December 16, 2010 - I'm Baaaack!

Back from the "drug run" to Mexico, and back..........hold on to your hats........ON LINE! Yes, the RV park across the street finally got their WiFi up and running, and it's only $10 a month now. Last year they had iffy internet connections and were charging $35. Today is my first day back on line, so I have a lot of catching up to do. I haven't even checked my Google Reader to see how many unread blogs I have. OMG, I just did. Not quite as bad as I thought, only 221 to get me caught up.

The Mexico trip went well. Marge, Alverna and I left at 6 a.m. yesterday morning, stopped for a quick McDonald's breakfast when we got to Yuma, and hit the border around 8:30.

Marge and Alverna entering Mexico.

No guns allowed. They already have more than they need down there [sarcasm].

Marge had a nine o'clock dental appointment, so Alverna and I spent the entire morning shopping for our medications and getting accosted by the many vendors who were trying to rip us off sell their wares. We stopped for coffee, and I gave in and purchased a purse from the nicest man. He wasn't pushy, but fun to dicker with on price. He started at $40, and I ended up paying $19 for it. That was five bucks more than one I bought a few years back, that was identical except for color, but I'm sure prices have gone up a bit since then and I love my old one.....except it's bright red, so doesn't get much use. I had to laugh when the man said it was kangaroo leather, and I kidded him as to why it kept saying "baaaaa-baaaaa".

You'd have to feel it to appreciate it. The leather is softer than a baby's bottom.

Alverna went on without me, to get her teeth cleaned. I didn't have an appointment to get my work done, as I'll be getting a bridge that will have to be made in a lab, and the lab will be closing for the holidays. I went ahead and made my appointment for January 3, assuming I wouldn't have a problem reentering the States, like I did on the last trip. While I was waiting for the girls to finish with their dental appointments, I sat and watched the guys with their spray cans, painting unbelievable intricate scenes on rocks, lamps, mailboxes, satellite antennas, and just about any surface that could hold a painting. I had quite a long wait, and the fumes were getting to me by the time Alverna returned, so we wandered around and begged to be accosted by more vendors. I really hate that aspect of being in Los Algadones. I refuse to buy anything from the really pushy ones.

I swear I was looking at the paintings. Yes I was. I didn't even notice that cute young hunk who was selling them.

Rocks, lanterns, vases, milk cans, mail boxes, satellite dishes, boxes.....if they can spray paint it, they will.

Masks protect the artists from the fumes from spray paint cans. Unfortunately, I had no mask, and it didn't take long to get me a bit high, LOL! I finally moved to a bench further away.

It's hard to believe such intricate paintings can come from a can of spray paint.

If you need dental work, glasses or prescription (or OTC) meds, Los Algadones is the place to go. Even though the vendors are annoying, the professionals are quite good at what they do....and really cheap compared to the same services in the States!

A typical vendor. The sidewalks are full of people selling jewelry, clothing, leather goods and food.

Around noon, the three of us finally got together for our exit from Mexico. Those around us in the line out were curious about my lack of passport, and laying odds I'd be detained by the border patrol. None of them had ever heard of an "enhanced driver's license", as not many states issue them. They are only good for land travel from Mexico or Canada, and serve the duel purpose as a license to drive. They are much cheaper and faster to obtain than a passport, and when I presented mine, it was scanned and I was immediately sent across the border and back into the good old US of A.

Quick as you could say "slot machine", we headed for the Quechan Casino, just a few miles down the highway. We were ready for a couple hours of fun and a good lunch. We each went our own way, and spent the next two hours playing slot machines. We had arranged to meet at two o'clock for lunch, but I got so engrossed with winning (for once) that I did keep them waiting for a bit. I made up for it by buying their lunch, which they appreciated. The losers. ;-)

The Quechan Casino.

After a nice buffet lunch, that put me back thirty bucks, we headed back to Yuma and "The Peanut Patch". It's a local tourist trap, with inflated prices on everything, but Alverna was determined to buy some fresh peanuts and natural peanut butter, and I had a yearning for some of their jalapeno peanut brittle. I got my brittle, and bought Mr. Granny a big bag of salted-in-the-shell peanuts, and we headed for home.

It always looks like spring in Yuma. I love the fields of lettuces, onions and cole crops.

It makes me wish it were spring in Washington, and that I was there planting my garden.

The sun was setting as we neared Bouse.

The day that had begun at six in the morning, ended at six in the evening.

Thanks to the lucky slot machine I found, I returned home with as much money as I'd left with. So I went into town today and spent it on groceries! Oh, I did buy myself a new crockpot to replace the one I broke last week, and a new wallet to go inside my new Mexican purse. And best of all, I spent $10 on internet service so that I can be here with all of you again!

It feels good to be back.