ZamoraBlog

Stats from my ‘07-08 Mexico trip

tantrika — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 01:20:37 +0000

This was my 4th consecutive winter in Mexico with my Westy

Vehicule: VW Vanagon Westfalia 1982, diesel 1.9l na+DK

Kilometrage on odo: 412434 kms

Kilometrage on engine and trany: 92000 kms

Departure date - Nov. 26, 2007 Québec City, Qc

Return date - April 22, 2008 Québec City, Qc

Duration in Days : 149

Distance traveled – 12,410 km

Total of liters consumed: 1038,55

Average fuel consummation: 34,83mpg or 12,83k/l or 8,8l/100km

Average cost by km: 0.088$/km

Fuel in Canada - $126

Fuel in the US - $610

Fuel in Mexico - $183

Total Fuel bill - $919

Propane - $22

Tolls - $23

Oil consumtion : 0 liter

Two oil changes 15W-40 , 4,5l + filter (5000km)

New Paint Job in Melaque, Mexico: 900$

Mechanical issues - no major mechanical issues

Minor issues – Glow Plugs replacement

Tires rotated going and returning in Melaque, Jalisco (Michelin LTX M/S 195/75-R14)

Aux batteries (2) renewed in Aguascaliente by Costco for free

Accidents - Cherokee, Alabama – Hit by a PickUp - DUMB

Cerveza and tequila consumtion: don’t remember

Juan Benito (Jean Benoit)

Email: tantrika@sympatico.ca

Back Home at Last !

FrankandRita — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 01:37:31 +0000

Folks, Rita & I arrived back at the homestead Thursday evening after leaving my Mom and sister’s in New Kensington early Thursday morning. After a dull rainy couple of days leaving EveryBus, up to Karl’s in Gapland and then up to New Kensington, it was a welcome relief to arrive in New Kensington to warm sunny skies and it stayed that way right up until we got home. The drive up through Pennsylvania and New York was spectacular with all the trees and shrubs in full bloom. Crossing the boarder at the Thousand Islands crossing was uneventful and we got by with a “You can go Have a Nice Day” . We got into Almonte at around 6:30 and by 7:30 we had the van unpacked and the springs were relieved ! Since it was April’s birthday we finally got hold of her on her cell in her art class in Santa Cruz. She was happy to hear from us and us to hear her ! Now the big job of sifting through the mountain of mail and phone calls. Vanagons to work on are already arriving and by Monday I will be back to working on the beasts ! Bit of mixed emotions here for me, I’d rather be on the beach in La Manzanilla ! Rita is happy to have some big space to sleep in and be back in her things. She’ll be back to work at the Almonte General by Monday ! So, did we have a good time ? Well, YES !! And, we’re ready to go again !

Here are some stats for your reading pleasure:

Departure date - Nov. 19, 2007 Almonte, ON

Return date - April 24, 2008 Almonte, ON

Duration in Days -158

Distance traveled - 17,147 km

Fuel in Canada - $47.46

Fuel in the US - $1138.57

Fuel in Mexico - $818.73

Total Fuel bill - $2,004.75

Total liters of fuel - 1504.14

Propane - $44.63

Tolls - $158.12

Telcel Mexico (Mexican cell phone chips & time) - $170.00

Mechanical issues - no major mechanical issues

Minor issues - broken nipple on LH fuel overflow tank

Tires rotated going and returning in Texas - Costco

Aux battery renewed in Texas at Costco going down

Accidents - Manzanillo - backed into hydro pole - DUMB

- Launa Larga - back into wall - Dumber

More details as they are remembered and become available.

Here are some Photos of vast importance from the last few weeks - Enjoy !

From our trip with Jean and Jonathan to Mt.Pisgah near Asheville, NC

From EveryBus at Hagen-Stone Park in Greensboro, NC

Duel pancake engined towtruck ! WoW !

George - he was supposed to be with us in Zamora

Walt’s bus from Tenacatita and Santa FE

Cory’s Split - remember Cory ? He was with us in Mexico but not with this bus !

Adios

Frank, Rita & Hunter

EveryBus in N.C.

tantrika — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:52:03 +0000

Well after a hard winter in Mexico, Franck and Rita decided to rest in N.C. You can see by the nexts photos that they took it seriously…

Here somes vans : I had the impressions of a journey back in the 70 when I was traveling in California …and the peoples had not change a bit…

And here a photo of our installation at EB before the gang came in…note the small bleu flag….

From Gapland, MD

FrankandRita — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:44:09 +0000

Folks, we are now in Gapland, MD at Karl Mullendor’s picking up more Propex heaters and visiting. Left Greensboro and EveryBus late yesterday after a nice lunch at the local Cracker Barrel with Jonathan, Don and Walt. EveryBus was great and it was good to see some of the Zamora travellers there. Ben where the hell were you ? Hans, you said you’d be there !! Anyways, Jonathan is going to do a write up on EveryBus so I’ll keep quiet. We are off later today to New Kensington, PA to visit my Mom and sister. We should be back home and in for a shock by next weekend. Jean has now gone off on his own to Quebec City.

Adios, Frank, Rita & Hunter

From Asheville, NC

FrankandRita — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:22:05 +0000

Folks, we got into Asheville Saturday afternoon as planned. Did laundry while waiting for Jonathan to finish up his work then met up with him later. We all went out on the town Saturday evening, Jamie Auch joined us for awhile then we camped out in a parking lot for the night. Sunday we did some shopping then headed for one of Jonathan’s favorite campsites in the Pisgah National Forest, in the Smokie Mountains. It was cold last night, caught a couple rainbow trout in the creek beside us, un-camped and today we are off to Greensboro and Hagan Stone Park, a day earlier than we planned but Jean has no heater and was cold last night. So, off we go to hopefully warmer weather in Greensboro. More later when we are settled in at Haganstone Park.

Adios,

Frank, Rita, Hunter & Jean

From Jackson, MI

FrankandRita — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:48:04 +0000

Just a quick note to let you all know we are in Jackson, MI at the Flying-J getting propane and checking the Internet, Off to Tupelo in a bit. Will get to Asheville, NC for Saturday some time.

Frank, Rita, Hunter & Jean

From Opelousas, LA

FrankandRita — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 05:03:12 +0000

We are now camped out in a city park campground, $10/ van, in Opelousas, LA. It’s my birthday and thanks to all who sent me B-day wishes. Started my day off by fishing in Livingston Lake in Texas where we camped last night at Ruby’s Fishing Spot for $3/person. Caught a mess of Catfish and filleted them before going on the road. We drove toward Baton Rouge as Rita wants to have a Beigne (Louisiana French doughnut). Found this campsite early as we wanted to fry up the fish. Jean, Rita & I had a wonderful Catfish Fry that Rita prepared. Then Jean found this free Wifi connection at the end of the camp parking lot ! Whohoo ! Tomorrow we’re off to Lafeyette and Baton Rouge then up to Natchez, Asheville and Greensboro hopefully by Monday.

Adios,

Frank, Rita & Hunter

From Austin, Texas

FrankandRita — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:05:52 +0000

Folks, we arrived in Austin Friday afternoon and went to visit the Sportsmobile factory with Jean. He had set up this visit. We got there just before 5pm and as they were closing soon we did not get a whole lot of time to visit. What we did see was impressive. Afterwards we went looking for a camp spot so we could visit Austin and what we eventually found was another paradise. Zilker Park and Barton Springs. Basically you take Robert E. Lee road off of Barton Springs Rd. and go into the first parking lot next to the ball field. Behind the ball field is a perfect spot for a couple Westys. We set up and have been there not since. Swimming at Barton Springs in the pool for $3 or in the creek for free. Showers in the swim pool change room, toilets in the park. A short walk to town or take the bus. What more could one ask for ? Friday evening we saw a couple music shows and the one at Threadgills, South Austin Jug Band, was the best. Threadgills is very famous for having top notch entertainment ! The weather has been warm and as perfect as one could ask for. And, Austin is one fine city as we have discovered. Anyways, not much time to write more now but will post a few pics and then I think we are heading North and eventually will meet up with Jonathan in Ashville, NC. OH, one last thing, I posted some pics to my last two Blog entrys that I did not have time to post when I posted the messages, so go have a look.

Zilker Park ~ Barton Springs camp………

Adios,

Frank, Rita & Hunter

Jonathan, An Ending

Poolio — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:57:13 +0000

After dropping my friend Bobby off at the Villahermosa airport I headed towards the Northern border of Mexico which required that I drive West for most of the first day. From Palenque the roads had become as fast and easy to drive as any that I had seen in Mexico. With few exceptions this road quality was maintained and improved all the way to the border and I think that it would be possible to drive from Palenque to the border in about three full days.

Beyond the nice roads the gulf coast of Mexico has many differences from Mexico’s Pacific coast. The gulf coast seems a much more populous region and the gentle coastline with it’s flat highways and large ports is much more industrial than the parts of the Pacific coast that I saw. Close to my path were many interesting sites including old colonial cities, ancient ruins, beaches, high mountains and volcanoes. I passed most of these sites by as I made my way to the border. I did make a few stops and spent a few nights in a nice hotel in the city of Tampico which gave me a chance to prepare for crossing back into the U.S.

These five days that I spent travelling from Villahermosa to the border city of Matamoros were largely uneventful outside of my run-in with a traffic cop in the city of Tuxpam that involved his wanting $800 (U.S.) from me since I wasn’t wearing my seatbelt. Instead of the money that he wanted he ended up with about fifteen minutes of my “no intiendo” routine and $20 (U.S.). As I drove away I was surprised and angry at the traffic cop for taking advantage of me. This event was surprising after months of meeting people across Mexico that were very friendly and hospitable.

When I reached the border I spent a few hours shopping before crossing back into the U.S. and was happy to find that many of the wares that I had seen in Mexico were available and often for lower prices. A few blocks from the markets I entered the line of cars that were Texas bound. The wait was only about an hour which I easily spent calling folks on my newly working cell phone. Above the Rio Grande I realized that I had missed the vehicle importation permit return. With no other option I continued to the crossing and was hopeful that I could walk the ticket back over or turn it in on the north side of the border. The guys searching my car were nice enough to explain to me that I did indeed have to cross back over into Mexico to turn in my importation permit. After paying my taxes and getting my gear back in the van I headed back to Mexico. This time I found the return station and successfully returned my permit before again waiting in the hour long line over the rio grand. Fortunately the agent on the U.S. border recognized me and waived me through the inspection center and on into the U.S.

Back in the U.S. I noticed a lot of similarities to the border city that I had just left in Mexico. The biggest differences that I noticed immediately were that everyone was speaking English and that the road quality was amazing. They both made me realize the extra effort that I had been putting forth in Mexico but had gotten used to. Able to read the numerous road signs I quickly made my way to North 77 without even stopping to consult a map and was soon speeding north with a wide shoulder on each side of the road and without the worrying about topes for the first time in Months.

Even though I am now back in the U.S. the trip doesn’t seem to have reached it’s final ending yet. Maybe when I return to North Carolina it will have ended, or maybe after our groups reunion at Every Bus the trip will be finished? Since one of the best parts of this trip was the great people on it (and in it) this trip may continue as long as we all stay in touch and keep sharing adventures together? I hope that this is the case and that we eventually get to live out the many plans that we constructed when together in Mexico.

Jonathan Poole
Tupelo, Mississippi

From Laredo

FrankandRita — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:50:21 +0000

Folks, Rita & I and Jean are now at the Laredo Flying J for the night. We crossed the boarder around noon. No problems, no taxes, no searches. We used the Number I bridge crossing, same one we used going in back in December. The sticker turn in shack is in the same parking lot we all parked when we went in and got our stickers and travel documents, no problem. After turning in our stickers and travel docs we crossed the bridge into Laredo Texas. There was a lot of traffic on the bridge but we got through it and at customs we had no problems, searches or anything else. We’re now resting up, taking showers and catching up on email. Tomorrow morning we’re off to Austin to visit the Sportsmobile factory then maybe catch some music show if there’s anything good. Then we will head up the Natchez trail slowly and eventually hook up with Jonathan before getting to EveryBus.

Camp at Malpaso Pemex……

Camp at Pemex 20 km before Laredo……..

Border crossing at Laredo…………

Adios,

Frank, Rita & Hunter