It’s amazing how time flies, especially when you’re having fun, and soon you’re on your last month, then last week, and suddenly, your last day. Even more suddenly than we’d planned, our last day is here because we’ve decided to leave a few weeks early, in part, due to the increasing issues at the Mexican border and its’ possible threat to our safety. It wouldn’t be an issue at all if we were flying, and only because we are driving this has become at least,a concern. I still think those happy vacationers have nothing to worry about, we feel safe here in the Banderas Bay area. As long as you keep your travel wits about you and respect the culture and those around you, you will be fine.

Anyway, its our last day before taking off on the 5 day car journey (1700km in Mexico, and 2400km back to Calgary) and I’ve found myself enjoying nixons’ one last swim, drinking my one last corona, thinking about the suitcase that needs to be packed and the goods that need to find their way into the car before this evening. I’d rather procrastinate leaving, whereas Josh’s head is already on the way home. Soon I will be heading to the pool for one last swim, while he plots the last final checks for the journey ahead.

It’s interesting to me, as I was looking on line last night for more information on travelling across borders and related safety issues, there really was not much information for those of us that are making the drive. And I know for a fact that many, MANY Americans and Canadians make the long car ride down and back yearly, and for many of them, they’ve been doing it for years. But why doesn’t anyone share their story? I hope that my blog might provide some information for people considering this adventure, not only about safety but about where to stay on the way through Mexico, about what you need for your pet to come along, and other helpful tips. We met and talked with several couples about their experiences while we were down here, but that sure doesn’t help when initially planning to come down here.

 Our plan, as of today, is to head out at the crack of dawn and make our way to the town of Navojoa, Sonora, Mx. It will take about 10 hours according to some calculations and our time on the way down. There is a Best Western there that takes pets, or so their website indicates. I did book it on Expedia this morning, so hopefully that stop is a no brainer. It’s just off the highway, and a few of our new friends here have recommended it as a good stop. We’ll keep you posted. Our way down overnight-in-Mexico was in Los Mochis and we would not recommend it to anyone, nor can I remember the place of the hotel, as it was bad, just bad. You can read more details on our earlier blog (first week of January).

We happend to drive by the vet (Vetrinario Centro) today during our short list of errands, and noticed they were open. We stopped by to ask about the “Certificado Zoosanitario” that we heard (and read) that we needed for Nixon to cross the border into the States. He did recommend having it, though many people have told us they haven’t ever been asked to see it.  He was very nice and said we could return shortly and he would give Nixon the once over before writing up a quick certificate of health. It cost us 100 pesos (plus we offered a nice tip for seeing us out of the blue on a Sunday). We couldn’t help but notice why he was there on a Sunday and though too sad to mention, it made us hug Nixon a little closer on the way home. He has no idea how good he has it.

We will keep you posted on this trip back home. I am writing it today, to post when we’re safely across the border. I tried to read the spanish news papers in the towns along our route, using the help of an online translation site, but I think I was more confused about what happend in the recent  past than before. Also, it makes me wonder how much of it is scare tactics from the media, at a busy time in Mexico for Americans on their spring break vacations.

So, we will cautiously make our way north, leaving the gorgeous (and increasingly hot) weather, sandy beaches and warm water behind us. Now, off to the pool.