Another slow start getting everyone up. Breakfast at the farm Mexican style.

As most people know, Texans do love their guns. Ric was no exception. It was off to the firing range to test out Ric's assorted collection of rifles and pistols. After several hours on the range it was time to go back to the house and clean up the weapons.

Almost everyone called it quits earlier tonight as tomorrow everyone would be packing up and soon on the road headed home.

It was almost all secondary roads down to Alpine. One short 70 mile stretch on I-10, and then it was back to two lane again.

Usually it is hot in this part of Texas during this time of the year. We had a lot of cloud cover which kept the temperature to a very comfortable level for riding. For a few times and for a short distances, it was even a little too cool.

Thunder storms with heavy rain began to build as we got closer to the Big Bend area.

Heading south on Hwy 67 toward the intersection with Hwy 90 there were two large storms. One storm was directly in front of us, and the other storm was to our right and appeared to be over Alpine. As we got closer to Hwy 90 the storm in front of us continued to move to our left. Riding on the edge and out of the rain of the first storm we turned west toward Alpine. Reaching Alpine the roads were wet and the second storm had moved just south of us. Cool weather and no rain. So far our luck was holding.

A quick check of the mirrors and I am still being followed by the masked Mexican bandido.

Entering the town of Alpine

Today was planned as a short day with the objective being to reach Chihuahua. It is around a 90 mile to reach the border and Ojinaga.

We reached the border in about an hour and a half. But the question now is, "Will they let me in?".

Our original plan was that we would be going to Phoenix, AZ for a couple of days and cross into Mexico somewhere around the 10th. To save time, I ordered my TVIP (Temporary Vehicle Import Permit) and dated it for the 8th. When we crossed into Mexico I would sill need to get a Visitor's Permit which would be dated the same as the TVIP.

Plans changed and we would no longer be going to Phoenix, so we decided for a more fun route. We would cross at Ojinaga and do the famous Hwy 16. Today is the 7th and my TVIP allows me to cross on the 8th or latter. Not wanting to hang around for an extra day in Ojinaga, I went to the Aduana to apply for my Visitor's Permit. I did not volunteer any information as to the date on my TVIP and my VP was issued starting on the 7th. Went to the next window to turn in copies of the documentation that I used to get my TVIP and proof of my VP. They accepted all of the paper work, did not check the date on my TVIP or VP, stamped the TVIP and said that I was good to enter Mexico. Actually I still needed to make it to midnight to be totally safe.

Onward to Chihuahua.

After arriving in Chihuahua we would be staying at Felpe's friend Hugo's house

Hugo and Felipe

We went out to dinner for beef ribs and pork. Found a ice cream shop and then back to Hugo's house.

Departing from Chihuahua. Hugo and another rider were riding to the next town with us for breakfast.

Our breakfast stop.

Heading west on Hwy 16. On the horizon is the promise of things to come.

There is a 240 mile section that has around 3,000 continious curves on Hwy 16 located between La Junta, Chihuahua and Tecoripa, Sonora. This is the longest section of road with continious curves in Mexico. The Tail of the Dragon in TN/NC is well known among riders. However, his section of Hwy 16 could be referred to as the "Papa Dragon".

Once in the mountains the tempertature began to drop and at times I was actually cool. Grreat weather for riding. During the afternoon thunder storms began to develope. Once again our luck helt and we played dodge the rain as we wound our way throuh the mountains.

Home for the night.

Best food in Yecoa

Yecora Centro

Looks like the cows were coming home from a late party as we were leaving town.

And the ride continues. A lot of rain came through last night. Numerous small mud and rock slides were on the roads which keep your interest when going through the corners. Every now and then a basketball or larger size rock would be sitting in the middle of the road.

Tecoripa and the end of the mountains and cruves.

Back into the desert.

After entering Hermosillo I stopped at one of the nicer hotels in town. Felipe would be spending the night with one of his freinds. I was ready for a little solo time, and as it turned out, this was a good decision.

I ate dinner at the hotels restaurant next door. They had a very nice buffet. However, later that night and through the next day, I paid the price for it. I eat mostly at the road side vendors and normally do not have any problems. Stop at a higher end restaurant and get sick. Cost me an extra day before I could ride again.

Felipe knew of a secret route that followed the coast that even Garmon and Google did not know about. Several times the Zumo told me that there were no roads anywhere near my location and shut down. I should call in the big whirly bird and evacuate immediately.

A little bit of desert and a little bit of water.

My first vado crossing

Our luck on the good temperatures ran out and temperatures were soon up to 110F.

The chain had been acting up on the bike and was getting to a point where we needed a mechanic. We reached Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) and Felipe called a friend who lived there. The friend had a friend who was a moto mechanic. We were meet by Felipe's friend who took us to the moto shop. While the chain was being serviced we were taken out to lunch. After lunch the bike was ready. We returned to the moto shop, picked up my bike and were on our way again. All was good, for now.

Baja California! One state down and only one state left to go and my map of North America will be complete.

After passing through Mexicali we were headed toward Tecate. Mountains and cooler temperatures lay ahead of us.

As we started climbing and heading west into the mountains the temperature dropped and the cross winds picked up to 35-40 mph. The corners became numerous and with the strong wind I did not take any pictures from the road. There was one turn out at the top and I was able to get a few pictures from there. Riding into the sun, strong cross winds, traffic, grooved roads from construction, and plenty of corners. What more could you ask for.

Arriving in Tecate we found a hotel and stopped for the night.