Welcome to the USA. What a way to enter the country. First it was to the border at Tecate only to find that there was no Mexican customs there to stamp out the bike so that meant a ride to Tijuana, the busiest border crossing in the world, something we had tried to avoid. Nearing the city we stopped for gas and asked if we were on the right road. Soon the attendant had a customer who spoke English and he was going in our direction. Just follow him and when he turns off at the bridge we go straight, round a corner and we will be there. So we did and round the corner and lo and behold we were in the queues at the border crossing, all 24 lines in fact. Being early in the morning we were close to the action, but then had that hollow feeling again as to where is the Mexican customs office. Soon we had a food stall attendant tell us that it was four blocks away in another direction. “How do we get there with all this traffic backed up behind us?” “Just follow me,” he said. Soon we were riding over a pedestrian bridge over the traffic below, down through a market and food stall area, across a pedestrian crossing, then down to the appropriate area. This certainly had some eyebrows lifted and a few laughs in the process.
Soon the paperwork was done and we had to return the same way and jump back into the lines of traffic waiting to cross. We pushed the bike steadily up to the gates, all the time talking to car drivers, having a laugh and watching the process of making the crossing. American guards circulated amongst the cars with drug dogs, asking questions and chatting with drivers. Soon all hell broke loose with border gates being closed, guards running around with pistols drawn and loud speakers issuing orders. The drug dog had picked up a scent. The poor driver had guns poked in his face and was dragged out of the car and hand cuffed then dragged off. Later we saw him drive away into America after his car was pulled apart and re assembled. I was glad we had no spicy food or sandwich crumbs in the pannier that morning.
The crossing was quick and painless. Lots of hand shaking and chatting with the authorities and we were on our way. We decided to stay the night at the border town to wait for our insurance to come into effect the next day and then head towards Scott and Joanne’s place in Reno the next day.
Welcome to America.
Boy, what a culture shock. Signs, rules, more signs and instructions, fines for this and fines for that and pedestrian crossings where the pedestrians actually have right of way. Amazing.
Welcome to America.
That night a knock on the motel door and three uniformed police officers were standing there, hands on holsters.
“Good evening sir, are you on parole?”
“No.”
“Have you ever been arrested?”
“No, I’ve just arrived in your country.”
“Where are you from?”
“New Zealand, on a bike.”
“What, are you nuts?”
Soon we were laughing and chatting and hand shakes all round and they were off to check the other motel rooms and motels in the area. Boy, is this full on or what, or are we just staying in a dodgy area?
Welcome to America.
Later in the evening we could hear a helicopter circling around outside. Looking outside we could see a chopper with the search light on checking an area of town close by. Then the loud hailer was coming across with, “Put your hands in the air.” We had to laugh. It is so much like the movies we watch and now we were actually in it.
Next day it was onto the motorway and head toward Reno. Up route 395 and through some lovely areas. A highlight was stopping at the famous Summit Diner on Route 66 for lunch. Past Edwards Air Force Base, then stopping the night in Lone Pine, the area where many famous Western films and TV series have been filmed. Had to ride some of these famous places as well. Lots of fun.
Soon we met up with Scott and he led us back through Carson City and onto Reno.
The bike is now in the shop for a long and I think expensive service, so we will hole up here and drive Scott and Joanne up the wall for the week. They have a lovely home high in the hills in a secluded valley in the Nevada hills. Wild mustangs, sage brush, Prong Horn antelope and Mule deer all cross these hills and make frequent stops by the house. Amazing, and we are still pinching ourselves that we are really here.
The plan now is to do a loop to the warmer south east while we wait for the snows to melt off the high mountain passes in the west.
