We arrived and got out of the truck to survey the site, mmm lots of rocks and a bit of a gradient but no big deal - or so we thought! I started to reverse up the rise and within 5 metres the tyres began to spin. Down the hill I went and tried again, and again and again. No luck - each and every time I got close to the level site we lost traction and the truck fish tailed. As the dodge is only 2WD the solution was to drive down the hill and back up at a reasonable speed hoping to get enough momentum to make it up the top. It took three attempts, and probably not the best positioning on the site, but we had made it. The elevation and slope made It feel like the front of the 5th wheeler, our bedroom, was on the first floor of a building.
Landing gear was at full extension
Within minutes of pulling up our new neighbour, Bob, came out to congratulate us on our persistence, he was very impressed indeed. It's a favourite pastime in RV parks to watch the "new blood" pull in and their attempts to park their RV. In this instance we passed the test.
As we travel around the United States we always hope to come across some kind of event or festival. We had succeeded this time, oh joy, there was a "rock show" on in the area! We were so excited - not! Each to their own - many campers returned home each night to chip their rocks, they obviously knew what they were looking for, a rock is a rock to us!
During one of my many 'chats' with the other campers we were told of our close proximity to Mexico. We had heard many horror stories and were advised not to venture 'down there'. Bob gave us some more information - should we or should we not?
We had dinner with our site savers, Lorie and Jeff, a great evening eating beautifully cooked food washed down by a few drinks, watching the sunset.
Sunset at Rockhound
After much deliberation we decided we would head across the border to Mexico. We packed our passports, took a dose of dutch courage and drove the 30 odd miles to the border. It is possible to drive your vehicle over the border but without ' Mexican car insurance' and the sticker on the inside of your windscreen we were told that you are a prime target for abduction. So we took the safer option of parking in a car park in the USA. We were not going too far into Mexico, just to the "Pink House" which was 100 metres inside the border. Actually crossing the border was simple - we did not need to show our passports and the Mexican border patrol officers just stood there chatting amongst themselves with their sub machine guns held in their hands. We followed an elderly couple through the gates, if they could do it so could we!!
We briskly walked the short distance to the safety the Pink House. The Pink House is a huge warehouse filled with ever conceivable hand made Mexican craft, art and, of course, Tequila! Within 5 mins we were offered a complimentary margarita while we browsed. Having made a commitment not to accumulate too much junk we kept our purchases to a minimum. As well as merchandise the Pink House also has a restaurant. We had lunch accompanied by a few more margaritas. On the way out we met the owner of the store who gave us a comprehensive lesson regarding the different types of tequila, how they are made and how to mix it. Look out our Aussie friends, margaritas all round on our return!
Buying pharmaceuticals is another reason that Americans head across the border. Prescription medicines are over half price in Mexico. The chemist shop next to the Pink House had a steady stream of people exiting with large bags! We didn't venture that far so back over the border crossing we went with our tequila bottles, trying our hardest to ignore the kids begging and the sunglasses sellers (were we in Bali??)
Lunch at the "Pink Place" and the blue thing is to keep your Tortillas warm
The path back across the border was quite obscure, no line, and not many signs indicating where to go. I am sure we would have been stopped however if we did venture the wrong way! We saw a sign pointing us to the US Border Control people, went though the tinted door, presented our passports and that was it - back in the US of A. We did it!!
Upon our return to the truck we noticed that the front right hand side tyre was flat - still drivable but needing attention pretty quickly. Was this sabotage? We headed to the border town of Columbus and found a pretty shady looking place with a hand painted, faded sign indicating that they did tyre repairs. The place was owned by a big burly Mexican, who, despite appearances, took a quick look and fixed the valve stem for a mere $6. Ten minutes later we were on our way home.
The weather always has a big bearing on what we do - the dust storm the next day held us hostage and the NCIS marathon on satellite TV kept us entertained.
After the dust settled the following day we ventured to the "City of Rocks" state park, 30 miles north of us. We put on our jackets (yes cold again) and proceeded to do the , quite disappointing, 3 mile walk around the park. Chalk this walk up as an exercise only event. As we walked we could see squalls coming across the desert, the next minute we were rained on, followed by hail and then snow! Time to go home!
The City of Rocks State Park
Yep it actually snowed!
Time done at Rockhound State Park, moving on tomorrow.
- Posted by RnR on their IPad
Location:Rockhound State Park, New Mexico
No comments:
Post a Comment