October 27 - Practice run at the border

We really have been spoiled by our Garmin; having to navigate our way to the border crossing at Veterans International Bridge without it was real work.  Let me say, this is a great place to cross into Mexico.  There was not one car in line at 9:45 am, and we cruised directly into the migración/banjercito area and parked 40 feet from the door.  The friendly gentleman at migration actually filled out our tourist cards for us, while we sat and waited.  We had brought photocopies of our documents from home, so we paid $20 pesos for a copy of our tarjeta de touristas, and went 20 feet across a clean, modern area full of seating to the banjercito for our temporary vehicle permits.  We were disappointed to be informed by the cheerful young woman that since our case rodante (RV) was not present, we could not get the TIP for the Brave.  We did get one for the CRV, paid the fees, applied the hologram to the windshield, and we were off.  We scoped out the access route to work the Brave through the area (good parking, a little tight but quite doable to exit)  Again, not one car in line at the US crossing(!), $32 MX for the toll bridge, and we were back in Brownsville.  Filled the CRV to the brim with that sweet, cheap US gas, and again, scoped out how/where to gas the Brave prior to the Border crossing tomorrow.  Although we have to return to the banjercito tomorrow, today's trip was a success, since we achieved three of four documents necessary, and now know exactly what to expect and where to go prior to lumbering in with the Brave (which cannot back up even 6 inches with the CRV in tow).  Nothing left to do today, but relax, enjoy a beverage, and dream of Mexico.

On schedule for tomorrow am: Hook up the CRV, fuel the Brave, get the TIP for the Brave, and we're off for Cuidad Victoria.

Resaca in Winterhaven