Even Black Friday night parking was questionable.
So, I’d suggest looking for a truck stop like Flying J, or a rest stop, or a non-Black Friday business like Cracker Barrel for those Thurs & Fri nights. Stay far away from the big box stores– you won’t be able to navigate them easily with your rig– even Lowe’s and Home Depot may have issues on those days.
Thanks for Rae’s blog link– I’ll check it out! I have a feeling I will be missing the Isla terribly this Winter 🙁
Hey, you finally got the eject date worked out, great news.
I agree with Lynne on staying at WMart on Thursday or Friday, you don’t want to be anywhere close to those stores. We used to stay at the Flying J’s but they have become so busy and noisy we just pass them by. These might be the nights to visit a CG and pay up. You don’t want to force a lousy hand.
Good luck and travels.
Mike
At least you have a plan, thats a start, Safe travels.
Hi Contessa
I know I say this a lot – but it worked for Chris and Juan. For the busy nights look for a Home Depot or Lowe’s instead – they are usually right next door to Walmarts. When we stay in HD’s we sit in a quiet dead parking lot looking over at the mayhem at Walmart. Moses Lake has a Home Depot – Mountain Home has neither but maybe you can stop in Boise. Just a thought.
Contessa, please don’t stop the blog. Maybe just less! Enjoy your posts & pics way too much. Have not replied all summer & fall but have been reading everything.
Don’t forget Camping Worlds, have stayed in their lots many times. We do not have dual pane windows but have stayed in freezing weather without problems. Keep the blinds pulled and (for us) a blanket over the door opening. We found our door was the coldest spot in the rig.
Take care & be safe!
rocmoc in AZ/Mexico
I would stay as far away from Walmart on Black Friday as you possibly can, it’s a madhouse and people aren’t on very good behavior.
So happy for you both that you have set your departure date!
We have stayed at Camping World, good place if anything is wrong with rig before crossing into Mexico.. We use a lot of Casino parking lot’s also Colin could run in and coffee to go…Safe travels..
Yep, I’m with Teresa. Home Depot, less people on a holiday and free wifi from the parking lot. Looks like we will meet up on your turf! Will this be fun or what? Meeting new people, Stone Island, running on the Malecon. Sounds good to me.
No! To no Blogging!
Not saying every day!
Your photos and insight inspire us to visit Mexico.
We are an example!
Know it has been a tough couple of years, but… We all appreciate your efforts.
It would be terrible to not have you share with us!
Know Colin and the kids need you!
But, so do all your blogging friends!
Keep up your blogs, we enjoy hearing whats going on in your life
Got a big house here in Coolidge if you need to stop by for a nite or so
I came down yesterday , R. coming after deer hunting season
Safe travels…..wish your dad the best , he’s lucky to have such a great loving daughter
WHEN YOU TOLD ME 11/27, REMEMBER I TOLD YOU THE 27TH WAS THANKSGIVING. AS FOR WAL-MART, THURSDAY WILL PROBABLY HAVE TONS OF VEHICLES PARKED AS PEOPLE WANT TO GET THERE EARLY. MANY OF THE WAL-MARTS OPEN AT MIDNIGHT OR EVEN EARLY EVENING ON THANKSGIVING. HOWEVER, THIS YEAR MANY PLACES STARTED “BLACK FRIDAY” ON NOV 1ST BUT I’M NOT HEARING ABOUT MANY SHOPPERS YET. THE BIG SPECIALS WILL START THANKSGIVING AFTERNOON/EVENING/MIDNIGHT. MAYBE YOU SHOULD GOOGLE THE STATES YOU’LL BE IN TO FIND OUT THEIR OPENING TIME/DATE. (I TRIED MOSES LAKE BUT DIDN’T SEE ANY STARTING TIME. MAY BE TO SOON.) ALSO, HOW MANY CANADIANS WILL BE DRIVING SOUTH TO GET GOOD SALES???? DON’T YOU GET YOUR WINE THERE??
I have been following your blog and Praying for you friend. I believe sometimes that is the only thing that works. So excited that you do have a date for leaving and praying your strength keeps up and all things get done before then.
Yea, for all of you – I am so happy you and Colin will be getting to spend some time on your beloved Isla and the Girls will have their beach time to chase crab.
Definitely stay away from Walmart and other big box stores on Thanksgiving Eve and Black Friday. It will be very crowded and no place for an RV to be. Glad things are coming together for you. Your blog and Rae’s are completely different and you will look at events differently so I hope you will still blog.