Phoenix, AZ to Dallas, TX to Phoenix,
AZ to San Carlos, MX

10/15/2003 - 10/20/2003

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With the deserts and national parks behind us, we pointed the RV toward Phoenix. Phoenix is the launching point for the next couple of adventures. The plan from Phoenix is fly to Robin's friend Mary Beth's wedding in Dallas, fly back to Phoenix and ride a bus back to Mexico.

We did not realize how much fun it would be to drive a 25 foot RV in a big city. "We" is an accurate description of the driving. Duncan physically drives the RV and Robin navigates and provides advice. An an FYI, Phoenix has really high curbs, so o not get too close to them.

Lots of organizational tasks needed to occur prior to the flight to Dallas. Finding the bus station to buy tickets for the return fly was the first task on the list.

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Robin pulled the address for the bus station off the internet since an attempt to hold a phone conversation proved how little Spanish Robin knows.

Upon driving by the address a couple of times, we discovered the bus station was an empty lot. This was not a good start toward progress. We pulled in the lot and started to call the bus station. As Robin starts to dial on the cell phone, Duncan noticed a postal truck pull into the lot behind us. Astute Duncan asked the postman where the TBC bus station moved to. The upside is the postman knew the answer and spoke English. We found the bus station and made reservations for the seven hour return trip to Mexico.

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The next major task is to figure out what to do with the six large duffels of stuff and a guitar we do not want to take to Dallas. We found a hotel near the airport, made a reservation for the night of our return from Dallas and asked them to stow our bags. Excellent. Only one piece of luggage will accompany us to Dallas. After finding an RV park in Phoenix that accepts guests under 55 (you don't realize how challenging this one was), we cleaned up the RV to ensure we received the cleaning deposit back.

We enjoyed lots of the RV features including the microwave, frig and freezer. One thing we will not miss is the bed. Bearable at first, we started longing for our own bed by the end of the journey. The RV was a great way to explore for a few weeks, but Robin looks forward to getting back to Whisper's galley to prepare food with real kitchen knives (ever cut an onion with a flimsy steak knife?), eat off stoneware with stainless forks and drink wine out of a real glass. You know, we don't really rough it on the boat.

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Then, you get into the bigger units. This one is called a slide-out. Somehow the sides slide out to increase the amount of width of living space. Don't ask us where everything goes when it slides back in. Most of these units tow a separate vehicle like a jeep or car to be used once they arrive at a destination. Satellite TV, awnings and lots of other amenities give all the comforts of home.

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Thursday morning we returned the RV and hopped a cab to the airport. Returning the RV took less time than anticipated, so we were able to catch an earlier flight to Dallas. The flights were jam packed. Are the seats getting smaller on planes? We arrived in Dallas without a problem.

Out-of-town wedding guests stayed at the Embassy Suites by the airport. After getting settled in the room, we wandered down to the lobby to start the search for food. Lucky for us, we ran into Mary Beth (bride), Sean (groom) and families in the bar eating pizza and watching the World Series. We joined the party feeling a bit like a novelty. Mary Beth had built us up to be "Her Friends That Are Sailing Around The World". Well, we do not have the cruising kitty to make it around the world, but we sure did feel special.

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Out-of-towners were invited to attend the rehearsal dinner on Friday night. The wedding took place at the Dallas Women's Forum on Saturday night. The entire weekend was filled with wonderful events and lots of love. We would not have missed the wedding for the world.

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Check out the wedding party.

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Mary Beth and Robin have know each other since EDS days back in 1985.

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The flight back to Phoenix wrapped up the summer and fall vacations. Both of us are anxious to get back to Mexico and back to our home, Whisper. One last mode of transportation awaits - the bus.

Monday morning, the taxi dropped us at the bus station with all our bags. Within moments, we were reminded of the kindness of Mexican people. People helped get our bags loaded in the luggage compartment. By 8:00 am, the wheels were rolling. A couple hours later, we stopped to pick up more people in Tucson.

Doing a few quick calculations, we realized the "seven hour trip" cannot possibly take only seven hours. It took us eight hours from Tucson in the RV and it took two hours to get to Tucson from Phoenix. Okay, it must be at least a nine hour trip. An hour later we arrive at the border.

On the Mexican side of the border, the bus stops at immigration and customs. Everyone on the bus gets off the bus. All the luggage is unloaded. Each person picks up their luggage and gets in line for the customs officer. He stands by a post with a light and a button. You push the button to get either the red or green light. Red light means your bags are searched. Green light means you get back on the bus. With 7 large bags of luggage draped across our bodies and in our arms, we slowly inch our way forward in the line. Unfortunately, our luggage was the first on the bus, so it was the last off the bus putting us last in line. The good news is the light turned green on our turn and the process was over. Everyone settled back into their seats and off we went.

We only made it about 15 minutes before the next stop at the bus station in Nogales. By now, it is getting close to noon. At this rate, the bus ride will take more like ten or eleven hours. Oh well. In the bus station, a food counter offered snacks and sandwiches. Robin spotted a lady eating little burritos. Yummy. "I'll take 4 burritos" Robin sputtered in beginner's Spanish. "No more burritos" said the lady behind the counter. "No problema, I'll take the last sandwich". The senora eating the burritos then insisted Robin take two of her four burritos. "Really?" She packed them up in a napkin and Robin returned to the bus with the sandwich, two burritos and some fruit. Unbelievably generous people in Mexico.

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Six hours later we arrived at the bus station near San Carlos and hopped a taxi to the marina. Whisper's status was of great interest. Hurricane Marty blew through La Paz and San Carlos around September 22nd. Over 100 boats in La Paz suffered major damage, sunk or ran aground. Two marinas in La Paz broke apart causing most of the damage. A couple boats in dry storage toppled and suffered rig damage. Many boats in Puerto Escondido, a well known hurricane hole, suffered damage, ran aground or were sunk. In the north Sea of Cortez, two boats ended up on the beach. One, Spirit Healer, was a total loss. In San Carlos, eight boats ended up on the beach including 4 shrimp boats. One dock at the marina broke apart, but the boats were quickly retied to other docks. Three boats in dry storage toppled.

All reports from Victor and friends indicated Whisper was unscathed, but we needed to see her for ourselves. The taxi dropped us at the dock just after sunset. We loaded the cart with luggage and walked down the dock to get back to our home. There she was looking great and unscathed.

The next morning Victor, our friend who took care of Whisper, stopped by first thing in the morning. He recounted the tales of Hurricane Marty. He and his father stayed on the boat across from us as the storm came through. Lots of extra lines and fenders were placed everywhere. Lots of people walked the docks making sure lines were not chafed. All in all Whisper was in great hands. Muchas gracias, Victor! Man, it is good to be back home.

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