Tin Can Travel Lagging

EricV

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I last saw the garage door close 13 days ago. 4 days ago we were in Puerto Penasco, MX for the Rocky Point Rally. 24 hours ago we were in Memphis, TN. I sit here now about 50 yards from the Pacific ocean in Napili Kai, Maui. I've been on three planes in the past 24 hrs, had a close encounter with a A380, been the filling in a seat sandwich twice and seen more odd people than a dozen Wal-Marts could possibly hold.

Things I've learned recently:

Mexicans call Mexico City "Mexico".

Tope is "fucking big speed bump" in Spanish.

Loud pipes might not save lives, but rev limiters sure save engines.

Governor Shrimp Tacos are awesome.

I-40 still sucks moist ass.

3 days driving from MX to MEM is way more painful than 3 days riding the same.

Old bones don't like air travel, and I feel a lot older now then the calendar indicates.

13 states, 2 countries, 3 lay overs and no two wheel time. Going to rent shortly and ride the 50th State.

Sleep beckons, tomorrow, (today), is another day.
 

2talltoo

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Suffer for me over there, I had Hawaii for a sales territory for years..it was rough. If you stay or are near Kanapalli area the snorkeling behind the old Sheridan is amazing (Maui). Take some frozen peas out in a container and drop those out while snorkeling and hundreds of fish will come from everywhere. If your wife can handle a little excitement don't tell her what you are up to.
 

EricV

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Thanks for the tip. We are on the Napili bay, so may give that a try. I'll raise a glass to you while we're here.
 
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ballisticexchris

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Boy you are braver than me Eric!! With all the mass graves in that town and the random drug cartel killings, not a safe place to go. iI's a big roll of the dice whether you live or not when traveling south of the border. I'm done with traveling to Mexico. Such a beautiful place it's sad.
 

EricV

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I was in Sonora. The area of Chihuahua the recent attacks occurred in is known to have cartel issues. Driving around in blacked out SUVs makes you look a lot more like cartel members than Mormons there. Not to mention the history of the LeBaron family with the cartels already. Not a cut and dried situation.

Mexico is no less unsafe than most other countries. We manage our risks, same as always. Don't go down dark alleys at 3 am, in Mexico or the US. Probably was a lot safer this past weekend in Rocky Point with the rally going on!
 

SilverBullet

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I was in Sonora. The area of Chihuahua the recent attacks occurred in is known to have cartel issues...
Chris mentioned the mass graves uncovered which was indeed Puerto Peñasco. Two burial sites totaling over 50 bodies thus far. But the killings did not happen there and the bodies are not thought to be locals either. Not much cartel activity in Rocky Point. I feel much safer here than I do in Houston, TX. And I'm currently staying about 2 miles away from those mass graves.

Eric I spend lots of time in Peñasco. I drove here on Monday, probably passed you waiting in line at the immigration checkpoint before Why, AZ. I purposely arrived after the rally as that is not the Peñasco experience I know and love.

Cage LD driving and tin can long flights are similar to LD on 2 wheels. Plan, practice, fine tune and repeat until you know what works for you. I can do both now without issue. Jet lag is no longer in my vocabulary.

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Checkswrecks

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I also bagged Hawaii as my 50th State this summer. After chatting it up with the girl renting that it was my 50th State, she spoke with her boss. They gave me a discount and a T shirt at the end. That was in Honolulu, not Maui.
 

EricV

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The mass graves I have read about were bones that were mostly decades old. Someone's dumping ground. Over hyped, IMHO.

No waiting for any crossings or the inspection station. Waved right thru. Left on Monday, fairly early and even the inspection station only had one car in front of us, which didn't get more than a glance and the US citizen question.

Going down, the MX border guards didn't stop us or ask to see passports. Just waved us through.

I hear you on the practice. The car is fine. Not as comfortable as the bike, but a little boring as a passenger. I think our longest day was about 700 miles over 13.5 hours. The planes are just cramped. I'm not a small person and on two of the three flights I think the person next to me was one of the largest passengers. Easily 50-70 lbs bigger than my 255 lbs. Can't afford 1st class in retirement. :D

@CW - Same treatment here when we told them about the 50th state thing. Discount and offer of a free shirt or hat.
 
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ballisticexchris

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For every safe travel in Mexico, there are dozens of horrible tales. Us Americanos get a false sense of security in those tourist towns. Just last year a woman got caught in the crossfire of a drug war at Rocky Point during easter weekend. It ended up being three dead bodies and a lot more wounded. She almost died waiting for an airlift back to the US. BTW, two big rules in Mexico to live by. Don't get injured, and don't get arrested. Mexico hospitals don't treat injuries unless you have cash.

Puerto Peñasco is a very beautiful and unsafe place for travel. Not to mention the corruption that has to be dealt with. Everyone chooses their own risk assessment. As an older adult I have chosen to not deliberately travel in volatile countries or places here in the US. I got it all out of my system when I was in my 20's. I still get a lot of invites from riding buddies to go down to Baja. Not my cup of tea.

Last time I was in Mexico was in the 90's. We had a gun pulled on us for not yielding to a Mexican national who ran a stop sign and tried to ram us with his car. We were not even past Rosarito yet. That was it for me.
 

EricV

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So, had a great time in Maui. Checked the box off for riding in our 50th state. Great weather too.

Now back to sucky air travel hell. Got a late check-out from the resort at Napili Kai at 1pm. Drove the hour over to the other side of the island where the airport is. Watched Ford Vs Ferrari in the theater, had a light dinner, then off to rental car return. Hike/tram to the gate and wait an hour to board our flight.

Flight took off for LAX at 10pm. Got in to LAX at 4:30 am local time. Next flight to ATL departs at 10:30 am....

Flight delayed...

Plane towed from gate for mechanical issues relating to fuel/engine.

Estimated new departure of 2pm... Maybe.

We had 5 minutes from the original arrival time to the ATL to MEM boarding time. (That started as an hour, then was re-scheduled while we were in Maui).

Waited in Delta help line for 40 minutes, then when I was 2nd in line, they moved us to a different gate and I was then at the end of the line again. 40 minutes later I got to the front and after another 10 minutes, we had a new flight. We had a choice of the maybe fixed 2pm flight to ATL, then a new connection to MEM that got in at ~11pm or a for sure non-stop departing LAX at 6:20pm and arriving at midnight in MEM.

We took the for sure option. A couple meal vouchers, but no upgrade or comp to the SkyClub.

Home tomorrow if all goes well. Way too much hassle for a simple flight.
 

EricV

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Flight was only 30 minutes late. Shuttle to the hotel. About to sleep after 24 hrs of travel and a 13 hr layover in LAX.

Will drive home to Tupelo after some sleep. Car is still in the lot! And undamaged.
 
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