March 27 to 30 (Gila Bend AZ to HOME)

March 27 - (Gila Bend AZ to Tehachapi CA) The oil change that we had scheduled for Eurii went awesome. I guess that sounds funny but we have been to this garage in 2016 with "old" Euri and they were great then too. Funny story is that I booked the oil change while Doug was driving. Who knew that there was a Two Hermanos (Phoenix) and Dos Amigos (Gila Bend). We kept referring to them (between us) as "Dos Hermanos" so when Hermanos came up in my Google search I made the appointment. It wasn't until the evening before that we realized my mistake. Ha ha. They were more than happy to accommodate us. Really nice people. Doug gave them a great Google review as well.

If you need something done in the Gila Bend area we can

whole heartedly recommend Dos (2) Amigos

After the change we were out of there by 9 AM. Then we pounded the pavement until we got to Tehachapi CA. It was a pretty long drive. We ended up at Mountain Valley RV. It was an okay overnight stop. The only problematic thing was that they closed the washroom building between 10:30 PM until 7:30 AM. We found this pretty inconvenient (and you find this out AFTER you register). Their reasoning was that sometimes people show up after the office is closed. There is a self-registering envelope but sometimes those people come in, don't register, use the washrooms and then leave before the office opens. I see this as punishment for the rest of us that have paid the $43 US to stay overnight. We paid so shouldn't we have a bathroom code or something? How many times per year does this happen and does it make sense to inconvenience the paying travelers? What if someone has little kids? They may really need that bathroom or some of us may want to have a shower before we hit the road. Nice enough place but I think this policy needs adjusting. Anyway, blah, blah, blah. Just my opinion.

We were pretty tired so a quick stop at Walmart and we just picked up some "cup-o-noodles". Didn't notice that they were for little kids and turns out they have fun blue colouring in them. Doug said they were the best noodles that we have ever had!

Yes, now I can see the cute little bunny...

March 28 - (Tehachapi CA to Ukiah CA) We knew today was going to be a long drive day. Good morning everyone!!

We hit the road pretty early. Yes that's sunrise - again!

Is that REALLY snow????

We found out that we had to re-route our trip through Northern California due to the I-5 highway being closed due to "white-out" conditions at Mount Shasta, right where we had planned to go through. I don't know about you but after 2-1/2 months in the Mexican sun, I'm not driving in snow! This meant that we had to stop and plan another way home that didn't include S-N-O-W! The only option was to go back to the coast, just north of San Francisco and go back up, the same way we came down. this meant going through the gong show that is San Fran/Oakland traffic. Add into that day bad rain (glad I drove first in the sunshine) and six lanes each direction of stopped traffic....UGH!

Maybe hazelnut trees. Some kind of nut tree anyway.

1-1/2 hrs sitting in this and moving about 2 miles.

Good thing I went to the bathroom before!

The mighty Oakland/Richmond bridge. 

Opposite traffic underneath. This is how you build a bridge!

We were very grateful to get to a lovely Days Inn in Ukiah (430 miles-692 kms from Tehachapi). Why didn't we camp you ask (well, even if you didn't ask...) we looked at the weather from here to home and saw that it was a lot of cold and rain. If we pop the top up on Eurii then the canvas gets wet and if you can't dry it out for days on end you chance mould. Plus, I think we were just "over it" and wanting to get home. PLUS....snow was once again in the forecast between Ukiah and Legget CA on the pass for the next travel day. Sheesh! It felt like the Universe was trying to stop us from getting home now. AND, we were getting closer and closer to the coast again.....

FINALLY we got to Ukiah CA

I think Doug is happy!

March 29 - (Ukiah CA to Eugene OR) We left Ukiah with some trepidation (well, I did at least). I had Doug drive first in case there was any actual snow. As you can see from the below pictures, It was on the highway the day before.

Okay, I guess they weren't lying about the 

snow the day before...

Pretty day and look at the blue sky!!

As you inch your way further north and closer to the

coast you go through the famous Redwood Forest. 

So pretty and I "think" we left the snow behind. 

Usually we see this sign with "South" on it

on our way southbound

That's a welcome sign. One state closer to home.

Back on the beautiful West Coast

Eugene OR - and Eurii rests.

March 30 - (Eugene OR to HOME) and yes we left bright and early on this morning. All we could think of was that we would sleep in our own bed tonight....

Camping World in Eugene OR - Where it all began

on December 29th with our first ever "boondocking" experience.

That's a really welcome sight.

Our neighbours to the south.

Beautiful Seattle 

Oh yeah baby...

And that's it. We are H-O-M-E!!

So, we will leave you all there for now. We came home to a fun surprise (thanks, Josh, Kathy, August, Jasper and Holden) but I will leave that for the next update.

Peace out friends!

Thought for the Day: Today I will be happier than a bird with a french fry.

Maz, San Carlos & AZ (Mar 24 to 26)

Well, lots to say. I know. I always have lots to say. Weirdly enough, that's what my elementary school teachers said too!

We left Mazatlan bright and early (like 6:15 am). Yes, we can do it if we have to.

Honest, that is the sunrise!

Raphael, caretaker extraordinaire at Las Jaibas

Anyone who has stayed here will agree.

Superb human being who would give you the shirt off his back.

One of the reasons we keep coming back here.

Coffee and "these" from the local Kiosko store.

Doug thought that they tasted like straw cookies

I told him they were good for him. He didn't believe me.

So, we knew this would be a 9 hr plus driving day. What we didn't and couldn't account for was a total highway closure about 100 kms south of Culiacan. Military everywhere and just pointed us off the road eastbound (we were going northbound). We found our way to the Hwy 15 "free road" and had to proceed for over 100 kms on that. Remember what I said the other day about always traveling on the cuota or toll highways? Best laid plans of mice and men. Then, about 2 hours north, the military had closed the Cuidad Obregon bypass highway off as well. The semi trucks were all lined up on the ramps and there had to be about 100 military personnel there. Obviously something was amiss or was "coming down". We never did find out but this second detour right through the busy city of Cuidad Obregon was enough that it added more time to our day. UGH!!! Oh well, not much you can do. So, that 9 hr driving day turned into 12 hrs. We got to San Carlos about 6 PM.

Celebrated with a Quattro Queso (4 cheese) pizza and wine.

Parked at Totonaka RV Park in the overnighters spot

Looks like a Walmart doesn't it?

We left San Carlos early again, although not until 7:45 AM. shorter driving day. We cross at Lukeville AZ/Sonoyta MX crossing which is about 5 hours from San Carlos. Nice and quiet. Not nearly as busy as the Nogales crossing where the majority of travelers pass through.

Just some road pictures along the way. 

Future overpass

Last toll booth. Not sure how they got this

oversized piece through.

The buildings on the left, at the bottom of this picture, are where we turned in our TIP (Temporary Import Permit). Very professional folks here, military around (of course). This is San Emeterio, about 27 kms from the US border.

Very beautiful scenery

Last picture of Eurii in Mexico. Sitting on the roadside while we turn in our FMM (tourist visas and get stamped out of MX).

We had a very easy border crossing. After turning in our FMM's, we literally drove about one block from here and spoke to some very nice US Customs officers. Not even a secondary inspection. Super simple.

We drove about 15 minutes and decided to stop at a roadside pull-out for left-over pizza. We were heading to Sonoran Skies campground (where we stayed on the way down in January) in Why AZ, which is about 30 minutes from the Lukeville border crossing but Joyce was full up! Yikes, didn't even think of making reservations but we were glad she is busy. Next time. We headed about 1 hr northeast to Gila Bend. 

Organ Pipe Cactus Nat'l Park

"Don't back up Doug!!"

Getting water in Why AZ.

Arrived at Sonoran Desert RV Park in Gila Bend AZ.

Look them up. super nice place. 

It wasn't dark when we arrived, 

just didn't get the picture taken in time.

Remember that Mazatlan picture of me BBQ'ng?

Just burning off the grill.

So that brings us all to today, Sunday, March 26. We have really enjoyed a day off of driving after some very long days.

Eurii gets a much deserved day off

Enjoying the 90 degree pool, all by ourselves

Not a sign one sees often

Whoosh, now you know everything that I know and you are all caught up. Tomorrow, Monday March 27th, it's an oil change for Eurii and then the B-I-G push to get home. Once you decide it's time to be home it just is. Talk soon!

Peace out friends!

Thought for the Day: Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.