Note: This post is from my first day across the border, just haven't has web access till now

Tubac to Guaymas:  2 March 2011

Well, that was practically the red carpet treatment. Never has a border crossing been so easy... and there I was, all psyched out to be searched, questioned, detained... I was jipped! All I got was a nonchalant, almost a why-bother, wave-through from the customs people who were chit-chatting in the shade and an unceremonious stamp with a, “Welcome to Mexico Senor, have a nice stay.” from immigration.... in fact I had to interrupt their viewing of naked women on the internet to get that stamp. 

 For 9 of the 11 minutes I was at the border offices, I was the only one entering Mexico! I began to wonder if I should be knowing something everyone else knew (of course that is a rather common ponder of mine), but it turns out I just happened to pick a slow day on the worlds busiest border.

So, the entry through Nogales and the subsequent drive to Guaymas was a breeze, and literally down hill. I started in Tubac up at 3200 feet and sit now just a few feet above the lapping waves of the Sea of Cortez, on the premises of the aptly named hotel/campground, La Playa de Cortez. 

A past-its-prime resort who's heyday was sometime back when film was black and white... judging by all the photos on the wall of various Mexican personalities enjoying the amenities here. The big gringo claim to fame they display is the the time Ray Coniff performed here to a crowd of presumably Mexican VIP's. That must have been quite an event for it still holds a place of honor here on the wall underneath a record-breaking stuffed marlin with its fake eye missing.

Sadly, I will only be staying for a night as my goal is to traverse Mexico with lazy haste. But if were pacing a bit slower I could see staying here a night or two more. It is quite nice. Big pool, nice beach, lovely architecture. 

All for a fair price. And, I am told the seafood is excellent, so, if you ever happen to be in Guaymas... just ask where Ray Coniff played and I am sure any local will point you in the right direction.

Hasta :o)

Pork Beans!

No, it's not an explicative... could be though... nah, it's what my taxi driver, Geri (pronounced Jerry), got for me after driving me all over town looking for a part that was not to be found. With the fresh bread dipped in, it, is, divine.

We had just picked up his 3 year old son, Little Geri, at daycare and Big Geri left us in the car to chat while he popped out for something. That's when I found out my Spanish is worse than I thought. Little Geri laughed at just about anything I said and often replied with a giggly, "No-oo-oo-oo" and then tried again to say what he wanted me to understand... didn't work. Fortunately, Big Geri returned quickly. He handed me a heavy plastic bag and said, "This is for you."

 "Huh, for me?", I said. Then Little Geri giggled from the back seat.

Previously, I had been mentioning all the injector part rejection was making me hungry and asked Big Jeri if he knew a good place where locals eat... being that I shy away from the prices and scene of the tourist traps. Big Geri took care of me. In the bag were two Pineapple Tamales, two mini loafs of warm, just-baked-bread, and a tub of hot Pork Beans. Thanks Again Geri!

Shortly after making my earlier post , I started thinking I should get a taxi and track down some parts. Just then, as if requested, Geri appeared, dropping off my next door neighbor here at the San Bartolo Trailer Park.

 We spent the next couple hours going from one auto parts store to the next to no avail. But, in between stops, Jerry shared with me factoids about Mazatlan and we discussed the economic and crime situations that are effecting tourism and his livelihood. Interesting to hear his perspective. He, like most of the Mexicans I have asked about this, seem to have a similar outlook, they're just crossing their fingers and hoping it will all get sorted out soon. It seems to be a situation that is not unfamiliar in Mexico. In fact, what is more surprising to locals is how cold it has been this year. Mazatlan dipped to near freezing one night. Good thing I am heading further South.

Night has now covered Mazatlan. I can hear a Willie Nelson sound-a-like playing one of the tourist bars on the strip. He is doing an admirable, 'On the Road Again'.  And it makes me smile. It's how I feel after making, what I hope is an admirable repair to Choco's injection system. Might be a little rigged, but I think it will do the job until I can sort out getting a proper part. Besides, driving with the possibility of spontaneous combustion helps me stay awake at the wheel.

Oop.... well isn't that interesting, this morning started out with noticeably explosive potential, and now, after devouring that tub of savory pork beans... whew!... roadtrippin' can be quite a gas!

:o)

There Aught to be a Song...

'Mazatlan Breakdown', could go something like, "There I was on the open road, then all of a sudden it did explode...  allllllmost. Whew! That waaaaaas close."

One of the attributes of air-cooled motor like the one powering Choco, is that the engine gets much hotter than the water-cooled motors most vehicles have, and this is not normally a problem as it is the intent of the design. However, when gasoline leaks on to a hot air-cooled motor, a potentially explosive situation develops that needs attention, pronto.

I started smelling the gas when I left last nights campground this morning, but disregarded it as the leaky gasket, far away from anything hot, that is a know problem but not a huge problem. Something bugged me though as I sashayed (that's what Choco does, especially when it is windy) along an almost deserted Mex 15 toward Mazatlan. I tried various ways to determine if the smell of gas, stronger than before, was just the know leak getting bigger or a new leak, YEAH!

Almost lost my hat as I stuck my head out thew window to sniff and tell if the smell was from where it normally comes from... eh... not really, then closed the window and turned on the heat that blows up from the engine compartment in the rear... uh... sort of... but not so much... hmm. About then, a toll booth arrived in front of me, and thankfully so. I decided it best to investigate further.

After paying my toll, I pulled over to the rest area (all the toll booths have these). The window washing guys came running up, I said, "No Gracias", the CD sellers then rushed in, again, "No Gracias". Then a new one, a guy selling Royal Jelly, what queen bees get fed in the hive... I almost said, "ok", but thought I better figure out where the gas smell was coming from before Choco burst into flames. Gasoline dripping on the hot manifold of an air-cooled motor is less than desirable.

Sure enough, a nice weeping injector hose was depositing drips upon my shroud. That is VW for, "you have a problem." And further investigation indicated that I couldn't just simply replace the hose, I NEEDED A NEW INJECTOR! AI YAI YAI! The one part I didn't bring a spare of... of course.

So, after him-hawing for a bit and trying a couple things, I was able to affect a field repair with a section of larger hose and a bunch of zip-ties, man I love those things. Even got it inspected by 3 Federales who came over to see if they could help (and no doubt do a once over of Choco's contents). The one guy poked his head in the engine compartment, holding his machine gun to the side, pursed his lips and nodded approval as if he would have done the exact same thing.

After waves all around and a few buena suertes (good luck) exchanged with those that had come by to check on me, I was off again. This time with the fire extinguisher close at hand and the engine compartment open so I could more readily smell any leaks... it worked!

Now I am in a pleasant RV park in Mazatlan, doves cooing, cardinals flitting, breeze rustling the palms overhead and I will soon arrange with the manager to call around to the auto parts places to look for a fuel injector. Fortunately, this part should be available as these motors are almost ubiquitous in Mexico.

We'll see.

I have another couple posts to make from my crossing and since, but internet access was too slow to post before now. STAY TUNED!

- Choco y Yo