Baja Prep: Dog Vac's. Mexican Auto Insurance. Waiting...

Prepping for Baja has a lot of little stages and all of them cost money. I'll have to sit down when all is said and done to write up a "Baja Budget", so you can see how we made it work.

Photo: Google

In the last post, you read how we were able to fit everything, we didn't want to take to Mexico, into a storage unit.

We took another trip to drop some last minute items off and feel we may have one more trip for things we are using now, but don't need to take with us.

Messy, but we're getting there!

We spent a couple of days calling banks, insurance companies, Verizon, Veterinarians, mail places, doctors, among other companies I can't think of right now, to get everything squared away for our 2 month vacation. There were some things we didn't want to pay while we were gone, especially since we wouldn't be able to use them in Mexico, like our Verizon and our American auto insurance...so we put these on hold/suspension/vacation. This way we'll actually save money, woo hoo!

We were able to get Mexican Auto Insurance through Lewis and Lewis, http://www.mexicanautoinsurance.com/ 

they seemed to be the cheapest and our friend goes through them every year, so we felt comfortable with them.

We did our big shopping trip to Walmart to get the major stuff in bulk; TP, Paper towels, medicine as well as the U.S. food that we love and don't want to pay an arm and a leg for down there; granola, Chai, coffee, creamer, etc.

We filled up all of our water jugs, dumped trash, refueled, got some mail and made an appointment for the girls to get shots and a health certificate.

The Vet was able to get us in the very next day of making our appointment, so that was really helpful before the weekend. We went to Valley Veterinarian Hospital, the staff and doctor were all very nice, informative and even got us in 25 minutes early!

 The dogs were happy to be able to accompany us into a building....until they smelled the fear within the walls, then they just wanted out!! haha

They both did exceptionally well! 

Chili Moon was her usual nervous energy~wiggle worm self, but I was a very proud mommy, for it only took three times and two different people to get her temperature!!

Savannah was awesome! She knew something was going down but she just watched and sat very still for everything and didn't growl one single time! She even nuzzled up with me to get me to pick her up and hold her close....awww, she does love mommy!

 We left there $110 less in our pockets but with updated shots and Certifications of Health for both girls. 

Check that huge one off the list!

Now....we wait until the week starts again.

We have a couple more packages to pick up and a couple of little things to gather and drop off before we head South.

Our internet will most likely be turned off tonight around midnight, until April. We will be finding internet cafes to check in with friends and family.

So for the rest of tonight, we will wait out this wind and maybe by the time we roll out, it'll be nice and pleasant and perfect!

Have a great rest of your Winter and start to your Spring!

Adiós por ahora

PAZ 

Prepping in Plaster City

I didn't think I'd be writing until we got back from Baja, but we have been 'van-ridden' for the past day and it looks like another van day today due to major wind....so I thought I would update you with our happenings thus far. 

We left the RTR spot in Quartzsite about a week ago and camped in Ehrenberg for a couple of days...a couple of really windy days...got a few things done over there then headed down to El Centro.

Imperial Sand Dunes on the way to El Centro

We weren't sure what to expect in El Centro due to never traveling down here. We drove into the main part of town, looking for storage units and I have to say at first I didn't want to be here, I was scared! I'm usually pretty good with these feelings....as long as I'm in the van with windows up and doors locked but the neighborhoods we were driving through did not feel very safe. 

We stopped at one storage unit and left right away due to the lady obviously not wanting any business. The 2nd place we stopped, I stayed in the van while Jamie went to see about pricing. Right away I noticed a group of 3 men walking their bicycles slowly toward the van, they slowed even more when they saw me sitting in the van and then started hooting and hollering at me. I made sure the doors were locked and grabbed the bear spray! And maybe I watch too many damn movies or Datelines but it was at this point that I noticed every single person in this neighborhood was wearing dark navy blue clothing and here I am sitting in this van, that looks quite delectable with all of our stuff on it, in a bright red shirt! Great!

Jamie came back after what seemed like forever with paperwork...looks like we found our storage unit! He got in the van and said, "The good news is, we have a storage unit, the bad news is, we're going to have to carry the trailer....sideways to get it to fit in the unit!" 

My Olive Oyl arms will be put to the test today!

At this point in time, it was about 4:00 p.m. so we had to start tearing everything apart pronto, get the stuff we aren't taking into the unit and get to where we are camping for the night, hopefully before dark!

We were at the storage place a little over an hour and while the unit is packed poorly, we got most of everything we aren't taking inside. Woo hoo! Now to throw everything back in the van to get to a spot for the night.

We arrived in Plaster City, our staging area for the trip, just before dark. Plaster City is a huge OHV area near a Gypsum quarry and factory, it's very desolate out here. 

 It's a great place to play with all the fun, big, loud toys! Another cool thing about this area is there is a Bombing Range on the other side of the OHV area so there is a lot of military activity in the air, we get to see fighter jets doing air maneuvers every morning, except yesterday and today due to this crazy wind! 

My new fave pic! Helicopters and Wind Turbines with the sunset! Yes, please!!!

The next day, I tore everything out of the van sans the bed; rugs, water jugs, boards, cabinets, toilet, food, dog stuff, etc. to do a deep, deep cleaning...God knows it has needed it for quite some time! It took me most of the day wiping everything down and vacuuming every nook and cranny at least 3 times. Going to Mexico was a great 'excuse' to be able to tear everything out and take the time to clean everything as best as I could (which is pretty damn clean)!

By the time the Sun was starting to set Scott had arrived, the van had been scrubbed down, ready for repacking and we narrowed our stuff down to the necessities and a few fun things that we can't live without. 

Scott's Rig

That's it! Now it all has to go in there somewhere!

Then it was dinner time!!

Desert Dining at its finest

 

More preparation info in the next post!

PEACE

 

 

Happenings at The Big Tent in Quartzsite, AZ

Every year that we are in Quartzsite for the RTR, we take one day to do some things in town...yes, even though we've done it before and even with all of the people here. 

It's fun to walk around and see all of the new rigs out for the year, the "older" ones from years past and to see the vendors selling whatever it is they are selling.

The Big Tent is an interesting place and I have to say that this year was the best year for walking around the Big Tent because there was barely anyone there, but I know that doesn't do much for the town of Quartzsite, so it's kind of sad.

We were able to walk...yes, I said walk! through the big tent this year. Usually there are sooo many people inside you pretty much shuffle along at a very very very slow pace, if at all. Last year we walked in and turned right back around to walk out, just way too many people...but not this year, it was nice.

We walked into a couple of rigs but not as many as in years past. 

One rig we walked into was a rebuilt, revamped, remodeled, rewired, etc. 1974 Winnebago Indian. It was tight!

I think the main reason the big tent was so empty was because all of the 'smart' folk were at Big Bellies Adult Day Care having a good ole time singing, dancing, laughing and drinking!

We did our annual Progressive visit. Every year they give away a few different items you can win when you play their slot machine. The first year Jamie got a really cool shirt and I got a reflective dog leash. Last year we both got playing cards. This year we both wanted shirts because they are super comfy and they had some really good looking shirts this year, but we both got sunscreen and chapstick instead...whomp whomp. I guess it'll be good for Baja, but still! We also got chased by a bear which I was way too happy about!! 
Watch the 12 second video below.

We took the bike into town and even though we were a little overdressed due to that, the weather played well with us throughout the day! It was so nice, we actually got ice cream and what amazing ice cream it was!!

$4.00 for a waffle cone or cup and all scoops are double, you can even get two different flavors!! Jamie got Mocha Fudge Brownie with Chocolate and I dipped into the Sea Salt Caramel with Mint Chocolate Chip.....man, was it good!!!!

I think we walked around for about two hours seeing everything as well as getting a couple of interviews of vendors and guests walking around. We made a little game out of it so people were more willing to talk to us, it turned out great...those videos soon to come.
As we walked away from the sights and sounds of the Big Tent we caught one more sound of a lone guitar player, he had a great voice and tons of soul...his name is Kelli McAllister and you can find him on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/user/kelli112687

I say, "Even if you've been to the Big Tent before, you never know what you might find, see or hear...go again, you may have a totally new and fun experience!"

PEACE 

 

New lights on XR 400: Video of Ride

Jamie is pumped about "midnight rides" and even more stoked he can now use his new lights to light the way.

This video is what it's like when we do "Midnight Rides". 
 Jamie & Johnny night riding.

 PEACE

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Enigmatic Nomadics are taking a vacay!!

The RTR is over.

A bittersweet feeling rests upon us, but we are going to make the most of it and take a vacation!

 We are heading to Baja, Mexico in the next few days.

We have never been there before and will be traveling with friends that have.

We will not have wifi like we are used to, so I will be sure to take tons of notes so I have lots to write about when we get back.

I have also put my Ety shop on hold until mid-April.

I will be shopping around for some unique, fun and interesting pieces to make while I'm down there.

We are excited and a little nervous (maybe it's just me) but we are putting most of our stuff in storage...which is actually great, but packing the things we need to take is a little overwhelming, since we usually have everything we own on us!

What clothes will I want to wear? Which shoes? Will I want to paint, wire wrap, read...which books, what will the dogs need? I guess it's a high quality problem, but still a little nerve-wracking.

With all of that said. I will check in when I can but don't worry if you don't see us for a little bit. I'm sure to have many stories and pictures in April!

 See you soon!

PEACE

RTR ~ Frost. Chili. Haircuts. Sunset Rides.

January 9

 ......

 Woke up to pretty cold temperatures (for us), high 30's - l0w 40's, with a little bit of wind.

The Chili Dinner turned out exceptionally well! A couple different kinds of chili as well as cornbread and other yummy sides. I was cutting hair all day but was fortunate enough to have Jamie and Natalie bring me all the fixins'...the cornbread was delicious Greg!!

A good big mess always means great food

Will, Jake, Nico & Ted, all probably making up stuff!

Wolf with Mark & Donna

I finished up the last haircut just as the Sunset Ride was going down.

Don't rush me!!!

We had 9 vehicles and about 14 people with us for the second Sunset Ride.

Ben & Justin enjoying the view

Dill, Tim, Wolf and Stix

Jamie resting up for the bigger hill

You can never have enough Tim from Alaska!!

Still holding it down back here

Stix & Sequoia's 4x4

Dill & Stephen

This is how I roll in the back, just bouncing along

PEACE

Random RTR Happenins'

January 8

 Random things around camp

...

Jamie has been keeping up with his morning workouts

 A new friend, Mark, stopped by and gave us a pop from his hometown, Spring Grove, Minnesota. I tried the newest flavor, Rhuberry...I liked the name! It was pretty good and berry sweet!

We caught a gaze at the Goodyear Blimp. It comes through Quartzsite occasionally, it's pretty cool to see and very loud!

Jamie put up the TV antennae....after much finagling, we finally got a few channels (NBC, ABC, Weather and Justice). We haven't had TV in about 3 months, sometimes it's nice to have at night but I was starting to get used to no TV and it wasn't bad at all! But Jamie likes to have it for football right now, so gotta get a few channels.

We started Sunset Rides this day, as well.

Jamie on his XR 400

Jake & Nico ~ Front of the Sammie

Kyndal holding it down in the back

Larry (front) & Tim (back) on the path

Up the Hill we go

 

The "Sammie" at the Ruins

On our way home

PEACE