Give Up Your Birth Certificate To Get A Passport

I've had a passport for so long... that I am often clueless when it comes to crossing the US Mexico boarder.
My in-laws have been in Yuma for 6 months and never crossed the border to Algadones. Last year they went for dental work and prescriptions.
Now... the whole passport issue has put a stop to the border crossing for them.
But... crossing the border isn't a luxury for me. I don't have health insurance... (thanks IBM) and so we rely on Mexico for dental, vision, and perscriptions.
Plus... it's so inexpensive for us to vacation in Mexico! We get about 8 to 10 mini vacations a year on the beach... plus we stay in a luxury condo for a week stay at least twice a year. Right on the Ocean! Can you say... bliss???
What could we afford if we had to stay in the states? I week in San Diego. And... I would have to cook all the food. Yuck.
So... what's the answer? Read on....

clipped from www.rvtravel.com The collective government combine of the Secretary of State and Homeland Security has finally meshed the gears and let the clutch out. Taking the RV to Mexico or Canada? Now you don't need to buy an expensive passport, you can spend less and get in with a Passport Card. When we queried local authorities about this seeming problem, they suggested we forget about the passport card and simply 'go for the gold,' and get a passport. After all, the processing time for a passport is now said to be a lightning fast four weeks.

Algadones Mexico Border Crossing | The Wait Is Often Long

Crossing back into the U.S. through the Algadones Mexico border is often torturous.

Walking back through the Algadones border gate can often last over an hour. Several years ago... Mexico took pity on the Gringos and put in a shaded walk way with nice benches. As you do the sit and stand routine, many vendors will pass buy... hoping to catch you in a generous mood and add some of their wares to your last minute shopping.

Planning to stay longer than a few hours in Mexico? We do the Sunday afternoon crossing in our truck about eight times a year. Our travels to El Golfo de Santa Clara are usually over a long holiday weekend which leaves us little choice but to cross at the worst time of the week.

We have made the pilgrimage to the border as early in the day as possible (which generally means we hit the crossing line about 1 p.m.) This usually works out okay in the early fall and late spring months.
But... November through March are brutal for crossing.

We crossed after a long Thanksgiving weekend on Sunday. The wait time??? About 3 Hours!

Positives: Bathrooms are available at a few places for a fee. Shopping is always easy from your car window as the vendors are walking up and down the line... for miles.

I often hop out and cruise up to the main drag... to get supplies. This can include liquor, medicine and if you smoke... very good prices on cigarettes. We try to make the best of a bad situation.

Of course... I carry my trusty mp3 player to keep me entertained. Their is usually a large group of us in several vehicles, so 3 way radios became a must.

The heartbreak of this long, dusty... boring traffic jam? You can touch the U.S. border just a bit outside the car window. :(

Driving To El Golfo Mexico | Mexican Road Sign Transtlations

El Golfo Tour Guide

Traveling to a new destination for the first time is always an adventure. But... it's always nice when some kind person warns you of a few things that you should be looking for on the road.

Like a dangerous curve. The road to El Golfo, Mexico is pretty straight forward. First you drive through farm land and then a few towns and pretty soon you hit desert. Straight, flat roads with very few variations.

But... you know you are close to the end of your journey when you see this sign:


Peligrosa means Dangerous in Spanish and Curva... means Curve.

And then you barrel down and curve to the right and then left, just as if you are on a roller coaster. It isn't really all that bad, if you know it's their. You can see the many crosses on both sides of the road that are a sign that many didn't pay attention to the sign.

The many times I have traveled this road, it has never been at night. This curve and drop is not lit, nor do any of the signs have reflector tape. Please be careful and drive this road with caution.

For other road sign translations: http://www.ontheroadin.com/mexican_road_sign_translations_f.htm

Rosarito Mexico | The Road Less Traveled

Opps, we did it again! Yes, we traveled to Rosarito, Mexico again in October. I guess we can't get enough of the beach life, and it is so cheap compaired to San Diego.

When I say travel, it's really just a hop, skip and a jump to Rosarito. We left Yuma, AZ at 8 a.m. and arrived in San Diego at 10:30 a.m. Then after a nice breakfast we hit the road through Tijuana and made it to our Condo rental by 11:35 a.m.

One of the things you must adjust to when traveling to small towns in Mexico, is that most of the town is not "touristy". It isn't filled with lush landscaping and clean cobblestone streets. On this last trip, I took some photos of things that make the area a very cool adventure.

I know that the food is good, everywhere. And... the resorts are gorgeous. But, I wanted to show you a bit of what makes the area so interesting. I think the native residents in Rosarito must all be artists.

Carved Sign Over Entrance To The Lobster House

Little Garden Paradise

Stamped Sidewalk...

Puerto Nuevo Baja Mexico - Lobster Dining 2

Restaurant Puerto Nuevo Two, Baja, Mexico.

Since this group was vacationing in a condo nearby we couldn't help ourselves. The call of Lobster was too loud.

Restaurant number one was closed on Sunday... so we went to their sister site next door. The food was equally as good as the other restaurant, but the atmosphere is not quite the same. It is very nice, but not as much fun as the original.



Hand written menu posted outside guarantees that the same menu is available, but the meal includes a soup or salad and a margarita. The price was a few dollars more... well worth the extra expense.










This may look like a margarita, but it's actually a michelada

The weather was warm, and a cold beer is always good with Mexican style food. A michelada added a different twist to a regular beer and so cold we all got a short headache.

The cool drink is made with beer and lemon and/or lime and salt. Some other ingredients are often added as well.








I think the waiters have too much time on their hands!

With the bill comes these cute little mice scooting across the table. Made with napkins, limes and antenna from lobsters.







You can see the little lime hiding under this little mouse.

A website has instructions to make something similar for your next party.

Marble Mouse

Puerto Nuevo Restaraunts - Lobster By The Pound

Lobster! Puerto Nuevo Baja Mexico Dining.

Dining in Puerto Nuevo means eating lobster by the pound. When you add the drawn butter dripping down your chin and arms... well these are not restaurants for the Weight Watcher crowd.

3 of these grilled lobster halves for each with beans, rice, tortillas and salsa is served family style. A true Mexico dining experience and the price was a steal! About $14 each.



Puerto Nuevo 1 is the original lobster restaraunt. If you go... plan on an hour wait, outside! Oh... but it is so worth it.









The original carving over the door. It appears to be 2 lobsters and 2 fish... of course this is what they serve.








Don't expect anything to be searved in this diner like atmosphere. Family style means searve yourself. The tortillias, salsa, rice, butter and beans are searved in bowls just like Mama would. Plain food that tastes great. What could be better?










Our table was located right next to the kitchen. The waiters, managers, clean up crew and cooks all performed with expert ease. Like a choreographed dance.

Puerto Nuevo is a clearly marked village on the Old Road, 10 minutes south of downtown Rosarito.

Take the Rosarito-Ensenada toll road to the Puerto Nuevo turnoff at kilometer 49.

Turn left onto the Old Road and continue south a short distance to the village, which will be on your right.

It is exactly 10 miles from Rosarito's southern toll gate.

Travel to Los Algodones, Baja, Mexico

Just 15 miles outside of Yuma is the border crossing into Mexico at Los Algodones. The weather is hot and most tourists don't bother with this little out of the way town, but you will find bargain shopping even better in the summer weather.

The winter months are the tourist season in this area, so summer income is very lean. We joke with the locals... we not only want Walmart prices, (local joke) but we want our summer price discount as well. The shop keepers are all very cheerful and want to make a sale. It just isn't polite not to bargain.

If you are headed to the Southwest U.S for Summer Vacation and are traveling anywhere near Yuma, Arizona... which is a wet spot on the road from Phoenix to San Diego... and, if you ever dreamed of shopping in Mexico, here is your chance.

My Father-In-Law found dentures in Algodones 1/2 the price he would have paid in the states... I mean one-half of what the insurance covered price would have been. And he really liked the dentist! Which is hard to believe... he is very particular.

Hubby and I stroll around the shops with coffee from the local Cafe' House, which is very much like a Starbucks... only very cheep in cost...not quality.

I am headed to get my glasses next week. I had my optometrist write up a very detailed prescription and the optical stores in Aladones have all the latest styles.

Hubby and I don't have health insurance, so we have almost all our pharmacy prescriptions filled in Algodones. It's not a far drive, and the prices are so much lower. I know you have probably heard that prescription medication may not be of the highest quality. Gee... I don't know of anyone who ever had a problem. And my doctor in the states agrees that prescription prices are way too high for the uninsured. So if I can save a little cash, and have a nice day trip once a month... Well, you get the picture!